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Preface to shakespeare analysis
Comparing and contrasting characters in shakespeare
Characterise shakespeare plays short topic
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In Shakespeare’s play, Twelfth Night, the characters endure the fruits of their foolishness at the end of the play, but Malvolio endures a greater suffering and greater embarrassment than the rest of the characters. This is not simply by chance or whimsy: but this is Shakespeare’s stratification of the vices that a person may take upon him or herself. With this stratification, Shakespeare allocates Malvolio’s vices of pride, usurping the social order, and dour temperament as the worst of character flaws, and that is why Malvolio receives the harshest punishment. Before examining the punishment that Malvolio endures, it is necessary to examine his flaws and offenses. His arrival in the play is with criticism of Feste, and that initial condescending tone and demeanor becomes his modus operandi. Claiming that Feste, “has no more brain than a stone,”(I.v.80) and that, “he is gagged,” (I.v.82) Malvolio derides Feste before Olivia. It is important to note that they are both servants of the court, so within their strata of society neither exceeds the other. Olivia’s response to this derision is swift and disapproving; she says that Malvolio is, “sick of self-love” (I.v.85). Since she is Malvolio’s Lady, her harsh criticism of him is completely acceptable. It is important to note here that Malvolio shows no respect or congeniality for his peer. In his next offensive encounter Malvolio upbraids his superiors. He claims that they have, “no wit, manners, nor honesty” (II.iii.83). This becomes a very problematic encounter for Malvolio because he is no longer simply criticizing his peer, but he is verbally assaulting people of higher class. This interaction places Malvolio on a dangerous plateau for he speaks on behalf of Olivia in this sce... ... middle of paper ... ...hin Malvolio’s own hands, and thus he affirms the appropriateness of all the actions that are taken in regards to Malvolio. This is the ultimate fate of this character. He is scorned and rejected by his peers, and punished by his superiors, and he rejects all personal and social order in favor of his own pride and ego. Malvolio committed many offenses against his peers and superiors within the work, and the greatest of these is his pride that led him to attempt to supersede his social class. For his dour temperament, he is tricked, but that only motivates him to act even worse according to his pride. For his greater offense of pride and ambition he is portrayed the madman and imprisoned, and like the deception, the imprisonment recompenses the offense. In all of his actions and consequent punishments, Malvolio is treated justly in accordance with his own vices.
His inflated ego has lead him to misinterpret Lady Olivia’s feelings for him-or rather, her lack of feelings. Although he already has the notion that he should end up with the Lady, he is fooled by Sir Toby, Maria, and Sir Andrew, believing Olivia feels the same for him. The tricksters deliberately write a letter indirectly addressed to Malvolio, divulging “Olivia’s” hidden love for the steward. Without giving much thought to the credibility of this discovered letter, Malvolio follows its enclosed instructions, unwittingly earning the real Lady Olivia’s disfavor (2.5.91-195). “This and his continuous disapproval of Sir Toby and Sir Andrew's drinking, earn him their hatred and he quickly becomes their pawn in a complex romantic ruse” (Review at Absolute
.However,as the play progresses,it becomes noticeable that Benvolio has changed through his character and makes different choices to help his friends,but as the same time deceives them.The text states that,”O noble Prince,I can discover all The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl.There lies the man,slain by young Romeo,That slew thy kinsman,brave Mercutio.”(3.1 144-147) Shakespeare forms him to be a leader when situations are not the best between the Capulets and the Montagues;he portrayed beginning when the “civil brawls”(1.1 92) first started breaking out in the streets.
In William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Malvolio is considered an outcast by almost everyone in the play. He doesn’t act the same way that any of the other characters act, in that he doesn’t participate in any of their activities, he enforces rules that the others could care less about, and he is just overall a socially awkward guy. Malvolio not only claims to adhere to the rules of the household himself, but uses his relations with Olivia to try and help make the others follow the rules as well. This upsets certain characters more than others. For instance Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Maria find his behavior particularly detestable. But Malvolio’s strict coherence to the rules allows him to have a rather high position in Olivia’s household. While Malvolio may be considered a social outcast to most of the characters in the play, Olivia considers Malvolio to be a very trusted steward of her household. For these reasons Malvolio is not only a social outcast, but an outcast that Shakespeare uses to keep people interested in his play.
The four scenes that best illustrate the theme of selfishness and the realities of a self-centered life, and empathy are the first scene in which Juvencio begged his son to save him, the scene in which Juvencio describes the crime he committed with a total lack of empathy, the scene in which don lupe describes the viciousness with which Juvencio killed his father, and the scene in which don lupe’s son orders that Juvencio be killed. All of these factors add up to a very interesting work of
Some male characters in this book have values that do not draw parallels with their stature in life. For example, Schedoni is a monk, supposedly a loving and caring individual who spreads the word of God. In reality, he conspires with the Marchesa (in a church) to commit a mortal sin, by telling her, "...this girl is put out of the way of committing more mischief..." (173). This action shows his true color, usually green, and through his large ego, this jealous nature reveals itself. If he is secure as a person, these petty grievances against Vivaldi would be just that, petty. Bonarmo's personality does not correspond to his stature either. He is a servant whose loyalty to his master deserts him. He is too independent and too intelligent to be in servitude to a master whom he does not believe superior to himself. These characters possess too much pride and ego to live in a world where they are not always in co...
In William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Malvolio is considered an outcast by everyone else in the play except Olivia. He doesn’t act the same way that any of the other characters act, and he seems to be a real stickler for the rules, which upsets certain characters more than others. But it is this strict coherence to the rules that allows Malvolio to have such a high position in Olivia’s household. While Malvolio may be considered an outcast to most of the characters in the play, Olivia shows concern for Malvolio and his well-being.
