King Lear is a play written by William Shakespeare that tells the story of an aging king who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters. Two of Lear’s daughters, Goneril and Regan, flatter him and declare their love for him, but his third daughter Cordelia refuses to do so. Enraged, Lear banishes Cordelia … Read more
As the play Macbeth progresses, we see Lady Macbeth change from a strong and ambitious woman to a broken and fragile one. This is due to the pressure that she feels from her husband to help him kill Duncan and become king. The guilt from her actions also takes a toll on Lady Macbeth and … Read more
Hamlet is a play written by William Shakespeare that is full of figurative language. Figurative language is when an author uses words or phrases to describe something in a way that is not literal. In Hamlet, Shakespeare uses figurative language to create vivid images and to help the reader understand the characters’ feelings. Some examples … Read more
King Duncan was a wise and just ruler who was much loved by his people. He was a strong leader and had a great sense of justice. Macbeth, on the other hand, was a ambitious and power-hungry man who was always looking for ways to increase his own power. He was often ruthless in his … Read more
Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare that tells the story of Macbeth, a Scottish general who murders Duncan, the King of Scotland, in order to fulfill a prophecy and become king himself. The prophecy states that Macbeth will become king when “fair is foul and foul is fair.” This theme is evident throughout … Read more
In 1599:A Year in the life of William Shakespeare, James Shapiro (a Shakespeare scholar and professor at Columbia University) depicts a bibliography on the mark left on four plays; Hamlet, As You Like It, Henry V and Julius Caesar written by William Shakespeare in 1599 by public events. James Shapiro goes to the next level … Read more
‘A View from the Bridge’, by Arthur Miller, is a play which explores the theme of obsession. Set in 1940s Brooklyn, the play is based upon the lives of the Carbone family and, in particular, focuses upon longshoreman Eddie Carbone’s unhealthy obsession with his seventeen year old niece Catherine. A modern version of a Greek … Read more
In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Purloined Letter,” deception, revenge, and logic vs. creative thinking were among many of the themes that were present in the story. These themes are important in the story because Dupin was deceptive to multiple people and took revenge on Minister D. Monsieur, the Prefect, searched for the letter using logical … Read more
A characteristic that made Shakespeare such an intriguing playwright is his ability to convey powerful messages to an audience in a creative and unexpected manner. When comparing act 5, scene 3 from Richard III to act 1, scene 5 from Hamlet, this niche can truly be appreciated by analyzing his usage of ghosts. Although the … Read more
Have you ever wondered how the theater become so popular? People will think that it was because of Hollywood or some other thing, but it started on the eastern side of the world. There was a movement called the Renaissance, and that movement created theaters and many other things that people enjoy in our modern … Read more
Caliban is one of William Shakespeare’s most bizarre and intricately crafted characters, which is a bold statement to make, however his undeniable presence in The Tempest both in text and on stage cannot be ignored. The rambunctious, uncontrolled, fiery spirit of Caliban hides many of his inner qualms and this facade has been a topic … Read more
The Tempest and the World around It Some people might think of Shakespeare’s story The Tempest as just that, a story about a man who has his position as Duke of Milan usurped by his less than pleasant brother. However, after a careful analysis of The Tempest, it is not difficult to see how noticeable … Read more
Within the novel King Lear by William Shakespeare the theme of loyalty is present though out the entire play. This is shown thoroughly through Kent, with his loyalty towards King Lear. It is also shown by Cordelia with the true love of her father, King Lear. Lastly it is shown through Gloucester with his constant … Read more
If anyone is ever looking for a movie based on a Shakespeare play, poorly adapted into a modern story about high school basketball players, and complete with uninspired acting, then the movie O, directed by Tim Blake Nelson, is the perfect choice. The movie, which stars Mekhi Phifer, Julia Stiles, and Martin Sheen, takes place … Read more
When thinking of what true love really is it is known that people have many different perspectives on its meaning. Love can be viewed as the physical attraction that one has to another, the desire that one has to be in another’s company, or the longing to have someone to love and be loved by. … Read more
