Abstract The writer examines the characteristics of Hamlet and the forces that drove him to act as he did. The writer believes that Hamlet's melancholic behavior, his ?tragic flaw,? and his procrastination to fulfill the task of revenge are factors that cause him to fall victim to obstacles that he is unable to overcome.
From the Paper "In the play "Hamlet" the protagonist is concerned with situations involving not only social but also moral pressures as well. There are many reasons to believe that Hamlet's actions were not in vain. Although Hamlet kills Claudius, the plan for revenge is not properly fulfilled due to elements that cause Hamlet's downfall and his unfortunate demise. "
Abstract An examination of how Iago's character changes and develops through different sections of the play. The writer claims that Iago is the main driving force in this play, pushing Othello and everyone else towards their tragic end.
From the Paper "Perhaps the most interesting and exotic character in the tragic play "Othello," by William Shakespeare, is "Honest" Iago. "Iago in external appearance or in his characteristic traits, he is the man who deceived and betrayed Desdemona, Cassio, and Othello" (White 203). Through some carefully thought-out words and actions, Iago is able to manipulate others to do things in a way that benefits him and moves him closer toward his goals. "
Abstract This paper shows how the Oedipus complex theory can be applied to Hamlet, the main character of "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare and the issues that he faces concerning his mother and girlfriend. The paper shows that the intense rage that Hamlet projects onto Queen Gertrude (his mother), Ophelia (his girlfriend) and women in general compiles this version of Oedipus complex triangle. Hamlet finds himself strangely drawn to the act of matricide whether or not he blatantly expresses it, because he partially blames his mother for the circumstances leading up to his father's death, although he has a strange sexual affinity towards her. The paper describes how Hamlet releases his frustration about his father's death indirectly on Ophelia while raising to the surface strong undercurrents of an Oedipal complex with Gertrude as its center.
From the Paper "According to psychoanalysis, a male child's dual view of his mother as the Madonna and the whore (her relationship with the father) is not abnormal. Men have a preoccupation with virginity as well as an urge to engage in dirty activities with the whore. Unfortunately, Hamlet fails to detangle the complicated web he has mentally and emotionally intertwined them in, and he ends up causing them to incur mental and physical damage. His feelings about Polonius? death have much to do with using Ophelia as a vehicle for him to feel as though he forced the same agony of grief upon his mother that he had to endure when his father died."
Abstract This paper will discuss the way that Hamlet is more loosely held in control by his mother Gertrude, and will compare this relationship to Amanda and her son in the "Glass Managerie". By understanding the similarities of these two mother-son behaviors we can see how they are somewhat similar, even though they seem different from each other.
Abstract This paper looks at the characters of Hamlet and Laertes explains why they are so similar. By doing so, this paper compares and contrasts Hamlet's and Laertes' love for Ophelia, the avenging their fathers' deaths and their attitudes and actions.
From the Paper "In Shakespeare's play Hamlet many similarities are created between Hamlet and Laertes which clearly define Laertes as Hamlets foil. These two characters are mirrors of each other which act in opposite manners when confronted with similar circumstances. They are very contrasting characters, one being outward and the other inward; where Hamlet is verbal, Laertes is physical and where Hamlet is private, Laertes is overly confronting. They are both confronted with emotions such as love and hate along with situations of betrayal which lead to the ultimate tragedies in the play. Due to the sequence of events which occur within Shakespeare's play Hamlet it is evident that Hamlet and Laertes are two very comparative characters which is demonstrated through the love they share for Ophelia and their actions to avenge the death of their fathers."
Abstract In Shakespeare's ?Hamlet,? both Laertes and Hamlet take justice into their own hands. The paper explains how they demonstrate pure emotive behavior, restrained with confusion and unrestrained with determination as a means of "righting" a death of which they deem unjust in the Elizabethan world. Both men avenge death by applying their own punishment, even though it leads to the end of both of their lives. Anger and action are the focus of this essay.
