Abstract
This paper discusses each of the main factors of the downfall of King Lear in William Shakespeare's play, "King Lear". The author shows that ultimately, the real sinners are those who purposely and deviously try (and succeed) to force their father into a state of madness and eventual death Goneril and Regan, and their respective husbands.

From the Paper
"Lear's demise during the play is a consequence of his own foolishness and 'sinfulness'. But the decline is also accentuated and indeed encouraged by many other characters in the play. In order to judge the above question we must analyze the balance between these two 'sets' of 'sinners', and understand the difference between the King's foolishness and sinfulness. The second scene highlights the confusion that may arise over Lear's true faults (foolish or sinful?). The King plans to divide his nation into three amounts, relative to each of his daughter's love for him ('Which one of you should we say doth love us most?'). One can class this decision, in context with the rest of the play, as extremely unwise and foolish. He himself describes it as a 'darker' (1.135) purpose, and this episode paves the way for the terrible consequences that fill the rest of the play. By abdicating his throne to fuel his ego he disrupts the great chain of being, which states that the King must not challenge the position that God has given him. This undermining of God's authority results in chaos that tears apart Lear's world."

Tags:england, literature, Cordelia, Duke, of, Albany

Abstract
Examining the themes of fantasy, reality, sanity and insanity. This essay both analyzes and criticizes Nowra's work in relation to other works by the same author and those of other contemporary and historical authors. Specifically examining recurring themes and motifs within the play. Shows how the play is part of the larger structure of Australian writing.

From the Paper
"Louis Nowra is one of Australia's most noted dramatists of recent years. His early plays are generally concerned with political and social events in other countries such as Russia and Paraguay, (The Precious Woman and Visions) for which he has been criticised. As an Australian playwright the general criticism of his early work is that he should represent Australian issues rather than being concerned with the happenings in other countries. These plays did however have some allegorical relationship to Australian society but as they were not set in Australia this relationship was often difficult to see. His later plays however are set in Australia and examine the society of which they are a part, Cosi is one of these plays and rather than being overtly political in its nature it is an intimate exploration of representations and common perceptions of sanity and insanity within Australian society. The play is set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War in the 1970's and so follows Nowra's usual style in that it is set against a major historical event. Nowra uses a mixture of fantasy and reality in the play's structure and content to explore and explode commonly held perceptions of mental illness and the people that it affects."

Tags:australian, insanity, sanity

Abstract
Throughout "Antony and Cleopatra" by William Shakespeare there is a sharp contrast between the bawdy humor and entertainment of the east and the stern morality and politics of the west. The paper shows that this is best seen in Antony's downfall; his death is caused by a romantic but illogical attempt at conquering Rome. Alsom the battle of Actium shows the decadent Egypt destroyed and the sensible Rome victorious. The paper shows that in Rome, Antony was at his best as a man, a soldier and a statesmen, whereas, as Antony says, "in the East my pleasure lies," as does his downfall.

From the Paper
"Charmian: "My arm is sore. Best play with Mardian.
Cleopatra: As well a women with a Eunuch played as with a woman."

This short exchange presents Egypt as a place of sexual innuendo and entertainment. Such conversations never take place in Rome, and this shows the more impertinent nature of Egypt. There is also a contrast in the treatment of tragic events between Egypt and Rome. In Rome, they are taken very seriously (for example the military aggression of Pompei), but in Egypt they are often given a comic undertone, for example when Cleopatra is speaking to Antony about the death of his wife, Fulvia. At a point of sadness and tragedy, Cleopatra remarks "Can Fulvia really die?" The word die has a secondary meaning in Elizabethan English, to reach sexual climax. Shakespeare illustrates the more irreverent nature of Egyptian life by treating such a tragic issue with bawdy humor."

Tags:Octavius, Caesar, eunuch, actium

Abstract
The essay attempts to determine how far the character of King Henry in Shakespeare's play, "Henry V", uses rhetoric to communicate what is true, or whether in fact he uses language to simply flatter his listeners with what they want to hear. The paper further attempts to show how far King Henry uses rhetoric as a method of manipulation in order to achieve his goals.

From the Paper
"Henry, like his father (and very unlike Richard II) is aware that the power of language can be used as a valuable political device. He uses his skill as a rhetorician to achieve success as a leader. He has the capability to change his emotions according to the situation, therefore adapting to the audience he wants to persuade. Similarly Othello's Iago uses rhetoric as a powerful tool of persuasion. Through words he is able to convince Othello of his wife's unfaithfulness, thus playing a major part in her murder. With Iago's extreme dishonest use of rhetoric, the question remains; how honest is King Henry V?"

Tags:rhetorical, ability, inspire, awaken, followers, intimidate, enemies, governor, harfleur

Abstract
This paper considers aspects of satire, farce and political conscience within "Heart of a Dog." Also considered, is whether "Heart of a Dog" is primarily a polemic or a comic piece, and what can be understood about the author's own feelings toward the new political order through his writing.

