Abstract Analyzes the family dynamics (parent-children and sibling-sibling) of the play. Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie is a play about an incomplete family in which each character is expected in some way to take the place of the missing member in order to make the family function.
From the Paper "Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie is a play about an incomplete family in which each character is expected in some way to take the place of the missing member in order to make the family function. The play is about Amanda Wingfield, whose husband abandoned her long ago, and her two adult children, Tom and Laura. The play centers on Tom's guilt as he looks back at the last time he was together with his family. Following the visit of a "gentleman caller," who was the family's last possible hope of replacing the father, Tom abandoned his mother and sister--although he had no idea how they could care for themselves. Tom feels guilt and sorrow but he never says that he had any other choice. There was no way that he--any more than Laura or the visitor--could take the missing father's place and the audience is left to conclude that Amanda probably had to do ..."
From the Paper "The theater in its full form came into being in Classical Greece. At that time, the theater was part of a religious festival and so included a number of ritual elements, several of which have been modified for use in theater ever since. The revival of classical learning in the Renaissance included a revival of Greek plays and certain ritual elements in different form. The theater of today is often profit-centered and secular but still makes use of Greek dramatic principles in many cases. The physical theater has changed greatly, as has the
relationship between the theater and the society of which it is a part. Roman theater developed from Greek traditions carried over in the Hellenic period and then transformed to fit the Roman social structure and Roman sensibilities. The two theaters have similarities and also differences. They often use the same myths..."
Abstract A study of Tennessee Williams' play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, about family conflict over issues of money, land, inheritance, and the continuation of the family. The paper presents these themes and shows that one important one is the theme of illusion, especially in love, with characters who live a lie and refuse to understand or acknowledge their true natures.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Subject of the Play
Theme of the Play
Critical Views of the Play
Early Critical Views
Brick as Homosexual
Ambivalent Relations with Women
The Family at War
Maggie's View
Maggie's Battle with Brick
Desire for a Child
Maggie as Typical Williams Female Character
Character Analysis
Big Daddy and Big Mama
Maggie and Brick
Similarities and Differences
Illusion versus Reality
Conclusion
From the Paper "Tennessee Williams in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof depicts a family beset by conflicts based on sex, money, inheritance, and ties to the land. Different factions in the family vie for attention out of fear of losing money once the patriarch dies. Money is a major source of family conflict in this play, though there are other conflicts as well. In this play, the conflicts extend into the past and to earlier sins committed by the older members of the family. This suggests several divisions or opposing forces which can be identified in the play--youth versus old age, modernity versus tradition, change versus the status quo, and tensions tearing the family apart versus those keeping the family together. The plot develops around these forces, with different characters representing or supporting different forces in their behavior, the way Big Daddy represents tradition while the younger generation represents change. This contrast is heightened in terms of the theme of inheritance and the decision as to who will control the land and continue the family traditions."
Tags: money, land, inheritance, family, illusion, love, character
Abstract Analysis of the play focusing on the character of the old man, and scholars in Dr. Faustus, and how they can be compared to saints and holy figures. Looks at the themes of redemption, eternal life and instant gratification and how these are connected to the character of Dr Faustus.
From the Paper "In Christopher Marlowe's play ?Dr. Faustus,? the reader or viewer is treated to a strange sight early on in the play. The central character, the scholar Dr. Faustus, is subjected to the cartoon-like debate of two characters upon his shoulders, that of a good angel and a bad angel. The good angel states that it is ?never too late if Faustus will repent.? The angel means if the Doctor repents of his evil decision to turn from God and make a deal with the devil for conjuring powers, he can still be saved. (2.1.82) However, the bad angel on Dr. Faustus? shoulder soon responds that it is too late, ?If thou repent devils will tear thee in pieces.? (2.1.83-83) This debate highlights the very clear dichotomy between good and evil set up quite early on in the moral economy of the play. However, as the play progresses these highly schematic characters begin to retreat in their importance, and instead the characters of the scholars of Wittenberg where Dr. Faustus dwells and a mysterious old man becomes more prominent in Faustus? conscience. Marlowe does not do this to make the drama seem either more realistic, as the language "Dr. Faustus" is quite heightened and surreal. Nor does the author do this to make the representations of good and evil seem more human, as most of even the human characters in the play are quite broadly drawn. Rather, Marlowe does this to suggest the nature of Dr. Faustus? dilemma."
Abstract This paper analyzes the film, comparing and contrasting it to the written play. The main body of the paper is composed of the differences between the play and the film. The paper refers to Internet research and to professional reviews of the film and play. It includes a brief overview of the plot, a character analysis, and a look at the dominant motifs in the film. It concludes by evaluating the effectiveness of both the play and the film.