All through the catastrophic play of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the main character, Macbeth, makes countless poor choices. The three witches’, also referred to as the three weird sisters, prophecy is the event that tipped him over the edge and into mental deterioration. From Act 1 to the very ending of act 5, Macbeth suffers … Read more
“When he finally spreads his wings and leaves, Elisenda manages to feel nothing but relief” (Tornaritis, 3). This statement from the short story “A Very Old Man With Wings” illustrates how helping someone will not always end up having a positive effect on you. Gabriel Garcia Marquez lets the reader realize how badly an angel, … Read more
The beginning of one of the most contended soliloquies by William Shakespeare states “To be or not to be” (Shakespeare IV. iv. ), the excessive dramatists of all time. The alteration of the implication his soliloquy brings its apposite to generate a colossal quantity of adaptation to the original, affiances signification that this monologue is … Read more
Life altering experiences has the power to change people. In the play “Wit” by Margaret Edson, Vivian began to value kindness. While on her death bed, she realized the of importance human interaction. The overall theme is the significance of humanity. Edson’s use of flashbacks emphasizes Vivian’s transformation from a researched based individual to someone … Read more
Some people have a personality trait called “grit”. Angela Duckworth defines grit as the determination to do something until you have obtained the skills to do it correctly. In her research she explains that one must have endurance to complete a race. In True Grit by Angela Lee Duckworth and Lauren Eskreis -winkler, the example … Read more
‘In what ways is the theme of racism more or less prominent than themes of love, deceit and jealousy in Shakespeare’s Othello? ‘ Othello is a play which was written by William Shakespeare and believed to be written around 1603 and first performed by the king’s men. Othello is a tragedy which focuses on Othello … Read more
“Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t. ” -William Shakespeare, Hamlet (act II, scene II). William Shakespeare is known perhaps as the world’s most renowned playwright, over 400 years subsequent his death. The playwright lived and wrote during the Elizabethan Reign over England. It was during this period that Shakespeare produced his most … Read more
Hamlet is a play written by popular playwright William Shakespeare. In the play, Shakespeare explores the theme of vengeance through an interaction of various characters. The main character of the play is Hamlet. He is a protagonist seeking to avenge the death of his father. Hamlet’s character in the play is quite dynamic. This is … Read more
According to Gayle Holste (2002), William Shakespeare was born on April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. His father, John Shakespeare, was a leather maker and his mother, Mary Shakespeare, was a stay at home mom. For a man with little to no education, he influenced the English Literature. Some experts say there is no for sure … Read more
We Shall Meet in Imagery and Diction In all Shakespeare’s tragedies, Imagery and diction have an appearance. In the play Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, imagery and diction are two literary devices that are present and have a great significance to the play. Imagery is a form of a literary device to create a vivid … Read more
Hamlet is arguably one of William Shakespeare’s best literature pieces and almost 500 years later it’s still being read and used everywhere around the world. Hamlet has been critically analyzed by prominent figures in literature and this dynamic play has taken on a larger role providing both dramatic and philosophical inspiration in our current society. … Read more
Arrogance or Addiction? modern day for humans in the spotlight to fall from the top, but climbs right back up knowing the eyes of many are watching. What happens when they don’t realize they need to climb back up? That individual becomes Macbeth in William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth from the 15th century, although stars like … Read more
From the dawn of time, people have always had a deep and violent nature hidden within their roots. Although this kind of trait is suppressed and often strongly frowned upon, under the correct conditions, it is revealed to have a powerful effect, showing positive results. Conversely, throughout its true, vigorous and highly controversial content, the … Read more
