King Lear - Did he learn?
King Lear Essay Did he learn? Tragedy requires the hero to learn through his suffering. British writer George Orwell, however, made this comment about Lear: "he is a majestic old man in a long black robe, with flowing white hair and beard wandering through a storm and cursing the heavens. Presently the scene shifts and the old man, still cursing, still understanding nothing, is holding a dead girl in his arms." Discuss Orwell's comment by first considering why he might make this claim, and them go on to refute the claim. A tragedy, like all other modes of literature, has its own unique elements, or rather, "requirements". It involves a tragic hero, whom is often first brought forth to the audience as one that is "larger than life" and is often at the heights of his power. Then, we see the hero falls, falls into darkness, into agony and suffering. However, through the suffering, he is required to have learnt something, to have acquired insight and wisdom about life. In one sentence, a tragedy requires the hero to learn though his suffering. In "King Lear", which is a typical Shakespearean tragedy, evidence of such is also seen. However, British writer George Orwell had once made such a comment about Lear, he had said, "he is a majestic old man in a long black robe, with flowing white hair and beard wandering through a storm and cursing the heavens. Presently the scene
How priestly uses a series of dramatic devices to get his point across to the audience.
An inspector calls How priestly uses a series of dramatic devices to get his point across to the audience. In 1945 J. B Priestly, a playwright and the author of 'An inspector calls', a mystery set in 1912, set out to forward his message; Societies need for change. Through his play he uses a number of characters to represent the class structure of 1912, in which he wants the audience to compare their lives of 1945 and after 2 world wars, to before them. Priestly was a strong believer in socialism, a world with no defiant classes and a society that stood up for each other and took responsibility for their own actions. His idea was, due to the forever widening gap between the classes, people are going to suffer as the higher classes gained more power and took less responsibility for their actions. To get across his point he uses a specific character called 'Inspector Goole'. Priestly uses this character to point his finger at the way the Birling's are and in doing so is pointing his finger at society it's self. He shows the Birling's that they have all done something to provoke the death of the girl and must start to take responsibility for their actions. In doing this, by using the death of the girl, Priestly proves to the audience that the gap between the classes must be narrowed and that they must take responsibility for their own actions, after all, no man is an island.
Essay On "Educating Rita" By Willy Russell.
English Essay On "Educating Rita" By Willy Russell There are many differences between Frank and Rita in the play 'Educating Rita'. The playwright, Willy Russell, makes the audience see the variations between the two characters by the way in which they address one another and by the stage directions used in the play. I am studying scenes six and seven and I will be comparing and contrasting the differentiations between the two characters. The stage directions at the opening of scene six conveys to the reader that Frank is a relaxed and calm person, 'He goes to the filing cabinet, takes lecture notes from his briefcase.' This illustrates to the reader that Frank is calm because if Frank was not calm he would have snatched his lecture notes from his briefcase. 'He switches on the radio then sits in the swivel chair,' this conveys to the reader that Frank is laid back because he switches the radio on which indicates that Frank wants to relax. However, The stage directions at the beginning of scene six informs the reader that Rita is an energetic person and she is enthusiastic about education, 'Rita bursts through the door.' The fact that she 'bursts' through the door, which gives an impression to the reader that Rita is energetic, and the fact that it was 'through the door' into a classroom demonstrates that she is enthusiastic about learning. The characters are shown to be
On October 16th I went with my drama class to see a production of Blood Brothers (written by Willy Russell). It was performed in the Phoenix theatre in London, and we saw a matinee performance.
