From the Paper "The characters in Shakespeare's play, Much Ado About Nothing, act as stereotypes of different ways of pursuing love, deceit and deception. They show two very different ways of wooing, one of superficiality and one of true, genuine feeling. The relationship between Beatrice and Benedict starts out almost child-like and ends on a note of true love and happiness. On the opposite pole, Claudio and Hero symbolize the superficiality behind wanton love. Both couples are pillars of how lovers, past and present, handle their relationships."
From the Paper "The protagonist, Dr. Faustus, is a well-learned man that purposefully, systematically rejects belief due to a nagging desire to know the world's forbidden secrets. The solutions he seeks are only granted by God or Lucifer, the polar duality of good versus evil. Faustus has a choice of two paths that will determine his post mortem existence; either willingly believe in the unexplainable, or, sacrifice eternity to know the answers he craves. Understanding the physical consequences of both possibilities, Faustus chooses the latter, manifesting his inability to devote himself to ideas outside his realm of comprehension."
Abstract The essay discusses Lord Goring who is socially "idle", yet ideal in terms of philosophy. Moreover, it describes Goring as the most interesting and outstanding persona in the play, his ambivalent behavior, and the change he goes through during the play, and why he could be considered Wilde's alter ego. The paper ends raising the question of whether or not Wilde has lost grip on this character. Did Wilde manipulate Goring's behavior in order to obtain the desired ending of the play?
Abstract This paper discusses the unrealistic expectation of parents re: filial duty, love, obligation of parents and children to each other in Shakespeare's play, "King Lear".
From the Paper "It can be argued that the parents King Lear and the Earl of Gloucester damage their children's lives because of their unrealistic and confused expectations about filial love, duty, and the obligations of parents and children to each other. An examination of the characters in "The Tragedy of King Lear" supports this thesis. "
Abstract This paper argues that a common theme in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's work, "The Yellow Wallpaper" and Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is the effect of fantasy and enchantment on the characters in those stories. An examination of the two works shows how fantasy influences and modifies the characters, how it affects the story's setting, and the message that each author is sending to the reader.
Abstract This paper explores the interplay between man's potential and man's behavior. Hamlet's character is studied through utilizing excerpts from the play to form the standards by which to define man. The many aspects of Hamlet's character are brought to light and although it has been argued, and most correctly, that Hamlet's character leads directly to his demise, it is precisely that character that has made him so attractive to countless scores of readers.
From the Paper "Prince Hamlet, in saying "What a piece of work is a man" (2.2.293-294), brings to light the idea of man's inherent potential. "How noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god" (2.2.294-296). In this sense, man is capable of infinite measures, of being, essentially, godlike. Yet in actual performance, man is too often ruled by his passions, and often so in the absence of reason. We, as humans, are capable of greatness and nobility, yet we are each also capable of behavior befitting a beast. Hamlet then asks of Ophelia "What should such fellows as I do crawling between heaven and earth"? (3.1.128-129). All of the characters of the play are crawling between heaven and earth, yet some are drawn closer to the earth by way of their "beastly" behavior. The interplay between passion and reason therefore becomes paramount in placing the characters of the play on their respective "rungs of the ladder" between heaven and earth. "
A discussion of religious iconography and the virgin-whore dichotomy in pre and post Elizabethan England using Elizabeth I. and Hamlet's Gertrude as examples of the virgin and whore characterization.
2,285 words (approx. 9.1 pages), 5 sources, 1998, $ 70.95
Abstract A discussion of religious iconography as it relates to the Catholic Queens of England, Elizabeth I. and Hamlet's Gertrude. This paper contains a discussion of the virgin-whore dichotomy as it relates to the depictions of the Catholic Queens of England and Elizabeth I. in comparison to Gertrude. It also deals with an interesting change in religious iconization as England made its movement in support of the Protestant faith. The argument defines and discusses three areas in which queens are compared to religious icons and how their success and failure in these areas establishes their places in the virgin-whore dichotomy.
From the Paper "To give the queen the desired position in the dichotomy as the virgin, queens were often equated with religious icons, making their legacies almost saintly. These images of holiness defined both the queen's positions in the monarchy and the standards to which the future queens were held. After the fall of Catholicism in England, the iconizsation of the queen changed. Elizabeth in particular wasn?t associated by allegory alone to the Virgin Mary, but rather became the Virgin Mother of England in body as well as by allegory. This strengthened both her political position and her position in the virgin-whore dichotomy of the time. By comparing Queen Elizabeth, who was seen as a saintly, virginal figure, to Shakespeare's character Gertrude, who was seen as lusty and betraying, the major virgin-whore dichotomy of the Elizabethan and post-Elizabethan age can be exemplified."
Abstract The paper examines several analytical articles regarding the character of Petruchio and his blatant oppression of Katherine in Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew". Feminist opposition to modern productions of the play and arguments regarding the value of historic perspectives are discussed.
From the Paper "Understanding how Petruchio could be interpreted a hero to historical audiences and also symbol of villainy to some modern audiences is in itself a reason to continue study of Shakespeare's works. It is precisely these types of diametrically opposed views that encourage the search for a better understanding of differences in social structure and historical attitudes. Many other authors will also require comparison between modern society and the culture of their origin in order to be comprehensively understood."
