"The rise of Octavian owed more to luck, and the mistakes of his enemies, rather than his own political abilities. Discuss."
"The rise of Octavian owed more to luck, and the mistakes of his enemies, rather than his own political abilities. Discuss." Octavian's famous claim that he 'found Rome a brick and left it as marble1' is by no means unfounded. It is true that under his reign, Rome grew steadily towards peace and prosperity unlike ever before. But was his eventual ascension to leadership brought about by his own political abilities, or was it more to do with the mistakes of his enemies? Octavian has always maintained the mantle of being 'delicate in health2' to some affect and in his youth he was said to have 'scarcely recovered from a dangerous sickness3', and it has been rightfully said that he was not known for 'grand feats of arms4,' but it seems very hard to deny that he was, in his own right, a masterful statesman. Of course, when he inherited three-quarters his great uncle's estate, as well as his name, it is easy to forget that Octavian was not yet even 20 years of age. The explanation for this is because before Octavian reached that age, in very little time he seemed to achieve more than any other man did so in the Roman era. But to what can this be attributed to? It is true that Marc Antony certainly seemed to expect that Julius would nominate him as heir to his name and estate, for he was even spending Caesar's fortune before the will had been published. Antony himself was
What opinion of the character of Brutus have you formed from your reading of Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar?
*What opinion of the character of Brutus have you formed from your reading of Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar? Needless to say that Brutus' name has always been connected with honour. This is the most striking feature of his character. Brutus' nobility is well known to all characters. This is clear through Shakespeare's presentation of people's points of view. Cassius describes him as "Brutus, thou art noble". Cinna also refers to his name as the "noble Brutus". Its Brutus nobility that makes him win people's love and respect as Casca explains, "sits high in all the people's hearts" What is more, we hear the same description from Antony who considers Brutus "the noblest Roman of them all". It's this nobility that makes Cassius ask Brutus to join the conspirasy against Caesar. Brutus' name would make people consider caesar's assassination a noble action "I love the name of honour more than fear death" as he declares. Shakespeare meant to focus attention on Brutus' rank in Rome - He wins people's respect. He also has a great influence upon people's hearts and minds. No wonder that the conspirators follow Brutus as their leader. Casius Ligarius joins the conspiracy simply because it's under Brutus leadership. Words in Brutus description are so clear in the dialogues among the conspirators when they decide to kill Caesar as Brutus refuses to take an oath, "what other oath /
Was Brutus right?
Was Brutus right? Brutus was considered as a noble man. Although he was Caesar's best friend he was forced to examine his conscience closely over the assassination of a man he loved and respected. Brutus believed in the Republic as the best form of government. Because of his love for Rome, he allowed himself to be drawn into the plot to kill Caesar, by Cassius. Brutus acted in what he thought were the best interests of Rome. The only way that Brutus could become leader was to kill Caesar. This was because in those days, the only way a leader could retire was either if they died, or someone killed them. In Roman times, the people were probably quite proud of their form of government and Caesar was not thought of too badly by the ordinary people. Therefore, his killing would have shocked them. As we see earlier in the play, the people of Rome were easily swayed; they followed anything that moved. This is shown when Caesar comes back after defeating Pompey in a war, and the crowd immediately accepted Caesar as they leader, as opposed to before Pompey's death, when they were all followers of Pompey. After knowing how the people reacted to Pompey's death, we can relate this to Caesar and Brutus. In this case, Caesar is just like Pompey and Brutus is just like Caesar, as they were also good friends. On the day of Caesar's funeral, Brutus delivered a speech to justify the
For this Romeo and Juliet coursework I will be studying act 1 scenes 1 and 5 from the play Romeo & Juliet written by William Shakespeare.
Rome and Juliet coursework Introduction For this Romeo and Juliet coursework I will be studying act 1 scenes 1 and 5 from the play Romeo & Juliet written by William Shakespeare. In these two scenes I will be studying on the fight and the unexpected party visit. I can tell that this is old and difficult to read because it is written and old English and tell us that it's Shakespearian tragedy. The play is set around the time that the play was written by Shakespeare around 1599a.d Events ACT 1 FIGHT: In fair Verona two households: - one Capulet, one Montague, think of them the greater and more superior to the other, and so an ancient grudge has passed between them. The scene on two young Capulets named Sampson and Gregory who are boasting their superiority towards the Montages. They are boasting about how brave and desirable they both are! The entrance of two Montague serving men interrupts their conversation. Here is a quote to show this "do you bite your thumb at us sir?" that how the fight it begins to build up. At once Sampson draws his weapon out for a fight and tells young Gregory to begin an argument between them and the Montague's, while he covers his back. At once Gregory replies, saying that he will only turn his back and run." No sir, I do not bite my thumb at you sir, but I bite my thumb sir" The two Capulets begin to frown and make gestures at their opposition,
Examine Hamlet's Relationship with Gertrude & Ophelia in light of the comment 'Frailty thy name is woman'.
Examine Hamlet's Relationship with Gertrude & Ophelia in light of the comment 'Frailty thy name is woman'. At the beginning of the play, during Hamlet's first soliloquy, Hamlet contemplates suicide because he is so furious with his mother for marrying Claudius within a month of his father's death. This is when Hamlet comments, 'frailty thy name is woman' to express his bitter feelings towards his mother for not only the speed of her remarriage and betrayal of his father, but the 'dexterity to incestuous sheets'. The situation, and Hamlet's reaction to it, is a trigger of an increasing negative attitude towards all women, viewing them as weak. It is shown through his relationships with Gertrude and Ophelia. The audience learn through the other characters that Hamlet has shown affections towards Ophelia; whether they are genuine and lasting feelings is uncertain as Leartes advices Ophelia that they are not. Leartes asks Ophelia to 'hold it a fashion, and a toy in blood;/ A violet in the youth of primary nature.' Leartes not only says that Hamlet's feeling towards Ophelia is short-lived nonsense of his youth but highlights that 'for he himself is subject to his birth'. Polonius also echoes a negative portrayal of Hamlet's relationship with Ophelia as he advises her to 'be somewhat scaner of your maiden presence'. Ophelia sees that Hamlet's feelings are genuine as he
How does Shakespeare Create Sympathy for Macbeth?
