Antony Is A Tragic Hero

Antony Is a Tragic Hero
Anthony and Cleopatra was written in 1607, following the incredible period that gave us Hamlet,
Orthello, King Lear and Macbeth. Although sometimes hard to categorise, some put this play with
Julius Caesar and Corialanus, the Roman plays: all three use Plutharch's lives of the Noble Grecians
and Romans as their primary source and all three have concerns steeped in historical and political
questions. Shakespeare shows an impressive ability to assimilate the classical world in his own
terms and this is partly a tribute to the strength and vitality of Plutarch's writing. Yet, although
Shakespeare alters Plutarch freely to match his own dramatic purposes, Plutarch's power to speak
for his time and place shines through Shakespeare's ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Even with this conflict, Shakespeare perfectly depicts Anthony's love and dotage of Cleopatra.
Shakespeare uses language to contrast the cultures within Rome and Egypt. The Roman characters
speak in balanced, ordered blank verse which suggests the regularity and order of their way of life .
When speaking of Fulvia's death Anthony's speech changes to perfect cambic pentameter when he
says "The opposite of itself, She's good being gone "implying his shocked reaction and mixed
emotion. He should be happy that she is dead so now he can spend his life with his "enchanting
queen ", Cleopatra but he is not . He seems shocked at word of her death. The same rhythm is taken
up in a greatly relaxed manner by the teasing of Anthony and Cleopatra. Cleopatra taunts "If it be
love indeed, tell me how much " and Anthony replies with "there's beggary in the love that can be
reckoned ". In Egypt the characters speak mainly in phrase, showing their casual, relaxed and
sensous approach to life. The conversation is frivolous, sexual and scattered with gossip . "Not now
to hear thee sing. I take no pleasure in alight a eunuch has. Tis well for thee that, being unseminar'd
thy freer thoughts may not fly forth of Egypt. Has thou affections?" The language that Anthony uses
towards Cleopatra is sensual and laden with metaphors like: "many thousand kisses, the poor last/ I
lay you thy lips
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William Shakespeare and Macbeth
The Fall of Man
The ancient Greek notion of tragedy concerned the fall of a great man, such as a king, from a
position of superiority to a position of humility on account of his ambitious pride, or hubris. To the
Greeks, such arrogance in human behavior was punishable by terrible vengeance. The tragic hero
was to be pitied in his fallen plight but not necessarily forgiven: Greek tragedy frequently has a
bleak outcome. Christian drama, on the other hand, always offers a ray of hope; hence, Macbeth
ends with the coronation of Malcolm, a new leader who exhibits all the correct virtues for a king.
Macbeth exhibits elements that reflect the greatest Christian tragedy of all: the Fall of Man. In the
Genesis story, it is the weakness of Adam, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Shakespeare's Macbeth remains one of his most popular plays, both for classroom study and
performance, and with good reason. Here we have the playwright's shortest play, but arguably his
most intense, in terms both of its action and its portrayal of human relationships. The "butcher and
his fiend–like queen" are among the most attractive villains in stage history, and the profound
psychology with which Shakespeare imbues them is deliciously pleasurable for theater audience and
student alike.
Macbeth was a real king of eleventh–century Scotland, whose history Shakespeare had read in
several sources, principally theChronicles of Holinshed, to which he referred for many of his other
historical dramas. In Holinshed's account, Banquo and Macbeth combine to kill King Duncan after
winning his favor in a battle against the Danes. The original story is full of wonderful details that
show the cunning of the Scots and Macbeth, who slaughtered an entire Danish army not by brute
force, but by cunning: first mixing a sleeping potion and sending it, like the Trojan horse, as a gift to
the enemy army. Once they were asleep, Macbeth was able to kill them easily. Presumably from this
incident, Shakespeare derived his idea of having Lady Macbeth administer a sleeping potion to the
guards of King Duncan's chamber.
In Holinshed's account, however, although we learn that Macbeth's wife is ambitious to become
queen, Lady Macbeth does not feature as an accomplice. Instead, Banquo joins

Similarities Between King Lear And Much Ado About Nothing
Lear Ado
(A Comparative Analysis of Dramatic Genres Between Shakespeare's, King Lear and Much Ado
About Nothing) Within the world of drama and performance, there are two central ends of the genre
spectrum. These are essentially the "light and dark" of the stage. These opposite ends of the
spectrum are comedy and tragedy, respectively. While some people may prefer one genre over the
other, these both find ways to tell great stories with greatly different methods. One eternally famous
playwright, William Shakespeare wrote countless plays in both of these styles. Two exquisite
examples of these genres are his King Lear, and Much Ado About Nothing. These plays demonstrate
the great contrast between comedy and tragedy through the high to low character falls or climbs,
amount of humor, and prominence of death and suffering. The greatest difference between comedy
and tragedy lies in the transition of how characters rise and fall. Comedies typically end with low
characters ending happily, heroes succeeding, and sources of tension find themselves in a ... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The plot of Much Ado About Nothing is riddled with countless jabs, jokes, irony, and humorous
situations. Not all of the humor in a comedy has to be spoken. Some of the most comical moments
in the play occur when either Benedick and Beatrice are overhearing a conversation that their
friends purposely say to trick their respective hopeless romantic into falling in love. "Benedick and
Beatrice are deceived by their friends, but this deception stems from their delusion that they can
avoid love and marriage. While Benedick rambles about how there is no woman good enough, the
audience watches, amused, waiting for him to fall." (Windham). While a tragedy might have a few
comical moments, those are far outshadowed by the amount of grief and suffering that goes on
within the

Essay A Comparison of Macbeth and Hamlet
A Comparison of Macbeth and Hamlet MACBETH stands in contrast throughout with Hamlet; in
the manner of opening more especially. In the latter, there is a gradual ascent from the simplest
forms of conversation to the language of impassioned intellect,–yet the intellect still remaining the
seat of passion: in the former, the invocation is at once made to the imagination and the emotions
connected therewith. Hence the movement throughout is the most rapid of all Shakspeare's plays;
and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
affected bravado in confronting them. In all the rest, Macbeth's language is the grave utterance of
the very heart, conscience–sick, even to the last faintings of moral death. It is the same in all the
other characters. The variety arises from rage, caused ever and anon by disruption of anxious
thought, and the quick transition of fear into it.
In Hamlet and Macbeth the scene opens with superstition; but, in each it is not merely different, but
opposite. In the first it is connected with the best and holiest feelings; in the second with the
shadowy, turbulent, and unsanctified cravings of the individual will. Nor is the purpose the same; in
the one the object is to excite, whilst in the other it is to mark a mind already excited. Superstition,
of one sort or another, is natural to victorious generals; the instances are too notorious to need
mentioning. There is so much of chance

Essay about Redemption and Damnation in Measure for...
Redemption and Damnation in Measure for Measure and Othello
Measure for Measure and Othello are closely related. There is a thesis–antithesis bond between
these two plays. Much more than just sharing a trait or a source, the two constitute a paired study of
the processes of redemption and damnation.
Measure for Measure counterbalances Othello. Looking at the text of each play, one finds parallel
and contrasting circumstances and characteristics that would incline one to interpret each play in
light of the other. First instance: the issue of being passed over. In the opening scene of Measure for
Measure Escalus is passed over for the position of deputy in a most explicit fashion. The Duke
praises Escalus as peerless ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The latter commences the destabilizing of Othello and the ensuing tragedy. Third instance: reading
one's nature in one's face. Pompey, drawing transparently upon his street–wise bag of tricks to free
his client, Froth, from the charge of fornication, bids Escalus to look into Froth's face (2.1.147–156)
and condemn him if he sees any harm in it. While Pompey literally may be pointing out the lack of
any signs of syphilis on Froth's face, this comic play upon the notion that one's guilt or innocence is
written upon one's face is contrasted by the frightening scene in Othello where, desperate in his
suspicions, Othello terrifies Desdemona by staring into her face to find some confirmation for his
maddening doubts of her fidelity (4.2.25–26). Fourth instance: actual and supposed procuress.
Where Isabella quite literally serves as a procuress in the assignation of Angelo with Mariana (the
supposed Isabella), Emilia is wrongly accused by Othello of being the same for Desdemona with
Cassio. Fifth instance: procuring called a mystery. When the executioner, Abhorson, complains that
his mystery (that is, his profession) will be tainted by a bawd's being made his assistant, Pompey
with disarming wit defends his former work as a legitimate profession by explaining how it too is a
mystery (painting being part of the prostitute's trade). The word mystery in this sense of profession