From the Paper "As Laertes and Hamlet take justice into their own hands, they demonstrate rash behavior when infuriated in Shakespeare's Hamlet. Laertes and Hamlet are not in fear of the consequences of their actions, for they reason that such revenge is just. Anger in a deceitful world fuel the two young men to seek revenge. Such revenge serves as an individual right to personal justice. Laertes acts upon pure emotion and fury as he avenges the death of his father. Hamlet ponders his situation indecisively before taking action, yet ultimately acts out of anger and fury. Both sons eventually refuse state justice and apply punishment where they deem fair. Their fury eventually leads to the tragic end to both of their lives. "
This paper uses research information to support the thesis that Shakespeare portrays Shylock as villain and a sub-human with no regard, feelings or mercy for others, all consequences of his Judaism.
2,090 words (approx. 8.4 pages), 4 sources, 2001, $ 65.95
Abstract This paper looks at one of Shakespeare's celebrated works, The Merchant of Venice. The author discusses how Shakespeare portrays one of the main characters, the merchant Shylock as not only a villain but someone less than human with no mercy for others, both consequences of his religion, while continuing to remind the reader of the goodness of the Christian characters. The author makes frequent references and quotes key passages from the play.
From the Paper "Written sometime between 1596 and 1598, The Merchant of Venice is classified as both an early Shakespearean comedy and as a problem play; it is a work in which good triumphs over evil, but serious themes are examined and some issues remain unresolved. Specifically, anti-Semitism is woven throughout the play through the interactions of Shylock and the Christians around him. Due to the wave of anti-Jewish sentiment in late sixteenth century England , Shakespeare's audiences were familiar with the staging of stereotypical evil Jews."
Abstract This paper explores the theme of magic in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', and discusses how Shakespeare uses supernatural elements throughout the play. It considers the boundaries between good and evil, and comments upon the ways Shakespeare presents the play as a supernaturally charged adventure.
From the Paper "There was a strong belief in the supernatural in Shakespeare's era and subsequently, some form of the supernatural realm is a common theme throughout his plays. The supernatural is a central theme in A Midsummer Night's Dream which is set in an enchanted fairyland wood and the play clearly demonstrates the power of the supernatural and the dramatic influence the spiritual world has upon the natural order of things. "
This paper delves into the psychological reasons why and how Lady Macbeth changed so drastically throughout the play of "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare.
Abstract A paper which focuses on the psychological aspects of dreams and psychoanalysis in order to make sense of Lady Macbeth's actions. The author of this paper examines how Lady Macbeth turns from a single-minded, ambitious, unforgiving murderer to a guilty, sleepwalking, absent-minded mess. The author delves into instances from the text that suggest what Lady Macbeth was going through at the time and shows how, psychologically, Sigmund Freud's theory of psychoanalysis would be suited best to find the reasoning behind Lady Macbeth's metamorphosis.
From the Paper "In order to make any headway into this subject, an overview of Freud's psychoanalytical theory is needed. Psychoanalysis is a theory that derives on the idea that the unconscious mind is driven by the sexual urges and primal instinct of man (Quigley 2). One of the most significant points in this theory is the idea that our inborn desires are governed by three separate entities designated as the Id, the Ego, and the Superego (Quigley 3). The Id is the part of the unconscious mind that contains the sexual, instinctive urges of man (Quigley 3). The Superego is the unconscious purveyor of the internalized rules of society; better known as the cautious part of the mind (Quigley 3). The Ego, on the other hand, is the medium between the Id and the Superego; the Ego takes the primal urge under advisement, brings the Superego into the equation, and comes to an eventual compromise between the two (Quigley 3)."
Discusses director Julie Taymor's 1999 film "Titus" in relation to Shakespeare's first tragedy. Includes issues of violence, director's visual style & imagery.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 2 sources, 2001, $ 39.95
From the Paper " Any production of Shakespeare's first tragedy, Titus Andronicus, has to take a position regarding the play's seriousness and Julie Taymor's 1999 film version, Titus, establishes her intentions immediately. She will not only take it seriously she will look to the text for universal lessons about violence. The film's opening sequence also makes clear, however, that she will not offer a literal-minded production but will work freely in visual terms, and in supplementing the text as she sees fit, in order to produce the meanings she hopes to draw from the play. It is easy, however, to forget all about her serious intentions as one sits back and enjoys the nearly irresistible brilliance of the spectacle that Taymor creates. Yet, even though the viewer can be pleased by the sheer fun that is involved in the costumes, the music, the acting, and the.."
