Abstract This paper looks the theme of duality that is present in most of Shakespeare's early plays. The paper explains how, whether the play is a comedy, a tragedy or even a history, the theme worms its way into the plot of the play either as a dramatic device or a source of comic relief. To help illustrate the duality theme, the paper looks at plays such as "As You Like It", "A Midsummer's Night Dream", "The Merchant of Venice", and "Romeo and Juliet".
From the Paper "There is a theme of duality that runs throughout Shakespeare's repertoire. From his comedies to his tragedies to the histories, Shakespeare exposes the dual nature of human beings at every available opportunity. Whether the character is an attention-starved daughter or a prospective king, having them pretend to be something that they are not is one of Shakespeare's most common plot devices. It is an easy way to manipulate other characters, create dramatic irony, or to set-up a comic situation. "
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that duality in literature and drama is a common theme suggesting various relationships between people, attributes, character traits, and also suggesting the larger dictum that things are not always what they seem. The writer discusses that the 'Alchemist' is a comedy written in verse and that two of the central themes in this play are inherently shaped around ideas of duality. The first of these themes is that of illusion versus reality, again a common theme in drama and one that includes duality as how things appear is not how they truly are. This theme also shows the tendency people have to see what they want to see and to fail to perceive the true nature of people and things in this world. A second theme in this play is transformation, clearly a term related to the idea of an alchemist, who had as his primary goal changing base metals into gold, an idea that was an illusion in itself. The writer notes that in the 'Alchemist' this idea involved a deliberate duality as even the concept of alchemy itself becomes the subject of and means to a swindle, a deliberate illusion to mask the true intent of the perpetrator.
From the Paper "The names of the characters have a duality all their own as they tend to be fitting to the real character while the character him or herself seeks to hide that fact. The three conspirators are Subtle, Face, and Dol Common, and the use of the word "subtle" in particular suggests deception. Their primary target is Sir Epicure Mammon, a man whose name represents two of the seven deadly sins, gluttony and greed. The house where the conspirators create their illusion is owned by a man named Lovewit, also suggestive of one who knows a deception is taking place and who enjoys the game of it, though in fact he has left London to escape the plague. The conspirators want to be all things to all people, so long as this will give them an advantage and enable them to fleece those who visit them. Mammon is attracted by their promise of the Philosopher's stone, a legendary artifact that can turn base metals into gold and that is the object of all alchemical inquiry. Kastril is attracted by the promise of a charm so he can win at cards. Drugger the tobacconist wants his shop cleansed of impurities and supernatural threats. The duality of the three conspirators is matched by that of Pertinax Surly, the man who sees through their deceptions and who uses a disguise of his own to investigate."
A paper which examines the influences in the life of Robert Louis Stevenson that led him to write a novel on duality, "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde".
Abstract "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is a perfect example of a story whose inspiration derives from experiences and emotions within its author's life. The paper shows how Robert Louis Stevenson, who published the now famous tale of duality in 1886, was, without a doubt, influenced by several factors that he had seen, felt and read throughout his life. The paper examines how the idea of duality, a major theme embodying the work, was witnessed and experienced by Stevenson throughout his entire existence. As a result, it is reflected in the pages of the author's chilling tale of split identity. The paper shows how these influences formed the basis for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde's storyline, characters and, most importantly, major theme.
From the Paper "Stevenson's years as a young man in Edinburgh are then directly laid out in Jekyll and Hyde. Remembering his own desires, which he then acted out, as a student, Stevenson created a doctor with similar desires, who takes his wants to extreme levels. Though he was able to balance a dual life, virtuous student by day and rabble-rouser by night, it is very likely that Stevenson at times flirted with disaster. Perhaps his less respectable actions, at some point in time, almost caught up with him and could have tarnished a bit of his name. With this scenario as a strong possibility, one can see where Stevenson's idea of one in a similar (though more elaborate and obviously fictional) scenario could end badly. Though the author never had his name hurt by insidious rumors or events, his main character is destroyed by them. Stevenson played the game, and won. However, disaster was always a possibility, and with this previous knowledge, Stevenson's Jekyll loses a parallel game."
