Much Ado About Nothing - Characterization of Hero

Characterization of Hero in Much Ado About Nothing "Much Ado About Nothing" is one of Shakespeare's most loved plays. This comedy about love, villainy, friendship, parent-child relationships, society and customs presents a rich ambiguous blend of life's relationships, folly and catastrophe. It is a play with two parallel plots given equal coverage and equal focus, one involving Hero and Claudio (the conventional, culturally acceptable lovers), the other involving Beatrice and Benedick (the outspoken, unconventional lovers). These two couples fall in love with each other during the play and decide to marry at the end. Then there is Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, who assists in matching-up both couples. He comes to visit Leonato, the governor of Messina (Hero's father and Beatrice's uncle), after a battle against his bastard brother Don John who tries to take revenge by breaking up Hero and Claudio. Hero has a very dramatic role in this play. Although she seldom speaks, Hero is the source of much commotion, because Don John, the bastard, tries to frame her and her fiancé Claudio. He hatches a plot to convince Claudio, that Hero is unchaste. Because of that, the innocent Hero is accused at her wedding day, in front of the altar, of sleeping around. She gets so nervous and faints. Hero is declared dead and can only awake when her innocence is proven Everything turns out

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How does Shakespeare Present the Theme of Love in Romeo and Juliet?

How does Shakespeare Present the Theme of Love in Romeo and Juliet? Shakespeare presents the theme of love in different ways for each of the characters and for some, such as Romeo, Shakespeare's portrayal of this theme changes as the play progresses. Shakespeare's first portrayal of the theme of love is in the first act when Romeo is talking of his love for Rosaline with Benvolio. Here Romeo is very confused as he uses oxymorons such as 'o brawling love, o loving hate,' (line 107) which shows how he is confused by his relationship with Rosaline as she does not return his love. Romeo continues to speak about the pain of love as he says 'being vexed, a sea nourished with lovers tears.' (Line 186) This shows how Romeo feels that he is being tormented by his love and he also, in this line speaks of all the lovers who have shed tears over their love and says how this is keeping the sea levels high by saying that the tears nourish the sea. On the following line Romeo says 'A madness most discrete.' (Line 187.) This line shows love in another light - as madness. Romeo feels that he is being driven mad by his love for Rosaline. The portrayal of Romeo's love changes entirely when, at the Capulet party, Romeo meets Juliet. When Romeo sees Juliet for the first time he begins to speak of Juliet's beauty. He says 'She doth teach the torches to burn bright,' (Line 41 I v.) This shows how

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How Important to 'Much Ado About Nothing' is Act 3 Scene 4?

How Important to "Much Ado About Nothing" is Act 3 Scene 4? Act three scene four is a highly important part of the overall play however it was not included in the film version of the Shakespearian production. The scene gives great opportunity for character development and female insight. Alternatively the scene may also lead to confusion of the viewers as many of the aspects included, like language, would not relate to a modern audience. Through this scene, the main themes of the play are brought to the surface. This is a major reason as to how relevant the scene actually is because the themes are presented and explored here. One of the themes discussed is fashion and its importance to society. With reference to the stereotypical views of women being only obsessed with what they wear, 'I like the new tire within excellently, if the hair were a thought browner; and your gown's a most rare fashion i'faith'. It also shows how shallow women in general are as the women in the scene represent most of the classes: Ursula, lower class, Margaret, lower-middle class, Beatrice, upper-middle class, Hero, upper class. The quote displays exactly how shallow they are as it is the morning of the wedding and all Hero is talking about is hair and makeup. To add to this stereotypical view of women, the scene is set in a dressing room. Fashion in general used to determine the social status of

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Compare Brutus and Antonys speeches in Act III Scene 2 of Julius Caesar. Analyse the dramatic effects created by Shakespeares use of language

