Romeo and Juliet - Several characters contribute to the final tragedy - How does Shakespere present these characters and what other factors might the audience consider when evaluating the cause of the lovers' deaths?
'All are punished' Several characters contribute to the final tragedy. How does Shakespere present these characters and what other factors might the audience consider when evaluating the cause of the lovers' deaths? In my opinion I think that the audience are unable to allocate the blame to just one character or party for the deaths of the lovers. Instead, it is definitely necessary to distribute the blame amongst a number of individuals. The role of the individuals must not be the only thing considered, but also fate- Shakespere establishes from the onset that fate is a major contributor to certain events. Shakespere's audiences were more religious and superstitious than a modern audience and might have accepted this idea more. The patriarchal 17th century society of renaissance Italy influenced the way characters behaved; history also played a part like the ancient feud, which breaks 'from ancient grudge break to new mutiny.' This line reveals to us that the play concerns two rival noble families, the capulets and the montagues- the 2 families that have been enemies for centuries. Throughout the play shakespere uses hawk imagery to show the audience that the lovers recognised each other as dangerous choices as their families were enemies. Another factor that plays a part is the importance of family honour as this is why the romance between Romeo and Juliet had to be a
Discuss the roles and dramatic significance of the three main female characters in the play "The Winter's Tale"
"Discuss the roles and dramatic significance of the three main female characters in the play." The female protagonists in The Winter's Tale are significant to the plot in various ways, but the most important is that, if they were not in the play none of the occurrences would have materialized. For instance, Hermione is a catalyst that ignites Leontes jealousy. Paulina is the author of a plot to conceal Hermione and Perdita is the one who fulfils the oracle's prophecy. To further enhance our understanding of the roles women had to play in Elizabethan England, we will look at the characters of the three main female protagonists; Hermione, Perdita and Paulina. Hermione is the central female character in The Winter's Tale as she is the one who unintentionally provokes the tension and jealousy of Leontes through her role in of a charming hostess, which she uses to captivate the attention of Polixenes to stay in the court of Sicilia. "How say you? My prisoner, or my guest? By you dread `Verily`, One of them you shall be." (Act I Scene ii lines 53-56) Here Hermione's gift of persuasion is clearly illustrated as she playfully convinces Polixenes to stay and he succumbs to her intelligence and wit by consenting. She has the ease of manner which is born of complete confidence in Leontes and the closeness of her relationship with Polixenes. Dramatically she is presented as
In Act I Scene III Juliet portrays the ideal young woman; she is respectful and abides by her fathers wishes. However, In Act III Scene V Juliet attitude is changed by her love for Romeo.
English Coursework In Act I Scene III Juliet portrays the ideal young woman; she is respectful and abides by her fathers wishes. However, In Act III Scene V Juliet attitude is changed by her love for Romeo. Romeo and Juliet is a dramatic 1500's play about two star crossed lovers. Two teenagers who pursue their love for each other despite the fact that their families have been at dispute for decades; the love which results in their death. In Act I Scene III Juliet speaks very little compared to the Nurse and Lady Capulet. In this scene Juliet exemplifies the perfect young woman of the Elizabethan period; she is obedient, dutiful and polite. In response to Lady Capulet's suggestion that Juliet falls in love with Paris Juliet replies with "I'll look to like, if looking liking move... But no more deep will I endart my eye." This response indicates that Juliet is very obedient, that she will look to love Paris because her parents want her to. It also shows the respect she has for her parents. That speech also shows how naïve and innocent Juliet is to love and that she doesn't fully understand it. When Juliet speaks to her mother her obedience and courtesy is evident, "It is an honour that I dream not of" as Juliet uses the word "honour" it shows that she truly respects her parent's wishes. As Juliet doesn't speak that much in this scene and by the formal nature of her speech
Is Macbeth naturally inclined to perform malicious deeds?