Abstract This paper discusses the origins of the Apollo-Dionysus duality and discusses its use by the philospher Nietzsche and the psyhologist Jung. The paper explains that the Apollo-Dionysus duality offers a way to gain insight into human nature.
From the Paper "This paper discusses the origins of the Apollo-Dionysus duality and its elaboration by thinkers throughout history. First this paper discusses the meanings bestowed upon Apollo and Dionysus by Greek history and culture. Then the paper discusses Nietzsche's discussion of this dualityand examples of poetry which demonstrate this opposition. Finally the paper discusses the analytic psychologist Carl Jung's theories of the conscious and unconscious which implicitly use this duality to understand the psyche."
Tags: Apollo, Dionysus, Nietzsche, Carl Jung, human nature
Abstract This paper looks at the duality of Blanche in the play. It explains how she is a character whose duality becomes more and more apparent as the play progresses. She holds herself out to be one sort of person with one sort of background, but in fact, her life has been very different from what she pretends. The writer explains that the duality derives from a conflict between sexual longing and the spiritual side of her nature in a world that sees the two as separate, when in fact they are combined in every person.
From the Paper "Blanche sees herself as a martyr and is always referring to the way life has treated her. The loss of her and Stella's childhood home is a key reference point. Blanche's character is revealed as it contrasts with that of Stanley -- Blanche aspires to the spiritual, and Stanley just accepts the animal and denies the spiritual. A key conflict in the play is the threat Blanche poses to the domesticity of Stanley and Stella, and from Stanley's point of view this is bound with his belief in reality as contrasted with Blanche's desire to live by illusion. Stanley is a character who is open and direct. From the beginning of the play he is made to seem elemental."
Abstract Stevenson's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", is an exploration into the intense duality of life within the Victorian era. Stevenson and many other writers explored the duality of humanity, of man vs. god, and of cultured man vs. animal man. According to author Dragan Svrakic, "the structure of the narcissistic personality involves a chronically fragile sense of self-esteem, which is defended by an exaggeration of a second, 'grandiose' self. "Jeckyll and Hyde" is a novel about shifts, changes in ourselves and the dualities of our lives.
Abstract This paper discusses the films, "Vertigo" and "Psycho" by Alfred Hitchcock portraying Hitchcock's penchant for duality. The writer explains how Hitchcock makes clear that the essence of suspense is the permanent struggle between the obvious and what could be. The paper illustrates the duality evident in "Vertigo" - the struggle between life and death; and that in "Psycho" - the evaluation of openness and mystery.
From the Paper "For many, the name Alfred Hitchcock conjures hazy and disconnected memories of Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman in Rio, Tippi Hedren being chased by killer birds, or Jimmy Stewart in a wheelchair; but for others"those that are somewhat more experienced with the work of Hitchcock"the utterance of his moniker means much more. Indeed, many consider Hitchcock to be not only one of the most prolific and entertaining filmmakers, but also one of the most profound. A recurring"and certainly intriguing"motif that holds together his body of work is his incessant interest and portrayal of duality: the conflicting, yet in some ways similar, nature of life. That is to say, Hitchcock (and no other, on as prestigious a level) was able to brilliantly compare, reduce, and then reevaluate polar opposites that every human encounters. Love or hate, man or woman, privacy or voyeurism, and dishonesty or fidelity were just some of the many themes he unraveled in the stories and aesthetics of his films. Two such films"with particular interest as each illustrates by movement, mise-en-scen, and narrative strategy, Hitchcock's penchant for duality"are Vertigo, in which he juxtaposes the archetypal struggle between life and death, and Psycho, where he dabbles in the much more complex evaluation of openness and mystery."
