Abstract This paper traces the growth of the American silent film from its origins to 1920. It focuses on technology and music. It discusses influential filmmakers such as D.W. Griffith and Ceceil B. DeMille, Charles Chaplin and Mack Sennett. The author also explores the impact of World War I.
Abstract This paper reviews Charlie Chaplin's 1918 film entitled "Shoulder Arms." It describes the plot and style of the film and discusses the reasons why Chaplin's war comedy was so commercially and critically acclaimed. The paper discusses Chaplin's depictions in the film and how they were used to create a political satire that was revolutionary for the time period.
From the Paper "In conclusion, it can be said that the reason Chaplin's revolutionary war comedy was so commercially and critically acclaimed was that it successfully used comedy to convey a political message. The film said two things at the same time. On the one hand, it was a funny movie that people could laugh at as a deadly war began to wind down. On the other hand, it was a film that spoke of the ridiculousness of war and the idea that heroes are found in war. The result is that Chaplin created a film that spoke loudly, especially when one considers the fact that it was a silent film."
This paper discusses the problems of classifying Shakespearean comedies, using "Much Ado about Nothing," "The Tempest," and "Measure for Measure" as examples.
850 words (approx. 3.4 pages), 0 sources, 2004, $ 30.95
Abstract This paper explains that, in Shakespearean comedies, a specific play can have, at the same time, both a happy ending and a cruel ending, as well as a character being both good and evil. The author contends that "Measure for Measure" can be interpreted as one of the happiest and the scariest endings written by Shakespeare, and yet it is classified as a comedy. The paper concludes that, because there is little solid documentation about many of Shakespeare's ideas, it is nearly impossible to comment on how Shakespeare feels about anything in his plays and to determine if a play, which is listed as a "comedy", is really a comedy.
From the Paper ""Much Ado About Nothing" is an extremely humorous play, mostly about lovers and the obstacles it took to get two couples together. In the end of the play, there is not only one proposal for marriage, but two! All begin to dance and the 'happy' ending is reached, however, the villain of the play that caused these great obstacles has not been punished. He is here, at the 'happy' ending brought to the attention of the characters, so merry in their dancing and their future weddings."
Abstract This paper discusses the way in which Shakespearean Comedy has been formulated by elements of plot that are viewed as typical. It provides a brief outline of Shakespearean Comedy and explores the plot elements of the green world, multiple intertwined plots, disguise, mistaken identity and the conventional young lovers. It shows how many plot sequences, seen as typical to comedy, are demonstrated through Shakespeare's various stock characters. The paper then demonstrates how Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" is one of his plays that presents slight deviations from this typical structure.
From the Paper "Since its origin, Shakespearian Comedy has developed having specific and identifiable elements viewed as typical, in regards to plot. Much Ado About Nothing contrasts the other comedies. The setting is not in the magical green world and there are two plots. The young lovers do not demand and obtain the role most interesting to the reader and the 'placing of the comic initiative in the hands of its vivacious heroine Beatrice' not a servant. Beatrice and Benedick appear to captivate the comic progression of the play and other than Dogberry present most of the absurd, wit and humour. The basic foundations of Much Ado About Nothing centre on the typical progression from of conflict to a happy resolution that ends with two marriages not just one. Don Pedro, the disturbingly sinister character for a comedy, is expelled, all is forgiven and society is restored to its festive note. 'Strike up, pipers.'"
Abstract This paper discusses the three theater genres that reconstruct human experience: comedy, tragedy and drama. The paper first discusses the theater genre of tragedy using Shakespeare's "Hamlet" as an example and then describes the genre of comedy using Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" as an illustration. The paper also discusses the origins of drama genre and points out how it differs from the tragedy genre. Furthermore, the paper then points out that despite notable difference in characters, plot, outcome and tone, these three genres all reflect human nature. The paper concludes that whether comical or tragic, the main function of the theater is to stir emotions by portraying the frailties of the human condition.
