In Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, hubris is the essential cause of Oedipus downfall because it is the reason why Oedipus killed King Laius
Amini Solomon Amini Mrs. MJ English 10 H, Period 3 2 October 2012 When Hubris Runs Wild People are naturally imperfect. All humans in their natural state have a certain amount of hubris because they are flawed and tend to make immoral decisions based on what their egos tell them. Although people like to believe that they are selfless and do good deeds all of the time, that in itself is hubris because they think too highly of themselves. Pride and arrogance can blind a person from the truth, like the pupil in the poem “The Book of Wisdom” by Steven Crane, but the moment that a person realizes how knowledgeable he or she actually is…that is the moment that a person opens his or her eyes for the first time. For example, suppose you thought you were really good at basketball because you always beat your little brothers at the game, but then you play with kids your own age, and you realize you are not as good as you think you are. The reason why you would make such a wrong assumption is because you have pride and arrogance like the protagonist in the tragedy Oedipus Rex. In Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, hubris is the essential cause of Oedipus’ downfall because it is the reason why Oedipus killed King Laius, it prevents him from discovering the truth sooner, and it causes him to anger the gods. The main reason why Oedipus killed Laius is because of the strong urge to
Choose a character from Everyman. How does this character reflect one or two themes from the text?
Roya Rouzbehan Professor Alexandra Dimakos English 250 25 September 2012 Discussion Post Option 1: Choose a character from Everyman. How does this character reflect one or two themes from the text? Everyman is a medieval play written by an anonymous author. The central theme of the play is that when the time to leave the world is approaching, an individual may end up being betrayed by his or her family and friends, and only good deeds is important at the end. God and religion are also important aspects in this Middle Age drama, because it portrays Everyman’s progress from fear of death to a “Christian resignation that is prelude to redemption” (115). The characters in the play consist of subjects, verbs, and objects. The main character in the drama is Everyman, but the name is a representation of mankind in general. Everyman asks other characters to follow him on his journey to death. Firstly, Everyman goes to Fellowship who is his friend, but the first to forsake him by suggesting drinking or socializing with women instead of going on journey of death. Secondly, he asks his family members, Kindred and Cousin, to join him on his journey. However, Kindred and Cousin are disloyal to Everyman by reminding him of the things he has never done for them. Thirdly, Everyman refers to Goods, which are Everyman’s belongings. However, he is disappointed to find out that he
Vasquez is instrumental to the tragedy, but is not himself a tragic character. Exploring ideas about tragedy, consider the role of Vasquez in "Ts Pity She's a Whore"..
"Vasquez is instrumental to the tragedy, but is not himself a tragic character." Exploring ideas about tragedy, consider the role of Vasquez in the play. Vasquez is first introduced to us in Act 1, Scene 2 - he is the third character we meet, after the Friar and Giovanni, and, in a way that is telling of what we are to find out about his character later on in the play, he is engaged in a duel with Grimaldi, a man of much higher rank than his own - this immediately highlights a defining feature of revenge tragedies, in that lower ranked characters often interact with those of higher rank in a manner unbefitting of their social standing, and by intertwining Vasquez with such notions from the off, it gives the character an immediate link to the very nature of revenge tragedies, and allows Ford to introduce him instantly as an 'engine of revenge' for Soranzo. This allows Vasquez to commit gruesome acts (the plucking of Putana's eyes) while maintaining that he does so only to defend the honour of his master; indeed, in this initial meeting, Soranzo implies that Vasquez only duels with Grimaldi because the latter has insulted Soranzo ('and on this ground I willed my servant to correct this tongue'). Vasquez's subsequent triumph over Grimaldi, and the pleasure he seems to take in his victory over the higher-ranked Grimaldi is a recurring characteristic of his, in that one of his
The Use of Shocking and Stricking Visual Effects in Tis Pity She's A Whore
Early seventeenth century plays often make striking use of visual effects to shock the audience. Explain the ways Ford creates striking or shocking dramatic effects in 'Tis Pity She's a Whore. Plays of the seventeenth century are notoriously known for being rife with gory representations and some critics have gone as far as to suggest that Ford is a prime example of the glorification of violence and sex on the stage. However, this stylistic use and representation was not unwanted by his audience - seventeenth century theatre goers of that age expected shocking scenes with the purchase of a ticket. This very apparent made it necessary for Ford to sometimes over dramatise or make more bounteous his shocking and striking scenes - John Ford, many would argue, went just that one step further. Undeniably, one of the most shocking moments that Ford creates is seen fairly near to the beginning of the play in an exchange between Giovanni and Annabella. The play's main plot revolves around the two siblings and their growing love for one another, and we see this love addressed and first reciprocated in Act I, Sc 2. Giovanni is first to admit his love, offering Annabella a dagger to "strike" him with if she does not requite this love. This moment is extremely dramatic and shocking to the audience, as Giovanni's desperate nature if revealed here; Ford establishes both his character and
In Lorcas Play The House of Bernada Alba examine Religion throughout the play and the significance it has.