The Upside And Hardship Of Hamlet From Hamlet By William...
The Upside to Hardship The three characters, Hamlet from Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Mr.
Darcy from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and Pi from Life of Pi, all must overcome hardships
in order to be successful in life. It is apparent that each of these characters has his own struggle to go
through. However, each struggle helps the character to become stronger in his own way. These
struggles give the characters strive to achieve a goal, and eventually each character is able to
achieve his own individual success. It is through the experience of hardships, Hamlet, Mr. Darcy
and Pi, become stronger, more ambitious individuals, ultimately achieving success. It is impossible
to go through life without hardships, as Hamlet, Darcy and Pi are powerful examples of characters
who endure many hardships throughout their journey to success. One struggle that Hamlet
encounters within the play is the murder of his father: "But two months dead, nay, not so much, not
two; so excellent a king that was to this Hyperion to a satyr, so loving to my mother" (Shakespeare,
I, ii, 139–141). Shakespeare uses this allusion to show Hamlet's admiration of his father, and how
devastated he becomes after Old Hamlet's death. "Hyperion is the God of Light, while a satyr is a
grotesque creature that is half man– half goat, symbolic of sexual promiscuity" (Mabillard). This
allusion helps the reader to understand Hamlet's love for his father, as he believes him to be a great
and

Features Of King Lear
'There are many aspects of Shakespeare's King Lear which combine to ensure it continues to
resonate with modern audiences' Discuss.
King Lear is a timeless piece of thought–provoking drama. Shakespeare's genius has ensured that it
continues to resonate with audiences over 400 years after being written. It depicts intriguing aspects
of human nature that are still relevant today. These include corruption, deception, and filial strife.
Shakespeare also portrays a cast of excellently drawn characters to engage the audience throughout
while simultaneously personifying virtue, evil, and hubris. This excellent play which continues to
resonate with modern audiences is most spectacular for the fact that it is a beautifully crafted piece
of drama throughout. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
It allows audiences, present and past, an insight into the minds of the characters. This allows them a
deeper understanding of the plot and each character themselves. Edmund uses soliloquy throughout,
initially outlining his Machiavellian intentions when saying "Wherefore should I stand in the plague
of custom?" This engages the audience and offers them an insight into how the play will unfold.
Cordelia also talks in soliloquy as she professes her desire to aid her father, "Restoration hang thy
medicine upon my lips and let this kiss repair those harms that my sister in thy reverence have
made". The importance of soliloquy and it's contribution to the play is shown by the modern drama
"House of Cards" in which it is also employed. It engages the audience and ensures that they enjoy
the play and never lose interest as they are given a 3rd dimension into the characters and an intimate
understanding of their

Examples Of Soliloquies In King Lear
Soliloquies are predominantly used to reflect the internal thoughts of primary characters.
Shakespeare used these to express how a character was feeling and to create a sense of dramatic
irony. This is highly evident in King Lear, as Edmund illustrates his thoughts to the audience using
these inner contemplations. Edmund is the antagonist of the play, and consistently proves this to be
true by his harmful and vindictive actions. His character is revealed to be illegitimate, evil, and
deceitful. His soliloquies also set the mood to be ominous, victorious, and dramatic. Finally, he
advances the plot by creating conflict, providing details about the subplot, and intensifying pre–
existing turmoil. Therefore, the soliloquies of Edmund in the Shakespearean play King Lear reveal
his true character, create atmosphere, and advances the plot.
Edmund's true character is discovered to be malicious, and he is depicted as the villain of this play.
His first soliloquy is evidence of his iniquitous behaviours, as he begins to plot against his brother.
The first soliloquy introduces Edmund as a child born out of wedlock, which deems him a bastard.
Due to this title, he will not inherit any of his father's land after his demise. ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Edmund is revealed to be evil, illegitimate, and deceitful, but he also creates ominous, victorious,
and dramatic moods. Moreover, the use of soliloquies advances the plot as it creates conflict,
provides background details, and fuels prior conflict between other protagonists. These monologues
provide a route to the personal thoughts of the antagonist, which permits the audience to learn
greater details about the ongoing altercations. In conclusion, it is evident that Edmund's soliloquies
are vital to the overall development of the Shakespearian Classic King

Othello Archetypal Tragic Hero Analysis
'Until Act III Scene iii, Othello is presented as the archetypal tragic hero.'
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Traditionally in a tragedy the tragic hero has several parts; noble stature, hamartia (usually as a
result of hubris), free choice and a nemesis. Othello as a character of noble blood seems to conform
to all these. Up until Act III Scene iii Othello, "noble Moor" is in an elated position and is very
aware of his importance. It is in Act 3 Scene 3 where Othello takes on a new persona, where his
confidence and happiness is tragically replaced with jealousy and rage.
Shakespeare establishes Othello as the tragic hero in Act 1 Scene 1 as the audience are introduced to
Iago, his nemesis, and are made aware of Othello's noble stature as well as being made aware that
Othello "loves his own pride" (hubris). In this first scene Iago and Roderigo are conversing about
Othello and Iago repeatedly uses the word "the Moor" to describe him. This was a derogative term
used to describe black men which, in Elizabethan times, were believed to be evil. As Elizabethans
were much more critical of black people, Shakespeare's deliberate choice of using a black character
to have an impact, would in reality only have had an affect on the audience when the play was
initially performed. Audiences now would be more affected and bothered by the racial element of
the play, rather than the use of a black man, this is as a result of the way societies views have
transformed since

Analyzing the Characteristics of Kind Lear Essay
Analyzing the Characteristics of Kind Lear Lear is the protagonist, whose willingness to believe his
older daughters' empty flattery leads to the deaths of many people. In relying on the test of his
daughters' love, Lear demonstrates that he lacks common sense or the ability to detect his older
daughters' falseness. Lear cannot recognize Cordelia's honesty amid the flattery, which he craves.
The depth of Lear's anger toward Kent, his devoted follower, suggests excessive pride–Lear refuses
to be wrong. Hubris leads Lear to make a serious mistake in judgment, while Lear's excessive anger
toward Kent also suggests the fragility of his emotional state. Hubris is a Greek term referring to
excessive and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Lear wants to remain in charge of his destiny, even though the choices he makes are poor or filled
with danger. Thus, Lear chooses to go out into the storm because he must retain some element of
control. The only other choice is to acquiesce to his daughters' control, and for Lear, that option is
not worth considering. Lear is stubborn, like a willful child, and this is just one additional way in
which he tries to deal with the events controlling his life. Lear flees into the storm, as a child flees a
reality too harsh to accept. In spite of his despair and self–pity, Lear is revealed as a complex man,
one whose punishment far exceeds his foolish errors, and thus, Lear is deserving of the audience's
sympathy. Eventually, Lear displays regret, remorse, empathy, and compassion for the poor, a
population that Lear has not noticed before. Lear focuses on the parallels he sees to his own life, and
so in a real sense, his pity for the poor is also a reflection of the pity he feels for his own situation.
Lear is the anointed king, God's representative, and thus, he shares the responsibility for dispensing
justice on earth. He recognizes that he bears responsibility for both his own problems and for those
of others, who suffer equally. His understanding of his complicity in the events that followed is a
major step in

