Abstract This six-page undergraduate paper offers an analysis of Shakespeare's characterization of Hamlet. The author discusses Hamlet's character traits, examines his reaction to the murder of his father, and investigates the reasons why Hamlet's behavior in the play is so enigmatic and bewildering.
Abstract This essay offers a brief definition of a "tragic hero," and then goes on to prove that William Shakespeare's Hamlet, and Troy in August Wilson's "Fences", qualify as tragic heroes under that definition.
Abstract This paper analyzes "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare. The paper includes a character profile as well as a theme and metaphor analysis and summary of the play.
Abstract This three-page undergraduate paper examines and analyzes three cases of symbolism in William Shakespeare's play, Othello. The author discusses the symbolism represented through the characters of Desdemona, Othello, and Iago.
This is a persuasive essay arguing that the murders committed by Shakespeare's Macbeth were a product of his own character and not the influences of others.
956 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 0 sources, 2003, $ 33.95
Abstract This paper points out that, during that time period, women did not have a great influence over men. It argues that Macbeth was a strong, powerful man who would never let a woman or anyone else influence his decisions in a negative way. He was not a victim of any other character's influence, but of his own character.
From the Paper "Character or fate. Which of these two forces (external or internal) led to the downward fall of a great military hero and worthy Thane, Macbeth, turned evil and murderous when led astray by the prophecies of three old witches. Some people argue that Macbeth is the victim of fate, while others argue that his character decides his downfall. The argument for fate is strongly led by the actions of others, with Lady Macbeth being the prime influence on Macbeth. While the opposition is led by Macbeth^s troubled conscience, his own internal conflict and his hamartia. It is clearly visible that Macbeth^s own character is at fault for his tragic downfall."
Abstract This paper explores the role of fate, as Shakespeare employed it, in "Romeo & Juliet". The paper uses examples from the play to show that fate made the tragic outcome inevitable.
From the Paper "Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, is set in Verona Italy, where two feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets produce a pair of "star-crossed lovers". Within the play there are five events that drastically change the course of Romeo and Juliet's love: Romeo and Juliet's meeting, their marriage, the death of Tybalt and Romeo's banishment, Friar John being detained with the letter allowing Balthasar to inform Romeo of Juliet's death, and Romeo killing himself before Juliet awakens. These events could be classified as the direct results of a character's action, an act of fate, or a combination of both. Quite often this is the case, fate played upon the flaws of the character, therefore producing the event. In these situations the character is often aware of the part that fate played."
Abstract This essay explores the prodominant themes in "Romeo and Juliet" based on the statement by Prince Escalus, 'For never was there a story of more woe, Than this of Juliet and her Romeo'. Keeepin that quote in mind, the essay questions whether love can be counted as the only theme in Romeo and Juliet. The essay discusses in detail three major themes of hate, fate and time, using three scenes in detail, using quotes to support the argument.
From the Paper "In the tragedy of "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, the main theme of the play is love but it is not the only one. The play explores other themes that revolve around love such as the fate of the two lovers, the speed and time of their love and the hatred between their families. When Prince Escalus stated ? for never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo? (Act V, Scene III, line 308-309), the purpose of his statement was to illustrate the presence of a wide variety of themes which all contributed to the tragic story of Juliet and her Romeo."
Abstract This paper examines how William Shakespeare's play, "A Midsummer Night's Dream", is full of memorable characters and how they exhibit, among other things, lunacy, lovesickness, and poetry. It analyzes the characters of Bottom, Helena, and Puck, and how they contribute to the play. It demonstrates how Bottom is portrayed as a hilarious lunatic, Helena as a fool in love, and Puck as a mischievous poet.
From the Paper "Helena proves to be the most loving character in the play. She is in love with Demetrius and there is absolutely nothing that will change her mind. She demonstrates strength of character that can only be achieved through the emotion of love. Whether or not this is wise, is another question. Regardless, she illustrates the power of love and how love is one human emotion that is very difficult to control. For example, she is aware that he loves someone else, but yet she still professes her love to him. This is amazing considering the fact that he is sometimes cruel to her. For instance, when he tells her that he is "sick when I do look on thee" (II.i.213), she simply responds that she is "sick when I look not on you" (II.i.214). She illustrates how we can hear the most hurtful thing from the one we love and not be moved away from our affection."
Abstract This paper discusses how the soliloquy of Edmund in Act I, Scene ii of "King Lear" relates to the overall theme that Shakespeare presents in the play.
From the Paper "Edmund is among the most difficult to understand of the villains in King Lear. Unlike Goneril and Regan, who appear to be interested in nothing more than the reckless pursuit of power, Edmund appears to have more motivations than power alone. This is certainly not to say that Edmund does not attempt to seize power at every possible opportunity; he does. However, his motivations for seeking power appear to be different from those of Goneril and Regan. Evidence for this is shown in Edmund's soliloquy at the beginning of the play where he expresses disdain for his place in society. This soliloquy is used by Shakespeare to present a large theme about justice and social ordering."
Abstract Lucio is a key role in "Measure for Measure", but is he simply a foil for Duke Vincentio or is he more than that? This paper asks if Duke Vincentio is actually just as much of a slanderer as Lucio is and whether Shakespeare is trying to make a point about the rule of King James.