Abstract This is an examination of the life of Irish playwright and journalist, John Millington Synge. The author examines many of his works and contributions to the theatrical world.
From the Paper "One of the greatest Irish dramatists of the Irish Literary Renaissance was Edmund John Millington Synge. Not only was he an Irish dramatist, but he was also an essayist, poet, journalist, and a translator. Although he only wrote six plays in his short lifetime, his works caused uproar and outrage. However, some of these plays would later be recognized as a change in the direction of Irish theater and would impact audiences, writers, and even Irish culture forever."
Abstract This paper is about the importance of William Shakespeare's writings. The author argues that Shakespeare's writings are valuable because of the lessons they teach, their literary style and their reflection of the society of the time.
From the Paper "Not too long ago, when Oxford University was deciding on whom should be named "Man of the Millennium", William Shakespeare was chosen to be the winner. Perhaps they were liable to be biased because both he and Oxford are British, but I truly believe it was for reasons far deeper than that. Shakespeare is the most popular playwright read in schools today, but why? School Boards seem to feel that Shakespeare's works provide valuable literary lessons and insights and I agree whole-heartedly. Not only is Shakespeare my favorite playwright, but also one of the historic figures I admire most. I believe that everyone, regardless of age, should read Shakespeare because of the valuable lessons, literary value, and for their own edification and enjoyment."
Abstract This paper discusses Oscar Wilde's writing and its reception by the upper class of his time. The focus of this paper is Wilde's work, ?The Importance of Being Ernest." The author discusses various subjects of Wilde's writing: death and marriage, parenting and social manners.
From the Paper "Oscar Wilde made his reputation off of mocking the Victorian Era. In fact, he lived his life the same way, blatantly ignoring the common rules of society. He loathed the pretentiousness of the wealthy that dominated nearly every aspect of life in England. This was particularly ironic considering his father was a surgeon for Queen Victoria. Even more ironic is the fact that the victims of Wilde's sharp wit and satirical comedy, the well-to-do socialites, were his biggest fans. In "The Importance of Being Ernest", Wilde creates a trivial farce of the aristocracy through the actions and behaviors of both Algernon and Lady Bracknell, with the former as a metaphoric dignitary and the latter as an economic aristocrat.."
A comparison of Japanese kabuki and Shakespeare's plays, addressing the similarities of the works as well as Japanese adaptation of Shakespearean works.
2,500 words (approx. 10 pages), 12 sources, 2000, $ 75.95
Abstract This paper presents an overview of kabuki, including its origins, role in Asian culture, and aspects of performance. Discussion of how Shakespeare's works have been adapted to a kabuki form dominate the paper. Special attention is paid to the woman's role in kabuki theatre.
From the Paper "Drama is an ancient art form, steeped in various world traditions that have many precepts and edicts of rehearsal, production, and performance. The following is a presentation of two viewpoints, and the repercussions of the fusion of the traditions in performance and translation. The Asian world views performance as an attainment of character through repetition and form-study, to learn not just the dialogue and songs of a samurai or handmaiden, but to become that character using extra-ordinary body position (termed "extra-daily technique"), elaborate costumes and makeup, as well as traditional music. There are several styles of performance, but the most flamboyant is kabuki. Presently, there are four hundred plays in the conventional canon, but approximately thirty are performed each year in a seasonal cycle within Japan."
Abstract This paper argues that: in the end, Macbeth allowed himself to fall victim to the temptations of evil through conscious hesitation and a tragic ambition for power, fortifying Shakespeare's purpose and condemning malevolence against the throne.
From the Paper "Macbeth stands as one of Shakespeare's most enduring plays, weaving a mix of stoic courage, false pride, corrupt ambition, and desperate wrath into a work which ends in a symbolic exhibition of the tragic hero's head. Despite this however, Shakespeare directs his audience to recognize the natural order of the denouement, preserving the divine right of kings and ensuring to his Stuart ruler that the monarchy will always prevail over evil. Macbeth reveals his tragic flaw by failing to recognize this fundamental law. Once a valiant and loyal defender of the king, Macbeth is overwhelmed by the tenacity of his wife's lust for the throne as well as the demonic visions of three wicked witches. In the end, however, Macbeth allowed himself to fall victim to the temptations of evil through conscious hesitation and a tragic ambition for power, fortifying Shakespeare's purpose and condemning malevolence against the throne."
Abstract This essay focuses on the characters of the three central personalities in "The Master Builder": Halvard Solness, Aline Solness, and Hilde Wangel. Personal traits and the relationship of individuals to each other as a means of plot development are viewed as well as a discussion of what each character shows us about the human identity and soul.
From the Paper "The character of Hilde Wangel stands as the "wild bird of the forest" or foil to Aline's conservatism. Her appearance breaks the tension that we feel between Kaja the bookkeeper, Halvard, and Mrs. Solness in the first act, and draws attention to the magnificent and culminatory events at Lysanger ten years earlier."
Abstract The essay examines the unusual and unconventional father-daughter relationships that exist in "A Midsummer's Night" Dream and ?"Romeo and Juliet".
From the Paper "Biological fathers in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet are seen as authoritative, ruling figures. Their only apparent role in each is to make decisions for their daughters."
