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"Hamlet", 2006.
An analysis of Shakespeare's style of story-telling in "Hamlet".
1,285 words (approx. 5.1 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes William Shakespeare's use of ceremony, pomp and circumstance in "Hamlet". The paper discusses the ways in which Shakespeare takes advantage of familiarity, custom and tradition in "Hamlet" to engage modern audiences in much the same way Shakespearean audiences might have enjoyed the work in historical times.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Analysis of Ophelia's Death and Funeral Procession
Conclusions
From the Paper
"In Hamlet's play Ophelia, daughter of Polonius, represents the beauty inherent in young women. Hamlet had fallen in love with Ophelia, described by Shakespeare as an "innocent and sweet girl", someone who was likely to obey the wishes of her elders and depend on the guidance of her father and brothers to determine how to behave (Phillips, 2005). In Hamlet Ophelia lapses into a state of madness and eventually drowns in the river, however even at this moment in the play Ophelia is ceremoniously represented as innocent and "maidenly" dying surrounded by garlands and flowers, suggesting nothing, including death could defeat her maidenly and innocent demeanor (Phillips, 2005)."
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"Julius Caesar", 2006.
A discussion on Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar".
1,639 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 53.95
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Abstract
This paper dissects and analyzes the first scene in "Julius Caesar". It discusses the audience of the time in considering the scene. The paper explores how the celebration scene raises important questions about leadership and the power a leader has over his followers. The author of the paper quotes from the text to qualify points made.
From the Paper
"The overall significance of the way the scene is presented is that it causes Caesar to be questioned. The audience can see how the people have accepted Caesar, but can also see that the people are blind to who Caesar really is. The audience can also see that the people have accepted the celebration, but are unable to see that there may not really be a reason to celebrate. For the audience of the time, this may have led people to question how they view their leaders and how they view celebrations. They may have questioned whether an event is truly worth celebrating just because a leader says that it is. A modern audience may also react in the same way."
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Gender Themes in 'The Taming of the Shrew', 2006.
This paper discusses gender roles in Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew'.
2,200 words (approx. 8.8 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 68.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses gender roles within the play 'The Taming of the Shrew'. It is the position of this paper that Shakespeare was indeed making a commentary on gender roles when he wrote 'The Taming of the Shrew'. The writer maintains that the comment he was making was that the established system in which men were lords and masters over women and basically owned them and women were expected to be docile and obedient at all times, was ridiculous. The writer concludes that William Shakespeare, in writing this play, showed his audiences in exaggerated terms the ridiculousness of the system of male domination, while also demonstrating to women that attempting to completely overthrow societal norms is not the way to a more equal relationship with men. Instead, he demonstrated a revolutionary concept for his time and showed how men and women can ultimately get along as partners by compromise.
From the Paper
"It is a play intended to make the audience laugh. In order to provoke laughter, a play must have something familiar in it, something that everyday people can recognize and relate to. In the late 16th century, when this particular play was written, European society and in fact most societies in the world, were heavily patriarchal in nature. The man was expected to be the lord and ruler of the household and men ruled the world in general. Women had few, if any, rights, and were considered the property of first their fathers and then their husbands, and were appointed a male guardian if they had neither. Women were expected to be obedient to their husbands, quiet, docile, and to keep an orderly home. While this was no doubt not always the system that went on behind closed doors, it was the "official" system, and the one that everyone was expected to appear to be adhering to in public. Shakespeare picked this system to poke fun at in writing The Taming of the Shrew because it was familiar to the audience, being something that affected them all in their daily lives."
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"The Taming of the Shrew", 2006.
This paper analyzes the protagonists in Shakespeare's play to show that Shakespeare has a keen understanding of human psychology.
1,740 words (approx. 7.0 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 56.95
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Abstract
The paper studies Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" and considers the four characters involved. The paper comes to the conclusion that Shakespeare has a strong understanding of what motivates and determines human behavior. All the characters in the play are acting based on circumstances and they all adapt their behavior to suit the circumstances. This shows that Shakespeare has a keen understanding of human behavior and is able to create a play where the actions of the characters and their interactions are explained by human psychology.