From the Paper "The more I read about Lucio the more I realized that everyone had different views about him and his role in Measure for Measure. Some simply dismiss him as an unimportant character that was just inserted for comic relief, some believe him to be Duke Vincentio's foil that was there simply to make the Duke look even better, and some believe that Lucio is an extremely important character without which the play would have virtually no meaning. I read a few different journal articles and books to prepare for this presentation, but I was especially influenced by Kaplan's The Culture of Slander in Early Modern England because there was an entire chapter dedicated to slander in Measure for Measure and I found myself agreeing with Kaplan's interpretation of Lucio's role more than anyone else?s. I found all of the articles that extolled the virtues of the Duke and portrayed Lucio as a villainous slanderer who deserved all that he got and more very limited in their analysis. It is just too easy, and since Shakespeare does not create characters that are easy to analyze, Lucio is no exception."
Abstract By examining several of Shakespeare's sonnets and Spenser's "Epithalamion", this paper compares how both poets discuss their feelings about women and love. The paper contends that, while Shakespeare loved women openly and honestly, Spenser idolized his love. Examples from the writings of both poets are used to support this contention.
From the Paper "Poetry is what captures the emotions of people like William Shakespeare and Edmond Spencer. These two men express themselves through their poetry. In several poems they discuss their feelings about women and love. While both men are very capable of loving a woman, they love them in entirely different ways. "
Abstract This paper shows how the theme of isolation is presented both as a corrupting influence and as positive influence by eminent authors. It analyzes William Shakespeare's "Othello", Homer's "Odyssey", and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", and compares how the three different stories treat the concept of isolation in different manner. It demonstrates how isolation has the capacity to create different responses from people because, in "Othello", it creates mistrust and fear, while in the "Odyssey", it creates the deepening of love. It also shows how, in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", the power of isolation to lead oneself to sin is depicted very clearly.
From the Paper "Shakespeare uses isolation to heighten the difficulties of a man who mistrusts his wife. In Othello, isolation is a theme that is used to show that self isolation is often dangerous than useful. In Othello, the central characters after moving into Cyprus are isolated from the rest of the world. Perhaps Shakespeare could have used this isolation of the characters to highlight only the main characters who could play important roles till the end of the play. We can however find the widening gap between Othello and Desdemona in the play and it happens when they are isolated and do not have any peacemaker amidst them. Shakespeare uses the physical distance between Othello and his wife to highlight the fact that differences in opinion, if not attended to, would snowball into bigger issues that would be difficult to handle eventually. "
Abstract This paper discusses how individual response to conditions of external or internal conflict is reflected in much of literature. It examines how in the play, "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare, the character of Hamlet must deal with both external and internal conflict. He faces the death of his father, the knowledge that his uncle Claudius is his father's murderer, and the knowledge that he must take revenge. It analyzes how Hamlet's responses to these external conflicts and his own internal views reveal his nature and character.
From the Paper "Hamlet is very distraught and grief stricken for the death of his father the King of Denmark. As well, he is upset with his mother's quick marriage to his uncle Claudius, who is now King. Hamlet is emotional and melancholy, and in his first soliloquy ponders suicide because he wonders what the use there is in living with what he sees as madness around him. Nothing makes sense to him. His reactions to his mother and his uncle's entreaties to put on a more positive attitude are critical and, if you like, often bitingly witty. Hamlet shows that he cares about his father very much because he refuses to put on a show of cheer--his father is dead. He also shows his sensitibity when he talks about wanting to die, and intelligence with his plays on words when speaking with the king and queen."
Abstract Common themes are paralleled in this play between the main characters and the secondary characters. Specific analysis addresses the common themes of authority, blindness, betrayal and death. A general background into the play is also given.
From the Paper "Several observations can be made in William Shakespeare's King Lear between the main plot of the Lear and his daughters and the sub-plot of Gloucester and his sons. These similarities emphasize the message of the play overall and add substance, keeping audiences interested. The recurring themes of authority, betrayal, and blindness can be found in both the main plot and the sub-plot of this tragedy, as well as a parallel in the deaths of Lear and Gloucester."
Abstract "Othello" is one of the most important and popular Shakespeare tragedies. In the play, the playwright highlights the maliciousness of human nature and the way it can destroy some naive souls. This paper discusses how Iago is the villain in this play and is presented as the epitome of deceit and malice. However, this has been done, while keeping the character wrapped in thick clouds of honesty and truthfulness. It explains that this is a strange paradox, as on the surface, we are repeatedly told that Iago is an honest man, and he also considers himself to be so, while beneath all this fake honesty, he is always trying to stab someone in the back.
From the Paper "For some odd reason, he hates Othello who thinks of him as an honest friend and his hatred for the protagonist results in an absolute tragedy where numerous lives are destroyed and reputations tarnished. For those who have read the play, it is difficult to understand why Iago would be considered an honest person when he was certainly anything but this. However as negative as his character was, Iago must have some honest streak in his nature or else no one would have believed him and the whole ploy against Othello would have failed."
