Forsaking sacred doctrines and immersing the individual self into the corruption of the political realm saw the Elizabethan period discard all tradition loyalties allowing a usurper to assume the throne. While Shakespeare’s illegitimate king henry IV of England exhibits great tactility and exuberance in ensuring that war no longer “shall daub [England’s] lips with her own children blood”, the transpiration of internal uncertainty becomes inaugurated in the supreme reign of the celestial predecessors, House Plantagenet and the doctrine of the divine right. Henry’s poetically versed soliloquy elaborates on the anxieties surrounding the stability and legitimacy of his kingly position egotistically coveting for “A son that is the theme of Honour’s
Juliet’s drastic outbreaks and dishonesty are results from her father’s actions that take a toll on her happy ending. Initially, Juliet’s dishonesty to her parents is consistent from beginning to end, including her lies to Lady Capulet about having any feelings toward Romeo. By way of example, when Lady Capulet talks about vengeance towards Romeo, Juliet does not express her true feelings and instead says that, “[she] never shall be satisfied with Romeo, till [she] behold him-dead” (3.5.93-94). That being the case, Juliet keeps her newfound love with Romeo Montague a secret from her parents and does not try to tell her parents about her new feelings. In contrast, if Juliet is honest with her parents about her secrets, then they can step in
Woodrow T. Wilson said, “Loyalty means nothing unless it has, at its heart, the absolute principle of self-sacrifice”. This helps to describe that loyalty involves self-Sacrifice. The Nurse would rather forget the loyalty she has for Juliet and instead tries to convince Juliet to forget about Romeo. The Nurse advises her to marry Paris and forget about her husband, Romeo. Although the nurse tried convincing Juliet to marry Paris, she also could’ve prevented some deaths by remaining loyal. Loyalty, at the same time, can also be destructive.
It is said that loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. In the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, these major themes play into each other for a compelling tale. Shakespeare uses loyalty to entwine the following character relationships. Hermia and her father Egeus do not see eye to eye when it comes to who is the worthier young man, Lysander or Demetrius. This provokes Hermia and Lysander to run away, courageously, betraying her father’s will.
Thematic Statement 1- Loyalty and love for one’s family inspires boldness to defend such things. “That was below your heart. Can you guess what I’m doing?” “Cutting out my heart.” “You took mine when I was ten; I want yours now. We are lovers of justice, you and I- what could be more just than that?” The Count screamed one final time and fell dead of fear. (Goldman 349) After his father was wrongfully killed, Inigo’s love for his father and desire to defend his honor led him to want to defeat the six-fingered man. This quote shows us that people can be driven by love to do things to protect or avenge the ones we love. Inigo’s whole life revolved around the idea of conquering the man who killed his father. In the end we know that Inigo defeated the six-fingered man and by that he showed his father that he did not fail him.
To examine Shakespeare’s exploration of identity as a means of control, it is important to understand what all constitutes each character’s identity. In the case of Henry, for one, it is apparent that the actions of his past alter his perceived identity throughout the play. Before Henry speaks his first lines in the play, the Bishop of Ely calls Henry a “true lover of the holy Church,” to which the Archbishop of Canterbury replies, “The courses of [Henry’s] youth promised it not” (1.1.23-24). This reckless reputation follows Henry further into the play when an ambassador from France delivers a message to Henry from the Dauphin: “…the prince our master says that you savor too much of your youth and bids you to be advised there’s naught in France that can be with a nimble galliard won: you cannot revel into dukedoms there” (1.2.250-254). Along with this message, the Dauphin included a gift of tennis balls meant to further insult Henry. Even later in the play, after the English won the battle at Harfleur, the noble Frenchmen continue to underestimate Henry’s ability as a leader: “What a wretched and peevish fellow is this King of England, to mope with his fat-brained followers so far out of his knowledge” (3.8.120-122).