If I were to stage a performance of King Lear, I would attempt to cultivates more sympathy for the unruly royal father. When I first read this play, I judged King Lear harshly for making one foolish mistake after another. I viewed his treatment of Regan, and Goneril as sufficient evidence for his eviction. King … Read more
0:51 Essay Comparing The Tempest And The L…. X Essay Comparing The Tempest And The Lion King By William Shakespeare, born on April 15, 1564, left behind a legacy when he passed away four hundred years back, on April 23rd, 1616. It was through his work, that Shakespeare created his own empire of sorts. An … Read more
Compare the ways in which Shakespeare presents the two kings in these extracts from Richard II and Macbeth. In the scene from Richard II, Act 3 Scene 2, Richard is informed of the deaths of Bushy, Green and the Earl of Wiltshire, whereupon he begins a monologue discussing death. In the scene from Macbeth, Act … Read more
The playwright Our Town features a wide range of philosophizing that one would not usually expect from such a traditional and classic play. The play’s author, Thornton Wilder, does an exceptional job characterizing his characters, with many seeming completely normal yet others clearly extraordinarily wise. The two main characters, characters George and Emily are both … Read more
The Power of Words Patrick Rothfuss wrote in one of his most recognized books that “words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power, words have power. [They] can light fires in the minds of men. [They] can wring tears from the hardest hearts” (Rothfuss 673). Words can influence, build, inspire or even … Read more
Often labeled one of Shakespeare’s most lethal and sinister plays, Macbeth is a drama so praiseworthy that is able to perfectly absorb and embody the greatest fears of its time period, and then instill them back into its audience, frightening them even greater than they were before. Above all, Shakespeare valued a good story, and … Read more
Macbeth, a story of tragic events, murder, betrayal, and some more betrayal. Throughout the play many things such as events and the behavior of others have affected many characters, in this case Macbeth’s betrayals have affected him as well as many others causing him to change drastically. The betrayals of Duncan the king of Scotland, … Read more
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of downfall is “a sudden loss of power, happiness, success, or something that causes failure”. Downfall is involved in William Shakespeare’s notorious play, The Tragedy of Macbeth. Despite the fact that it seems as though Lady Macbeth and the witches took a toll on Macbeth’s behaviour throughout the play, … Read more
According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, guilt is defined as, “a bad feeling caused by knowing or thinking that one has done something wrong or bad”. Everyone has felt guilt about something about in his/her life. In Macbeth, Macbeth feels guilt over killing Duncan, the king, for his own personal gain to become king. Macbeth’s guilt develops … Read more
Deception, whether it is used for good or for evil is the method of choice that many figures use to manipulate others in order to get one’s way. Many characters in the Tragedy of Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, unconsciously make choices based upon deception and logical tricks, setting themselves up in order to be … Read more
The Taming of the Shrew was a Shakespearean play that was written between 1590 and 1592. Set in both Padua, and Verona, Italy, the play details the “love” story of Petruchio and Katherina. Shakespeare had written the play to be a comedic piece. In 1967 Franco Zeffirelli transformed The Taming of the Shrew into a … Read more
“For I born to tame you, Kate, and bring you from a wild Kate to Kate comfortable as household Kates. ” -Petruchio All that Taming Of The Shrew screams to its viewers, is the misogyny of Elizabethan times and the bitter resentment the church had for women. “It’s the story of a ‘shrewish’ woman who … Read more
Moreover, a very intriguing ironic parallel can be drawn between Nora and Torvald, when Torvald finds out about Nora’s forgery, he exclaims “Now you’ve wrecked all my happiness—ruined my whole future. Oh, it’s awful to think of. I’m in a cheap little grafter’s hands; he can do anything he wants with me, ask for anything, … Read more
Many of us have heard the saying that too much of a good thing is not good for us. The literary masterpiece “Othello” by William Shakespeare is a perfect example of why this saying is true. In Shakespeare’s play, Othello is the well-respected general of the Venetian army, but he soon begins to lose his … Read more
The play Macbeth, was written around 1606 by the famous poet William Shakespeare. In the plot, Macbeth is told prophecies by three witches and he does everything in his power to make sure he becomes the king, as they proclaimed, including murder. In Macbeth, one theme presented is “fair is foul, and foul is fair,” … Read more