How does Shakespeare Create Sympathy for Macbeth? In Shakespeare's Macbeth, he uses four main techniques to create a feeling of sympathy for Macbeth. These come in the forms of; the witches, Lady Macbeth, Banquo (Macbeth's friend) and Macbeth himself. The play is set in Scotland and starts with a dramatic stormy scene featuring the witches. To create sympathy Shakespeare creates the three witches who set Macbeth upon his murderous path. They appear in the first scene, which is long enough to awaken curiosity but not to satisfy it. The practice of witchcraft was seen to subvert the established order of religion and society, and hence was not tolerated. They create a dream for Macbeth, being Thane of Glamis, then Thane of Cawdor and later the King. As Macbeth is already Thane of Glamis, he does not believe the witches straight away. However, he is then made Thane of Cawdor by the King as a reward for the braveness he showed during the battle at the beginning of the play. When he is given the title of Thane of Cawdor, he begins to believe the earlier predictions made by the witches, and starts to believe that maybe he really will be King. These witches seem to turn values upside down. They use lots of opposites; 'Not so happy, yet much happier', this allows them to cause much confusion amongst the other characters. Witches in that day caused a lot of apprehension; they were
'The hero in a tragedy must in some sense be superior to the world about him.' Do you find this true of Hamlet? What would the Jacobean audience have felt?
'The hero in a tragedy must in some sense be superior to the world about him.' Do you find this true of Hamlet? What would the Jacobean audience have felt? Helen Williams The tragedy of Hamlet does not lie in the flaw of the hero; the tragedy lies in the nature of the work which is exposed to the hero's contemplation, and the resulting responsibility to the world in which he finds himself. Hamlet is not a man who cannot kill; he is a sensitive man who has a moral outlook onto life. Hamlet towers above other plays of its kind through the nobility of its hero, his superior power of insight and consideration upon his particular situation and his ability to bear the moral anguish that moral responsibility bears. Superiority is of course debatable due to personal preference to reaction or intelligence. To categorise Hamlet as one who delays the action - almost cowardly - is an incorrect understanding of his unusual character. Hamlet's turmoil and indecision are precisely the things which distinguish him from the smooth, sharp plotter Claudius and from the coarse, rash Laertes, as well as from all other common Elizabethan avengers. By delaying his act of revenge, Hamlet is not reckless or imprudent like Laertes, and neither does he stoop to the moral level of Claudius, his opponent. Concerning Hamlet's reaction to his situation, it is deliberated that Hamlet should have
Hamlet has been read by various critics as dramatically a man with a fatal flaw, a misfit in a treacherous world or a weak revenger - In light of this, and using the soliloquies as a starting point,examine how an Elizabethan audience might have understood
Hamlet has been read by various critics as dramatically a man with a fatal flaw, a misfit in a treacherous world or a weak revenger. In light of this, and using the soliloquies as a starting point, examine how an Elizabethan audience might have understood him and how that compares with your reading. Revenge tragedy was a popular theme when Shakespeare began his play writing career. The central feature of each revenge play was a hero who sought to avenge a wrong in a society where the law was unreliable. "Hamlet" is usually described as a revenge tragedy. The revenge in Renaissance drama emerged as a dominant genre. By modifying material sources Shakespeare was able to take an unremarkable revenge story and make it into one with fundamental themes and problems of the Renaissance. The Renaissance is a vast cultural phenomenon that began in 15th century Italy with the recovery of the classical Greek and Latin texts that had been lost in the middle-ages. "Hamlet", by Shakespeare, uses the traditional conventions which an Elizabethan audience would have expressed interest in because of their moral and social implications. Kyd's best known play " The Spanish Tragedy" was the most influential tragedy of the Elizabethan period inspired by the tragedies of Seneca, both of which served up a rich diet of madness, melancholy and revenge. However "Hamlet" has outlived most revenge plays
A study of madness in Hamlet.
A study of madness in Hamlet I think that one of the most poignant themes of Hamlet is the presentation and importance of madness. We first see a glimpse of madness with Hamlet who pretends to be mad, using it as a cunning mask while he battles with his own mind and conscience over the idea of revenge. There is also the character of Ophelia who turns mad with grief when she hears of her father's death. Although while Hamlet is holding up this pretence of madness he slowly becomes drawn into a depression, which is so deep at some points it is unclear whether he is insane or deeply depressed, I would not call this depression madness in any way because the term madness is something more obvious. It is a very blunt expression, which automatically draws one to think so something very stereotypical; similar to how Hamlet deliberately acts. Also there is no actual evidence of Hamlet being insane. However insanity is considered to be the loss of control of ones mind and acting against society. This is almost irrelevant as the society where Hamlet exists is one that he constantly is fighting to go against the normal behaviour because of those in power and control. Hamlet assumes madness as a device while in pursuit of revenge; an aspect of the play I choose to question is whether Hamlet truly ever is mad. In Act 1 Scene 2 during a gathering of the court after the wedding of his
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
