Our intial impression of a character usually influences the way we judge that character throughout the play. Discuss the way Shaw presents Richard Dudgeon to the audience in Act I. Have your impressions of him changed by the end of the play?

Our intial impression of a character usually influences the way we judge that character throughout the play. Discuss the way Shaw presents Richard Dudgeon to the audience in Act I. Have your impressions of him changed by the end of the play? What conclusions do you think Shaw wants us to draw about him? When we are first introduced to Richard Dudgeon, at the reading of his late father Timothy's will in his childhood home, we have already learned of his character from the opinions of three other characters: firstly, his mother, then from Anthony Anderson, the minister, and finally, from Anderson's wife Judith. None of these accounts are in Richard's favour, although Anthony Anderson is perhaps the least against Richard of them all. Richard's mother considers Richard to be the lowest of the low and a disgrace to his society; she believes that there is nothing admirable about him at all. However, one could argue that she is not much of an admirable woman herself, embittered by having been forced to marry Timothy Dudgeon and not Timothy's late brother Peter, for whom she really had feelings. We learn that Timothy was the good and righteous brother, whereas Peter was not and was therefore disgraced and cast into shame by his relatives and peers. Richard, however, shows a profound liking and support of Peter, and this means that he too is looked upon in disgust, particularly by his

  • Word count: 2247
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Write a review of the opening sequence of 'Pretty Woman' analysing the techniques used by the director to hook the audience.

Write a review of the opening sequence of 'Pretty Woman' analysing the techniques used by the director to hook the audience. Pretty Woman is a romantic comedy, which is based on the stories of Cinderella, the Prince and the Pauper and My fair lady. The film was produced in 1990 and directed by Garry Marshall. It is set in the Hollywood hills and the rough Hollywood Boulevard. Richard Gere and Julia Roberts play the two main characters, Vivien Ward and Edward Lewis. Edward is a wealthy man who is respected and admired by others. Whereas Vivien is a lot poorer. Her only way of earning money is by her job as a prostitute in Hollywood Boulevard. In the film the music is very important. At the beginning it is set at a party. It is Edward's party so it is very posh and classy. All throughout the party scenes there is piano music being played in the background. This shows that Edward and his friends are very sophisticated. The music changes though when Edward is in his car driving through the Hollywood hills down into the Hollywood Boulevard. It turns into a more upbeat song it's lyrics include 'I'll get over you,' this is a signifier because it links in with the fact that he has just broken up with his girlfriend. When the shot moves to Vivien in her bedroom the music changes again, it changes to a louder, heavier song called 'Wild women do' which matches Vivien's character as a

  • Word count: 2057
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Comment on the characters and behaviour of Edward Ferrars and John Willoughby in "Sense and Sensibility"

Comment on the characters and behaviour of Edward Ferrars and John Willoughby in "Sense and Sensibility" In the novel "Sense and Sensibility" the two characters Edward Ferrars and John Willoughby are foils. Jane Austen gives each three options in marriage - a previous attachment, Eliza Williams and Lucy Steele< a financially advantageous offer, Miss Grey and Miss Morton, and a genuine attachment, Marianne and Elinor. Jane Austen depicts their characters through their behaviour in this situation and others. Elinor's views of the characters Edward Ferrars and John Willoughby change a lot throughout the novel. At first Willoughby or "Marianne's preserver" as Margaret names he seems like a handsome charming young man: "his person, which was uncommonly handsome, received additional charms from his voice and expression. Edward, on the other hand, is not handsome and is not an archetypal knight in shining armour. He is quite and unobtrusive which leads the family, particularly Mrs. Dashwood to like him as they are in mooning "he did not disturb the wretchedness of her mind by ill-timed conversation." The family's liking towards Willoughby increases, Marianne in particular as they are so alike: "their taste was strikingly alike. The same books the same passages were idolized by each." Elinor likes Willoughby but is a little uncomfortable as she feels he is rash and she doubts his

  • Word count: 1245
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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North and South Essay