Abstract Explores the characteristcs of Desdemona, Bianca and Emilia and their status, roles and power within the largely male dominated society. The paper suggests that the male dominated society leads to, ultimately, all three women falling victims.
From the Paper "Othello by William Shakespeare is a play set in Venice at the height of it's powers. There are three significant female characters in the play, Desdemona, Bianca, and Emilia, who are representative of the female gender. Their characters within the play are presented as being victims of their gender, and victims of the male dominated society of the time. They are seen as victims in their treatment, their status and roles and their power within society, and in the ultimate death of two of the three female characters in the play."
Abstract This paper questions whether Prince Hamlet in William Shakespeare's famous play, "Hamlet" was really mad or whether his madness was feigned. The paper argues, by bringing evidence from the play, that Hamlet faked his mad behavior towards an end - that of vengeance.
From the Paper "The scenes involving madness have been contrived. Each of the scenes where Hamlet feigns madness is easily "seen through" by the audience or readers of Shakespeare's plays. The German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe described Hamlet as a poet, a sensitive man who is too weak to deal with the political pressures of Denmark. Goethe drew parallels of Hamlet to his own work ?Werther.? (Goethe, n.d.) Sigmund Freud, father of psycho-analysis, viewed Hamlet in terms of his oedipal urges: that Claudius had taken Hamlet's father's place. However, Freud is careful to note that Hamlet represents modern man. He does not kill Claudius in order to sleep with his mother, but rather kills him to revenge his mother's death. (Freud, 1900) Neither however, alludes to any madness."
Abstract This paper will seek to understand the play "Richard the III" by Shakespeare in comparison with Josephine Tey's novel, "Daughter of Time". A making a comparison and contrast between the main characters of each of these stories, we can see how the authors characterize their stories.
Abstract This paper examines how "Othello" by William Shakespeare is a play which contains many conflicts between characters. It looks at how the main character Othello begins the play by marrying his love Desdemona and how it ends dramatically in a conflict between Othello and Desdemona which ends with Othello killing Desdemona then himself. It analyzes how the conflict was spawn for many reasons including Iago's deceiving, Othello being too in love with Desdemona, Othello's pride, Othello's self conscious nature, Othello's jealousy and Othello's rash behaviour.
From the Paper "Othello then confronts Desdemona about his doubts but doesn't listen to her reply. "By heaven , I saw my handkerchief in's hand. O perjured woman! Thou dost stone my heart, and mak'st me call what I intend to do a murder , which I thought a sacrifice." Othello is quite emotional at this point as can be seen by the explanation mark. He is shown to be very upset about Desdemona's supposed affair. This can be seen by the phrase "stone my heart". This is in reference to the pain Desdemona is causing him. It is killing his heart and their love as "heart" has connotations to love. By referring to killing Desdemona as a sacrifice this shows that Othello is giving up something. He is giving up his love for Desdemona as he believes that it will hurt him too much to see her with another. Othello loves her too much."
Abstract This paper studies the character of Laertes as a foil or mirror image of the character Hamlet. Throughout the play, Laertes actions and responses seem to be a mirror of the character, Hamlet, both physically and verbally.
From the Paper "In William Shakespeare's tragedy of 'Hamlet', the character of Laertes can be seen as a foil or a mirror of the protagonist Hamlet. This comparison extends throughout the play, as Laertes' responses to the murder of his father Polonius, the death of his sister Ophelia, and even his general philosophy of life can be interpreted not simply a mirroring of Hamlet but as a sort of running commentary on Hamlet's words and actions. In this context, this essay will argue that Shakespeare employs Laertes as a dramatic foil to Hamlet, allowing audiences more illuminating insights into the character and actions of the protagonist."
