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How far is Juliet a victim in “Romeo and Juliet”
In this essay I will evaluate to what extent Juliet is a victim of fate, her parents, Romeo, the expectations of her society and her own feelings in the play "Romeo and Juliet".Romeo, the youngest son of Lord Montague and Juliet's husband, inflicts a lot of power over Juliet in this play. Throughout the play, Romeo talks of love as a dangerous thing. For example, he talks about gall (poison) in the same paragraph as he talks about love. This…...
LoveRomeo And Juliet
What Ill-divining Image Does Juliet See
I have been asked to write an assignment on Romeo and Juliet - a play written by William Shakespeare around 1600 and still one of the most popular Romantic-Tragedies performed in theatre today.I have chosen Juliet because I believe she is an interesting character and she has a subtly split personality or conflict of loyalties, which I find interesting and which I feel a lot of teenagers today might identify with.I have to chosen to look in detail at the…...
Romeo And Juliet
Adults in Romeo and Juliet
'Romeo and Juliet' was written by Shakespeare at a relatively early juncture in his literary career, most probably in 1594 or 1595. It is a tragic story of forbidden love. The whole episode of Romeo and Juliet's meeting, falling in love, marriage, and tragic end, takes place within five days.Around the time when Romeo and Juliet was written, people were beginning to question traditional beliefs about rank and social order, and ideas that people should be superior just because they…...
Plays
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Discuss how Shakespeare builds tension and excitement
'Romeo and Juliet', a play written by William Shakespeare, and placed in Verona, Italy tells us the history of two foes families.'Two households both alike in dignity, in fair Verona, where we lay our scene.'The respective families, Montague's and Capulet's, live in a feud. Ironically, their equal stators son and daughter, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet happen to fall in love, and in such calamitous conditions, take their lives.'A pair of star-cross'd lovers, take their life:Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows,Doth with…...
Romeo And Juliet
Directional Choices and Moral Significance in Act III Scene V.
Discuss with reference to Act III Scene V and how directional choices can affect the audience's response. In conclusion, evaluate the moral significance of the play.Romeo and Juliet is certainly among the world's greatest plays, and the story of Shakespeare's 'star-crossed' young lovers whose fate is sealed by their quarrelling families, the Montagues and the Capulets, is the touchstone fable of romantic love. Coincidence, chance, unawareness: fate weaves its inexorable pattern against the background of a bitter and deadly feud,…...
LoveRomeo And Juliet
Leaders’ Role in Romeo & Juliet Deaths?
In the play 'Romeo and Juliet' by Shakespeare, many leaders within the lovers' lives played key roles in their last days, with severe mistakes and misjudgements clearing the path for the chain of events that saw the their demise. In all ranks and at many times in the play, lack of good leadership and advisory qualities meant that large mistakes remained uncovered and unnoticed. At these crucial times, guidance provided for the two young lovers was deficient, and this allowed…...
Plays
Why Does Prince Escalus Banish Romeo From Verona
I will take several points of the play into account, such as: individual characterisation; attitudes to life and love; and the fate, destiny, coincidence and the star-crossed side of events. By the end of this assignment, I hope I will have answered this question.To introduce the assignment, I am going to give my views on the play, before looking at each aspect of it in close detail:My first impression was that I thought there were several reasons as to why…...
LovePlaysRomeo And Juliet
Discuss the different types of love shown in the play Romeo and Juliet
In the play Romeo and Juliet many different types of love are shown. Love is displayed in many ways through friendship family and the love you have for a girlfriend or boyfriend.The first and probably most well known type of love is the passionate sexual and romantic love that is shown by the characters Romeo and Juliet. This type of love is unconditional and lasts forever as Romeo and Juliet would rather die than be without each other. Ironically Romeo…...
Plays
How does Shakespeare Arouse and Sustain the Interest of the Audience
In Act 1 scene 5 and Act 3 scene 5, Shakespeare uses a number of various techniques to arouse and sustain the interest of the audience. One of the ways in which he does this is by constantly changing the mood, atmosphere and pace of the scene. He also uses different language to match the situation in the scene and to reveal the different attitudes of the characters, like the poetic language of Romeo and Juliet and the aggressive language…...
Romeo And JulietWilliam Shakespeare
Who is to blame for deaths of Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare was born on 23rd April in Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare was England's greatest poet and play writer of all time. He started play writing in 1595 and produced 38 plays in his lifetime. These include titles such as Twelfth Night, Hamlet, Macbeth and A Midsummer Nights Dream. However this essay is focusing on the play of Romeo and Juliet.Romeo and Juliet was one of the earliest plays produced by Shakespeare. It is the tale of a love affair between two…...
