What is John Proctor? I am no saint; for me it is fraud. I am not that man. Explore Millers Presentation of Proctor in The Crucible. How far do you agree with Proctors Analysis of himself?

'What is John Proctor? I am no saint; for me it is fraud. I am not that man." Explore Miller's Presentation of Proctor in The Crucible. How far do you agree with Proctor's Analysis of himself? In 1962, Salem was affected dramatically by the tragedy of witchcraft. Miller use's this hard-hitting occurrence to structure his story named ' The crucible'. By using a real event this can really affect the audience and influence them into picking up more understanding of the play and the happenings that are involved, hence the fact that witchcraft does not seem like a fully believable event. Miller uses the 1692 Salem witchcraft trials to symbolize the 1950s anti-Communist purges. The events of the 1692 Salem witch trials mostly parallel those of the McCarthy trials. If you opposed the McCarthy investigations, you were accused of being a communist. If you opposed to the Salem Witch trials, you were accused of being a witch. Those accused suffered great consequences in both the Crucible and the McCarthy trials. As the McCarthy trials were still currently going through during the release of this play it made the play more effective and easier to relate to. Miller uses clever dramatic devices and a range of different techniques that help engage the audience and manipulate them into siding with different characters in the play and collecting important data that will help with

  • Word count: 1184
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Reflection on Hamlet

Write a final reflection on what you have learned from the study of Hamlet and how you have come to understand and explain different perspectives of the play in different contexts. In regards to the Shakespearean play "Hamlet", over the years as interpretations of a variety of elements have changed the structures, features and the timeless issues have remained similar in content. These timeless issues are untouched by context as the human condition and the quest for satisfaction has remained unfaltering. In relation to context there are two major differing contexts in which the play can be viewed. These are the Elizabethan viewpoint and that of today's society. To the Elizabethan audience the play of "Hamlet" was a text of moral instruction whilst the context of today's society is that "Hamlet" is the study of the individual. This essay will outline what has been learnt throughout the course of "Hamlet" with references to the two main differing contexts. The Elizabethan context conveys a theme of Christian Redemptive message where God's plan always prevails no matter what obstacles were presented. Therefore sin was punished and virtue rewarded. My understanding of this is in "Hamlet" it is that of rationalizing of behavior before impulsive action that affirms the values of the era. This is apparent through a variety of quotes such as "to be or not to be", "Alexander died,

  • Word count: 685
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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How is Hamlet manipulated by Hamlet's Ghost in this area of the play

How is Hamlet manipulated by Hamlet's Ghost in this area of the play? (Pages 119-121) Close Analysis on language and persuasion This particular scene of the play brings the main plot into motion as Shakespeare finally introduces the ghost for the third time to Hamlet alone demanding his vengeance. Their interaction brings Hamlet to his madness in the next few acts, something of which Shakespeare does to expand his character and to change the minds of other characters that interact with him. It is clear by the ghost's speech that he was murdered by Claudius, and that sin must be returned with punishment. In this case, Claudius's act upon murdering King Hamlet is a sin, a sin that needs to be punished to restore order to the kingdom. The first line of the ghost's speech, 'Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast' immediately points out how vile and corrupt Claudius is, someone who has committed incest and married Gertrude, a woman who he only married to become king. The ghost's description of Claudius is very powerful and offensive, 'with witchcraft of his wits' a man who uses powerful manipulative words like the power of witchcraft to manipulate people 'so to seduce', in Denmark, to make it seem like he had nothing to do with his murder. Claudius has accomplished his goal successfully, 'won to his shameful lust' and his jealousies for the crown and his 'most seeming

  • Word count: 957
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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How does the language and dramatic action of the opening lead the audience to an awareness of a state that is entrenched in both personal and political conflict?