In the beginning of the play Macbeth seems to be heroic, and generally he is a good man. Macbeth even praises Duncan at certain points before he murders him. Macbeth remarks, "...hath been so clear in his great office, that his virtues will plead like angels trumpet-tongued against the deep damnation of his taking off." However, throughout the play this changes and he has a role reversal with Lady Macbeth. He becomes power hungry and needs to make sure that he is king and he thinks that no one can stop him. If they can, he kills them. He is also insecure, this is shown when he has to go to the witches again to assure that what he is doing is right according to them and he has become totally dependant on what they say. When he drinks the potion that the witches made he proves to us that he will do anything to hear what they have to say to him. Overall, Macbeth becomes obsessed with killing because of what the withes said to him when he was with Banquo. He sinks low because he kills his own cousin and his best friend all because they threaten his position of power. He can be thought of as evil because he thought of the killing Duncan in the first place. Lady Macbeth uses Macbeth and others as a shield for her guilt. When she wants something but doesn't have the guts to perform the task she, she calls upon anyone but herself to do it. She thinks that this will erase her
Compare and contrast 'Lamb to the Slaughter' and 'The Speckled Band' as examples of murder mystery stories.
Compare and contrast 'Lamb to the Slaughter' and 'The Speckled Band' as examples of murder mystery stories. Murder mystery stories have always been very popular, ever since they first appeared. This is because people are interested in being detectives themselves, like a sort of fantasy of the mind, and people have always enjoyed the suspense, tension and mystery that form the main part of a good detective story. People like the other key elements of a good story that interests them and grips them, making them want to continue reading to find out what happens next. There are many key elements that are vital for a successful murder mystery story. Suspense and tension play an important part in keeping the reader interested and wanting to know what happens next. Mystery keeps the reader in the dark and has them guessing at things to come, sometimes without them even realising, which adds to the interest of the story. Misleading clues lead the reader along 'false paths', giving them multiple theories as to who committed the crime. Sometimes the reader will be fed one idea, then through a change of events will be presented with a second idea. The detective's skills are vital for making the story popular. A detective becomes well known for their talents or habits. They will often have a side-kick who will aid them in becoming famous in the reader's world. They provide
Compare and Contrast Shakespeare's original text of "Romeo and Juliet" with two film productions, focusing on Act 1 scene 5.
Compare and Contrast Shakespeare's original text of "Romeo and Juliet" with two film productions, focusing on Act 1 scene 5. Franco Zeffirelli's version of Romeo and Juliet aims to echo Shakespeare's original format, while Baz Luhrman seeks to reintroduce the tragic tale of star-crossed lovers to a modern audience through the use of fast paced action and violence. In my assignment I will compare and contrast theses film versions with Shakespeare original text. A striking contrast between these two productions is the choice of location where the actual story unfolds. Both Shakespeare and Zeffirelli set their play in Verona, Italy. I t provides a sunny and tranquil setting unlike Baz Luhrman's adaptation, which takes place in Verona Beach, California. Lurhman creates a suburban setting where sky scrapers take the place of sand stone buildings. Luhrman, however fails to truly represent our lifestyle and society, as too much of the film's emphasis is placed upon the expensive way of life enjoyed by the rival families. This is revealed by the lavish party held by the Capulets. The costumes worn by the actors to the ball are very important. In Luhrman's production, Romeo is dressed as a knight in shinning armor, representing nobility, chivalry and courage. Juliet wears an angel costume. She is a perfect vision of beauty, unwise to the ways of the world. Her purity,
Consider the validity of Coleridge’s accusation of Iago as “motiveless malignity”. How might different audiences respond to Iago’s villainy?