Tags: cinema, movies, mystery, filmmaking, carlotta, madeleine, scottie, norman, marion
Abstract The paper examines the characters in "The Wife of Bath's Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer and the themes of deception and duality which are brought about by these characters. The paper shows how Chaucer uses images to accentuate the theme of duality such as the knight and hag, and the ease with which love becomes violence, youth becomes age, ugliness becomes beauty and wrong becomes right.
From the Paper "The contrast between youth and age is the second instance of my thesis. he hag and the Wife are past their youth; the knight and Jankyn are young, virile and attractive. A common device of the Middle Ages is the memento mori, the remembrance of the inevitability of death. The skeleton confronts the revelers: ?As I was, so ye are; as I am, so ye shall be.? The hag becomes young and desirable, a transformation which could have been a two-edged sword; she now could be desired by others, and only through trust in her integrity will the knight be able to rest assured that she is his alone."
Abstract This paper explains that, in "Paradise Lost", "the fall" is synonymous with the act of disobeying God, but there is a paradoxical duality to the act of falling: The "fall" is a physical force and a psychic humiliation and prostration, which God enacts on those who refuse to prostrate willingly themselves in worship to him. The author points out that, in the passage where the Angel Raphael tells Adam that "what surmounts the reach / Of human sense, I shall delineate...", he simultaneously reveals the limits and necessity of verbal communication, revealing that when language fails to encompass truth, the physical may yet embody it in reflection, a justification for the entire genre of allegory. This paper concludes that language, though incomplete, is absolutely vital to the creation of reality; it is the medium through which Milton may "create" the characters and the characters "create" reality.
From the Paper "The sin, which leads to the physical fall, is the sin of insubordination of refusing to accept the hierarchy of the universe; God cannot allow anyone to step out from under authority, and responds by forcibly showing his dominance. This show of force is the "fall" into a place where God's overwhelming power cannot be doubted. It is not so much pride that Lucifer teaches, but rebellion against the hierarchy, as seen in the speech he gives to the angels, where he asks who can "assume Monarchie over such as live by right His equals, if in power and splendor less, In freedome equal...Our being ordain'd to govern, not to serve." (Book 5)"
Abstract This paper explains that, while Aquinas' work may be remembered by many for its original thought, his arguments in the case of Jews lost their credibility because of frequent dualities. The author points out that, while, on the one hand, Aquinas tried to be sympathetic and tolerant; on the other hand, he created an undesirable duality when he refused to resist some stereotypical images of Jews as usurers and murderers of Christ. The paper states that, when he had the opportunity to dispel some old beliefs and add a new and refreshing angle to the age-old prejudice held against Jews, Aquinas failed miserably. Many quotations.
From the Paper "The works of Saint Augustine were one of the major sources for Aquinas' writings. His views on Jews are largely a response to Augustine's arguments. Thus, we must not deny the influence of other thinkers and philosophers on Aquinas' work but we must also admit that his work bore a distinctive mark that indicated originality and independent thinking. Aquinas was particularly interested in Pharisaic Judaism. This sect was responsible for calling Jesus a Samaritan- a term they used for someone who was seen as unclean. Samaritans were usually classed with the Philistines and Edomites as Mishna declares: "He that eats the bread of the Samaritans is like to one that eats the flesh of swine.""
Abstract This paper defines and analyzes the basic fundamental beliefs and views of monism and monotheism. This writer of this paper defines the monistic view as an earthly actualization of what the monotheist hopes to achieve after life ceases to exist. The writer focuses on three specific areas of interest while comparing the similarities and differences between both theological belief systems including life, death and duality. The writer contends and explains the manner in which monotheism emphasizes duality during one's lifetime on earth whereas monism stresses the reality of the God concept. This paper also delves into how monism and monotheism both advocate unity yet do so from totally opposing opposing viewpoints.
