'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

  • Word count: 1395
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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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

  • Word count: 2300
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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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

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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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

  • Word count: 2605
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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RICHARD II KEY LITERARY ELEMENTS SETTING Richard II is located in various parts of England and Wales.

RICHARD II KEY LITERARY ELEMENTS SETTING Richard II is located in various parts of England and Wales. The tournament scene (Act I, Scene 2) is at Coventry, in the Midlands. Bolingbroke, although coming from Brittany, in France, lands on the north coast of England and undertakes the tediously long march southwest through the Cotswolds to Berkeley and on to Bristol. Richard returns from Ireland and lands at Barkloughly. He moves in a northwesterly direction towards Flint Castle, where he encounters Bolingbroke. The climactic scene takes place in Parliament in London. Then Richard is sent to the prison of Pomfret Castle, which is in Yorkshire. CHARACTERS Major Characters King Richard - Richard, the play's protagonist, is a poetic and intensely charming man, but a fatally weak monarch. His unshakable faith in his own quasi-divinity constitutes his tragic flaw, as does his bad judgment. He enjoys the role of performer, and after he is deposed, he casts himself as a martyr. Henry Bolingbroke - Bolingbroke is the Duke of Hereford and the son of John of Gaunt. After the latter's death, he becomes the Duke of Lancaster. Bolingbroke is a practical and ambitious man who replaces Richard on the throne. At the beginning of the play, Bolingbroke believes in the divinity of kings and in the need to obey them, regardless of their cruelty. He

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Evidence that Macbeth is becoming more like the witches.

Macbeth. Evidence that Macbeth is becoming more like the witches. Evidence that Macbeth is becoming more like the witches is that whenever Macbeth needs help he will go to the witches for help. Instead of trusting his wife. Also whenever he talks about something he talks like the witches. Also he always does whatever he can to make whatever prediction the witches make come true. As he thinks they are right about everything as they predicted that he would become king. And he has but not of natural means e.g. being next in line of the throne, but by killing this was due to what the witches had said so obviously the witches are not good for him and are not telling him what is going to happen fully. But briefly which is what made Macbeth kill Duncan in the first place. Clues that would have stopped Macbeth being tricked by the second set of predictions. Clues that would have stopped Macbeth being tricked by the second set of predictions are to that in the second set of apparitions said that 'Be bloody, bold and resolute; laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of women born shall harm Macbeth' which is saying be bloody and resolute and scorn the power of man and no one born from a women will harm Macbeth. Basically saying that in your path of leader ship kill any known threat and don't worry about it also that do so as no one can harm Macbeth. But then just before this

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Doctor Faustus: What do we learn about Faustus? What are our responses to his ambition? What is your response to key issued linked to pride?

Doctor Faustus: What do we learn about Faustus? What are our responses to his ambition? What is your response to key issued linked to pride? We first learn that Faustus is an academic and well educated individual from the first few lines, having studied at 'Wittenberg' we are prone to believe he is a highly educated man; furthermore, we begin to understand same of his qualities, such as, being a 'quick learner', a master of theology, yet after a change in register, we begin to identify the fact that his awareness of being an intelligent person, turns into cockiness and self-pride. 'His waxen wings did mount above his reach' This allows us to pick up on the idea that his desire for knowledge and power is beyond the scope of man; in other words, Dr Faustus feels that he has to make decisions about his future, having mastered a brilliant career. Philosophy, medicine, law and theology doesn't satisfy hum any longer and this is where we begin to embark on Faustus' attractions to the secrets of magic; having mastered all other aspects of knowledge, he want to master craft. Faustus' journey to creating magic reveals a lot about his character in just the first few pages. Faustus originally intends to increase his intellect and power to help others and impact on his chances of finding a mate to start a family, yet we begin to identify him ad being somewhat a demonic character,

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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How important is the theme of conflict in the play "Romeo and Juliet"?

Romeo and Juliet How important is the theme of conflict in the play "Romeo and Juliet"? Conflict meaning "a state of opposition or a fight or struggle" is used in all good dramas, old and new. It makes the drama interesting. Conflict is mostly used by dramatists and script writers to make audiences interested in the drama, tense and wonder what will happen next. The play "Romeo and Juliet" has to have a conflict because; it is one of the main themes in the play. The disagreements and fight between the two family, that is Capulet and he Montague, their children Romeo and Juliet who truly were in love with each other end up dying. So, after this incident, the quarrels stop between the two families. The whole play starts because of the mutual hostility and conflict between the Capulet and the Montague and ends with tragedy of two lovers. The abundant swordplay throughout the play affects the theme of conflict used in "Romeo and Juliet". In this play, there are spontaneous actions of the characters rather than their thoughts. There are many types of conflicts to be appeared in this play such as family conflicts society conflicts and generation conflicts. When lady Capulet wants Juliet to marry Paris but Juliet wants to marry Romeo, appears to be a conflict between them. There is also conflict in the two families and their general relationship with their children. A prologue is

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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How does shakespear use the character of macbeth to show the frailty of human nature.

How does shakespear use the character of macbeth to show the frailty of human nature. Story line: Macbeth, the main character is a brave and victorious general. he plays a key role in defeating a couple of invading armies; He is to be rewarded for this. However three witches meet him and make prophecies regarding him.: He will become thane of Cawdor and later king. Macbeth sees how the first prophecy of becoming thane becomes true, so encouraged by his wife he sets out to make the second part of the prophecy come true. In order to do this he is led on a path of multiple murder and deceit. To secure his position he eventually consults the witches again who falsely give him the impression he is invincible. This ultimately delves him to his end but not before he realises that he was tricked by the witches. The play opens with the three witches because Shakespeare is trying to draw the people's attention to the play because people at the time were interested in witchcraft. So in the opening the play with this scene he would attract their attention right away. But Shakespeare includes his own view of witch craft by making all the witches say. "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" What he is trying to say is that the witches do not distinguish between fair and foul and consider both to be accepted to achieve something. When Macbeth is first introduced to the audience it is in

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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"What do we learn about Leontes in Act 1? How does Shakespeare dramatically portray his character?"

"What do we learn about Leontes in Act 1? How does Shakespeare dramatically portray his character?" James De Vile - 2/10/01 Leontes is King of Sicilia and the main character of the play. However, as always in Shakespeare's tragedies, the would-be hero has a fatal flaw which leads to his downfall. This often takes a long time to surface and be obvious to the reader. But this play differs from other such plays, for example 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Othello'. Othello's fatal flaw is not truly apparent until act IV, when his jealousy first begins to surface, yet in a Winter's Tale, Leontes' paranoia is plain from the outset. We first notice something is amiss when Leontes enters for the second time in act I scene II, enquiring whether Polixenes is "won yet", and will stay. Leontes' wife, the Queen Hermione, proclaims that she has managed to win him over, something Polixenes dismissed earlier by saying "there is no tongue that moves, none, none i'th'world, So soon as yours could win me" (I.2.20-21) to Leontes. Leontes notices this and bluntly states "At my request he would not." This could well be the first sign of Leontes' paranoia. It shows that he sees a bonding between Hermione and Polixenes that enables her to persuade him to stay, where Leontes is powerless. The main blow for Leontes comes when Hermione offers Polixenes her hand: "...I have spoke to th'purpose twice:

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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