Explores the character of two main characters in the play "Much Ado About Nothing", Beatrice and Benedick, and the changing nature of their relationship.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 1 source, 2002, $ 44.95
Abstract One of the most engaging and entertaining comedic couples in any of the works of Shakespeare, is that of Beatrice and Benedick in "Much Ado About Nothing". Both Beatrice and Benedick are essences, they are the progenitors of the cliches of the woman-hater turned lover and the ice-queen turned golden-heart. Both of them experience a very similar sequence of events, both work with their respective tutee's in love in the same way, and both come to realize their love for each other through tricks played upon them by their own friends. In this, Benedick and Beatrice are really the true soul-mates of the story in that they truly seem to be of the same cloth and of the same heart - two halves of the same whole. Their change from enmity to love covers the course of the entire play and, in many ways, is much more engaging, funny, entertaining, and ultimately rewarding than that of Hero and Claudio. It is the purpose of this paper to explore that relationship as it changes over the course of the play, "Much Ado About Nothing".
An essay comparing the character of Tess in Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the D?uberville" to the character of Beatrice in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Rappaccini's Daughter".
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 0 sources, 2002, $ 57.95
Abstract The paper shows how the characters Tess in "Tess of the D"uberville? by Thomas Hardy and Beatrice in "Rappaccini's Daughter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne are both victims of man's ego and immorality resulting in the loss of their innocence, dooming them to a tragic fate. Both stories revolve around the love of the women and their losing of this love, because of the immoral plans and actions of a third person.
From the Paper "Both books "Tess of the D"uberville? and "Rappaccini's daughter" are written in the third person and contain even amounts of dialogue and description. Thomas Hardy has been more descriptive than Hawthorne has, while Hawthorne's work is more didactic.
"Tess of the D?uberville is different from most other books as in this case the campaign of the protagonist begins with an event in her life which is generally treated as fatal and as the end. In this case, when the book ends, Tess is a superior human being in the eyes of the reader because she bounces back from this virtual finality to find true love."
Abstract This paper discusses and reflects on the wife of Bath from Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" and Beatrice from "Much Ado About Nothing." The writer of this paper takes the reader on an exploratory journey in which the characters are compared and contrasted. The main question is: Are the two women feminists? The writer addresses this topic in detail.
Abstract This paper analyzes Beatrice Webb's writing on society that illustrates how it embodies and/or extends the views of others of her era such as Karl Marx and Jane Austen. It also discusses Webb's concern with labor and her socialist philosophy.
From the Paper "The views of Beatrice Potter Webb on society were in large measure an extension of social views espoused by Jane Austen and economic views of social structure derived from Marx's views on capitalism."
Tags: gender, industrialism, socialism, capitalism, Marx, Austen, labor, women
This paper examines Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing" and maintains that Beatrice and Bendick will have a much happier marriage than Hero and Claudio.
Abstract The paper examines Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing" and presents the argument that Beatrice and Bendick will have a much happier marriage than the one between Hero and Claudio, even though they move toward their love slowly.
From the Paper "Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" illustrates the haziness and trials of true love. In the play we are presented with two very different sets of lovers. Beatrice and Benedick insult and tease each other mercilessly, all the while proclaiming that marriage is not for them. Hero and Claudio fall instantly in love, however, their love is easily disrupted by the forces of rumor, gossip and mistrust."
Abstract Using Shakespeare's thoughts and feelings regarding love expressed in the 116 Sonnet, this paper analyzes the love relationships in "Much Ado About Nothing". The play paints a clear picture of the thoughts and opinions Shakespeare expresses in the sonnet. When a reader compares the foil love relationships of Benedick and Beatrice to that of Hero and Claudio, Shakespeare's meaning of a love that doesn?t "alter when it alteration finds" can be truly appreciated. This paper is filled with many textual examples of ways that Claudio and Hero both fail to build the kind of love that Shakespeare admonishes lovers to have. It also examines the inconvenience and pain of Benedick and Beatrice's love, which at times seems to be "against their will".
From the Paper "Here [quote from Sonnet 116] Shakespeare express his feelings about true love and the elements that need to be included in a loving relationship. Love should not be a mere infatuation that is easy to overcome, but rather a long-lasting relationship that can never be broken. This was not a conventional idea in Shakespeare's time, where the woman's dowry, not her love, was the prize most sought by suitors. Shakespeare gives a wonderful example of what he thinks true love should be in Much Ado About Nothing in Benedick and Beatrice's relationship. In the play, he also offers a relationship foil to Benedick and Beatrice, that of Claudio and Hero. This foil compares the traits Shakespeare feels need to be included in true love with the conventional ideas about love of his day."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the book "Inferno," by Alighieri Dante. Specifically, it describes two characters, Beatrice and Lucifer. Beatrice and Lucifer could not be farther apart in this poem. They represent good and evil, savior versus destroyer, and they are both present in the poem in order to illustrate the ultimate theme of good versus evil, and Dante's ultimate salvation.