Compare Brutus and Antony's speeches in Act III Scene 2 of Julius Caesar. Analyse the dramatic effects created by Shakespeare's use of language. Like most of Shakespeare's tragedies, Julius Caesar is loosely based around true events during the Roman era. Julius Caesar is based upon a Roman emperor who ruled the empire until his death. Caesar was born around 100 B.C. and died in 44 B.C. Although the play is named Julius Caesar, the main characters of the play are Brutus and Mark Antony. Before Brutus began his speech, the third citizen says: "The noble Brutus is ascended: silence!" This reaction from the third citizen reflects the fact that Brutus is a significant figure and reflects also their eagerness to listen to Brutus' statement for Caesar's murder. Brutus begins by addressing the crowds as "Romans, countrymen and lovers!" This helps him appear very courteous. In line 18, Shakespeare uses a chiastic structure "believe me for mine honour and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe" to swing the audience's support towards Brutus. Using a chiasm (repeating words in a different way) makes Brutus' words more emphatic. From line 22 onwards Brutus is explaining his reasons for killing Caesar. Brutus uses memorable sentences such as: "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more." Here Brutus is stating that he did indeed care about Caesar. However, he

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Hamlet Film and Play Comparison. Zeffirelli made some changes in Hamlet that do not take away from the overall meaning of the story, but rather, they change the viewers perception of Hamlet.

Jennifer Qing Mr. Atchison English B30 October 14, 2011 Hamlet Film and Play Comparison Any movie based on a well-known piece of written work will inevitably be critiqued and compared to the original story, and Zeffirelli's version of Shakespeare's Hamlet is no exception. Viewers who have read the play will scrutinize the director's interpretation of the film and judge whether the changes made in the movie do the play justice. For the sake of film aspects and duration of the movie, Zeffirelli made some changes in Hamlet that do not take away from the overall meaning of the story, but rather, they change the viewers' perception of Hamlet. The movie dismisses Hamlet's procrastination in another aspect as well; Hamlet's soliloquy about Hecuba is cut out. In this soliloquy, Hamlet compares his own lack of action to the actor's emotional speech: "What would he do, had he the motive and the cue for passion that I have? He would drown the stage with tears... Yet I, ... unpregnant of my cause, can say nothing" (2.2.557-565). Hamlet even goes as far as to call himself "a scullion" (2.2.585), which could not be more untrue considering Hamlet's position as the prince. Not only does Hamlet realize his own pettiness, his soliloquy also serves to make the viewers aware of the fact that Hamlet is "pigeon-liver'd and lack[s] gall" (2.2.574). In the play, Hamlet's character is both

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Iago is fascinating for his most terrible characteristic: his utter lack of convincing motivation for his actions.

Iago is fascinating for his most terrible characteristic: his utter lack of convincing motivation for his actions. Iago's motivation is nothing more than jealously, self-absorption and hatred, yet his tact is presented in a decidedly and socially acceptable fashion, that is, until his true self is uncovered. In being so wrapped up in himself, Iago's vengeful attitude knows no bounds. His motivation becomes first known to us in the first scene of the play, in which he claims to be angry at Othello for having passed him over for the position of lieutenant. At the end of Act I, scene iii, Iago states that he thinks Othello may have slept with his wife, Emilia: "It is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets / He has done my office". However none of these claims seems to adequately explain Iago's most deep hatred of Othello, and Iago's lack of convincing motivation or his inability or unwillingness to express his true motivation-makes his actions all the more terrifying and sinister. He is willing to take revenge on anyone, Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, Roderigo, even Emilia, at the slightest provocation and he enjoys damage that he causes. Iago's true power lays in his great talent for understanding and manipulating the desires and insecurities of those around him. Thus making him both a powerful and compelling figure. He seems to be the puppeteer of all the other characters in the

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From the study of ‘The Merchant of Venice’ is shylock presented as a villain or victim? To what extent will this view have changed from that of the original audience?

