Othello is a play of violent contrasts.
'Othello is a play of violent contrasts, of language, character and mood.' Discuss the presentation of these issues in relation to the opening act of Othello. Knight comments that 'in Othello we are faced with the vividly particular rather than the vague and universal1.' Here, he immediately sets up Othello as being a play that, instead of focusing on a broad and more general level, all of the various themes and motifs that it contains converge on this 'particular' focal point - a centre that, particularly in the initial act, breathes with so much literal and symbolic contrast that not only exists between characters, their language and mood, but too within every character, within the mood that the playwright paints. Right from the onset, Shakespeare creates opposition between the characters; he creates such 'unkind' emotion. Roderigo fears that his 'purse' has been taken by Iago, 'as if the strings were thine' - Iago's role as a manipulator, an overriding force whom himself claims to be 'not what' he is, enforcing this concept of negativity, of disillusionment at the heart of the play that, in turn, forebodes the dramatic conflict that is to tear its way into the lives of all. Iago declares that 'our bodies are gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners,' powerfully embodying this emblematic representation of him being a 'gardener', one who is in charge of his own fate,
'Macbeth is full of highly dramatic scenes. Choose two scenes and explore how Shakespeare creates dramatic effects through his dialogue, setting, character and plot development.
English coursework MACBETH. Hayley Pearcy 11Gio 'Macbeth is full of highly dramatic scenes. Choose two scenes and explore how Shakespeare creates dramatic effects through his dialogue, setting, character and plot development. I have chosen the two scenes, Act 1 scene 3 and Act 3 scene 4 to demonstrate how dramatic effects are used by Shakespeare, as I believe these scenes are the most dramatic and versatile for theatre production as they can be interpreted in spectacular ways. They are also focal scenes of the play. When William Shakespeare wrote Macbeth, in the early 17th century, England was under the reign of King James ?. This had a great effect on the content of the play. Shakespeare used certain elements that King James would have approved of such as the divine right of kings and the supernatural. These are just a few. So Macbeth has been particularly influenced by its era. During my research into the play I watched one film version produced by Roman Polanski and also a Harrogate Theatre production of the play. In Act 1 scene 3, Macbeth and Banquo are returning from battle. The weird sisters have congregated on a heath near Forres in wait of them. This is where they planned to meet earlier in the first scene of the play. Upon meeting, the witch's make prophesies as to the futures of both Macbeth and Banquo. Both characters
Nurse's Role
Adarsha Karki 3/4/05 English Pd.4 Nurse's Role Romeo and Juliet a play by William Shakespeare is one of the most famous and loved romantic stories ever. It is a story about two lovers, Romeo and Juliet, whose love was never meant to be. Readers disagree about the characters that are contributors towards the suffering of Romeo and Juliet. One of the most overlooked characters responsible for Romeo and Juliet's suffering is the Nurse. In William Shakespeare's book Romeo and Juliet, The Nurse contributes to the suffering because she acts like a messenger between the two, she keeps their marriage a secret and she advises Juliet to marry Paris, after previously helping her marry Romeo. The Nurse contributes to Romeo and Juliet's suffering because she is a messenger between the two. In Act 2, when the Nurse and Romeo meet in Friar Lawrence's cell and talk about marriage, she tells Romeo," I will tell her, sir, that you do protest. Which, as I take it, is a gentleman like offer." (2.4.174-175). The Nurse is getting the marriage plans from Romeo and tells them to Juliet. If she never acted as their messenger, the two would not have any communication and would not have been able to discuss their marriage plans. The Nurse acting like a messenger, contributed to Romeo and Juliet's death. Another reason the Nurse contributes to Romeo and Juliet's suffering is by keeping Romeo and
Examine the techniques used by Baz Luhrmann in “Romeo + Juliet” to engage, interest and excite the audience.
Examine the techniques used by Baz Luhrmann in "Romeo + Juliet" to engage, interest and excite the audience. The 1996 Baz Luhrmann film, "Romeo and Juliet" begins in complete silence and uses a black establishing shot. This is to grab the attention of the audience in a subtle, yet effective way. The silence intrigues the viewer, as it is unusual in a film to have such pauses, It is a great for atmosphere or tension. A television is then shown in the centre of the screen. The television is relatively old and has disruption. The television produces the impression that the film is in a new or in a modern style and therefore interests the viewer. This contradiction of old and new is interesting and tends to allow the film to be interesting for both young and old. After a matter of seconds the television is as if by magic switched on and a woman appears on the screen. The woman on the television screen is in a news report; this television broadcast is used to engage a modern audience. The woman is reading the prologue of the original play. The camera gradually zooms toward the television to create dramatic tension or a climax. When the woman is drawing to the close of her broadcast the camera zooms at an incredible speed as if going through the television screen and into the city of Verona, it then zooms through Verona to finish with a mid shot of a large skyscraper in the
"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
