"Compare the way Shakespeare presents Hamlet's 'antic disposition' to the way Ophelia's madness is presented to us in Act V."
"Compare the way Shakespeare presents Hamlet's 'antic disposition' to the way Ophelia's madness is presented to us in Act V." In this play, Hamlet, Shakespeare shows us the different ways that madness can be portrayed and the various ways that others surrounding the central characters can perceive it. From the beginning it is explained that Hamlet would "put an antic disposition on" and this signifies that Hamlet's madness would just be an act, not something that is actually true. Hamlet confides in Horatio and asks him not to look knowingly if he sees Hamlet behaving oddly by saying "some doubtful phrase" that might be "ambiguous" in its meaning. This immediately reinforces the notion that Hamlet is only play acting his apparent madness and in actual fact, is sane. Shakespeare presents Hamlet's "antic disposition" as a means for Hamlet to bide his time and figure out how to avenge his father's murder "by a brothers hand." Hamlet's madness is not meant to be seen as madness by us, but as something that has a purpose i.e. it could enable Hamlet to kill Claudius and it could be perceived by others that the killing was unintentional and was because of Hamlet's "madness". However, in the case of Ophelia, Shakespeare presents her form of madness as something that is real and tangible. She has a reason to be mad; her father is "dead and gone." Shakespeare enforces the idea that
"Consider how and why Shakespeare uses natural images in Sonnet XVIII, "Shall I compare thee..." and act two, scene two, of "Romeo and Juliet".
Response to Shakespeare Coursework "Consider how and why Shakespeare uses natural images in Sonnet XVIII, "Shall I compare thee..." and act two, scene two, of "Romeo and Juliet". In my coursework I am going to analyse two works of Shakespeare, these will be Sonnet XVIII and Romeo and Juliet. Both of these poems show share similarities, the main one being the theme - love. In Sonnet XVIII, a man is talking about a woman, and is trying to find a comparison to her, that will do her beauty justice, whilst Romeo and Juliet follows a love story, between these two characters, it is a romantic play, which ends in tragedy. Another shared feature of both plays is Shakespeare's use of 'Natural Imagery'. This is a technique that is often used by writers, and is a favoured method of writing used by Shakespeare. Natural imagery is used in writing for description and/or comparison. In these two instances, it compares characters and feelings to that of nature. In Shakespeare's era, nature was enjoyed by most people, as it was all around them - it was something that everybody understood, Shakespeare used natural imagery as something that people could relate to - they knew that the Sun was warm, that the night was mystical, and that fire was passionate, therefore if something or someone was compared to one of these, they knew exactly what was meant. Act two, scene two in Romeo and
"Consider the dramatic functions ofthe fool in King Lear".
"Consider the dramatic functions of the fool in King Lear" Hannah veseli The fool's dramatic functions reach far further than is first obvious on the surface of his character. Although he is not without wit and humour, his usually gaiety has been soured to suit the high tragedy that is paramount to King Lear. His presence in King Lear, is not just to show the folly of the king (which is his actually job) as in other Shakespearean plays, but rather he has many other important dramatic functions. Having said that his gaiety is soured, he does provide a contrast to the otherwise perennial gloom that surrounds King Lear. This is used for a number of reasons; firstly if Shakespeare was to simply concentrate on the tragedy and not include any 'comical moments', the gloominess would become monotonous. However by adding contrast, almost by juxtaposition, it emphasises the depth and seriousness of the tragedy. This is especially true when one thinks that the fool's gaiety is less humorous than his predecessors, and in many cases simply common sense. This common sense provides a comparison with Lear's madness, once again emphasising the depth of it. A prime example of the fool's common sense, compared with that of Lear's madness is in the 'mock trial scene'. When Lear is 'putting Goneril on trial' (using a stool to represent her), the fool says "Cry you mercy, I took you for a
"Drama shows us that those who control language dictate the events of the play" Compare and contrast your chosen texts in the light of this opinion.