From the study of 'The Merchant of Venice' is shylock presented as a villain or victim? To what extent will this view have changed from that of the original audience? The play is set in the late 15th century and is mainly about the character of shylock a money lending Jew; he is trying to live a simplistic life as a simplistic character in Venice a country that would have despised and alienated Jewish people. Christians very much believed in their religion/faith and would have disliked any Jewish person. Therefore the original audience would have hated shylock because of his religious beliefs and his job of money lending, as Christians wouldn't have been able to this job, as it would disagree with their belief. Shakespeare captured the way Jews were portrayed in this play well and managed to display it in a certain way, which wouldn't offend, but captured both sympathy and understanding from the audience at the time. Shakespeare play would be looked at in a very different way in a modern performance as the audience wouldn't discriminate towards Jews/ shylock as Christians are taught differently to when the play was originally written and children would have learnt about different religions and cultures and could cope with a Jewish character. Shylock's first appearance in the play is in act 1 scene 3 and his first line is; " Three thousand ducats", this could be taken by

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Romeo's letter to his father - Romeo and Juliet.

Dear Father, As you read my last words to yourself I am lying dead not because of a sword wound but because of a broken heart. Confusion and puzzle must be swarming through your head like a beehive but as you come to the last word of this letter you should hopefully understand and forgive me. I received an invitation that invited me to my only foes mansion but I met my only true love there. Rosaline was the one that I thought had my heart but my thoughts were deceived and my eyes saw the truth. As I gazed through my mask I saw her. I asked myself 'Did my heart love till now?' only about a quarter of an hour later I knew the answer to this question. I asked for a kiss and was denied at first. When going to kiss I said thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged. Our lips touched and my heart throbbed I pleaded 'Give me my sin again.' As I requested she did. A women interrupted our moment and told Juliet that her 'mother craves a word' with her. 'What is her mother?' I asked with curiosity and the answer that I got was like a sharp pain through my heart. A Capulet I asked myself how can this be? 'my life is my foe's debt' A Capulet or not I had to go and see my lady again and see I did. She appeared at her balcony. She gazed into the star night as I looked into her eyes 'Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,' I fell more in love. She spoke 'Ay me!' I muttered to

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Appearances and assumptions in Shakespeare's Othello

Appearances and assumptions in Shakespeare's Othello Brian Lockyer In Othello, William Shakespeare focuses a lot on the theme of appearance versus reality. Othello, along with other characters in the play, depend on their eyes, and with that they jump to big assumptions. There are many times in the play where there is concealed uncertainty, meaning the character assumes that what their eyes tell them is everything, hence, Looks can be very deceiving. Iago's reputation plays a very key role in the play. Everyone assumes Iago is an honest man. "O, that's an honest fellow ", "You advise me well ........ Goodnight honest Iago ""that's an honest fellow ""I know thou'rt full of love and honesty ". Iago has everyone fooled into believing that he is a dignified honest man. Without this reputation of being honest he could never get Othello to believe that Desdemona was cheating on him. Othello would have probably killed him if he didn't have the reputation of being an honest man. Iago knew that a significant man like Othello could not have ignored the prospect that his wife was cheating on him. Nobody suspects that Iago is a deceitful man and that he would scheme and plan to destroy the characters of Othello, Cassio and Desdemona in such a cunning and cruel way. Iago uses his reputation, as well as the insecurities of Othello, to allow him to manipulate and

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Explore the relationships between Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing

Explore the relationships between Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing Throughout the entire play of 'Much Ado About Nothing', Beatrice and Benedick are the main characters of the play, although the story centres upon the characters of Hero and Claudio. This is because Beatrice and Benedick are both extremely vibrant and although they are different in many ways, both in fact share similarities. They also seem to be the most modern characters of the play because neither of them to begin with like the idea of marriage. In the time of Shakespeare this would be an extremely unusual attitude, especially for a woman. Both demonstrate similar attitudes towards each other throughout the play, which fluctuates between love or hate. They are also characters who speak for them selves and have an opinion about everything, especially Beatrice In the first scene, Beatrice talks to a messenger and her uncle. Shakespeare makes it instantly seems as if she and Benedick do not to get along, when she calls him "Signor Mountanto", which is very rude and suggests that he has a 'big-head'. Even though she refers to Benedick in a negative manner, it is interesting that she mentions him before she mentions anyone else. Shakespeare portrays this interest in a fairly covert way; yet she obviously cares about him a way, by asking if he has returned from war. Yet, she does so in such a

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