Plays
“Romeo and Juliet”: Act Three Scene One
In Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", act three scene one becomes a very important part of the play. This is the scene that the play has dramatic changes in, whether it is from a classical comedy to a classical tragedy. To express the desired effect on the audience, staging has its large amounts of importance to play in order to gain impact on the rest of the play. Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies, it was written…...
Plays
Friar Lawrence’s role in Romeo and Juliet’s tragedy
Romeo and Juliet are emblems of true love that have been used over the years as icons for other lovers who found themselves torn in half like them, many of whom faced a similar ill-fated end. The ingredients of a tragedy are all sewn into this play, which is unusual for Shakespeare as most of his work in the early years was comedies and historical plays. The heroes in this story portray excess courage, arrogance and ambition.They took life changing…...
Plays
Using scenes from the play Romeo and Juliet
Show how Shakespeare's use of language and his knowledge of stagecraft, maintains the audience's interest.Most of the play takes place, as the chorus explains, in 'fair Verona'-an attractive little city in the north of Italy. The action moves quickly to the hall of Old Capulet's house, to the orchard below Juliet's balcony, to Friar Lawrence's lonely cell, and finally to the vault where the ancestors of the Capulet's are entombed. The Elizabethan stage had no curtains, and of course the…...
Plays
Friar Lawrence Personality
In "Romeo and Juliet", Friar Lawrence the priest plays a crucial role in the development of the plot. Plans made by the cleric intended to reconcile the "ancient grudge" (Prologue) between two rival families, the Montagues and the Capulets, results in the tragic deaths of the two "star-crossed" (Prologue) lovers, Romeo and Juliet.Being a kindhearted priest, Friar Lawrence is respected as a "holy man" (3.3.81) (5.3.268) and has been a fair-minded helper throughout the play. However, he is also portrayed…...
IronyLifePersonalityRomeo And Juliet
Effectiveness of Romeo and Juliet Act I Scene V
The following sample essay on "Romeo and Juliet" tells Why is Act I scene V of Romeo and Juliet an effective piece of drama. The theme of the drama and the development of the plot do not go unnoticed. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is about Romeo from the Montague family and Juliet from the Capulet family who meet and fall in love. But the problem is, their families are feuding. They tragically die because of their love for each other…...
Plays
King Lear Play Analysis
King Lear has a story that will always be relevant to human nature because human nature does not change according to the era, and is able to simply be read as a story due to Shakespeare's skilful use of metaphors, and characterisation through specific imagery associated with each character, which would convey the themes implicit in the play to the reader. However, in order for the story to work as a play, it is important for a director to bring…...
Plays
‘I am a man more sinned against than sinning’ III.2.59-60
To what extent do you agree with Lear's statement above? Discuss Lear's role in the play and explore his journey from tyrant to humility and death.Interpreting Lear's own analysis of his situation, in that he is a 'man more sinned against than sinning' (Act 3, scene 2) is problematic. Up until this point, and throughout the play, the characterization of Lear has been particularly complex. He is, in fact a tragic hero who excites a variety of responses from an…...
AngerCompassionKing LearLove
“It’s not Lear’s Weakness But his Strength That makes the Story a Tragedy.”
I would disagree with the statement above, since we can see from the very beginning of the play, that Lear makes the mistake himself of abdicating his throne to fuel his ego, which eventually results in his downfall. By abdicating his throne, not only is he plunging his family and community into crisis by abandoning his responsibilities, he is also violating God's natural law. In the 18th Century man's task was to obey God's law and maintain his position in…...
King Lear
Who is to Blame For the Tragedy of “King Lear”
Is a play very much based around the theme of tragedy and suffering. A lot of this tragedy is inflicted upon the King himself, and, at first glance, it would appear that he brings it upon himself. However, when one delves further into the mysteries surrounding this character one can see how it would be possible for Lear to be punished beyond reason with all of the torment that he has to endure.There are several candidates who could be blamed…...
King LearTragedy
“Valentine”, “Romeo and Juliet” and “Sonnet #18”
William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Sonnet #18’ and Caroline Duffy’s ‘Valetine’ all address love and death hand in hand. Caroline Duffy’s ‘Valetine’ addresses love as a temporary, yet possesive love and death as an emotional death in which love turns to hate. Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ addresses love as a youthful, consuming and almost possesive love and death as an emotional and physical death in which without the ‘love of their lives’ they have no reason to be alive.…...
