William Shakespeare - The Comedy of errors - Dromio concludes the play - "We came into the world like brother and brother, and now let's go hand in hand, not one before another. "What does Shakespeare mean by this? How important is this statement in relat

Heather Smith- William Shakespeare Dromio concludes the play- "We came into the world like brother and brother, and now let's go hand in hand, not one before another." What does Shakespeare mean by this? How important is this statement in relation to the whole play? William Shakespeare writes the play "The Comedy Of Errors" focussing on inequalities, by concluding with the quote by Dromio, "We came into the world like brother and brother, and now let's go hand in hand not one before another." The two brothers are now together and have regained their identity. Identity is also important throughout this play due to the witty confusion and humorous genre. This humour however is not only to entertain the audience but also to influence and affect the audience's way of thinking about the aspects covered throughout "The Comedy Of Errors" set in Elizabethan England. The title, "The Comedy of Errors" immediately introduces the genre of the play, commencing the confusion. Identity and equality are important aspects that are tackled in William Shakespeare's play writing. These aspects are presented throughout, starting in Act 1, scene 1. Shakespeare's views on inequality are presented when the character "Duke" is directed to say "Both by the syracusians and ourselves, to admit no traffic to our adverse towns." By using this view of Syracusians and Ephesians, not being allowed

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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What might modern audiences find dramatically interesting about the presentation of the Duke in Measure for Measure?

What might modern audiences find dramatically interesting about the presentation of the Duke in Measure for Measure? The Duke in Measure for Measure is one of the main characters. He is also has high status. He rules the city, yet he is one of the most underhand, deceitful characters. Even in our first meeting with the Duke, he is complex and confusing. He praises Escalus, even going so far as to say Escalus knows more about ruling than he (the Duke) does, but then he appoints Angelo as his substitute, and carries on throughout the entire play to contradict himself, to lie and to act hypocritically. Act 1 Scene 1 sees the Duke with Angelo and Escalus. He appoints Angelo as his substitute after praising Escalus extremely highly. "Your own science Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice My strength can give you" This would interest a modern audience because it would perplex them. They would be sure to ask why the Duke would leave Angelo, whom he seems to regard as second choice, in charge? This seems a very strange thing to do, unless there is an ulterior motive, which the majority of a modern audience would already begin to expect. There is the possibility however, that he may be letting Escalus down gently, this however, is not a common theory as it is too obvious and that is not Shakespeare's style. In Act 1 Scene 3, we see the Duke defend himself from a friar's

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Shakespeare Uses Imagery to create both Characters and Their Environment. Show how he does this in Measure for Measure and with what Effects.

Shakespeare Uses Imagery to create both Characters and Their Environment. Show how he does this in Measure for Measure and with what Effects. Shakespeare's plays are full of images of the stage as a reflection of the world and of the world as a stage, thus producing the motto of the Globe Theatre where much of his work was performed, 'All the world's a stage'. It was named 'The Globe' because there were still large areas of the world that had not yet been discovered. Exploration of 'new 'worlds was all the rage in Europe; so going to see a play was giving the audience a chance to explore a far off, exotic place. Even the concept of the world being a sphere or 'globe' was fairly new still, which added another trendy feature to Shakespeare's theater's name. However theatres and acting were still very controversial since people saw the playing of a role as not 'for real' and therefore entailed lying. Theatres were contentious also because it was argued that it was morally and philosophically wrong, to have people claiming to be who they were not and where they were not. For these reasons, theatres were allowed only outside the city walls, if at all with The Globe located almost adjacent to a row of brothels. Before Shakespeare could perform his plays, he had to gain the legal protection of an important person. In Shakespeare's case it was the King James- thus the name 'The

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  • Level: AS and A Level
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Is the plot of Measure for Measure a happy one? Does act 5 make it any happier?

