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Character analysis in othello by shakespeare
Comparing and contrasting characters in shakespeare
Character analysis in othello by shakespeare
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The Rise of Humanism its relation to Shakespeare The Renaissance was a period of classical revival during the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries. In that time period, the first forms of humanism were conceptualized by intellectuals. Humanism is defined as a progressive philosophy that emphasized the value of human beings and their ability to have potential and morals. This was a complete one-eighty turnaround in contrast to the middle ages, which emphasized the sin of man and the need for salvation. During the middle ages, the church had immense power and Europe was weakened by a series of wars and plagues, which promoted much pessimism within the era. By the 14th century, there was more room for social mobility which allowed a new generation …show more content…
Cassius is trying to convince Brutus to kill Caesar for the good of Rome, but he is a good friend of Caesar and his allegiance is torn between the two. Cassius says to him “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings"(Shakespeare, ii). Cassius says that it’s not his fault that his circumstance is dire. It not fate that determines how people act and events in life come, but rather it is the individual that dictates fate. Connecting with Pico Della Mirandola's ideals, it disregards the idea of fate and rather focuses on what the potential of the individual has. In the play Hamlet, a deviation from the theme of potential called Existentialism manifests itself. Hamlet contemplates on how should he act and thinks to himself these questions: Should he or should he not do anything about the death of his father? Should he or should he not kill himself? The famous soliloquy “To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles And by opposing end them. To die—to sleep, No more;”(Shakespeare, Act III). Hamlet ponders about life and death and whether or not he should take action against his uncle for the death of his father. However, he realizes that if he doesn’t take action and let things stay the way they are, he is …show more content…
Slate journalist Dan Falk mentions that Hamlet has no other mention of afterlife other than the purgatory and the potential to get into heaven from there. Also in the third act of the play, Hamlet says “But that the dread of something after death, The undiscover'd country, from whose bourn No traveller returns, puzzles the will” (Shakespeare, III). Hamlet is scared of death because it’s a land that he hasn’t discovered yet and can’t return from. The afterlife is just a mystery to Shakespeare, and with this evidence, it reinforces the secular existentialist moments that he has himself. The theme of secularism is evident from the works of Machiavelli and Shakespeare, and it is considered contrarian in relation to their pious era’s. Overall, the theme of individualism is evident from the works of Pico Della Mirandola and the theme of secularism from the works of Machiavelli. Shakespeare utilizes both of those themes throughout his plays. Individualism can transgress into two other divisions, such as perfectibility of man and existentialism while secularism was evident, but not as a prominent theme. Shakespeare’s talented yet diverse selection of characters and plays allowed the characters and himself to fit as a
In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, one must read the text closely to track the shifting motivations and loyalties of each character as the play progresses. An important factor that must be kept in mind while reading is the degree of loyalty, in other words, the degree to which characters act out of a motivation to help others. Throughout the play, each character's current degree of loyalty to others is clearly exhibited by words or behavior – this holds true for the characters of Brutus, Cassius, Antony, Portia, and Calpurnia. The focus on loyalty is critical because before the play ends an even-handed justice is meted out to a number of people who fail to live up to an expected standard of loyalty to others.
William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar examines the theme fate vs free will. Shakespeare does this while asking his audience timeless questions. This is done through the portrayal of the tragic hero, Brutus, who struggles to participate in the conspiracy to kill Caesar.
4. Renaissance humanism was an intellectual trend that came from interest in Greco-Roman literature. It changed theories and education because it secularized history--events were no longer blamed on God’s will.
In Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, Brutus and Cassius are both considered honorable men by the public. But, like all traits, honor is in the eye of the beholder. Honor is defined as evidence or symbols of distinction. Those who are placed in power are often chosen because of their traits, which include being honorable. If those in power have any faults, it could diminish their position in the eyes of the public.
Julius Caesar was a good leader for the Roman Empire. He had many achievements that helped Rome get rid of disorder and violence. Throughout his ruling, he proved to be an excellent leader and took control of the Roman Empire. A good leader is determined by how they handle situations and take charge, to bring their soldiers and people to victory.
Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a tragic play about murder, betrayal, revenge, madness, and moral corruption. It touches upon philosophical ideas such as existentialism and relativism. Prince Hamlet frequently questions the meaning of life and the degrading of morals as he agonizes over his father’s murder, his mother’s incestuous infidelity, and what he should or shouldn’t do about it. At first, he is just depressed; still mourning the loss of his father as his mother marries his uncle. After he learns about the treachery of his uncle and the adultery of his mother, his already negative countenance declines further. He struggles with the task of killing Claudius, feeling burdened about having been asked to find a solution to a situation that was forced upon him.Death is something he struggles with as an abstract idea and as relative to himself. He is able to reconcile with the idea of death and reality eventually.
In Hamlet, Hamlet wants to avenge his father’s death, but wonders whether the struggle of living and carrying through with his plans is worth the hardships, or if death is a better option. Shakespeare writes a soliloquy where Hamlet discusses with himself whether he should live or die. Shakespeare discusses the idea of suicide through metaphors, rhetorical questions, and repetition until Hamlet decides that he is too afraid of death to commit suicide.