Machiavelli was an author and an aspiring political figure who had a strong influence on several aspects of Europe’s government. Due to his critical writings in The Prince, many historians see Machiavelli as a cruel and diabolical political figure whose true intentions were to gain power for himself. However, after looking further into Machiavelli’s political … Read more
The large body of work attributed to William Shakespeare shows education, experience, creativity, and wisdom far beyond what many people are willing to accept came from a single author. This is due to the scarcity of facts concerning his life, speculation rose about whether or not Shakespeare became more common. In turn, some have chosen … Read more
Soaked, little, and naked is how the viewer finds Susanna in the middle of Girl, Interrupted. Or rather, soaked, little, naked, and hysterical. A state James Mangold utilizes to further illustrate his message. The film serves as a vehicle for Mangold to discuss madness and the society it exists within. Valerie, the asylum’s registered nurse, … Read more
“Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it” George Santayana, The Life of Reason, 1905. The Tragedy of Macbeth, tells a story of a common occurrence in politics, a rise and fall of a once powerful leader. The Tragedy of Macbeth is a tragedy in which the main protagonist’s flaws leads to … Read more
Virtue’s significance in society has changed over time and its relevance can be used to contrast differing social and cultural contexts. The prescribed non-fiction text, “The Prince,” written by Niccolo Machiavelli in 1532, is a didactic explanation of the political struggles of Renaissance Italy. Similarly, William Shakespeare’s play, “Julius Caesar,” composed in 1599, depicts the … Read more
Strive For Ambition Can Lead To Guilt and An Unwelcome Fate Blood is very important to every human beings survival. It circulates throughout the body and carries oxygen and nutrients to tissues in exchange for life. If this fluid was somehow lost, existence would be lost as well. Blood represents both life and death but … Read more
Napoleon Dynamite’s once said,“ Great ambition is the passion of great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them. ” Meaning that ambitions is a force that can alone endowed the promises of life. However, if overmastered it can lead to a … Read more
First of all, a quick summary of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Anything. In the beginning of this story a respectable noblemen named Leonato, his daughter Hero, and his clever niece Beatrice are waiting on the arrival of friends from the war. The group of friends include prince Don Pedro, and two of his fellow soldiers; … Read more
I would forget consequences afterlife, but even in life there would be punishment. Conclusions This quote is talking about skipping over time, which means that Macbeth is beginning to lose his ability to reason. He is talking about how he would never face his afterlife, which is irrational because the afterlife is a reward or … Read more
A simple plot to overthrow King Duncan and secure the kingdom for themselves and their lineage turned into a mental race the Macbeths couldn’t win. Plagued from the start, the stresses and anxiety were too much for the couple to handle-falling down a steady slope into madness neither could escape the mental illnesses creeping into … Read more
Evil has no definitive interpretation; it is a matter of morals and the mindset of the being. It depends on the person to define such an ambiguous idea, some have faith in God(s), others look to dictionary definitions. Though based on Grendel’s intelligence and his repeatedly disgusting acts, he is evil. He is an astute … Read more
Jade Taylor lives with her family. She has five sisters (Amelie, Emma, Blythe and Mimi). Her mother is a medium, so she focuses on the spiritual realm. Her father died of smallpox, leaving her mother in grief. This whole book starts off with Maude Taylor connecting with the spirit of Mary Adelaide. Mary Adelaide’s husband … Read more
In Macbeth, a play by William Shakespeare, Banquo’s soliloquy at the beginning of the third act explains some of his present feeling towards Macbeth. He believes that Macbeth killed to become the King of Scotland. He explains that he is the one who will start a chain of kings, not Macbeth. Strangely enough, Banquo makes … Read more
The women in Much Ado About Nothing and Romeo and Juliet subscribe to Simone de Beauvoir’s ‘counter universe’;. These characters have different behaviors and personalities based on the company they are keeping. When they are not in the presence of men, they appear to be much more liberated and expressive. In Act I, Scene I … Read more
