Shylock - Victim or Villain?
Shylock Victim or Villain? By Pritesh Dave 10M The Merchant of Venice is a very racially controversial play. This is because the plays main story is about racism towards Jews. In the days of Shakespeare, many of the people were anti-Semitic. The Jews were just starting to migrate to England and the racism towards them was motivated by their success. The Christians believed that the Jews were "aliens" and they shouldn't be involved in the Christian was of life. Also, the Jews in Britain were extremely successful, some more than the Christians. They were allowed to lend money and charge interest, as it was not forbidden by the Jewish religion like it is for Christianity. During the 16th Century, many plays were written which involved Jews. The Jews played a "stock character". They were normally villains or a comic character. The Christians who would play the Jews in the play would dress up in traditional Jewish costume and would speak in an exaggerated accent. This would instantly indicate that this character was the villain or the comic character. The audience would boo and jeer at this character. At the end of his play this character would be made a fool out of and would lose most or everything important to him/her. For example, the Jew would die, the Jew would lose his daughter or wife, he would have his money and land taken or he would be forced to change religion. They
The supernatural in Macbeth
The supernatural in Macbeth The Witches, also known as the Weird Sisters, are part of the supernatural element of the play. Without them, the play would surely not have taken the path that it did for either Macbeth, nor Lady Macbeth would have been driven, by greed and lust for the crown, to the extent of murder and regicide. Although the witches only feature in a few scenes, their presence is essential and they are the characters who drive Macbeth to the position of King and eventually to his death. In the following I will assess the roles that the witch play and decide how important they actually were. Firstly, the appearance of the witches, give us a better idea of their character. They are described as having "choppy fingers, skinny lips and beards." When Banquo meets them, he says "That not look like the inhabitants o'th'Earth and yet are on it?" He says they look imaginary and when they disappear, he describes them as "bubbles of the Earth" Clearly they are going to influence Macbeth's life in a 3.major way. The witches also speak in riddles and paradoxes. They make it purposefully hard to understand the truth about what they mean. Some examples are "Fair is foul and foul is fair" (implying all good is bad and all bad is good) Another example is when a witch says, "When a battle's lost and won" Later on in the story, we realise that nearly everything the witches do
Explore the relationships between Romeo and his parents and Juliet and her parents. Consider the dramatic devices used by Shakespeare as they are presented to the audience. Discuss the social and historical context within the play is set?
Romeo and Juliet English Coursework Explore the relationships between Romeo and his parents and Juliet and her parents. Consider the dramatic devices used by Shakespeare as they are presented to the audience. Discuss the social and historical context within the play is set? The play is about falling in love, which is why it appears to be directed towards a younger audience. It is timeless because the feeling of falling in love has happened and will continue to happen. It is a part of human nature; Shakespeare wrote a play primarily to entertain his audience. Although the play is a tragic love story it still has to contain some humour between the characters, it also involves scenes of hate. In the history of plays/stories they are all based around the same kind of subjects and there are only about 7 original stories. It is a world of hate and bound to end the same way. Their love is impossible and the innocence of youth is destroyed throughout the story. Shakespeare has moments of humour in even his most tragic plays. The relationships in general are very important, it shows a lot about relationships in real life, maybe just not as tragic. The relationship between Romeo and his parents is not at all highlighted in the play, you don't really hear much about it. Romeo seems closer and has a tighter relationship with a man named Friar Lawrence. Throughout the play he is
Themes in Hamlet
31/01/08 Hamlet - My Thoughts on... Love: My thoughts on love follow: Love is an expression of the heart, emotions and experiences that contribute to a sense of affection and attachment to something inanimate or animate. Love can be feelings or states that are beyond basic control that are usually profound, indescribable and ultimately unavoidable. Love can encompass passionate desires of intimacy or non-sexual emotional closeness. In the end love is a fundamental necessity which enables us to feel as though we have a purpose in life. Revenge: My thoughts on revenge follow: Revenge is a way of expressing anger, weakness or any other uncontrollable thoughts due to someone/something affecting our life. Revenge is a build up of pressure and can result in either a depressive state or an undomesticated happening. An explosion of anger could result in an action to unfold that may not resolve any of the previous feelings. After taking revenge you may not feel relieved for the deed that we have accomplished. Revenge is not going to change anything as the original deed has already occurred. Suicide: My thoughts on suicide follow: To me suicide doesn't fix anything, however to someone that is suicidal it may appears as though it is the only real answer to all or most of their problems. For example: No money, no job? End my life and stop being a burden on society. Suicidal