Shakespeare's use of the Renaissance Idea of Fatalism and...
Shakespeare's use of the Renaissance Idea of Fatalism and Imagery in King Lear
In a play about individual tragedies, fatalism plays an important part. Shakespeare effectively uses
cosmic imagery to define his characters and to explore the idea of journeys linked to self–discovery
by relating it to the imagery of rotating circles. Shakespeare uses Renaissance theology to explain
character motivation. In the 16th century there was a great belief in astronomy. People believed in
the harmony of the spheres and they were ruled by this idea of thhe natural alignment of the nine
planets in their orbits. Shakespeare incorporates this into "King Lear" in highlighting Edgar and
Gloucester's superstitious ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Edmund turns away from the belief of the alignment of planets and harmonies and towards nature as
that is all he can be really sure of. The fact that Edmund doesn't believe in 'spherical predominance'
proves that he is different to the society around him. Shakespeare takes every opportunity to
emphasise this to distinguish 'evil' from 'good' in the play putting Edmund forward as a character
who is out of harmony. When Gloucester predicts that 'eclipses in the sun and moon' suggesting a
bad omen, Edmund casts aspersions on this idea, accusing the world of 'foppery', describing it as
'excellent' because he sees it as a weakness that he can exploit from his anti–human point of view.
Edmund is also stating that people are fops or fools because they blame their evil and wrong doings,
which is really part of their character 'our own behaviour', on the cosmos. Even though Edmund
does rightly say that
'that when we are sick in fortune–often surfeits of our own behaviour–we make guilty of our
disasters, the sun, the moon and the stars, as if we were villains on necessity, fools by heavenly
compulsion' (Act I.2.117–26)
He declares that men are fools if they evade responsibility for their actions by blaming the stars He
ultimately decides that man is what he is by choice, not by the stars and that he is evil. He
appreciates no fate, only free will. He says that all cosmic followers

Comparison Of King Lear And Gloucester Essay
Shakespeare uses subplots to dramatize the action of the play and give spark on the contrast for the
themes in King Lear. Sub plots usually improve the effect of dramatic irony and suspense. The latter,
which is used in King Lear, gives us the understanding of the emotions of the characters in the play.
This follows the parallelism between Gloucester and King Lear.
In King Lear, the subplot of Gloucester corresponds to the major plot of King Lear. Both fathers
have their own loyal legitimate child and their evil and disloyal child. They are both honourable
men, who have children that return to them in their time of need. Gloucester and Lear are both
tormented, and their ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Gloucester's death in the subplot is a parallel to that of King Lear's in the main plot. Though
Gloucester does not have the tragic catastrophic death of King Lear. King Lear's anguish led him to
insanity while Gloucester is led to despair and attempts suicide. Before Gloucester's attempt at
suicide, he realizes that he has wronged Edgar and condemns his blindness of Edmund's plans.
My father, poorly led? World, world, O world! But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee,
Life would not yield to age. (Act 4 Scene 1 Pg. 207 lines 10–12) This parallels Lear's death as he
also condemns his daughter Cordelia. I have seen the day, with my good biting falchion I would
have made 'em skip. I am old now, And these same crosses spoil me. Who are you? Mine eyes are
not o' the best, I'll tell you straight. (Act 5 Scene 3 pg. 317 lines 276–279) Both deaths run on the
same train tracks, as King Lear and Gloucester die as better and wiser men than they showed
themselves at first.
Throughout the play, Shakespeare uses the contrast through other characters such as Cordelia and
Edgar, who hides in the beginning and then later reveal themselves to conquer and defeat evil
forces. Subplots do make the play better all around and make the audience want to know more and
enjoy it. Lear and Gloucester even are totally different people but live in a parallel world, they are

Fool in William Shakespeare's King Lear Essay
Fool in William Shakespeare's King Lear
The Fool's function in King Lear is to create emphasis on the tragedy in the play and give insight
into the characters' true nature. He shows other characters' nature though blunt comments and earns
himself the name of 'all–licensed Fool', as he clearly states peoples' inner personality.
He develops the tragedy though a theme of madness and instability, from his use of poems and
rhymes intermingled with standard prose, which even then is full of cryptic phrases and drivel. This,
also, creates a dramatic atmosphere, as the lines of his riddle are short with a quick tempo.
However, the Fool was not just used in King Lear. There were many other ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
He also states his point of view towards Lear's decision to banish Cordelia, and believes Lear to be a
'sweet and bitter fool' for this action. This shows one of his functions is to comment on relationships
and characters.
The Fool's views on the situation here emphasise the atmosphere of madness and tragedy that
Shakespeare is trying to portray to the audience. The Fool's function is therefore to make us feel
pathos towards Lear's folly and Cordelia, and clarify Goneril and Regan's hatred towards their
father. In addition to this, he adds contrast to the tragedy through his use of poems and riddles in this
scene, which creates a comical element. The Fool creates most of his desired functions through these
changes in his style of language. Throughout the play, the Fool talks in riddles and poems amid
normal prose. He uses this to confuse Lear and for comic relief, which I have already mentioned as
one of his functions. This also keeps the audience and Lear interested in his conversation. The Fool's
language makes Lear want the Fool to 'teach [him]'. The Fool's function is to also add irony to the
play in the statement, already pronounced by Lear, 'Nothing comes out of nothing'. This creates
irony, as ultimately nothing is precisely what Lear ends with. In Act I scene IV one of the Fool's
poems is;
That lord that counsell'd thee
To give away thy land,
Come place him here by

Shakespeare 's King Lear And The Winter 's Tale
A prevailing theme in Shakespeare's King Lear and The Winter's Tale is the possibility of
reconciliation. Both rulers, Lear and Leontes, allow their political authority to often clash with their
internal flaws, but Shakespeare presents these characters in two different settings, each of which
equally produce two aspects of redemption that are worthy of discourse. They resolve their
mistakes, and with other characters and forcers within each play that aid in their restoration, Lear
and Leontes come to find emotional redemption. However, unlike the ending of The Winter's Tale,
where supernatural forces intervene and Leontes' former life is completely recovered, King Lear is
not as fortunate. While Lear achieves emotional redemption and realizes the love and affection of
his daughter and closest friends, his life is not restored to its former lever of grandeur. This begs the
question of whether complete redemption, encapsulating both the emotional and physical elements,
truly exists in a natural world.
King Lear's character is powerful because it exemplifies the raw, emotional and physical journey of
the human condition. He embodies all the trademarks of a man with high standing. He seemingly
has within his control a kingdom that he wields with authority, great wealth, and he is held in high
esteem by his followers. In the early lines of the play, Lear takes possession of his supremacy in
dividing the entirety of his kingdom to his daughters, solely based on which of his

