... 4, King Lear is caught up in a "contentious storm". The storm is a metaphor for King Lear's life, along with his madness. "But where the greater malady is fix'd, The lesser is scarce felt. Thou'ldst shun a bear. But if thy flight lay towards the raging sea, Thou'ldst meet the bear i' the mouth. When the mind's free." (3.4.9-11). King Lear is choosing what to fight ... to love Regan and Gonerill over Cordelia. "Save what beats there. Filial ingratitude!" Shakespeare uses the word "beat" to represent King Lear's broken heart and calls his children ungrateful. "Is it not as this mouth shou...

• Word Count: 1964
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... machiavel-villain. One characteristic common in the machiavel shows through the degeneration of the other major characters in the play: "One notable thing is that in the degeneration of a man we watch the procreation of a machiavel- (Dunby 162). The destruction of one man gives the machiavel the stepping stones necessary to establish his quest for power. Furthermore, through the ruin of a character, the Machiavellian can learn more of what he ... but also proving Edmund's declaration of the plot of his half-brother, Edgar, to kill the Earl. Slowly, the thought of his beloved son deterio...

• Word Count: 1654
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... about his former mistress: " . . . . , my female evil Tempteth my better angel from my side" The angel stands for the young friend. So Shakespeare feels that not his friend but the lady was guilty in this betrayal. (Here I want to add that Mary Fitton later bore a son to William ... trust; Enjoyed no sooner but despiséd straight; Past reason hunted, and no sooner had, Past reason hated as a swallowed bait On purpose laid to make the taker mad. Mad in pursuit, and in possession so; Had, having, and in quest to have, extreme; A bliss in proof, and proved, a ... seen roses damasked, red a...

• Word Count: 1353
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... and I"ll seek him deeper than e"er plummet sounded, And with him lie there muddled. (III.3.96-102) Antonio is the whole reason for Prospero being usurped, as he wanted the power of Duke in Milan. Antonio is Prospero's brother and betrayed Prospero's trust showing that Antonio is worse than Prospero with power ... mock Gonzalo because Gonzalo is trying to comfort Alonso and they think he cosies up to Alonso. He also has gratitude towards Gonzalo for helping him and hiding his magic books in the boat. A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo, Out of his charity Knowing I loved my books, he furnished m...

• Word Count: 1528
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... chilling and eerie backdrop to the play, demonstrating the tone in which the rest of the play is to follow. At the beginning of the scene there is a change of the guard, and the unease with which Francisco initially greets Barnardo, followed by relief clearly demonstrate that all is not right, "Francisco: For this relief much thanks. 'Tis bitter cold, and I am sick at heart." (1:1:8-9) Francisco reveals here that ... he is afraid of something, causing the ... audience to ponder upon what this may be. As the scene progresses, it is revealed that what these sentinels fear, is in fact ... ...

• Word Count: 1515
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... open to attack from the individual seeking power. We see in the contrast between Cordelia and her sisters the conflict between the political ruthlessness of ambition and natural humanity. It is Lear's lack of insight that leads him to mistake Regan and Goneril's political allegiance for familial love, and Cordelia's refusal to speak as insolence. "Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth. I ... love your majesty According to my bond, no more nor less." - I, i, 91-93, p. 945. Cordelia represents the natural distinction between political and familial life, and it is an impo...

• Word Count: 2342
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... that we find out about Gertrude's innocence of any "Foul Play" as she repeats Hamlets accusation "As kill a king! " . Hamlets heart-felt spilling of his emotions, to his mother, causes her so much grief she admits to her errors. This could be a show of ... fact his own mother. 'Bedrooms' are private, and conventionally places of sexual activity, so Shakespeare may well have presented the two on the bed, or in the bedroom, to suggest their sexual relationship what brings out oedipal relationship between Hamlet and his mother. This speech seems to be ... very effective because it forces ...

• Word Count: 2226
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

... shows that he is trying to gain respect as a king, so that he isn't treated in the same way as he had been in the beginning of the play when the French Dauphin had sent him tennis balls as compensation for the French throne. We know from the previous scenes that the king is a deeply religious man: he shows us this by consulting with bishops before deciding to ... edit out parts of this scene. In fact Olivier's version only includes the first line of the scene when Henry says: "How yet resolves the governor of the town?" The main reason is probably because the film was made during the Se...

