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"Sonnet Number 130", 2005. An analysis of the deeper meaning of William Shakespeare's "Sonnet Number 130". 848 words (approx. 3.4 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 30.95 »
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Abstract Diction, syntax and figurative language combine to form the tone of a piece of work. The paper shows that using these guides to analyze William Shakespeare's "Sonnet Number 130" provides a groundwork for understanding the sonnet's rich flavor. Where a quick read of the piece might give the average reader a superficial sense of the tenor in which the words were written, a study of the sonnet's poetic elements explains that initial response. Further, this study provides a richer and more thoughtful viewpoint of the sonnet's meaning.
From the Paper "All of the sonnet's figurative language serves to negate the mistress' qualities. Shakespeare evokes beautiful images such as sunshine, coral red, snow white, damasked roses, pleasing music, delightful perfumes. Yet all of this beauty only serves to exaggerate the mistress' lack of it. This beauty is a counterpoint to her dun breasts, wiry hair, reeking breath and treading walk."
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"The Tempest" Critiqued, 2005. Examines the views of two critics on William Shakespeare's "The Tempest". 3,459 words (approx. 13.8 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 97.95 »
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Abstract The play, "The Tempest" by Shakespeare, has elicited many and varied responses. Some believe that Shakespeare wrote the play to symbolize himself in Prospero. As Prospero is bidding farewell to his magician's staff, Shakespeare is bidding farewell to his magical pen. Some critics have emphasized the romantic and comic elements in the play, while others disagree by emphasizing the tragic. This paper presents a discussion of two such opinions, followed by a discussion of the play with these opinions in mind. The critics examined are E.M.W. Tillyard ("The Tragic Pattern") and J. Warton ("Amazing Wildness of Fancy").
From the Paper "The further tragedy of Prospero's life unfolds. He had once been the Duke of Milan, trusted and respected by all his subjects. His main mistake was however that he failed to give sufficient attention to his politics, and that he trusted the wrong people. His mind was occupied by intellectual pursuits, mainly of the supernatural kind, and thus he freed some time for himself by delegating the tediosness of government to his brother, Antonio. Prospero's naivete in doing this is another typical element of tragedy. His brother thus takes advantage of the opportunity to further his own ambitions. Naivety and pride therefore work together for a tragic result."
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"Romeo and Juliet", 2005. Examines themes of love and hate in this tragic play by William Shakespeare. 1,045 words (approx. 4.2 pages), 1 source, $ 36.95 »
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Abstract William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" is, first and foremost a love story. However, the real point of the play is the devastating effect of hate. The paper shows how the play is set in an atmosphere of hatred between the Montagues and the Capulets, and it is significant that Shakespeare juxtaposes the most beautiful of human emotions with the most terrible. The paper shows that this concept of love set amidst hate is spelled out in the prologue and within the first few lines we are told that the love of these two young people will be destroyed by the mutual hatred of their families.
From the Paper "By the end of the play, Romeo's manliness has become his driving force. When Paris is killed and begs him to lay him in Juliet's tomb, Romeo remembers that he was Juliet's suitor and is filled with pity for him, granting his last request. When he sees Juliet, He is overcome with grief and in his last speech, vows to protect her and keep her company even in death..."
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"A Midsummer Night's Dream", 2006. A look at the theme of love in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." 1,878 words (approx. 7.5 pages), 0 sources, $ 60.95 »
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Abstract This paper examines the way that Shakespeare addresses love in his classic romantic play. It shows how each of the main characters deals with love in a different way and how this, in turn, impacts the way that love is portrayed in the play.
From the Paper "Moreover, the complexity on stage of all the characters within Act five, Scene one, where the setting is in Athens at the Palace of Theseus, with its steady stream of players entering and exiting as the affairs of the heart are reconciled with the Dream is perhaps the most masterful crafting of language of all the writings within this play. That it was accomplished in so short a time frame too makes A Midsummer Night's Dream one of the greatest masterpieces of literature ever devised."
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Shakespeare's "Othello" and "Hamlet", 2005. This paper compares Shakespeare's protagonists Othello and Hamlet from his plays "Othello" and "Hamlet". 2,445 words (approx. 9.8 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 74.95 »
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Abstract This paper explains that both the protagonists Othello and Macbeth, in "Othello" and "Hamlet" respectively, are superior men, possessing great courage and outward strength, heroes in war accustomed to commanding a force of men in battle; but both go awry in their personal lives when a different morality and sensitivity is required: Othello is consumed by jealousy and Macbeth, by ambition. The author points out that a key element in Macbeth's nature is his imagination, which he lets soar ahead of his deeds; whereas, Othello is a man of action and not prone to ponder too much. The paper relates that, in their final words, the two men have completely disintegrated: Othello by taking not only Desdemona's life but also his own and Macbeth by resigning himself to go on with the fight for the crown, which even has taken the life of his wife. Many textual examples.
