In the prologue of Pillars of the Earth, an innocent, young man is hung. By the end of the novel, it is learned that the young man played an important role throughout the book. This man was said to be hung for theft, but it is revealed by the end that he knew a scandalous secret. This essay will reveal who he was, why he was a significant character, and why he functions as a central character and plot motivator though he was not alive throughout the novel.
The young man who was hung in Pillars of the Earth was Jack Shareburg. Shareburg was Ellen’s first husband, friend, and the father of Jack. Shareburg relates to Waleran Bigod, Percy Hamleigh, and Prior James because the three sentenced Shareburg to his death. As a result, the people of Kingsbridge
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Priory know of Jack Shareburg and Ellen, which adds to the plot of the novel. Jack Shareburg is significant because he was an innocent man murdered. The rumor was that Shareburg was hung for stealing a jeweled cup that he was given as compensation for being wrongly imprisoned; Shareburg did not want the cup, considering he had no use for it, and left it behind. Coincidently, the cup went missing and reappeared in Shareburg’s bag after his arrest. However, the truth was that Shareburg knew of the arranged sinking of the White Ship and survived. The White Ship was arranged to sink because it passaged the king’s only son and heir to the throne, who died in the shipwreck. The baron’s who arranged the White Ship to sink hoped to be able to influence the succession from the crown and gain independence. Waleran Bigod, Percy Hamleigh, and Prior James tie into the situation because Shareburg was convicted on the three false oaths they gave. Jack Shareburg functions as a central character because three main characters, Waleran Bigod, Percy Hamleigh, and Prior James, gain from his loss of life.
“‘For gain,” Ellen said. “Waleran Bigod was made archdeacon. Percy was given the manor of several other villages, and became a man of property. I don’t know what reward was received by Prior James.”..... “I can tell you what reward Prior James received,” Regimus said. “The priory was given the villages of Northwold, Southwold and Hundredacre, plus the forest of Oldean.’” (Pillars of the Earth, 939). These three men lied on oath and killed an innocent man for for personal gain. Waleran Bigod and Percy Hamleigh continued on with life without a guilty conscience. Prior James, on the other hand, did not. “Regimus said: “ James had not actually perjured himself, for he swore only that the cup belonged to the priory; but he knew Jack Shareburg was innocent, yet he remained silent. He regretted that silence for the rest of his life.’” (Pillars of the Earth, 939). Prior James’s guilty conscience ruined the priory. The priory became “rundown, penniless, decrepit, and demoralized.” (Pillars of the Earth, 940). Prior James finally confessed his sin to Regimus when he was
dying. Jack Shareburg functions as a plot motivator when he dies. After Shareburg is hung, Ellen curses Waleran Bigod, Percy Hamleigh, and James Prior. “She had sunk to her knees in front of the gallows, with her arms stretched out in front of her, the position adopted to utter a curse. The people shrank from her in fear: everyone knew that the curses of those who had suffered injustice were particularly effective, and they had all suspected that something was not quite right about this hanging…..The girl turned her hypnotic golden eyes on the three strangers, the knight, the monk and the priest; and then she pronounced her curse, calling out the terrible words in ringing tones: “I curse you with sickness and sorrow, with hunger and pain; and your house shall be consumed by fire, and your children shall die on the gallows; your enemies will prosper, and you shall grow old in sadness and regret, and die in foulness and agony…’” (Pillars of the Earth, 15-16). The curse was fulfilled. Percy Hamleigh dies from a seizure. While his son, William Hamleigh, is later hung on the gallows. Prior James dies after living a life of regret with a guilty conscience. Waleran Bigod ends up with no friends, no power, and no position; also living his life as a monk and spending his time asking for God’s forgiveness for his sins. Jack Shareburg played an important role in Pillars of the Earth. Shareburg’s suffering of injustice led to the curse on Waleran Bigod, Percy Hamleigh, and Prior James. However, the suffering of injustice also led to the rebuilding on the Cathedral of Kingsbridge Priory, completed by his own son Jack, and making Prior Philip successful in renovating Kingsbridge Priory.
Neither John Proctor nor Minister Dimmesdale wanted to admit to their sins at first. Elizabeth Proctor knew of John’s affair, but he did not admit it to the townspeople until Abigail Williams accused Elizabeth of witchcraft. John Proctor knew the only reason that Abigail had done this was because Elizabeth had fired her due to the affair. Minister Dimmesdale lived with his guilt for several years before he admitted to being the father of Pearl. Hester Prynne and Minister Dimmesdale were going to escape on a ship and live together as a family. But, when this did not happen, Dimmesdale could no longer take the guilt. He stood on a scaffold with Hester and Pearl, admitted his sin, and fell to his death. Both John Proctor and Minister Dimmesdale waited before confessing to their sinful relationships.
There are many topics deeply hidden in the works of William Shakespeare. One of his greatest pieces of works is the story of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Not only are the words of Shakespeare meaningful, but there are also many follow up pieces of literature that contain important interpretations of the events in this play. These works about Hamlet are extremely beneficial to the reader. I have found four of these works and will use them as sources throughout this essay. The first source is “The Case of Hamlet’s Conscience,” by Catherine Belsey, and it focuses on the topic of Hamlet’s revenge in the play. The second source is “’Never Doubt I Love’: Misreading Hamlet,” by Imtiaz Habib, and it explains a lot of information about Hamlet’s “love” for Ophelia. The third source is “Shakespeare’s Hamlet, III.i.56—88,” by Horst Breuer, and it talks in depth about the issue of suicide in Hamlet. The fourth and final source is “Shakespeare’s Hamlet 1.2.35-38,” by Kathryn Walls, and it describes the significance of the role the Ghost plays throughout Hamlet. There are many different confusing parts in Hamlet and the best way to fully understand the play is to understand all of these parts. By understanding every miniscule detail in the play, it creates a different outlook on the play for the reader. In this essay, I will explain these confusing topics, as well as explain why the sources are helpful and what insight they can bring. At the end is this essay, the reader will have a complete understanding and appreciation of the play Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.