From the Paper
"The final character that shows Shakespeare's understanding of human psychology is Bianca. Bianca is the opposite to Kate because she is favored and loved by everyone. This creates the appearance that she is kind, agreeable, and everything that Kate is not. However, it is later revealed that this is not Bianca's true character. Instead, she just behaves this way to suit her own needs. Essentially, she behaves in a way that is consistent with what people want from her. This allows her to gain the love and trust of others, which gives her power and control. In the end though, it is revealed that she is not the loving, trusting wife that Kate is. Once married, Bianca ignores her husband's needs and does as she wishes. The most important point made by Bianca's character is that the real nature of people is not what is immediately seen. In making this point, Shakespeare is showing that people are not who they appear to be but can adapt how they appear to suit their own needs. This shows an awareness of human psychology because it means that Shakespeare is looking beyond just what people say and do and looking into the reasons for their behavior."
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Tragedy and Comedy, 2005.
A discussion of tragedy and comedy in literature.
1,279 words (approx. 5.1 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
This paper tries to find the similarities, despite their obvious differences, between tragedy and comedy. The paper explores Greek and Shakespearean literature to qualify points made. The author of the paper concludes with a personal opinion and an example of the correlation of tragedy and comedy in life.
From the Paper
" This criticism can however be rebutted by the fact that tragedy and comedy can entail elements of each other. Although a tragic Greek play involved more death and injury than the comedy, both genres focused on the meaning and the consequences of actions. To once again take the example of Oedipus, several people die as a result of his inability to escape his fate. He however accepts this and does what he feels is necessary to once again balance the elements. This, in an extreme way, gives meaning to Oedipus' tragedy and provides him with a sort of peace. Comedy approaches life from a different angle but also with the basic search for meaning in life. The obstacles before the glory in the end can be related to the obstacles in tragedy, all of which need to be overcome to reach the appropriate end of the play. The common element therefore is the search for meaning and peace through the turmoil of the obstacles provided by means of either tragic or comic elements in the ancient Greek play."
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| Term Paper # 75434 |
temporarily unavailable
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Baz Lurman's Film "Romeo and Juliet", 2006.
This paper compares the 1996 film version of Baz Lurman's "Romeo and Juliet" with William Shakespeare's original version of this romantic tragedy.
775 words (approx. 3.1 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 27.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that, while Baz Lurman's "Romeo and Juliet" presents the main theme of the play as a conflict between the bad values of the older generation and the disaffected but still hopeful younger generation, Shakespeare's play evolves more as a tale of fate and the fragile nature of love. The author points out that the film's images stem from a modern sense of alienation, an idea underlined in the overall design of the film, in which a Pluralist or post-modern pastiche of Hispanic, contemporary and some Renaissance images creates a sense of confusion mirrored in the lovers' own difficulties in finding meaning in their world. The paper relates that, although the themes of youthful alienation exist in both versions but are more present in Lurman's cinematic re-telling, Shakespeare, as is consistent with the Renaissance era, takes the example of the lovers to reflect upon the 'chance' nature of romance.
From the Paper
"The unavoidability of fate was an important idea of the Renaissance era during which Shakespeare wrote. Also important, well into the Baroque era was the question of how much respect and deference a child owed his or her parents in terms of selecting a marital partner. Shakespeare sides with the lovers in their passion, but clearly shows how Romeo and Juliet's love upsets the rulership of Verona, and how society is harmed as well as helped. Good aspects to society, such as the kind prince, and Juliet's more loving father and mother are upset when Juliet decides to eschew parental care."
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Hamlet and Othello: Driven by Emotion, 2006.
An analysis of the characteristics of Hamlet and Othello.
983 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 34.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes the essential flaws in the characters of Hamlet and Othello and discusses the ways that these flaws leads to the tragic actions of the plays and the characters' downfalls. It examines the ways in which the characters' flaws are similar, in that their flaws are emotional, where both characters do not have full control of their emotions and that this allows them to be governed by their emotions.
From the Paper
"Othello's fatal flaw is also related to his inability to deal with his emotions. The difference is that Othello's emotions are jealousy associated with his wife, not shame associated with his mother. Bradley describes this by saying that "Othello's nature is all of one piece... Love, if he loves, must be to him the heaven where either he must leave or bear no life. If such a passion as jealousy seizes him, it will swell into a well-night incontrollable flood" (Bradley 188). This shows how Othello goes to the extremes, especially relating to his emotions. Bradley also says that "He is quite free from introspection, and is not given to reflection."
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"Henry V", 2006.