North and South Essay The sun rose to a beautiful crisp morning and as I sat at the breakfast table I couldn't help but compliment the fine weather. My husband and daughter entered and seated themselves, yet their dark expressions seemed to cloud the sunny sky. Cheerfully, I tried to discuss my plans for that day, what I would do, whom I would visit. I talked on, though my family gave me little encouragement. They seemed to be so self-involved, when they should be paying attention to me. Richard explained that he'd be home late, however I thought nothing of it, he often stays out, paying visits to those high in society. I wandered up the stairs to dress myself in attire suitable for school and as I did so I began to think about Mr Lennox, a handsome, dashing young man who would make a perfect husband to a sensible young woman, particularly one like my daughter. My mind busy with these thoughts, I prepared myself to go to the school. Lightly I ran down the stairs, my mind at peace. Margaret waited at the foot of the staircase. "Mother, please take a turn about the garden with me," she pleaded in a solemn voice wrapping her arm around my waist. Eagerly I walked with her, admiring the beautiful flowers and pleasant smells. How lovely, I thought to myself. There's really no other place like Helstone. I glanced about, complimenting our beautiful, scenic garden when

  • Word count: 807
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Richard the third act 2 scene 2 Elizabeth diary entery

This is possibly the saddest day, for I have lost my life in the shape of my Husband. It is not only me who has lost something; my child has lost his father, my mother in law has lost a husband, and the people of this country have lost one of the greatest kings ever to live. My sorrow has no limits, so much so that I would grieve for eternity over my dead husband. I feel helpless now, for my stepping stone, which supported me through my life is gone and I fear all that is possible is for me to sink into the water, into darkness. Today I watched my nephew and neice suffer the same blow that I have, and as their aunt I could give them no comfort, for I was so overwhelmed by the death. For this, I feel terrible and a failure to my family. One thing that shocked me at first was the sorrow in which my mother in law, the Duchess, was besieged with. She was the saddest of all of us, for she had two of her sons taken away from her by death and the murderous hand of Richard. The thought of having to bare without any of my children, as well as my husband seems almost unbearable, and if that time ever comes, I fear I may cease the will to live, for it must be double the agony of what I am experiencing right now. When I found out of his death, it felt to me as if I had had a knife stabbed into my back, a knife that refused to come out when I pulled at it, leaving me with eternal agony.

  • Word count: 607
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Richard III's goal is to ascend the throne. To claim the throne, you must either claim it by birthright or by might. Since Richard III cant claim it from birthright, he must resort to using might.

Richard III To achieve goals, in one's life, one must be determined and must have certain characteristics that respond to one's goals. In the play Richard III, Richard III's goal is to ascend the throne. To claim the throne, you must either claim it by birthright or by might. Since Richard III cant claim it from birthright, he must resort to using might. To accomplish this goal Richard Duke of Gloucester must be determined to achieve his goal at all costs and he must have the characteristics to meet his determination. In the first scene of the play, Richard announces in a narration, his plan to become king. Richard plainly states that he is "Deformed, Unfinished, and sent before his time" and "since he cannot prove to be a lover; he is determined to prove a villain." As a villain Richard must be heartless, he cannot let his emotions interfere with his actions. He must also be intelligent and organized; a villain must know exactly what he has to do, when he has to do it and how he is going to do it. A villain must also be manipulative and persuasive so that if he is accused of a crime or if he finds himself in trouble he is able to talk his way out or convince people that he did not commit the crimes in question. A villain must also have scapegoats to use if he is discovered or if he is in a dangerous situation. Richard devised a brutal tactic to ascend the English throne.

  • Word count: 904
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Richard III by William Shakespeare - &#147;How genuine was the relationship between Richard and Buckingham?&#148;

Richard III by William Shakespeare "How genuine was the relationship between Richard and Buckingham?" This essay is to assess how authentic the friendship between the cunning Richard and the apt and able Buckingham, discussing whether they were ever truly friends or whether they were just using each other to get what they wanted. Throughout their so-called "friendship", Richard and Buckingham stood by each other through thick and thin on the course of Richard's rise to the throne. Unfortunately, once Richard realised that he had got as much as he could out of Buckingham, he disposed of him, although they worked closely together and Buckingham did everything possible to help Richard's ascent to be King of England, he reached a certain point of remorse when he was asked to murder the two young princes, one of which was heir to the throne. Before we note of Richards and Buckingham's friendship kindling only a few scenes in from the beginning of the play, the audience already know of Richard's sinister plans due to his opening soliloquy, advanced dominantly where he admits his motives to becoming King of England. The first scene where it is apparent that Richard and Buckingham seem to be on the same wave-length and assisting each other is that of Act I Scene III. We, as the audience, have previously learnt of Richard's powerful determination to get what he wants as he has

  • Word count: 3746
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Edward Scissorhands - From the director Tim Burton comes an incredible tale of an unusual character.

