Abstract
There is a virtual myriad of essays and criticisms concerning the women characters in William Shakespeare's plays. This paper focuses mainly on the role of two of these women - Desdemona from "Othello" and Cleopatra from "Antony and Cleopatra". It also briefly discusses other characters such as Calpurnia and Portia. The paper concludes that of all his female characters, Shakespeare's Cleopatra is certainly at the top of the list in qualities of intelligence, power, seductiveness, aggression and assertiveness.

From the Paper
"Desdemona in "Othello," appears on the surface as a typical weak female who is totally submissive to her husband, however she is not truly typically meek. She is actually quite broad minded and assertive, and seems to have no problem in standing up to Othello's jealousy or using her feminine wiles to persuade her husband to forgive Cassio. When Othello strikes her, shouting, "Devil," Desdemona responds to him, saying, "I have not deserved this" (Othello pp)."

Tags:Demetrius, Egypt, Enobarbus, goddess, Brutus

Abstract
This essay analyzes Harper Lee's famous novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird", and its message about racism. The paper analyzes the main characters in the play, explaining that they symbolize aspects of racism, innocence and equality.

From the Paper
"It is said that a seed needs only to be planted, before it inevitable grows. If the soil is more fertile, as was the heart of young Scout Finch, conscience is more easily instilled, as her father Atticus, would ultimately come to realize. With soil that is dry and barren, much like the town of Maycomb and its' racial convictions, it is impossible to predict whether any seed planted will take root. With regard to Maycomb, it wasn't lack of conscience that proved so tragic, it was the double-consciousness. This refers to the townspeople looking at themselves through the eyes of others. Image is everything, and as others saw you, so it was that you were. A "sheep mentality," with people thinking and acting in similar fashion, most notably when it came to interracial perception and interaction."

Tags:atticus, tom, robinson, injustice, treated, differently, aunt, alexandria, calpurnia