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The Tragedy of Hamlet, 2003.
A review of 'Hamlet' by William Shakespeare.
818 words (approx. 3.3 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 29.95
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Abstract
This paper takes a look at William Shakespeare's most famous play, 'Hamlet'. According to the paper, at face value the plot appears to be relatively simple. The paper goes on to explain, however, that, upon taking a closer look, one realizes that the play has many psychological and metaphysical implications: it is, in fact a meditation on the nature of man, as well as a meditation on life in general.
From the Paper
"At both the psychological and philosophical levels of the play, the Shakespearian text reveals a very important theme- that of the contrast between appearance and reality. The structure of the play and its main events unfold this contrast: the double crime is called a "foul play" by Hamlet upon his hearing from Horatio about the apparition of the ghost of his father. This term intimates that the events as apparent in the play have a hidden meaning. Also, play becomes again important in what was called the "play within play" scene, where it is Hamlet's turn to play and stage a tragedy for Claudius with the aid of some actors, in which he inserts a few lines that speak of his father's murder. Thus, the "play" or the act of playing at reality becomes a central theme of Hamlet. "
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Shakespeare's "Hamlet", 2006.
This paper identifies Renaissance ideals in Shakespeare's "Hamlet".
1,445 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 47.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that the Renaissance concept and consideration of death are prominent throughout Shakespeare's "Hamlet". The author points out that, in Shakespeare's famous soliloquy, Hamlet hesitates in his consideration of suicide not because of an absolute Christian belief in divine retribution but because he is afraid of an afterlife of which he is unsure. The paper relates that the Renaissance ideas around decay of the body and mortality as the great leveler are present in "Hamlet" on several occasions such as after killing Polonius and disposing of the remains. The paper includes quotations from the play.
From the Paper
"The Renaissance is considered a period of rebirth for culture and learning. It is traditionally identified at the period of European history that closes the Middle Ages, spanning from the 14th to the mid-17th centuries. Considered the beginning of the modern world, the Renaissance period experienced a rebirth of ancient Greek philosophies, and a renewed interest in classical art forms and sensitivities. Many artists began to explore and expand the work done in the classical age, concentrating on the human form and the depiction of ancient mythologies."
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"Hamlet" and the Renaissance, 2006.
A review of the representation of Renaissance ideals in William Shakespeare's "Hamlet".
1,453 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 48.95
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Abstract
This paper takes a look at "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare and looks at how he uses his work to display Renaissance thought and concerns. It examines how, through Hamlet's contemplation of death, his character is solidly connected to the ideals of the Renaissance.
From the Paper
"One such archaic belief that was left behind in the previous centuries was the sense that tragedies, both personal and widespread, were great punishments for sins. In particular, a tragic and untimely death was often considered some kind of spiritual retribution passed down to the individual from God himself. This certainly made sense since the medical knowledge of the day could not explain the horrible plagues that wiped out entire populations, or other such tragic events. Often what is not understood is highly feared and attributed to a greater power, and so an early death or any death preceded by an agonizing illness was considered a terrible event since they were a clear indication of God's displeasure. These conceptions were replaced in the Renaissance, especially by the time Shakespeare was writing Hamlet."
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"The Merchant of Venice", 2007.
An analysis of the money-conscious attitudes of the various characters in William Shakespeare's play, "The Merchant of Venice."
750 words (approx. 3.0 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 26.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses whether Shylock the Jew is the most money-hungry character in William Shakespeare's play, "The Merchant of Venice." The paper analyzes the plot and some of the scenes in the play in order to compare the different character's views on money. The paper concludes that it is the Christian Bassanio who is the most money-conscious of all of the persons in the play and explains why this is so.
From the Paper
"It is the Christian Bassanio, ironically, who is the most money-conscious of all of the persons in the play. Bassanio chooses lead, when asked to select from the three caskets that Portia offers to test her suitors. She is happy that he wins, and the lead is supposed to be the correct choice, for the person who chooses lead is supposed to be a man who has hazarded all he has, to win Portia. But in truth, Bassanio has hazarded nothing and desires Portia's gold. It is Antonio who has taken the risk in lending money for his friend. Now that Shylock is angered because of the loss of his daughter, he resolves to call upon the bond Antonio made in jest, a pound of flesh. The jest-like nature of the false bond was reflected when Antonio said that: "The Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind." (I.2) In other words, Shylock asked for no interest or money upon the loan in an effort to cement his relationship with Antonio (another example of how Shylock does not always put money before relationships). However, Shylock's kindness turns to cruelty, because a Christian has sundered his relationship with his beloved daughter--a Christian, incidentally, in need of money that willingly spends the ducats stolen by his stolen bride from Shylock's coffers."
