Abstract This paper presents an examination of the theme of hypocrisy in Moliere's play, "Tartuffe". It looks at the conflict between appearance and reality in society, revealed through relationships between the characters.
From the Paper "Moliere wrote Tartuffe during the reign of Louis XIV who subsequently banned it from production and read it aloud in his court among respected dignitaries at the same time. Moliere must have had the last laugh at this ironic turn of events as the actions of Louis XIV on this occasion seem to establish the very theme of the play. That is the notion of hypocrisy and by rights the conflict between appearance and reality in society... "
Abstract This paper describes the evidence for Hamlet's and Lady Macbeth's insanity in the plays "Hamlet" and "Macbeth." Definitions of insanity from a psychological perspective are provided in this essay. Both plays are summarized with extensive quotes and examples of each character's behavior that would lead to the diagnosis of some form of psychosis, including murder and suicide.
From the Paper "William Shakespeare used the theme of insanity in many of his plays, and two of the most famous are 'Hamlet' and 'Macbeth'. The theme of insanity in both of these plays is illustrated through several characters. Through the course of this paper it will be shown that in these plays, the characters Lady Macbeth and Prince Hamlet are insane. This paper will discuss the nature of insanity, the role of insanity in both Hamlet and Macbeth, and controversy over the questions of insanity raised by both of these plays. While Hamlet and Lady Macbeth's complimentary characters Ophelia and Macbeth exhibit obvious signs of increasing insanity, it can be argued that both Hamlet and Lady Macbeth are mentally unstable from the beginning of their respective plays."
Abstract This paper summarizes, discusses, and analyzes Arthur Miller's play, "Death of a Salesman". The paper explains that the play depicts the life of Willy Loman and his family. The paper describes the main character of Willy Loman as an aging salesman, who is confronted with his past and the errors in judgment that offer him and his family little hope of happiness in the future. A once successful salesman Loman recalls an extramarital affair that his son Biff discovered and that destroyed his relationship with his son. The mistakes Loman made as a father and the marriage that he could not recall without remembering the affair are significant factors that haunt Loman throughout the play. The paper also points out that the pivotal factor in the play is Willy's intention to ask for a transfer to a new territory, so that he and his family can have one more chance at success. Yet, when he makes this request he is fired, and the last element of hope that Willy had for happiness dissolves.
Abstract This drama study historically critiques the theme of political corruption as it evolves in the play, "The Tempest", by William Shakespeare. The paper analyzes the various characters of this play to illustrate how the struggle for power is complex and that power and greed are the basis of corruption. The paper also points out that ,although Prospero dissolves the aggression set against him in the play, Shakespeare
uses "The Tempest" to reveal a commentary on political intrigue and corruption that reflects the historical Elizabethan monarchal class system and the politics of Shakespeare's times.
Abstract This paper reviews the play 'A Raisin in the Sun', by Lorraine Hansberry. According to the paper, 'A Raisin in the Sun' is about the dreams that people have. More specifically, it is about the dreams of people who do not have the opportunity to pursue those dreams. The paper reports how the main theme of the play is deciding what to do with a large sum of money that is won by one of the characters.
From the Paper "He then describes the life his son will have. This description is partly about material possessions like their house with a gardener and a black Chrysler. However, Walter also describes how his son will be able to go to any school that he wants to and that his son will be able to be anything that he wants to be. As Walter says, "Just tell me, what it is you want to be--and you'll be it" (Hansberry 94). This shows that Walter's dream is linked to his desire for his son to be proud of him and for his son to have opportunities in life. Mama's dream is not to change as much as the others. Instead, she just wants her family to live in a safe neighborhood and have a home they can be proud of. The interesting thing about all of these dreams is that they are all worthwhile. All three of the characters have valuable uses for the money and want to use it to better their own futures. "
Abstract This paper discusses the revival of theater in Europe, beginning in the tenth century, as inspired and sponsored by the Catholic Church. The writer examines how historians now consider the High Middle Ages as the third major theatrical era in Western history. The paper further illustrates how major dramatic forms were connected with the church, its rituals, and its calendar of religious observances. The author explains the importance of these dramas , which included making church services more appealing and teaching scriptural history to the masses. The three types of plays that came out of the High Middle Ages are presented. The author concludes by arguing that drama other than that associated with the Church did exist at this time, influencing theater in the Late Middle Ages and even today.
