| Papers [1-9] of 1491 :: [Page 1 of 166] | | Go to page : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 —> | |
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Zeffirelli and Branagh Versions of "Hamlet", 2008.
A discussion on the effect of the director on the outcome of a film via a comparison of Franco Zeffirrelli and Kenneth Branagh's different adaptations of William Shakespeare's play, "Hamlet."
1,355 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
This paper compares Franco Zeffirrelli and Kenneth Branagh's new and different ways of adapting William Shakespeare's play, "Hamlet" into film. The paper shows how each film may depict the play differently, but both directors find and expose Hamlet's frailty, which represents nothing less than mankind's frailty. The paper discusses how both versions of the play illustrate how directors can influence films from a screenplay.
From the Paper
"Franco Zeffirrelli and Kenneth Branagh demonstrate the power of the director in their adaptations of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Zeffirrelli presents us with a hamlet that lives in a dark, grey world. He is sad and crestfallen; he is lost and, in many ways, does not want to be found. The setting highlights his dark mood and Zeffirrelli uses many props to develop his version of Hamlet. Branagh's Hamlet lives in a brighter world, although his inner world is filled with much torment. We also see how directors take privileges with what they omit and add to films. Zeffirrelli left much out while Branagh added questionable material. Both films are enjoyable regardless of their differences; however, Zeffirrelli gives us a Hamlet that seems closer to the man we envision when we think of Shakespeare's tormented price."
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"Hamlet" and "Dr. Faustus", 2008.
A comparison of the ethical dilemmas dealt with by the protagonists in William Shakespeare's "Tragedy of Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark," and Christopher Marlowe's play "Dr. Faustus."
1,112 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 38.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses and compares William Shakespeare's "Tragedy of Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark," and Christopher Marlowe's play "Dr. Faustus," both of which are Elizabethan dramas that feature protagonists grappling with profound ethical issues that address the limits of human life and power. The paper discusses the plot of each play and the issues that they address, as well as the role of the protagonists.
From the Paper
"Hamlet realizes that murder only leads to more murder, thus he says "let be," when called to a duel, and when he enacts vengeance, it is more in self-defense rather than in cold, calculated vengeance, or stabbing a man in the back. Although Hamlet dies, he dies in triumph, knowing that Horatio will reveal the truth to the world of what happened to his father. Caught in an evil world of court intrigue, Hamlet at least dies a moral man, a man who has given his life significance because of his ability to question the ethics that govern his society, even seem to govern the world beyond. Faustus, in contrast, claims not to be satisfied with the rewards of knowledge gained from books, but uses his intellect in a way that leads him down a path of hollow pleasures, and ultimately damnation. His damnation is evident from the first moment he sells his soul, but Hamlet's moral position is always unclear, much like moral decisions in the world outside of the theater."
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The Flaws in Shakespeare's Characters, 2008.
A comparison and contrast of Shakespeare's major characters: Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth and Titus Andronicus.
1,741 words (approx. 7.0 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 56.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses the flaws in some of Shakespeare's major characters. More specifically, the paper discusses how Macbeth has a blind ambition, Othello is overtaken by jealousy, King Lear enjoys public flattery and is largely blind to the truth, and Titus Andronicus and Macbeth both have the desire for revenge that eventually destroy them. The paper thus shows how, although they are all different as far as social position, culture and life, the characters in Shakespeare's tragedies all share a fateful end which can be attributed to their character flaws.
From the Paper
"When it comes to the characters in Shakespeare's greatest tragedies - the four pillars i.e. Othello, Macbeth, King Lear and Hamlet, along with his earliest tragedy, Titus Andronicus, there is always more than meets the eye. They are strong, deep characters who are faced with the trials of destiny and the frailty of the human mind and condition. Although different as far as social position, culture and life, the characters in Shakespeare's tragedies share a fateful end which can be attributed at least to a great extent if not completely, to a particular flaw of character, be it ambition, superficiality or jealousy."
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Masculinity, 2008.
A comparative study of male relationships in literature.
1,171 words (approx. 4.7 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 40.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses the issue of male relations and friendship which has been discussed in literary texts in different ways. William Shakespeare and Goethe are representative figures of the literary world and are essential authors in the discussion. The paper specifically refers to Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" and Goethe's "The Sorrow of Young Werther", which are significant in highlighting relevant coordinates that defined the way in which male relationships were viewed, depicted and constructed both in terms of reality observation, as well as from the point of view of the literary practice.
From the Paper
"On the other hand, Bassanio is the dreamy type of character, who follows his heart and who is desperately in love with Portia, the heiress of a considerable fortune. The relationship of the two men is based on sincere feelings and constant mutual support. Nonetheless, Antonio is the one more coherent in thoughts and actions, as he is the one advising his friend to acquire the money he needs for courting Portia from a Jewish moneylender, Shylock. This initiative reveals both the practical nature of Antonio, as well as the adventurous spirit of the two. From this perspective, the initial relationship of the two may be compared to that of Romeo and Mercutio, from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". Despite the fact that the "Merchants of Venice" is more a comedy rather than a tragedy, the relationship of the two is somewhat comparable with that available in "Romeo and Juliet". Similar to Romeo and Mercutio who are strongly connected through a friendship that defies any norm and rule, Antonio and Bassanio are too linked through a certain sense of completion. Mercutio may resemble Antonio through their more pragmatic spirit, while Bassanio is similar to Romeo in his quest for his impossible love."
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Ophelia's Madness, 2008.
An analysis of the character and madness of Ophelia in Shakespeare's play "Hamlet".
