... hypocritical is Claudius. He has established a very cheerful court of admirers and as Phyllis Rackin observes Hamlet's black clothing, no less than his bitter grief, associates him with the cold night of the opening scene in opposition to the spurious brightness and warmth of Claudius's court. Outwardly, he is friendly and praises Hamlet openly, but inside he is scheming of ways ... the sake of damaging their lives. In contrast, Claudius, who is also driven by a need for self-fulfillment, is not out to specifically harm anybody. As literary critic Morris White notes, His government work...

• Word Count: 1814
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... an overview of the entire act. He doubts himself in the beginning, Desdimona in the middle, and both himself and Desdimona in the end (http://web.signet.com.sg/~yisheng/notes/shakespeare/othello_b.htm). By depriving himself of that initial venting process, Othello gives his jealousy the perfect culture on which his jealousy can turn cancerous and grow out of control ... match. Once his victims are cloaked in misconception and dripping with innocence, Iago can ignite his scrupulously prepared fire. His evil creation is ready to burst into flames, "Hell and night. . .bring this monstrous ...

• Word Count: 2187
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School