Abstract
This paper analyzes the role of Iago in Shakespeare's "Othello". The author examines the character's behavior throughout the play and looks at the way his character influences events in the play.

From the Paper
"In act 3, scene 3 of Shakespeare's Othello, Iago has begun his attack on fortress Othello by planting the seeds of jealousy in his head, and by acting as nothing more than the caring friend who seems to be genuinely worried about Othello. He works up Othello to the point where Othello is interested in his thoughts, and then when asked as to what he is holding from him, Iago says "Utter my thoughts" Why, say they are vile and false? (3.3.159-60). By this he seems to Othello as a friend who is holding back information from him, someone who is worried about Othello's well being."

Tags:iago, othello, shakespeare, evil, revenge, twist, tragedy

From the Paper
"The purpose of this research is to examine the use of symbolism and imagery in The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. The plan of the research will be to set forth in general terms the pattern of ideas emerging in the work, and then to discuss the symbolic and imagistic means by which the pattern is elaborated, the ideas are given concrete representation, and the combination of dramatic and thematic content given emotional expression.
The action of The Glass Menagerie is built around Tom Wingfield's memory of a family of sometimes violent and often pathetic emotions, and of the just plain sad fate of his mother Amanda and his sister Laura, who each in her way is doomed when it comes to coping with the realities of the outside world. The difference between them is that Amanda is a survivor and Laura a ..."

Abstract
Illusion versus Reality in The Glass Menagerie

A good piece of literature will be remembered through its theme. A great piece of literature contains more than one theme so that all readers relate on some level to the content of the piece. "The Glass Menagerie", by Tennessee Williams, is the perfect illustration for this point. It contains theme on top of theme, each of which may be analyzed and interpreted through textual evidence. I have read this play many times throughout my life; my interpretations have changed along with my knowledge of life and people. The theme I have chosen to examine for this paper is illusion versus reality. I believe that this is the underlying theme of the piece. While other themes and ideas certainly exist, this theme holds the piece together
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Abstract
This paper examines Shakespeare's portrayal of the female characters, Gertrude and Ophelia in his play, "Hamlet." The author shows how the portrayal of these women as weak and frail individuals is a theme that Shakespeare carries throughout the entire play. Several scenes are used to demonstrate how the flaws in these women's characters were the catalyst for many of the problems they faced and as a result, they were treated poorly by the men in their lives.

From the Paper
"Because of Ophelia's lack of self-confidence, she becomes a target for abuse from Hamlet. Although it is apparent to the audience that she is the epitome of an honest woman, Hamlet sees her as "a dubious whore," (Act III, Scene II) Due to his lack of trust in females, Hamlet doesn't want to listen to anything Ophelia has to say. Because Ophelia is so dependant on the men in her life and lacks any identity of her own, she is completely torn between making everyone happy. As she states in Act III, Scene II, "I think nothing, my lord," she has been hurt so badly that she doesn't consider her thoughts to be important. When all three men in her life are gone, she feels completely helpless, therefore, when Hamlet says; "frailty, thy name is women" he is proven to be correct."

Tags:brother, family, frail, hamlet, insane, love, mother, ophelia, oppressed, polonius, shakespeare, weak

Abstract
This essay addresses the numerous instances of irony in Sophocles' renowned Greek tragedy "Oedipus the King"; in the plot, the themes, and the dialogues. The author discusses how the audience knows of Oedipus' situation, long before he figures things out for himself, and examines one of the most ironic scenes between the king and the blind soothsayer, Teiresias.

From the Paper
"Oedipus the King is one of the best-known Greek tragedies in dramatic history. The central theme was instrumental to daily life of the early Greeks, because it demonstrates the powers of fate. The main plotline revolves around Oedipus and his quest to escape his own destiny, which turns his life to turmoil. The play is about murder, incest, and suicide. Knowing the play contains these exciting elements, one would think there would be no problem drawing an audience. When the play was produced, however, the Greek audience would have been familiar with the legend of Oedipus Rex. Sophocles faced a great challenge to develop a play that would generate interest in watching a play in which the patrons already knew the story. Sophocles captures and holds his audience's attention by introducing profound irony in the dialogue, in the plot and in the setting of Oedipus the King. "

Tags:greek, dialogue, plot, setting, sophocles, sphinx, jocasta, teiresias, audience, rex, laius, tragedy

Abstract
This essay compares and contrasts the behaviors and actions of Hamlet and Othello. In particular, the two characters' handling of love, grief and revenge are examined.