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'Richard III', 2006.
A review of 'Richard III' by William Shakespeare.
1,219 words (approx. 4.9 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 41.95
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Abstract
This paper takes a look at William Shakespeare's play 'Richard III' and two movie versions based on this play. According to the paper, 'Richard III' is both a tragedy and a historical account of the short career of the last medieval English king. The paper discusses how Shakespeare's 'Richard III' depicts Richard and his "reign of terror" both unflatteringly and beyond historical accuracy.
From the Paper
" In the movie version, "Looking for Richard," Al Pacino creates, directs and stars as Richard III's obsession for power, lust and betrayal through the streets of New York to the birthplace of Shakespeare to an emotionally charged production of Richard III (Richard III Society 1996) It is a presentation of Shakespeare with an untraditional format more accessible to the modern audience and with which this modern audience can relate better. The cast includes Estelle Parsons as Queen Margaret, Alec Baldwin as Clarence, Kevin Spacey as Buckingham, Winona Ryder as Lady Anne and Aidan Quinn as Richmond. Al Pacino also puts in the enthusiasm and help of Sir John Gielgud, Sir Derek Jacobi, Kenneth Branagh, Vanessa Redgrave, James Earl Jones and Kevin Kline in an attempt at making everyone enjoy Shakespeare and his tales truly timeless in exploring human nature. This version is different from the first two interpretations in that Al Pacino and his actors needed to break down the barriers, which render Shakespeare's history complicated and intimidating. Al Pacino allows his viewer to go behind the scenes and witness the actual process of acting. The heavier aspects of the play are made mild by informal shots of actors dealing with their roles in either a comic or heated forum. Al Pacino's methods of analysis are insightful, amusing and engrossing. He transcends the barrier between actors and their audience as he stands in London's legendary Globe Theater and the halls of New York City's Cloisters Museum (Richard III Society)."
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Macbeth and Materialism, 2007.
This paper examines the concept of materialism in works of art, concentrating on William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
1,297 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer explains that in Shakespeare's world, extreme wealth and comfort were enjoyed at their ultimate peak generally only by royalty. The writer relates that people today, like Macbeth in Shakespeare's play, are realizing that material wealth is, after all, not the ultimate pathway towards true happiness. The writer discusses that Macbeth wants the power of being king so badly that he would do anything to fulfill the prophesy, even if it means sinking to levels that are out of his character. The writer concludes that while spirituality takes a different form in the modern-day world than in Shakespeare's time, there is still the separation of pure materialism from the higher, inherently human values.
From the Paper
"True to the prophesy of the above words, Macbeth destroys both his security and power by succumbing to the illusion of security. The appearance of extreme wealth and power blinds him to the true danger around him and to the false promises of the witches. In this way the play acts as a warning for the audience: wealth and power are likely to bring more grief and danger than they are worth. They also destroy any meaningful connection that might exist between the human being and the divine."
"In modern-day works of art, the same warning is issued, although in a more light-hearted, redeeming fashion. Furthermore, material wealth and the divine come closer to each other than in Shakespeare's play, suggesting a new paradigm of wealth and its relationship to divinity. Aristotle's assertion in terms of modern humankind may therefore hold less truth than may have been the case for the average Shakespearean audience."
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Hamlet, 2007.
This paper critically analyzes "Hamlet," the greatest tragedy of Shakespeare.