By Heather Coutanche On October 16th I went with my drama class to see a production of Blood Brothers (written by Willy Russell). It was performed in the Phoenix theatre in London, and we saw a matinee performance. The play is set in Liverpool in the 1950 - 60's, and is about two families. One woman, Mrs Johnstone, is very poor, lives in a slum and is struggling to bring up Several children by herself. She works for an middle class woman, Mrs Lyons, whose husband is away a lot on business. When Mrs Johnstone finds out she is expecting twins, she knows she won't be able to afford to look after them both. Mrs Lyons, who is unable to conceive, persuades her to give one of the twins to her, and she'd bring him up as her own, with nobody ever knowing apart from the two woman. Mrs Johnstone eventually agrees, but is very upset about the arrangement. Mrs Lyons eventually sacks her for being too involved with the baby and reminds her that she swore the pact on the bible so she can't break it. She also tells her that if one of the boys ever finds out he has a twin they will both die. Mrs Johnstone leaves, thinking she will never see her child again. Seven years later, Mrs Lyon's son (Eddie) meets Mrs Johnstone's son Mickey. They don't know they're brothers, but get on very well anyway and become friends, and 'Blood Brothers' (they both cut their hands and shake them together), even
The Fury
The Fury The dark cloud of rage arose in Mrs Fletcher's body; she began to tremble with hatred, she was like a bomb about to explode if the right wire wasn't cut. For what had seemed like happiness was suddenly washed down the drain. Her one and only had unexpectedly deserted in her in the now abandoned house the banging of the door when Fletcher left gave gunshots to Mrs Fletcher's ears. She brutally staggered her way to the kitchen rummaging for a little bottle which she had been saving, tackling the cupboard she finally found the tiny vodka bottle and devoured it with one gulp, whilst wiping the residue of her mouth with her ragged torn bright top. The cold night's breeze brought chills down Mrs Fletcher's back, she slowly lifted herself up and made her way to the bathroom crawling into the bathtub she curved her weary body into a foetus shape, weeping her sorrows and remembering Mrs Skyes words over and over again. "He's probably cheating on you." Mrs Fletcher began to shake in the bathtub as if having a seizure. After a couple of minutes Mrs Fletcher began to wince with pain; her left foot had a cramp which forced her to leave the bath tub and walk around in circles, which drew her attention to the mirror. She gradually lifted her head up and brushed her hair behind her ears. She opened the cabinet mirror and searched for her make up bag which she failed to find
The book I am going to be writing about is called Dr Franklins Island by Ann Halam.
Ricky Kotecha 9PM The book I am going to be writing about is called Dr Franklins Island by Ann Halam. The book is about 3 kids, Semirah (Semi), Miranda and Arnie. They won a science competition by Planet Savers to go to Quito. During the journey on the plane, the plane crashed and only Semi, Miranda and Arnie survived. They ended up on the island where they were about to be the next victims of genetic engineering because of two evil scientists called Dr Skinner and Dr Franklin. Key themes that are brought in this book is having evil scientists that always have a new plan on their mind and are always up to something. It is also about stranded survivors that have to save their lives from these evil scientists or else their life is fatal. Lastly the story has a little on the good side, this meaning that not all aspects in the book are bad and there are good times when Dr Skinner tries to help Semi and Miranda not be killed, because he has a slight sensitivity towards children who are about to suffer and is not just a bad person but does have a good side unlike Dr Franklin. Characters in the book * Semi: In this book Semi is a chubby girl (but not fat).She is a shy girl. I know this because it says "Hold on Semirah, what if you win, you know you are shy". Her actual name is Semirah but her nickname is Semi. She is quite an intelligent girl and is mostly is like a nerd. She
Analyse and evaluate Shakespeare(TM)s use of soliloquy in presenting the developing character of Hamlet.
