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Madness in "Hamlet", "Macbeth," and "King Lear", 2005.
Discussion of the recurring theme of madness in three of Shakespeare's tragedies: "Hamlet," "Macbeth," and "King Lear".
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 31.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the theme of madness in the major characters of the three tragedies 'Hamlet,' 'Macbeth,' and 'King Lear.' Hamlet and Ophelia are compared and contrasted, then Ophelia is compared to and contrasted against Lady Macbeth. The witches in 'Macbeth' are related to the theme of madness, then madness is explored in Lear and Edgar. Emphasis is given to speech patterns and the allusion to madness. The paper ends with an analysis of the necessity and reason for the madness of these characters and how they contribute to the tragedy as a whole.
From the Paper
"The theme of madness occurs repeatedly throughout the three tragedies Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear. Ophelia slips into madness after her father's death while Hamlet puts on an act of madness in Hamlet. Madness takes the form of visions in Macbeth, in both the spells and predictions of the weird sisters and of Lady Macbeth's nightmares. In King Lear, madness is shown through Edgar's mockery and disguise and through the natural descent of the king."
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Analyzing Hamlet, Macbeth and King Lear, 2006.
This well-researched paper analyzes the common characteristic flaws shared by the title characters in William Shakespeare's classic plays: "Hamlet," "Macbeth" and "The Tragedy of King Lear."
2,495 words (approx. 10.0 pages), 5 sources, APA, $ 75.95
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Abstract
This paper details the many common elements of kingship, ascendancy to the throne, issues of loyalty as well as the plots in Shakespeare's classic tragedies "Hamlet," "Macbeth" and "The Tragedy of King Lear." This paper gives a detailed character analysis of Macbeth, King Lear and Hamlet and examines their common motivations and flaws. The writer of this paper explores the nature of each character, who are all basically good and noble men struggling for basic morality. This paper also describes their eventual spiritual revelation, which arrives just before death.
From the Paper
"By the end of act II, Hamlet has doubts about the ghost. Did his father come back to right a wrong or is it a devil urging him to do evil?Compelled to confirm the ghost's testimony, he arranges to have a local troupe reenact the murder before the court in order to test Claudius' reaction. Hamlet, completely controlled and rational says: I'll have grounds More relative than this. The play's the thing Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King." And his suspicions are confirmed, but still he delays the execution of Claudius. He even refuses to kill the king, when opportunity presents itself and the king is at prayer. Hamlet questions the very nature of humankind. He extends his mistrust to everyone, including Ophelia and his friends from school."
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Madness in "King Lear" and "Twelfth Night", 2002.
Examines the multiple levels of the theme of madness in two plays by William Shakespeare, "King Lear" and "Twelfth Night".
2,150 words (approx. 8.6 pages), 6 sources, $ 80.95
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Abstract
Madness in Shakespearean plays has distinct and multiple meanings and purposes. On one level, the madness of insanity is clearly felt in the tragedies like "Lear". On another, madness is also felt in the frenetic pace of impossible situations and comedic errors in judgment as is found in "Twelfth Night". Madness is, then, both tragic and comedic. But, it is much more than that. Madness represents a loss of control, of being borne by unnatural impulses, drivesa nd, perhaps, voices. Being mad is to not be yourself, it is to have lost touch with humanity, with life and with reality. The mad are excused from the rules of man and at the same time, tragically bound by them. For some, in madness is found freedom. Lear is wrapped, tightly, within a horrible prison created by his inability to see through the duplicitous daughters and embrace the one person in his life that loves him enough to refuse him. His madness, in the end, is what sets him free of the binds that his daughters and his pride had him in. The madness, however, is like the release from an intense and long-term drug addiction, it is horrible to watch, but leaves Lear in a better state afterward, free of poisons. Madness also allows otherwise straight-laced, bound by social rules (which were oppressive in Elizabethan England), to freely express inner passions, make mistakes and be fools in the eyes of others without fear of recourse, as is the case with nearly every character in "Twelfth Night". It is the purpose of this paper to examine the nature of madness in the Shakespearean context, how it plays out in both King Lear and Twelfth Night, and the meaning behind the madness in both works.