How does the language and dramatic action of the opening lead the audience to an awareness of a state that is entrenched in both personal and political conflict? Throughout the opening scenes of 'Hamlet', Shakespeare brings to our attention that the state of Denmark is deep in conflict, using many different techniques. The play begins on the gun platform at Elsinore Castle, just after midnight, on a cold and bitter night. The first line is 'Who's there?' a question to establish a mood of anxiety and dread. Even now we can sense apprehension and tension in the air. The next few lines consist of abrupt, nervous exchanges between the guards, causing an atmosphere of anxiety and fear. It is already clear to us that something is not right in the state of Denmark. This idea is reinforced when Francisco says he is 'sick at heart'. The dramatic appearance of the ghost, bearing a striking resemblance to the dead King Hamlet, further indicates that something eerie is going on. Horatio, an educated scholar, is skeptical of the ghost's appearance and this is shown when he says 'tush tush t'will not appear' and 'tis but our fantasy'. However, when he accepts he has seen the ghost he is 'harrowed with fear and wonder' and 'trembles and looks pale'. Shakespeare uses Horatio to represent the audience's perspective throughout this scene and there is no doubt now of the ghost's existence or

  • Word count: 1428
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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How does Shakespeare use the chracters of Prospero, Ariel, and Caliban, to explore human nature?

How does Shakespeare use the chracters of Prospero, Ariel, and Caliban, to explore human nature? By definition, a simplistic meaning of human nature is purely general characteristics and feelings of mankind. However, a more in depth interpretation is that human nature is the "fundamental nature and substance of humans, as well as the range of human behavior that is believed to be invariant over long periods of time and across very different cultural contexts." When studying almost any of Shakespeare's plays, it is clear that Shakespeare was a master of observing human nature and carefully crafting it into his plays. This is particularly perceptible in "The Tempest" between the relationship and character dynamics of Prospero, Ariel and Caliban. Before developing comparisons and contrasts between the three characters it is important to analyse the "human nature" of each of the characters individually to highlight their persona, behavior and mannerisms. Prospero is presented in the play as perplexing and mysterious, but he still remains a fundamental character in the play. This can be seen through he great power he seems to have, and the also the command over other characters in the play. This is comprehensible from the first appearance of him, when we hear dialogue between Miranda and himself. "The very minute bids thee ope thine ear, Obey and be attentive" This shows

  • Word count: 1994
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Explore the Relationship between Lear and Cordelia with Particular Reference to Act one Scene one; and how it Affects to the Rest of the Play.

Explore the Relationship between Lear and Cordelia with Particular Reference to Act one Scene one; and how it Affects to the Rest of the Play. The play starts off with Kent and Gloucester discussing which son-in-law the King prefers most to give his Kingdom too. Lear then explains on the next page that he intends to divide his kingdom up into three sections. "Know that we have divided In three our kingdom," Lear gives the reason that he is old and does not want to deal with affairs of state into his old age; he believes these problems should be given to younger people as Lear approaches his death. Lear goes on to say that although he loves both of his son-in-laws he has decided to divide the Kingdom up between his three daughters. "To shake all cares and business from our age, Conferring them on younger strengths while we Unburdened crawl toward death. Our son of Cornwall, And you, our no less loving son Albany, We have this hour a constant will to publish Our daughters' several dowers that future strife May be prevented now." Lear has decided to divide his Kingdom between his three daughters to save future troubles. One piece of the Kingdom however is bigger than the others and the daughter that can express her love most will get the largest piece. "Which of you shall we say doth love us most, That we our largest bounty may extend" Lear likes to be assured he

  • Word count: 614
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Essay on Hamlet.

Essay on Hamlet William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" has come down to us as the classic tale of a person tormented by his indecisive nature. Early in the play , Hamlet , prince of Denmark , is visited by the ghost of his father, who was murdered some months before. The crime has remained unsolved, but the ghost tells Hamlet that the murderer was actually Hamlets uncle Cladius, who in the meantime has married Hamlet's mother and is now sitting on the throne. The ghost calls upon Hamlet to avenge his death by killing Claudius. This is where Hamlet's dilemma and the debate over whether or not he was truly " mad" begin.... Had Hamlet been an instinctual character, he would have immediately run and committed murder, and there would have been no play to speak of. But Hamlet cannot do this. He spends the next four and a half acts expressing his anxiety in little bursts of activity, most of which don't seem to get him any closer to avenging his father's death but which accentuate the debate over whether or not Hamlet was sane. Clearly, there is no question that hamlet is really not a play of action, it is a play of psychology under extreme stress. Nevertheless, it is possible to trace hamlet's actions throughout the play and show how they prepare us for the drama to come. Had Hamlet not only killed his uncle but survived his uncle's treachery, he would probably have continued to be

  • Word count: 1266
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Why does Hamlet delay his revenge?

