Abstract A cuckold is a man whose wife is sleeping with another man, and the cuckold in Elizabethan drama is a staple element, suggesting not just the concerns that the Elizabethans had about the subject, but also the way they relieved tension over it by making the cuckold a figure of fun. This paper examines how William Shakespeare often used the cuckold as a character in his plays, although hints of cuckoldry are even more common in his works, with characters fearful that they may be cuckolded or with wayward wives and unmarried men making jokes about it. The paper discusses, in particular, three of Shakespeare's plays: "Troilus and Cressida", "Twelfth Night", and "As You Like It".
From the Paper "Rosalind in As You Like It states that no man has ever died for love in the six thousand years of history that passed before her time. Yet, she still mentions the fate of that famous cuckold Troilus: "Troilus had his brains dashed out with a Grecian club; yet he did what he could to die before, and he is one of the patterns of love" (IV.i.92-94). The cuckold in this passage is presented as both betrayed and yet somehow elevated by being the one to remain true, while the woman who has betrayed him is not even mentioned. The idea of the cuckold is that he is a dupe. But he could as easily be a true man who has been true to the wrong woman. The image of the man with horns as a cuckold reflects the meaning of the word itself, for it means ?furnished with horns.? Characters in Elizabethan drama often speak of horns or make the sign of horns to indicated a cuckold and to suggest in this manner an association with the beasts and perhaps with the devil."
A comparison of the theme of sexual betrayal in Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing," David Hwang's "M. Butterfly," and Annie Proulx's novel, "The Shipping News."
Abstract This paper discusses and compares emotional and literal cuckoldry in the plays "Much Ado About Nothing," by William Shakespeare, "M. Butterfly," by David Hwang, and the novel, "The Shipping News," by Annie Proulx. The writer describes the deceptions on which the plot of "Much Ado About Nothing" is based, and how every male character is obsessed over his potential to be cuckolded, although it does not actually occur. The paper then looks at how, on the other hand, Hwang's "M. Butterfly," Gallimard and Song are both sexually deceived. However, in both plays, by being cuckolded either metaphorically or literally, the characters begin to grow as people, and attain a new level of self-knowledge and sobriety. The paper then lookst at how, in "The Shipping News," Quoyle's wife's acts of infidelity lead ultimately to Quoyle's rediscovery of his true family and true self. The writer concludes that all of these tales suggest that although infidelity is based in lies and betrayal, those lies can provide the stimulus for growth, change, and self revelation.
From the Paper "This sense that male closeness is somehow more noble than female closeness is also parodied in David Hwang's "M. Butterfly," where it is demonstrated that only another man can give a man what he really wants--a submissive creature, rather than a woman with real, articulated desires. This also shows a relationship, just like "Much Ado About Nothing" that is based upon illusions. Claudio is meant to believe Hero is dead, Beatrice and Benedick believe that their partner is pining for them, and that they are marrying the other person out of pity, while Rene Gallimard believes that his butterfly is an ultra-feminine Chinese woman, when she is actually a man."
Tags: irony, identity, stereotype, homosexuality, negative, unfaithful, bachelor, marriage
Abstract This paper delves into the themes driving Congreve's famous comedy of errors, "The Way of the World". The author discusses how the title is a reflection of the sordid facts of life in the cynical social world of the play. The paper also looks at how the play was received by society during the Restoration.
From the Paper "William Congreve's intricate work, "The Way of the World", remains as one of the wittiest plays ever written. In his play, Congreve has created an entire gallery of characters, a world peopled with coxcombs, mistresses, fops, fools, wits and would-be wits. Driven by the numerous stratagems and relations of the four primary characters- Mirabell, Millamant, Fainall and Mrs. Marwood- "The Way of the World" successfully depicts an artificial microcosm of Restoration society."
Abstract This paper explains the anti hero aspect with restoration plays. The author points out some of the themes such as adultery, cuckolding and satirical character assassination. The paper illustrates the different styles and scenes compared to today's audiences.
Abstract In William Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark", Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, is subject to interpretations of womanhood and responsibility for the death of her husband and her marriage to his brother. The paper shows that inconsistencies in her roles of wife and mother make Gertrude's position in Hamlet's life a point of confusion. Her faults are an outlet for Hamlet's rage and shame towards his father's situation as cuckold and corpse.
