The World of Shakespeare - Literature review Example

Shakespeare Question The Hamlets Essential Dilemma Hamlet is regarded as a complex character as far as the world of literature is concerned. The character is regarded as a brilliant, clever and learned individual (Hamlet Act II Scene i Lines 86- 219). However, due to the character’s strong passion and obsession he is always disturbed. The character is also considered a victim of depression (Hamlet Act II Scene ii Lines 315-316). With respect to the aforementioned traits, the mood of the character normally varies frequently; in most cases, the character experiences self-doubt and upright attitude. This is the main thing that causes Hamlet to meditate about the wrongs and rights of executing revenge. In this respect, it can be argued that Hamlet is facing the dilemma of a moralistic attitude. Hamlet experiences a number of new and unique aspects in the play. Firstly, Hamlet learns from the ghost that his brother killed their father (Hamlet Act I Scene iv Lines 3-21). The plan of revenging the death of their father is the main cause of the dilemma that faces Hamlet; the dilemma that faces Hamlet defines the moral value that is experienced in the play. While the period since the death of the character’s father prolongs, Hamlet becomes increasingly discouraged about revenging the cruel murder of his biological father (Hamlet Act I Scene v Lines 56-66). The discouragement with respect to revenge is associated with the fact that the Claudius’ sin is perceived to be minor (Hamlet Act I Scene v Lines 57-66). It is evident that Hamlet attempts to maintain an upright character via ensuring that he takes precaution on daily basis. However, besides killing the father, Claudius is planning to kill Hamlet in the event that his life is threatened; as the play advances, Hamlet attempts to right the wrongs (Hamlet Act IV Scene vii Lines 6-32). The father’s ghost told Hamlet about the transgression that was committed by Claudius; the need to exterminate his brother is elicited by the fact that he killed their father, as well as stole the wife and crown (Hamlet Act I Scene ii Lines 77-159). According to Shakespeare, Hamlet stated that “Haste me to know’t [sic], that I, with wings as swift” (Hamlet Act I Scene v Lines 35-37). He also adds that “as a meditation or the thoughts of my love may sweep to revenge” (Hamlet Act I Scene v Lines 35-37). It is at this stage that Hamlet considered that his actions are justified; the character believes that a majority of individuals would agree that the planned avenge would be considered morally right. Even though a murder is a gross crime, the justification of the “eye got an eye” (Shakespeare 23) is enough to guarantee that avenge is right. It is evident that the committed crime (murder) was gross given the fact that the death of the Hamlet’s father would not have occurred in the event that the murder had not happened (Hamlet Act I Scene iv Lines 4-23). Hamlet also considers that the murder of the father as a gross crime given the fact that the offender is his brother; additionally, the murder was carried out for a personal gain. The murderer also made away with the crown and queen (Hamlet Act I Scene ii Lines 70-146). These are the factors that Hamlet considers they would justify as a moral right to kill his brother. Despite the fact that Hamlet is shown as an impulse person, he is associated with more rationality than rash. These traits are more evident in the beginning of the play when he accepts all the things he is told by the ghost; however, he waits to verify the issues before acting on them (Hamlet Act I Scene iv Lines 4-22). Conclusively, instead of killing Claudius at a prayer, Hamlet decides not to kill him. The decision of not killing Claudia is attributed to the fact that Hamlet struggle to live a morally right life (Hamlet Act I Scene v Lines 54-68). Question 2 The Meditation on the Value of Human Life: Ripeness Is All The notion “ripeness is all” (Lear Act V Scene ii Line 11) was used to mean that an individual normally grows and would always die at some point in life. The notion is used to denote that every hour of life is associated with ripening; on the other hand, every hour of life is characterized by rotting. Generally, the concept denotes that all human beings grow up and die at various stages of their lifetime. It is also regarded as surrendering and accepting the existence of death. The “King of Lear” was written by Shakespeare after eight years when he wrote “The Merchant of Venice” (Shakespeare 3). Both Lear and Gloucester struggle in their lives; the struggles revolve around their old age, power, and their children, especially with respect to love. While children mature and grow, major changes are witnessed since the loving relationship that was witnessed while at a young age transforms to confrontation (Lear Act I Scene i Lines 29-50). A number of ripening children are seeking independence; however, a majority of fathers are unwilling to embrace the independence that is sought by their children. For instance, the attempts of King Lear to win respect from his daughters are not fruitful; the daughters to Lear are consciously terrible. Cordelia, one of the King’s daughters, attempts to challenge the father about the foolish decisions with respect to love he failed to acknowledge (Lear Act I Scene i Lines 52-61). On the other hand, Gloucester experiences a confrontation with the sons (Lear Act I Scene i Lines 36-43). Gloucester is struggling over power given that one of the sons has a motive to overthrow him. With respect to the aforementioned relationships between children and fathers, it is noted that children ripen when they grow; as a result, a number of changes are expected. These changes explain the new challenges that fathers face while their daughters and sons mature. Additionally, while men grow old, they find it difficult to