Saturday, 17 May 2003 Jad Salfiti A2 English Literature "Drama shows us that those who control language dictate the events of the play" Compare and contrast your chosen texts in the light of this opinion. 'The Tempest' written by William Shakespeare and 'Translations' written by Brian Friel both look at how those who control language can dictate events. Despite the disparity of context, both plays share many core themes and explore the importance of language and how it can be used as a means of control. Both plays show linguistic hegemony, and demonstrate how one language can take dominance and displace another and how language can be stigmatised, so that it becomes dirtied and debased. In 'The Tempest', Caliban's original language is belittled to "gabble" and "babble" by a Eurocentric Miranda. While in 'Translations' Lancey's snobbish attitude to the townspeople and his use of circumlocutory beaurocratic jargon exposes his personal discomfort at being with "foreign civilians". Prospero is in control of language within the Tempest, he is the most educated and he also has magical powers. Throughout the play Prospero uses language to coerce characters to do what he wants; his linguistic and magical authority is used to dictate the events of the play. Prospero foregrounds the plays fictionality "my charm the magicalism of art", and he
Examine how Shakespeare explores the role of women in Hamlet. What might the response of a modern audience be to this aspect of the play?
AS English Literature Coursework: Examine how Shakespeare explores the role of women in Hamlet. What might the response of a modern audience be to this aspect of the play? Gertrude and Ophelia, the only two women in Hamlet, reflect the general status of women in Elizabethan Times. Women were suppressed by the males in their lives (brothers, fathers, and partners) and were always inferior. Ophelia and Gertrude have little or no power due to restricted legal, social and economic rights that were found in Elizabethan society. The male characters in Hamlet reflect this sexist view point, represented by Hamlet's judgement that "frailty, thy name is woman". This view was not uncommon in Shakespeare's time and heavily influenced Shakespeare to present women the way he does in Hamlet. In a critical essay, Judith Cook1 noted that in many of Shakespeare's plays major women characters 'die because of direct association with the fate of a tragic hero'. This could be seen as Shakespeare trying to convey women's fate being a 'by-product' of the fate of men- men are superior. On the other hand, Ophelia is crucial in understanding Hamlet as a character and gives an insight into different motifs of the play. Some may argue that Ophelia is one of the causes of Hamlet's 'madness' and his recoil from love. The reaction Hamlet has to Ophelia, at the play for example, allows us to watch Hamlet's
I am writing to inform you that I have been chosen to play the role of Juliet in the forthcoming 21st century film 'Romeo and Juliet'.
51 Firle Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN22 8EE 8th April 2003 Dear Mr Sibley, As you are my drama teacher, I am writing to inform you that I have been chosen to play the role of Juliet in the forthcoming 21st century film 'Romeo and Juliet'. I am extremely pleased to have been chosen to play such an important role and I am writing to request some of your professional guidance. I have already thought through how I intend to approach the role in various scenes. However, I am unsure whether my ideas fit Shakespeare's description and actions of Juliet. I would be extremely grateful if you could spare some time to read over my thoughts and point me in the right direction to getting the most out of playing this role. I see Juliet as a lonely, young girl who spends most of her time inside with her closest, if not only friend The Nurse. Juliet is 'yet a stranger to the world' said by Lord Capulet (Juliet's father) and had known none other than to obey her parents. The Nurse brought Juliet up from a small child, as her Biological mother would have nothing to do with it because of her own importance. This meant that whenever Lady Capulet went to speak to her daughter it was for an important reason and it would be a formal conversation with the Nurse in the same room. Whereas The Nurse spoke very openly to Juliet expressing all her thoughts and opinions giving Juliet all the
Macbeth
Macbeth Coursework Lady Macbeth "Is Lady Macbeth a fiend-like Queen?" Macbeth is a play written by an author called 'William Shakespeare'. He has written very famous plays such as, 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Hamlet'. He was born in Stafford-upon-Avon, England in 1564. Macbeth is a play about a man called ''Macbeth'; he is called the 'Thane of Glamis', in Scotland and a general in 'King Duncan's army. The play opens with Macbeth returning from a battle one day when he meets three witches. They tell him he's going to become the 'Thane of of Cowdor' and the 'King of Scotland. This seems impossible to Macbeth until he becomes 'Than of Cowdor'. Macbeth sends a letter home to 'Lady Macbeth' about what has happened to him; As soon as she receives this letter she immediately has ideas about killing 'King Duncan' so Macbeth can take his place' One of the main themes in the play is deception -things not being what they seem. "Fair is foul and foul is fair, this contradicts itself. It means good is bad and bad is good, the witches chant it in the opening scene of the play. I think this brings an interesting feel to the start of the playas it gives the audience a sense of mystery. We first see 'Lady Macbeth' appear in the play when she is reading a letter from her husband, Macbeth. He addresses her as "My dearest partner of greatness", we get the impression he is very much in love with
Explore the presentation of revenge in 'Hamlet'.
