Macbeth – fate and free will

Elbert Hubbard, an American Writer, once said, “Life is a compromise between fate and free will.” There is a constant struggle between what fate decides, and what the consequences of free will lead up to. Even if the end of a pathway is predetermined by fate, the way it is reached is through one’s own … Read more

Juliet is the tragic hero of Shakespeare’s play

Shakespeare’s tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, follows the two eponymous characters as they navigate the destruction and devastation true love can bring. Juliet begins as a wide-eyed, innocent young girl, merely 13 years old, yet throughout the course of the play, Shakespeare portrays the development of Juliet’s character indirectly through the language she uses, the language … Read more

Making Sense of the Old Testament by Tremper Longman

Making Sense of the Old Testament is an extraordinary literary work marked by concision and creativity. Longman makes his goal clear from the very beginning, stating, “My argument in this volume is that it is vitally important for us to work at our appreciation and understanding of the Old Testament” (11). His hope is that … Read more

What are Macduff’s character traits? Are they similar to your own?

Macduff plays the role of a hero to stop Macbeth’s rule. He fights to overcome the evil supernatural forces. Macduff offers a contrast to Macbeth: a Scottish lord who, far from being ambitious, puts the welfare of Scotland even ahead of the welfare of his own family. Macduff suspects Macbeth from the beginning and becomes … Read more

Victorian Society and theme of deception in The Importance of Being Earnest

Humans deceive one another through their actions, and through what they say. Oscar Wilde mocks Britain’s society and the rules it follows in the 1800s. In The Importance of Being Earnest, Wilde uses satire throughout the play to show a truth about Victorian Society and the human condition. Wilde satirizes the upper class through paradoxes. … Read more

Macbeth’s Mental Disorder

Through careful analysis of the behaviors of William Shakespeare’s character Macbeth, it can be inferred that Macbeth was probably suffering from Schizophrenia, because he had hallucinations, delusions, and a reduced emotional attachment to things. As defined by the National Institute of Mental Health, “Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects the way … Read more

To what extent does Beatrice’s opinion on love and marriage develop throughout the play?

Throughout the play Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, the theme of love and deception is explored in a series of events including the relationship of Benedick and Beatrice. The play presents the development of these characters as they adapt to their emotions as well as explore their intentions regarding the theme of love … Read more

Macbeth – Analysis of Dagger Scene and Interpretation of Film Adaptations

The dagger scene in Macbeth is important as it elaborates the thoughts and ideas in Macbeth’s mind. It is the epiphany which changes his views on life and death. Kurzel, Goold, Ashford and Branagh all present compelling and intriguing perceptions of the text. In this essay, I will analyze three adaptations of Act 2 Scene … Read more

What it means to be a beast – Timon of Athens

What it means to be a beast is not necessarily found in appearance but in the nature of somebody’s behavior. One of the most commonly used words and important words used in Timon of Athens is beast. The term beast is used several times in the Shakespearean play, Timon of Athens and is important to … Read more

An overview of Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Shakespeare’s Macbeth recounts the tale of a man and how ambition for greater things drives him to his end. As the story progresses, the reader is introduced to the character’s wife, Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth reveals herself to be a very complex character that continues to push her husband to do whatever it takes, eventually … Read more