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Madness in "King Lear", 2001.
This paper examines and analyzes events in the play "King Lear" by William Shakespeare.
785 words (approx. 3.1 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 27.95
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Abstract
A look at the events that lead up to the madness of King Lear. The author examines the character's deterioration throughout the play and the events that eventually lead to his downfall and madness.
From the Paper
"In Shakespeare's play King Lear, Shakespeare introduces many themes. One of the most important themes shown in King Lear is the theme of madness. During the course of this play madness is shown in the tragic hero, King Lear. King Lear develops madness right in the beginning of the play but he actually shows it later to Gloucester and Edgar."
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"Hamlet" and "King Lear", 2001.
A comparison of the main characters in Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and "King Lear".
665 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 0 sources, $ 23.95
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Abstract
This paper briefly compares the characters of Hamlet and King Lear, the main characters in two of Shakespeare's plays. It shows how both are very powerful characters yet use their power in very different ways.
From the Paper
"In William Shakespeare?s play Hamlet, the title character is a young, brooding man in his early twenties who is faced with the murder of his father by his Uncle, who becomes his stepfather. Despite being well aware of the terrible actions of his mother and his stepfather, Hamlet takes quite a lot of time deciding what measures need to be taken. On the contrary, King Lear (of Shakespeare?s play titled King Lear) begins the play in the exact opposite mindset. His reign as king is drawing near, and his vision regarding the circumstances of those around him is quite clear. However, King Lear almost immediately begins his downfall into madness, while Hamlet?s journey to clarity begins."
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King Lear's Transformation, 2003.
An analysis of how King Lear's character transforms from a controller to one who is controlled, in William Shakespeare's, "King Lear."
945 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 0 sources, $ 33.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes King Lear's transformation of character in William Shakespeare's tragic play, "King Lear." It shows how King Lear's all-too-human reaction to disrespect from within his own family forces a metamorphoses, a turning point, that transforms a controlling man into one who is controlled. The paper discusses the progression of the play and of the power of the character of King Lear.
From the Paper
"Unfortunately, Lear does not realize that he has made terrible decisions until his entire kingdom crashes down upon him. Only after he has lost all of his power and land does Lear recognize the fallacy of his judgment and change his character into a caring human being. The loss of one's power base and one's possessions in the later years in life is a typical transformation that takes place for the elderly. They must rely on their children to care for them with their best interests at heart. The failure of children to consider the best interests of aging parents can be disheartening to the aging person. The parent becomes the child, but often cannot successfully fulfill that role. Like Lear, they die of a broken heart."
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Madness in Hamlet, 2002.
A look at the theme of madness in Shakespeare's "Hamlet".
2,900 words (approx. 11.6 pages), 11 sources, $ 106.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the play Hamlet. The focus is upon whether or not Hamlet's madness is feigned or real. The opinions of the characters as to Hamlet's madness are considered, as are his own words and actions. The paper concludes with the observation that the truth concerning Hamlet's madness cannot be conclusively determined because Shakespeare himself is vague as to whether it is genuine or not.
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The Fool in "King Lear", 2006.
Explores the role of the Fool in Shakespeare's tragic play, "King Lear".
1,059 words (approx. 4.2 pages), 0 sources, $ 37.95
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Abstract
The Fool in William Shakespeare's "King Lear" is often mistaken as foolhardy, but everything he says has a deeper significance and greater truth. Since he is the court jester, the audience assumes that the Fool's main purpose is to entertain us. The paper shows that the Fool's dramatic function is not to humor us, but to tell King Lear the truth through his metaphoric rhymes and jests. The Fool is a representation of King Lear's psyche. The paper explains that when the Fool disappears after Act III, scene ii, what is left of King Lear's stable mentality quickly disintegrates. The relationship between King Lear is not one of master and servant. The Fool could be considered King Lear's subconscious; he has perceptions the King Lear does not. With his knowledge, the Fool tries to teach King Lear how to reason out the truth for himself.
