Abstract This paper summarizes and reviews William Shakespeare's tragedy, "The Tragedy of King Lear". The author compares the relative quiet opening of "The Tragedy of King Lear" to other works of Shakespeare and goes on to describe how the complex journey of King Lear's journey towards death manages to explore the tragedy of the human condition.
From the Paper "As the play opens with a ritualized and multivalent gesture of division as the aged Lear, preparing for his retirement from power, parcels out his territory, and in doing so dissolves his kingdom and his family into fiercely competitive fragments, a problem exacerbated when Cordelia refuses partake in a public love test only to be rashly disinherited by her father. And although critics often cite this opening act as a sign of the ultimate failure of Lear's vision, it is the conditions that Lear embarks on his quest that prove equally cursed and equally fraught with failure."
Abstract This paper argues that William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is a true tragedy according to Aristotle's definition of tragedy. The paper includes textual examples to back up author's opinion. The paper also discusses how the timeless tale is still widely popular and evokes compassion and pity by all who experience the play.
From the Paper "By the end of the play, Romeo and Juliet are in a highly unfavorable position death. Their families also suffer they have lost their only children. This very complicated sequence of events is complex enough to be interesting, but the emotions behind the situations are extremely real. Anyone watching the play would have had experience with missed chances and the consequences of hurrying things. Therefore, we find that " Romeo and Juliet" is a true tragedy according to Aristotle. It follows the sequence of events that define tragedy and evokes the emotions of pity and fear in an audience that identifies with the main characters."
Abstract This paper details the points of a tragedy and a tragic hero, and how these points are at work in Shakespeare's "Hamlet". There is ample use of descriptions of the play to help explain these points. An outline of the paper is included at the end.
From the Paper "In drama, a tragedy recounts a series of events in the life of a person of significance or nobility. These events culminate in an unhappy catastrophe, forever altering the life of those involved. The tragedy centers on the tragic protagonist, in this case, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, a noble character with all the marks of dignity. Hamlet, like all tragic heroes, is a noble character. He comes from royalty and with this high position comes the respect of his kingdom and friends. He is obviously a natural leader and has the ability to take charge of a situation ? we as an audience see this as he concocts his plan for revenge, immediately entangling his friend Horatio as a conspirator. From playing a madman to finding an acting troop to put on his play to catch his uncle, Hamlet shines as a leader and a quick thinker."
Abstract In this paper, the theme of tragedy is analyzed in relation to "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" by William Shakespeare and "Death of A Salesman" by Arthur Miller. The paper describes how in many ways, the psychological character flaws within Willy and Hamlet reflect a saddening demise to essentially good men. They both exhibit a tendency to rise above their station, but there is usually no consistency or rationale for their self-destructive behaviors.
From the Paper "This study will analyze the theme of tragedy within "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" by William Shakespeare and "Death of A Salesman" by Arthur Miller. By realizing the often noble and courageous beliefs of Hamlet and Willy Loman, they invariably do not have the ability to overcome their own personal weaknesses. In the noble Hamlet, one can find psychological madness and isolation as a tragic perspective; as one can find in the self-destructive tendencies of Willy Loman in Miller's tragedy. In essence, the personality flaws found within these two characters often reflects a saddening and 'tragic' fall of good men that seek to rise above their station in life. The play "Hamlet" is similar in how usurpation of power is a clear motivation for Hamlet's love for his father and family.
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 This paper explores and compares the psychology of the Ego and masks that are worn by two of Shakespeare's characters; Malvolio(Twelfth Night) and Angelo(Measure for Measure). Using concepts of the Ego laid down by Freud and Jung the author demonstrates how Shakespeare uses this flaw, of imagining oneself as an ideal persona, in both a comedic, and later, tragic play. The paper cites examples from Shakespeare's plays to demonstrate his points. Also, the author references known critics in the field of literary criticism to further elucidate his meaning. The author concludes that by using the Ego as a flaw, Shakespeare created characters that are easy to relate to and provides valuable insight on how to deal with ones mask.
From the Paper "In C.G. Jung's book, The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious, he described what can happen to one who is "possessed" by what Freud would call the Super-ego. This is an idea Shakespeare was well aware of. He used the concept in his writing as a means to bring about both comedy and later to develop a more sophisticated plot, with a more developed conflict. This flaw of imagining oneself as an ideal persona is supported by critiques of Shakespeare's comedies. Richmond, states that Shakespeare's comedies suggest, "that we should test higher sentiments against the implication of facts"(p.2). He argues that Shakespeare finds virtue in what might be called compromised relationships and only destructiveness in single-minded commitment to an ideal. This is not because this harsh world will not tolerate ideals, but because ideals are self-destructive. Through the characters of Malvolio, in Twelfth Night and Angelo in Measure for Measure, Shakespeare explores this character theme, and creates, not only internal conflict, but external as well ."