From the Paper
"In order to fully appreciate Mikhail Bulgakov's "The Heart of a Dog," it is necessary to consider the author's position at the time. The novella was written in 1925, the New Economic Policy period and life was improving for the playwright. Several of his plays had been performed on stage and he had published a few short stories, which although not received well by state newspaper critics, were popular. The NEP period promised a softening of otherwise crippling and ridiculous policies and must have been heartening for Bulgakov, who, as Lesley Milne writes, had a style of writing that was "unashamedly elitist and an affront to the revolutionary ethos of the time." In "Fatal Eggs" written a year before "Heart of a Dog," Bulgakov had predicted that by 1928 Muscovites would be all housed and well dressed, and that even the bourgeois treasures of Moscow's galleries would be protected in a state of emergency. During the time of writing, Bulgakov was optimistic, and it is in this context that "Heart of a Dog" should be viewed."

Tags:bulgakov, evolution, experiment, farce, moscow, politics, revolution, satire

Abstract
This paper provides a description of the general themes apparent in Ibsen's play 'A Doll's House' and the characters Ibsen creates. In defining the play as a "realism" play, the unique setting Ibsen chooses is analyzed.

From the Paper
"All of the characters in A Doll s House are ordinary, everyday people with whom the 19th Century audience would undoubtedly identify. This notion works in the same way as the naturalistic staging, as it prevented the audience from distancing themselves from those type of people . One of the most acclaimed aspects of Ibsen s work is the profound depth and complexity of his characters. The temptation is to label characters as good or bad , moral or immoral , but their complexity makes such a definite distinction difficult. This is perhaps one of the things that most disturbed people at the time. Ibsen disregarded simplistic definitions and introduced the idea that all people contain elements of both good and bad."

Tags:characterisation, feminist, ibsen, realism, realist

Abstract
This paper examines the importance of truth and illusion in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" by playwright Edward Albee. The paper shows that these themes are central to the plot, making for great suspense as the audience realizes the tragedy of the facade that characters Martha and George have created to avoid facing reality. The paper shows that the issues of truth and illusion allow the author to demonstrate the fragile fantasy which supports the American dream. As an absurdist, Edward Albee believed illusion created a false contentment and this is shown by the shambolic nature of the two marriages in the play. The paper shows that Albee believed that however harsh the reality, people had to learn the difference between truth and illusion.

From the Paper
"Another important role of truth and illusion in the novel is that it allows Albee to demonstrate his views on American society. By calling the central characters George and Martha, he makes an unmistakable reference to George and Martha Washington. Albee uses their marriage as a microcosm for the imperfect state of America. The marriage of George and Martha is essentially based on fantasy and illusion, as is that of Nick and Honey, seemingly representative of the conventional American couple. Therefore, Albee is asking his audience to question the American society represented by the marriage of George and Martha, and to begin to consider whether the American dream is actually based on similarly false illusions."

Tags:Exorcism, nick, honey

Abstract
This paper looks at the Chorus in Sophocles' "King Oedipus", which is a timeless force that serves many fundamental dramatic purposes in the tragedy. It explores how their interjections into the dialogue are directed at clarifying the significance of events and affirming the outlook of a conventional society, to which an audience can relate. It also examines how they effectively separate the different episodes in the theatrical sequence, imitating the overriding public mood in their verse and how most importantly, is the Chorus? contribution to the dramatic irony of the play through their boundless praise of the King, who causes his Kingdom's affliction.

From the Paper
"Aristotle maintained that the Chorus should be handled "as one of the actors" and "contribute to the performance". The Chorus of "Theban elders" in Oedipus Rex are functional because they point out the significance of the dramatic events as they occur, and Aristotle asserts that "tragedy is an imitation of an action" which takes priority over character. The Chorus are the nucleus from which the tragedy evolves, heightening the dramatic irony of Oedipus' hamartia. The first section of the play ends with the unassuming Oedipus' resolution to expose and punish the polluter of Thebes, presenting the appropriate motivation for the first appearance of the Chorus."

Tags:aristotle, prophecy, tragedy

Abstract
This paper discusses Friel's presentation of Irish culture, and particularly the loss of the Irish language, in "Translations". It critically analyzes both the language of the play and the stage directions to make an argument about the unusual way "Translations" addresses time and history.

From the Paper
"For some characters, the even more distant past seems to live on and continue to have a part in their lives. References are made to "the day the Bastille fell" (p.47), and "the night before Waterloo" (p.47). Historical events are mentioned as casually as far away places like "Boston"(p.78), as though the past is as accessible as simply travelling to another country. This is ironic when we consider that the audience actually is looking back into the past when watching the play. Correspondingly, there is a very clear link to ancient Greece and Rome particularly given through Hugh and Jimmy, and this link to cultures already lost leads the audience to the idea that the events in Ireland are pre-determined by history, or 'doomed' as the title suggests. The concept of fate certainly adds pathos to the plight of the Irish culture."

Tags:directions, gaelic, heritage, ireland, language, montage, palimpsest

Abstract
This paper explores the theme of magic in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', and discusses how Shakespeare uses supernatural elements throughout the play. It considers the boundaries between good and evil, and comments upon the ways Shakespeare presents the play as a supernaturally charged adventure.

From the Paper
"There was a strong belief in the supernatural in Shakespeare's era and subsequently, some form of the supernatural realm is a common theme throughout his plays. The supernatural is a central theme in A Midsummer Night's Dream which is set in an enchanted fairyland wood and the play clearly demonstrates the power of the supernatural and the dramatic influence the spiritual world has upon the natural order of things. "

Tags:evil, fairies, magic, supernatural, woodland