Abstract This paper deals with the protagonists' search for knowledge and truth in Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and Sophocles's "Oedipus" the King. Examples from each play are given to reveal how the protagonists' motivations and personal traits play a key factor in the outcomes of their journeys.
From the Paper "In Hamlet by William Shakespeare and Oedipus the King by Sophocles, the protagonists? tragic falls are caused by their unrelenting search for knowledge and truth. Regardless of the outcome, each protagonist is compelled to discover the meaningful aspects that make their lives important. The reader can only comprehend the necessity of the searches through an understanding of the protagonist's motivation, personal traits, and the relevance of the outcomes to the overall quest."
Tags: knowledge, play, playwright, protagonist, tragedy, tragic, truth
Abstract "The Twelfth Night" is an example of how a play can function both as theatrical performance, and as literature. The Twelfth Night is a play based on gender impersonation and openly mocks the assumptions about feminine and masculine behaviour or expectation. This paper focuses on Viola, and Olivia, as they are so clearly designed to complement and contradict (even through the names, which are different arrangements of the same letters.) As Viola impersonates the young man with whom Olivia has fallen in love, the differences in how Viola manages to speak as a man are as varied as Olivia's relations for speaking as a woman in relation to men.
Abstract In his famous play, "Much Ado About Nothing," Shakespeare gives us not only a fine comedy, but also a keen look into human nature. He shows the trickery and deceit certain characters use to achieve their ends and, in a way, the comedy is actually a sober look at what happens in society in any age, including our own.
Abstract In Shakespeare's tragedy, Hamlet, there is a theme of illness and corruption that runs through the dialogues, as if the fateful murder of Hamlet's father has poisoned the very soil of Denmark. This essay explores the themes and metaphors of poison in this play and through the various ways Shakespeare relies on ideas of poison to conjure an imaginative relation with the infections of evil, spreading into the roots of minds and hearts alike.
Abstract The idea of madness is one which many writers have explored. By becoming mad, people are granted leave of social, moral, and political expectations. In essence, they become free because as they take leave of their senses, they are shown the societal exit door and enter a world of their own creation. Madness, however, is not a free ticket to a different reality, it comes with a very dear price. For, by leaving logic behind and becoming ruled only by emotion, rather than making things better, events will inevitably turn for the worse. It is the purpose of this paper, then to explore the theme of madness as it appears in Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Abstract This essay compares the characters of Iago, from "Othello", with Krogstad in "A Doll's House". These two men play significant roles in destroying a marriage; however, the results of their involvement are different. Iago ruins Othello and instigates the murder of Othello's wife. Krogstad inadvertently liberates Nora from her marriage so that she is free to leave her unhappy life. While both Iago and Krogstad are secondary characters, they play primary roles in effecting a dramatic change in the outcome of the plays.
Abstract This paper presents an overview of the novel "A Tempest" by Cesaire in comparison with Shakespeare's play "The Tempest". "A Tempest" by Aime Cesaire is an attempt to confront and rewrite the idea of colonialism as presented in Shakespeare's "The Tempest." The author finds that he is successful at this attempt by changing the point of view of the story.
Abstract This is a literary analysis of William Shakespeare's play "Othello". It mainly discusses the racism being articulated in the play. It also constructs an argument by incorporating three articles written on racism.
Abstract This paper examines both what he says about women in general and about some women in particular (i.e. Desdemona, Emilia, Bianca, and Venetian women). Discussed are what he does to women and shows how these contribute to his attitude, also answered is the relationship between this attitude and his desire for revenge.
Abstract This paper discusses the play Hamlet. The focus is upon whether or not Hamlet's madness is feigned or real. The opinions of the characters as to Hamlet's madness are considered, as are his own words and actions. The paper concludes with the observation that the truth concerning Hamlet's madness cannot be conclusively determined because Shakespeare himself is vague as to whether it is genuine or not.
Abstract This paper examines the play, "Troilus and Cressida," as a critique on the mythology of the Trojan War and as a larger comment on the problems of human desire and self-centered actions. There are three kinds of reasoning offered by three different characters, all of which make claims to a method for judgement, a method for values and as a rationale for acting. Shakespeare then portrays each character in contradiction, acting in self-serving ways, thus prolonging the war, trapped in a cycle of unresolvable issues that are based on the conflicts of human motivation.
Abstract This paper is a character analysis of Cassio, the representation of "good" in William Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello". This paper showsthat, regardless of Othello's suspicions of Cassio, Cassio's character still upheld his faith and respect for Othello.
Abstract This paper looks at the character Portia in Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice." This paper will illustrate how this character is portrayed by her words. This paper will also look at her actions and explain what is happening in the play.
Abstract This paper will explore the depiction of justice and mercy in the play. In the process, it will be argued that Shakespeare uses them to interrogate the underlying value system upon which they depend. As will be seen, it is very easy - both in Shakespeare's time as today - to apply justice and mercy to those of whom we approve and favour. However, the true test of the "quality" of our mercy may actually lie - Shakespeare suggests - in its application to those who lack power or popularity in our culture.
Abstract This paper will reveal the issues of madness that arise in Hamlet by William Shakespeare. By understanding his humor and mockery toward his enemy, Hamlet quickly descends into a murderous madness.