M.Judge 4 alpha/a Is the plot of Measure for Measure a happy one? Does act 5 make it any happier? Today 'comedy' can describe any number of productions or acts. We have a good understanding of satire, sarcasm and alternative comic methods and subversions. We are great fans of black humour and find almost anything funny if it is different and fresh. In Elizabethan times, however comedy was expected to adhere to particular traditional patterns. It usually comprised of a number of slightly manic, zany and indeed foolish characters juxtaposed with either the perfectly normal or humourless hard faced individuals who were usually mocked or taken advantage of by the other characters. The plays were usually based around a light hearted comic plot in which confusions or complexities were resolved before the end. This almost standard formula was often used by William Shakespeare. The other conventional aspects of traditional comic plots (inherited from classical Rome) involved young lovers, represented by Claudio and Juliet in Measure for Measure, who would overcome adversity to eventually marry by the final act. Although in this play Shakespeare, in Measure for Measure, deliberately uses elements of a traditional comic play but forces them together with a more serious insight into our notions of morality and indeed the questioning of law, justice and mercy. From the beginning of

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Discuss the theme of deception and disguise in the play "Measure for Measure."

Discuss the theme of deception and disguise in the play Measure for Measure. 'Measure for Measure' by William Shakespeare has many important themes depicted throughout the play. These themes are presented through actions, decisions, character's speech and personalities. Two of the key themes in the play are deception and disguise. This play is full of instances of trickery and deceit. Because of this we can see there is a severe lack of trust and honesty in 'Measure for Measure' between the characters. Theatricality is heavily emphasised during the play by all. 'Measure for Measure' is a problem play written by William Shakespeare in 1604. It is a problem play because it does not fall into any of the usual groups of Shakespeare's plays. It is not a historical play nor singularly a tragedy or comedy. It, in fact, falls in both of the later two groups. The play is about a Duke who pretends to leave the city of Vienna and leaves a young man called Angelo to run the city. Angelo acknowledges that the crime in the city is getting out of control, particularly sexual crimes, and decides to enforce the laws. The Duke however never actually leaves Vienna but instead disguises himself as a holy friar and watches as Angelo tries to rule the city. This is where the first instance of deception occurs in the play. The play opens with the Duke explaining to Escalus he is about to go away

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Consider the Attitudes To Women Demonstrated In the Vienna of Measure For Measure.

Consider the attitudes to women demonstrated in the Vienna of Measure for Measure. I think most men have fooled themselves into thinking that they are the seat of power---because women have allowed them that dream. Women's subtle power is to make men think that the man is in charge. Eli Khamarov in America Explained! Throughout the course of Measure for Measure, Shakespeare highlights subordination of the female characters by the males. In the Vienna represented in the play women have to suffer exploitation and derogation as their individualism and independence are undermined. Shakespeare uses this treatment of women to exemplify the corruption in the city of Vienna. The two main female roles in Measure for Measure are Mariana and Isabella. Both these women are victims of the corrupt motives of the men who so strongly influence their lives. Isabella, the protagonist, is a nun. Her name means "consecrated to God". Looking at the roles the other women in the play have adopted, as will be discussed in more depth during the course of this essay, it seems she is almost forced into the role by the bigoted society in Vienna. It appears that the only fate for women, unless they wish to join a convent, be a prostitute or alone, is to become a housewife. As a nun Isabella benefits from the education and relative independence (although whether this particular

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What do you find dramatically interesting about Shakespeare's presentation of the Duke in the play Measure for Measure?

What do you find dramatically interesting about Shakespeare's presentation of the Duke in the play Measure for Measure? In Measure for Measure, Shakespeare presents Duke Vincentio in the opening scene as an authoritive figure; he is highly respected and he is referred to as "My Lord". The audience immediately understands that the Duke is the central character in the play. In the very first instance the Duke's choice of words, his use of pronouns such as "we, our, government, justice and unfolds" reflects his presence and control. The Duke emerges as a problematic character for this is suggested by his searching questions regarding Angelo; "for what figure of us you think he will bear?" which raises uncertainties and questions in the mind of the audience as we speculate why he is leaving so rapidly and secretly as he will: "privy away. I love the people But do not like to stage me to their eyes" (Act I Scene ii) The play opens with the Duke deciding to appoint Angelo to govern Vienna in his absence: "For you must know, we have with a special soul Elected him our absence to supply" (Act I Scene I) The Duke makes it clear that Angelo's qualities are very obvious for all see. He thinks, "There is a kind of character in they life" which Angelo should use to the utmost. At this point the Duke seems very decisive, his authoritive role certainly takes motion here, it seems