From the Paper "Since Plato's The Republic, the depiction of art, particularly theatre, has been treated as a secondary if not inconsequential chronicle and portrayal of any given era. Nowhere is this more clearly illustrated than during the Middle Ages, where the major dramatic forms, if they existed at all and if they could be called theatre, could only be performed if they were connected with and sanctioned by the church. Coinciding with the well-deserved title of the Dark Ages, the Catholic Church has been historically credited of having begun a revival of theatre in Europe. Extant plays, sponsored by the church and dating back to the tenth century, are categorized into three distinct genres: liturgical drama, which enacted part of the liturgy of the Catholic Mass; cycle plays, which illustrated scriptural history; and morality drama, which metaphorically endorsed the symbolic structure of Christian life. The provincial dramaturgical view generally holds that that these were the only forms of theatre of the time. However, more recent scholarship demonstrates that as these performance-based church rituals begot theatre and theatre further begot church ritual, other plays like university plays, pageants, mummings and disguisings, interludes, other non-cycle religious plays, and drama came into play and that collectively, theatre of the High Middle Ages impacted the evolution of theatre into the Late Middle Ages, and what it is today."
Tags: theater middle ages renaissance cycle play mummings church, pageant robin hood morality drama
A discussion on whether it is possible to appreciate Christopher Marlowe's work, "Doctor Faustus", without a thorough knowledge of the religious beliefs that underpin it.
1,152 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 0 sources, 2006, $ 39.95
Abstract This paper examines the various religious undertones which reside within the play "Doctor Faustus" such as as morality, heaven and hell and forbidden knowledge. It discusses whether these religious undertones are important when trying to fully understand the context and meaning of the play.
From the Paper "During the 16th century everyone was thought to be born with original sin, this is the sin which you are born with because of the fall of Adam and Eve. Before the writing of 'Faustus' constant arguments raged about the destiny of the soul because of this sin. Catholicism and Calvinism were the two branches of religion which had conflicting views. Calvinists believed that there is no free will and that you could only be saved if you were one of the 'elect', whereas Catholics believed that you would be saved if your faith was whole and strong. It is unknown where Marlowe's sympathies lie, the mystery of Marlowe's life and the insecure nature of the two differing printed versions of the texts make it a very debatable subject. On the one hand Marlowe portrays hell as the academic, theological idea of permanent separation from God, a direct contrast to the fiery torment described in Catholic teachings. However many other traditionally Catholic views of the after life are portrayed throughout the play."
A look at how Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" offers a glimpse at the social problems and resulting attitudes of African Americans during the 1950s.
Abstract This essay examines the play "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry. The paper discusses the political history of the 1950s and 1960s and the relationship between the period of time in which the family in "A Raisin in the Sun" lived and the events that unfolded in the play are discussed. The paper concludes that "A Raisin in the Sun" is truly a window into the lives of African Americans in the 1950s.
From the Paper "Beneatha seeks to become a doctor in an era where there were few female doctors, and on top of that even less African-American doctors. In that aspect, she is trying to push the limits of the glass ceiling that society has placed upon her. In addition to what society places on her, Beneatha has to deal with the limitations that her family imposes on her; in one scene, she expresses her atheistic beliefs to her very traditional mother and is slapped and made to apologize."
Tags: money, white neighborhood, legal segregation, dreamer accuracy
From the Paper "Creon announces that since Eteocles died defending his city, he is a hero and shall have a hero's burial. However since Polyneices returned from exile to fight for the throne, he is considered to be a traitor to his city. Creon announces that no one is to bury or mourn for Polyneices, and that his body will be left for scavengers. The guard watching over Polynieces? corpse rushes in to inform Creon that the body has been buried, though he is unsure by whom. The elders suggest that perhaps the gods buried him. Creon informs the guard that if he does not produce the criminal who buried Polyneices, the guard will be held responsible for the act. "
Abstract This is a short paper summarizing John Proctor's role in "The Crucible", by Arthur Miller. It covers the main events that transpire within the play, and concludes that John Proctor ? while impure in many respects ? is a decent man who kept is integrity in tact even until the very end.
