Sonnet 18 is one of the most famous poems written by William Shakespeare. It is a traditional 14-line sonnet that discusses the idea of time and love. Sonnet 18 is often considered to be one of Shakespeare’s best works, and it has been translated into many languages. The poem has been set to music by … Read more
Hamlet is one of William Shakespeare’s most popular plays. The story follows Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, as he tries to avenger his father’s murder. Along the way, Hamlet confronts many challenges, including the death of his beloved Ophelia and his own deteriorating mental state. One of the biggest challenges Hamlet faces is trying to figure … Read more
Romeo and Juliet is a play written by William Shakespeare. It is a tragedy about two star-crossed lovers from rival families, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding households. The play has been adapted into many forms throughout the years, including movies, operas, and ballets. One of the most notable aspects … Read more
Macbeth and Banquo are two of Shakespeare’s most famous tragic heroes. Both men are brave soldiers who have fought for their country. Macbeth is ambitious and power-hungry, while Banquo is content with his current station in life. Macbeth is also prone to fits of paranoia and jealousy, while Banquo remains level-headed and rational. These differences … Read more
As humans, none of us are entirely good or entirely evil. It is the same with the characters in the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. While many are portrayed as good or evil, none really are. This can be more easily explained through the characters Brutus, Marc Antony and Julius Caesar. Brutus, who is … Read more
Characters in Hamlet are often seen as archetypes of different aspects of love. Hamlet and Ophelia are no exception. Their relationship is one that is filled with both love and tragedy. Hamlet is a young man who is grieving the death of his father. He is also struggling to come to terms with the fact … Read more
Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, and the opening scenes are integral to setting the stage for the events that follow. Shakespeare makes use of a number of devices to make the opening scenes of Macbeth dramatic, including foreshadowing, atmosphere, and tension. Foreshadowing is used throughout Macbeth to hint at the tragedy that … Read more
Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy by William Shakespeare. The play is set in the fictional town of Messina in Sicily. Much Ado About Nothing follows the story of two pairs of lovers: Benedick and Beatrice, and Claudio and Hero. The play is full of obstacles that the characters must overcome in order to … Read more
Sonnet 30 is a poem written by William Shakespeare. It is included in a collection of 154 sonnets, which were first published in 1609. Sonnet 30 is one of Shakespeare’s most famous and well-loved poems. The Sonnet addresses the theme of time, aging, and mortality. Shakespeare reflects on how time changes everything, including our appearance … Read more
There are many reasons why Hamlet might delay his revenge. Perhaps he is wrestling with the idea of killing Claudius, his own uncle. Maybe he is unsure whether or not Claudius is actually responsible for his father’s death. It could also be that Hamlet is simply afraid of retribution from Claudius if he were to … Read more
Characters in Hamlet: – Hamlet – Horatio – Polonius – Ophelia – Laertes – Gertrude – Claudius Hamlet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It is one of his most popular and well-known works. The play tells the story of Prince Hamlet, who is grieving the death of his father, King Hamlet. When Hamlet’s … Read more
King Lear is a play written by William Shakespeare. It is a tragedy that tells the story of a King who goes mad and his three daughters. The role of the fool is important in this play, as they provide comic relief and help to advance the plot. The fool also serves as a voice … Read more
Hamlet and Laertes are two of the main characters in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark, while Laertes is the son of Polonius, Hamlet’s uncle. Both Hamlet and Laertes are grieving the death of their fathers, but they deal with their grief in different ways. Hamlet is more openly emotional, while Laertes … Read more
Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, and Susan is an important character in it. She is the Nurse to Romeo’s mother, Lady Montague. Romeo and Juliet meet when Romeo sneaks into a party at the Capulet house, where Juliet lives. Romeo is immediately smitten with Juliet, and Susan helps him to … Read more
Romeo is one of the main characters in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. He is known for being impulsive and rash, which often leads to trouble. Romeo first meets Juliet at a party where he is not supposed to be. He immediately falls in love with her and they spend the night talking. The next … Read more
Romeo and Juliet is set on a theme of love. Love is a central theme in the play, as Romeo and Juliet fall in love despite the ongoing feud between their families. This tragic story was written by William Shakespeare, and has been adapted numerous times for stage, film, and television. In William Shakespeare’s play … Read more
Juliet’s character develops significantly over the course of Romeo and Juliet. In the beginning, she is a sheltered young girl who has been sheltered from the reality of the world. She is naïve and doesn’t understand the concept of love. However, once she meets Romeo and they fall in love, her entire perspective changes. She … Read more