Lady Macbeth’s character is one of complexity; slowly, but continuously changing throughout the play. What begins as a struggle for power and a longing to shred her femininity turns Lady Macbeth into what she fears most – a guilt ridden weakling. In the beginning ( I, v, 43-54) , we see Lady Macbeth reacting to … Read more
Iago (Othellos ensign) uses love against Othello (general of the Venetian army) to cause him to experience jealousy. He not only utilizes the Moors love for Desdemona, but also his love for Iago and their friendship My lord, you know I love you(1. 3. 117) Funny enough, Iago gives warning to Othello of the very … Read more
In the play Macbeth, there were many interesting sections which could be concentrated on due to the suspense and the involvement of the supernatural. The use of the supernatural in the witches, the visions, the ghost, and the apparitions is a key element in making the concept of the play work and in making the … Read more
Deception is a key theme William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The characters must use deception to obtain good things, escape bad situations, or to play cruel hilarious ticks on other people. One example of deception is when Viola clothes herself in men’s clothing in order to obtain a job under the Duke of Illyria, Orsino. During … Read more
“The tragic flaw is the most important part of the hero and the events that occur in the work is a reflection of that flaw. ” – Aristotle The plot of William Shakespeare’s Othello is a tale of love, jealousy, and betrayal; however, the characters, themes, and attitudes of the works are different, with Shakespeare’s … Read more
Why is it that people fawn Shakespeare and have unreasonably high reguard for his works, including The Tempest, and label them as”immortal classics”? Indeed Shakespeares works had great significance in the evolution of English literature, but these works, including The Tempest are mostly devoid of significance and literary value in the present day. One can … Read more
The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a classic piece of Literature that has been continuously analyzed throughout the centuries. The main character of the play, Macbeth, has conflicting emotions that result in him destroying his self respect, ruining his pride, degrading his honor, and spoiling his integrity (Cant). In an effort to gain … Read more
Othello is a tense, closely-knit play, with an ever-increasing emotional scene. The character Iago, Othello’s ancient, is the cause of all the tragedy which comes to pass as the play progresses. He is a manipulator, opposing Othello not directly, but through other characters whom he tricks. From his actions throughout the play one sees that … Read more
In the play Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, two teenagers are controlled by a chain of human actions. Act 4, scenes 1,3 and 5, are a good representation of the web of human actions that cause tragedy between the pair of “star crossed lovers” (prologue). One example of human actions being dominant in those … Read more
Why is it that people fawn Shakespeare and have unreasonably high reguard for his works, including The Tempest, and label them as immortal classics? Indeed Shakespeares works had great significance in the evolution of English literature, but these works, including The Tempest are mostly devoid of significance and literary value in the present day. One … Read more
Shakespeare’s Cymbeline is a story of love, hatred, and betrayal. The main character, Imogen, is hurt by all of these emotions and actions. Not just by one person, by many throughout the play. These would include her father Cymbeline, lover, Posthumus, an Italian named Giacomo, the Queen, Posthumus’ servant, Pisanio, and the Queen’s son, Cloten. … Read more
In his King Lear, Shakespeare creates a main plot and a subplot that are intricately interwoven and which complement each other in a number of various aspects involving events and characterization. The main plot involves that of King Lear and those connected to him. It opens as his highness is preparing to divide his kingdom … Read more
Fools in traditional royal households were seen as imbecils and jesters, nothing more. The older role of a royal fool, which Shakespeare adopted from the pagan setting of King Lear, was to correct minor faults and incongruencies in their masters. By detatching the Fool from a conventional fool’s role, Shakespeare allows for the crowd’s suspention … Read more
In our class we have been discussing sonnet cxxx. Many of my classmates believe that Shakespeare was saying that, although this girl is ugly, he still loves her. While others claim that he was not making any statements about her looks, but instead being realistic. It is my view that he was making a point … Read more