Chris Sayers 10JO English Edward Scissorhands From the director Tim Burton comes an incredible tale of an unusual character. Edward, stricken to life with scissors for hands, finds himself centre of attention for all the wrong reasons after being found by an Avon Lady in his dim, gloomy castle, and taken to a pastel paradise known as suburbia. Childlike Theme Almost immediately we are introduced to the childlike theme in this story through the altering of the 20th Century Fox symbol. The snow and silver-like lighting block out any traces of a golden, bright environment, which we are used to seeing in the regular 20th Century Fox symbol. And this use of cold, dark lighting is unusual as we often associate child's play with bright, happy colours such as yellow, orange or green. The camera now switches to a tracking shot up the stairs of the castle and suggests that we, the viewers, are sneaking in. All the while, soft and childlike music is playing in the background and this increases the childish atmosphere and creates a calm, slow pace. We now see a collection of cookies ranging from animals to hearts and stars to little men; possibly children. These cookies could be letting us know a little something about Edward. Perhaps the hearts mean that even though he is a robot, he still has a heart and is loving and caring. And the children could be signifying that Edwards mind

  • Word count: 2008
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Produce a written study of 'Edward Scissorhands' examining how the director, Tim Burton blends different genres to create a suburban fantasy.

Produce a written study of 'Edward Scissorhands' examining how the director, Tim Burton blends different genres to create a suburban fantasy. In the film Edward Scissorhands Tim Burton creates a suburban fantasy by explaining his interpretation of what it is like to live in a suburb. The definition of suburb is living in the outskirts of a town and having limited interests and narrow minded views. Tim Burton creates suburbia and practically makes a parody of the suburb where the family live. The women typify the definition of a suburban housewife; they stay at home, clean and cook. They are always on each others doorsteps trying to get the latest gossip and they always know what everyone is up too. Tim Burton mixes this with his imagination making it a suburban fantasy. He does this by creating Edward and the dark castle where he stays. This is just one example of the many different genres that Tim Burton uses for instance: Horror, comedy and romance. Examples of horror in the film are the castle where Edward lives, Tim Burton has made it look really old, dirty, haunted and derelict from the outside but you associate dark haunted castles with horror films. Tim Burton creates comedy by making a joke of the fact that Edwards's hands are scissors he does this when Edward pops the water bed whilst trying to get out. Tim Burton also creates romance where Edward falls in love

  • Word count: 1833
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Explain How Richard Succeeds in Seducing Lady Anne in Act 1 Scene 1 of Richard III.

Explain How Richard Succeeds in Seducing Lady Anne in Act 1 Scene 1 of Richard III Shakespeare wrote Richard III as a tragedy by using his own interpretation of Richard, choosing his words, thoughts and opinions carefully as at the time of Shakespeare writing this play Queen Elizabeth had employed Francis Walshingham as the head of the Secret Service. Francis then recruited espionage agents to listen to the conversations that were spoken by the public. Richard's character was written as though anyone of his family or friends could have been an agent of the Secret Service as he would hide his true feelings and thoughts whenever anyone came on stage even though he had just told the entire audience his intentions at the very start of the play, "Dive, thoughts, down to my soul: here Clarence comes." These actions were also present at the time of the plays being written. In the soliloquy at the start of act 1 scene 1 Richard tells the audience what he intends to do throughout the play, and that is to become Anne's husband and father, "Is to become her husband and her father." By this, Richard means that to make amends for killing Anne's husband and father-in-law he will marry her. That was one reason for marrying Anne but Richard has at least one more. "As for another secret close intent" That could be to strengthen his right to the throne or just for the fun of a

  • Word count: 1386
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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