From the Paper "Macbeth is immediately shown as a man whose ambition is capable of overtaking his personality. However, the additional quality of fear is introduced in Macbeth, who has been referred to in the play's opening passages as "brave Macbeth." Whereas Othello was judicious, Macbeth's courage showed in him a rashness that sets the stage for his later actions. He is described in battle by a soldier as "Disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel,/ which smok'd with bloody execution, Like valour's minion,/ Carv'd out his passage till he fac'd the slave;/ And fix'd his head upon our battlements." (I,ii.19-26) He is valour personified and is so ferocious that his sword smokes, an example of hyperbole."
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"Measure for Measure", 2006. An analysis of William Shakespeare's dark comedy about the Viennese legal system, "Measure for Measure". 1,207 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 41.95 »
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Abstract This paper summarizes and analyzes "Measure for Measure" by William Shakespeare, explaining that the comedy is about power, trust and the abuse of power.
From the Paper "He takes ample occasion to expound on his values - which are empty at the core. When Claudio is facing the realization that he might be killed for his sister's morality, the Duke gives him a "pep talk" which might drive anyone to suicide. Vincentio tells him to "be absolute for death" [III.i.4] and explains that life isn't worth living in the first place: "Thou hast nor youth, nor age,/ But as it were an after-dinner's sleep/ Dreaming on both.../...and when thou art old and rich,/ Thou hast neither heat, affection, limb nor beauty/ To make thy riches pleasant." [III.i.32-38] This sort of absolute nihilism leads us to believe that the Duke holds no meaning in life, and that his antics are a result of this meaninglessness. They are carried out without moral purpose, for the sheer pleasure of torment. Thus Vincentio serves as a reminder of the consequences which stem from the apathy of authority."
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Violence in "Macbeth", 2004. An analysis of the theme of violence in William Shakespeare's "Macbeth". 1,263 words (approx. 5.1 pages), 0 sources, $ 42.95 »
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Abstract This paper discusses the element of violence in the play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare and how the title character uses violence to achieve his desire of becoming King of Scotland. It explains that although he succeeds in becoming King, Macbeth is ultimately a deserved victim of violence himself.
From the Paper "Violence is inextricably bound up with the character of Macbeth in Shakespeare's play of the same name. When Macbeth is first mentioned, it is in the context of violence: Macbeth, as one of the King of Scotland's generals, has scored a military victory (Act I, Scene i). As a reward, Duncan, the king, bestows upon Macbeth the title of thane of Cawdor (I, i). The current thane of Cawdor has evinced himself as a traitor and the king strips him of his title. Furthermore, in the same sentence as the bestowal of the title of thane of Cawdor on Macbeth, the king also pronounces the death sentence on the current thane of Cawdor. Thus, even when Macbeth has nothing to do with a death, in this case the thane of Cawdor's, he is still inked to violence, since the king mentions Macbeth in the same sentence as Cawdor's death sentence."
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"The Rape of Lucrece" and "The Unfortunate Traveller" Compared, 2006. A look at the similarities and differences in William Shakespeare's "The Rape of Lucrece" and Thomas Nashe's "The Unfortunate Traveller". 1,379 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 46.95 »
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Abstract This paper compares and contrasts William Shakespeare's "The Rape of Lucrece" with Thomas Nashe's "The Unfortunate Traveller", pointing out that, although Nashe's work was published after Shakespeare's, both contain a very brutal rape scene. The paper then attempts to identify what is both similar and different about each rape scene by comparing and contrasting the works in terms of motivation, plot, character and outcome.
From the Paper "In The Rape of Lucrece the motivation of Tarquin is more subtle. There is no evidence that he has done such a thing before, although he is guilty of an inflated case of pride. However, it is clear that he is an honorable soldier and friend, at least initially. His motivation comes from lust born of hearing about Lucrece's beauty. One could therefore say that this is not a case of habit or of greed, but of lust alone."
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"A Midsummer Night?s Dream", 2004. A review of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". 1,070 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 0 sources, $ 37.95 »
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Abstract This paper discusses the play, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare. The paper examines how the play employs the same parallels that exist in reality within the make-believe world of the enchanted forest. The paper explains how the placement of a play within a play superimposes life's small episodes within the larger framework of reality. While the play is a comedy about life, the paper contends that it also alludes to the absurdity of resolving conflict.
