Abstract
This paper analyzes Leontes' character in "The Winter's Tale" by Shakespeare. The paper provides reference to his interactions, behavior, relationships, madness, paranoia and many other factors that lead to his demise.

From the Paper
"As Leontes makes his first appearance in Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tales," the reader is confronted by an aggressively insecure character. His conversation with the more relaxed Polixenes is illustrative of this. Polixenes, in his anxiety to leave, explains that he has overstayed his welcome; "Besides, I have stayed To tire you royalty, Polixenes" suggestion is clearly a polite one, a non-threatening exclamation of gratitude. However, in a representation of his competitive character, Leontes miscomprehends this as a challenge; "We are tougher, brother, Tha you can put us to it.""

Tags:english, king, late, lear, literature, plays, Camillo, Hermione

Abstract
This paper reviews the William Shakespeare's "King Lear' and in particular examines the impact of the character of Gloucester on the play. It analyzes the play's sub-plot which focuses on the fortunes of Gloucester, who like Lear, is a father suffering from "filial ingratitude" and from his false judgment of the characters of his children. It shows how this subplot is introduced in the opening scenes, in quite some detail, as if it were of as much importance as the main plot and how looks at how skilfully Shakespeare has managed to intertwine the two stories.

From the Paper
"Both tragic heroes gain insight through their suffering. Neither Lear nor Gloucester realizes he has committed an error until he has suffered. Lear's suffering is so intense that it drives him mad; it is on the desolate health that he fully realizes that he made a grave mistake in giving the kingdom to his two savage daughters and disowning the one daughter who loved him. It is not until Gloucester has been blinded that he learns the truth about his two sons. These two characters learn to endure their suffering."

Tags:sub-plot, children, edgar, kent

Abstract
The paper focuses entirely on Act four of Ben Jonson's play "Volpone". It analyzes each character within the scene and how they fit in accordance. It also discusses developments and reoccurring themes from the previous scenes.

From the Paper
"Within the Forth Act, beginning with the sub-plot for two scenes, the audience have a coming together of all the plays? characters and additional characters in the courtroom scene. The developments of hypocrisy are quite prominent but it is the development of Mosca's corruption, which appears to be the main feature within this Act. His constant corruption of the three gulls and indeed his corruption of the courtroom, and the advocates. The Act begins with Sir Politic Would-Be and Peregrine within the sub-plot. Although the scene is quite humorous with the "imaginary" conspiracies that Peregrine is easily making Sir Politic believe, there is a strong sense of hypocrisy with the character of Lady Would-Be at he point in the play. She enters in Act IV Scene II, where she believes she sees her husband Sir Politic with a courtesan, i.e. Peregrine (prostitutes regularly dressed as men) "In man's apparel"? Lady Would-Be begins calmly but continues to fly into a somewhat rage, "Ay you White friars nation" lewd harlot, a base fricatrice, a female devil, in a male outside.? However the element of hypocrisy is that she has no right to comment, even if it was true as it was only in Act III Scene IV where she was basically offering herself to Volpone, "And as we find our passions do rebel?" Jonson's point in beginning with this scene is to slow the pace of the play by adding humour and by manipulating the audience. He leaves the last act with the idea that everything is about to fall apart for the Volpone, and in effect is playing with the element of suspense. "

Tags:english, gulls, lady, level, literature, mosca, politic, sir, three

Abstract
Scene Twelve of "Dr. Faustus" is important as it premeditates the death of Faustus in the final scene. The paper shows that the audience might feel great sympathy for his despair and worry, but the contrast of the courageous old man and Faustus' praising of the Devil reminds them of the reasons for his downfall. The paper shows that this scene represents the symbolic hubris, passion and ambition of Faustus which has driven this man away from the virtues of godly worship and the security of his soul, and towards the illicit pleasures of the Faustian pact and the damnation of his soul.

From the Paper
"The penultimate scene of Dr Faustus is one of the most important in the play as we see Faustus both enjoying his illicit gains and despairing at the forthcoming damnation of his soul. It follows a chorus by Wagner, where he describes the drunken and self-indulgent behavior of Faustus. This demonstrates that Faustus is adhering to the demonic principles by which he has lived, and rejecting the pious Christian existence. At the beginning of scene twelve the reader is left wondering whether the drunken bravado of Faustus is sincere or hollow."

Tags:Duchess, of, Vanholt, Wagner, Mephastophilis

Abstract
This paper examines the various religious undertones which reside within the play "Doctor Faustus" such as as morality, heaven and hell and forbidden knowledge. It discusses whether these religious undertones are important when trying to fully understand the context and meaning of the play.

From the Paper
"During the 16th century everyone was thought to be born with original sin, this is the sin which you are born with because of the fall of Adam and Eve. Before the writing of 'Faustus' constant arguments raged about the destiny of the soul because of this sin. Catholicism and Calvinism were the two branches of religion which had conflicting views. Calvinists believed that there is no free will and that you could only be saved if you were one of the 'elect', whereas Catholics believed that you would be saved if your faith was whole and strong. It is unknown where Marlowe's sympathies lie, the mystery of Marlowe's life and the insecure nature of the two differing printed versions of the texts make it a very debatable subject. On the one hand Marlowe portrays hell as the academic, theological idea of permanent separation from God, a direct contrast to the fiery torment described in Catholic teachings. However many other traditionally Catholic views of the after life are portrayed throughout the play."

Tags:Devil Soul Renaissance Scholar Bedazzled

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 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 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
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
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