• Word Count: 2119
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... feared .It is because of his poor reputation ,that he decides to get Brutus into the conspiracy . A major flaw in Brutus" character is that he is a poor judge of character. Antony who becomes a reason for the downfall of the conspirators is judged by Brutus as a "limb of Caesar". Very much in contrast, ... Cassius is an excellent judge of character. He tells of the character of Antony so well that every of his predictions based on the character of Antony come true. Brutus ... of Caesar .He does not want to live in servitude. As Caesar points out , "such men as he be never at heart's eas...

• Word Count: 1272
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... thy sons, Let Marcus, Lucius, or thyself, old Titus, Or any one of you, chop off your hand And send it to the King; he for the same Will send thee hither both thy sons alive, And that shall be the ransom for their fault (3.1.152-158). Aaron was very clever with his use of word play. Saying "my lord ... , during this time period, no one would probably listen to a dark colored man, but the effect of Aaron's tongue made him powerful. In return Titus agrees to cut his hand off to save his sons' lives. "With all my heart I'll send the Emperor my hand. Good Aaron, wilt thou help to chop it off...

• Word Count: 1360
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... a tragic hero. Charles Moseley states, 'Renaissance plays are not books, but a visual and auditory experience played in a special building on a stage that carried out a great deal of symbolic charge for the audience.' Antony's tragedy is caused by situations beyond his ability to change; he is torn between his honor and his life in Alexandria. At meanwhile, he is also influenced by ... imagery Shakespeare uses to describe Cleopatra and Antony's relationship – we are reminded of the image of the fish caught on her hook, and are in no way surprised to learn that at their first meet...

• Word Count: 1678
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography

... Lear, Lear's vision is clouded by his lack of insight. Since he cannot see into other people's characters, he can never identify them for who they truly are. Lear's lack on insight into other people, ruins his relationship with his most beloved daughter, Cordelia. When Lear asks his ... daughters who loves him the most, he already thinks that Cordelia has the most love for him. However, when Cordelia says, "I love your Majesty, according to my bond, no more nor less" (I.i.94-95), ... and say that they do. When Cordelia says these words, she has her sisters" act and she does not want to...

• Word Count: 1368
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... God created. When Hamlet can become impervious to the blows of fortune, his mission will be accomplished. The impending dark period Hamlet must endure is represented by the sympathetic fallacy of the state of nature in Denmark. Francisco notes, ''tis bitter cold, And I am sick at heart' (I.i. 8-9). This readies the audience for the appearance of the ghost which will represent the perversion of the harmonious order that Hamlet must restore. Hamlet ... 's reactions to his father's questionable death begin to reveal his immaturity. Suffering from an unnatural grief over his father's death, ...

• Word Count: 1879
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... gain his power and wealth. However, Lears vision cant recognize what her words really mean to him. He cant predict into the future, nor can he see the consequences he makes. However, seeing with his heart, Kent saw Cordelias true love for her father. He attempts to change Lears mind with blunt honesty. Kent Answer my life my judgment Thy youngest daughter does not ... ) Even though Lear could physically see, he was mentally blind. Lear still doesnt understand, but Gloucester noticed that sight came from the heart. Lear and the other characters are first presented as normal and caring. As...

• Word Count: 1444
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... Venice "How little is the cost I have bestowed in purchasing the semblance of my soul,"(3.5.19-20) is where the heart of this play is in my eyes. Portia doing what she can for her one true love, Bassanio. Money is of no importance to her especially when it comes to the happiness or unhappiness of Bassanio. There are many places in the Merchant of Venice that ... felt through Portia's character, as well as the scrolls on the caskets. In doing this, Portia's father in a way still had a hand helping to choose the right husband for his daughter. When each of the princes come to woo Portia a...

• Word Count: 1324
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... time to kill Duncan, Lady Macbeth seems strong and in charge. She plans the murder of Duncan, frames Duncan's servants for the murder, and keeps up appearances when the murder is discovered. She is presented as "willful, crafty, and terrifyingly violent" (Bloom). After the murder of Duncan, Macbeth walks out of the room terrified holding the daggers he used to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth becomes frustrated at ... her to commit suicide. A cry was heard in the castle, and a servant announced, "The Queen, my lord, is dead" (V.v.17). All the guilt finally got the best of the seemingly strong ...

• Word Count: 1282
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... , eating "strange flesh which some did die to look on." He is repeatedly associated with Mars the god of war, a potent symbol of absolute masculinity. He has "goodly eyes" that once glowed like plated Mars;" "his "captains heart" could "burst the buckles of his breast." It is the Soothsayer who insists "thy spirit is noble, courageous, high, and unmatchable." This lends a supernaturally powerful resonance ... him (Octavious Caesar)." This direct use of fate doesn't necessarily detract from the realism of the play; Soothsayers or clairvoyants have been in practice for centuries - but it d...

