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 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. "

Tags:shakespeare, duality, dual, nature, play, comedy, tragedy

Abstract
This is a short essay that analyzes the character flaws of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. The paper emphasizes the qualities of overconfidence and impulsiveness while using the play as a primary reference.

From the Paper
"In "Macbeth," William Shakespeare suggests that overconfidence and impulsiveness are fatal character qualities. Overconfidence leads characters to impulsiveness. When a character believes certain things about themselves or other objects and events around them that are not true, their perception and judgment become clouded; this leads the character to act impulsively. Characters end up carrying out actions rashly and without considering the consequences that they will have to face later. These consequences are often extremely severe and detrimental to the character's ultimate goal."

Tags:character, flaws, shakespeare

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 ."

Tags:comedy, ego, english, flaw, jung, literature, measure, pyschology, shakespeare, tragedy

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."

Tags:shakespeare, hamlet, revenge

Abstract
This paper studies Shakespeare's usage of evil in his plays. The essay attempts to reveal the function of this device by analyzing its usage in seven Shakespeare plays: "Macbeth", "Henry VI", "Hamlet", "Julius Caesar", "Richard III", "King Lear" and "Othello". The author includes complete character and plot summaries, and supports his theses with quotes from the texts.

From the Paper
"'Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair'. Unfortunately for Steve Bartman and the 2003 Chicago Cubs, this famous phrase does not apply to baseball playoffs. William Shakespeare wrote this line to describe the relationship between good and evil in his play Macbeth. By casual definitions, good is right and evil is wrong. However, Shakespeare operated with larger concepts that go beyond passive terminology. In his works, balance, harmony, justice and righteousness represent good. Evil is represented by disorder, temptation, corruption and immorality. There is inherent tension created when these principles collide."

Tags:banquo, brutus, caesar, cassio, claudius, comedy, cordelia, demonology, desdemona, elizabethan, evil, goneril, hamlet, henry, iago, iii, james, joan, julius, kent, king, la, lady, lear, macbeth, machiavel, othello, play, pucelle, regan, richard, shakespeare, tragedy, vi, witches

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."

Tags:bible, profusion, shakespeare, sonnet

Abstract
This paper provides an exposition of the symbolic use of unnatural actions and motivations of Shakespeare's characters in his tragedy "King Lear." The paper examines the Elizabethan view of determinism, including filial relationships in the play and the Elizabethan ideal.

From the Paper
"Shakespeare presents numerous violations against nature in the tragedy "King Lear." Throughout the play he exploits the Elizabethan views of determinism in nature and physical order within the universe. Shakespeare explores the effects of committing violations against established natural laws through his characters' inappropriate dealings within their relationships against the natural order and against their own bodies and minds. His portrayal of unnatural relationships carried a profound significance for Elizabethan audiences."

Tags:Shakespeare, King, Lear, Nature

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."

Tags:spanish, tragedy, saxo, grammaticus, thomas, kyd, historia, danica

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)"

Tags:king, england, stratford, nature, human, language, english, prose, verse, understanding, imagination, plays, sonnets, romance, tragedy, political, theater, autobiographical, love, hate, lust, universiality, hamlet, macbeth, lear, henry, vengeance, visions, caesar, themes, comedy, error