2,579 words (approx. 10.3 pages), 0 sources, $ 77.95
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Abstract
The paper reveals that the theme of madness is one of the most important motifs of Shakespeare's play "Hamlet". The paper discusses Ophelia's madness, in particular, and explains that it is caused by multiple reasons. The paper also discusses how, because Ophelia is significantly the purest and most innocent character of the play, Shakespeare represents the state of madness of the court of Denmark through her. The paper therefore shows that Ophelia is an extremely important character, despite her apparent secondary role.
From the Paper
"The figure of Ophelia and the relationship that builds between her and Hamlet are extremely significant elements for the overall meaning of Shakespeare's masterpiece. It has to be noted, first of all, that madness is one of the most important motifs of the play. As it is obvious from Shakespeare's other works, madness is correlated paradoxically with wisdom, rather than nonsense. Thus, King Lear for instance, becomes wise only when he becomes mad. The same applies to Shakespeare's fools and clowns, who, while speaking nonsense, actually reveal the truth. In Hamlet, madness is transferred in a curious way from Hamlet, who only feigns it, to Ophelia, who actually goes insane. Moreover, Hamlet's feigned madness is his answer to the general corruptness of the court, and his only way to cope with the moral and philosophical choices he has to make. "
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Shakespeare's Villains, 2008.
This paper shows how Shakespeare's characters, Richard III and Macbeth, are both villains.
1,359 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses how although Richard in "Richard III" and Macbeth in "Macbeth" become villains in very different ways, both characters are villains because they are greedy for power and ambition and will resort to murder to get what they want.
From the Paper
"Shakespeare uses the lust for power to arouse villainous feelings within Richard III and Macbeth. Richard is a villain from the very beginning and Shakespeare does not waste any time revealing this to us. In the opening act, we see Richard's true colors. He admits that he has laid plots against the king and Richard justifies his deformity as a reason for his bad behavior. We know this early in the play when he says that he is "deformed, unfinish'd, sent before my time" (Shakespeare Richard III I.i.20) and he is "determined to prove a villain" (III I.i.30). Later in the play, he compares himself to the "formal vice, Iniquity,/I moralize two meanings in one word" (Shakespeare Richard III III.i.82-3). Stephen Greenblatt notes that the vice is "wickedness personified" (Greenblatt 34)."
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Shakespeare's "Sonnet 73", 2008.
An examination of the symbolism of death in "Sonnet 73," written by William Shakespeare.
972 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 0 sources, $ 34.95
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Abstract
This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the poem "Sonnet 73," written by William Shakespeare. Specifically, it discusses what the poem means and especially looks at how it symbolizes death. The paper discusses the style of writing in the use of the narrator and how the death of the narrator also reveals hope and love for his loved ones.
From the Paper
"Thus, this poem is all about the death of the narrator, but it is also a poem of hope and love, because throughout the poem, the narrator not only confronts his own mortality, he tries to make his death a little less painful for his loved one, so save them grief and fear. While he is the one dying, he is still concerned about the feelings of his family and his loved ones, and so he tries to comfort them even as he lies on his death-bed. This sets this poem apart, because most people confess their sins or confront their fear of dying on their death bed, but this narrator is more concerned about the people that he loves than himself. That is the mark of true and abiding love, and so, while this poem seems to be about death and dying, there is a part of it that is a pure celebration of love, long life, and relationships. The narrator cares more about the other person and their reaction to his death, and that is truly unselfish and kind, making his last act on earth one of kindness, generosity, and most of all, love."
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Hamlet's Soliloquy, 2008.
A review of the soliloquy of "Hamlet", the the most analyzed of all passages of Shakespeare.
1,050 words (approx. 4.2 pages), 0 sources, $ 36.95
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Abstract
This paper studies "Hamlet's" most famous soliloquy, in which he discusses the reason people choose to live or die, choosing to believe that men choose to live only because they fear the unknown of death. The author offers explanations to Hamlet's reasoning in reference to the soliloquy and praises Shakespeare's eloquence in the portrayal of the mortal "Hamlet".
From the Paper
" The soliloquy reveals that Hamlet is mortal, that he is afraid of the un-avenged death and that he is now willing to let himself die in an act of avenging his father. He is also clearly willing to take the eternal scorn that will likely be waged against him in life and death with regard to the wrong he did to the fair Ophelia. In this passage he is more honest with his feelings about Ophelia than at almost any other time in the work. He has previously lamented that the fair Ophelia has been used, as he has to try to cover the story of his father's death, by allowing those who follow to live on without revenge. He takes responsibility for his actions against her, knowing that he and others have caused her death and that this was only one of the possibilities of her place in the intrigue of the situation."
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Sight and Insight, 2008.
A discussion of the superficial sight vs. moral insight in William Shakespeare's "King Lear".
1,738 words (approx. 7.0 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 56.95
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Abstract
The paper examines William Shakespeare's "King Lear" and discusses how the characters Lear, Gloucester and even Goneril and Regan suffer the consequences of their lack of insight while Cordelia and Kent have the ability to see beyond the appearances or the surface of things. The paper highlights the comparison between those who have moral insight and those who are easily blinded by mere circumstances.
From the Paper
"Shakespeare's King Lear is a play about moral insight and moral blindness and how these affect the relationships between people. The well known folly of Lear is paired in the text by the equal folly of many of the other characters, who are punished for their lack of insight. The play is, in many ways, one of the most dramatic and heart-wrenching of the Shakespearean texts. As in Othello, the characters are dreadfully punished for their blindness with respect to the truth. Thus, in turn, Lear, Gloucester and even Goneril and Regan suffer the consequences of their lack of insight."
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