Theme Of Passion In King Lear
Practice can make things perfect, but it is the passion that persuades them. In King Lear, Lear's first
phase of development is about his wild enthusiasm (passion). First and foremost of the play, Lear
enters his castle and begins to discuss the division of Britain between his daughters: Goneril, Regan,
and Cordelia. Lear says that he will handover his throne, but whoever expresses greater amount of
their affection shall get the largest bounty; "Which of you shall we say doth love us most?" (1.1.52).
While Goneril and Regan succeed in their flattery; Lear's energetic love is destroyed in light of the
fact that Cordelia did not exaggerate her love towards her father. This outcomes in King Lear
abandoning and banishing Cordelia. Close to the end of the play, Lear strolls in (at British camp)
with the dead Cordelia in his arms: I might have saved her; now she's gone for ever! Cordelia,
Cordelia! Stay a little. Ha! What is't thou sayest? Her voice was ever soft, Gentle, and low – an
excellent thing in woman. (5.3.270–73)
Lear communicates his passionate love towards Cordelia, which demonstrates the amount he regrets
banishing her. In addition to passion, Lear ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In King Lear, the theme of nature and storm echoes Lear's internal turmoil and madness. In the
meantime, the storm symbolizes the marvellous power of nature, which compels the powerless ruler
to perceive his own mortality. The chaos also symbolizes the political confusion that has
overwhelmed Britain. One of the points that relate to the theme of storm is Lear's cruel nature. In
Act 1, Lear arrives at the Duke's (Albany) castle. After a while, Goneril comes in search for Lear
and tells him that if he has to remain in her royal residence, he must lessen the number of his
knights. Lear enrages again (continuation of anger from Oswald's misbehaviour) and unfortunately
curses Goneril in such way, no father

The Role of the Double Plot in King Lear and Hamlet Essay
King Lear and Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, are two plays that reveal similar thematic elements,
yet possess fundamentally different plot structures. Driven by the suffering and rage of two
complementary characters, both plays suggest injustice through 'good', but ultimately flawed
characters. This shared overarching theme is, however, conveyed differently within each of the
works, as one employs two mainly disparate plot threads, while the other relies more heavily on the
interaction between the two central plots. Yet the ultimate purpose of this dualism remains the same
within both King Lear and Hamlet, in that Shakespeare's use of the double plot illuminates the tragic
elements within both plays, emphasizing core injustices through ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
This dichotomy between external blames and internal repentance is used by Shakespeare to
demonstrate the tragic nature of King Lear from more than one plane, showing how two different
personalities respond to two similar fates. In "Hamlet" however, this clear symmetry is replaced
with a more muddled intertwinement. Rather than maintaining two relatively separate plot threads in
the journeys of Lear and Gloucester, Shakespeare opts to interweave the motivations and fates of
Laertes and Hamlet, using their conflict as the central dynamic, while their parallels take a reduced
role. In this sense, while King Lear is driven solely by the dualism of the story, Hamlet relies on the
clash of the two plots to suggest injustice. This injustice, through conflict, is shown most
prominently in Hamlet's and Laertes' duel at the end of the play. Hamlet, describing Laertes as a "a
very noble youth." (5.1.231), reveals a respect towards his foe that suggests that it is circumstance,
not choice, that forces his hand. Similarly, Laertes' singular goal, "To this point I stand, that both the
worlds I give to negligence, let come what comes, only I'll be revenged most thoroughly for my
father." (4.5.151–154) shows that his wrath is fueled solely by duty, such that his pursuit of revenge
imparts upon him a single–minded myopia that drives him inexorably towards the final conflict.
Ironically, upon meeting Claudius after hearing of his father's death, Laertes asks "How came he

William Shakespeare 's King Lear Essay
Shakespeare 's King Lear is regarded to be one of his most successful piece of literature, published
in the 17th century, in which he depicts a dramatic adaptation of relationships between parents and
their children. Preceding the twentieth century, several critics have deemed King Lear as a classic
tragedy and therefore labelling the character of Lear as a "tragic hero". This is because much–like
the ancient Greek legend of Oedipus, Lear 's sense of pride is what consequently leads to his demise
from the very beginning, where Lear is arguably at the pinnacle of his power. Therefore, upon the
traditional reading of King Lear, Lear's human qualities shown following his downfall as king would
prove this character suitable for the title as a tragic hero; where a lesson can be learned, thus
allowing an Elizabethan audience to feel a sense of moral justice at the end of the play (however, the
existence of the sub–plot involving Edmund and Gloucester alongside that of Lear 's tragedy and his
daughters implies a lack of distinction from Lear 's character to other true tragic heroes). In light of
this, it could change our overall interpretation of the play itself to be Shakespeare 's personal
comments on the Human Condition to his advantage, removes any suspicion that he may be making
a direct comment on the death of an ageing monarchy and rise of a usurper towards the Catholic
James 6th of Scotland by intentionally setting the play in a pre–Christian Albion world.
Alternatively,

Examples Of Greed In King Lear
Appalling acts of greed, horrendous acts of betrayal, and unchanging accounts of stubbornness
weave throughout the entirety of the play "King Lear." With heinous acts and equally despicable
characters, "King Lear" flourishes with dramatic irony and tragedy. However, though the play "King
Lear" is written as a tragedy, Shakespeare still manages to manifest a plethora of valuable life
lessons within the play. Some of the life lessons learned in the play "King Lear" prove that loved
ones can betray, greed can lead to despicable acts, and stubbornness can lead to irrational acts.
According to Sparknotes, "Betrayal plays a critical role in the play and shows the workings of
wickedness in both the familial and political realms" ("King"). With children ... Show more content
on Helpwriting.net ...
When Lear becomes angry with Goneril's servants and demands to talk to his daughter, Goneril
announces that she is sick and, therefore, cannot speak with Lear. When Goneril sees Lear seeking
comfort rather than reprimanding, she immediately orders that he cut the number of his servants,
thereby diminishing his power. By trying to gain more power and diminish her father's, Goneril
shows familial betrayal.
Though Goneril beautifully portrays familial betrayal in "King Lear," Gloucester's illegitimate son
Edmund also portrays familial betrayal. For instance, in Act I, Scene II, Edmund hatches a plan to
frame his older brother Edgar. Edmund forges a letter that reads,
This policy and reverence of age makes the world bitter to the best of our times; keeps our fortunes
from us till our oldness cannot relish them. I begin to find an idle and fond bondage in the
oppression of aged tyranny; who sways, not as it hath power, but as it is suffered. Come to me, that
of this I may speak more. If our father would sleep till I waked him, you should half his revenue for
ever, and live the beloved of your brother, (I, ii,

How Does King Lear Commit Suicide
In William Shakespeare's tragic play, King Lear, the Earl of Gloucester believes he is about to
commit suicide by jumping off a cliff. Using dramatic irony, Gloucester's son Edgar, who is
disguised as a beggar, leads his father to the "edge of the cliff" to jump off, but he actually leads
Gloucester to safety. Gloucester, convinced he survived the fall, believes the gods have kept him
alive for a reason; he still has a purpose to complete. Shakespeare uses this incident as a casement to
his belief that everybody is destined by the fate of the stars; everyone has a predetermined purpose
to fulfill. Gloucester realizes he made a mistake in trusting Edmund, and after the incident on the
cliff, Gloucester believes the gods spared him because

Expo
Macbeth: Easy Questions, Difficult Answers
DERICK MARSH
Macbeth is not an obscure play. The course of the action, unlike that of Hamlet, can easily be
summarized. Most readers and audiences can come to some general agreement on what the play is
about, provided that they can offer answers to the two major questions of understanding that the play
poses. These answers, it need hardly be said, cannot be precise and absolute, since Shakespeare 's
plays, like life, never allow us the delusion of perfect understanding. Nevertheless, we do need to
decide what we are invited to think and feel about Macbeth and what he does. In particular, we have
to consider why he acts as he does; why, in the first place, he kills Duncan, and then why, acting ...
Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
If we trace the course of his resolution from that first revealing start, through "Stars, hide your fires
..." and "If it were done ..." to the preparations for the murder and his last–minute qualms, there is
little sense of his being dragged in a direction he doesn 't want to go, by what one of our current
jargons would call a sexually potent, high–dominance female. The relation between them is more
interesting than that. The deed they plan, the murder of a good, old, defenceless King, who is their
kinsman and their guest, is so horrible that their natures abhor it, yet, in different ways, they stifle
that abhorrence, thinking only of what they want, and not too directly
4
SYDNEY STUDIES
of the way they will get it. Lady Macbeth 's reaction is the more obvious of the two: in her famous
"unsex me here" speech she tries deliberately to suppress her own humanity, transposing the horror
of the deed into images of a terrible resolution, so that she will be able to do something that she
knows is vile. Of course she cannot wholly succeed. The sleeping King reminds her of her father;
the blood that is spilt returns to haunt her and drive her to distraction. She, like Macbeth himself, is
far too vulnerable to be seen as any kind of embodiment of pure evil. Macbeth 's state of mind is
more complex, and perhaps therefore more likely to