Jose Cree Explore the presentation of revenge in 'Hamlet' Revenge is a key theme in Hamlet. It is not only essential to understanding Hamlet's character, it forms the structure for the whole play, supporting and overlapping other important themes that arise. Though it is Hamlets revenge that forms the basis for the story, tied into this is the vengeance of Laertes and Fortinbras, whose situations in many ways mirror Hamlets' own. By juxtaposing these avengers, Shakespeare draws attention to their different approaches to the problem of revenge and how they resolve these. The idea of revenge is first introduced by the appearance of the ghost in act 1 Scene 5, and linked to this is the theme of hell and the afterlife. At the end of this scene, Hamlet is irreversibly bound to revenge for the duration of the play, 'speak, I am bound to hear' 'So art thou to revenge'. The ghost appears with the sole aim of using his son to obtain revenge on his brother, and so every word he speaks is designed to enrage Hamlet and stir in him a desire for vengeance. He uses very emotive language to exaggerate the enormity of the crime, and he concentrates Hamlet's attention on the treachery of Claudius. His description of the murder itself demonises Claudius and contains many references to original sin, 'the serpent that did sting thy fathers life now wears his crown.' Hamlet, who has been
What role did the Friar Lawrence and the nurse play in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet ?
Romeo And Juliet Coursework QUESTION; What role did the Friar Lawrence and the nurse play in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet ? Romeo and Juliet is a story of two young person who were in love with each other. They fall in love which is the only mistake that they did. They would never know that their love would lead to tragedy. According to my opinion there are three main aspects which effected Romeo's and Juliet's life which are Friar Lawrence, the nurse, and fate. There were brawls going on between families who are Montagues and Capulets. Romeo was a Montague and Juliet was a Capulet. So they can't meet each other in the way that they wanted to. They could only meet secretly. To communicate each other the nurse helped them by carrying messages between them. Basically the nurse act like a messenger. Also W.Sheakspear used him as a comic character so that she can relive the tragedy and make the play move intense. She provides a contrast in type of love which is physical, sexual and bawdy but love between Romeo and Juliet is romantic. Friar Lawrance who is a Catholic Priest is the other chatacter to blame. He was acting as a peacemaker. He was trying to bring peace between families. He was acting like a father to Romeo. One day morning Romeo went up to the Friar and asked him to marry Romeo and Juliet. Friar Lawrence said yes and hoped that it would bring peace between
In Romeo and Juliet the beauty and ardour of young love is seen by Shakespeare as the irradiating glory of sunlight and starlight in a dark work - Discuss the techniques that Shakespeare would have used to capture this dominating image of light.
Romeo And Juliet Essay James Murray 5G In Romeo and Juliet the beauty and ardour of young love is seen by Shakespeare as the irradiating glory of sunlight and starlight in a dark work. Discuss the techniques that Shakespeare would have used to capture this dominating image of light. In the time of Shakespeare, his plays would have been performed during the day, using natural light from the open centre of the theatre. Since there could be no dramatic lighting and there was very little scenery or props, Shakespeare used actors' lines and stage directions to supply the time of day and year, the weather, location and mood of the scenes. Props would also be used for this purpose. For example, if a scene was set during the night, there might be a number of torches on stage to depict darkness. The actors would carry swords ready for fight scenes and the actors playing servants would be seen carrying pots or items of clothing to convey their station. Shakespeare uses costume to tell the audience information. The higher class people would wear expensive formal clothes and the servants would wear much simpler clothes so the audience could distinguish between them. Also the Montagues would have worn different clothes from the Capulets. In many film and television adaptations of the play, members of each of the houses would wear different clothes e.g. the Capulets might wear green