Almost notably, the perception of madness and spying plays the most influential role in the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. However, when looking closely at the play, it can be argued that the central theme of this tragedy is acting. How Shakespeare presents and lays out the actors and acting makes it a framework for madness and spying. Shakespeare points out the theme of in the dissimilarities of his characters, the deceits that individuals take for granted and the presentation of the `play within a play '. This intertwined deception allows certain characters to manipulate the actions and thoughts of others such as Hamlet does. This tragedy is one great puppet show, "I could see the puppets dallying". (Act III, scene II).
Loyalty is something most every person finds honorable in another person. However, what if that loyalty becomes divided, and ends up becoming betrayal? William Shakespeare eloquently depicts this quandary in Julius Caesar. Brutus was considered one of the most honorable men in Rome, both by the people and himself. But what if his idea of honor is actually a true sign of betrayal? That much is up to the reader to decide. Shakespeare expresses loyalty multiple times throughout Julius Caesar between Caesar and Brutus, Brutus to the people of Rome, and still the people of Rome to Caesar, which all directly cause the final outcome of the play.
The first thing a person judges you on is your morality; the things you value above all else, and what you would sacrifice to keep things as such. In Shakespeare's play “The Tragedy of King Lear”, the king's most loyal servant deliberately sacrifices his position and social status to help the King in his endeavors. The Earl of Kent is said to be the King’s most loyal and wise subject. However, Kent quickly falls out of favor with the king when he reprimands him for banishing his most loving daughter, Cordelia. Instead of taking his riches and leaving, the Earl chooses to disguise himself as a peasant, so that he may assist the king on his journey.
Fisher, Jerilyn, and Ellen S. Silber. "Reading Between the Lines: Connecting with Gertrude and Ophelia in William Shakespeare's Hamlet." Women in Literature: Reading through the Lens of
In Shakespeare’s work “King Lear”, Shakespeare utilizes the characters of Cordelia and Kent to illustrate the importance of loyalty is within the tragedy. Their loyalty to King Lear, due to love and duty, is unmatched and undeniable. Cordelia and Kent may just be Shakespeare’s near perfection creation of a true good character.
Love is all around us, Even though every relationship has its ups and downs. Many couples have fall to control their relationship to continue their love life going. For example In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the writer shows us how love, at times, may be corrupted through the actions of others or through our own perception of love. Hamlet went threw so much, not knowing what to do after his dad was murdered by the king and the king is his his mom's husband. Hamlet is so upset about his mother’s marrying his uncle so quickly is one indication that he loved his father.
In the 17th Century, when Macbeth was written , loyalty was highly regarded and had great value. The gunpowder plot in 1605, against King James I, shocked everybody . Treason against your own country was regarded as one of the worst crimes a person can commit and this is why Guy Fawkes was hung, drawn and quartered. In the play “Macbeth”, Shakespeare makes the themes of loyalty and family very clear to the audience in the first few scenes in the play. There are many examples of characters that were loyal and trusted, but that turned their back on the people that trusted them. With this becoming the case, it becomes very hard for people to put faith in others as in an instant they could turn their back and try and act on what they truly believe in.
Shakespeare's good characters, in the play King Lear, are considered good because they are loyal even when they are disguised from or unrecognizable by those to whom they owe loyalty. In addition, their loyalty does not waver even when they are banished or mistreated by those to whom they are loyal. Cordelia, Edgar and Kent are all characters that exemplify this goodness and unwavering loyalty.
Loyalty is being faithful to commitments and obligations. On the other hand there are many ways to display loyalty. One can be loyal to a person, political party, country, religion, or cause. The list is seemingly endless. William Shakespeare’s play King Lear exhibits many forms of loyalty, but one that shines particularly is loyalty to ones selfish needs. However there is a limit to loyalty which most over look. The characters Cordelia, the emotional King Lear, and the vile Edmund all manifest their loyalty to their own self, and all meet their demise. The limit to loyalty is death.
"This above all, to thine own self be true." Hamlet shows that integrity is the most important personal quality to have in a world in which people are often not what they seem." Discuss.