surrender the power to the young individuals. There is a tendency of a large number of old men retiring from businesses but attempt to exercise authority over the running of such business. King Lear is depicted in the play as one of the old men that struggle in clinging to power (Lear Act III Scene ii Lines 21-51). Lear has been in the leadership for a lengthy time that he considers his first name to be King. In the play, it is demonstrated that an old leader struggles in a bid to create a new identity; however, the change is considered to be relatively difficult in the old age. The struggles of men is witnessed at the period of dying; however, the play shows that the father characters are relieved at the time when they are about to die. The play indicates the horrific suffering that King Lear and Gloucester faced, and the final relief they experienced at the end. The great relief is associated with the inner peace they experienced just before they departed from the world (Lear Act IV Scene vi Lines 13-71). Despite being wronged, the children redeemed and freed their fathers from the past sins. The redemption is experienced at the moment when it was least expected. The redemption is associated with a higher power; it is also related to the religious significance (Lear Act IV Scene vi Lines 39-67). The King Lear’s play is an outstanding play given its ability to shade light on the human condition. It indicates the struggles of life as far as power and families are concerned; however, various aspects change in line with the change in time; the change is experienced by both children and old individuals. While individuals grow, death is also expected to occur; in this respect, the Edgar’s statement (all is ripe) explains profoundly about the human condition. Question 3 The Father-Daughter Relationships Egeus is one of the respected nobleperson in Theseus’ court. Egeus complained to Theseus’ court that his daughter had turned down his suggestion of marrying Demetrius; Demetrius was the Edgeus’ choice for her daughter’s husband (Shakespeare and Fiona 22). However, the daughter viewed the control of her marriage as alien and uncomfortable. This leads to confrontation between Edgeus and her daughter who refuses to accept the Demetrious hand in marriage. Edgeus asks the Theseus’ court to compel a death sentence on her daughter in the event that she refuses to marry Demetrius. However, this request is turned down by Theseus (Midsummer Act I Scene i Lines 3-47). Lord Capulet is the father to Juliet. Lord Capulet seems to be a good father in the beginning, but he later changes. Paris, who attempts to obtain the hand of marriage of Juliet, is disliked (irony) by Lord Capulet (Woods and Tredell 18). Lord Capulet provides that he would like his daughter to be married for love; however, Lord is sad when Juliet refuses to marry Paris. The Lord Capulet reaction to the Juliet’s refusal and disobedience (irony) is characterized by hostility; Lord Capulet is perceived as a dictator due to the response to the daughter’s refusal (Romeo and Juliet Act II Scene ii Lines 15-28). The relationships that were experienced by Egeus and Lord Capulet and their daughters differ from those exhibited by fathers and daughters in “Pericles, Prince of Tyre” in a number of ways (Pericles Act I Scene i Lines 137-139). Firstly, in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Romeo and Juliet” both Egeus and Lord Capulet did not exhibit an incest relationship with their daughters (Pericles Act I Scene ii Lines 4-34). Both Egeus and Lord Capulet seem to embrace decency as far as the lovely affairs are concerned; however, in the “Pericles Prince of Tyre” King Antiochus pursued an incestuous relation with her daughter (Pericles Act I Scene ii Lines 1-36) It is evident that the king provided a law which barred any man from marrying her daughter; however, there was an exception for an individual who would solve the king’s riddle. This behavior is detested among a large number of societies in the world. Although King Antiochus was possessive similar to Egeus and Lord Capulet with respect to the relationship with their daughters, Simonides is relatively considerate and fails to demonstrate a high level of possession; however, he shows a relatively deep feelings for a genuine love. Simonides accepts her daughter (Thaisa) to be married easily to Pericles following his win in a tournament. Simonides is also confortable when Pericles and his daughter travel to the King Antiochus’s region (Pericles Act II Scene i Lines 12-74). Pericles demonstrates a profound love for his daughter, Marina, who was born while their parents were travelling by sea. Marina experiences difficult moments when growing up; all the same, she is more beautiful than the daughter to Dionyza. Dionyza plans to kill her; fortunately, Marina is captured by pirates; consequently, Cleaon, a husband to Dionyza, raises a statue (due to devastation) in his region (Tharsus) in memory of Mariana. Pericle is painful when he visits the statue in Tharsus, indicating the profound love he has for his daughter. However, Marina is not dead, and she is reunited to her father in Mytilene; her father is exceedingly happy. Her father accepts her marriage to Lysimachus despite his great love for her daughter. This character distinguishes him from other fathers who are loving and possessive (Pericles Act V Scene i Lines 21-61). Works Cited Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Irvine: Saddleback Educational Pub., 2010. Print. Shakespeare, William, and Fiona Banks. A midsummer nights dream. London: Hodder Education, 2012. Print. Shakespeare, William. The tragedy of King Lear. Lanham: Start Publishing LLC, 2013. Print. Shakespeare, William. Pericles, Prince of Tyre. Lanham: Start Publishing LLC, 2013. Print. Woods, Gillian, and Nicolas Tredell. Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan, 2013. Print. Read More