Laertes and Ophelia serve as character foils for each other in Hamlet. Laertes is impulsive and hot-headed, while Ophelia is more passive and gentle. Laertes is also much more straightforward than Ophelia; he speaks his mind without hesitation, while she is more timid and reserved. These differences between the two characters highlight how they deal … Read more
William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a tragic love story about two young lovers who are forced to part ways because of their families’ longstanding feud. The couple defies the odds and gets married in secret, but tragedy strikes when Romeo is banished from Verona. Juliet takes drastic measures to be reunited with her true … Read more
The romantic tragedy of Romeo and Juliet has been performed by various actors, directors, and writers many times on film or stage, however the themes remain true to William Shakespeare’s original play written in the late 1500s. Both of the films we watched in class were excellent examples of contrast: one was more traditional (Zefferilli’s … Read more
William Shakespeare’s Ophelia is one of the most enigmatic and tragic characters in all of his plays. Though her role is relatively small, Ophelia’s impact on the story is significant. Let’s take a closer look at this complex character. Ophelia first appears in Act I, scene iii, when she is reading a book with her … Read more
Mark Antony’s funeral speech for Julius Caesar was one of the most important speeches in Roman history. Antony’s ability to turn the crowd against Brutus and the other conspirators was a key moment in the Roman Republic. Antony’s speech is a great example of rhetoric and how it can be used to persuade an audience. … Read more
Julius Caesar was a Roman dictator who played a significant role in the fall of the Roman Republic. William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar tells the story of Caesar’s rise to power and his subsequent assassination. The play is one of Shakespeare’s most famous works, and it has been adapted for stage and screen numerous times. The … Read more
The Tempest is a classic play by William Shakespeare that tells the story of the sorcerer Prospero and his struggle to regain control over his magical powers. The play is filled with fascinating characters, each of whom offers unique insights into the themes and ideas explored in The Tempest. In this character analysis, we will … Read more
Caliban is a central character in The Tempest, one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays. He is a wild and barbaric creature, initially enslaved by Prospero, the play’s main antagonist. Despite his brutish nature, Caliban is deeply conflicted, torn between his desire for freedom and Prospero’s powerful magic. Through his interactions with other characters like … Read more
Caesar’s funeral speeches are a powerful and moving exploration of the themes of justification and manipulation. In these speeches, William Shakespeare carefully examines the competing motivations behind Caesar’s political decisions, showing how his desire to act for the good of the Roman people often clashed with his own personal ambitions and desires. Through this complex … Read more
The players in Hamlet are a significant part of the story, and their role cannot be underestimated. Without the players, Hamlet would not be able to stage his “play within a play” and thus would not be able to catch his uncle in the act of murdering his father. The players also serve as a … Read more
Othello is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, and it is also one of the most heartbreaking. Othello is a story of good and evil, jealousy and betrayal. But above all, Othello is a story of love. Othello is a Moorish general in the Venetian army. He is a brave and noble man, but he … Read more
Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s most iconic tragedies, and a story that has been adapted countless times. The story revolves around the young prince Hamlet, who is grieving the death of his father. Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, has married Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius, which Hamlet finds repulsive. Hamlet is torn between his love for his mother and … Read more
Iago is a fictional character who appears in William Shakespeare’s Othello. Iago is Othello’s ensign, and is unhappy with Othello for promoting Cassio instead of him. Iago plots to ruin Othello’s life by convincing him that his wife, Desdemona, has been unfaithful. Iago is often considered one of Shakespeare’s greatest villains. He is cunning and … Read more
Othello is a play by William Shakespeare. The play is about the titular character, Othello, a Moorish general in the service of Venice. Othello is tricked into believing that his wife, Desdemona, has been unfaithful to him, and in a fit of jealous rage, he kills her. The play deals with themes of race, jealousy, … Read more
Macbeths are a classic example of the effects of evil in women. Lady Macbeth is an ambitious woman who encourages her husband to kill Duncan so that he can become king. She is also willing to do whatever it takes to further her husband’s career, including lying and murdering. This ultimately leads to her downfall, … Read more
William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is full of blood and water. From the murder of Duncan to the final battle, blood is everywhere. And water is used to clean up the mess. But what does all this blood and water mean? Some say that the blood represents the violence and bloodshed of the play. Others say … Read more
