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Revenge in Shakespeare, 2002.
A comparitive essay on Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and "Romeo and Juliet", focusing on the common theme of revenge.
1,274 words (approx. 5.1 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses two plays by William Shakespeare, "Hamlet" and "Romeo and Juliet". Specifically, it provides an analysis of the theme of revenge in both plays, and compares how revenge harms the characters in both the plays. The paper portrays revenge to be the undoing of the main characters in both plays, and illustrates how deadly the need to avenge can become.
From the Paper
"Revenge may be sweet, but in "Hamlet" and "Romeo and Juliet," Shakespeare shows the ugly side of revenge, the side that harms everyone it touches. Revenge is an ugly word that indicates evil and violence, and these two plays illustrate the tragic side of revenge. All the lives lost in both plays could have been spared if vengeance had not been such an issue for all the families, and that is the real and abiding tragedy of these works."
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Women in Shakespeare, 2002.
A comparison of two female characters from Shakespeare's literary works, Gertrude from "Hamlet" and Juliet from "Romeo and Juliet".
1,122 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 0 sources, $ 38.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the similarities and differences between Gertrude, from "Hamlet" and Juliet, from "Romeo and Juliet". The paper portrays Gertrude as a woman who is dependent on men, and Juliet as a young woman who has a very single-minded sense of purpose. The situations which cause both women to defy the status quo, are explained, illustrating the they also have something in common.
From the Paper
"It could be argued that Juliet and Gertrude are so different because Juliet seems to have a better-developed sense of right and wrong while Gertrude is able of behaving in ways believed to be wrong because it meets her emotional needs. Juliet is a very young teenager when she meets Romeo at a dance. She knows that Romeo will never be acceptable as a suitor because he belongs to a rival family. Her family and his have been involved in an extended feud, and the marriage of Romeo to Juliet would be opposed by both families."
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"Hamlet", 2002.
The role of the ghost in Shakespeare's "Hamlet"
1,889 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 60.95
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Abstract
Traditionally the role of the ghost in Elizabethan plays was to act as the messenger. In this paper about ?Hamlet?, the ghost of Hamlet?s father is portrayed as a messenger of his own death and represents the vengeful spirit. The ghost in this case has a much more specific role than is generally seen in Elizabethan plays. The writer presents that this ghost is a crucial part of the play and manipulates the plot to its tragic end. The paper covers the themes of Hamlets delay in seeking revenge for his fathers death, the relationship between father and son, the nature of the ghost and Hamlet?s insanity. In the conclusion the writer explains that it is through the influence of the ghost that Hamlet is shown his full range of human attributes and thus a meaning is attached to his life.
From the Paper
"The role of the ghost in the Elizabethan play was a familiar occurrence in this tradition. A ghost would usually act as a messenger. In Hamlet the ghost of Hamlet?s father acts as a messenger of his own death and as a representative of the vengeful spirit. Thus in Hamlet the ghost has a more specific role than is generally the case in Elizabethan plays. This ghost, as will be seen, is a crucial part of the play, and manipulates the plot to its tragic end".
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?Othello?, 2002.
A discussion of the themes of alienation and otherness in William Shakespeare's ?Othello?.
1,525 words (approx. 6.1 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 50.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews William Shakespeare's play ?Othello?. It examines how the theme of ?other-ness? and ?outsider-ness? that is evidenced by the ability of appearances to lie, rather than tell the truth, runs through the play, though it is most clearly embodied in the character of Othello himself. Othello is a Black man, a Moor, who is fundamentally ?other? or perceived as alien by the society in which he dwells. It discusses how Shakespeare represents alienation as not just being evil in terms of blackness, but alienation in ?Othello? also means that a character is existing in a constant state of tension with his or her environment.
From the Paper
"The idea that one can become a stranger to one?s self permeates even to the lesser characters of the play (2.3) Othello is deeply disappointed when he sees Cassio, the man he promoted, brawling in the street. Cassio blames himself and wine for his loss of a position, for the wine making him a stranger to himself. Of course, it is Iago who has skillfully manipulated Cassio to drink to much wine. Iago tells his wife Emilia that he wants the handkerchief that Othello gave Desdemona, which she promised him she would never lose. Emilia obeys him, becoming duplicitous in her actions if not in her thoughts to the mistress she loves. "
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Hamlet and Oedipus, 2002.
