Pseudolus and Miles Gloriosus create a great Roman Comedy mash up that is A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, which leads us on a crazy rollercoaster.
Gifted in wit, manipulation, and powers of diversion, both Menenius and Mercutio were characters that worked more or less behind the scenes, shrouded in the shadows of their stories’ heroes and left to scheme without interference.
One of the items that causes some confusion, to both the historically curious, and to the researcher is that the author has created a list of dramatis personae in which the historical figures are labeled as a cast of characters which might make the book seem fictional. While these brief introductions of the
The concept of exemplarity was used extensively throughout Roman literature as a tool to give guidance and enforce authority. By providing an ethical framework of societal precedents, exempla served to govern all facets of Roman public life. The system of exemplarity had an inherent power in Roman society, allowing it to be exploited for personal gain by rulers such as Augustus. Through his monumental literary biography, Res Gestae Divi Augusti, Augustus manipulated exemplarity in order to translate his coercive power into benevolent authority over the people of Rome.
In Book 2 of, The Odyssey, many suitors are vying for Penelope's hand in marriage. They plan to take over the throne and assume the role as king because they believe Odysseus will never return. Telemachus, Odysseus's son calls upon the assembly with the hopes that they can do something about the many suitors in his house. While everyone involved, including the suitors, the assembly, Telemachus, and Penelope share blame for this stalemate, ultimately, the suitors are the most to blame for the fact that they've been consuming Odysseus's wealth for almost four years.
In Homer’s, The Odyssey, the traits of an ideal Greek man is described many times over. Often times, Homer indirectly illustrates these characteristics through the qualities of men who do not appear to be ideal. Zeus relates the traits of an unideal man: “Greed and folly . . . stole his wife and killed the soldier on his homecoming day”(2). Zeus’s description of Agisthos, the man who had an affair with a king’s wife and killed him after he returned from the Trojan war, chastises this behavior, he indirectly teaches men the characteristics of a quintessential man. The inverse of Greed and folly are wisdom and selflessness, two qualities that are repeated throughout the epic, and praised by the gods. Zeus praise Odysseus by saying, “Could I
Critic Jean Starobinsky wisely said that “in every case, wisdom consists of stifling the irrational impulse, in not letting loose the word or impulse that would spell disaster” (Starobinsky). Set in the Ancient Greek kingdom of Ithaca, Homer’s The Odyssey, follows the epic return of Odysseus to his kingdom ten years following the Trojan War. Homer makes several observations about the psychological mindset needed for self restraint. During his absence, a mob of suitors invaded his palace to court his faithful wife, Penelope. Meanwhile, inexperienced prince Telemachus struggles to overthrow them while attempting to establish himself as the new leader of Ithaca. However, the suitors are
Socrates claims that he does not know him, yet has heard that Meletus is young and unknown, describing him as a man with long hair, little facial hair, and an aquiline nose. He also commends Meletus in his charge against him, believing that his concerns are not misplaced and that he likely cares for the well-being of the state.
From the play’s beginning, Rostand’s audience becomes keenly aware of the divergence between Cyrano’s intellectual substance and Christian’s physical attributes. While Cuigy pronounces Christian “a charming head,” the character describes himself as “...far from bright” (Rostand 1.4-5). In contrast,
The poem starts out with a highwayman (this is a thief who use to hold people’s carriages they usually come on horseback) visiting his girlfriend Bess who is the daughter of an innkeeper. He 's on the move (meaning he will be back the next day after he has robbed some people) so he only has time for one kiss. But in the shadows Tim the ostler who loves Bess listens and tells the red coats.
Shakespeare’s King Lear is a complex play that complicates morality with foolishness, as well as associates madness with wisdom. It is about political authority as much as it is about family dynamics. William Shakespeare, known for his clever wordplay, wrote this play so that King Lear 's wisest characters are depicted as making foolish decisions. Lear, the King of Britain, is an authoritative and important man. As he gets closer to retiring, he realizes that he needs to pass his kingdom over to the next generation. He proceeds to ignore the natural order of family legacy by deciding to divide his kingdom between his three daughters before his death. He wants
The Odyssey is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is, in part, a sequel to the Iliad, the other work ascribed to Homer. The story raises questions for both the readers of The Odyssey and the characters it’s story contains. In Zimmerman’s work viewers experience a simplified interpretation of Homer’s grand and verbacious text. As viewers experience characters like Agamemnon, Telemachus and Calypso exhibit emotion through actors in Zimmerman’s stage direction. Homer is able to use epithets and figurative imagery. Homer’s story placed an emphasis on the descriptive language that made Zimmerman’s actors successful, as his character development is there as her stage directions.
The tragedy of the tale Coriolanus can be interpreted as the imminent downfall of a hero, in which leads to his loss of status and his inevitable, but untimely death. Throughout this prose, the complex dynamic of influence and stature between conflicting characters creates a convoluted investigation as to who is really to blame for his tragic death. In Langis’ analysis of “Coriolanus”, she postulates that Virgilia’s ‘insistent femininity’ (Coriolanus: Inordinate Passions and Powers in Personal and Political Governance, 19) and her sincere and innocent presence within Coriolanus’ life plays the most crucial role in the evolution of this tragedy.
Sophocles’ Electra is a well-known Greek tragedy, set place at Mycenae after the Trojan wars. In the tragedy Electra plays one of the most important roles among the Chorus. The Chorus often sympathises with Electra and also helps the reader (or the audience considering it was written as a play) to understand the events better. The Chorus shares emotions with Electra, such as her grief and frustration, or her joy upon the return of Osteres. In my essay I will discuss the importance of the Chorus and how to the presence of the Chorus guides the audience. I will also discuss how does the Chorus represents the Athenian audience.
Romeo and Juliet is such an interesting play because even now, five hundred years later we are still talking and learning about this play. It is so relatable till date because people fall in love now as Romeo and Juliet did, families fight, as the Montagues and Capulets did. We can relate to each character in some. Which is what makes this play so compelling and lets it live, five hundred years later. Romeo and Juliet is a tragic tale of two lovers, separated by an epic feud of their two houses (Romeo a Montague and Juliet a Capulet.) In these two houses there are many relatives and friends that make up much of the population of fare Verona. In the house of Montague there are two men. Mercutio and Benvolio. Both dear friends of the young Romeo. These two friends, so different in their ways are never found apart, or ever far from Romeo.