The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini and William Shakespeare’s Hamlet have demonstrated how the protagonists’ action of concealing and revealing their true selves impacts themselves and the surrounding. Amir’s escaping from the alley in the year of 1975 and Hamlet’s supernatural conversation with the ghost respectively trigger the aggressive plot development in the stories. Second, Amir’s desperation for paternal love and Hamlet’s grief for the death of Old Hamlet cause them to act differently and lead to a life dilemma. Nevertheless, Amir’s redemption saves him from further concealing the sorrow of betraying Hassan, whereas Hamlet’s life, without forgiveness, forebodes the remarkable tragedy, death.
This novel and film commentary analysis or interpretation will be first summarised and then critiqued. The summary will be divided into twenty- four episodes. While summarising it is well to remember that the film was made out of the book.
In Shakespeare’s play Othello, Othello is first seen as a man who has gone through many hardships. He worked his way up from being a captured and enslaved prince, t...
Minor characters play a very crucial role in Shakespear's Hamlet. They serve as narrators for events that occurred outside the immediate play: the Dane's ghost. Distinct contrasts are created through the usage of the play's minor characters. The reader gains new perspective on Hamlet's character when he is compared with Laertes. The presence of these minor characters can also have a direct effect on the action of the play. The actors in the play within the play are used to expose the guilt of Claudius; Hamlet then has proof of the King's crimes. The expertise use of these characters - either to exemplify good and purity, or to spread the vile corruption which permeates Elsinore - is one of the main reasons for Hamlet's success as one of the greatest plays ever written.
2. The first reason for this thesis stems from the point of view used in the story. The point of view exemplified is one of third person, more specifically one who is omniscient. The story’s message could not be conveyed from the first person, due to the fact that virtually everyone in the writing at hand is not only unable, but unwilling to figure out the true nature of their surroundings.
Macbeth’s heroic deeds at the beginning of the play soon seem insignificant next to the primary event in the Act: the revelation of the witches’ prophecy. Their insightful proclamation that he will be king someday is both shocking and pleasing to Macbeth. Without this occurrence, this play might not have traveled a road of ambition and death, but instead one of calm acceptance and enjoyment of an already-elegant lifestyle. The seeds of desire were here planted, however, eliciting what became a bloody ordeal. The spark ignited, and a plan began to take shape.
confession without implicating himself. We get a glimpse into the true character of the Friar,
King Lear is often regarded as one of Shakespeare’s finest pieces of literature. One reason this is true is because Shakespeare singlehandedly shows the reader what the human condition looks like as the play unfolds. Shakespeare lets the reader watch this develop in Lear’s own decisions and search for the purpose of life while unable to escape his solitude and ultimately his own death. Examining the philosophies Shakespeare embeds into the language and actions of King Lear allows the reader a better understanding of the play and why the play is important to life today.
The Shakespearean play of Hamlet captures the audience with many suspenseful and devastating themes including betrayal. Some of the most loved characters get betrayed by who they thought loved them most. The things these characters do to the people they love are wrong, hurtful and disappointing. These examples lead to the destruction of many characters physically and emotionally. The characters in the play who committed the act of betrayal end up paying for what they have done in the form of death, either from nature, their selfishness, disloyalty and madness. The act of betrayal truly captures and displays the play of Hamlet as a sad tragedy.
Shakespeare’s Hamlet is arguably one of the best plays known to English literature. It presents the protagonist, Hamlet, and his increasingly complex path through self discovery. His character is of an abnormally complex nature, the likes of which not often found in plays, and many different theses have been put forward about Hamlet's dynamic disposition. One such thesis is that Hamlet is a young man with an identity crisis living in a world of conflicting values.
As the play’s tragic hero, Hamlet exhibits a combination of good and bad traits. A complex character, he displays a variety of characteristics throughout the play’s development. When he is first introduced in Act I- Scene 2, one sees Hamlet as a sensitive young prince who is mourning the death of his father, the King. In addition, his mother’s immediate marriage to his uncle has left him in even greater despair. Mixed in with this immense sense of grief, are obvious feelings of anger and frustration. The combination of these emotions leaves one feeling sympathetic to Hamlet; he becomes a very “human” character. One sees from the very beginning that he is a very complex and conflicted man, and that his tragedy has already begun.
Hamlet is the best known tragedy in literature today. Here, Shakespeare exposes Hamlet’s flaws as a heroic character. The tragedy in this play is the result of the main character’s unrealistic ideals and his inability to overcome his weakness of indecisiveness. This fatal attribute led to the death of several people which included his mother and the King of Denmark. Although he is described as being a brave and intelligent person, his tendency to procrastinate prevented him from acting on his father’s murder, his mother’s marriage, and his uncle’s ascension to the throne.
The perfection of Hamlet’s character has been called in question - perhaps by those who do not understand it. The character of Hamlet stands by itself. It is not a character marked by strength of will or even of passion, but by refinement of thought and sentiment. Hamlet is as little of the hero as a man can be. He is a young and princely novice, full of high enthusiasm and quick sensibility - the sport of circumstances, questioning with fortune and refining on his own feelings, and forced from his natural disposition by the strangeness of his situation.