In their day and age these characters would be judged by many factors including social and cultural backgrounds, crimes committed and personal traits. Both of these writers seem to conjure their audience into a state where it compels them to relate to certain characters. Lady Macbeth certainly loses or suppresses her feelings of cowardice. Throughout her appalling invocation to the spirits of evil to “unsex her”, proving her ambition to attain her goal. In Jacobean times women were seen as inferior and even in the Victoria era, thus she required external forces to crush her conscience to allow her to fulfil her ambition.
And swear whatever you wish, and then begin all over again?”(Anouilh, 48). The presence of her masculinity implies that only masculine characters can oppose law. Because she is an undesirable female, who doesn’t follow the rules of womanhood, Anouilh resolves the presence of her character through an inevitable death, to emphasize his contempt with such women. Although male, Haemon portrays female characteristics, being over-emotional and rash, thus being incapable of fulfilling the idealistic male role. An
With the absence of law, it was a mans duty to kill the slayer of his kinsman or to exact the payment of the wergild, to not do so would have been extremely shameful, and because of the violence of the time, this manner of thought usually lead to an endless cycle of slaughter. By the actions of Grendel's mother, following his death by the hands of Beowulf, it is fairly clear to see that she is a representation of that code of vengeance the people of the age lived and died
Families are full of love and hope but to annihilate that all is a complete act of putrid evil and hate. War gives illusional rights to these inhumane beings that these acts are a part of life which they aren’t. Natural death should be the cause of all these lives, not innocent murder. War is the reason these families blood has been spilt. After all these past events, the 1800’s wars, The Boer War, WWI, WWII and The Cold War, you’d think we’d all have learnt our lesson that war was destroying people, along with the world.
Greek philosopher Aristotle suggests that a tragic hero must evoke pity or fear in the audience’s eyes. Blanche can evoke pity in the audience’s eyes, with her constant lies and insecurities and inability to cope “the loss” of Belle Reve. The loss of Belle Reve is probably the most significant contributor to Blanches mental state she “stayed and fought for it, bled for it, almost died for it” it is clear to see that this has taken a psychological toll on her. She also strikes the audience as lost and confused, this can be seen as she arrives to elysian fields in an “uncertain manner” she also shakes frequently during the play. Her highlighted vulnerability suggests alienation, which further evokes the audience’s sense of pity making her a tragic hero.
She will be the man here” (519). This quote explains Kreon’s irritation on Antigone. The very moment Antigone buries her be loving brother’s body Kreon wants to take action with killing her because she disobeyed his law also Antigone’s sister, Ismene, because Kreon believes she was part of it too. Kreon believes if he does not kill Antigone he will no longer be one of the best rulers that people will look up too. This quote is important because it explains how Kreon begins to commit hubris.
In the extract Cleopatra is believed to be in love with Mark Anthony and shows a one sided love. Her undivided love to him is shown to be her weakness because her vulnerability is expressed and this is what Plutarch shows in the extract. ...'for here was a mistress who was utterly devoted to him alone, and he was killing her'... (Kilvert, S I. (trans) (1965, p320) Plutarch: Makers of Rome, Harmondsworth, Penguin). The use of the word 'mistress' explains her role at the time.
And if a woman succumbs to acts adultery, this is seen as a great threat for the Oikos as the women can no longer be seen as honourable or chase, casting doubt on children’s legitimacy. It suggests that women tend to be seen as weaker and therefore potentially victims in need of protection through the law. Athenian men such as Ischomachus thought women were physically weak to an extent, believing ‘work.. indoors are women’s tasks’ and the ‘outdoors are the mans’. However, he justifies this indoor role he has given to his wife by different characteristics the gods have given to the sexes including women’s physical weakness however through the bee analogy he stresses the requirement for women to be assertive and strong in management in the internal roles of the oikos which makes her distinct from other women through her superior expertise she gains from managing the oikos. This suggests that Athenian men thought women were weak because of what they believe or what they’ve been taught to believe rather than see what women might be able to do.
In this case Lady Macbeths need for power is extremely destructive. In spite of her poor morals to start with, when Macbeth’s moral values change drastically she turns into someone who is mentally unstable. Her ambition is what motivates her to convince her husband Macbeth to commit these horrible deeds in the first place. Although Lady Macbeth did have poor morals, this quest for power would not have happened if it was not for the prompting of the witches and the start of the corruption that spread like a forest
The final line “Who could not say, ‘Tis pity she’s a whore?” can be seen as directed towards her and so she is blamed for everything that has occurred. Throughout the play she is seen as quite powerful and headstrong by refusing many marriage proposals and being quite stubborn in doing so. However, she is reduced to a weak being however upon dying which is a culmination of her passions. It is perceived that women are a danger to men and to society as a whole and so Giovanni’s actions are to be blamed not on himself, but on Annabella because of the beauty she possesses. Giovanni states that Annabella’s “lips would tempt a saint” thus showing the corruption her presence inflicts upon even the supposed innocent of men.