In Lorcas Play - 'The House of Bernada Alba' examine Religion throughout the play and the significance it has. 'The house of Bernada Alba' was written by Garcia Lorca in the 20th century before the beginning of the Spanish civil war. Lorca uses the play to describe what it was like for women living at the time of the civil war. The play is about a family of women in which all the daughters all love the same man, a marriage is planned between the oldest daughter Angustias and the man, Pepe el Romano, however this marriage is for money not for love, Pepe actually loves Adela. In the play there is a strong male influence however no men actually speak in the play, it always shows men to be outside in the open whilst the women cooped up inside in the house. This shows that women at the time the play was written were oppressed and weren't aloud to be 'free'. In the play we see a lot of religion however we dont see much Christianity as the house seems to be lacking the simple moral rules set up by the Christian faith. There is a lot of imagery in the story however a lot of it stems from religion, for example the play begins with the ringing of church bells, they cause the servant to get a headache. We see this as she says "The sound of those bells is right inside my head." This quote could be seen as symbolism as at the time the church was very oppressive, this is where we see the
How does Shaffer draw upon aspects of the play's historical background to enhance its dramatic interest?
James Bevan How does Shaffer draw upon aspects of the play's historical background to enhance its dramatic interest? Consider: The period in which the play is set Its setting - Vienna The background of Court Life The events in Amadeus happen in the eighteenth and nineteen century. Vienna is the capital of an expansive empire. It is the centre of the musical world, somewhere seemingly perfect for a genius of music. We are immediately introduced to Vienna's citizens who themselves are also an audience to the events that unfold. The emperor's taste in music is superficial; Salieri's simple compositions are ideal as they "make no demand on the royal ear". Mozart's music is therefore too challenging for a man of such minimalism. Mozart's unutterably beautiful music is merely described as having "too many notes". This clearly shows that they simply cannot comprehend the magnitude of Mozart's music as music cannot have too many notes. Historically, the play is set in the 'Age of Reason'. People in this era fundamentally believe that shared beliefs were more important than personal opinion, and therefore public life mattered more than private life. With this in mind we can directly contrast this way of life with what Mozart brings to Vienna. Our initial meeting with him shows us his complete disregard to social etiquette and a personality totally unheard of for his time. Mozart
Antigone by Sophocles presents a moral conflict over whether the gods law or the Kings law is more powerful.