Why does Hamlet delay his revenge? The play Hamlet centres around the delay made by the central character in taking his revenge. Without this delay Shakespeare would simply not have had a play to write and Hamlet would not exist. It is therefore important that we understand the reasons why Hamlet did delay his revenge. These reasons do vary greatly but many centre around Hamlet's character as that of a thinker. Hamlet's reasons for delay differ from his own fear of death, and damnation due to his insecurity as to where the ghost has come from, to the theory of the Oedipus complex. Many of these reasons focus on the religious and is therefore representative of the period and the way in which the audience would be wrestling with two desires. To follow the basic need for revenge and the desire to follow the Church's teachings. Shakespeare's Hamlet is a typical revenge tragedy, involving the murder of a close relation, in this case Hamlet's own father, by a person who is considered to be out of the reach of common justice. In Hamlet the murderer is Hamlet's uncle, who is now the King of Denmark. The play centres on the difficulties that Hamlet faces as the avenger. Hamlet fulfils many of the conventions of a revenge tragedy. The victim is a close relation of Hamlet, the perpetrator is apparently 'untouchable' and the act of revenge finally results in the death of the hero:

  • Word count: 1864
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Is Romeo right to think that 'Black fate' is responsible for the tragedy in Romeo and Juliet or there other causes

Is Romeo right to think that 'Black fate' is responsible for the tragedy in Romeo and Juliet or there other causes. Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy, which was written by William Shakespeare in 1599. The Elizabethans totally believed in fate, they believed that your destiny was fated. They also believed that fate was fickle, it could change, one day everything would be good and the next day things could be really bad. If you challenged fate, it would take up the challenge. If it wasn't fate there are many more things which could have caused the tragedy; the feud, this means that everything that happens in Verona ends in violence, Friar Lawrence, shouldn't have married them and shouldn't have suggested such a dangerous plan, which was playing with their lives, the Nurse should have stopped Juliet getting involved with a Montague, but also Juliet's parents should have payed more attention to what she felt and wanted. Or it could have been just bad luck and bad timing. In the play fate is strongly implicated as controlling the tragedy. Right at the start Shakespeare wants the audience to know that fate will play a huge part in the play and in the prologue it says that Romeo and Juliet will die 'from forth the fatal loins of these two foes, A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life'. The prologue is saying that the stars control Romeo and Juliet's lives and it says that the

  • Word count: 2230
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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To What Extent Can Macbeth Be Defended For The Murder Of Duncan?

English Essay To What Extent Can Macbeth Be Defended For The Murder Of Duncan? The play Macbeth was written by English playwright William Shakespeare around 1605. It is about the supernatural, internal conflicts and the much used "killing of the King" plot. It is centred on the struggle within Macbeth's mind between good and evil. The play aroused considerable interest at the time when it was written because of the public's belief in witchcraft and strong religious feelings, and because killing a king was considered the worst crime possible as the belief was he was appointed by God to rule divinely. Macbeth is a Scottish nobleman who is a great warrior, and, at the beginning of the play has just won a battle. He has the trust of the Scottish king, Duncan, but after hearing a prophecy he becomes convinced that he will be king and decides that the only solution is murder. Although Macbeth is clearly guilty of Duncan's murder, to what extent can he be defended for his actions? There are other factors present in the play around Macbeth that influence and incite him to commit the murder, the witches, his colleagues, even his own wife who puts a lot of pressure on him, there is also the continuous struggle in Macbeth's mind between good and evil and right and wrong. These factors and their impact and whether or not Macbeth can be defended for being affected by them are

  • Word count: 2067
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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