I strongly believe ‘In the process of transforming older texts into contemporary situations, the writing style and contexts change but the same values are reinforced” is false. I introduce Gil Junger’s ’10 Things I Hate about You’ and Shakespeare’s ‘Taming of the Shrew’ which I will be using in this speech today. Taming of the Shrew written approximately 400 years ago is one of Shakespeare’s earliest comedies, sharing many characteristics as his other romantic comedies, such as ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Some characteristics include light-hearted and slapstick humour, disguises and deception and a happy ending in which most of the characters come out satisfied. 10 Things I Hate about You – written 400 years later, is a film directed by Gil Junger.
This is an age old legal dilemma and is what is effectively meant by ‘balancing conflicting interests.’ In the nineteenth century, von Jhering recognised law as a means of ordering society in a situation where there were many competing interests, not all being economic; as he believed utilitarianism views he was concerned with social aims and results over individuals. His view was that legal developments were driven by the constant tussle between individuals and groups within society to have their interests portrayed and supported by the law. As a result the law acts to determine the true balance between different interests by examining the value of each. Roscoe Pound identified 2 categories of interests in the law. Firstly is social interest, such as health and safety and public order, whilst individual interests include privacy and domestic relations.
‘Class boundaries were firmly observed in Shakespeare’s comedies’ Discuss with relevance to the play ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ Class boundaries were firmly observed in Shakespearean comedies as they defined the era. Hierarchy was determined by status and class and this concept was clearly shown in literature written at the time. Shakespeare demonstrates how important class was in his plays which can be seen in the language and behaviour of the characters. For example in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ the characters have distinct personalities such as Hero’s respectful and conformist attitude compared to Beatrice’s witty and strong-headed persona. It is made clear that a resolved ending can only be achieved if the status quo is resumed and part of that is the use of class to determine ones actions.
She portrays strong feeling regarding the social class system of the time, the view towards women and marriage, and the complexities friendship and compassion held in the 19th century. Together, the events and feelings mould together Austen's satirical novel, and allows Austen to give her own opinions using her omniscient narrative throughout the book. Of course, in William Shakespeare's play 'The Merchant of Venice', we explore more of these strong feelings, however they are not at all similar- or so it seems. Shakespeare's use of unique dramatic methods expose hypocrisy in the Elizabethan Venice setting regarding the social intolerance between the Christians and the Jews. Not only this, but throughout the play, we can see obvious feelings of revenge and compassion, especially in Act 4 scene 1 where Shylocks loss of revenge evokes our compassion towards the emotionally broken man.
How does Shakespeare use representation of speech and other dramatic techniques to convey Iago’s feelings towards Othello in the extract and in one other episode elsewhere in the play? Question 08 June 2010 Shakespeare presents Iago’s feelings towards `Othello in the play, through numerous images and explicit lexical choices. In addition to the printed extract, I will look at the last part of Iago’s soliloquy at the end of Act 1. In this text, Iago recounts a story as to why he detests Othello. He recalls when Othello passed him over promotion for the position of lieutenant.
"To what extent have the connections you have made between your two texts studied in this module demonstrated how shared ideas impact differently on individuals in different contexts?" "The play Richard II dares to imagine what it is to have supreme power…. And then lose it", a quote from Derek Jacobi in Shakespeare Uncovered, as he revisits the role he played nearly 30 years ago, Richard II. Comparing this documentary to Shakespeare’s work “Richard II”, has allowed us to consider how the timeless quality in the character of 'Richard II" helps us to understand more about the themes of power and self identity in our contemporary society. The connections in the mentioned themes demonstrates how shared ideas impact differently on individuals in different contexts.
Upon his characterisation of the protagonist, Prospero, Shakespeare leaves various parallels between Prospero and himself through Prospero’s creation of the enigma that is the tempest. A parallel is also made apparent between Prospero and James the 1st in that they were both rulers by divine right and delved into peculiar philosophies. Shakespeare utilises the tempest as an allusion within an illusion. The political relevance of the tempest is very lucid; he addresses the political instability amongst the nobles of the play as a connotation to the current political problems in Jacobean England. The short terse sentences along various repetitions and imperatives serve to denote calamity in the ship.
William Shakespeare’s play Romeo & Juliet has remained the same as its message transcends time, yet its representation has changed as English society has changed. The play Romeo & Juliet was written by William Shakespeare sometime in the early to mid 1590’s and broadcasts the message of forbidden love. As the prologue in original text says the story is about “A pair of star-cross’d lovers…” who in the end “..take their life”. The families of Montague and Capulet have been feuding for years as you come to find out in the beginning of the play. The story starts off with Romeo
'Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.' Shakespeare's plays were written to be performed to an audience from different social classes and of varying levels of intellect. Thus they contain down-to-earth characters who appeal to the working classes, side-by-side with complexities of plot which would satisfy the appetites of the aristocrats among the audience. His contemporary status is different, and Shakespeare's plays have become a symbol of culture and education, being widely used as a subject for academic study and literary criticism. A close critical analysis of Twelfth Night can reveal how Shakespeare manipulates the form, structure, and language to contribute to the meaning of his plays.
Justice and Mercy in Measure for Measure Measure for Measure is a play which portrays many different interesting aspects to learn. This play is one of Shakespeare’s plays where many different parts of the society of his time become more prominent, especially those parts that deal with the law, punishment and justice. Two very different contrasting views of justice are used in Measure for Measure to explore the concept of justice with the audience. During that time King James and other people in Renaissance England were among the audience so he had to deal with concepts to make them familiar. Shakespeare wrote this play during the time when laws in Elizabethan England were very harsh by today’s standards, and would be included in the protection against cruel and usual punishment in the Bill of Right.