Macbeth Character Analysis
'Macbeth' is about the corrupting power of ambition which leads to the betrayal and downfall of the
once great Macbeth. In the 1600's it was believed that kings were appointed by 'Divine Right' and
were anointed by God. To kill a king was considered the worst sin and a terrible crime. 'Macbeth' is
a tragedy and the character of Macbeth is a tragic hero.
Throughout the play there are several main themes used by Shakespeare, ambition, loyalty, betrayal,
the supernatural and fate are some of these themes; and they are displayed by language techniques
such as imagery, soliloquies, dramatic irony and rhyme. Shakespeare uses these techniques in order
to entertain the audience.
In this essay I will argue that Macbeth is in many ways typical of the kind of tragic hero that was
often found in Greek tragedy, he is aggressive and bellicose similar to the scheming Machiavelli
such as Richard III. I will focus in how Shakespeare presents Macbeth at the start of the play, how
he is presented when he is faced with the decision of whether or not to kill King Duncan, his
relationship with the supernatural and how he is presented by the end of the play. I will also consider
how 'Macbeth' is a "Tragedy of Fate" which makes the outcome more the result of destiny than of
any individual hamartia.
Aristotle states that tragedy is "an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of certain
magnitude". 'Macbeth' is a play that explores the life and death issues and ambitions of power

Aristotle's Impact On Macbeth
Aristotle had quite a few remarks on the idea and thought of character, especially in genres such as
tragedies. In Aristotle's opinion, a variety of aspects makes a tragedy, a "tragedy," such as the
incorporation of a tragic figure who happens to have a tragic flaw that leads to the character's
demise. He also believes that a tragedy should have what is known as a "dramatic irony," which
occurs when the audiences knows information the characters in the play does not, thus changing the
watcher's perception of the overall story. However, even when Aristotle's expectations of tragedies
are oddly specific, it is generally applicable to other tragedies of literary merit, such as stories from
Shakespeare and provides an insight as to how the taste and social structure of the ancient Greek
times was influenced heavily by the contemporary tragedies.
Aristotle's statements and definition of ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In Macbeth, the tragic hero would definitely be Macbeth himself who had one fateful flaw that
determined his future: his unchecked ambition. Due to this one tragic flaw in the makings, Macbeth
went from a bright future as king to his demise, which eventually lead to his death. Because of the
events that occurred in the latter half of Macbeth's life, the play evokes pity, albeit a little
undeserved, from the audience as Macbeth accepts his doom. Furthermore, the playwright elicits
fear from the watchers, which is caused by their fear of committing the same mistake as Macbeth.
Aristotle believed that inciting fear and pity from the audience is part of what makes a tragedy, a
"tragedy." To strengthen the impact of the play, dramatic irony is employed, in which the audience
can hear monologues spoken by the actors about their actions. This thus changes the audience's
perception of a character's

Examples Of Passion In King Lear
Practice can make things perfect, but it is the passion that persuades them. In King Lear, Lear's first
phase of development is about his wild enthusiasm (passion). First and foremost of the play, Lear
enters his castle and begins to discuss the division of Britain between his daughters: Goneril, Regan,
and Cordelia. Lear says that he will transfer his throne, but whoever expresses greater amount of
their affection shall get the largest bounty; "Which of you shall we say doth love us most?" (1.1.52).
While Goneril and Regan succeed in their flattery; Lear's energetic love is destroyed in light of the
fact that Cordelia did not exaggerate her love towards her father. This outcomes in King Lear
abandoning and banishing Cordelia. Close to the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In King Lear, the theme of nature and storm echoes Lear's internal turmoil and madness. In the
meantime, the storm symbolizes the marvellous power of nature, which compels the powerless ruler
to perceive his own mortality. The chaos also symbolizes the political confusion that has
overwhelmed Britain. One of the points that relate to the theme of storm is Lear's cruel nature. In
Act 1, Lear arrives at the Duke's (Albany) castle. After a while, Goneril comes in search for Lear
and tells him that if he has to remain in her royal residence, he must lessen the number of his
knights. Lear enrages again (continuation of anger from Oswald's misbehaviour) and unfortunately
curses Goneril in such way, no father

Sight and Blindness in King Lear
Sight and Blindness in King Lear
In King Lear, the recurring images of sight and blindness associated with the characters of Lear and
Gloucester illustrate the theme of self–knowledge and consciousness that exist in the play.
These classic tropes are inverted in King Lear, producing a situation in which those with healthy
eyes are ignorant of what is going on around them, and those without vision appear to "see" the
clearest. While Lear's "blindness" is one which is metaphorical, the blindness of Gloucester, who
carries the parallel plot of the play, is literal. Nevertheless, both characters suffer from an inability to
see the true nature of their children, an ability only gained once the two patriarchs have plummeted
to the utter depths ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Such injustice is encountered by Gloucester in the subplot. O villain, villain! His very opinion in the
letter! Abhorred villain! Unnatural, detested, brutish villain! Worse than brutish! Go, sirrah, seek
him. I'll apprehend him. Abominable villain! Where is he? (Act 1 Scene 2 Pg. 37 lines 75–78)
Gloucester fooled by his bastard son Edmund, attacks Edgar and leaves Edmund to his evil plans.
Shakesperean plays such as King Lear, illustrate the theme of good vs evil.
Gloucester's death in the subplot is a parallel to that of King Lear's in the main plot. Though
Gloucester does not have the tragic catastrophic death of King Lear. King Lear's anguish led him to
insanity while Gloucester is led to despair and attempts suicide. Before Gloucester's attempt at
suicide, he realizes that he has wronged Edgar and condemns his blindness of Edmund's...
William Shakespeare's King Lear is a dramatic play that displays many relationships between
different characters. King Lear, himself, and Gloucester can be seen as two parallel characters with
the same mentality, while at the same time be looked upon with differences. These two characters
seem to be walking down the same path unknowingly, but in the end, Gloucester becomes truly
blind to the world, and King Lear begins to take in reality as it is. The relationships between King
Lear and Gloucester will be the central topic of this paper.
Gloucester's character

Examples Of Manipulation In King Lear
Rationale
Humans are easily manipulated creatures. The inability to understand, perceive and interpret things
with clarity can be seen as a very dangerous flaw in the design of human beings, as this shortcoming
may lead to the demise of an individual or even a group of people. The manner in which vision and
perception of certain characters in Shakespeare's play King Lear is obscured, is a testament of just
that. Through very unique literal and figurative writing, Shakespeare clearly demonstrates to the
audience or reader just how easily deceived human beings can be. A perfect example of this
revelation is the character, the Earl of Gloucester, who is the helpless victim of conniving
manipulation, cleverly conducted by his illegitimate son, Edmund. ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
When we are first introduced to Gloucester and Edmund, the Earl introduces Edmund as his
"bastard son" while joking about the manner in which Edmund was conceived. We are made to
understand that this is Gloucester's routine introduction of Edmund to anyone who might want to
know the identity of his son. As revenge for always being the black sheep and joke of the family,
Edmund decides to devise a plan which sees him rise to power. This is a clear example of
Gloucester's inability to realise that by continuously mocking and devaluing Edmund as a person, he
has brewed a strong resentment and hate within Edmund. In a series of tragic events which unfold
successively, Gloucester is made to believe by Edmund that his legitimate son, Edgar, is concocting
a plan to kill the Earl. Credulous as he is, the Earl blatantly believes Edmund's fabricated story. This
is a very clear figurative example of the blindness aspect in King

