... Shakespeare draws our support for his villains as well as his heroes, asking us to explore what drives someone to action. We are invited to determine culpability for characters' deeds and to decide how fitting are their punishments. Shakespeare tests our sensibilities in letting us meet his villains intimately through their soliloquies. In Act One, Scene Two, we meet Edmund who ... Edmund has turned against him. Similarly, we wonder at whether Edmund's past is a mitigating factor in our judgment of him. For justice to be served, however, Gloucester's punishment would have to fit whateve...

• Word Count: 2076
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

"Crime", by George Lippard is full of many intriguing characters. Lippard introduces many of these characters under negative circumstances, but then, throughout the story, he reveals different sides of each character and the reader is given the chance to see a more sensitive ... or affectionate side to them. By showing that these characters are not all inherently bad, Lippard is asserting that these characters' social surroundings influence who they will become, concluding that a lot of the "evil" " they may contain is because of past hurts they've experienced. There are numerous characters i...

• Word Count: 1860
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... be without the other. Just as faith can not be without some doubt. The community strives on its faith and loves that which it has faith in and those which surround them sharing that faith. To take part in social activities, group functions, schools, and communal activities is a way of life in the ideal religious setting. With all of these there is the faith that ... drives the followers. Faith must be the underlying meaning to all activities for the ultimate. This is what separates religious communities from communities. Groups that have similar interests ... , ideas, and who favor unit...

• Word Count: 1981
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... was a part of the Earnshaw's, the relationship between herself and Heathcliff didn't begin with fireworks, but as time passed, their relationship improved to the point where Cathy ˜was much too fond of Heathcliff' and that the ˜greatest punishment we could invent for her was to keep her separate ... from him'. This was the beginning of their friendship and soon to be love affair, but Heathcliff's arrival and close friendship with Cathy was destructive, as Hindley grew jealous and protective. He ... believed that Heathcliff was taking his place as a brother and ... Cathy, which he beli...

• Word Count: 1378
• Approx Pages: 6

... tale of two lovers who take their lives for each other when their love is hindered by their feuding families. The forbidding of Romeo and Juliet's love proceeds through a chronological process that eventually coerces them into the waiting arms of death in hope that they would be together ... peacefully in the afterlife. In the streets of Verona, a brawl breaks out between the servants of the two feuding noble families, The Montagues and the Capulets. Benvolio, a Capulet, tries to stop the fighting, but he ends up also getting into a predicament with another Capulet, Tybalt, who ... a t...

• Word Count: 1571
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... by the bond of love (Aquinas Kingship extract 11). On the contrary, Aquinas mentions that rulers that cannot show friendship and love for their subjects and just control everything through fear, they should neither expect being supported nor loved for their subjects (Aquinas Kingship extract 11). Aquinas ... an Italian political philosopher, who lived in a controversial period where Italy was divided in many small states that constantly fight with each other and where the social life was characterized by egotism. The main goal for Machiavelli was to create a stable state; thus, he wrote...

• Word Count: 1797
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography

... lovers" fate. Some have said that the line is spoken with satisfaction. Others say it's with remorse. The eternal togetherness of the pair in hell, has been interpreted as both punishment and joy. In the final analysis, it is unlikely that Dante feels that love triumphs over all, even eternal damnation. Interpretation of this line differs from romantic to moralist. Dante, ... view represented in The Canzoniere. Without Laura, the sense of optimism would have been lost. Spirituality plays an integral role in The Canzoniere. While the poems occasionally stray from love and spirituality, th...

• Word Count: 2427
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

... main catalyst of the tragedy, deliberately exaggerating the violence and hatred permeating Verona to challenge us to critically assess society and our values. At first the audience is overwhelmed by the common presence of guns and violent fighting in public streets. We are shocked by the unlawfulness of the young adults and the lack of punishment enforced for their behaviour. Although the prince is symbolic ... of governing power, in essence he can do little to control the corruption of his people. Luhrmann shows that every society needs to be governed by law and order. Each person ... ...

• Word Count: 1387
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... famous tragedies. It is a tale that tells the story of a Scottish King, who's wife is the inspiration behind his means to take the thrown and claim his power. Violence and bloodshed are the ways to claim that seat. Although Macbeth has his own desires to do all he can to reach his goal, it is Lady ... become King by any means necessary, he just doesn't have the will it takes to get there by himself. It is Lady Macbeth that sees his weakness and uses that against him. Words are the most powerful weapon one can use against another. Her tongue is her weapon. With that power she dominates he...