An examination of the use of the word 'wild' in William Shakespeare's "Henry V".
1,673 words (approx. 6.7 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 54.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how, in Shakespeare's "Henry V", the word wild or wildness is used throughout the play to describe the character of King Henry V, the characters of men in general and the circumstances in England and France. It provides a definition of the notion of 'wild' and then provides examples of the use of this theme of "wild" from the play.
From the Paper
"In this statement, King Henry refers not to his own wilder days, but to the wilder days of England. The last sentence where he refers to having never valued the seat of England shows that his complaint is against how England has been managed under his father's rule. He considers that France thinks it is better than England and sees his father as not being a strong enough leader to drive England to victory over France. In this context, the wilder days of England is a negative description of the way England was. He is describing England as being poorly managed and overgrown, as if his father was not able to unite England into one. This establishes that Henry also sees wildness as something negative. Clearly, Henry is not a character where he believes that a wild character will help him lead his country."
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War and 'Henry V', 2006.
An analysis of the play "Henry V" by William Shakespeare.
1,891 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 60.95
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Abstract
This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the play "Henry V" by William Shakespeare. Specifically it discusses the various meanings of the word war and how Shakespeare uses it throughout the play. Because so much of the play revolves around war and the results of war, war has become a vital word in this play.
From the Paper
"The word war appears often in this play, along with many variations. In this quote from the First Act, Henry shows the audience his desire to go to war and to conquer France. Shakespeare writes, "For we have now no thought in us but France, / Save those to God, that run before our business. / Therefore, let our proportions for these wars / Be soon collected, and all things thought upon / That may with reasonable swiftness add / More feathers to our wings; for, God before, / We'll chide this Dauphin at his father's door. / Therefore let every man now task his thought, / That this fair action may on foot be brought" (Shakespeare I, ii). The King uses the word as "wars," and acts as if the wars are guided by God.
This is an important aspect of the word, for often wars seem to be religiously inspired, or fought on "God's side." The "right" side in any war believes they are fighting for the right cause and the right reason. For example, in World War II, the Allies were fighting against Fascism and Hitler's horrible dictatorship. The Allies were certainly "right," while Hitler and his followers were "wrong."
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"Hamlet", 2006.
A review of William Shakespeare's "Hamlet", a tragic play that explores human emotions.
1,206 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 41.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at the tragic play "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare. In "Hamlet", Shakespeare explores various human emotions, particularly the need for revenge. This paper takes a look at these emotions as well as the righteous value that proved to be to Hamlet's downfall.
From the Paper
"First, Hamlet is a thinker. He has the mind of a great man and a sense of the vastness of the universe and eternity. He constantly questions himself about the meaning of life. "What is this quintessence of dust?" he asks. Many of his questions are not answerable to this day. He wonders about profound issues that perhaps only God understands. He is certainly aware of "the great question of being" and of what he does not know. "There are more things in heaven and earth...than are dreamt of in our philosophy." He senses the mental nature of existence and makes profound statements, such as, "There is nothing either good nor bad, but thinking makes it so." Hamlet is also a good judge of honesty and can tell when others are not being completely honest with him. For example, when his old friends Gildenstern and Rosenkranz are asked by the queen and Claudius to come and visit him, he knows they are lying about their reason for visiting."
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Shakespeare's Women, 2006.
Discusses the roles of Cleopatra and Desdemona in plays by William Shakespeare.
1,245 words (approx. 5.0 pages), 10 sources, MLA, $ 42.95
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Abstract
There is a virtual myriad of essays and criticisms concerning the women characters in William Shakespeare's plays. This paper focuses mainly on the role of two of these women - Desdemona from "Othello" and Cleopatra from "Antony and Cleopatra". It also briefly discusses other characters such as Calpurnia and Portia. The paper concludes that of all his female characters, Shakespeare's Cleopatra is certainly at the top of the list in qualities of intelligence, power, seductiveness, aggression and assertiveness.
From the Paper
"Desdemona in "Othello," appears on the surface as a typical weak female who is totally submissive to her husband, however she is not truly typically meek. She is actually quite broad minded and assertive, and seems to have no problem in standing up to Othello's jealousy or using her feminine wiles to persuade her husband to forgive Cassio. When Othello strikes her, shouting, "Devil," Desdemona responds to him, saying, "I have not deserved this" (Othello pp)."
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