Analysis Of Shakespeare 's ' King Lear '
Isaiah Nguyen
Morse
English IV AP
10 November 2014
"When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways – either by losing hope and falling
into self–destructive habits, or by using the challenge to find our inner strength." A few wise words
from the Dalai Lama suggests an alternate ending to "King Lear", a play by William Shakespeare.
Once Lear began experiencing tragedies one after another as a result of his poor decisions. What
would have happened to Lear if he had stood up to his daughters and displayed true strength instead
of being driven into insanity? The play would not have been a Shakespearean tragedy if Lear was
able to find his inner strength instead, Shakespeare uses Lear's tragic events to create a morbid and
dark tone to help develop the plot. His dark tone is derived from his experiences during his life time
or from older literary works.
Shakespeare's style of writing in the play affects the way the information is presented.
Shakespeare uses rhetorical devices and dark tones to help drive the plot. One of the most notable
rhetorical device Shakespeare uses are allusions. The entire play seems like an allusion to The Book
of Job. Shakespeare parallels them very heavily, except the audience can empathize with Job more
than Lear, because Job was just part of a bet between God and Satan. Lear on the other hand causes
his own misfortunes by forsaking Cordelia and making plenty of poor choices. Lear slowly slips into
a morbid state of mind as a result of

The Dramatic Impact of Act 1 Scene 3 in Shakespeare's...
The Dramatic Impact of Act 1 Scene 3 in Shakespeare's Othello and Its Importance to the Whole
Play
Othello is a tragic play by Shakespeare, set in Venice during the Elizabethan time. It portrays the
growth of unjustified jealousy in the noble protagonist, Othello, a Moor serving as a general in the
Venetian army. The innocent object of his jealousy is his wife, Desdemona. In this domestic tragedy,
Othello's evil lieutenant Iago draws him into mistaken jealousy in order to ruin him. Othello is
destroyed partly through his gullibility and willingness to trust Iago and partly through the
manipulations of this villain, who clearly enjoys the exercise of evildoing just as he hates the
spectacle of ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The main action that occurs at the beginning of this scene is the meeting between the Duke and the
senators of Venice, in the council chambers. Council meetings are usually held during the day; but
the fact that it is night time now, makes the audience think that the topic of this meeting is so
important that the council members cannot wait till it is morning to discuss it. This strategy used by
Shakespeare motivates the audience to focus on the scene.
The purpose of this meeting is to decide the future of one of the Venetian colonies, Cyprus. Cyprus
is a trading island, where merchants from all over the world come to trade and therefore Cyprus has
become the target of the Turkish fleet to conquer, as Turkey has an interest in Cyprus's wealth in this
meeting. It is to be decided what the Venetian's will do to protect their colony from the imminent
attack of the Turkish fleet. The Turks are non–Christians and therefore considered to be malevolent
during the era, and anybody who's not white and a Christian, were always associated with evil.
Shakespeare subtly introduces the theme of racial discrimination on the grounds of religiously.

King Lear
William Shakespeare's King Lear is a timeless play whose textual integrity lends itself to a variety
of interpretations and in exploring the human condition the text remains relevant across a wide
range of contexts. It is possible to present the text as exploring and affirming the human condition,
where humanity is defined as the ability to love and empathise. However, in the same instance, a
nihilist perspective, such as Peter Brooke's 1971 production of King Lear, challenges this by
outlining that humanity as an imaginary ideal.
The notion that humanity is possessed only by those who understand and perceive the basic human
condition can be seen to be explored in King Lear. Lear's advancing madness allows him to perceive
reality once ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
This is emphasised when Gonerill and Regan question him about his train, to which he responds
with, "Reason not the need!" This shows that Lear believes it is what he possesses that determines
who he is, demonstrating his misguided value judgements. In Brooke's production, the camera is
then seen to spiral around Lear, reflecting his emotions in relation to the betrayal of his daughters.
However, during the storm scene, he relinquishes material possessions, crying, "Off, off, you
lendings!" denoting his understanding that material possessions are without value. As a result, in the
removal of his material possessions, a nihilist perception would interpret this as his acceptance of
the worthlessness of all that originally embodied him, further suggesting that he has forsaken his ego
and resigned himself to the belief that he, like the rest of the world, will be fundamentally reduced to
nothing.
Deception occurs throughout the play and catalyses the understanding of the human condition. Both
Gloucester and Lear are egocentric and succumb to flattery. Dramatic irony features, where
Gloucester must lose his sight in order to perceive "how this world goes", announcing, "I stumbled
when I saw." Similarly, Lear becomes mad upon discovering his daughters' false love and discovers
humanity in his madness. It could be suggested it is the devastation that they undergo through their
children's' deception that catalyse their self–realisation, outlining that

Duality Of Fate In King Lear
Astronomy harkens back thousands of years to the very beginning of man's attempt to understand
and control the natural world that exists around him. The stars, moon, and planets are more than just
celestial bodies suspended in the black vacuum of space; they have long been used as a tool and
consulting device to portend the future and command one's destiny. In Shakespeare's The Tragedy of
King Lear, Lord Gloucester and his illegitimate son, Edmund, exemplify the paradoxical duality of
fate; it being both an inflexible predetermined course, but also malleable enough to allow the free
will of individuals.
Gloucester, both at the parental and societal level, uses the rigidity of fate as an excuse to not take
personal responsibility for his actions ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Edmund sees his father as an ignorant fool, relying upon the irrationalities and capriciousness of the
moon and stars to govern important decisions. Edmund easily manipulates his father into believing
that Edgar is a traitor, thereby condemning his brother to exilement and death, while increasing his
own favor with their father. Chuckling at his Gloucester's absurdity, he states "we make guilty of our
own disasters, the sun, the moon, and stars, as of we were villains on necessity; fools by heavenly
compulsion" (I.ii.127–129). While his father is resolute in his convictions of external forces
controlling a person's destiny, Edmund ardently believes in the free will of individuals, and refuses
to be a passive force in his own life. On the other hand, like his father, Edmund uses his
interpretation of fate in order to justify his schemes. By setting up a series of events to kill his
brother, he will inherit the power, prestige, and wealth that he could never attain on his own, being
destined for a pauper's life. Further condemning the use of astrology as a correct science, Edmund
rejects the idea that "my nativity was under Ursa Major, so that it follows I am rough and
lecherous...I should have been that I am" (I.ii.137–140). It is inconceivable to Edmund that one's
destiny has been mapped

