Indeed, one could view Romeo and Juliet as a transitional play in which Shakespeare merges the comedic elements perfected in his earlier work with tragic elements he would later perfect in the great tragedies -- Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, and King Lear. This mixture of styles ultimately hurts Romeo and Juliet, exposing the immaturity of the playwright. The heroes of the play must contend with external forces that impede their relationship, but, unlike the great tragic heroes, they are devoid of the inner struggle that makes for great tragedy. The influential Shakespearean scholar, A.C. Bradley, went so far as to neglect the play entirely in his well-known collection of lectures on the great tragedies, Shakespearean Tragedy. While no one can deny the merits of Shakespeare's powerful, inspired verse, the themes Shakespeare stresses in Romeo and Juliet also seem to reflect his immaturity as a writer.
Shakespeare’s use of the word “brave” is used to give us a false impression of Macbeth’s true self. Also, “well he deserves that name” is used by Shakespeare to make the audience think he has worked extremely hard to earn his title and to therefore make it more of a shock to us when our opinions of him are forced to change in Act I Scene III. Act I Scene III is the first scene of the play where we see into Macbeth’s true personality. “Stay, you imperfect speakers. Tell me more… The greatest is behind…” Although at first Macbeth thinks the
April 15, 2013 OTHELLO Extra Credit Response According to Aristotle’s six elements of drama, Othello was the tragic hero whose weakness for having faith in those who he thinks tell the truth (Iago) allows him to be manipulated and blinded his jealousy that Iago created as an illusion. This downfall of his led to the death of Desdemona. Othello’s lack for evidence, such as proof of the handkerchief, allowed tragedy to occur in the play. Seeing the play Othello live rather than reading it from a book allowed me to understand the writing and meaning of Shakespeare. Watching Othello, I already knew the underlined themes and symbolism, etc.
By using aggressive verbs and strong beat, it shows the conflict between the two families, which is very important for people to know so that they can have better ideas of why Romeo and Juliet’s love is a forbidden love. Quotes, such as “What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds?”, “keep the peace”, are well-used in order to describe Tybalt as a hothead and Benvolio as a calm and mature person. Third song, “Tragic story”, is written in a special form. It’s like a conversation between the singers. Thanks to that unique style, whole picture of the fight between Tybalt and Mercutio, Tybalt and Romeo are shown.
Shakespeare knew his audiences wanted plays about revenge so he wrote them. “During the time of Elizabethan theater, plays about tragedy and revenge were very common and a regular convention seemed to be formed on what aspects should be put into a typical revenge tragedy.” (Literary Articles). He certainly did write his stories for his audiences and it paid off. Especially with, Hamlet. Hamlet is one those plays that was spawned on revenge and thrived on it as
‘The Prologue of Romeo and Juliet Introduces Many Themes That We Are Forced to Confront Even in the First Scene’ When reading the prologue, it is evident to see that the barefaced reason for the presence of the Prologue is deliberately to introduce the varying themes of the play in it, which is set in the town of Verona, where Romeo and Juliet begin their deep emotional journey, progressing through lust, love and eventually, death. We can analyse all the main features set very early on during the play, and through this, examine the deeper, more meaningful uses. The Prologue not only merely underpins the main genres and motifs and sets the scene of Romeo and Juliet; it engages the audience into wanting to know what will happen in the duration of the play. Even from the very first line of The Prologue, the scene is set; and listeners’ intuition will undoubtedly think that the phrase that adducts to an ‘ill-fated couple’ with its use of the word “star-crossed,” which means, literally, against the stars. Stars, in 16th century Verona (and Italy) were thought to determine certain people’s fate.
He did brilliantly in using the dialogue to portray what characters were feeling and thinking. Shakespeare also used dialogue allocated to other characters, such as Lady Macbeth, to portray Macbeth’s ambition further: “…It is too full o' the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great; Art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it.” Lady Macbeth spoke these lines, talking about her husband, however she was another character who could not look
From the very beginning when she says, "If it be love indeed, tell me how much" the reader can sense the upper hand she has over him. While one can presume her love for Antony is great, her woes when he returns to Octavia, one can also presume her love for herself is greater. Shakespeare expands on the idea of her killing herself not only as a painless sacrifice to her lover, but more so she will not be a prize to Caesar. The reader comes to this idea in Shakespeare more than in Dryden because the character of Cleopatra is harsher throughout Shakespeare's play allowing the reader to develop Cleopatra as a manipulative mind. In Dryden the reader is allotted more time to know Cleopatra.
Although Romeo and Juliet is a powerful and passionate romance, that romance is surrounded by violence, hatred, and chaos, and ultimately, that deep, passionate romance causes so much of the violence in Verona. Juliet herself acknowledges this in act one scene 5 in saying “My only love sprung from my only hate” (Shakespeare 1.5.138). Even Juliet realizes the violence of loving someone, when their families have a strong dislike for each other. Even with knowing this she pursues with the relationship anyway, a fact that only incites further violence and contempt between Montague and Capulet. As shown near the end of book, where Romeo and Juliet’s deep love for one another results in a significant amount of violence.
Richard III Richard III is a historical play written to reflect the chaotic events of the War of Roses. However, Shakespeare is careful to do this is a secretive, indirect fashion because of the harsh punishments associated with speaking against the ruling parties. The play presents more than a history lesson. Shakespeare produces an intriguing character, Richard III, who audiences grow to admire as they watch his rise and fall during the course of the play. The appeal of Richard’s character is the most interesting aspect of this play.