Hamlet Today
William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" in Today's Society William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet" remains relevant in today's society as the play explores many themes that are still appropriate. Such themes include death, suicide, duty and an individual's place in society. These themes are as prevalent today as they were in Shakespeare's time - during the Elizabethan Era. In the play 'Hamlet' we are aware that the character of Hamlet is attempting to rationalize certain issues in order to create a link between what he perceives is right, just and moral and that of society's expectations. The reason for Hamlet's relevance in society today is because the themes that were once illustrated through 'Hamlet' have lasted the test of time. Themes such as death are still abundant today. For example, Hamlet's third soliloquy reminds us that death is the only element that will allow us to feel as though we have a purpose. With death comes striving for a life that we will be content with in order to feel as though we have fulfilled a successful life. Hamlet later realizes that death is ethereal and does not fill this void because once we are dead nothing can or will maintain out life. "Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them." It is then evident that Hamlet has decided that there is an uncertainty of the afterlife and abandons the sense of heaven/hell in order to
The way in which Hamlet, Fortinbras, and Laertes enact their revenge shows the readers how each characters personality differs although they all have shared love for their fathers.
"Hamlet" Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is considered to be one of the greatest tragedies of all time. During the play, one of the prevalent themes was that of revenge in response to the death of the character's fathers. The way in which Hamlet, Fortinbras, and Laertes enact their revenge shows the readers how each character's personality differs although they all have shared love for their fathers. The hero of this tragedy, Hamlet, has the most complex relationship with his father. During the play, Hamlet and his father are never both seen alive together. The play opens with Hamlet listening to his father's speech as a ghost. After Hamlet Sr.'s speech, Hamlet tells the audience about his plan to avenge his father. From this statement, the readers are able to realize the genuine love Hamlet Jr. has for his father. I found it interesting that Shakespeare included certain details about Hamlet that would lead the readers to make certain judgments about his character and personality. What sets Hamlet apart from the other characters is his approach to finding his father's murderer. Instead of going on a witch-hunt for the murderer, Hamlet rationalizes everything his father has told him and has the desire to find more evidence before jumping to conclusions. From this, I could tell that Hamlet was a logical person who analyzed every decision he made. This character trait makes Hamlet one
The Play within the Play of Hamlet. To try and reveal his Uncle Claudiuss wrongdoing, he puts on a play that depicts the exact seen of the murder but it is unclear if this trick really displayed Claudiuss guilt.
The Starting of the True Mousetrap The novel, Hamlet, describes a story about a nephew who desires to seek revenge on his uncle for his father's death. To try and reveal his Uncle Claudius's wrongdoing, he puts on a play that depicts the exact seen of the murder but it is unclear if this trick really displayed Claudius's guilt. Hamlet believes that this play will show him if what the ghost told him was correct or if the ghost was just an evil spirit. Also this scene shows that Hamlet is just acting crazy because before Claudius shows up, Hamlet is speaking clearly to Horatio and is excited for what the play will reveal. When Claudius arrives, he begins to act insane again. Before the play starts, Hamlet questions Polonius about his acting past. This exchange pokes at the murder of his father and even foreshadows the death of Polonius. The dialogue between Polonius and Hamlet allows Hamlet, though acting crazy, to express ideas about the treachery of both Polonius and Claudius without them truly understanding that Hamlet suspects Claudius killed his father and that Polonius is betraying Hamlet's trust by spying on him and reading his love letters to Ophelia. When speaking with Polonius before the play, this dialogue foreshadows Hamlet's eventual killing of Polonius. Hamlet inquires about Polonius's acting background and Polonius explains that he used to be a good