Selfishness In Macbeth
Macbeth by William Shakespeare is the story of how one mans hubris destroys him. From it, we can
extrapolate and comment on how in society people have a choice. We can live a life of altruism,
valour and nobility or one fuelled by ambition, greed and violence. Macbeths journey from the
former to the later showcases to the audience the dangers of selfishness. It prompts us to question
our view of life – do we succumb to the false promises of evil, as tempting as they are, or do we
remain defiant and true to ourselves. Shakespeare's play is a very clear warning against listening to
the dark forces that are constantly around us. In the initial scenes of the play, Shakespeare creates a
very deliberate first impression of Macbeth and the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
It contains the ominous line "the greatest is behind". These words, though ambiguous, suggest to the
audience that that Macbeth believes the greatest has already been achieved (i.e. it is his destiny to be
king) so the next steps will be easier. The next steps include getting rid of Duncan. Through his
aside he describes to the audience the thoughts running through his head. He is battling with his
innate goodness "if good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrible image doth unfix my
hair" and make his " heart knock at his ribs". His language reveals that he is considering murdering
king Duncan, though he would loathe doing it. However at the end of the aside Macbeth decides not
to follow through with the murder "if chance will have me king, why chance may crown me without
my stir" and instead leave it to chance as he knows he should be loyal to king Duncan "our duties
are to your throne". From this aside the audience learns that Macbeth wants greatness to be his but
the horribleness of murder and his loyalty to the throne are preventing him. At this point Macbeth is
still a good man even though he is flawed. He is aware of his own ambition but is not allowing to
undermine his integrity. An aside is also used following a meeting between Duncan, Macbeth and
Banquo. In this scene Shakespeare uses dramatic irony for when Duncan refers to the traitor Cawdor
ne says "he was a gentleman upon which I built an absolute trust". This foreshadows how

King Lear Destruction
"The oldest hath borne most; we that are young / Shall never see so much nor live so long", what
Edgar, and the remaining survivors, have seen is one of the most impressive tragedies ever written
(5.3.331–32). King Lear, written by William Shakespeare, has a deluge of dramatic irony, conflict,
and death, making it one of the most tragic plays ever written. Such plentiful amount of tragedy
leaves many scholars to ask, "What is the cause for such destruction of lives?" The paramount cause
for the massive tragedy in King Lear is the human nature's tendency to, in thought of self interest,
react hastily with anger or sorrow. After examination of characters motives and actions the self
interests of power, revenge, and protection are all what lead ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
The reason for this is because it is in people's nature, and certainly in the character's, to react rashly
in either feelings of hatred or vengeance and great grief or sorrow. Said nature can be seen and
applied to Edmund's and Goneril's and Regan's fight for power, Edmund's and Goneril's vengeance
for fair treatment and love, and most tragically Gloucester's, Cordelia's, and Lear's reaction to the
safety and forgiveness. When looking toward all of the events, Edgar cannot be more accurate in
saying "we that are young / Shall never see so much nor live so long"

Essay about There Are as Many Readings of Othello as There...
There are as many readings of a text as there are readers; Every text has a myriads versions of
different critical "readings", such as "Feminist", "Liberal Humanist" or "Deconstructionist" readings
depending how each readers perceives its meanings. In each of the readings, the audience is given
an ideologically determined text, which incorporates aspects of the original, but rejects or
understates other aspects that might contradict these particular readings. In Othello, there are
likewise also many different readings, for example, Feminist, Postcolonial and Aristotelian. It is
possible to suggest two readings which perhaps may link to audiences psychologically and
ideologically more successfully – the Aristotelian and Feminist reading, ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
However, through chances, villain's manipulations and most importantly his own mind's weakness,
Othello undergoes a mental collapse, which leads to the tragic fall of the protagonist and an ultimate
ending of the play in turmoil. Also, derived by Aristotle is that all tragedies have a plot built around
a "downturn" or catastrophe and eventual recognition of a true and appalling state of affairs. In
Othello, the "downturn" would be the temptation scene in Act 3, which had given Iago the initial
opportunity to deceive Othello regarding Desdemona.
The setting of the play, a postcolonial society with the central characters from high social status also
reveals the calamitous nature of Othello. As generalized by Aristotle, most classical tragedies
possesses characters of superiority, usually being kings or nobles, for example, King Lear from King
Lear, Macbeth from Macbeth and Royal Prince Hamlet from Hamlet. This type of setting highlights
the role of the protagonist, differentiates him/her from the ordinary, and as a result dramatizes the
happenings within the play. In this case, since Desdemona and Othello are a part of the high society
of Venice, their romantic relationship and death would perhaps be more emotion evocative to the
audience.

Comparing Aging In King Lear And Birdman
William Shakespeare, through his play King Lear, and Alejandro G. Iñárritu, through his 2014 film
Birdman, both portray characters who reflect on their lives and become obsessed with leaving a
lasting legacy, resulting in eventual self–destruction. In his madness, Lear reflects on how he
believes he was not a good king during his reign, hence affecting his legacy after his inevitable
death, while Riggan Thomson's (Michael Keaton) play is his attempt at remaining relevant.
Shakespeare's use of soliloquies and Iñárritu's use of Riggan's 'inner–voice' also both give the
audience insight into the mind of the two characters. At the pinnacle of his madness, as Lear realises
that he has become a "weak and despised old man" and regrets his reign for ... Show more content
on Helpwriting.net ...
Both Lear and Riggan are arrogant, egotistical and ultimately ignorant to the surrounding world.
Iñárritu and Shakespeare utilise the dialogue of other characters towards the protagonists, in albeit
different ways, to show this. Shakespeare utilises the Fool to provide commentary for the audience.
In the court of the king, the Fool's role was to provide entertainment through comedy, but
Shakespeare portrays him as the only character telling Lear the truth and thus this is an example of
dramatic irony. Through his anecdotes and commentary, the Fool reveals to Lear the truth, but in his
ignorance the king does not acknowledge this. Iñárritu demonstrates this through the audial and
visual manifestation of Riggan's younger self. While Shakespeare uses the Fool to tell Lear and the
audience the truth, Riggan's subconscious furthers his disconnection from reality and self–
absorption. Additionally, Shakespeare uses eyes as a motif to emphasise this fatal blindness,
attributed to age. The plucking out of Gloucester's eyes is also a direct link to this. Lear's crown is
also used as a symbol of Lear's poor judgement; by splitting the kingdom between his daughters,
Lear "clovest his crown i' th' middle", which ultimately lead to the tragic consequences at the end of
the play. Iñárritu explores a similar idea of a limited view of the world through

William Shakespeare 's Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night is a dramatic comedy which revolves around the classic Shakespearean traits of
comedy, which are difficult to categorise but generally identifiable in that they often contain
dazzling word play, irony, and a greater emphasis on situations than characters. While in many ways
the play is a celebration of social upheaval through its characters, the play is very much
characteristic to typical conventions seen in Shakespeare's comedies when it's identifying features
are considered. By exploring the role of Malvolio within the play, it is evident of the subversive role
he plays. Malvolio's character is introduced as one who feels he is able to obtain the hand of Olivia,
who in the context of the play is only a steward let alone nobility, the social ambition is subversive
for him to try and alter an establish social order of the court. Maria says that "sometimes he is a kind
of puritan", which aligns Malvolio with the religious group despised for its opposition to the theatre,
winter festivals, and other forms of entertainment. The significance of this comparison of Malvolio
and a Puritan may be Shakespeare's attack on the rising ideology of strict social order, so by
skewing the social order in which characters are portrayed he is able to recreate an environment
which revolves around the Twelfth Night tradition where 'roles are reversed'. Furthermore, Malvolio
is the most socially ambitious character, as he is commanding of the Knights Sir Toby and Sir
Andrew,