Consider the validity of Coleridge's accusation of Iago as "motiveless malignity". How might different audiences respond to Iago's villainy? "Evil" is a word always associated with William Shakespeare's character Iago. However is branding this character simply "evil" too broad a term? Perhaps there is a more suitable accurate term to describe him by, but equally perhaps one could argue that Coleridge's term "motiveless malignity" is the only way Shakespeare's character Iago is depicted in the text. Iago throughout the play commits many atrocious acts. He is constantly manipulating people and trying to cause heartbreak and sorrow for others "Rouse him, make after him, poison his delight". He even goes as far as to force his wife to steal from her friend Desdemona "My wayward husband hath a hundred times Wooed me to steal it; but so she loves the token". If one were to look at Iago as a character in general then he definitely would not be one considered to have even a speck of righteousness or honour by any degree. Beginning with Act 1 Scene 3 one can see how many varied interpretations you could make of Iago. Throughout the scene Iago dismisses love's existence repeatedly "lusts whereof I take this that you call love", "Virtue? A fig". Iago suggests here that he does not think love really exists and if it does it is worthless. There are many conclusions that one could draw
Lady Macbeth, Ambitious Cur
Macbeth Essay. Macbeth by William Shakespeare is truly one of his greatest tragedies, Written between 1603 - 1606. It is a play that deals with ambition, Treachery, and disillusionment and deals with the rise to power of Macbeth and his Wife Lady Macbeth. The play was set in the eleventh century In Scotland and tells us the true story of the death of a Scottish King by the name if Duncan Although Shakespeare based his story on an historical event his plot and story differs from the truth. The murder of Duncan in the eleventh century was actually perpetrated by Macbeth and Banquo, however in Shakespeare's `Macbeth' Banquo is not a participant in the murder of Duncan. He is portrayed as an innocent party. The reason for this is that James 1 was King of England and a direct descent of Banquo. Shakespeare would not want to embarrass or insult the new King. In the plays Concluding speech, Malcolm refers to Lady Macbeth as a fiend like Queen. But was Lady Macbeth a fiend? To determine this it is important to realise that a fiend is a devil, a cruel person incapable of any remorse. Certainly Malcolm not having witnessed all that the audience knows of Lady Macbeth could well have thought this but Lady Macbeth also has very humanly characteristics throughout the play. When the audience first meet Lady Macbeth she is reading a letter Macbeth wrote earlier that day
Is Twelfth Night just a comedy of romance and confusion
Is Twelfth Night just a comedy of romance and confusion, or does Shakespeare use the mythical setting of Illyria to explore more important issues? In the play Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare it could be argued that Illyria is used as the setting for the play because Shakespeare wanted to use the play as an illustration of some of the deeper issues of the time. At the time of the play Illyria, a make believe country, which is already seen to be a weird place, is depicted during twelfth night - a time when everything is just a little bit different. This gave Shakespeare more freedom to explore issues like Puritanism, the church and the nature of love and romance. Shakespeare uses Illyria to set the scene for his play for numerous reasons. One reason as it gives Shakespeare much more freedom to say what he wanted he could ridicule religions, leaders, and the church. Whereas if Shakespeare and set the play in England he could have gotten into trouble over some of the things he explored; but as he set it in Illyria, a world of fantasy, he could say what he wanted without fears of repercussions. For instance Shakespeare creates a character called Malvolio. Malvolio plays the part of a strict, austere and a general 'kill-joy' puritan. However Shakespeare writes Twelfth Night to make Malvolio a hypocrite. HE does this by making Malvolio day-dream about getting married to
My lord, it would seem that the bond was made between Antonio the merchant and Shylock the Jew, for 3,000 ducats to be repaid within three months. This bond seems out of character of a Christian
My lord, it would seem that the bond was made between Antonio the merchant and Shylock the Jew, for 3,000 ducats to be repaid within three months. This bond seems out of character of a Christian, as they believe it is immoral to lend money and charge a usance rate. It is also strange that this Jew accepted the proposal, as it is plain to see that they are enemies. I have looked at all the evidence and have learned why the bond became apparent. Antonio the Merchants friend, Bassanio, was in need of some ducats in order to travel to Belmont, in hope of marrying Portia. Bassanio, also a Christian, requested to borrow the money from Antonio, however, as the court has heard, Antonio's money was all at sea. So, the men decided their only hope of acquiring the money, was to get a loan from Shylock. However, Bassanio's name had no assurity, whereas Antonio had his own fleet. In order to be granted the loan they decided that with Antonio's name the bond would sooner be agreed. Bassanio approached Shylock and told him of the proposal. Shylock showed that he understood what was being asked of him as he said, 'Three thousand ducats for three months, and Antonio is bound.' Shylock agreed in saying that 'Antonio is a good man,' but then rephrased his meaning to say 'that his is sufficient.' He pondered on taking the bond and asked to see Antonio before he made his decision. As