EducationHomeHomeworkLearningLifeLove
In Shakespeare’s Romeo And Juliet, Tybalt Is An Antagonist Because He Is A
In Shakespeare's play of 'Romeo and Juliet' Act three scene one is seen as one of the main climaxes in the play. We can see this from the way that Shakespeare uses dramatic devices to create tension for the audience and conflict. Shakespeare includes Pathetic fallacy, Foreshadowing, Puns and Dramatic Irony to add to this affect. In Act 3 Scene 1, the violence results in the banishment of Romeo.Act 3, Scene 1 begins with Shakespeare telling us it is a…...
Plays
Leontes in Act 1: Shakespeare’s Portrayal
Leontes is King of Sicilia and the main character of the play. However, as always in Shakespeare's tragedies, the would-be hero has a fatal flaw which leads to his downfall. This often takes a long time to surface and be obvious to the reader. But this play differs from other such plays, for example 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Othello'. Othello's fatal flaw is not truly apparent until act IV, when his jealousy first begins to surface, yet in a Winter's…...
MindOthelloWilliam Shakespeare
Possible Peaceful Resolution of Conflicts in Shakespearean Plays
To what extent do Shakespeare and your writer present harmony and reconciliation as possible endings to the various conflicts within the play?'The Tempest' written by William Shakespeare and 'Translations' written by Brian Friel both share allot of common ground. Thematically, they both explore the idea of hegemony; one culture supplanting another. Both plays demonstrate the impact of colonisation, in Translations, Hugh shows how economic advancement and cultural integrity can collide, whereas Caliban shows how Prospero has forced Caliban into a…...
Plays
A Dolls House. Synopsis
The play opens at Christmas time as Nora, Torvald’s wife, enters into her home, “thoroughly loving her life and surroundings (Ibsen, 1871, p. 90). ” An old-time friend of hers, Mrs. Linde, arrives to her home seeking employment. At the same time, Torvald “has just received news of his most recent job promotion (Ibsen, 1871, p 590). ” When Nora learns of her husband’s promotion she instantly and excitedly hires Mrs. Linde. In the meantime, Nora, who is playing the…...
A Doll'S House
Bcs vs Playoff System College Football
College football has been around for many years, and the BCS part of the bowl system has been in place since 1998. Many could say this was the year that one of the worst post-season sporting systems was put into place. It has done many things good and bad. It has caused a lot of controversy, gained universities tons of money, and frustrated many college football fans around the nation. With good comes bad, it is about outweighing the negatives…...
Plays
Gender Roles in Romeo & Juliet
The tragedy Romeo and Juliet has been criticized by many critics throughout the years. Most critics tend to agree that Shakespearean literature has strong gender roles. This means that the men will carry themselves with honor and pride. A typical man for the time period in which Shakespeare set his play was the head of the household; anything the man or also known as the head of the family wanted would be put into motion almost as soon as he…...
GenderGender RolesIdentityRomeo And JulietSociologyWilliam Shakespeare
Classic American Play Death of a Salesman
The following example essay focuses on the Classic American Play “Death of a Salesman”. Read the introduction, body and conclusion of the essay, scroll down. Death of A Salesman is one of the classic American plays. On its release in 1949, it achieved an unprecedented status as the winner of the Pulitzer Prize Winner in Drama, the Tony Award for Best Play and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play. The main protagonist in the play is…...
Plays
The Duality of Hamlet’s Personality
Regardless of it's popularity the play, Hamlet, still remains a puzzle which scholars for centuries have been analyzing and debating. Authors, of any genres, simply can not guarantee how their writings will be interpreted by future generations. Much of the criticism surrounding the play Hamlet, deals with the duality of Hamlet's personality. Hamlet is, in some ways, a sweet and noble prince. He is a poet and it dedicated to truth and justice. The other of Hamlet's personality is strikingly…...
Plays
Comparison Between Sophocles` Oedipus the King and Shakespeare`s Othello
“The tragic figure is usually constructed according to a paradox: a king who is a fool and a brilliant mind whose intelligence is fatal. Tragic heroes are powerful, charismatic men whose uncompromising faith is themselves is coupled with an indomitable will. They are devoted to their own subjective vision of the world and their place in it, and this commitment, reinforced with pride or what the Greeks called hubris, bestows upon them both great strength and great vulnerability (Shakespeare xxxix).”…...