Comparison of two tragic heroes: Shakespeare?s Hamlet and Sophocles' Oedipus.
2,825 words (approx. 11.3 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 84.95
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Abstract
This paper compares at length the tragic qualities of Shakespeare?s Hamlet and Sophocles' Oedipus. It defines the three characteristics of a tragic hero with their exceptional ethics and tragic flaw, and shows how Hamlet and Oedipus fit each definition. The paper analyzes the personalities of both characters and supports its analysis with quotes from the plays.
From the Paper
"The first requirement of the tragic hero is that he is basically a good person. Hamlet meets this criteria by displaying many good traits including intelligence, sensitivity, and humility. However, the greatest evidence of Hamlet?s goodness is his unwillingness to commit murder, even when asked to take revenge for his father?s murder. This illustrates that Hamlet is not just a basically good man, but an exceptionally good man.
Aristotle describes the characteristics of the tragic hero in his classic work ?Poetics.? Aristotle?s model of a tragic hero involves an individual who is basically good, but has one tragic flaw in their nature that results in their undoing. The tragic hero?s journey from prosperity to misfortune is not caused either by circumstance or by them being evil, but rather by a mistake their one flaw causes them to make. In creating this definition of a tragic hero Aristotle was attempting to explain why audiences are so interested in watching the tragic hero. Aristotle attributed the interest in the tragic character to three things. Firstly, the audience likes the hero. Secondly, the audience fears what will happen to the hero. Finally, the audience pities the hero. Importantly, for this pity to occur the hero must still remain liked even when he is doing wrong. This is why it is important that the character is not evil. Rather than evil, he is fallible, though at the same time, his own nature causes his downfall in some way. Overall then, there are three characteristics of the tragic hero: the character must be basically good but have one tragic flaw; the character must bring about their own downfall; and the character must engage the audience, with the downfall causing the audience to pity the character and his demise. Two characters that fit this definition of the classic hero are Hamlet from Shakespeare?s Hamlet, Prince of Denmark and Oedipus from Sophocles? ?Oedipus the King.?
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"Taming of the Shrew", 2002.
This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the play "Taming of the Shrew," by William Shakespeare.
1,525 words (approx. 6.1 pages), 4 sources, APA, $ 50.95
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Abstract
The paper shows that the play "Taming of the Shrew" is a classic Shakespearean comedy in every sense in that it is not only funny and amusing for the audience, but also it contains themes they can connect with such as love and beauty. It shows that in Shakespearean Comedy, a shallow, often narcissistic type of love at the start is not only grounded too heavily in ?beauty? of the conventional sort, but also leads to a mistaken notion of what beauty really is.
From the Paper
"Love of course is a central theme in the play, but from the first, Shakespeare shows this is not your "typical" love match. "At times Petruchio behaves like a bully and a brute, and his tactics with Katherine can be read as gratuitously severe and prolonged tormenting of her" (Brown, 1995, p. 286). Kate does not want to marry, and Petruchio seems to be more interested in the lands he will acquire than specifically in Kate's hand. Yet, he sets out to tame her, and is taming her, he falls in love with her."
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Giuseppe Verdi?s "Otello", 2002.
This paper discusses in detail Giuseppe Verdi?s opera, "Otello," based on the play by William Shakespeare.
2,115 words (approx. 8.5 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 66.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses that, unlike the Rossini version of the same story, Verdi and Boito's opera "Otello" keeps the plot of the original Shakespeare story intact. This paper presents the opera in detail and denotes that the music and operatic forms are in keeping with the nature of each character. The author believes that the music and the drama are perfectly balanced in "Otello" because Verdi uses the music to further the drama and to create tones for each shift in dramatic emphasis.
From the Paper
"Act II begins with an orchestral introduction that mirrors Iago's energy. Iago delivers his famous soliloquy "Credo in un Dio crudel" and expresses his credo of evil. Continuing to find ways to express Iago's shifting energy, Verdi orchestrates the credo in a way that hovers between arioso and aria, "its devious harmonic and formal twists continuing to the last." When Otello arrives, the two sing a duet that continues to the end of the act, lining the action and words of the entire act around this specific confrontation and the way Iago manipulates Otello during it."