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are two of Shakespeare’s most famous characters. Macbeth is a brave and ambitious general who is spurred on by his wife, Lady Macbeth, to kill the king and take his place. Lady Macbeth is a strong and ruthless woman who will stop at nothing to see her husband on the throne. … Read more
A tragic hero is a literary figure who makes a mistake that leads to their downfall. The term “tragic hero” comes from the Greek word for “hero,” which was used to describe protagonists in tragedies. Shakespeare is one of the most famous writers of tragic heroes. His plays often revolve around characters who make errors … Read more
Desdemona is one of the main characters in Othello, Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. She is the wife of Othello, the Moorish general, and is known for her beauty and innocence. Although she loves Othello deeply, their relationship is fraught with tension and jealousy, which ultimately leads to tragedy. Iago is the adversary in Shakespeare’s Othello. He … Read more
Othello is one of Shakespeare’s most renowned tragedies. The play is based around the character Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army, and his wife Desdemona. Othello is manipulated by Iago, a trusted lieutenant, into believing that Desdemona has been cheating on him with Cassio, another officer. Othello kills Desdemona and then himself. One … Read more
The Tempest is a play written by William Shakespeare. The play is set on an island and tells the story of Prospero, a magician who has been exiled to the island by his brother. The play uses a number of contrasts to help tell the story. One contrast that is used in the play is … Read more
Julius Caesar is a play written by William Shakespeare. The play is about the life of Julius Caesar, a Roman politician who was assassinated in 44 BC. Julius Caesar is one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, and is often studied in high school English classes. One of the most interesting aspects of Julius Caesar is … Read more
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a play written by William Shakespeare. The play is set in the woods near Athens, and follows the adventures of several young lovers. Scene V of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of the most famous scenes in the play. In this scene, Titania, the Queen of the Fairies, falls … Read more
Venus and Adonis is a poem by William Shakespeare about the love between Venus, the goddess of love, and Adonis, a handsome mortal. Venus is desperate to keep Adonis by her side and resorts to offering him extravagant gifts, but Adonis remains indifferent to her advances. Ultimately, Venus tricks Adonis into being killed by a … Read more
When Hamlet confronts Ophelia with his suspicions that she has been sleeping with Polonius, her father, she breaks down in tears. Hamlet tells her that he never loved her and only pretended to do so in order to get close to her father. Ophelia reacts to this news by retreating further into herself. She stops … Read more
Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare. The story of Macbeth is about a Scottish general named Macbeth who receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that he will become king. Macbeth then murders the current king in order to take the throne for himself. Macbeth is eventually defeated by Macduff, and Malcolm … Read more
Claudius’ guilt in Hamlet Shakespeare is developed throughout the play. Initially, Claudius appears to be a caring husband and brother, mourning Hamlet’s death and trying to make things right. However, as the play progresses, it becomes clear that Claudius is actually responsible for Hamlet’s death. Claudius tries to cover up his guilt by pretending to … Read more
Shakespeare’s plays are full of common people – the everyday men and women who make up the majority of society. While these characters may not have traditionally been given much attention, they are essential to Shakespeare’s storytelling. Many of Shakespeare’s common people are ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations. They are thrust into … Read more
A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Much Ado About Nothing are two of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. They are both comedies, and are full of witty banter and humorous scenes. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is set in the magical world of fairies, and tells the story of four young lovers who are caught up in a … Read more
Hamlet is a play written by William Shakespeare that revolves around the title character Hamlet and his struggle to avenge his father’s death. Hamlet is a complex and layered character, and his motivations are not always clear. One of the central themes of the play is Hamlet’s struggle with sin. Hamlet wrestles with the question … Read more
Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare about a Scottish lord who murders the king in order to take the throne. Macbeth is consumed with ambition and his desire for power blinds him to the consequences of his actions. He pays for his crimes with his life, but not before causing immense bloodshed and … Read more
Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare that is full of imagery. This imagery is used to create a dark and spooky feeling, as well as to add to the characters’ emotions and thoughts. For example, when Macbeth is thinking about killing Duncan, he says: “To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty … Read more
Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare that tells the story of Macbeth, a Thane of Scotland who is told by three witches that he will become the King of Scotland. Macbeth is conflicted with this information because he knows that he would have to commit many crimes in order to take the throne. … Read more
