Abstract
This is a short essay that analyzes the character flaws of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. The paper emphasizes the qualities of overconfidence and impulsiveness while using the play as a primary reference.

From the Paper
"In "Macbeth," William Shakespeare suggests that overconfidence and impulsiveness are fatal character qualities. Overconfidence leads characters to impulsiveness. When a character believes certain things about themselves or other objects and events around them that are not true, their perception and judgment become clouded; this leads the character to act impulsively. Characters end up carrying out actions rashly and without considering the consequences that they will have to face later. These consequences are often extremely severe and detrimental to the character's ultimate goal."

Tags:character, flaws, shakespeare

Abstract
This essay exemplifies how tragedy through deceit and corruption occurred in both Shakespearean plays, "Othello" and "Hamlet". The arguments prove the contributions of the protagonists, antagonists, and the innocent characters to the evil and corruption, which creates a tragedy in both plays.

From the Paper
"Lies, deceit, and false appearances are everywhere in one's life and these negative aspects of people contribute to sorrow, pain, and tragedy. In all of Shakespeare's tragic plays, the protagonist dies, along with many other characters due to a problematic theme occurring in the plot. This is obvious in both Hamlet and Othello. In Hamlet, Claudius kills his brother, Old Hamlet, so he can become King. Old Hamlet's son discovers his secret and attempts to avenge his father's death, which he does at the end of the play when he kills Claudius along with others, and dies himself. In Othello, Iago, the Moor's assistant sabotages Cassio, the first lieutenant in order to get his job. When this works, he attempts to split Othello, the Moor of Venice and his wife using jealousy and murder, and gets killed when is discovered for his scheming. Both plays touch upon common human problems and desires such as greed, jealousy, and revenge."

Tags:comparison, contrast, desdemona, evil, iago, jealousy, moor, murder, ophelia, othello, revenge, shakespeare, venice

Abstract
In Sophocles's "Antigone" and William Shakespeare's "The Tempest", two very different, yet similar, displays of power on the parts of Creon and Prospero are the basis of the plots of their respective stories. This paper explains how both Creon and Prospero use their power relations to impose their own ideals on the societies in which they live. Creon uses his power on the throne to impose his own laws and beliefs on the people, while Prospero uses his supernatural powers, ultimately, for the good of his community, as well as personal gain. It explains that these examples of power relations, as shown by Sophocles and Shakespeare, serve the purpose of demonstrating to the readers that authority figures and government are capable of imposing whatever they wish on the people, in some cases causing unnecessary grief for many.

From the Paper
"Traditionally, authority figures tend to flaunt their power in search of personal gain and intimidation. In The Tempest, Prospero uses his magical powers to employ the use of a servant and a spirit to assist him in his personal chores and to keep the island running smoothly. In Antigone, Creon uses his royal power, more or less, to his personal advantage, with no obvious benefit to society. Prospero's supernatural abilities are made evident when Miranda accuses him, "by your art thy dearest father, you have / put the wild waters in this roar."(Shakespeare, I. ii. 1-2). In light of this, one may be led to believe that Prospero is trying to hurt those on the ship who have hurt him in the past but, in fact, Prospero only creates this storm out of love for his daughter who is in search of a mate, and Ferdinand, who is on board the ship seems to be a logical candidate. Prospero ensures that no one is harmed by the storm by sending his spirit, Aerial, to keep watch over the ship."

Tags:authoritative, ferdinand, grief, law, moral, power

Abstract
This paper is about the importance of William Shakespeare's writings. The author argues that Shakespeare's writings are valuable because of the lessons they teach, their literary style and their reflection of the society of the time.

From the Paper
"Not too long ago, when Oxford University was deciding on whom should be named "Man of the Millennium", William Shakespeare was chosen to be the winner. Perhaps they were liable to be biased because both he and Oxford are British, but I truly believe it was for reasons far deeper than that. Shakespeare is the most popular playwright read in schools today, but why? School Boards seem to feel that Shakespeare's works provide valuable literary lessons and insights and I agree whole-heartedly. Not only is Shakespeare my favorite playwright, but also one of the historic figures I admire most. I believe that everyone, regardless of age, should read Shakespeare because of the valuable lessons, literary value, and for their own edification and enjoyment."

Tags:hamlet, literature, macbeth, school, literary, structure, poetic

Abstract
This paper discusses Othello's soliloquy from William Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Othello: The Moor of Venice". This soliloquy is critical for framing the dramatic center of the play. Using the play as the primary text and beginning with a brief summary of what has happened up to this point, the paper presents a discussion of the critical third scene soliloquy of Othello. An analysis of the characters of both Othello and Iago follows logically into an explanation of Artistotle's catharsis, the emotional roots of the play.

From the Paper
"We find that Iago, who has been scheming from the first Act of the work, turns his full powers upon Othello. From line thirty-four and following, we see Iago directly attack Othello's emotions, both to suggest that Cassio is up to no good with Othello's wife, and that she herself is succumbing to his charms as seducer. "Ha! I like not that!" Iago proclaims when he and Othello come upon Desdemona and Cassio speaking together (III.iii.34). The timing of events is very important in Act III. Iago anticipates and manipulates the other characters so skillfully that they seem to be acting simultaneously of their own free will and as Iago's puppets."

