William Shakespeare s A Master Of Tragedy - 2257 Words

William Shakespeare was a master of tragedy. In Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Shakespeare spins a tale of murder, madness, and lies. The character of Prince Hamlet is burdened by the assassination of his father and must avenge the King’s death while protecting his own life. Many have contemplated whether or not Hamlet’s sanity was flawed. Hamlet told the audience that he was not insane, but it is clear that his mourning and melancholia were taking over his world. Hamlet, in a stagnant state of mourning, struggles to stay composed. He is grieving his father’s death. Theodore Lidz, author of Hamlet’s Enemy, leans to the theory that Hamlet believes he must pretend to be insane because he feels that he must resist to retain a â€Å"modicum of†¦show more content†¦Critic, Ruth Perry, in the article â€Å"Madness in Euripides, Shakespeare, and Kafka: An Examination of The Bacchae, Hamlet, King Lear, and The Castle† describes Hamlet, as a child of a broken home. His mother, Gertrude, has moved right into a new relationship that has nothing to do with Hamlet. In the short time of four months, he has been almost completely excommunicated from his family and is looked upon with distrust because of his position in the public (4). This is a lot to deal with; any man in this position would have few possibilities to explore to alleviate these issues. When Hamlet runs into his friend Horatio, Horatio denies that he has come to see the wedding but to come for the funeral of the King. Hamlet uses sarcasm to play off his feelings for his mother’s expedient nuptials; â€Å"Thrift, Thrift, Horatio! The funeral bak’d meats did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables. Would I have met my dearest foe in heaven or ever I had scene that day, Horatio† (I. ii. 180-182). Perry goes on to explain Hamlet’s condition even further: Hamlet is much more about the sullen, withheld, depressed, conflicted relation of a child to both his parents. The anger is not clean and cathartic†¦it is dirty, sullied. Hamlet s ‘imaginations are as foul / As Vulcan s stithy’ (III, ii). He is haunted rather than furious. He does not vituperate Gertrude and Claudius; he embarrasses them in public and makes snide remarks. (4) These are not the actions of aShow MoreRelatedThe Cask Of Amontillado : William Shakespeare1450 Words   |  6 PagesRuiz-Velasco English 221 Final Paper 17 December 2014 The Cask of Amontillado: Shakespeare in American Literature There are a few names in literature which represent the ability to captivate an audience with suspense and gloom. Though masters of different genres, Edgar Allen Poe and William Shakespeare both embody this unique ability. One of Poe’s work in particular resembles the beauty and darkness that is found in Shakespeare’s tragedies. In the intriguing short story â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† two wealthyRead MoreWho Really Wrote Shakespeares Work794 Words   |  4 Pages One of the most well-known writers in history is also one of the most controversial writers. William Shakespeare has been credited to thirty-eight plays, but did he actually write all of them. The debate whether he wrote all of his plays has been debated for generations. One of the main reasons was if his education level was high enough to be a world-famous writer. But if Shakespeare didnt write his works, then who did? One of the most controversial and accused writers wasRead MoreLuis Sotelo. Mr. Ortiz. English 12. 27 February 2017. Macbeth1258 Words   |  6 PagesThrone of Blood In â€Å"Tthe Tragedy of Macbeth† by William Shakespeare, there is a big focus on the character itself instead of the plot of the play. Each character is of high importance to the tragedy and the developing plot that leads to Macbeth’s downfall. Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Banquo, and even minor characters such as the witches all mold and shape Macbeth’s fate and make it a tragic one. In the Throne of Blood (1957) by Akira Kurosawa, a reenactment of the play by Shakespeare, high value is also givenRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet Essay1024 Words   |  5 PagesRomeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare s most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays. Today, the title characters are regarded as archetypal young lovers. Romeo and Juliet belongs to a tradition of tragic romances stretching back to antiquity. The plot is based on an ItalianRead MoreMacbeth : Lightness And Darkness988 Words   |  4 PagesMacbeth Essay: Lightness and Darkness Is the lightness and darkness combination, implemented by Shakespeare in the play The Tragedy of Macbeth, foreshadowing Macbeth’s downfall? As many can identify conspicuous examples of light and darkness through characterization, the play has many hidden foreshadowing signifiers. Although many overlook the imagery created through the light and darkness in Macbeth, Shakespeare places these examples strategically to make readers pay close attention to particular partsRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1124 Words   |  5 PagesThe play Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare s most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays. Today, the title characters are regarded as archetypal young lovers. Romeo and Juliet belongs to a tradition of tragic romances stretching back to antiquity. Its plot is based onRead More Comparing the Supernatural in William Shakespeares Hamlet and Macbeth 921 Words   |  4 PagesComparing the Supernatural in William Shakespeares Hamlet and Macbeth  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚   In the time of William Shakespeare there was a strong belief in the existence of the supernatural. Therefore, the supernatural is a recurring theme in many of Shakespeares plays. In two such plays, Hamlet and Macbeth, the supernatural is an integral part of the structure of the plot. It provides a catalyst for action, an insight into character, and an augmentation of the impact of many key scenes. TheRead More The Nature of Evil in William ShakespeareÂ’s Othello Essay1656 Words   |  7 PagesWilliam ShakespeareÂ’s Othello uses different and unique techniques in his language to express the nature of evil throughout the play. Verbal twists and the characters most importantly stress the act of evil. Iago, most of all is portrayed as the “villain” or “protagonist in the play. Shakespeare uses this character to set the basis of evil. Each plot point is spiraled further into tragedy due to the nature of Iago and his manipulative language towards the other main characters. Corruption overcomesRead MoreBetraying and Lying in Othello by William Shakespeare1726 Words   |  7 Pageshave become the root of all evil today. People have made it an everyday thing to lie and betray people just because they like to see people broken in misery. People also lie and betray people because of jealousy they may have towards them. The tragedy of Othello explains why some people are not trustworthy. Just because some people feel like they are miserable, they try everything in their power to make the other individual miserable as well. Enemies come in different colors, shapes, and formsRead MoreEssay about William Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet969 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare, tells the story of too unfortunate lovers caught up in their family’s hatred which in the end leads to the tragic deaths of both lovers. Classical Greek tragedy influenced Renaissance writers greatly Shakespeare was no exception. According to the dictionary, fate is ‘the supposed force, principle, or power that predetermines event.’ Which means that it is out of our hands. I believe