1,363 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
This critical analysis focuses on Act V of the Shakespearean play "Hamlet". The paper describes the scene of the gravediggers in the the church graveyard and the ensuing funeral of Ophelia. The paper shows how, after losing all those he loves so dearly, Hamlet undergoes a personal transformation. The paper concludes that, however heroic Hamlet was, the end result was still one of tragedy.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Hamlet: Scene V Act 1
The Funeral Procession
Act V Continues
Conclusion
From the Paper
"Hamlet was written somewhere around the year of 1600 and was one of Shakespeare's most mature and talented works. Hamlet is believed by many to be the greatest tragedy of Shakespeare. This work of Shakespeare is believed to be a popular play that was remade and was based on historical fiction. The historical Hamlet was son of a Danish "King of the Jutes" who lived during the period known as the dark ages. In the historical tale the murder of one brother by another brother took place and was not actually a murder but was a coup. In superstition of that time, the individual who murdered someone who was insane came under a risk of becoming insane themselves."
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"Canterbury Tales" and Shakespeare's Love Sonnets, 2007.
This paper gives a comparative analysis of Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" and William Shakespeare's love sonnets.
1,320 words (approx. 5.3 pages), 0 sources, $ 44.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the theme of idealism as reflected in the works of Chaucer and Shakespeare. In particular, the paper examines Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" and Shakespeare's Sonnets 18, 116 and 130. The discussion and analysis demonstrates how both authors' works illustrate the prevalence of their ideals: for Chaucer, his ideals on what religion and expression of faith should be, and for Shakespeare, how love is and should be.
From the Paper
"Influenced by the ideology of idealism during his time, Chaucer reflected his ideals of Christianity and its followers through The Pardoner's Tale of "The Canterbury Tales." Like the other tales in "Canterbury," the Pardoner's tale is a satire meant to criticize the society that Chaucer lived in during his period. While in some of the tales, Chaucer did not explicitly expressed his disagreement with and criticism of the rampant corruption and hypocrisy within the Church and among its elements (the clergy and the lay), in the Pardoner's tale, these issues were addressed and made explicit through the persona of the Pardoner."
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Blame in "Othello", 2007.
This paper focuses on Desdemona's role in the tragic events that occur in Shakespeare's "Othello."
1,039 words (approx. 4.2 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 36.95
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Abstract
The paper takes a close look at Desdemona's character in Shakespeare's "Othello," showing that she is partially responsible for the tragic events that occur in the play. The author challenges the accepted view that Othello lead to his own downfall. The paper describes Desdemona as a naive victim and cites this naivete as preventing her from standing up to Othello, and leading to the plays tragic outcome.
From the Paper
"Desdemona's naivete is first seen when she defends Othello to her father. She describes her love for Othello saying, "I saw Othello's visage in his mind, / And to his honour and his valiant parts / Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate" (I,iii). This statement is made as part of a romantic speech where Desdemona describes the greatness of Othello. This shows a level of naivete because Desdemona is only able to see the goodness in Othello. A good comparison can be made by comparing the Duke of Venice's view of Othello. He too, shows that he has a lot of respect for Othello and refers to him as valiant. This respect is based on Othello as a soldier and he is considered brave and valiant. However, this respect does not extend to seeing Othello as a good husband. This is why the Duke of Venice is not easily convinced that Othello and Desdemona's relationship is acceptable. This shows that the Duke of Venice does respect Othello but also sees him realistically and does not consider him perfect. In contrast, Desdemona speaks of Othello as if he is perfect. She can only see the goodness in Othello and is not able to see his faults."
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William Shakespeare, 2007.
A look at the life and times of William Shakespeare.
2,014 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 63.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses how William Shakespeare is one of the most famous playwrights of English literature today. He is still one of the majestic emblems of the British people and one of the great representatives of his time. The paper explores his limited biography and explains that little is known for certain about his life. The paper illustrates how Shakespeare experienced one of the most turbulent periods in history and describes in detail the era in which he lived. The paper looks at "Othello", one of Shakespeare's most acclaimed works.
From the Paper
"Despite rigorous research made to complete Shakespeare's biography, little is known for certain about his life. He was born at Stratford-upon- Avon in April 1564. His family was rather prosperous and highly regarded in town. However, by 1582, he had married Ann Hathaway, a woman eight years older than him; a fact that especially at that time stirred some controversy, as it was considered to be against the moral values of the era. Nonetheless, they had three children. The records show scarce evidence of his existence until his arrival in London in 1585. "There is no tradition, not universally accepted, that he fled From Stratford because he was in trouble for deed stealing, and had fallen foul of Sir Thomas Lucy, the local magnate; another that he was for some time a school master." (Shakespeare, 7)"
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