Oedipus Rex
Torvald’s Contradictions in Nora’s Behavior
Torvald perceives Nora as a foolish woman who is ignorant of the way society works, but he likes Nora’s foolishness and ignorance because they render her helpless and therefore dependent on him. It soon becomes clear to us that Nora’s dependence, not Torvald’s love for Nora as a person, forms the foundation of Torvald’s affection for her. In Act One, Torvald teases Nora about wasting money but then tries to please her by graciously giving her more. Similarly, he points…...
A Doll'S HouseBehavior
Characterization of Gertrude and Ophelia
Shakespeare's characterization of Gertrude and Ophelia in Hamlet is paradoxical as it challenges as well as complements the contemporary social traditions and norms. Gertrude is the best example of this paradox that is manifested through her extraordinary supremacy over all the major characters of Hamlet, her influence in the court matters and state affairs and her blind obedience to Claudius. Ophelia is also active in her domestic domain but her interest are restricted to amorous and matrimonial maters only and…...
CharacterHamletHuman Nature
Norman Mailer on Heroism.
The following sample essay on Norman Mailer once said, “For what does it mean to be a hero? It requires you to be prepared to deal with forces larger than yourself,” to be a hero means adequately confront forces and obstacles greater than yourself. In William Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Macbeth is not a hero because he does not overcome forces that are greater than him. The three witches foresee Macbeth’s future as Thane of Cawdor and king.…...
HeroMacbethPersonality
Comparing and Contrasting Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are depicted very differently and simply wanting kingship are among the few similarities. It is also interesting how the differences between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are caused by other differences in their traits, starting chain reactions of contrariety. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both posses greedy and ambitious attributes. So far we have learned that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are very ambitious to gain kingship. At the end of Act…...
Plays
Othello Swan Song
The following example essay on "Othello Swan Song" is a literary analysis of Shakespeare's work. Attention is paid to the plot and the protagonist of the drama Othello. In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice he presents his character of Othello as having all the great qualities of a true leader, but also a man who lacks any type of reasoning power. Othello being the ideal hero has strength, prowess, and battlefield knowledge. However these ideas…...
Plays
Renaissance Humanism
Renaissance humanism considers man to be the sole most significant entity in the cosmos. Order within the Renaissance era had paramount importance and any disruption in this order was professed to lead to anarchy and chaos. The great chain of being was hugely significant to the Elizabethans; this refers to a hierarchical structure perceivably constructed by god. Should everything occupy its correct position and this great chain be maintained, humanity would perceivably flourish and reach its true potential. Rebellion against…...
HamletKing LearMedieval EuropeRenaissance
I’m Not a Dime I’m Willie Lowman
There is a complete descent into madness evident in Miller’s “Death of a Salesman. ” The struggle Willy Lowman has come to endure during a life of lies and false hope is portrayed very well by Miller’s use of dialogue, stage comments, prologue, and time and perhaps best shown by the use of dialogue and character interaction. By putting all of these elements to good use Miller paints a perfect picture as our main character Willy Lowman quickly fails to…...
Death Of A Salesman
Two Certain Characters In The Story Oedipus Rex
In the story Oedipus Rex, Sophocles portrays two certain characters as leaders. Both of these characters have the potential to be the leader of Thebes and eventually both of them are the leaders of Thebes. They both show leadership qualities that make them great leaders. One of them has more qualities than the other. The first leader of Oedipus Rex was Oedipus himself. He was the king of Thebes at the beginning of the story. The biggest leadership quality that…...
Oedipus Rex
Ghost in Hamlet
The Role of the Ghost in Hamlet by William Shakespeare The role of the ghost in Hamlet is twofold: firstly it is to create interest; secondly it is to further the narrative of the play. Shakespeare recognized that he needed to create interest in the audience from the very first scene of the play. The play opens with a conversation between Officers of the Watch who patrol the Battlements of Elsinore castle. Their talk is of a ghost who has appeared…...
Plays
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
The character Macbeth is shown to be very evil in Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare. He was not evil until he becomes tempted by the Witches prophecies. Macbeth was a noble man until he was tempted by evil. The evil consumed him overtime, from all the murders he commits, and from trying to interfere with the witches prophecies. Macbeth would not be evil had he not been prophesied to be a king, or had he been influenced to commit crimes…...
Plays
Hamlet’s Role In English Literature
The following sample essay is about the role of Hamlet in English literature. To read the introduction, body, and conclusion of the essay, scroll down. Hamlet essay draft. William Shakespeare’s prominent role in English literature is accountable to his ability to reflect and challenge matters substantial to humanity; provoking the reverberation of similar feelings in the human psyche. The revenge-tragedy Hamlet, being the most examined and decoded text of Shakespeare’s, implements several elements that contribute to strengthening the revenge plots…...
Plays
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