Abstract
This paper details the differences and similarities between the characters of Katherina and Bianca in this Shakespearean play and shows how their characters change throughout the play. It looks at how Katherina begins as a shrew and how Bianca is shown to be exactly the opposite of Katherina and how, by the end of the play, Katherina and Bianca have completely switched places, with Katherina being the modest, submissive wife and Bianca the shrew.

From the Paper
"At the beginning of the play we see Katherina as a beautiful and wealthy woman with a high social status like her father, but she is also condemned as being a curst shrew and a devil, and Gremio clearly shows this when, in Act I Scene 1, he says: "Think'st thou, Hortensio, though her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be married to hell?". In addition, in Act I Scene 2, he says "Katherine the curst, / A title for a maid of all titles the worst." "

Tags:baptista, comedy, inversion, love, lucentio, petruchio, tranio

Abstract
This paper examines how Gertrude and Ophelia are the only female characters in "Hamlet" and how, although the male characters take lead in this Shakespearean play, the roles of Gertrude and Ophelia are both memorable. It demonstrates how although neither have an extreme amount of lines, both characters roles are set up a system of cause effect within the play.

From the Paper
"Gertrude does seem morally frail. She never exhibits the ability to think critically about her situation, but seems merely to move instinctively toward seemingly safe choices, as she immediately runs to Claudius after her confrontation with Hamlet. When Hamlet says "... kill a king and marry with his brother", she seems to respond with surprise as she replies, "As kill a king!" Later in that scene, when Hamlet has tried to win her round, she says, "O Hamlet thou hast cleft my heart in twain", therefore we see that she's divided between the two (Claudius and Hamlet) rather than siding firmly either way, showing she lacks in moral fibre and strength. Gertrude follows Claudius and is seen to not think for herself as she mixes up the names of Guildenstern and Rosencrantz trying to follow in what the King had said when greeting them."

Tags:gertrude, ophelia

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 analyzes William Shakespeare's most famous play, Hamlet in terms of detective fiction narrative. Hamlet is examined against 19th and 20th century works such as the Sherlock Holmes and Philip Marlowe stories, while the text of the play is presented and backed up as evidence of an inherent detective narrative. Some of the evidence concerns the Queen's guilt, and Hamlet's confrontation of the Queen in Act III Scene IV - as well as Hamlet's madness and his relationship with Ophelia.

From the Paper
"Hamlet," says William Hazlitt, "is the one of Shakespeare's plays that we think of the oftenest." (Hazlitt, 197) The story, the plot of Hamlet is almost irrelevant: it is his character, and the way we interpret that character, that gives vital, universal meaning to Shakespeare's work over three hundred years later. As Hazlitt comments, "[Hamlet's] reality is in the reader's mind. It is we who are Hamlet." (196) Hazlitt's is a point of view I would like to discuss further. I would argue that Hamlet lends itself almost flawlessly to multiple interpretations, thus remaining a vital, active text that has become a cultural icon since it was first staged in 1600-1601."

Tags:raymond chandler, detective, fiction, sherlock holmes, shakespeare, theater

Abstract
This paper examines how in the play "Othello" by William Shakespeare, the main character Othello starts the play as being the most powerful of all the characters and how this soon ends when he makes the mistake of trusting his 'friend' Iago. It analyzes how Iago deceives Othello causing Othello's downfall and how Iago becomes more powerful. It also looks at how this mistake leads to another as Othello dramatically ends the play by killing his innocent wife.

From the Paper
"Iago intends to use Othello's positive qualities against him. What Iago means by "serve my turn upon him" is that he is going to make Othello believe that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him. The word "serve" has connotations of a prison sentence or punishment showing that Iago believes Othello deserves this cruel punishment. It also shows that Iago doesn't like him so much that he wants to personally inflict such punishment upon him even though he will personally put himself at risk he is willing to take this chance as he really doesn't like Othello. This quote is also showing that as Othello believes Iago then he does not believe in himself. He does not think that he is good enough for Desdemona as he feels that she will leave him for someone else easily."

Tags:deception, desdemona, iago

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 examines how "Othello" by William Shakespeare is a play which contains many conflicts between characters. It looks at how the main character Othello begins the play by marrying his love Desdemona and how it ends dramatically in a conflict between Othello and Desdemona which ends with Othello killing Desdemona then himself. It analyzes how the conflict was spawn for many reasons including Iago's deceiving, Othello being too in love with Desdemona, Othello's pride, Othello's self conscious nature, Othello's jealousy and Othello's rash behavior.

From the Paper
"Othello then confronts Desdemona about his doubts but doesn't listen to her reply. "By heaven , I saw my handkerchief in's hand. O perjured woman! Thou dost stone my heart, and mak'st me call what I intend to do a murder , which I thought a sacrifice." Othello is quite emotional at this point as can be seen by the explanation mark. He is shown to be very upset about Desdemona's supposed affair. This can be seen by the phrase "stone my heart". This is in reference to the pain Desdemona is causing him. It is killing his heart and their love as "heart" has connotations to love. By referring to killing Desdemona as a sacrifice this shows that Othello is giving up something. He is giving up his love for Desdemona as he believes that it will hurt him too much to see her with another. Othello loves her too much."

Tags:iago, jealousy, death

Abstract
This paper examines how "The Tempest" has attracted a vast array of critical attention, possibly because of its intriguingly ambiguous message which naturally invites conjecture. It looks at how it is a text loaded with nuances and ambiguities which make it impossible to pin down Shakespeare's original motivation or world view. By contemplating the relationship between Prospero, Ariel and Caliban it considers the author's views of their relationship in comparison with those of major critics.

From the Paper
"Caliban's attitude to Prospero is one of absolute terror of his power rather than mere subservience. Mannnoni's argument of a "predisposition to dependency ", supported by Caliban's quick acceptance of Trinculo as "... a new master whose 'footlicker' he can become..." (quoted in Reader, p. 284) is hard to accept. Shakespeare's text is surely more light-hearted than this. Caliban's comic simplicity leads him to believe that Stephano and Trinculo are gods to be worshipped, not just men to be obeyed. In the magical surrounding of the island where the fantastic often happens, the naive Caliban can surely be forgiven for believing that Stephano and Trinculo are "...dropped from heaven" (2.2.134) or "Out o'th'moon" (2.2.135)."

Tags:caliban, miranda, island

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
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