From the Paper
"Chance, coincidence, and circumstance influence the actions one takes when dealing with highly emotional situations. Everyone has their own way of dealing with these emotional situations, but the actions one chooses to carry out portray an image of the character they have become. In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, and Othello, Hamlet and Othello, respectively, are similar in ways of handling their emotional states, but are very unalike in some aspects also. Hamlet and Othello's handling of love, grief, and revenge can be compared and contrasted in their respective plays. The love of their women, the grief of their losses, and the revenge that consumed them, have different, yet similar approaches by Hamlet and Othello."

Tags:comparative, essay, comparison, contrast, desdemona, evil, iago, jealousy, moor, murder, ophelia, othello, revenge, shakespeare, venice

Abstract
This paper looks how Susan Glaspell's play "Trifles" uses many ideas found in feminist criticism and explores the three main tools Susan Glaspell uses in driving her point home: the experience of the woman, the traditional roles of men and women, and the use of binary oppositions.

From the Paper
"One idea of feminist criticism is that literature is based on womens? experience, and ?it is specifically the connective, the accumulative details of experience, that provide the structural key for the comprehension of this story (Alkalay-Gut 1).? Upon entering her home, Mrs. Hale notices that Mrs. Wright left certain things undone, such as dirty dishes in the sink, the half-wiped table, and the half-poured sugar. Being a farmer's wife herself she understands this, and defends Mrs. Wright when the men criticize her untidiness by replying, ?There's a great deal of work to be done on a farm (Glaspell, 401).? She understands what it's like to have a million things to do and not enough time to do them. Women often make the job look so easy that men like these believe there isn't much to it. She also knows that these men do not appreciate the effort put forth to manage a household, but more importantly she speaks her mind, asserting her views firmly."

Tags:feminism, symbolism, criticism, woman

Abstract
This paper deals with the protagonist Hamlet, and his inability to complete his task of revenge. Although Hamlet does kill Claudius, who is his uncle and the man who killed his father, the plan for revenge is not properly fulfilled due to elements that cause Hamlet's downfall and his unfortunate demise. The essay discusses how the factors of procrastination, melancholic behavior, and constant indecision stop Hamlet from properly fulfilling the task assigned by the ghost of Old Hamlet.

From the Paper
"Hamlet observes how Fortinbras is willing to go blindly to Poland, to fight for a piece of land, which is worthless, all in the name of honor. When he looks at himself, he sees that he is not a man of action. The prince has had months of time to fulfill his act of revenge, which he has all the reason for, but he has not gotten any closer to his goal than the first day. Fortinbras, on the other hand, appears as a foil to Hamlet, highlighting his own quick-acting ability, and contrasting Hamlet's continuing procrastination. The extensive delay of Hamlet's revenge is what creates a tragedy and contributes to his downfall at the end of the play. As well as the stretching of time, Hamlet is also not up to the task assigned to him by the ghost because he is melancholic and too overwhelmed by other surrounding situations."

Tags:claudius, death, downfall, ghost, hamlet, hero, procrastination, shakespeare, tragedy

Abstract
This paper takes a look at the differences between the two characters, Walter and Beneth, and their outlook on life.

From the Paper
"Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun is a brilliant play about family, money, and power. The characters Walter and Beneatha have conflicting ideas on everything including; who the head of the family is and what it means to be successful, the role of women in society, and assimilation. "A Raisin in the Sun is about dreams, ironically enough. And how those psychological projections of human life can come into conflict like any other product of that life." Throughout history, we have been taught that you have to be flexible and compromise-especially in a family situation."

Tags:benetha, characters, compare, contrast, hansbury, in, loraine, raisin, sun, the, walter

From the Paper
"Playwright David Henry Hwang's M. Butterfly is based on a true story. In 1964, a French diplomat stationed in China fell in love with a native Chinese opera singer, lived with her for twenty years, and believed he had fathered a child by her, and then discovered she was a man. One would expect Hwang's play to be a farce -- and yet it is not a farce at all. It is a deeply riveting study of not only the psychology of two individuals but of the way the West stereotypes the East and prefers its fantasies to the reality of a changing Orient."

Tags:butterflies, madame