• Word Count: 1463
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... died; for whose dear love, They say, she hath abjured the sight And company of men- (1.2.36-41). Her sorrow is felt throughout the household, contributing to the drunkenness of the other characters living there, Sir Andrew and Sir Toby. The Duke, Orsino, is also in a saddened state of mind; he is heart-broken ... man. He constantly tries to change Olivia's mind by sending messengers to woo her. Viola is one of the messengers sent by Orsino to capture the heart of Olivia. During the period of time that Olivia is in Illyria, she becomes infatuated with Orsino and eventually falls into lov...

• Word Count: 2423
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

... : she is ambitious less for herself and for her husband. (http://archive.org/stream/ shakespearestra71shakgoog/shakespearestra71shakgoog_djvu.txt) She shows that she has strength greater than her husband, but only if the play were to end in their favor. After she was finished reading the letter that was delivered to her from Macbeth, you can see just how maniacal her heart really is. She plays ... the role of a woman but she ... Page 30) She continuously down plays his ability to do anything that will show he is a man. "Bring forth men-children only;for thy undaunted mettle should compo...

• Word Count: 2179
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

... conviction when he witnesses the deed on stage. "The play's the thing," he declares, "wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king" (II.ii.581-582). Yet even with this Hamlet begins to recognize his flaw and admires Horatio's qualities affirming, ""Give me that man / That is not passion's slave, and I will wear him / In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart, / As I do thee" ( ... III.ii.64-67). According to plan Hamlet does find that Claudius displays a guilty conscience as he calls of the play and leaves the building. Hamlet then discovers his father-uncle praying in the chapel and...

• Word Count: 1975
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... idealistic, trusting, and respected, one of Othello's most accentuated qualities is his passion. Othello loves the gentle Desdemona with every ounce of heart and soul in him. He cares neither that they are of different races, nor that they differ in age so. Othello lives for Desdemona's love and she is the love of his life. Love, if he loves, must be to him ... the heaven where either he must live or bear no life. If such a passion as jealousy seizes ... by getting caught up in emotion and lost hopelessly from all reason. For Othello thinks he has just been presented undeniable proof t...

• Word Count: 1660
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... and many supernatural powers are included, which helps strengthen the play and grasp a better understanding of the plot and qualities of the characters. For example it helps the reader understand about Pucks mysteriousness, Cupid's flower, and the love triangle. These mystical powers make the play much more entertaining and humorous. If the magical powers were not included the events in the play would have no explanation. A Midsummer Night's Dream is ... -shaft smartly from his bow, As it should pierce a hundred thousand hearts; But I might see young cupid's fiery shaft Quench'd in the c...

• Word Count: 1474
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... like th"innocent flower," whilst advising her husband. The scene is set in the courtyard of Macbeth's castle, which immediately creates the sense of seclusion. It begins in a similar style to a horror story; "a shrieking owl" accompanies Lady Macbeth when she is waiting for Macbeth to return. The owl is often associated with death. She is full ... which hath made them drunk hath made me bold" and "What hath quenched them hath given me fire." This reference to fire implies an interesting image. The situation she is in is not unlike a fire, it can easily become out of control; her feelings ...

• Word Count: 1620
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... his own mother stole away his beloved father for her own sinful pleasures of the flesh, this thought to say the least, is maddening for our righteous hero. As if the grief felt by a loved one's passing were not enough, this deceitful, hideous act of treasonous lust is thrust upon Hamlet's weary mind, leading his head and heart in a downward spiral to despair and madness. This ... explains why Hamlet's love for Ophelia, the alluring daughter of Polonius, was buried within his father's casket. How does one forgive a mother for killing the father? How does one love an uncle knowing your fa...

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

... . In asking his three daughters to proclaim their love to him for their share of his kingdom, he cannot see the falseness of Regan's and Goneril's words as they exaggerate their love for him. Cordelia however, does realise the deeper intentions under the surfaces of her sisters" speeches, and says, "I cannot heave my heart into my mouth". Refusing to be dishonest like them, she attempts to ... explain the truth in her words to Lear; "Why have my sisters husbands, if they say They love you all?" However ... Lear cannot see her honesty and as his anger increases, his foresight diminishes ...

• Word Count: 1361
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School