From the Paper "The theater can be considered as a reproduction of the fundamental conditions of human existence. The theater can be seen as a set of symbols reconstructing the conditio humana as a basic theater representation contains all the trials and tribulations of life. Acting can be deciphered as the attempt to assume a different identity. In this sense, the theater is a continuous creation and changing of identities. Irrespective of cultural and epochal differences, this has remained a constant as far as theatrical performance. There are three theater genres each reconstructing human experience: comedy, tragedy and drama. Nonetheless, despite notable difference in characters, plot, outcome, tone etc. these three genres have one thing in common, i.e. they reflect human nature."
Abstract This paper argues that both tragedy and comedy are about the human condition versus the human being. The author uses Sophocles' "Oedipus, the King" and Chekhov's "The Bear" are used to support this position.
From the Paper "In drama, tragedy and comedy are often considered polar opposites. It is often suggested that tragedy is more about a human being while comedy pertains mostly to the human condition. In other words, the tragic character is specific while the comedic character ..."
Tags: tragedy, comedy, drama, Chekhov, Sophocles, character, fate, free will
Abstract The paper comments that the play, "The Comedy of Errors" is much more than a simple comedy or farce as it is usually seen; it is rather a profound meditation on human life, and the way in which errors blind men and keep them from the truth. The paper concludes that Shakespeare's play is a profound meditation on the human condition as a progression from error, illusion and confusion, towards ultimate truth and enlightenment.
From the Paper "The passage thus contains a few key elements for the interpretation of the play: first of all, the words "transformation", "error", "deceit" and the phrase "earthy-gross conceit" all hint at the main theme of the play: the plane of the human life is seen as a farcical game, in which the mortals are generally erring and confusing the truth with illusion. The play is thus much more than a simple comedy or farce as it is usually seen; it is rather a profound meditation on human life, and the way in which errors blind men and keep them from the truth. Men are generally "smothered in errors", "feeble" and "weak", in the hands of the divine will."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts Shakespeare's portrayal of connubial bliss in his comedies "Much Ado About Nothing," "Measure for Measure," and "Twelfth Night." The institution of marriage during Shakespeare's time is examined in detail, including how one decided when one should marry, and to whom, and contrasted to today's notion of marriage. Some of the topics examined include finances, a person's reputation, family involvement, love and honor.
From the Paper "However, despite the fact that in early modern England, ?Most people got married, and most people had children,? (McDonald 265), Beatrice and Benedick seem hell-bent against marriage. It is therefore probable that, while it wouldn?t strike modern audiences as particularly odd, Elizabethan theatergoers found both Beatrice and Benedick's adamancy against marriage a source of humor and eccentricity in social behavior. When Claudio makes light of his intention to marry Hero, Benedick's immediate reaction is, "Is"t come to this? In faith, hath not the world one man but he will wear his cap with suspicion? Shall I never see a bachelor of threescore again? Go to, I? faith, and thou wilt needs thrust thy neck into a yoke, wear print of it, and sigh away Sundays,? (Sundays were the day a man was expected to be with his wife), (Shakespeare, MAAN, I, i, 197-202). Likewise, the Prince, Don Pedro, says of Beatrice, ?She cannot endure to hear tell of a husband,? (Shakespeare, MAAN, II, i, 347-8)."
Tags: ado, bibliography, cited, comedy, format, homosexuality, love, marriage, measure, mla, money, much, night, shakespeare, twelfth, works
Abstract This paper is written about comedy found in Christopher Durang works. In an effort to explore these three thematic elements within this playwright's work, two of his plays will be looked at very thoroughly. Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You, a play first produced in 1979, will provide a look at these motifs in his early work; and Betty's Summer Vacation, a play that premiered in 1999, will balance this out with a look at his later work. However, examples from work throughout Mr. Durang's career will also be presented within the context of this paper.