From the Paper "Pasolini's film merges the ancient Greek myths of "Oedipus Rex," and "Oedipus at Colonus." The original play by Sophocles, "Oedipus the King," is still studied worldwide. In the Sophocles version, Jocasta sends Oedipus away from his home as a baby, presumably to be abandoned in the mountains because of a prophecy that he will bring ruin on the kingdom of Thebes. However, he does not die in the mountains, as everyone expected. He grows up in another kingdom, where he hears the prophecy he will kill his father and marry his mother. He leaves the kingdom so the prophecy will not come true."
Abstract The paper asserts that the play shows how different groups holding power in Athenian society gain power and status for themselves by promoting various educational programs that favored them. The author asserts that modern-day educaion is also used as a political tool. The paper explains that a satirical play was regarded as highly in Athenian society as a tragic play was and it gives a background of the period in which Aristophanes wrote the play. The paper reveals that he was concerned with the rise of the Sophist movement and the effect of this movement on educational ideals.
From the Paper "The Sophists ? we derive from the name of their movement the critical English term "sophistry" ? were interested in the use of argument for its own sake, fascinated by the rhetorical ability to split hairs regardless of the reality behind the argument. Aristophanes was suspicious of such men, perhaps hearing in their stance a justification for the rhetorically pretty and compelling ? but dangerous ? warmongering of Athenian leaders."
Abstract The paper gives an overview of the play by describing the setting and the characters in the play. It then describes and analyzes the conversation that takes place where Goldberg and Mccann interrogate Webber.
From the Paper "As was mentioned before, the conversation is an example of foregrounding. Pinter designs it such that the audience knows what is transpiring as (or even before) it takes place. The lack of conversational niceties helps create that mood, as do the several neutral tokens, self and other oriented tokens. The construction of the conversation is to fire queries at Webber so as to break him down. One might imagine the skill it took actors to bring Pinter's imagination to fruition. The accusations, the physical aspersions, the absurdities and the tokens are cleverly interspersed to give this inquisition an unrelenting quality."
Abstract This paper discusses how the characters in William Shakespeare's "Othello" are what really make the play come to life. It provides a brief summary of each of the main characters with a character analysis and a description of their contribution to the plot of the play. It shows how Othello is bold warrior and a good person, how Iago brings all of the evil and fallacy into the play, how Desdemona is young and innocent and how Cassio's character is vulnerable and easily manipulated.
From the Paper "The character of Desdemona is young and innocent. When she is wrongly accused of infidelity, her innocent response to his rage is "I never gave him cause!" (III.iv.155). Desdemona's innocent nature is highlighted in the play, through the contrast with the two other female characters, the cynical Emilia and Cassio's mistress, Bianca. These women are harsh and ugly, and make Desdemona seem all the more pure. Her love for Othello is a major part of her character. She permits his abuse of her, although it shakes her self-confidence. She is an obedient and devoted wife. She carries her love for Othello with her even as he strangles her to death."
Abstract The paper discusses the two main characters in the ancient Greek play "Antigone" written by Sophocles. It shows how each has powerful views on politics, but they disagree on nearly every aspect of political life and law. One main conflict is that Antigone wholeheartedly believes in divine law, whereas Creon believes fully in Civil Law. The paper discusses issues such as personal principles, breadth of law, freedom, character and political and personal ethics.
From the Paper "Antigone and Creon both understand certain aspects of political life, but neither comprehends all facets of politics. Antigone is pious but unswerving in her principles. Creon desires to create a stabile community, but he is cruel and unfeeling in order to set a precedent. Sophocles does not want us to emulate Antigone or Creon. Antigone epitomizes behaviors that reinforce or destabilize the Polis. Additionally, Antigone celebrates human power in the political system, whether advantageous or not. Individuals possess the powerful and dangerous tool of persuasion that must be used cautiously. Moreover, through the phenomenon of death in the play Antigone, the distinction between what individuals should attempt to control and what should be governed by a higher power, are illuminated. Creon and Antigone believe opposite forces should wholly preside over individuals, and neither will compromise their ideals. The characters in Antigone do not attain a "happy medium" between divine law and law of the Polis. Human limitation should be addressed by incorporating both human and divine law into our lives."
Abstract This paper analyzes the significance of the women and their roles and what they add to the meaning of the two plays. The paper contrasts the women characters in each play and examines which play more important roles. Characters analyzed are Hamlet's fianc?e, Ophelia; Hamlet's mother and Othello's lover Desdemona.