Examples Of Duplicity In King Lear
Duplicity is a theme which dominates and defines the play King Lear. The rise of the Machiavellian
Edmund and the fall of the eponymous tragic hero King Lear are both due to one major aspect of
human nature, deception. The tragedy is set in motion by King Lear, who blinded by hubris,
attempts to abdicate and retain power. His folly and hubris, allows him to deceive himself into
believing the best way to divide the kingdom is to command his daughters to partake in a demeaning
love test, where Goneril and Regan feed his ego with more acts of deceit. Edmund employs the
same tactic of deception to manipulate his rise to power. He convinces his 'blind' father Gloucester
into banishing his loyal son Edgar. Deception is also used for good in the play, ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
He seduces both Goneril and Regan, whom are arch–deceivers, causing them to become infatuated
with him. This allows Edmund to rise to power and he manufactures jealousy between them,
becoming a king in the process. Regan declares "Witness the world, that I create thee here, my lord
and master". Through manipulating attraction and identifying it as a weakness Edmund has taken
power. The dramatic irony utilised by Shakespeare adds to the atmosphere of this scene, as it was
Regan and Goneril who used false declarations of love to rise to power, and it was this very strategy
is what led to their undoing. Edmund highlights the abhorrent truth that any showing of trust can be
manipulated via deception for personal gain.
Despite the malevolence of deception, Shakespeare reveals how at times it can be used for the
benefit of man. The loyalty of Lear's servant Kent is shown when he adopts the disguise of Cauis to
aid Lear. Having been banished for contradicting Lear's beliefs, in the hope of helping him by being
honest, Kent says "Now banished Kent, if thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemned." The
juxtaposition employed by Shakespeare of the words "serve" and condemned" is potent,
highlighting Kent's integrity. He deceives Lear, solely to help him. This is an excellently crafted
example of how deception can be used for

The Role and Function of the Fool in King Lear
Explore the role and function of ‘The Fool' in ‘King Lear' The Fool in ‘King Lear' is a William
Shakespeare creation. Shakespeare has the ability to reveal a human character with an exceptional
use of language. He allows us to see more than just words on the paper; we're given a multi
dimensional insight into a character. Usually his characters aren't as straight–forward as black or
white, they are invariably more complex. Edmund for example, it's easy to present him as the villain
but Shakespeare also shows us a sorry side to him as he attempts an apology before he dies.
Shakespeare has given us concrete images of things that are inexpressible, such as love. To articulate
a multi– faceted view of a person and present it concisely with ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
The Fool also likes to remind Lear that he has not only failed himself but his people too. ‘So out
went the candle and we were left darkling' Lear was the light of the state now he has abdicated the
light has gone out and he's let his people down by leaving them in the incapable hands of his two
daughters. Eventually the Fool gets a glimmer of hope back from Lear when he realises his
mistakes. ‘I did her wrong' he says about Cordelia. At this point the Fool switches back to being
light hearted as he realises stressing the point would only bring Lear down. Some critics say The
Fool is responsible for pushing Lear over the edge. I like to think it was necessary for Lear to go
through madness so he can truly appreciate the consequences of his actions. The Fool was helping
Lear to ‘see better'. Finally Lear's conscience catches up with him at least to an extent when he says
‘poor fool and knave I have one part in my heart that's sorry for thee.' The Fool's sarcasm is blunt
and hard hitting, just like Cordelia's truth was in the ‘love test'. ‘I am better than thou art now I am
a fool thou art nothing'. The Fool is one of the Truth tellers in the play. Cordelia and Kent being the
other two. However the fool doesn't get punished for it like the others do. This is mainly due to the
way he articulates himself and what traditionally the role of the fool is. The main role of the fool
was to entertain. Yet they

A Consideration of the Way Shakespeare Presents and...
A Consideration of the Way Shakespeare Presents and Develops the Theme of Blindness in King
Lear Introduction ============ Throughout 'King Lear', Shakespeare uses the play's characters
to make judgements on society using blindness as a metaphor that runs through the play. He does
this in a number of ways portraying characters that can be fooled by others' flattery, or are easily
manipulated or deceived, or simply have a lack of wisdom. As well as the horrific physical blinding
of Gloucester, blindness is used as a metaphor for characters' lack of insight, moral blindness, and a
lack of perception into other's needs and interests. Shakespeare illustrates the importance of seeing
yourself ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Unlike Albany, Cornwall has great insight into other characters and uses this to his advantage by
manipulating and deceiving others. Cornwall however is morally blind, and unable to see the wrong
of his actions. The outcome of Cornwall's blindness is his death, his own servant turns on him, just
as he turned on his host and his king. Shakespeare illustrates poetic justice, in the downfall of
Cornwall. To counterbalance Cornwall's corruption, Albany grows in moral strength and gains
awareness of justice and virtue. Like Albany, Edgar's character develops throughout the play, he
must suffer as Tom O Bedlam to truly understand Edmond's trickery and more importantly himself.
He reverts into a state of oblivion, and denies himself personality, money, food, and his position in
society. From this state of nothingness, he builds his character, and so is no longer blind to himself,
therefore can more easily start to understand the intentions of those around him. Edgar builds his
character to the extent that by the end of the play, Shakespeare illustrates to the audience that he has
the most insight and rewards him with the title of King. Lear is blind and irresponsible as father and
ruler, he is preoccupied with appearances, he wishes to retain the trappings of majesty without the
'cares and

Examples Of Injustice In King Lear
Greed; the inventor and enforcer of injustice. The selfish desire for power overtakes all morals and
values, which is shown prominently in the classic tragedy, King Lear. The characters of Lear and
Gloucester discover the effect of injustice through betrayal and the silence of their gods. Their
journeys of self– discovery are shown through Shakespeare's use of symbolism, literary devices and
parallelism. Though one could argue that the banishment and dismissal of those close to them
creates an initial catalyst for chaos throughout the kingdom, the fate of these characters calls the
Elizabethan audience to question whether actions or beliefs decide ones destiny.
Shakespeare shows King Lear's experience of injustice through acts of dishonesty
and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In this scene, Lear states:
"Too little care of this! Take physic, pomp;
Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel,
That thou may'st shake the superflux to them
And show the heavens more just" (3.4.32–36)
In doing so, Lear strips down to show his vulnerability. Clothing is now nothing more than a mask
used to disguise ones true self. Naked, insane, and isolated out in the storm, Lear sees that the Gods
must be capable of torment, after feeling susceptible from the effects of the storm and the isolation.
The emotional violence that Lear endeavours leads to his insanity, which ultimately plays a critical
role in his development of a character.
Similar to Lear's revolution, Gloucester is the mirror image of Lear's ego. Through
Gloucester's lack of appreciation and his selfish acts, he inherits the illusion of trust from him two
sons – where only one stays loyal. Injustice causes the turning of Edmund –
Gloucester's evil son – shown through an un–natural uprising of father to son, ending ultimately
with the betrayal between Gloucester and Edmund. Similarly to Lear

Pride In King Lear Essay
King Lear and Gloucester both blame divine powers, out of pride, when things do not go the way
that they want them to, instead of taking responsibility, and it leads to them losing everything. Once
they have lost everything, they start to "see" things more clearly and end up earning some
redemption before they die. First, King Lear's pride in the first play, and refusal to accept blame,
culminate in terrible consequences later in the play. His hamartia becomes evident very early on in
the play. When he decides to split his kingdom amongst his daughter, he asks for flattery from them,
instead of the truth. This very clearly shows his excessive pride. He cares less about the truth about
how his daughters feel about him than the lies that will make him feel more important and ... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
He realises that he is "old and foolish" and states that Cordelia has cause to hate him. In doing this,
he stops blaming the gods for his mistakes, in fact he does not mention them in this scene, and
accepts the blame for what he has done. It is a key point to notice, however, that his realization is
not absolute, as he still seems to not notice his role in his daughters hating him, through his favoring
of Cordelia. He asks for Cordelia's forgiveness and, in doing so, starts along his path to purification.
Earlier on in the scene, when he first sees Cordelia, his realization and renewed love for his daughter
is shown as, "he movingly transforms Cordelia from 'this lady' to 'my child Cordelia', he recognizes
her; he reacknowledges her" (Is this the Promised End). His catharsis is mentioned a little in this
quote but he fathers attempts redemption through his continued love of Cordelia. When Lear's life is
endangered and he is put in jail with Cordelia, he welcomes the opportunity, just so that he can make
amends with

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