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Horatio, 2002.
This paper is an analysis of Horatio?s Character in ?Hamlet? by William Shakespeare.
640 words (approx. 2.6 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 22.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses Horatio's character in Shakespeare's "Hamlet". The author illustrates how Horatio served as an active and important character in the play, although he may well be treated only as a secondary character in the play. It is shown how as well as being the narrator, his participation and Hamlet?s trust in him made Horatio an essential character.
From the Paper
"Horatio is only a secondary character in the play ?Hamlet? by William Shakespeare, but his character plays a vital role in confirming the murder/killing of Hamlet?s father?s death and helping out Hamlet to device and plan out a ?trap? that will confirm both Claudius and Gertrude?s guilt in killing King Hamlet. In fact, Horatio becomes the catalyst that triggered Hamlet?s suspicions about his father?s immediate death. Also, he serves as the narrator of the story, particularly the events that happened prior to the play itself, when King Hamlet was still alive and the tragic death of the King happened. Lastly, he served as Hamlet?s confidante and co-conspirator, as he helped Hamlet concoct his plans in entrapping Claudius and Hamlet?s mother Gertrude about their involvement on the King?s death. This paper will support these important points in the play ?Hamlet? by William Shakespeare. The main points in this paper regarding Horatio?s character will be pointed out through quotes as excerpted from the play."
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Tragedy Compared, 2002.
A look at the similarities between two great tragedies, "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare and "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles.
2,196 words (approx. 8.8 pages), 5 sources, APA, $ 68.95
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Abstract
The paper shows that although "Macbeth" (Shakespeare) and "Oedipus Rex" (Sophocles) are great tragedies from two very different time periods, the similarities that exist between the two are remarkable. It discusses how Shakespeare and Sophocles both understood exactly what it took to write great tragedy. By comparing how fate plays a part in each play, the paper examines whether perhaps Sophocles and Shakespeare were on similar wavelengths. It also examines whether the tragic heroes of each play are doomed to live out their fate or whether there is an element of free will that causes each of their downfalls.
From the Paper
"Oedipus believed that the prophesies of Apollo may full well come true and in an effort to outfox fate, he fled his home and vowed to never let the prophecy come to pass. In doing so, he played right into the hands of Apollo and set off a chain of events that would eventually lead to the prophecy being fulfilled. But was it fate that led Oedipus to commit these horrid acts or was it Oedipus? own strong will and determination to prove it wrong that caused his downfall? Could it be Oedipus? own bullishness that led to his imminent demise? Could it have been Oedipus? ego that forced him to kill his father, then a stranger, on the road?"
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"Romeo and Juliet", 2002.
This paper discusses the language of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet".
3,630 words (approx. 14.5 pages), 2 sources, APA, $ 101.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how it is it is Shakespeare?s masterful use of language that makes "Romeo and Juliet" a remarkable play. It shows how Shakespeare?s language is used to create characters, to add emotion and to express meaning in the play. The author explores each use of language, how the different characters speak, the use of imagery and how Shakespeare uses language to add emotion and heighten the romance of the play.
From the Paper
"The first consideration is how Shakespeare uses language to create characters. The characters in the play come from many different classes and backgrounds and have different characteristics. The challenge for Shakespeare was to capture the characteristics of these characters without having to describe them. Shakespeare manages this by paying careful attention to how characters speak. It is noted here that the importance is on not just what they say, but how they say it, a factor many other works are not as aware of. As one author says, speaking of Romeo and Juliet, ?the character is discovered through the verse? (Van Tassel, xvi)."
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The Despair of Macbeth, 2002.
A review of the play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare.
805 words (approx. 3.2 pages), 0 sources, $ 28.95
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Abstract
This review discusses the role of Macbeth as a tragic hero as opposed to a true villain. The feelings of the reader are analyzed as sympathetic toward Macbeth instead of disdainful.