Abstract In this paper the author examines the tragedies of Antigone and Hamlet. The characters of Antigone and Hamlet are tragic figures who meet their fates while trying to right or avenge a wrong committed against a dead loved one. The author examines the many traits they have in common and the important differences which influence how the reader responds to them emotionally.
From the paper:
"In Greece two brothers, one a hero, the other a traitor, meet on the field of battle. Both fall. The hero receives a funeral with full honors. The traitor is left to rot where he died. When the king forbids his burial under penalty of death, the traitor's courageous sister forfeits her life to perform the proper rites. "
Tags: Sophocles, Shakespeare, Hamlet, Antigone, Tragedy, Death
Abstract This paper explains that the concept of revenge in Shakespeare's tragedy "Hamlet" is significant. The author points out that revenge serves as a point of convergence for both the contributing literary traditions, which influenced Shakespeare's work, and the multiple modes through which audiences in his time and in later centuries interpreted the action of the drama. The author reviews some of the critical literature on the tradition of revenge tragedy. The paper relates that the question of revenge is integral to the play "Hamlet" in resolving such otherwise puzzling elements as Hamlet's apparent delay and reluctance to take action.
From the Paper "The concept of "revenge" in Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet is significant as it serves as a point of convergence for not only the contributing literary traditions that influenced Shakespeare's work, but also of the multiple modes through which audiences in his time and in later centuries interpreted the action of the drama. Indeed, as even a brief review of the critical literature on the tradition of "revenge tragedy" and Hamlet reveal, the question of revenge is integral not only in resolving such otherwise puzzling elements such as Hamlet's apparent "delay" and reluctance to take action."
Abstract This paper explores the popular appeal of tragedy, focusing on Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex" and Shakespeare's "Othello." The paper discusses how audiences equate suffering with a certain heroic quality in man.
From the Paper "Throughout history tragedies have fascinated audiences despite the persistent pain and suffering of their protagonists. Indeed the appeal of tragedy seems to spring from the very misery and self-destruction to which its characters are subjected, as audiences understand that such suffering corresponds to a certain heroic quality in man. This attitude was held in ancient Greece when Sophocles wrote "Oedipus Rex" and sustained itself through the Elizabethan period when Shakespeare produced "Othello." It is still present today as both Greek and Shakespearean tragedies remain immensely popular with audiences."
Abstract This paper on Shakespeare compares and contrast Shakespeare's "Hamlet", Thomas Kyd's "The Spanish Tragedy", and Saxo Grammaticus's "The Historia Danica". This paper clearly outlines the similar themes and character traits of the three works.
From the Paper "Shakespeare's Hamlet, Thomas Kyd's The Spanish Tragedy and Saxo Grammaticus's The Historia Danica have so many points of resemblance that it is hard to comprehend that these three stories were written by three separate writers. The stories of Hamlet and The Spanish Tragedy introduce to the audience a theme of revenge and hatred. The plots found in Hamlet are very much similar to The Historia Danica. Hence, Shakespeare's Hamlet contains an allegory and this suggests that Shakespeare was very well aware of the astronomical revolutions of his time and the time before him. All three novels enjoy the essence of dramatizing the triumph of the heroes of the plays towards the end."
Abstract This paper explain that the use of animal imagery in William Shakespeare's "Othello, the Moor of Venice" reflects the base instincts, which bring about the tragedy of the main character and his innocent wife. The author points out that negatively characterizing Othello as an animal might imply that he is as base and beastly as Iago, but his honor and nobility throughout the rest of Act I makes the reader doubt that Othello is the animal. The paper concludes that comparing the characters to animals suggests that the play is not about race, politics or social convention but rather about the predator and the prey, which is something deeper and more innate than the trappings of society. The paper includes several quotations.
From the Paper "The innocent and good Cassio is deceived into believing himself a beast because of the machinations of Iago. Knowing that Cassio cannot tolerate alcohol, Iago encourages him to get drunk and orchestrates a fight in which Cassio appears the violent aggressor. Such behavior, especially because it interrupts the marriage bed of Othello and Desdemona, is perceived negatively by Othello who dismisses Cassio from his service. Cassio then likens himself to an animal, disparaging the effect of alcohol that "put an enemy in their mouths ....transform ourselves into beasts!""