In literature as in life, characters are multi-dimensional beings. They possess a wide variety of character traits that make them who they are. In the Tempest written by William Shakespeare, Prospero traits resemble those of the Europeans that came during the exploration of the Americas. Thus, Prospero’s treatment of Caliban is similar to the way … Read more
The love theme in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is confusing but at the same time entertaining. The love triangle involving Viola, disguised as Cesario, is in love with Orsino. Orsino is in love with Olivia. Olivia, however, loves Cesario. Orsino tries to woo Olivia with the language of love; however, his many attempts fail because the … Read more
In the play, Richard the III, by William Shakespeare, the character Richard (Duke of Gloucester) is a very manipulative and deceiving person. Richard acts like this in order to fulfill his dream to become King. And since he is at the bottom of a long, long list to be King, he has a lot of … Read more
Hamlet is seen as one of the most complex literary character of all time. The relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude can be interpreted in many ways. Hamlets motivation for killing Claudius is not to avenge his fathers death, but because of his love for his mother Gertrude. This is where the Oedipus complex comes into … Read more
Reality and illusions are two words which may be confused among people reading or learning about this sort of topic. Reality is what is real or true and should not be misinterpreted with illusion, which is fake or something a person believes is real. Often people can put an illusion in some ones head and … Read more
In the play “Twelfth Night,” Shakespeare explores and illustrates the emotion of love with precise detail. According to “Webster’s New World Dictionary,” love is defined as “a strong affection or liking for someone. ” Throughout the play Shakespeare examines three different types of love: true love, self love and friendship. “Twelfth Night” consists of many … Read more
Like as, to make our appetites more keen, With eager compounds we our palate urge; As to prevent our maladies unseen We sicken to shun sickness when we purge: Even so, being full of your ne’er cloying sweetness, To bitter sauces did I frame my feeding; And, sick of welfare, found a kind of meetness … Read more
In William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night we encounter several interesting characters. The character I found to be most interesting and most different from the others was Malvolio. Malvolio is the servant of Olivia. Although he belongs to the servant class, he believes strongly that he is better than the individuals that he serves. Malvolio often takes … Read more
Why did Othello marry is a complex question, the obvious answer would be that he loves Desdemona, but why does he love her and why does his love turn to hate so quickly in Act III scene 3 requires much thought and consideration. Othello likes people to be plain and open because that is what … Read more
In William Shakespeares “Macbeth”, an epic play about blood, glory and pride, Young Mcduff’s tragic yet heroic lifestory is revealed. His father of course is Macduff, one of Scotland’s most prestigous nobleman, and his mother is Lady Macduff. Macduff was very close to King Duncan and after his untimely death, he always had his suspicions … Read more
In the tragic play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, a particular deterrent in Hamlet’s quest to be rid of his regal uncle is his procrastination. This act of murder intended to set the future right is Hamlet’s sole responsibility, ordered by his deceased father. Hamlet’s main target throughout the play is for Claudius to commit suicide. … Read more
“I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw” (2. 2. 338-9). This is a classic example of the “wild and whirling words” (1. 5. 133) with which Hamlet hopes to persuade people to believe that he is mad. These words, however, prove that beneath his “antic … Read more
Arguably the best piece of writing ever done by William Shakespeare, Hamlet the is the classic example of a tragedy. In all tragedies the hero suffers, and usually dies at the end. Othello stabs himself, Romeo and Juliet commit suicide, Brutis falls on his sword, and like them Hamlet dies by getting cut with a … Read more
William Shakespeare was a great English playwright, dramatist and poet who lived during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Shakespeare is considered to be the greatest playwright of all time. No other writer’s plays have been produced so many times or read so widely in so many countries as his. Shakespeare was born to … Read more
