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Othello as Tragic Hero, 2004.
A brief examination of whether Shakespeare's character of Othello falls into the category of a tragic hero.
1,063 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 37.95
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Abstract
This paper provides three main characteristics of a tragic hero: the person must be basically good or admirable in some way; the person has a fatal flaw that leads to their demise; and the person must be responsible for the tragic ending that occurs. The paper then examines Othello's character in light of these qualities.
From the Paper
"The first quality is that the person is basically good or admirable in some way. This is true of Othello. Othello perhaps describes why he is admirable when he says, ?My parts, my title and my perfect soul Shall manifest me rightly? (I,ii). It is also seen that other characters in the play have great respect for Othello. At one point the Duke of Venice says that he will take action against whoever has stolen his daughter. In an angry and determined reaction he says, ?Whoe?er he be that in this foul proceeding hath thus beguil?d your daughter of herself and you of her, the bloody book of law you shall yourself read in the bitter letter? (I,iii). However, as soon as he hears that it is Othello, his attitude changes and he becomes more forgiving and understanding. This is a sign of how great his respect for Othello."
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"A Midsummer Night?s Dream", 2004.
A look at the themes of dream and reality in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night?s Dream".
1,587 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 51.95
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Abstract
William Shakespeare?s play, "A Midsummer Night?s Dream", creates a dream world fused with reality. Shakespeare successfully makes the world of Puck and other sprites realistic by employing powerful, vivid text in the play. The paper explains that, through his creative use of language, Shakespeare creates a world of illusion where things are not what they seem, and imagination pushes the limits of fact. The result of powerful language aided by our own imagination allows this enchanted world to appear real in the moonlit forest. It examines how the text of the play is constructed in such a way that we not only visualize the setting of the play, but we also come to know each character.
From the Paper
"The interplay between Puck, Lysander, and Demetrius demonstrates the contrast between mortals and fairies. Puck successfully misguides the two men until they become confused and lose their sense of direction. Puck has an added measure of fun when he tells Demetrius to follow his voice. While Lysander tries to follow that voice, he describes Pucks? nature almost perfectly. He states that the villain is ?much lighter-heeled? Shakespeare (III.ii.416) than he is and though he followed the voice fast, ?faster he did fly? (III.ii.417). Similarly, Demetrius encounters the same type of confusion with Puck."
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Marlowe vs. Shakespeare, 2004.
A comparative analysis of the work of Christopher Marlowe compared to that of William Shakespeare.
1,307 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 44.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how the Elizabethan dramatists Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare were contemporaries and how, for the latter part of Marlowe?s dramatic career, they were rivals as well. It looks at how Marlowe?s career as a playwright was cruelly cut short after the author was murdered in a tavern brawl, probably the result of his political intrigues. The paper shows that regardless of the reasons for Marlowe?s untimely demise, the difference between the older Marlowe and the young Shakespeare had already become manifest in the characterization of the main protagonists of the two men?s plays. It explores how Marlowe clearly influenced Shakespeare?s early writings and how, while Marlowe used broad character brushstrokes to create a vivid narrative and caricature of human character and morality, Shakespeare created a new way of dramatically rendering the human character in shades of gray. In particular, it examines how both men used similar themes, such as the presence of ?Jewish? values in a money-grubbing 'Christian' society.
From the Paper
"All of Marlowe?s protagonists are larger than life, from Barabas to Faustus and lastly to Tamburlaine, in the scope of their desires. They are both sustained and destroyed by their respective evils. Barabas? poisoning reflects the Jewish dietary laws that Shylock merely tacitly refers to, ?I will not eat with you,? in Act I of ?The Merchant of Venice.? Faustus is destroyed by his love of knowledge and power, just as Tamburlaine is destroyed by his desire to conquer the world.? All of these men stand outside of their societies, and reflect what is wrong with their societies?an over emphasis on money, scholasticism, and power respectively."
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Othello, 2004.
An analysis of the character of Othello from William Shakespeare's "Othello".
2,045 words (approx. 8.2 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 64.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how William Shakespeare?s play, "Othello", presents us with a curious combination of love and grace wedded to humanity. It looks at how Othello represents the basest emotions of humanity, while Desdemona remains graceful until the very end of the play and how, as a result, of their conflicting natures, their relationship suffers a great division that cannot be repaired. It examines how Othello and Desdemona allow themselves to become victims of other people who do not have their best intentions in mind. Othello becomes Iago?s victim because his jealousy makes him blind, and Desdemona becomes a victim when she suffers the wrath of Othello?s cruel behavior.
From the Paper
"Othello?s actions become much worse, which is a testament to how quickly we can become victims of our own imaginations. In Othello?s mind, Desdemona is already guilty. When Emilia offers evidence that Desdemona has been faithful, he refuses to accept it. Emilia swears that Desdemona is honest and tells him to remove any doubt from his mind. She emphasizes the qualities that Othello knows exist in Desdemona, noting that she is "honest, chaste, and true? (IV.ii.16). Again, Othello displays a despicable side of humanity when he responds the her statement by calling Desdemona a ?subtle whore,/A closet lock and key of villainous secrets;/And yet she?ll kneel and pray--I have seen her do?t.? (IV.ii.19-22)."
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The Rise and Fall of Iago, 2004.
A look at the manner in which Iago manages to rise and fall in Shakespeare's play, "Othello".
1,151 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 39.95
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Abstract
William Shakespeare?s play, "Othello", should be renamed "Iago" because, throughout the play, we witness the rise and fall of Iago?s character. When we consider this perspective, we will assume that Iago?s rise occurs from his success in turning Othello into a jealous monster. Iago is able to achieve this because he is very cunning and smart. It is also important to note that he understands jealousy because he is a jealous man as well. This paper explores the how Iago was able to rise and fall in "Othello".
