PAPER Topics

... could have prevented his downfall if it wasn't for his tragic flaw. Another reason Hamlet is a classic example of Shakespearean tragedy is because it incorporates the idea of catharsis. Aristotle defined catharsis as the purging of the emotions of fear and pity. In the play, Claudius has the emotion of fear because he is afraid of Hamlet knowing that he killed his father. Claudius knows that Hamlet is capable of killing him. He knows that he cannot kill Hamlet to protect himself or to prevent the people from knowing who killed the king because the people love Hamlet too much. Claudius feels pity after he sees the "Mouse Trap" because he realizes what he had done was wrong now that Ham ...

... for his father and his people because life will not always be a holiday , for "If all the year were playing holidays, To sport would be as tedious as work" (1.2. 211- 212). However Hal needs some type of strength to make his realization come true. Luckily Hal's father, the King is willing to lend several comments that enrage him and provide him with the necssary motivation. It also seems that Shakespeare has included the foil for Hal, the valiant Hotspur, in order to provide the callow Prince of Wales with another source of motivation, from which Hal can begin constructing his redemption. In a plea to his father, Hal vows that he will redeem his tarnished identity at the expense of ...

... room. This shows how Polonius, a man unaware of the true nature of the situation he is in, is killed by a member of the royalty during the execution of one of their schemes. This makes Polonius’ death a tragedy. The next member of Polonius’ family to die is his daughter Ophelia. Ophelia’s death is tragic because of her complete innocence in the situation. Some may argue that Polonius deserves his fate because of his deceitfulness in dealing with Hamlet while he is mad, but Ophelia is entirely manipulated and used by Hamlet and the king for their own selfish reasons. An example of how Ophelia is used by Hamlet takes place in Act II, scene I, when Hamlet uses her to convince h ...

... go after the throne. She wants to be tough and begs the spirits to "unsex me here." Macbeth, on the other hand, hesitates to murder Duncan for several reasons. Among these reasons the earthly consequences frighten him the most. How would his new subjects react? Would the kingdom disrupt in chaos? Furthermore Macbeth cannot escape present punishment if he fails. We see Lady Macbeth's persuasiveness producing a new courage in her husband and that courage is manly enough to perform murder. Therefore, Macbeth has no reasons for murdering Duncan except for his "vaulting ambition," his lust for power. Throughout the play we see Lady Macbeth's and Macbeth's conscience, or lack of, ch ...

... success. But even here in one of his last moments, while having a conversation with a ghost from the past, he continues to lie to himself by saying that his funeral will be a big event [2], and that there will be guests from all over his former working territory in attendance. Yet as was to be expected, this is not what happens, none of the people he sold to come. Although perhaps this wrong foretelling could be attributed to senility, rather than his typical self-deception [5]. Maybe he has forgotten that the "old buyers" have already died of old age. His imagined dialogue partner tells him that Biff will consider the impending act one of cowardice. This obviously indicates that he himse ...

... must follow, as the night the day,/ Thou canst not then be false to any man,"(I iii,ln 80) It is clear that his first priority, in talking to his son, is to teach him to act proper, to keep up his own appearance, and not to wish him well. From his later actions, one can see that Laetres honor is what concerens him the most, not his well being. When Polonius feels it necessary to send a spy to keep an eye on him, he once again expresses his lack of trust for anyone. He goes on to ask Reynaldo to, "before you visit him. . . make inquirer/ Of his behavior. . .And thus do we of wisdom and of reach/ With windlasses and with assays of bias,/ By indirections find directions out," (II i, l ...

... Macbeth announces to her he does not want to kill Duncan.This speech epitomizes Lady Macbeth's evilness. She is ruthless, and her evil accounts for the murders that occur throughout the play Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is far more savage and ambitious than her husband, yet she convinces Macbeth to commit the murders that will make them king and queen. Macbeth is without his wife's cruel and uncompassionate attitude towards life. Lady Macbeth is aware that her husband is genuinely a gentle person. However, she is able to manipulate Macbeth into committing evil deeds in order to achieve her desires. Lady Macbeth fears that Macbeth lacks enough courage and killer instinct to murder Duncan. Lady ...

... the 60's look. In the early 60's, the teenagers world was suddenly hit by the rock- n- roll of phenomenon of the Beatles. Teens idoled rock stars and let their hair grow long and wore bright, wild colored clothes. Leather offered great opportunities for self - expression. The clothes were influenced by stage performers. The 60's was a reflection of the power of Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones. It was the beginning of the fashion reversal. Some pop groups in particular, the Rolling Stones, cultivated a rebellious attitude that was reflected in their unconventional, scruffy clothing. Strict rules dictated what was worn and when. Casuals for wearing during the day were ...

... who are women should not contend with men; we who are weak are ruled by the stronger, so that we must obey....(346) Once again Ismene's words clearly state her weak, feminine character and helplessness within her own dimensions. Antigone, not happy with her sisters response chides her sister for not participating in her crime and for her passivity, saying, " Set your own life in order"(346). For Antigone, no law could stand in the way of her strong consideration of her brother's spirit, not even the punishment of an early death. Ismene is more practical ; knowing the task is impossible, she feels the situation to be hopeless. It is a wonder, which of the two sisters are really ...

... race, as a whole, really this close to the swamps and oceans from which we pulled ourselves? Has evolution really just played some sort of immense prank on us, bestowing upon us the gifts of reason and judgment, but blurring them with prejudice and blind hatred? (Too many question...Not enough answers... Isn't that always the case?) The Crucible is an incredible book, through the medium of a historical event it manages to shine a light into the cold, dark, depths of human existence. Anyone who is willing to put forth the time to read and truly understand is in for quite a shock, the truth. As for recommending this to my school's reading list, I cry out, “ Yes!”, let them read it. How ...