Tags:moor, venice, iago

Abstract
The author of this paper traces the subject of love through many Shakespeare works. Sonnets and plays are examined. The author then puts an emphasis on Othello and includes lavish quotes from the play in an attempt to describe love's role in the action and characters.

From the Paper
"Other than in Romeo and Juliet, which is a romantic tragedy, love plays a part in Othello more than in any of Shakespeare's other tragedies. Othello and Desdemona are presumed to be in love. Roderigo chases after the love of Desdemona. Iago is jealous of the love between Othello and Desdemona and Iago's plots are all based on proving to Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are in love. Although love clearly plays a large role in the play, it is debatable whether this love is true love. This is especially true for the love between Othello and Desdemona. In order to determine what Shakespeare intended their love to be perceived as, it is possible to look at how Shakespeare has defined true love in other works. According to his definition, clearly Othello's love for Desdemona is not true love, however; Desdemona's love for Othello, is indeed true love that remains unbroken throughout the play."

Tags:love, othello, shakespeare, sonnets, true

Abstract
This essay compares and contrasts the behaviors and actions of Hamlet and Othello. In particular, the two characters' handling of love, grief and revenge are examined.

From the Paper
"Chance, coincidence, and circumstance influence the actions one takes when dealing with highly emotional situations. Everyone has their own way of dealing with these emotional situations, but the actions one chooses to carry out portray an image of the character they have become. In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, and Othello, Hamlet and Othello, respectively, are similar in ways of handling their emotional states, but are very unalike in some aspects also. Hamlet and Othello's handling of love, grief, and revenge can be compared and contrasted in their respective plays. The love of their women, the grief of their losses, and the revenge that consumed them, have different, yet similar approaches by Hamlet and Othello."

Tags:comparative, essay, comparison, contrast, desdemona, evil, iago, jealousy, moor, murder, ophelia, othello, revenge, shakespeare, venice

Abstract
This paper looks at the characters of Hamlet and Laertes explains why they are so similar. By doing so, this paper compares and contrasts Hamlet's and Laertes' love for Ophelia, the avenging their fathers' deaths and their attitudes and actions.

From the Paper
"In Shakespeare's play Hamlet many similarities are created between Hamlet and Laertes which clearly define Laertes as Hamlets foil. These two characters are mirrors of each other which act in opposite manners when confronted with similar circumstances. They are very contrasting characters, one being outward and the other inward; where Hamlet is verbal, Laertes is physical and where Hamlet is private, Laertes is overly confronting. They are both confronted with emotions such as love and hate along with situations of betrayal which lead to the ultimate tragedies in the play. Due to the sequence of events which occur within Shakespeare's play Hamlet it is evident that Hamlet and Laertes are two very comparative characters which is demonstrated through the love they share for Ophelia and their actions to avenge the death of their fathers."

Tags:death, foil, hamlet, laertes, love, ophelia

Abstract
In this essay, the character of Claudius from Hamlet is shown as a quintessential Machiavellian character. Niccolo Machiavelli wrote the book entitled The Prince, and is known by some for making the guidelines on how to become the best prince through lies, corruption, evil, and murder. This essay examines how Claudius, the King of Denmark fulfills these guidelines. Claudius' Machavellian character is shown through the way he deceives others about his virtue, his development of schemes, and his belief that rules can easily be broken.

From the Paper
" A Machiavellian character is not hard to come by, and ample exist around us today. A person of this characteristic will break rules, pretend to be virtuous, plan schemes, and do anything they must, in order to receive what they strive for. In Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, a perfect example of such a character is displayed in Claudius, the New King of Denmark. Claudius performs many deceptive, and horrifying acts, which make him the quintessential Machiavellian character. Developing schemes, pretending to be virtuous, and proving his belief, through his actions, that rules may be broken, are the deeds he executes, which prove his true character."

Tags:deception, downfall, evil, gertrude, hamlet, laertes, prince, shakespeare, survival, tragedy, virtue

Abstract
This paper deals with the protagonist Hamlet, and his inability to complete his task of revenge. Although Hamlet does kill Claudius, who is his uncle and the man who killed his father, the plan for revenge is not properly fulfilled due to elements that cause Hamlet's downfall and his unfortunate demise. The essay discusses how the factors of procrastination, melancholic behavior, and constant indecision stop Hamlet from properly fulfilling the task assigned by the ghost of Old Hamlet.

From the Paper
"Hamlet observes how Fortinbras is willing to go blindly to Poland, to fight for a piece of land, which is worthless, all in the name of honor. When he looks at himself, he sees that he is not a man of action. The prince has had months of time to fulfill his act of revenge, which he has all the reason for, but he has not gotten any closer to his goal than the first day. Fortinbras, on the other hand, appears as a foil to Hamlet, highlighting his own quick-acting ability, and contrasting Hamlet's continuing procrastination. The extensive delay of Hamlet's revenge is what creates a tragedy and contributes to his downfall at the end of the play. As well as the stretching of time, Hamlet is also not up to the task assigned to him by the ghost because he is melancholic and too overwhelmed by other surrounding situations."

Tags:claudius, death, downfall, ghost, hamlet, hero, procrastination, shakespeare, tragedy