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Othello, 2002.
An analysis of one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies, "Othello", focusing primarily on the theme of racism.
2,160 words (approx. 8.6 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 67.95
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Abstract
This paper portray's Shakespeare's "Othello" as a tragic play wherein the revolutionary attempt to overcome the racial prejudice is defeated. Each characters' part in the story is described. The racial discrimination aimed at Othello from the different members of the cast is explained. The paper discusses the ultimate insecurities which stem from Othello?s race and the prejudice against him, and which prove to lead to his undoing.
From the Paper
"Othello, one of those great tragedies of Shakespeare was written in 1604. Shakespeare skillfully interleaves the bravado and the accomplishments of Othello along with racial discrimination against him. In fact the two things that run parallel in this novel are Othello?s valor as a warrior and the racial prejudice that is harbored against him, albeit on the sly. Shakespeare?s dexterity in creating the genre for his plays is something, which is astounding. This is a novel with clear undertones of racism in it. ?Othello? is considered a revolutionary and critical work of Shakespeare which exceeds all his other plays in terms of the sheer depth of emotions that the tragedy evokes. It is a tragic play wherein the revolutionary attempt to overcome the racial prejudice is defeated. When we study the play in depth we again and again encounter verses and epithets that carry this sting of racism in a plainly obvious tone."
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Hamlet's Madness, 2002.
A paper which argues that the mad behavior of Shakespeare's character Hamlet was faked.
1,351 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
This paper questions whether Prince Hamlet in William Shakespeare's famous play, "Hamlet" was really mad or whether his madness was feigned. The paper argues, by bringing evidence from the play, that Hamlet faked his mad behavior towards an end - that of vengeance.
From the Paper
"The scenes involving madness have been contrived. Each of the scenes where Hamlet feigns madness is easily ?seen through? by the audience or readers of Shakespeare?s plays. The German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe described Hamlet as a poet, a sensitive man who is too weak to deal with the political pressures of Denmark. Goethe drew parallels of Hamlet to his own work ?Werther.? (Goethe, n.d.) Sigmund Freud, father of psycho-analysis, viewed Hamlet in terms of his oedipal urges: that Claudius had taken Hamlet?s father?s place. However, Freud is careful to note that Hamlet represents modern man. He does not kill Claudius in order to sleep with his mother, but rather kills him to revenge his mother's death. (Freud, 1900) Neither however, alludes to any madness."
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?King Lear?, 2002.
A review of William Shakespeare's play ?King Lear?.
1,084 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 0 sources, $ 37.95
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Abstract
This paper examines "King Lear" by William Shakespeare and how it is a good example of how Shakespeare focuses his lessons on his audience through his characters. It discusses how the message is the meaningless violence that strips the world of justice and good and how the foolish (King Lear and Gloucester) are left with the realization of what they have done and the role they have played in the disastrous and brutal happenings throughout the plot. It shows how the deaths at the end keep the play what it is ? a tragedy and how the characters had to learn through their mistakes and suffer the consequences that Shakespeare felt were fitting.
From the Paper
"In a similar way, Gloucester is deceived by the two sons in his life ? his legitimate son Edgar, and his illegitimate son Edmund. Though Edgar is not quite the virtuous beauty that Cordelia is, he does represent some measure of loyalty and justice, which is completely lacking in the jealous, bitter Edmund. Gloucester is unwilling to see the true character of his son from an adulterous relationship, partially due to his guilt. "
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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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