Abstract This essay discusses the main differences between Elizabethan and Greek tragedy by examining Shakespeare's poems and plays. The writer examines the use of violence on stage in Shakespearean tragedy as opposed to Elizabethan's.
From the Paper "There are various differences between Elizabethan tragedy, particularly through the works of Shakespeare, and Greek Tragedy. Some of these include the mixing of prose and Poetry, the linear formula of a character with a suffers from a tragic flaw, which leads to the character's downfall, versus the Elizabethan idea of the Wheel of Fortune. However, one of the largest dramatic differences between Greek tragedy and Shakespearean tragedy has to be the use of violence on stage. And what it boils down to is that the perfect combination of dialogue and action that Shakespeare uses in Othello can be more powerful than just the allusion, emotion, and metaphor that Sophocles uses in Oedipus the King."
Abstract This paper shows that the definition of tragedy depends on the meaning perceived by an audience, rather than on a structured stimulus independent of response. The paper focuses on certain psychological principles of tragedy capable of demonstrating the essential kinship between works of tragic literature from ancient Greece to modern times. Various different literary works are discussed, illustrating the varying definitions or criteria for tragedy.
From the Paper "The compulsion to label any disaster a tragedy as well as perfectly complete textbook definitions of tragedy ignores the intricacies confronted by serious critics and philosophers trying to understand and explain the full meaning of the word tragedy and the varieties of experience that it attempts to describe. While the quantity of writing on tragedy indicates the subject's complexity and the ongoing interest in finding a modern working definition of tragedy, it has also resulted in it appearing more complex then the dramatic tragic work of literature itself. Such persisting inquiries from ancient times to the present have either built theories of tragedy on discrete philosophical premises, selected different plays as exemplary, or reflected particular cultural values."
Tags: aristotle, shakespeare, marlowe, hillman, miller
Abstract This paper is an in-depth analysis and examination of the contribution that William Shakespeare made to the literary world. The author details Shakespeare's mysterious life, including speculation as to who he may have really been. The paper covers the many different themes covered in his many plays including ambition, cruelty, justice, reconciliation, madness, betrayal and destiny that were found in Macbeth, King Lear, Hamlet and Julius Caesar. The author finds that Shakespeare also used his plays to comment on political events such as in Julius Caesar, Comedy of Errors and Henry VIII. Throughout the paper the author details his masterful understanding of the human character and unparalleled mastery of the English language, a rich imagination and commentary on life in the early 18th century. Shakespeare also wrote over 150 sonnets and there is some speculation that they may have been autobiographical, but once again the author finds that there is no proof.
From the Paper "How is Shakespeare viewed by great figures of the theater? Shakespeare is the greatest discernible influence in the work of Orson Wells (Gottlieb 2000). ? a theatrical and cinematic director, actor, entrepreneur, public figure, and educational and political activist. Wells describes Shakespeare as embodying the fulfillment of almost utopian personal and sociopolitical desires, a figure of considerable stature, power and popularity, a truly great one who bridges the worlds of critical and commercial success. Shakespeare, in Wells? mind, merges individual imagination and artistic independence with tradition and social responsibility, and emphasizes that he has that unparalleled capacity ?to entertain, educate, transport and ultimately unify divergent audiences, high and low.? (Gottlieb)"
Abstract This paper examines the first of Shakespeare's sonnets. It explains the technical aspects of the sonnet and also its major themes and concepts. The first part paper focuses on explaining the sonnet in order to make it more readily understandable. It shows how Shakespeare crafted the idea that it is a tragedy if the beauty of the world is not perpetuated through reproduction. The second part of the paper follows-on from the first part and offers an in-depth analysis of the sonnet. It looks closely at the tone of the sonnet, cultural influences and the concept of profusion.
From the Paper "Indeed, there are a multitude of other Biblical and cultural references in sonnet 1 that are very important in allowing us to understand the poem effectively. In the second-from-last line, we see a reference to gluttony one of the seven deadly sins. There is also an allusion to Isaiah [32.5]. In Shakespeare's medieval culture, the rose of beauty was an often-quoted symbol. Similarly, the central concept of the sonnet (i.e. the dynastic obligation to produce heirs) was heavily rooted in medieval culture. Shakespeare so immerses us, the reader, in such cultural references that one wonders whether he is really intending to make a political point in this sonnet rather than just generally musing over a young man's inability to procreate."