From the Paper
"The Fool states that King Lear was wise in a time when he did not need it as he doe now. King Lear was a wise King but when his wisdom was greatly needed he did not apply his knowledge. The Fool states that he is merely a Fool, but he would rather be a Fool than a befallen King. He strives to inform Lear of how adverse his situation is, but King Lear still does not fully comprehend the Fool's metaphors. Before King Lear decided to see his other daughter, Regan, the Fool warns King Lear that Regan's reception will be similar if not worse than Gonerils'."
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Madness in "Hamlet|, 2002.
Explores the theme of madness in "Hamlet".
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 3 sources, $ 44.95
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Abstract
The idea of madness is one which many writers have explored. By becoming mad, people are granted leave of social, moral, and political expectations. In essence, they become free because as they take leave of their senses, they are shown the societal exit door and enter a world of their own creation. Madness, however, is not a free ticket to a different reality, it comes with a very dear price. For, by leaving logic behind and becoming ruled only by emotion, rather than making things better, events will inevitably turn for the worse. It is the purpose of this paper, then to explore the theme of madness as it appears in Shakespeare's Hamlet.
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Justice in "King Lear", 2002.
An analysis of King Lear's sense of justice in the four trials within William Shakespeare's "King Lear".
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 1 source, $ 35.95
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Abstract
This paper will discuss the four trials in Shakespeare's play "King Lear" and discover if King Lear possesses any justice in the his participation over the trials. By analyzing these episodes that tell us how Lear plays the judge, we can see how he behaves in the scope of justice and what that means to him. An analysis of the motives in his judgment will be brought forth and revealed in the way that he plays king and judge in this play.
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Shakespeare's "King Lear", 2005.
This paper analyzes extensively the character of King Lear in Shakespeare's tragedy, "King Lear".
4,240 words (approx. 17.0 pages), 5 sources, $ 112.95
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Abstract
This paper argues that King Lear is driven by a desire to validate himself independently from his noble status and that his natural combativeness brings about his own downfall. The author asks why, in the first place, does King Lear give up the throne and answers that he is beginning to realize his office is a separate entity from himself and that he is having a sort of belated mid-life crisis. The paper relates that Lear changes because, throughout the play, he finds the validation for which he has been searching and can now accept the love that Cordelia offers freely, the same love that he attempts to extort from her at the beginning of the play.
From the Paper
"As early as the first scene, Lear can be seen struggling with his roles as king and father, and how his failings as one overlap with the other. As the play opens, Lear is secure, if not necessarily successful, in his position as king, but he has decided to abdicate the throne to his daughters and their husbands. He does so by staging a ?love test?, wherein he asks his daughters which one of them loves him most and awards them a portion of the kingdom in relation to their answers. Cordelia?s refusal to flatter him causes him to explode, banishing her and his trusted advisor Kent, and setting the play in motion. This scene introduces many important ideas that will recur throughout the play, and is the most important for understanding Lear?s character."
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Poor Character Judgment in "King Lear", 2008.
A analysis of King Lear's poor character judgement in William Shakespeare's play, "King Lear."
1,108 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 38.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes a personal life evaluation of the blindness of poor character judgment in relation to William Shakespeare's "King Lear." It specifically discusses the poor character judgment of King Lear by not choosing Cordelia to take over his empire and invariably leaving his domains in the hands of his two corrupt daughters, Goneril and Regan. It also presents the writer's own personal experience with relation to the "blindness" of poor character judgment.
From the Paper
"In conclusion, the arrogance of age is one example in my life where I had made a 'blind' choice because I assumed an elder superiority over rational judgment. Much like king Lear, I had chosen the wrong persons to inherit a valuable asset, which invariably ended in a tragic and destructive way. King Lear had lost his ability to rule, just as I had lost my old car to an irresponsible cousin. In this manner, I was blind because of my arrogance in assuming that those that respect my status as an elder would be more responsible. King Lear also made this mistake by allowing his superficial and usurping daughters to inherit his kingdom over the far more honest and noble Cordelia. This is how my own life experience was blind the truth in relation to King Lear of William Shakespeare's tragic play."
