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
“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
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