From the Paper "The subjectivity given to Gertrude's roles is a dividing point between the king and Hamlet in their plans for revenge. Gertrude is inconsistent in her affection, her drive and her degree of involvement in the death and cuckolding of the king uncertain. Nonetheless it is what others believe that shape their actions toward her. She is object to Hamlet's rage and his desires, the confusion of blame and identity. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark examines the role of the female in a masculine world overturned by its own establishments of marriage and inheritance as well as the function of the subversive feminine."
Abstract This analysis provides an argumentative essay based on Act V of William Wycherley's "The Country Wife". The paper argues that though some issues between the men and women are resolved in Act V, the conflicts between men and women appear to be irresolvable according to Wycherley.
From the Paper "In Act V of William Wycherley's The Country Wife the conflict between women and men is only partially resolved. Pinchwife and Margery come to a working arrangement for their marriage which basically entails Pinchwife's .."
Abstract The paper offers an analysis of Act IV And Act V of Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello" that focuses on the evil treachery of Iago and the gullibility and pride of Othello, as causes of the tragic ending.
From the Paper "In Acts IV and V of Shakespeare's "Othello" we see a steady and quick destruction of Othello. In Act IV Iago works his evil on Othello, driving him to jealous rage through a series of ploys. In Act V we see Othello like the base Indian throw a pearl away. Richer than all his tribe when he kills Desdemona, Shakespeare Act IV and Act V bring to light two main themes of the play."
Tags: Desdemona, Cassio, Emilia, jealousy, public reputation, deception, human nature, drama, Venice, infidelity, cuckold
Abstract This paper analyzes the emotions of love and hate as they apply to the tragic downfall of Othello in Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello." The paper explains the sources of the hatred.
From the Paper "In the preface to his edition of Shakespeare's plays, Samuel Johnson maintains that Shakespeare's plays are neither comedy nor tragedy, but compositions of a distinct kind exhibiting the real state of good and evil, joy and sorrow mingled with endless variety of proportion and innumerable modes of combination. Love and hate are two among many of the human emotions and motivations Shakespeare employs in a variety of his works."
Abstract This is a short analysis of the form, structure and some of the messages inherent in the Miller's Tale, one of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The writer describes that The Millers' Tale is the story of a young wife with an older husband, and how he is tricked and cuckolded by the wife's young lover, Nicholas. The writer points out that the tales provide a curious moral message, but are primarily intended as humour or fable.
From the Paper "In Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, one of the basic premises is that the class, position and character of each pilgrim determines the type of tale that he tells. The miller distinguishes himself by his common, rude and bawdy nature, and his tale is in keeping with this. That having been said, it is also one of the most amusing tales in the collection, involving a hilarious set of coincidences, trickery, rudeness and slapstick humor. Though we can certainly examine the social implications of the tale and the fact that Chaucer seems to blame certain characters while acquitting others, we should also remember that this is a fable, and as such its purpose it to amuse and titillate."
This paper looks at the historical significance of the rake in Restoration drama, focusing on 'The Country Wife' by William Wycherley and Alexander Pope's "The Rape of the Lock".
Abstract In this article, the writer analyses the characters of the rake and the coquette, as depicted in Restoration drama and Augustan literature. The writer discusses that on the surface, the authors seem to be promoting licentiousness and knavery through these characters. However, according to the writer, it is also possible to view these depictions as reactionary to Puritanism, and therefore defining the emergence of a new age. Thus, the rake and the coquette, as depicted in Restoration drama and Augustan literature, are not true villains, but have a sympathetic aspect. The works studied are Wycherley's 'The Country Wife' and Pope's "The Rape of the Lock".
From the Paper "To call such figures anti-heroes would be too simplistic. A more complete account would be to depict the Restoration rake, as well as the coquet, as instruments of reaction against the excesses of Puritanism. In this sense it is not pure evil that is projected, rather we should see such depictions as reflecting the quest for individual liberty and control. At the time the evolution of European society was in the direction of increasing individualism, a trend which was reflected in literature. In many respects literature itself was agent in the evolution. The literary rake and coquet figures were, from this point of view, instrumental in defining and furthering individualism."
