Abstract This paper looks at the masculine character of the woman, Fefu in Maria Irene Forne's play "Fefu and Her Friends". It shows the various ways that Fefu strays from her traditional role as a woman as she gives up her gender to join the male forces in society.
From the Paper "Feminism is an area of increasing interest and mystery especially in modern plays like Maria Irene Fornes's Fefu and Her Friends. Fefu, an antithesis to her stereotypical fellow women, serves as the bold, daring and "new cross-gender" type figure of the play. This broad spectrum of extreme levels of manhood portrayed by Fefu is equalized out and even supported by the overall characterizations of the women in the text. In turn, these characterizations of Fefu and her friends all come together to depict Fefu's "manhood". Although a woman, Fefu portrays herself as a strong, domineering character, like the stereotypical male, and tries to enforce this masculinity upon her friends."
From the Paper "Romeo and Juliet and Dr. Faustus, both from the height of the English renaissance, rebel against the traditional morality play previously seen on the English stage for centuries and instead have a tragic design driven by a violent passion for human desires. These human needs of love and knowledge connect each member of the audience to the characters in the plays. The audience at once admires and despises the lead characters for their daring transgressions and bold decisions. In response to the birthing of the renaissance, the characters Romeo, Juliet and Faustus challenge the nature of their respective societies to attain the love and knowledge that they would be denied."
Abstract This essay explores the notion of honor in Jonson's play "Volpone" -the manner in which the idea of honor differs from character to character and how honor motivates the characters? actions and interactions.
From the Paper "When Ben Jonson wrote Volpone in the seventeenth century, he was unaware of the theatrical capabilities such as pyrotechnics that are available for modern play productions. Even more, Jonson could not have fathomed computer-generated graphics that are available for television and movie productions. Jonson mainly had dialogue and the characters? interactions within his grasp to create an entertaining play; he relies on the intellectual qualities of the play rather than the aesthetics. As a result, Jonson develops basic themes of mankind that convey his rare perception of human nature. One of the most fundamental themes found in this play and in nature is honor. Although humans have probably always had a notion of honor, the definition of honor and objects that contain honor vary among people and cultures. In Volpone, Jonson portrays how the idea of honor differs from character to character and how honor motivates the characters? actions and interactions."
Abstract This paper presents a brief analysis of how Chekov uses the inanimate objects in his play as almost living things, reflecting on the emotions and attitudes of the characters.
From the Paper "We don't see things as they are. We see them as we are." This quote by Anais Nin expresses an essential point of view for this discussion about the symbolic meaning of inanimate objects, since it is our personality and our memories, which determine our character and meaning. Our feelings towards certain objects are individual, as everyone associates different things in a different manner. Insofar, "we see them as we are", since they can mirror our past, pains, hopes and our ideals. Thus they become more than just an object, but a symbol for a certain part of someone's feelings and life This is also the case in "The Cherry Orchard": objects as the nursery room, the bookcase and the cherry orchard take on their own symbolic life. "
Tags: chekhov, cherry, in, inanimate, life, object, of, orchard, symbolic, the
Abstract This paper looks at the elaborate disguises that are used in "The Taming of the Shrew" as well as the double meaning and puns that Shakespeare uses to portray the theme of matrimonial relationships, and the idea that people are not always as they appear.
From the Paper "Shakespeare illustrates his theme by painting a perfect picture of the time in which he wrote. Arranged marriages were common, and many fathers of this period gave their daughters' hand to the man who could best provide for her, as does Baptista with Bianca (Leggatt 47). It was also customary in Elizabethan England for a father to give a dowry to the bridegroom of his daughter, so that she would be financially secure in the event of her husband's death. Hortensio acknowledges this tradition, when he tells Gremio that Petruchio will marry Kate "if her dowry should prove satisfactory" (Leggatt 47). The actual ceremonies of matrimony are also correctly depicted, as are the traditions. When Kate shouts to her father that she will have to dance at her sister's wedding barefoot, her fears are valid. In Elizabethan times when a younger sister married before the elder, the latter was to perform this act to avoid becoming a spinster (Leggatt 48). These minute details transport the reader back to the time in which the play was created."
Tags: mask, comedy, Kate, marriage, double, meaning, pun
Abstract This paper examines and compares the plays "Hamlet" by Shakespeare and "Night Mother" by Marsha Norman. The paper shows how the main characters of the plays share common characteristics such as their arguments for suicide, the loss of their fathers, and their similar wishes to die.
From the Paper "Although Hamlet by William Shakespeare and Night, Mother by Marsha Norman were written about four hundred years apart, they are similar because they both tell tragic stories of people who are tortured by hopelessness, depression and painful circumstances in their lives. "
Abstract This paper analyzes the character of Othello and looks at how his obsession with his reputation leads to his downfall.
From the Paper "A major theme in Othello is that characters become so caught up in defending and protecting their reputation that they lose their powers of reason and common sense. This essay will discuss how the central topic of reputation and appearance is developed into this theme by the use of setting and characters. "
Abstract This paper looks at how Arthur Miller's play, "All My Sons", condemns the the traditional values of the American Dream.
From the Paper "In the play All My Sons, playwright Arthur Miller examines those hopes and values through the story of the Keller family. Miller uses the Kellers to show that the Dream and all of the values associated with it are hypocritical; it is a hypocritical philosophy that has given Americans false expectations and ideals. An examination of All My Sons shows how the traditional American Dream is based on vain and empty ideals that serve only a few Americans. "
Abstract In this essay, the character of Claudius from Hamlet is shown as a quintessential Machiavellian character. Niccolo Machiavelli wrote the book entitled The Prince, and is known by some for making the guidelines on how to become the best prince through lies, corruption, evil, and murder. This essay examines how Claudius, the King of Denmark fulfills these guidelines. Claudius' Machavellian character is shown through the way he deceives others about his virtue, his development of schemes, and his belief that rules can easily be broken.