From the Paper
"He advises Othello to ?Look to your wife; observe her will with Cassio./Wear your eye thus: not jealous, nor secure? (III.iii.195-6). Because Othello is first to mention his suspicions, Iago has successfully isolated himself from any of the blame. Kenneth Muir states that Iago ?exploits the virtues as well as the weaknesses of Othello and of Desdemona, weaknesses both of character and situation? (Muir 35). Paul Cantor agrees with this notion, adding that ?Iago turns everything that makes the love of Othello and Desdemona so extraordinary into an objection against it. The fact that they have overcome such differences in order to love each other becomes in Iago?s view evidence for the improbability of their remaining loyal to each other? (Cantor). Iago?s actions regarding these statements illustrate his cunning nature."
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Shakespeare's "Othello", 2004.
Character analysis of Iago from Shakespeare's play, "Othello".
992 words (approx. 4.0 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 35.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses Shakespeare's portrayal of evil in the character of Iago. The paper describes the evil actions and deeds of Iago and looks at what different critics consider to be the reason for Iago's evil behavior. The paper also points out that Iago's evil is of a type that transcends time.
From the Paper
"Perhaps what makes Iago truly evil is the fact that he is not provoked. While it is true that he has been passed over for the position of lieutenant, this is hardly enough reason to destroy the lives that he does. Many critics maintain that Iago feels jealousy toward Othello, which is the motivating factor for his actions. Others believe he is a man that was born evil and finds delight in destroying the lives of others."
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"The Tempest", 2004.
An examination of the role of learning in a text of the Renaissance,
Shakespeare?s ?The Tempest?.
1,887 words (approx. 7.5 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 60.95
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Abstract
The writer of this paper explains that one of the fundamental themes of the play is the transmission of learning through the process of education and the aims and outcomes of that process, both intended and unforeseen. The paper notes that if the island of "The Tempest" can be read as a microcosm of human society, one of the key aspects of Prospero?s character is as an archetype of the teacher who, in terms of Renaissance educational thought and practice, is charged with forming character as much as imparting knowledge, while Miranda and Caliban serve as contrasting images of the effects of education upon its recipients.
From the Paper
"The Tempest? respects the dramatic principle of the unity of time: the action of the play takes place over the course of a single afternoon. Everything that occurs during that limited period of time, however, is profoundly an outcome of events that stretch back twelve years previously. It was twelve years earlier that Prospero, Duke of Milan, entrusted the government of his city to his brother Antonio, in order that he might devote himself entirely to the pursuit of learning in ?the liberal arts ? those being all my study, / The government I cast upon my brother? [1.2: 73-5]. The ?liberal arts? referred to here are those aspects of learning seen in Renaissance humanism as worthy of a free man of high social status: the study of grammar, logic and rhetoric (the ?trivium?) and arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy (the ?quadrivium?). It was this decision to seclude himself in study that has led to Prospero?s enforced seclusion on his desert island, for Antonio did not follow his brother?s love of learning, but was rather in love with power ? as a Renaissance ruler he is in the cast of Machiavelli?s ?Prince? rather than Castiglione?s ?Courtier? and ?needs will be / Absolute Milan? [1.2: 109]."
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Shakespeare?s "Hamlet", 2004.
Character study of Shakespeare's Hamlet.
2,203 words (approx. 8.8 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 68.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how Hamlet?s character becomes increasingly unjust, unmerciful, and self-deceived as the play progresses.
From the Paper
"The murder of his father is the predominant reason for Hamlet?s mental breakdown. Hamlet not only has to deal with his father?s death, he must also deal with the fact that his mother married his uncle only two months after the death of her husband. In this situation, Hamlet?s grief is compounded. How Hamlet chooses to deal with this grief will effect the rest of his future."
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Shakespeare?s "A Midsummer Night?s Dream", 2004.
Analysis of one the most famous characters in Shakespeare's play, "A Midsummer Night's Dream".
839 words (approx. 3.4 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 29.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes Puck, one of the main characters in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", and explains how the character of Puck is central to the play, in spite of the fact that Shakespeare did not develop Puck's character more fully.
From the Paper
"Shakespeare is notorious for creating memorable characters and perhaps one of his most famous characters is Puck from his play, A Midsummer Night?s Dream. While Puck is critical to the development of the play, his character remains essentially flat throughout the course of the play. Puck is poetic, playful, innocent, and enjoys laughing at those who become the victims of his antics. However, we do not witness Puck?s development as a character. In a sense, he never grows up and we never see any depth of his character."
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Shakespeare's "Othello", 2004.
Analysis of the character of Desdemona in Shakespeare's play, "Othello".
1,092 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 38.95
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Abstract
This paper illustrates, through examples from the play, that Shakespeare used the character of Desdemona to explore the insecurities in Othello's character.
From the Paper
"In fact, Othello reveals his own insecurity much before Iago begins to plant the seeds of doubt in his mind about Desdemona?s fidelity. This is apparent in his self-effacing remarks about his background and coarse speech (1.3. 84). Indeed, Othello?s self-deprecating remarks reveal his negative perception of his background and alien skin color in spite of his powerful position in Venetian society and Desdemona?s blatant hero worship: ??she wished / That heaven had made her such a man?/ She loved me for the dangers I had passed.? (1.3. 165-69) Unfortunately, Othello is unable to focus on the fact that Desdemona?s love for him was based on the strengths that she saw in his character. Instead, he allows his complexes to dominate his perception of Desdemona?s character and motives."
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