One may find it ridiculous to contrast between Shakespeare and existentialism in its 20th century form, however one must keep in mind, that existentialism does not appear as a single philosophical system. It is more an attitude of life, a general vision – existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre is known to have stated that existentialism was never … Read more
Romeo and Juliet was first published in quarto in 1597, and republished in a new edition only two years later. The second copy was used to created yet a third quarto in 1609, from which both the 1623 Quarto and First Folio are derived. The first quarto is generally considered a bad quarto, or an … Read more
Macbeth(c. 1607), written by William Shakespeare, is the tragic tale of Macbeth, a virtuous man, corrupted by power and greed. This tragedy could in fact be called “A Tale of Two Theories”. One theory suggests that the tragic hero, Macbeth, is led down an unescapable road of doom by an outside force, namely fate in … Read more
“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive”. Sir Walter Scott may not have intended to describe the tangled web of secrets that fuels Shakespeare’s tragedy “King Lear”, but it certainly applies. Secrets come in many shapes and sizes, and in works of literature they can be categorized as either … Read more
An essential element to any Shakespearean tragedy is the idea of human suffering. In both Tittus Andronicus and King Lear no one can deny that the characters in these plays do indeed suffer and at great lengths, but the question begs to be asked what is the source of this suffering? Keeping in mind that … Read more
The tradition of literature includes many genres. One of the oldest and most important of these genres is tragedy; one of the foremost Elizabethan tragedies in the canon of English literature is Hamlet by William Shakespeare and one of the earliest critics of tragedy is Aristotle. One way to measure Shakespeare’s work is to appraise … Read more
The Merchant of Venice is a controversial play among experts of Shakespeare. This play has been argued by some to be a comedy. This is because there is a lot of comic relief and the story has a happy ending. Others consider the play to be a tragedy because of Shylocks character. He is very … Read more
King Lear, by William Shakespeare, is a tragic tale of filial conflict, personal transformation, and loss. The story revolves around the King who foolishly alienates his only truly devoted daughter and realizes too late the true nature of his other two daughters. A major subplot involves the illegitimate son of Gloucester, Edmund, who plans to … Read more
In the play Hamlet by Shakespeare, the integrity of some characters are all challenged with honesty and deceit. The King of Denmark is deteriorating and rotting the state and its people. Many images of corruption, spying, and decay compound as the play moves on, because Claudius is trying to find out what his nephew, Hamlet, … Read more
In the play Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, two teenagers are controlled by a chain of human actions. Act 4, scenes 1,3 and 5, are a good representation of the web of human actions that cause tragedy between the pair of “star crossed lovers” (prologue). One example of human actions being dominant in those … Read more
Flattery will get you nowhere. At the beginning of the story this quote might appear to be false, but as the story unfolds it only leads to the down fall of all involved. Throughout Julius Caesar, both friends and enemies use flattery and manipulation to obtain their goals. The first main use of flattery is … Read more
To be able to answer this question we must first understand why Prospero can be seen as good or evil. It is fair to say that Prospero is a main protagonist to the plot of Shakespeares Tempest. It is due to Prospero’s role as a key figure in the play that has put him under … Read more
Andy Warhol once said, “They say that time changes things, but actually you have to change them yourself. ” Two hundred fifty years passed between the original Romeo and Juliet and the premiere of West Side Story on Broadway in 1957. However, time did not change the message of the story, simply the creators unique … Read more
William Shakespeares sonnets may have been the best poetry ever written. The sonnets are beautifully written with many different feelings expressed in them. Although they may have been the most autobiographically written poems of all time, they still present a number of questions. Many Elizabethan historians and Shakespeare enthusiasts often wonder who Shakespeare was writing … Read more
It typically presents the fall of a man who may be basically or originally good but is always corruptible through the temptations of the world and his own pride or ambitions. In the beginning of the play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Macbeth is merely a nobleman and a general in King Duncan’s army. Macbeth later … Read more