From the Paper "In 1603, about the middle of Shakespeare's career as a playwright, James VI of Scotland ascended the throne of England as James I. Instantly, the London of Shakespeare's day was filled with an interest in anything Scottish. As they had for Queen Elizabeth before, Shakespeare's company, King's Men, performed plays for their new monarch. It was probably in his interest that Shakespeare turned to Raphael Holinshed's novel, Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland for his inspiration for Macbeth (Swisher 45-49). Although Holinshed's text often seems dramatic and fanciful by today's standards, it was the definitive historical text of Shakespeare's time and its accuracy was unquestioned. The plot of Macbeth is derived from several significant events in Scottish history as told by Holinshed and dramatically combined and interpreted by Shakespeare to produce an enduring work of literature. "
Abstract This paper shows God and the Devil to be driving forces in Shakespeare's "Macbeth" and gives examples from the text of the play.
From the Paper "God and the devil have a strong presence in "Macbeth". The characters look to heaven and hell as places they have to try and strive towards or steer away from. God and the devil seem to be the driving and obvious force behind the happenings of the tragedy. They mold the characters into what they are. Even when things do not end up in their favor.
The witches have an impact on the whole theme of the play. They are the ones who start to label Macbeth with titles, which he does not yet posses. The witches predict the future, which is to Macbeth's liking. ?All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis. All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor. All hail Macbeth, that's shalt be king hereafter!?(1.3.46-48)"
Abstract A thorough analysis of the play "Our Town" and its scenery. The essay details the effect of Thornton Wilder's absence of scenery and its overall significance in the entire play.
From the Paper "...While such wonders of stage gain new ground, a desperate few still hunger for substance, for a play whose power comes from its characters rather than its fashionable trappings. Only one play, one in the few to have gained success on Broadway, fulfills these criteria, quaintly titled "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder. It is a simple drama of two lovers living an ordinary life in a simple town (Grover's Corners), a unique topic in itself, but it possesses one other baffling characteristic: it lacks anything but crude scenery. This dearth forces the audience to concentrate on the play's message of simplicity; this absence compels the audience to view it with a calm detachment that breeds an inescapable conclusion."
Abstract This essay takes a look at how a Structuralist would view the main characters weaving through the plot of "King Lear". Structuralists believe that there is a structure (that can be located) in every piece of literature that makes the plot happen; without structure there would be no story. The first line of this paper is: ?The continuous reiteration of references, both explicit and implicit, to vision and blindness in King Lear renders its resultant symbolism an obviously necessary part of the play's construction.? The paper goes on to prove that if Lear hadn?t lost his physical eyesight and gained a spiritual kind of sight, there would be no story. That is the structure of the play.
From the Paper "The continuous reiteration of references, both explicit and implicit, to vision and blindness in King Lear renders its resultant symbolism an obviously necessary part of the play's construction. This language pattern plays a structural role in defining Lear's fall from self-assumed grace to what he belatedly recognizes as an enlightened perspective; he fails to "see" truth until he has lost his visions of grandeur along with his eyesight. Therefore, without King Lear's intellectual and spiritual blindness, there would be no meaning assigned to his eventual clarity concerning morality. His lack of vision in the beginning is what allocates meaning to his eventual clarity. Each recurring allusion to eyesight in the play is like a verbal organ that composes the framework for a whole body of paradoxical meanings relating to a larger picture of the human condition. "To have eyes, and to see not, is to be at the mercy of evil"? (Heilman 51)."
From the Paper "Shakespeare's last tragedy, Coriolanus, is both very similar to his earlier tragedies, but also highly individualistic. The central character, Coriolanus, is not the central villain of the play, unlike Macbeth. Neither is Coriolanus the central hero of the play, unlike Hamlet. Rather, Coriolanus is a perplexingly pitiable character that has both positive and negative characteristics. He is honorable in his personal, but not particularly loyal in his civic affairs. He is an elitist and violent, but he is also modest and worships his mother. Tullus Aufidius is the character that is counter-poised to Coriolanus throughout most of the play. He is Coriolanus's nemesis and competitor."