From the Paper "The "Inferno" is the first of three books that make up Dante's classical work "The Divine Comedy." The "Inferno" follows Dante's journey through Hell on his route to finding God. He begins at the bottom in sin, and must fight his way to the top, where lovely Beatrice awaits him in Paradise."
Abstract This paper examines "Rappacini's Daughter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, a complex and magical story, which has been interpreted in many different ways. It looks at how, although many different interpretations of this story exist, the one that seems to make the most sense is the underlying story of the father and daughter and how their relationship alters as Beatrice grows older. It shows how the father is so immersed in his scientific study that he has ignored his daughter's growing up, but he understands her needs as a woman and tries to supply them the only way he knows how, with a lover immune to her poison.
From the Paper "Throughout the story, there are many references to the relationship between the father and the daughter, and what it means to them. Giovanni realizes Beatrice has never been outside the garden ? she has led a very sheltered and lonely life. Her father realizes this too, and attempts to provide her with the perfect man, one who is immune to the numerous poisons running through her system. Her father has taught her everything he knows, but she does not recognize her knowledge. She tells Giovanni, "Do people say that I am skilled in my father's science of plants? What a jest is there! No; though I have grown up among these flowers, I know no more of them than their hues and perfume; and sometimes, methinks I would fain rid myself of even that small knowledge" (Hawthorne)."
Abstract This paper examines William Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing" and in particular, analyzes Shakespeare's portrayal of the theme of love. It covers ideas about heroism and heroines, the shrew and the beautiful Venetian lady and ideals of real and superficial love in reference to the characters, particularly, Claudio, Hero, Benedick and Beatrice. Tools such as foreshadowing, exposition and mirroring are also discussed.
From the Paper "While Shakespeare is disagreeing with the social ideals of his time in terms of courtship and romance, he is promoting the concept of real love. Shakespeare shows the audience the "true love" of Benedick and Beatrice in a positive light, highly trusting of one another, and loyal to the end "Enough, I am engaged; I will challenge him". Though their relationship started on bad terms, perhaps with a previous courtship that failed "he lent it (his heart) me a while, and I gave him use for it, a double heart for his single one. Marry, once before he won it of me with false dice", with the couple snarling and sneering at one another ?Scratching could not make it worse an "twere such a face as yours were", and brought together by comic deception "to bring Signor Benedick and the Lady Beatrice into a mountain of affection th"one with th"other", they end up with a love that far exceeds that of Hero and Claudio?s."
Abstract This paper examines in-depth the thrice-revised fictional work of Beatrice Culleton Mosionier's writings concerning the issues of a most unusual family. This book is influenced by events in the author's life including rape and alcoholism giving the novel an authenticity that is often mistaken for autobiography. This paper also touches on the issue of foster care which as been improved as a result of "In Search of April Raintree."
Topics covered in this report include:
Thesis Statement
Construction of the Work
April and Cheryl, the Early Years
The Hardening Years
The Maturing Years
The Rape Scene
Michael Creal - Critical Essay
Helen Hoy
Bibliography
From the Paper "Rape of women and children has long been glorified in literature and popular media. When Culleton wrote this book, the largely white, middle-class feminist movement was beginning to speak of such things frankly and openly. Culleton's book, with its matter of fact, almost dispassionate rendering of the rape scene, reminded all women that misogyny is compounded by racism. With profound understatement, Culleton reminds people everywhere of what it is to be an Aboriginal woman in Canada."
Tags: rape, women, foster, care, alcoholism, review, literature, cheryl, suzack
This paper analyzes the problems of transforming Shakespeare to film, especially character portrayal, as demonstrated in Kenneth Branagh's 1993 film adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Much Ado about Nothing".
Abstract This paper explains that Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of Willam Shakespeare's "Much Ado about Nothing" is an enchanting world filled with believable drama and mostly solid acting; moreover, Branagh was extremely successful in allowing contemporary audiences an aperture by which to understand Shakespeare by weaving the original text into the film in such a way that it becomes both intelligible and unobtrusive. The author points out that the sacrifices in Branagh's adaptation is the play's subtle theme of appearance versus reality; wherein, whether through his addition of new material for the screen or his partial omissions of Shakespeare's text, Branagh has eliminated all of the mystery and ambiguity that Shakespeare crafted into his characters. The paper analyzes the portrayal of the characters Benedick, Beatrice, Claudio and Branagh.