From the Paper " A Machiavellian character is not hard to come by, and ample exist around us today. A person of this characteristic will break rules, pretend to be virtuous, plan schemes, and do anything they must, in order to receive what they strive for. In Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, a perfect example of such a character is displayed in Claudius, the New King of Denmark. Claudius performs many deceptive, and horrifying acts, which make him the quintessential Machiavellian character. Developing schemes, pretending to be virtuous, and proving his belief, through his actions, that rules may be broken, are the deeds he executes, which prove his true character."
Abstract This paper summarizes and critiques the play "Medea" by Euripides and translated by Michael Townsend, emphasizing Euripides? style of writing and the new ideas he introduced such as his views on denial, revenge and the tragedy taking place. The paper also offers a psychological analysis of the characters of the play.
From the Paper ?The chorus in Medea displays qualities of both a commentator and a spectator. At times, the chorus sides with Medea and hopes to give her advice and support, while at other times it quietly looks on, shaking its collective head and watching as the damage is done. When Medea first faces the chorus, her calm and reflective tone, especially after her previous eruptions of rage and despair, reveals her unsettling ability to gather herself together in the midst of a crisis and pursue her plans with an almost inhuman determination.?
Abstract An analysis of the use of mythology by Sophocles. The author discusses the use of myths in Ancient Greece to define gods and their laws, showing the terrible consequences of disobeying them and forming the structure of society and politics. The author discusses Sophocles, a Greek dramatist and his use of myths and religious rituals. Included is an analysis of Sophocles' play "Antigone".
From the Paper "Unlike his contemporaries, Sophocles based his tragedies on human actions and reactions, rather than on divine influence. He does not, however, ignore the gods or say they do not play a role. He uses them to show the human limits and possibilities. The Sophoclean gods thus are placed in the background of the plot, influencing it but not interfering in the course of action Greek dramatists often based their plots on myths, which are believed to reflect the national identity and various historic periods. Besides serving as lyric entertainment stories, myths were used to persuade and enlighten citizens in matters of politics, religion, and customary rituals (Bremmer, 58)."
Tags: myths, religion, gods, tradition, punishment, tales, citizen, society
Abstract This paper is an analysis of "King Lear" centering on Shakespeare's thematic use of various conceptions of nature as structured by definitions of the word found in the Oxford English Dictionary. This study shows how exploring word meanings aids in understanding the theme.
From the Paper "A consideration of NATURE in its many definitions as revealed in the OED and as applied to the use of the word NATURE as utilized by Shakespeare in King Lear proves vast and revealing. Shakespeare's characters use this word in its many meanings to suit their own needs. Observing Shakespeare's varied uses of this word through King Lear aids in understanding the tragic complexity of the play and its title character. What Lear has always believed about NATURE gets turned upside down in the course of the action of this drama. Characters like Kent and Edgar must disguise themselves to hide their true identities and honest NATUREs. Others like Goneril, Regan, Cornwall and Edmund turn what appear to be their true NATUREs inside out into falseness. As readers and audience consider this word NATURE in its many implications we begin to realize the immensity of meaning available for our contemplation."
Tags: dictionary, english, nature, oxford, shakespeare, study, thematic, word
Abstract The author of this paper traces the subject of love through many Shakespeare works. Sonnets and plays are examined. The author then puts an emphasis on Othello and includes lavish quotes from the play in an attempt to describe love's role in the action and characters.
From the Paper "Other than in Romeo and Juliet, which is a romantic tragedy, love plays a part in Othello more than in any of Shakespeare's other tragedies. Othello and Desdemona are presumed to be in love. Roderigo chases after the love of Desdemona. Iago is jealous of the love between Othello and Desdemona and Iago's plots are all based on proving to Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are in love. Although love clearly plays a large role in the play, it is debatable whether this love is true love. This is especially true for the love between Othello and Desdemona. In order to determine what Shakespeare intended their love to be perceived as, it is possible to look at how Shakespeare has defined true love in other works. According to his definition, clearly Othello's love for Desdemona is not true love, however; Desdemona's love for Othello, is indeed true love that remains unbroken throughout the play."
Abstract This paper is a look at how various animal images in the play "Macbeth" such as the owl, serpent, falcon, raven, rhinoceros, etc. contribute to the powerful impression the Bard leaves on his audiences. The author uses quotes from the play to back-up the explanations.
From the Paper " In William Shakespeare's play MacBeth, Shakespeare uses imagery to help convey the words his characters speak in their dialogs. Throughout this play, animals are used to describe situations for characters. These characters include Lady MacBeth, MacBeth, Lady MacDuff, Ross, and an old man speaking with Ross. Animal imagery is used to illustrate evil, deceit and fearlessness made by characters who are indeed fearful, and paranoid with unnatural events occurring throughout the course of the play."
Abstract This is a paper comparing and contrasting the two major speeches of Marcus Brutus and Antony in William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar". The author makes several interesting points and discusses how Antony 's method of toying with the audience's emotions prevailed over Brutus? attempt to use the audience's pride and patriotism.
From the Paper "Great speakers are remembered throughout history for making speeches that touch the audience, or get the audience to believe something that before seemed like nonsense. People like Martin Luther King Junior and Abraham Lincoln changed history, and are remembered to this day for their historic speeches. In William Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar, two such speeches were made. In the play, both Marcus Brutus and Antony made speeches that moved the crowd, but they used different techniques to accomplish their goals. Brutus? and Antony 's speeches differed vastly in their emphasis, content, and writing style."
Tags: audience, caesar, julius, play, renaissance, shakespeare, speaking, patriotism, william