From the Paper "Therefore, the women exist in Hamlet as a form of support to show why he hates them. They are all evil, troubled, or deceptive, and they back up Hamlet's disgust with the fairer sex. Some critics even go so far as to intimate that Hamlet chooses death to remove himself from his mother's sexuality (Maccary 51).
The women both serve another vital purpose in the play; they become the scapegoats that allow Hamlet to hide his own jealousy and rage at himself, for allowing his father to die, and not living up to his own expectations. His mother is living a seemingly happy life after his father dies, and this is too much for him to take."
Abstract When examining American literature at any given period, there are always a certain number of similarities existing between authors. This paper compares the styles of two great American authors, Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller. The paper provides a general introduction to each of the author's history. It then moves on to show character similarities in works by both. Finally, the paper shows how each of the two use similar settings in their works. The paper focuses mainly on the play "The Glass Menagerie" by Williams and "The Death of a Salesman" by Miller.
From the Paper "In Tennessee Williams? play The Glass Menagerie, the main role is Tom, a man faced with opportunity, but tied to home by the obligation of providing for his sister and mother. Likewise, in Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman, the main role is that of Willy, a traveling salesman who could prosper in his efforts, were it not for the wife and children to take care of. Both Tom and Willy live in the city, surrounded by taller buildings which symbolize their opportunities being fulfilled by someone else. In the case of Willy, the sun that once shone so bright, (metaphoric of his high expectations in life) is gradually eclipsed by the ever growing skyline. (metaphoric of other, younger, obligation-free salesman taking his place gradually.) Both Tom and Willy are avid smokers, which they vow to quit. This is interesting because, in a way, this is a metaphor for their desire to succeed."
From the Paper "The Zoo Story" is essentially a parable of poorly concealed violence. Literally, Jerry has just come from the zoo, where he has made the decision which will govern his actions during the rest of the play. Less simply, the title itself suggests the ideas of the thin veneer of civilization which covers the animalistic violence just beneath the surface of man. In addition to this there is the additional inference that the title itself is meant to connote the isolation of man.
Cohn and Dukore write, "One of Albee's impressive achievements in this play is his soldering of the realistic and the symbolic. Classical mythology is evoked by Jerry's reference to his landlady and her dog as 'the gatekeepers of my dwelling' and to the latter as 'a descendant of the puppy that guarded the gates of hell or some such resort.'". The biblical imagery is ... "
From the Paper "Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman is a tragedy that examines the false values of American life. In particular, it deals with Willy Loman, a lower middle class salesman, and his family. Loman seeks the American dream of success achieved through his own efforts but dies without ever achieving it.
Like any richly faceted work of art, it offers no single truth about the characters, who resonate and refuse to be reduced to single dimensions. As a result, this play is an American tragedy on many levels, beginning with the ongoing debate over whether Willy's fate can be considered truly tragic when he is "only" the Common Man, and rather a weak and confused one at that.
Unlike such critics, Miller insists on Willy's nobility because he never gives up the struggle. While directing a production in Beijing, Miller admitted to the cast that "Willy is (...)"
This paper compares two plays by Tennessee Williams, "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "The Glass Menagerie": Characters (Amanda and Blanche), symbolism, plots, themes and the playwright's intentions.
2,700 words (approx. 10.8 pages), 2 sources, 1991, $ 95.95
From the Paper "The purpose of this paper is to compare two plays by Tennessee Williams, "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "The Glass Menagerie". We will compare the two characters, Amanda Wingfield, and Blanche Dubois, two people who are living in the world of illusions. We will look at the symbolism that is most common in the two plays. We will compare the plots of the two plays, the themes in the two plays, and look at Tennessee Williams' intentions as a playwright in the two plays.
In contrast to Tom, who sets the mood in Glass Menagerie, Amanda Wingfield is a mover, the major character who sets the story into motion. Basically, she is the play's main character. Throughout the course of the play, Tom, Laura and Jim react to Amanda's stimulating and complicated personality. Even Amanda's husband, who has run away from her, showed a definite and ... "
From the Paper "No single person has influenced the theater more than Konstantin Stanislavski. Stasnislavski and the modern theater in Russia, as well as throughout the world, became synonymous, because of his system of "Method Acting." He was born to a family of means in Moscow on January 17, 1863, and was well educated. Early in his life, he made a choice to devote himself to the stage: "Throughout his adolescence he took part in numerous performances organized in his family's house where stage facilities were specially built by his father.". Theater became his passion. He took singing, drama and ballet lessons.
While pursuing his amateur career, Stanislavski used his family money to start the Society of Art and Literature in 1888. It was a school and a repertory theater.. This proved to be a ... "