From the Paper
"In the play by William Shakespeare that bears his name, the hero ?Macbeth? emerges as tragic hero, not a villain. This is not because the play is called ?The Tragedy of Macbeth.? Rather it is because the play?s action is driven by the moral failure of the central character rather than the horror the viewer feels at the murder of Duncan by the central character. The tragedy is not that Duncan is dead; it is that Macbeth becomes a tyrant. (5.6.8)"
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?Julius Caesar? and Elizabethan England, 2002.
A discussion of William Shakespeare's ?Julius Caesar? and life in Elizabethan England.
1,855 words (approx. 7.4 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 59.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews William Shakespeare's play ?Julius Caesar? and examines how it was accepted and performed at the time in Elizabethan England. It provides a history of the Globe theatre where many of Shakespeare's plays were performed beginning with "Julius Caesar" and examines life in the theatre district of London at the time. It attempts to analyze why the play was so popular when it first came out and why a subject such as tyrannicide was presentable in a country governed by a monarch. It looks at how it contained all of the political and social intrigues necessary to make it a timeless classic and all the puerile blood and gore that was needed to entertain a group of theater-hopping commoners in what was considered London?s seediest neighborhood.
From the Paper
"The play was written and performed in 1599 at the Globe theater in Southwark, London. Southwark is located on the south bank of the Thames river, and was traditionally considered the vice district. This section of London was home to 10% of its population, and more than its share of the city?s beggars. In 1594 the Lord Mayor, Sir John Spencer, asserted that parts of Southwark were "very nurseries and breeding-places of the begging poor" who swarmed the streets of the City. He estimated the number of these beggars at 12,000, and requested a meeting of several local magistrates in an attempt to banish them from the City or prevent them from crossing the Bridge."
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Taming of Katherine, 2002.
Character analysis of Katherine in Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew".
1,487 words (approx. 5.9 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 49.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the character of Katherine; discussing the various techniques used by Shakespeare to establish the theme of the play "Taming the Shrew". It also answers the question whether Katherine was tamed eventually or not.
From the Paper
"Taming The Shrew by William Shakespeare is a comedy play tactfully and purposely divided into five entertaining acts (Plot Structure). The induction highlights the possible reasons for the play?s existence followed by an introduction all the characters playing a vital role in developing the theme of the play and the development of the gist of the story, in the first act (Plot Structure). The taming (the main purpose of the play) of the female lead begins in the Act II and III with Katherine getting married to Petruchio. The climactic act is the act IV when the aim of cultivating and changing Kate to a productive human being is accomplished (Plot Structure). The final Act V establishes the connection and creates harmony between all the characters of the play and brings forward the implied meaning of Katherine?s portrayal (Plot Structure) as a shrew."
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Shakespeare's "First Sonnet", 2002.
A review of William Shakespeare's "First Sonnet".
949 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 33.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes Shakespeare's "First Sonnet" and in particular shows how the connotations behind the words to people living in Elizabethan England makes Shakespeare choice of imagery start to take on a far deeper meaning. It examines Shakespeare's ties to the land since from the first line to the fourteenth, Shakespeare infuses the poem with meaning with the use of agricultural terminology that everyone in his day would have been familiar with and how by employing the farming metaphors and the references to spring and to the harvest, he can't help but remind the Elizabethan reader of the march of time.
From the Paper
"While we know that fairest often refers to beauty even though it is antiquated, it would have been quite natural for that era's farmers in their effort at selective breeding to encourage and even expect that the fairest of their creatures would breed. It was paramount to their success for their best horses to foal, their sturdiest cattle to multiply. In that sense, the best and the beautiful have an obligation to mate and pass their genes on to their heirs, and so too, according to Shakespeare, did a young man have that responsibility as well."
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"Hamlet", 2002.
An analysis of the character Hamlet's relationship with his parents, as found in Shakespeare?s play ?Hamlet".
1,935 words (approx. 7.7 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 61.95
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Abstract
This paper examines Shakespeare?s play "Hamlet" in terms of the main character?s right to independently choose his own lifestyle and his parent-child relationship with his royal family. The paper describes the play in chronological order and investigates the religious climate in Shakespeare?s time as it reflects the meaning of the play. The paper illustrates Hamlet?s adolescent questioning of all moral codes, and even sanity itself.