Throughout the story, Juvencio seems very selfish. He never cares about anyone besides himself and what happens to him, which causes him many problems with those who care about him. His selfishness creates a divide between him and his family. This is shown in the first few paragraphs of the story, “‘All right, I'll go. But if they decide to shoot me too, who will take care of my wife and kids?’ ‘Providence will take care of them. You go now and see what you can do for me. That's what matters.’” Even this early on in the story, Juan Rulfo shows the reader how self-centered Juvencio is, that he would tell his son to endanger his life to save Juvencio’s own life. Juvencio states to Justino that saving him matters more than the safety of Justino or his family. Juan Rulfo also shows that Juvencio’s selfishness makes his son less ready to help him by describing Justino having an inner conflict about whether to take the risk of helping his father. Justino almost doesn’t help his father, showing that he is losing empathy for his father as a result of Juvencio’s selfishness and self-centered lifestyle. Juan Rulfo uses this scene to illustrate his theme related to selfishness. There are also a few examples of Juvencio’s lack of empathy in this story, including the scene in which Juvencio talks about his crime, showing a total lack of caring for any other human
Shakespeare cunningly gives the audience an early indication of Benvolio’s personality through his name. Benvolio translated literally means “good-will” or “well wisher” a role he consistently fills, although sometimes unsuccessfully throughout the play, striving to keep himself and others around him out of any conflict. In the very first scene of the play, Benvolio quickly establishes himself as the peacemaker as he tries to stop the fight between the Montague and Capulet servants by saying, “Part fools! Put up your swords, you know not what you do.”(I.i.64-65) Wanting peace he warns them to stop arguing before things evolve into a grave situation. In that statement, Shakespeare references the Gospel of Luke “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34), using his skillful use of the written language to allude that Benvolio was taking on a Christ like peacemaker role in the play. Benvolio’s moral convictions do not change over the course of the play. His stance on peace is evident in all three scenes. In Act III, as Mercutio and Tybalt begin to fight, Benvolio once again attempts to be the voice of reason, “We talk here in the public haunt of mean: eithe...
Malvolio’s humiliation mentioned above can be viewed as a subplot in the play. As we discover the few epiphany moments that Malvolio experienced, his character becomes more interesting. Malvolio is first introduced to us as a puritan, more of the simple type. He was known to ruin others fun. In the play, Sir Toby and Maria both play major parts in the disposition of Malvolio. It is because of his need to be strict, he received hostile and opp...
Although many arguments could take place over the blame of Othello’s fate, the one murderer no one doubts is jealousy. Although Othello’s insecurities and “blindness” along with one of the most duplicitous villains in all of literature definitely catalyze the deaths at the conclusion of the play, in the end Othello must suffer the consequences manipulated or not. Despite the number of uninteresting characters in the play, Othello, the Moor of Venice contains one of the most intricate characters in any of Shakespeare’s plays, and will be discussed and intensely argued forever.
... are left out which again would invite the sympathy of a modern audience. The treatment of Malvolio brings discord to the ending. It can also be debated that at the end of the play, an audience from/of any period of time would feel guilty for having laughed at Malvolio or been participants in his humiliation as Malvolio evokes the sympathy of both the audience and the characters.
Throughout the play Tybalt and Benvolio develop drastic differences such as Benvolio is the peacemaker and Tybalt stirs up fights, these actions make the characters character foils. At a conformation in town Tybalt tries to taunt Benvolio and the other Montages to fight, although Benvolio speaks the words of wisdom “I do but keep the peace” (I.i). This shows Benvolio is in control of his actions while Tybalt is aggressive and impulsive. This is because Benvolio wants peace not drama or fighting like Tybalt who is out for blood. After the denial of the fight for Benvolio Tybalt expresses the “talk of peace! I hate the word, as I hate hell,” (I.i). This shows Tybalt doesn’t like peace he would rather have chaos, battling, and death unlike Benvolio who only wants peace. This is because Benvolio and Tybalt are from naturally feuding families making anything one says being the totally opposite of what the other family will do. Ove...
The play, Othello is one of the most famous tragedies composed by William Shakespeare during the Renaissance period. It powerfully portrays a world where the acts of evil ultimately vanquishes fidelity, nobility and integrity. The central themes jealousy and manipulation embodies the foretold tragedies and the downfall tragedies of the characters due to one’s insecurities. Through the use of literary techniques and figurative language, Shakespeare has effectively explored the themes of jealousy and manipulation.
This question is the central dilemma of revenge tragedy; whether it is better to brave what fate can throw at you and remain passive and inactive, or to 'take arms' against them and to actively end them. It is the process of finding the answer to this question that drives the malcontent mad, then to becoming an avenger. The fact that the malcontent is a renaissance figure is also important. This means that they are in possession of a renaissance mind, a mind constantly seeking for knowl...
Throughout 'The Spanish Tragedy', by Thomas Kyd, there is a constant theme of justice and revenge. Justice is the supreme law of the land; without justice, a country would fall into disrepute and those who are readily concerned with the status of society would have no grounds to stand upon. Therefore, those in power venerate justice. Revenge, however, upsets the delicate balance that holds Spanish society together. Hieronimo does his best to maintain a civil attitude towards incrimination and justice, but his plans for revenge lay waste to the very law he professes to adore. A series of carefully plotted steps, coupled with thoughts of revenge, reveals the descent of Hieronimo into madness and thereby fueling his rejection of justice.