From the Paper "The two sets of lovers that enter the forest leave the reality of Athens for the magic of the fairyland. Unbeknownst to them, it is the magic of the fairies that sorts out their tangled relationships while they sleep. In the real world of Athens, the harsh reality is that Hermia must either wed the man her father wishes her to, live the life of a cloistered celibate, or be put to death. The acquiescence of Theseus and his persuasion of Hermia's father to permit the wedding between Hermia and Lysander, allow the returning lovers and Demetrius and Helena to remain partners. The four lovers are changed from an uncertain future in Athens to a life together after spending the night in the forest. This is a fairy-tale story from many viewpoints. It is the fairies that have worked their magic on the couples making the outcome viable. The pairing that results is the best for all involved. Although it appears Demetrius remains under the spell of the love juice even after they return to the city, the other individuals are now guided by their own passions, and any misguided love has been redirected to the appropriate partner."
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"Othello", 2005. This paper discusses the character of Othello in Shakespeare's "Othello". 1,790 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 0 sources, $ 57.95 »
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Abstract This paper explains that Othello, like most of Shakespeare's tragic heroes, is a man notable for the contradictions in his character. The author points out that the combination of vanity, naivete and an inability to perceive correctly the world around him are the three characteristics that allow Iago to transform Othello from a conquering and triumphant war-hero into a cold-blooded murderer. The paper stresses that the most dramatic way in which Othello is imperceptive is that he fails to recognize Iago's lies before killing Desdemona; and, even after learning that she did not have an affair with Cassio, Othello still failed to realize that he has been manipulated by Iago. Many quotes as illustrations.
From the Paper "One of the most striking things about Othello is his naivete. Although Othello is a renowned war hero who has seen and experienced horrors throughout his lifetime, he retains a basic naivete about life, especially life in society. Initially, Othello, though able to confront and kill the enemy, is unable to conceive of the idea that one who calls himself friend could be a threat. Othello's naivete is first demonstrated by his lack of knowledge regarding Desdemona's character. Othello idealizes Desdemona, and has characterized her deception of her father as something necessary in order to further their love, instead of considering that they could have admitted their romance to Brabantio rather than eloping. It is Brabantio, not Iago or Othello, that first brings up the concept that Desdemona might deceive Othello."
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Hamlet?s Tragic Indecisiveness, 2006. A research paper looking at whether the character of Hamlet in William Shakespeare's famous play "Hamlet" was a victim of indecision. 1,030 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 36.95 »
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Abstract Using references, quotes and details from William Shakespeare's famous tragedy, "Hamlet", this paper attempts to prove that the main protagonist in the play, Hamlet, was a victim of indecision.
From the Paper "Hamlet's suspicions of foul play are fueled, also, by his mother Gertrude's quick marriage to Claudius (the dead King's younger brother), and by Claudius's having so hasty grabbed the throne from young Hamlet, even before he could return home from England. The action that follows, pivots on Hamlet's indecisiveness, especially about how, and when (and, before the dumb show, why) to avenge the King's death. Following the ghost's appearance, the remaining action, culminating, finally, in the doubly-fatal duel between Hamlet and Laertes (whose father, Polonius, Hamlet accidentally killed) results from Hamlet's indecisiveness, ending in tragedy for all."
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Parents and Teens in Shakespeare and Film, 2006. Compares Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" with the film "Ten Things I Hate About You". 1,069 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 37.95 »
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Abstract This paper compares and analyzes Shakespeare's famous comedy about the wooing of a shrewish, eldest daughter, "The Taming of the Shrew", with the film, "Ten Things I Hate About You", about teenage romance and adult wisdom. The paper explains that while their plots are similar, the messages delivered about love, romance and personal development are very different.
From the Paper "The initial irony present in Shakespeare can be seen through the use of the framing device scorned by "Ten Things I Hate about You." Although the playgoer Christopher Sly of "The Taming of the Shrew" does not reappear at the end of the comedy, the fact that the viewer is always watching a play of a play makes it clear to the audience that the occasional Punch-and-Judy show type violence is, 'in quotes' or ironic, rather than a simple validation of violence against women. "Am I a lord? And have I such a lady? Or do I dream? or have I dream'd till now?" asks Sly, emphasizing the dreamed nature of "The Taming of the Shrew." (1.2) Up to the end, the play has a fantastical quality, rather than a play of real-life morality and consequence, until Katherine's final monologue."
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