From the Paper
'The parent and child relationships within Shakespeare?s ?Hamlet? are primarily characterized by the conflict between a child?s right to question and pursue his or her own destiny, in contrast to the need of honoring the child?s parental directives. The conflict inherent in parent and child is first evidenced, not in Hamlet?s first meeting with his father, but when Hamlet bemoans ?frailty thy name is woman,? in his first extended speech. Hamlet is angry because his mother has married his uncle so quickly, even though he obeys his mother?s wishes to stay in Denmark. Hamlet thus begins the play in a conflict about how to honor both his dead father and his living and remarried mother, a conflict that is highlighted by the advancing Norwegian Fortinbras? own claim for his dying parent."
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Women in "Hamlet" and "Othello", 2002.
This paper introduces and discusses the role of women in "Hamlet," and "Othello" by William Shakespeare.
2,210 words (approx. 8.8 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 68.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes the significance of the women and their roles and what they add to the meaning of the two plays. The paper contrasts the women characters in each play and examines which play more important roles. Characters analyzed are Hamlet's fianc?e, Ophelia; Hamlet's mother and Othello's lover Desdemona.
From the Paper
"Therefore, the women exist in Hamlet as a form of support to show why he hates them. They are all evil, troubled, or deceptive, and they back up Hamlet's disgust with the fairer sex. Some critics even go so far as to intimate that Hamlet chooses death to remove himself from his mother's sexuality (Maccary 51).
The women both serve another vital purpose in the play; they become the scapegoats that allow Hamlet to hide his own jealousy and rage at himself, for allowing his father to die, and not living up to his own expectations. His mother is living a seemingly happy life after his father dies, and this is too much for him to take."
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Hamlet as Tragic Hero, 2002.
Examining the qualities of a tragic hero according to Aristotles and questioning whether Shakespeare's "Hamlet" falls under this category.
714 words (approx. 2.9 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 25.95
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Abstract
Aristotle describes the characteristics of the tragic hero in "Poetics." Three of these characteristics are: that the character is mainly admirable; that the character exercises free choice in bringing about their own downfall; and that the character has one fatal flaw that leads to their demise. This paper analyzes the character Hamlet and shows that Hamlet meets these three characteristics of the tragic hero.
From the Paper
"The first of Aristotle?s characteristics is that that character is mainly admirable. Hamlet achieves this by having many good traits including intelligence, sensitivity and humility. However, the best evidence of Hamlet as an admirable character is his unwillingness to commit murder, even when given a reason that would justify the act. This shows that Hamlet is basically a good man. In the play, the ghost of Hamlet?s father orders him to take action and ?revenge his foul and most unnatural murder? (I,iv). Despite being given what at the time, can be seen as an acceptable reason to take action, Hamlet hesitates and procrastinates. It is Hamlet?s good nature and his rejection of committing murder that causes this hesitation. This represents the good qualities of Hamlet, his intelligence, his ability to be rational and the inherent goodness of his character. This also shows that Hamlet is a man who does what he believes in despite outside pressure to do otherwise. This shows that Hamlet is an admirable character in many ways."
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Othello?s Characters, 2002.
A study of the characters in William Shakespeare's "Othello".
1,160 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 39.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how the characters in William Shakespeare?s ?Othello? are what really make the play come to life. It provides a brief summary of each of the main characters with a character analysis and a description of their contribution to the plot of the play. It shows how Othello is bold warrior and a good person, how Iago brings all of the evil and fallacy into the play, how Desdemona is young and innocent and how Cassio?s character is vulnerable and easily manipulated.
From the Paper
"The character of Desdemona is young and innocent. When she is wrongly accused of infidelity, her innocent response to his rage is "I never gave him cause!" (III.iv.155). Desdemona?s innocent nature is highlighted in the play, through the contrast with the two other female characters, the cynical Emilia and Cassio's mistress, Bianca. These women are harsh and ugly, and make Desdemona seem all the more pure. Her love for Othello is a major part of her character. She permits his abuse of her, although it shakes her self-confidence. She is an obedient and devoted wife. She carries her love for Othello with her even as he strangles her to death."
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