A Close Reading In Shakespeare's Othello: A Close Reading

This creates a bit of confusion, because it is unclear whether Hamlet is cautious or merely indecisive. Laertes is clearly confident in himself, and benefits from the constant encouragement from Claudius. It is said that “Laertes’ character becomes …. more evil as the play progresses” (McGee 156),because he consistently takes action. According to Arthur McGee, “like Polonius, he [Laertes] condones the incestuous marriage” (McGee 153), which is another difference between Laertes and Hamlet.

"The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection.” –George Orwell. In this classical drama “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet,” the author, William Shakespeare, illustrates how everyone grows to understand that perfection is unachievable. Therefore, human beings and body dramatic fatal character flaws, many people tend to have poor matter manners comma what others have behavioral impediments such as this honesty comma quick temper or rudeness. These difficulties can bring about hardships throughout a person's life. The character flaws of the Capulet’s, Friar Laurence, and Tybalt caused devastating drama of Romeo and Juliet.

And this may relate to why Hamlet professed his madness as the sperate entity, because he lacks the control over it. His madness is guided by what his memory and lack of memory dictates. But it could be argued that Hamlet did possessed a certain means of control over his memory. During the excerpt, Hamlet stated, “I’ll wipe away all trivial fond records” (1.5.99). This quote raises the question of which memories did Hamlet not find trivial and foolish, and worth maintaining.

Kent believes that “to plainness honor’s bound when majesty falls to folly” (I.i.165) or “when power to flattery bows” (I.i.165). The flattery Kent refers to is the disingenuous and exaggerated professions of love from his daughters Goneril and Reagan, which he has to point out for the lies they are as he is honest and loyal. The juxtaposition of majesty falling to flattery foreshadows the effects of Lear’s lack of judgment and the literal fall of his majesty. Shakespeare usage of the litotes when Kent explains Lear that his daughter Cordelia “does not love (him) least” (I.i.171), underscores his usage of plain language, as opposed to decorative speech, which again pertains to his truthful nature. To emphasize this honesty to the audience during my performance, Kent barely uses gestures and in the cases where he does they are minimalistic gestures as a slight shaking of the head for “does not love (him) least” (I.i.171), which is a juxtaposition to the deceptive eldest sisters who’s gestures are purposely exaggerated for the opposite

While Macbeth plainly states in asides and dialogue with his wife that he is planning to mislead other characters, Hamlet does not openly speak of his tricks. One of the most intriguing and puzzling parts of the play is Hamlet’s antic disposition that he speaks of in the first act: “As I perchance hereafter shall think meet/ To put an antic disposition on” (I, v, 171-72). Even by the end of Hamlet, a lot is left unclear. While the topic of Hamlet’s antic disposition has arrived at somewhat of a general consensus, certain details regarding his “madness” are fuzzy to say the least. Many things, such as the legitimacy of the ghost of Hamlet’s father and his message for Hamlet, Gertrude’s knowledge of Claudius’s actions, and Hamlet’s hesitancy to avenge his father’s murder remain topics for debate.

Collectively, forces of nature play an immensely crucial role in the play. All the events which lead up to the death of Caesar were predicted by omens from others such as Calpurnia and the soothsayer. However, these ominous warning signs are often overlooked or misunderstood by the characters and therefore have failed at preventing the tragedies which they had previously foreshadowed. Overall, by way of vivid imagery brought about through harsh diction, Shakespeare implies the dangers of failing to correctly and accurately analyze the undeniable details of one’s life. It’s exceptionally clear that one of the main reasons why the character’s fail to justly make sense of these cautioning signs, is because of their overflowing desire for power.

The significant resemblance between the two works provide insight of Lear’s inability to consider, which eventually leads to his downfall. In contrast with Monmouth, however, Shakespeare further emphasizes Lear's shortcomings through the addition of Kent. The Earl of Kent speaks for Cordelia after her wrongful dismissal, in an attempt to convince Lear’s reconsideration. Lear, adamant that Cordelia had wronged him, refuses to accept his counsel and instead banishes him. Lear threatens that “If on the tenth day following / Thy banished trunk be found / .

In William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, there were several acts of impetuosity shown through several characters. The definition of impetuous according to the website merriam-webster.com is: marked by impulsive vehemence or passion. Romeo, Juliet, and the friar all act on impulse. The three of them believe they are doing what is best for their situations, but in reality they are adding to the plot of the demise of the two lovers. In the play, the three characters Romeo, Juliet, and Friar Lawrence act on impetuosity, which leads to the final tragedy of the play.

An embodiment of evil, with no moral compunction, and therefore while he does initially provide reasons for his wicked intentions, his motives are unsubstantial and merely excuses to cover up his inner evil and Machiavellian ways. Iago is an incredibly intelligent, cunning villain, who throughout the play uses his ability to think quickly and to play multiple roles to clutch on to every opportunity that will further his cause. At first, his motives are revealed to be based upon his lack of promotion, later he changes this to sexual jealousy and finally on the belief that his own made up affair between Cassio and Desdemona is true. Iago seems to be ever altering and modifying his motives, indecisive as to what his real motive is making it seem as though he is indeed nothing but a motiveless disturbing

Beneath his high class physicality, Lear struggles to maintain his confidence within himself because he depends on the constant admiration from others to feel content with who he is. One who leads with counterfeit beliefs and unstable values is bound for failure. Shakespeare designed this playwright to display the tragedy of a King who slowly goes mad, however in order to reach sanity sometimes one must go completely out of their mind to gain the wisdom in telling the difference. (David Bevington 1988)