Abstract This paper examines the role of women in Restoration comedy and what it expresses about the relations between men and women of the era and in modern society.
Abstract The paper examines both the structure and poetic symbols in Dante's epic poem "The Divine Comedy." The paper explains how he utilizes both in expressing the poem's themes.
From the Paper "Dante's masterpiece, "The Divine Comedy" is an epic poem which traces man's quest to reach God and discover a true world order. Indeed as Dante travels through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven he undergoes a spiritual transformation as a result of his journey and finds answers to the moral questions that have nagged him. The poem functions as an allegory as it allows Dante to express both his political and religious views while teaching his readers a lesson in spiritual and moral matters."
Abstract This paper examines the characters in the play "Othello," and discusses many of the reasons for betrayal and deceit between the characters. Through the unraveling of the plot, issues such as infidelity, jealously, and loyalty are detailed by the author.
From the Paper "In Act IV-scene 3, Emilia and Desdemona are alone in Desdemona's room engulfed in an intimate talk on infidelity. Desdemona tells Emilia that she doesn?t believe there is such a woman who would betray her husband. Emilia responds, "Yes, a dozen; and as many to th" vantage as would store the world they played for. But I do think it is their husbands? faults if wives do fall.? This is no doubt the opinion of a woman who has been married to a man such as Iago. To Iago, love is only lust. Even hiswife sees this in his character. He treats her no better than any character in the play. She admits to Desdemona that she would betray her husband, undoubtedly due to her husband's lack of loyalty. The true nature of their relationship can be seen in Act V-scene 2, here Emilia finally betrays her husband and tells Othello and the others of Iago's scheme."
This paper addresses Lilia's character in the short story "When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine" by Jhumpa Lahiri. This story illustrates an environment in which a young and inexperienced girl - the character of Lilia - is suddenly confronted with a host of inf
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 1 source, 2002, $ 44.95
Abstract This paper addresses Lilia's character in the short story "When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine" by Jhumpa Lahiri. This story illustrates an environment in which a young and inexperienced girl - the character of Lilia - is suddenly confronted with a host of information about the conditions of life beyond her sheltered suburban environment. Through examining the events of the story, it can be seen that Lilia's character is not truly changed in some fundamental way through her encounter with Mr. Pirzada.
Tags: LITERATURE / AMERICAN LITERATURE, examining the character
Abstract This paper takes a look at the increasing debate regarding character education and diversity. The paper attempts to define the word 'character' by supplying definitions from various related sources. The paper then goes on to discuss how building character in the nation's next generation of leaders, is an obsession of politicians, who have used tax dollars to fund character education in the schools. The paper concludes by saying that character and diversity education in the school or workforce is an evolving art, not an exact science.
From the Paper "In one nursing home, when "complaints arising simply from miscommunication among races or situations that resulted because of cultural misunderstanding," became frequent, the human resources department decided to take proactive steps to integrate diversity training and character building exercises into the workplace environment. They deemed this especially critical, given that the healthcare field is becoming increasingly populated by younger African-American, Hispanic, and Cambodian persons, who are now working side-by-side older, Caucasion employees that have been employed in the field all of their lives. (Hoban, 2005, p.1) "
This paper addresses Petronius' work, "Satyricon", in respect to the values of the Roman people that manifests in the characters and in the setting of this novel.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 1 source, 2002, $ 44.95
Abstract This paper addresses Petronius' work, "Satyricon", in respect to the values of the Roman people that manifests in the characters and in the setting of this novel. Through examining the content of "The Satyricon", it can be concluded that the culture of ancient Rome was filled with individuals who prided themselves more on appearances than substance, where the characters in the "Satyricon" are willing to sacrifice their personal values in order to achieve greater levels of wealth and social prominence. This paper investigates the character of Trimalchio in order to demonstrate this thesis.
Tags: ARCHAEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY (ANCIENT HISTORY) / ROME AND ROMAN EMPIRE, character of trimalchio