From the Paper "Branagh's Don Pedro, however, lacks this ambiguity. Another creative liberty with Shakespeare's text is the addition of Denzel Washington's ever-stylish and ever-fearless persona to Don Pedro. As the veteran American actor is cast for the role, he seems slightly out of place. His attitude is always cautious and carefree; the actor easily brings his effortless delivery and commanding persona to the role. This is not always a good thing, however: when Don Pedro offers his hand in marriage to Beatrice, Washington says his lines coolly and nonchalantly, and the delivery offers no possibility that Don Pedro might seek Beatrice for himself. Branagh also diffuses the mystery behind Pedro's wooing of Hero through his directorial choices. When Don Pedro and Claudio walk through the garden, they address each other as equals, wear the same clothing, and talk openly."
Abstract This paper looks at how Jerrold Packard's "Victoria's Daughters", examines the lives of the five daughters of Victoria, Queen of England: Vicky, Alice, Louise, Lenchen, and Beatrice. It examines how the book tells about each daughter and their families and concludes that it is a good book to read for learning more about the royal family in the 1800s, and the tragedies that can befall anyone, even the royal family.
From the Paper "Packard focused on how even a royal family cannot escape tragedy. Tragedy will strike even the Queen of England, the most powerful woman in the world in the late 1800's. Her husband was taken from her on December 14, 1861, and then her third child, and second daughter was taken from her on December 14, 1878. Once Prince Albert died, Queen Victoria lived the rest of her life in a state of mourning, and allowed her days to be consumed with self-pity. Her sometimes aloof ways in raising her children would lead to her eldest daughter raising her children in the same aloof manner. This action would lead to Vicky's eldest son, Willy, to become quite harsh with his parents. "
Abstract The paper discusses how classical literature often uses pairs of dependent characters to justify the unusual, extraordinary adventures and experiences of the main heroes. The paper looks at Virgil and Beatrice in Dante's "The Divine Comedy" and Olivier in the anonymous "Song of Roland" as examples of guiding characters.
From the Paper "The heroes of classical literature almost always have guides who help them or sometimes prevent them from achieving their goals. These character guides are sometimes the peers or friends of the heroes and other times supernatural beings or forces. The role of the guiding figures is obviously that of contributing to the initiating experience of the hero. Because the adventures portrayed in classical literature always have an initiating character, the main hero of the story requires help from other men or forces in his journey. Such guiding roles belong for example to Virgil and to Beatrice in the Divine Comedy, or to Olivier in anonymous Song of Roland."
Abstract This paper discusses two paintings in the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, NY: Beatrice Wose Smith's painting "Little Falls," an oil painting of the town of that name in upstate New York, and Miriam Beerman's "Ghetto Documents Drawing," of a Holocaust victim. The author describes the lines, structure and color of both paintings and their emotional impact on the author as well as on two other visitors to the museum. The author also explains why both should be museum pieces, in the author's opinion. Images of the paintings discussed are included.
From the Paper "I believe this painting has intrinsic value because of the fact that it obviously meant something to the artist because she came from the area and it also is a beautiful piece of art. This painting in my opinion does belong in a museum because of the artist's talent and its amazing beauty and also because it is a piece of Central New York history. I think this painting shows today's society that all they have to do is stop and look around because everyday life is art."
Abstract The writer of this paper details the plot and main characteristics of Beatrice, the main character in "Minutes of Glory." This paper discusses the issue of class distinction in Kenya. This paper examines Beatrice's lack of self esteem, which is limited due to her beliefs about herself. Beatrice longs for dignity and respect, but because of her background, she has had no access to education or training, the only place she can work is in a bar, where she hopes to sell her body to affluent men. This paper explores the intense relationship between Beatrice and the unnamed truck driver. The writer contends and explains how class distinctions, both in the novel and in society in general, can become so embedded and accepted in the shared consciousness of a culture, that people believe those distinctions define who they really are.
From the Paper "The class system is designed to perpetuate and maintain the upper classes. That the problem is one of class distinctions is shown by what happens to the man with the lorry whom Beatrice eventually chooses to be her lover. The man has no name in the story--to show that he too is a nobody. He is a nobody who has worked hard and been able to rise to some level of financial success, however. He owns a "lorry" and is tremendously proud of it. He keeps it locked so no one will steal it from him. His clothing is decent. Nevertheless, he is not accepted by the "big-shots" (neuveaux riche) at the Treetop who come to "dine"(dining is something the upper classes do-ordinary people just eat) and fraternize with other big-shots. Although he tries over and over again (every Saturday) to gain their acceptance, he is continually and openly rejected as not good enough for their company. Beatrice can relate to this, of course, because she has had the same experience."