A tragic hero is the antithesis for the common protagonist. Most protagonists show how they overcome great obstacles however, the tragic hero shows a more humane character, that stumbles and falls. The tragic hero usually exhibits three specific traits that lead to his or her downfall. In the play, Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the characters of Brutus and Caesar both exhibit the three attributes of a tragic character. The first trait of any tragic hero is a high rank and potential for greatness. Both Brutus and Caesar hold his trait, as they are beloved high ranking Romans. The second characteristic a tragic hero must possess; is a fatal flaw that dominates their personality, and Brutus’ sense of justice and Caesar’s ego, fulfill this
Shakespeare’s portrayal of Cassius is based on Plutarch’s historical description as a “choleric man” who “even from his cradle could not abide any manner of tyrant (“Sources” 115).” It is not through divine power that men begin to conspire against Caesar, but it is through Cassius’ decision to use the power of rhetoric in order to persuade men, especially Brutus, to conspire against Caesar. According to Cassius in the play, “Men at some time are masters of their fates. / The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars / But in ourselves, that we are underlings (1.2.139-141).” Through careful and strategic planning is Cassius able to persuade Brutus, a man who “for his virtue and valiantness, was wellbeloved of the people (“Sources” 120),” into conspiring and acting upon the death of Caesar. Caesar also believes that men control their own fate by stating, in response to the omens and portents, “Danger knows full well / That Caesar is more dangerous than he (2.2.44-45).” Through this quote, Caesar presents his belief that he has the ability to overcome a superstitious fate. Therefore, he ignores all the signs and omens and thus determines his fate through an action that would seal his death. Unlike Calphurnia 's beliefs, Shakespeare makes it clear that it is the free will of these men alone that shaped history into the tragedy which it became. It was not
Hamlet does an amazing job in showing how life and how it is valued depends on each person. In Hamlet’s soliloquy, “ to be, or not to be” , Hamlet states, “For in that sleep of death what dreams may come” (Shakespeare act III, Sc.1). This describes how people have not discovered what happens after death. It could maybe be like a peaceful dream or end in a hellish land. People are scared of the afterlife because they don't know what happens next and not knowing causes fear.
His view of death as ‘common’ has immaculate relations to the way in which life is meant to go. The theme of death feels so belonging in the world according to Hamlet that it hypnotizes him to carry out all these beliefs to an extreme level. The theme of death also sparks other themes into existence such as ‘Religion’. His thoughts on suicide are clearly not thought through thoroughly as if he believed in religion Hamlet would know suicide is the worst sin there is. The projection of this implies he is not religious and does not believe in an afterlife.
In the play, Brutus is known as an honorable man. However, according to the play, Brutus makes such a foolish free will choice which later brings poor result. The foolish choice is killing Caesar. Brutus and other conspirators are scared of Caesar becoming too powerful. So Brutus who is tempted by Cassius and Casca murders Caesar in the Senate in front of other people. After all these events have happened, Brutus finally realizes that he went against the fate. William Shakespeare explains the definition of fate through Caesar, “ What can be avoided Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods? (Fleming 11-14). Basically, Brutus is going against the purpose of mighty gods corresponds to what Caesar said. Nonetheless, it was not only Brutus who made a free choice over the fate. One of the protagonists in the play, Julius Caesar, makes profuse free will choice that ends his life. Free choices were made to go against the fate like omens and the prophets. The critical writing author, William H. Fleming, explains the situation of Caesar as follow, “Caesar is not the direct cause of his own death… Forces outside of himself bring the action to a Climax. Other forces, still outside of himself, carry the action forward to the Catastrophe. While he is the cause of the action” (15). The author tells that the forces that come from outside which is omens and the prophets eventually leads Caesar to
Hamlet starts his speech off by saying “To be or not to be- that is the question: Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer…” (III. i. 64-98). Hamlet's dilemma is whether it is worth it to exist, and he weighs life's worth against the nothingness of nonexistence as he toys with the idea of suicide. He wonders which is more appropriate given his desperate situation: to die and end his suffering or to put up a fight against the misfortunes of life.
Many diverse ideas flourished during the European Renaissance which had a lasting impact on the world. Humanism is a worldview and a moral philosophy that considers humans to be of primary importance. The aspect of humanism first thrived in 14th century Italy, and later spread north in the 15th century. Initially humanistic ideas about education were quickly adopted by the Italian upper class. The Italian ideas and attitudes towards life and learning impacted nobility in other parts of Europe. They were able to accept and adapt to this new lifestyle. Humanism during the Renaissance helped to spread ideas about the basic nature of human beings, how people should be educated to become well rounded individuals, and how education impacts an individual’s life.
Throughout history, the world has seen a copious amount of emperors, but Julius Caesar was a historic model to the society of Rome. According to McKay, Hill, Buckler, Crowston, Weisner- Hanks, and Perry, (2014), born in 100 B.C. to an honorable family, Caesar went to school and received an outstanding education, which he later advanced by studying in Greece with some of the famous Greek teachers we learn about today. Caesar’s first wife Cornelia was the daughter of the consul at the time, Lucius Cornelius Cinna. His original plans were to marry the daughter of a wealthy business class family, but considering he wanted to be the flamen he had to marry a patrician. Even though he fulfilled the requirements and married Cornelia, consul Cinna never