Perla Lacayo ENGL200 Dr. Prof. LW June 10, 2010 Bound by Blood There are times when moral law is more salient than civil law. Regardless of any society, culture or environment, a person is brought up in, all human beings are born with the inclination to do what they feel is the right thing to do. "Antigone" by Sophocles presents a moral conflict over whether the god's law or the King's law is more powerful. Antigone had lost both her brothers who were at war with each other. Creon, King of Thebes, honors Eteocles with a proper burial because he fought for the city of Thebes; and leaves Polynices to "be left unburied" and dishonored because he "thirsted to drink his kinsmen's blood and sell the rest to slavery" (Antigone 225-226). Although, she disobeyed Creon's martial law, Antigone held her loyalty to her family and did what she felt was morally right because regardless of what crime Polynice's committed he deserved to be honored with a proper burial. It acquires a lot of valor to make a stand and defend an action or a belief that is prohibited by society. Being faithful to her family was of high priority to Antigone. She shows much of Oedipus's character in her impulsiveness, and determination to do what she felt was morally right for her family. They both had exceptionally strong personalities. Antigone showed her mental strength when she risked her life to
social class
Explore the ways Sheriff presents social class for dramatic effects in 'Journeys End'. Compare the way in which Sheriff presents social class and compare the ways Barker explores class division in Regeneration. 'Journeys End', first produced in 1928, is a play which portrays a fairly realistic, picture of the front line in the First World War, as it was based on R.C Sherriff's experiences as an officer in the East Surrey Regiment. However, the novel 'Regeneration' published in 1991, is based on Pat Barkers research of authentic documents, such as letters, diaries and reports which shows a graphic description of the suffering endured by men in the trenches, focusing on their physical and psychological damage. In comparing a novel and a play, we can identify certain features of the genres. In the drama text 'Journey End', Sherriff creates a strong visual impact. When the characters are introduced he has to quickly demonstrate key features of their personality in order to capture the audiences' interest and help them to recognize different types of officers. He achieves this through stage directions and dialogue. However, in 'Regeneration' Barker uses detailed narrative to portray her characters which can help the reader build up an understanding of their problems, as the story progresses. Social Class is an important theme throughout both texts and through the presentation
An audience's responce to Hedda gabler in Act 1
How may an audience respond to Hedda as a tragic heroine in Act 1? Hedda Gabler is a dramatic, exciting, confusing and at times unpleasant character, who is frustrated by a lack a freedom where she cannot be the wild and unstable free spirit that she wishes and this shines through throughout the play. From this frustration comes immense boredom which is in her case very deadly. She embodies some of the typical Aristotelian qualities of a tragic protagonist but Ibsen has put a strange twist on it. For example she is a woman of fortune. It has been made clear in the book that she was born into this high class lifestyle and has this fortune by no endeavour of her own. Therefore, by being placed at the top of the hierarchy, she has further to fall and there is more at risk than the average person. However, she is not really someone that people can identify or can have sympathy for, as neither generous nor courageous. Also, as is common her fatal flaw is her snobbery or pride. However, Aristotle's notion of hamarita states that it is a ' matter of action' not the character themselves. I don't believe this applies her and agree with the 20th century interpretation. This is not brought about by the unfortunate circumstances more than the character themselves. This applies very much to Hedda as her 'conflicted individual moral psychology which brings about the opposite of what the
Achebe portrayed Ekwefi(TM)s relationship
How has Achebe portrayed Ekwefi's relationship With Okonkwo? The relationship between Okonkwo and his second with Ekwefi come across in various chapters of the novels; snippets of their relationship make a clearer picture as the novel progresses. Looking at Achebe's language choices and narrative viewpoint their relationship shows a mixture of both anger and caring which comes apparent in the few scenes where Okonkwo lets his guard down around her. The fist glance at their relationship is a negative view as we see Okonkwo beating then shooting at his wife for going out "Okonkwo heard it and ran madly into his room for the loaded gun, ran out again and aimed at her" Okonkwo is easily angered this is apparent in all of his relationships with people but it also give Ekwefi a sense of character, strong willed as "the wife who had just been beaten murmured something about guns that never shot" showing a defiant streak then again resurfaces when she goes to look for her daughter and showing when she needs to be she possess a fiery spirit. In spite of this we learn there was a strong bond between them "many years ago when she was the village beauty Okonkwo had won her heart... a few years later she ran away from her husband and came to live with Okonkwo" It shows there certainly was a mutual feeling between them as time has passed we see that it is not as apparent. Okonkwo's