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Nahum Tate?s "King Lear", 2005.
This paper compares Nahum Tate's "King Lear" with Shakespeare's "King Lear" upon which Tate based his version.
1,910 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 60.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Nahum Tate's idea was to adapt Shakespeare to suit the taste of 18th century restoration theatergoers; thus, Lear no longer dies, Cordelia marries Edgar, the monarchy is restored and order once again reigns. The author points out Lear's suffering, which in Shakespeare's original play denotes the nature of humanity and the tragedy and misunderstanding that often accompany human life is completely lost in Tate's rewritten version, especially in terms of the ending. The paper reveals that the use of language by Tate and by Shakespeare also differs significantly; whereas Shakespeare believes in the reductive power of language in its simplest form, Tate's philosophy leans more towards the elevated forms of language hence the greater effect of Cordelia's simple statement in the Shakespeare play.
From the Paper
"Other significant differences between the two versions include the roles of the specific characters. Edgar, for example, takes the role of Cordelia's suitor from the beginning of Tate's play, whereas in Shakespeare he never pursues the girl, but does become king at the end of the tragedy. His role in both Shakespeare's and Tate's plays is to restore justice, but in different ways. In Shakespeare's play, his role is tragic. Because of the betrayal by his brother, Edmund, who attempted to dishonor him in his father's eyes, Edgar is obliged to disguise himself. He thus pretends to be a demonic madman in order to escape his father's men. As such he also serves as a parallel for King Lear's madness, and gives him somebody to identify with during this difficulty. Edgar thus has a redemptive function here. In Tate's play, his redemptive function is mainly focused upon Cordelia and eventually the kingdom."
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Madness in "Hamlet", 2002.
A critical review of Shakespeare's "Hamlet", with specific reference to the theme of madness.
2,180 words (approx. 8.7 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 67.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews ?Hamlet? by Shakespeare, focusing on the concept of madness. It investigates what the nature of madness is and whether madness can even be defined in a ?mad world?. It then strives to espouse what a person can learn about his/herself by studying Hamlet?s interaction with the concept of madness.
From the Paper
"Sometimes there?s a fine line between madness and sanity. Sometimes there?s a fine line between pretense and reality. Pretending madness for too long, could send one over the brink, especially if one has a propensity to brilliance, instability and overanalysis. Shakespeare asks his audience to look deeply into the themes he incorporates into his dramas, offering them an opportunity to explore how his ideas might apply to their own lives. In Hamlet Shakespeare weaves madness into a complex thematic tapestry. He is not asking us to decide if Hamlet is really mad, rather he is asking us to consider several questions: What is the nature of madness? Can madness even be defined in a mad world? What can I learn about myself by studying Hamlet?s interaction with the concept of madness?"
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"Troilus and Cressida" and "King Lear", 2002.
A comparison of Ulysses' "Degree" speech with Act 1 of King Lear, with reference to other Shakespeare plays such as "Macbeth".
962 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 0 sources, $ 34.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes and compares the language, tone, character, and plot of 'Troilus and Cressida' and of 'King Lear'. The paper examines Ulysses' "Degree" speech and explains its relevance to Act 1 of Shakespeare's "King Lear" and particularly to the relationship of Lear with his three daughters.
From the Paper
"Ulysses? speech in Troilus and Cressida is Shakespeare at his most political. It echoes the concerns of King Lear?s Act 1 whilst hinting at the writers personal beliefs. In this way, the speech accentuates Lear?s mistakes, while prophesising his ultimate, tragic fate. Ulysses takes the role of a political philosopher, diagnosing the ills of the Greek army. He describes the ?hollow Grecian tents?, tracing it all to the neglect of the importance of ?degree? ? ignoring the glue that holds society together."
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