From the Paper "At the heart of the monotheist fear then lies the fundamental point of separation not only between God and creation, but also between monism and monotheism. Monism assumes the unity of the God concept with the rest of creation. God is part of creation, and creation is part of the divine. The two, including humanity, are inseparable. For the monotheist on the other hand, the personality assigned to God precludes true unity with him. God is assumed to be a person by the monotheistic religions. This is true even of Islam, which Khan claims rests upon the true union with God without the benefit of an intermediary. As such, God is separate from his creation, but at the same time part of creation in a counseling capacity. This on the one hand provides a fundamental security, in that personal understanding and communication is possible between God and creature. On the other hand, and perhaps ironically, this is the very personality that precludes true unity."
Abstract The paper describes the two extremes of mankind seen in the film, ?Full Metal Jacket,? in which Matthew Modine plays Private Joker, a soldier confused by the duality of man. It discusses how Joker is paired up with Private Gomer Pile in the film to show the contrast of success and failure. The paper shows how, throughout the movie, Kubrick plays with the idea of pairs to let us know that some things only appear as two opposites when they are in fact similar in many ways. It describes how Joker's confusion is a key theme in the movie, the contradiction of love and hate in wartime.
From the Paper "Kubrick uses a confusion between good and evil to portray the notion of two sides of mankind. During a line up at boot camp the drill instructor asks Private Joker, "Private Joker, do you believe in the virgin Mary"? Joker answers no, and is smacked across the face. The drill sergeant proceeds to ask him the same question over again, and Joker again answers no, and explains that he is an atheist. Joker tells the sergeant that if he reverses his retort then he will be subject to more extensive abuse. The sergeant admires Joker's loyalty and grants him a promotion."
Abstract This paper explores Packer's theory that there are two separate models apparent in the criminal justice system-- due process and crime control. The writer analyzes the concepts by looking at Stolberg's biography of Dewey, a character who in this paper's view, epitomizes the duality of Packer's theory. The writer believes that Packer's ideas are not dated, and the emphasis on achieving a balance between his two models -- Crime Control and Due Process -- should be the goal of the criminal process.
From the Paper "Stolberg never directly mentions the philosophical construct of Packer's Two Models theories, which is unusual because she is writing about a man who epitomizes the concept precisely. In fact, seldom has the American legal system had a prosecutor who so readily typified both the due process and crime control models. The fact that Dewey could be comfortable functioning with what could be a crippling duality is suggested by the ease with which he would easily change political alliances. Solidly Republican when that suited his needs, liberally democratic when called for."
Abstract This essay will argue that this fundamental, and at times contradictory, duality is the essence of Rossetti's achievement in "Goblin Market". However, while it is a poem that opens itself to avenues of textual exploration by both naive and sophisticated readers, "Goblin Market" is undeniably a strikingly sensual - even sexual - poetic work.
Abstract This paper explains that the post-Cold War age, which resulted in a decline of the bipolar system, has created a very complex political struggle with a new security duality: On one side, (1) a uni-polar system, with the United States acting as a single hegemonic power, combined with a multi-polar system, emphasizing multinational cooperation and globalism, versus the other side, (2) nation-states, which are splintering into terrorist societies. The author points out that, while the causes of conflicts during the Cold War were ideological and territorial issues, post-Cold War conflicts are caused by much more eminent and diversified factors such as ethnicity, religion, governance and poverty. The paper relates that the intensity of religious fanaticism, which founded and flamed the conflicts between the Western and Arab worlds for thousands of years, assures that terrorism will continue to challenge world security because neither side will back down in the wake of new cultural and social ideals.
From the Paper "Presently, nations are becoming ever more intrinsically connected, affecting economies, politicalization, social issues, and citizenry. Today's interdependence is the intertwining of nations in a globalized world. Economically speaking, countries are not as self-reliant as they once were in terms of markets, commodities and exchange rates. Investments are being made by corporate American all over the world in terms of increasing profits and opening markets. General self-rule and flexibility is lost by individual states as we move towards a global economy and, "at a minimum will raise serious questions about the meaning of internal and external sovereignty.""