• Word Count: 1251
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... ideals of love, Giovanni was countering that fight by trying to uphold the social norms, which was far more acceptable. There was family, friends, and enemies fighting on each side, all swearing that their statements were true, it was utter warfare in a courtroom. All this was going on just ... do this was disgraceful., ...he must have two reasons for marrying: the first is to perpetuate himself with children, the second is to have a faithful and steadfast companion. (Alberti 1). So, if Lusanna couldnt give Giovanni what every man must have, what use is it to marry her? She tried to ......

• Word Count: 1704
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... it can be confusing to understand the difference between moral virtue and the goodness of friends. When Aristotle says that friendship is necessary he is talking about a complete friendship, since incomplete friendships cannot be called friendships of virtue. In activities that people have there are three main things people want when ... it comes to friendships; pleasure, utility or the good. Aristotle also claims that in order to be virtuous you must love yourself. On these terms I will argue that the kind of friendship that Socrates and Crito have ... as wise as Socrates. He was not ra...

• Word Count: 2150
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

... scheme by Iago, Othello is angry and feels used, "I tremble at it. Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion without some instruction"(IV, i, 39-41). Othello then confronts Desdermona with these lies, "If you bethink yourself of any crime unreconcil's as yet to haven and grace solicit for it straight" ... (IV, ii, 26-28), and Desdermona is unaware of all of these rumours and lies that surround her and her relationship with Cassio. Othello believes the lies and the rumours and kills Desdermona. Lack of trust, jealousy and the willingness ... enough?"(222). Kathryn feels t...

• Word Count: 1809
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... in Orwell's "1984." The psychological, technological, physical, and social dangers of totalitarianism and political authority represented in "1984" perhaps could be seen to compare to the restrictions on women during the 18th century. They are restricted from finding happiness through marriage (socially), from engaging in activities such as voting (politically) and from working many jobs (physically). Control is the most ... evident theme throughout the entire book, both mentally and physically. The party successfully controls the minds of every one of its citizens through various appro...

• Word Count: 1738
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... standard. Francesco Petrarch was one of the major forerunners for the development of humanism throughout the countries. His writings provide definition to humanism, revealing Medieval History as barbaric, in a primitive and brutal sense, but he declares that classical history, on the other hand, should be the basis for life. In his work, My Secret, he writes of a discussion between Franciscus, ... of autonomous life. Petrarch's writing persuades us to be more considerate of our self-goals and personal aims. According to Petrarch, people need to be more educated than before, instead of e...

• Word Count: 2313
• Approx Pages: 9

... question is significant because people need to know whether sex will benefit or hinder a friendship. They also need to know the value of themselves and their friendship. Sex brings so many different complications in one's life. I believe that sex in a relationship is acceptable as long as both ... bedroom as well. Friends decide to have sex because of three reasons: sex is easily available; they decide no consequences (no strings attached), and it's just something to do to pass the time. According to Eileen Smith, she believes that "Friends-with-benefits relationships are far more ... sh...

• Word Count: 1514
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... visible when the eyes are closed, when vision is inward-looking. In Act IV, Scene 1, Demetrius comments on the permeability of the barrier between night and day, and the ability of night visions to carry over into the daylight hours. "Are you sure/ That we are awake? It seems to me/ That ... shape, but even in making this assertion Helena is forced to rely on sight imagery: "Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,/ And therefore is winged Cupid blind" (Act I, Scene 1, 234-235). Helena uses sight imagery in her resolution to get Demetrius back. Demetrius" gaze becomes ... short...

• Word Count: 1261
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... band stands out alone for their huge impact on my life as well as other people around me. The Dave Matthews Band, with their songs and lyrics, touched my soul and changed my perspective on how I look at life as they have hundreds across the nation. There seems to be a message in all of Matthews ... this section from "Rapunzel" Matthews shows how he can express his feelings in song by using a classic fairy tale. This song proves his witty sense of music and shows that there are countless numbers of tones one can take in writing a song about love. It basically says ill do anything for my lo...