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Comment on Shakespeare's conclusion to 'Measure for Measure'

Rebecca Johnson 1TD Comment on Shakespeare's conclusion to 'Measure for Measure' The Shakespearean play that I am going to study is 'Measure for Measure' which was performed for King James I on December the 26th, 1604. The text of Measure For Measure was not published until 1623, seven years after Shakespeare's death. It is a play written about intensely complex issues, including the uses of morality and sexuality. The play consists of five acts with many scenes showing different aspects of the play and these scenes and different extracts eventually are the basis for the ending of the play. The general plot of the play is that firstly the Duke decides to go away and leaves Angelo in his place for a period of time. As his first order of business, Angelo sentences Claudio to death for impregnating his girlfriend Juliet. Before being imprisoned, Claudio entreats his good friend Lucio to relay his misfortune to his devoted sister Isabella. There is a specific law inn the play which was a law dooming any man to the punishment of death, who should live with a woman that was not his wife; and this law, through the lenity of the duke, being utterly disregarded, marriage became neglected, and complaints were made every day to the duke by the parents of the young ladies in Vienna, that their daughters had been seduced from their protection, and were living as the companions of

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"Explore Shakespeare's portrayal of The Duke and Angelo and the consequent nature of their relationship in the play Measure for Measure."

Hannah Suthren 2 BJW Mr Lewton "Explore Shakespeare's portrayal of The Duke and Angelo and the consequent nature of their relationship in the play Measure for Measure." Shakespeare's play "Measure for Measure" explores the complicated relationship of justice and the law (not necessarily the same thing) in early Seventeenth Century Vienna. The characters Angelo and the Duke Vincentio are the mainstays of the plot. Their relationship has three main stages in the play. At the beginning, they have similar aspirations for the state, and both have the power to change it. However, as the play moves on Angelo becomes corrupted and the Duke now works against him rather than with him. He endeavours to defeat Angelo in order to save Claudio and change Angelo himself. At this stage, they have different views, ideas and aspirations for the future. It's only at the end of Act Five they are together in forgiveness and mutual understanding. Angelo has one of the most complicated and intricate personalities in the play, thinking abstractly and ruling exactly "by the book". The conflict of his puritanical views with his lust, opportunism and amorality give him the appearance of having a divided self. Much of his corrupt behaviour invites hostility from the audience, none more so than when he propositions Isabella. She must choose between loosing her brother's life ("Most just law")

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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The opening scenes of the play are called the Exposition, where the dramatist introduces the most significant characters and themes, so that they can be developed and set up the plot. Describe the means by which Shakespeare had done this in the first a...

The opening scenes of the play are called the EXPOSITION, where the dramatist introduces the most significant characters and themes, so that they can be developed and set up the plot. Describe the means by which Shakespeare had done this in the first act, and judge how successful (or not) he has been. The opening scenes of "Measure for Measure", introduce the most significant characters in the play and also tend to establish the relationships between each of them. The plot and the key themes are introduced giving the reader an idea of what is going to unfold in the following acts. Shakespeare has used the opening scene of the play to introduce one of the key characters. In this first scene, set in Vienna, the Duke announces to his advisor, Escalus, that he is to leave the country for reasons, which are un-disclosed to anyone. He decides to leave Angelo, a trusted friend, standing in his place. This would in effect give Angelo "absolute power" over the nation, giving him the decision to dictate who would live or die. "In our remove be thou at full ourself; Mortality and mercy in Vienna" Duke Vincento Act I Sc I Angelo is highly respected and held in high regard by both the Duke and Escalus, this is evident by the way the two both talk of him, to each other and to Angelo, himself: "If any in Vienna be of worth To undergo such ample grace and honour, It is Lord

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  • Subject: English
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