Shakespeare is the master of transformation. In his many plays he uses animal comparisons in his character portrayals to enhance their traits and to show how humans are part of the natural world. This dehumanization is humbling and effectively serves to show that although we may be humans we are not above fault. Man has long appraised and portrayed his own character by means of comparison with animals, as we have seen in Aesop's fables and Ovid's Metamorphoses. Shakespeare realized the entertainment value of using animal references in his plays and he was a master at weaving these comparisons into the personalities and objectives of his many characters. .
A character will commonly begin a play as one persona. However, by the end of the play the character will have gone through a transformation involving the personification of one or more animals. There are lessons that the characters must learn, and by going through these changes they are allowed to achieve a metamorphosis. Shakespeare often chose which animal would depict which character by their physical traits, for if a woman were timid and graceful she might be compared to a deer and if a man were heavy with a loud voice he would be compared to a lion or a bull. These reasons for comparisons are obvious; however Shakespeare's reasons for casting characters in this manner were not always apparent. For example, he mostly used the comparison of dog' to denote a repulsive creature. His opinion of them seems to be contemptuous, however an exception to this lies in the Taming of the Shrew where the nobleman has great love for his hunting gods: "Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds I would not lose the dog for twenty pound- (Induction 1 lines 14-19). Therefore, we can not always rely on stereotypes when deciphering Shakespeare's use of animal analogies.
Shakespeare was a devoted fan of Ovid's Metamorphoses and evidence of this work can be found throughout most of Shakespeare's plays.
Shakespeare was clearly influenced by his race. ... May believes that it is because his own observations of the habits of animals and plants were explained by stories that were more myth that truth. ... However, Shakespeare's happy enthusiasm didn't last. ... Shakespeare, however, didn't end his days in mental gloom. ... William Shakespeare was a genius. ...
SHAKESPEARE-Sonnet XIX- SURFACE STRUCTURE The poem is a sonnet without title because it belongs to a series of sonnets written by Shakespeare. ... It makes a general introduction of the "devouring Time- effects on wild animals - lion, tiger_. ... In the 3rd line there's an irregularity in keen teeth-( )- and I think its purpose is to emphasize that even the tiger, almost a fabulous animal in Shakespeare time, was subject to decay. ...
The crux of Shakespeare's Othello is the tragic fall from grace of valiant Othello' and the rippling destruction that occurs as a result of Othello's psychological decay. ... Shakespeare presents all of these elements spectacularly in Othello. ... Othello's rich dialogue aids in Shakespeare's presentation of Othello as a man in a position of powerful command, deserving of much respect. ... In this sense, Shakespeare challenges Elizabethan ideologies and presents Othello as humanly equal if not superior to all the white characters. ... Othello's insecurity overwh...
Shakespeare uses the theme of evil to show one person's greed interrupting the lives of all. ... Shakespeare continuously shows the theme of evil for " Every cruelty in the action is re-enforced. ... Shakespeare identifies an arrogant man resulting to violence to keep control. ... Shakespeare's continuous theme of rivalry obtains hatred and violence. ... Shakespeare's farewell shows the ultimate revenge is forgiveness. ...
Shakespeare's imagery is not unique to just Macbeth however. ... This shows clearly how Shakespeare paints a picture of vastness to the audience. ... Shakespeare makes it seem as though it is contagious and that it can be cured. ... The animals in the play are also animals that equate well with fear or pain; all the animals are animals that are fierce or unpleasant. These animals are an important part of the imagery of the play. ...
Through Shakespeare's work, we see that "play" displaces the concrete to the highly abstract, the human to the animal, the tragic to the comedic, and the clear and present to the indistinct and far away. ... In the first scene of act I, Shakespeare introduces us to the patriarchal world of the court. ... Through magically displacing Titania's interests from men to animals, Shakespeare is able to communicate multiple ideas about the nature of love in his social context. ... A similar displacement of man and animal is portrayed in act II.ii. ... Two instances in which play is formed by...
Women Prevail in Shakespeare's Comedies William Shakespeare's writings feature many complex and timeless characters. ... In these works, Shakespeare presented women as either terrified or idealized. ... One can take a closer look into women's roles in Shakespeare's comedies by focusing on women's roles in Shakespeare's England. ... The role of women in Shakespeare's own life was also a great influence in his writings. ... In fact, Kate can be compared to a wild animal early in the play. ...
Animal Imagery of Macbeth There are many examples of animal imagery in the play Macbeth such as foreshadow death by black birds, symbolizes people, and make atmosphere a supernatural nature. Shakespeare uses animal imagery for three main reasons: to characterize, to show emotions, and to foreshadow. The animal imagery illustrates evil, deceit, and fearlessness. ... Here Shakespeare uses a cat as a spirit, as cats are significant to witches. ... The animal imagery used by Shakespeare, the animals, the people, the supernatural nature, characterize, show emotion...
Aaron Shakespeare used the idea of a person being black to great effect in two of his plays. ... Jealously is displayed by many of Shakespeare's characters as is self doubt. ... The second character that was created by Shakespeare as a black man was Aaron. Aaron is one of the "bad guys" in Shakespeare's first tragedy, Titus Andronicus. ... Aaron is in many ways similar to an animal fighting for survival. ...