• Word Count: 1387
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... line 25 when Donne compares the two lovers to a compass. At first this seems ridiculous, but yet again Donne finds a way to make it work and express his feelings beautifully. The women is described as the fixed foot because she is being left at home while the narrator goes on a long journey. ... complexity in the next stanza (lines 29-32) as Donne describes that the center foot leans toward the outer foot when it "far doth roam" and when the outer foot returns the center foot "grows erect" again. In the last stanza this wonderful metaphor continues as the narrator talks about the ... in ...

• Word Count: 1414
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... Esquirel symbolism plays a vital role throughout the central ideas. In both of these pieces of literature the symbolic objects are a hotel with everything in it and the use of cooking respectively. These objects reflect the families. In the play Blue Beach, the hotel portrays the breaking down of the Garza family, while ... this story represents the imprisoned life of Tita imposed on her from her mother. Throughout the story you learn that her mother controls Tita's life, and until her mother dies, Tita cannot live the life that she wishes to. In the very beginning of the story you lear...

• Word Count: 1481
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... 's lust for Gertrude. In addition, she also must be associated with sex. In Paul's case, he saves his mother from her broken marriage to Walter, giving her spirituality and a sense of stability. And, although Gertrude remains virginal in the Paul's eyes, birthing four children speaks otherwise. Thus, as his sexual desire is aroused in his maturity, Paul seeks fulfillment from a lover ... can be identified with is mother. In search of a physical relationship, Paul instead falls into a spiritual one with Miriam Lievers. Often represented by flowers, Miriam resembles Gertrude in purity, inte...

• Word Count: 1287
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... resembles you? There is nothing in you to like- (Dickens 103). Romeo Montague is no less desultory, but youth is his excuse, while alcohol and lifelong disappointment are Carton's. Shakespeare has Friar Lawrence state [about Romeo's multiple infatuations], "Young men's love then lies not truly in their hearts, ... love is unrequited, yet it's impact on him is no less profound, " I have had unformed ideas of striving afresh, beginning anew, shaking off sloth and sensuality- (Dickens 187). Romeo is no less affected by love, if in a more juvenile way when he states, "If I profane with my un...

• Word Count: 1281
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... , however ephemeral it may be. Overall, this poem, in my opinion at least, seems to show an extremely superficial idea of love, based entirely upon physical appearance and basic human lust. As can be expected from the time it was written, the woman has no real say in the relationship. The Whoso list to hunt' by ... hunter is far clearer in this text, as he claims that he cannot Draw from the deer', despite that fact that he knows that he has no hope and that trying is like seeking to hold the wind'. This hopelessness is made even more poignant as the poem gives the impression that he cou...

• Word Count: 1276
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... He performs various forms of suicide much to the displeasure of his mother. Also Harold attends the funeral services of complete strangers, drives a Hurst and frequently watches the demolition of condemned buildings. While attending a funeral one day Harold meets an extremely odd old women. The woman introduces herself as Maude ... gasoline. This poor guy was so traumatized by the event that she goes screaming out of the house. I thought this suicide was the cleverest and the most entertaining of all of his suicides. However amusing this suicide may have been to me I don't believe that i...

• Word Count: 1461
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... highlight the novel's example of moderation in human behavior, Elizabeth. Although her's is not always the ideal character, it is vastly superior to Lydia's, which is romantic without being reasonable, and Charlotte, whose cold pragmatism is evident in her materialistic perception of the marriage institution. In her disgust at Charlotte's behavior, Elizabeth says, "you shall not, for the sake of one ... love. The love which Charlotte represents is based completely on her submission to the laws of her society, while the "true love" Elizabeth embodies actually leads away from social accepta...

• Word Count: 1309
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... but dose not look past anything else in Cressida. Pandarus sings Troilus's praises to Cressida, which makes us wonder how great of a guy Troilus really is and why is Pandarus trying to "sell" his cousin so quickly. In Cressidas soliloquy (1.2) she tells the audience that she admires Troilus, but she won't ... in a submissive position. Then he talks about the encounter being sweet like relish. It seems like in these lines there is a great deal of desire and the passion for desire. In this same scene later he says in a soliloquy at line 33, "Each such a passion doth embrace my bosom./ My ...

• Word Count: 1429
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School