Analyse and evaluate Shakespeare's use of soliloquy in presenting the developing character of Hamlet. "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare is a drama performed between 1599 and 1601. "Hamlet" is a fusion of many themes, which bond together to form a complex, ambiguous play. "Hamlet", simplified, is the story of a man brimming with vengeance, trying to avenge his father's death which was caused by his uncle, Claudius who then marries Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. The death of his father is a tragedy in itself. Perceptions of tragedies differ from individuals perspectives; anything can be a tragic as long as it takes the right composition or form. Calamitous situations weaved with anguish and despair in addition to the possibility of destruction and heartbreak are some of the most common elements employed by tragic writers. Dominant features of a tragedy also include the protagonist's downfall, usually a consequence of their hamartia. This is evident in "Hamlet". Hamlet, the protagonist encounters anagnorisis due to his hamartia, ultimately leading to death of most of the cast. The complexity of Hamlet's character is a mystery to the audience but through soliloquy's, William Shakespeare shows the audience Hamlet's feelings and thoughts and how they develop. Soliloquies give the audience a chance to connect with the character as it gives the audience a chance to see the character
Importance of saying No in antigone
Kavish Manwani 1E English RRJ In the play Antigone saying "No" is very significant. All the major characters did refuse to do something or the other all throughout the play. All the major characters like Antigone, Creon, and Ismene did say no a lot in this play. Saying "no" can be seen as a sign of stubbornness. All the characters said "no" as they had an obvious reason One of the most significant event in the book is when Ismene said no and decided not to help Antigone in burying Polynices. Ismene believed that "women should not fight with men" and she was also scared that Creon might kill them. This helps to bring about the character of Ismene in the book. She was seen as more of a girl type as compared to Antigone and she believed that men are the only one who dies for ideas and women should not. Ismene was in a state of confusion throughout the play. At first she refused to help Antigone in burying Polynices, and then she finally decided to join with Antigone, but she was already too late as Antigone rejected her company. Ismene tried to help and she conveyed to her that what she wanted to do was wrong, she tried to help Antigone but Antigone was too stubborn and didn't listen to Ismene. Ismene knew that if Antigone had done her deed she would be killed. Antigone was also the one that said "no" to almost everything. Antigone was a very strong headed girl and she
How does Shakespeare portray changes in Hamlets character in soliloquy one and four
Hamlet- How does Shakespeare portray changes in Hamlets character through soliloquy one and four. I am going to be looking at the first and fourth soliloquy in the play "Hamlet" to discover how Shakespeare portrays changes in Hamlet' character through soliloquy's one and four. "Hamlet" was written by William Shakespeare between 1599 and 1601 and is a story based on tragedy. Hamlet is the prince of Demark who has returned from college overseas to mourn his father's death. When Hamlet returns he finds his mother already re-married to his father's brother who will become the next king of Denmark. Denmark is on a high risk of invasion from Norwegian troops under the leadership of a young, inspirational prince named Fortinbras. After the untimely death of his father, Hamlet' emotions begin to come clear. Contempt and anger become a daily emotion after his mother's re-marriage and suicide is a considered option. If not for religion, Hamlet would most likely commit suicide, but this is against his religious beliefs and morals. Hamlet feels self pity which is easily seen in the first line of the first soliloquy. We can see the repetition of the word "too" is used for the emphasis on the "thick skin". Shakespeare uses the word "melt". I think this for two reasons; one being that melting is slow but also to emphasise on the suffering and emotion it causes Hamlet as he can't take any
At the end of the play 'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller, John Proctor goes to his death. Why is he able to make his individual sacrifice and is there any element of doubt?
At the end of the play 'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller, John Proctor goes to his death. Why is he able to make his individual sacrifice and is there any element of doubt? The play 'The Crucible', by Arthur Miller, is set in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692. The society at that time was puritan, a strict and sombre religion which forbade anything resembling vain enjoyment. They lived their lives exactly how the bible told them to and due to their persecution in England, denied any sect its freedom. A strict religion with strict beliefs and strict laws, which had punishments in line with the bible. "Any persons found lye at home or in the fields without giving good account thereof would have their names presented to the magistrates, whereby they may be accordingly proceeded against." Crimes such as adultery were punishable by death. John Proctor is the main character in the play, who makes an individual sacrifice but throughout the play there are signs that he may not be able to do this. John Proctor is a farmer in his middle thirties with a sharp, biting way with hypocrites. He is not easily led and "cannot refuse support to partisans without drawing their deepest resentment," but he is still respected and even feared in Salem. Proctor, although respected and admired by Rebecca Nurse, a highly respected person in Salem and the surrounding area, which shows that he is extremely
