Category: Literature

The Role of Religion in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”

Introduction

There are many religious elements in Hamlet, but the main reason why religion is important to Hamlet relates to the ghost of his father, who has returned to Hamlet from purgatory. The concept and believability of the afterlife are enhanced by his father’s ghost, and it ultimately is not a fantasy for Hamlet, as his father told Hamlet that he has been in purgatory.

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The Afterlife and Hamlet’s Father’s Ghost

Also, Hamlet’s soliloquy at the beginning of the play is religious; he questions the benefits of continuing a life on Earth that is full of torture and pain. Hamlet would prefer to end his life on Earth but pauses only because of the afterlife; throughout his life, he goes through difficult events like aging, decline, oppression, lost love, and injustice.

Hamlet’s Existential Crisis and Moral Struggle

Hamlet asks for the point of continuing his torturous life on Earth and answers himself with “the dread of something after death, / The undiscovered country, from whose bourn / No traveler returns, puzzles the will, / And makes us rather bear those ills we have / Than fly to others that we know not of.” Moreover, Hamlet’s father was a good man: “He was a man, take him for all in all—I shall not look upon his like again.” Although he was not a saint, he was a good man who had ended up being tormented in purgatory. Now the words of the ghost to Hamlet gain significance. It seems that these words are always sticking in Hamlet’s mind.

“Doom’d for a certain term to walk the night, / And for the day confin’d to fast in fires, / Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature / Are burnt and purged away.” He tells Hamlet that he is in purgatory, which is a terrible form of existence. He tells Hamlet that by being murdered by Claudius, he cannot make his last reckoning. Through the words that don’t leave Hamlet’s mind throughout the play, he says: Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin, Unhousel’d, disappointed, unpeeled, No reck’ ning made, but sent to my account, / With all my imperfections on my head. / O horrible! O horrible! Most horrible!

At first, Hamlet is convinced that he should kill Claudius. He even draws his sword to do so. But then he notices that Claudius is engaged in the most sincere form of prayer, one that grants him forgiveness. He thinks that if he dies at this moment, he will go to paradise. So, Hamlet is convinced that killing Claudius at this moment is not the revenge he deserves. He has to be killed and sent to the exact place where his father was living.

Conclusion

To Hamlet, “This is hire and salary, not revenge.” It would not be the supernatural revenge that the ghost had asked him to take. Religion is the most important reason why Hamlet doesn’t kill his uncle, Claudius. Hamlet thinks that if he kills his uncle after his sincere repentance, his uncle will go to heaven.

References

1. “Hamlet and the Vision of Darkness” by Rhodri Lewis
2. “Shakespeare’s Hamlet and the Controversies of Self” by Edward Cahill

Manipulation and Tragedy in Shakespeare’s Othello: The Power of Silence

Introduction

Iago decides to remain silent to satisfy himself by adding to Othello’s frustration. Iago holds back information to make it difficult for Othello to figure out why he was manipulated. Iago planned to make Othello miserable; however, he did not think about the consequences of his actions. An example includes when Iago says, “This is the night that either makes me or fordoes me quiet”(5.1.129-130).

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Iago’s Silent Schemes

This explains that even though Iago knew that his plan could succeed or ruin his reputation, he still went forth and finished what he had started. On the other hand, if Iago considered the risk of getting caught, he would have had a backup plan to explain his reasons. Iago’s plan does not go as he wishes, so he isn’t prepared to get caught; therefore, he chooses to remain silent. Iago’s greatest strength was using his words to manipulate an individual; however, in this scenario, Iago’s silence was his greatest strategy to sabotage Othello. Conversely, if Iago pleaded for forgiveness and mercy, he wouldn’t have felt the satisfaction from ruining Othello’s life, and he would express weakness. Iago’s selection of silence had both positive and negative outcomes because Othello and the individuals present are forced to conclude Iago’s reasoning based on Roderigo’s letters.

Silence Breeding Suspicion

Although Iago was caught and his reputation was ruined, he wanted to cause trouble for Othello. This is best demonstrated when Iago says, “From this time forth, I never will speak word” (5.2.300). This tells us that Iago wanted to keep his reasonings a mystery to irritate Othello and confuse him. By doing this, Iago will feel successful now that he caused Othello mischief up until his death. Even though Iago did not get away with his evil plan, he accomplished his goal by manipulating the people he came in contact with.

On the other hand, Iago’s silence had a negative outcome because Iago was unable to provide a counterargument. Othello had a one-sided story because he had to base his conclusion on a few letters that Roderigo had in his pocket. An example includes when Lodovico says, “Sir, you shall understand what hath befallen…Here is a letter found in the pocket of the slain Roderigo” (5.2.303-305).

Othello’s Last Words: A Desperate Plea for Redemption

This explains that Iago was defenseless. Othello only had one source of information which he used to predict Iago’s reasonings. Although the letters cleared up what really happened, they did not provide specific details, such as why Iago plotted the scheme. The truth will remain a mystery, and it will haunt Othello. Othello’s final speech had a gloomy tone causing the witnesses to feel sympathetic and sorrowful because Othello had been tricked into killing someone he loved. Before Othello commits suicide, he gives his final thoughts on the situation as a way for people to remember him.

Othello uses words such as “being wrought” and “perplexed” (5.2.341-342) to explain that he has been mistreated and taken advantage of. In addition, Othello says, “of one that loved not wisely, but too well” (5.2.340). By saying this, Othello is implying that he is not the antagonist in this situation because he was tricked into killing Desdemona; however, he is internally a caring person. Othello also mentions the help that he provided for Venice by saying, “I have done the state some service, and they know” (5.2.335).

By adding this at the beginning of his speech, Othello reminds the individuals present that he has fought in many battles, so they don’t view him as a criminal. Conversely, Othello included a time when he killed a Turk by saying, “ I took by the throat the circumcised dog And smote him-thus” (5.2. ). Othello is making the impression that he is a senseless killer. He compares himself to Venice’s greatest enemies to symbolize that he feels like an outsider and that he must end his life the way he ended the Turk’s life. Othello’s change in tone causes confusion because the witnesses don’t know who Othello is anymore.

Conclusion

In summary, Iago got caught in a web of lies; nevertheless, he successfully managed to make the remainder of Othello’s life miserable. Iago felt accomplished because even though he got caught, he gained joy from making Othello miserable. Other people’s misery pleased Iago. Iago took advantage of the situation, and he didn’t care what others thought of him. Othello, on the other hand, was concerned about how people would view him once he died; therefore, he gave a speech to try to redeem himself.

Othello wants to be remembered as a good person for fighting against Venice’s enemies; however, he emphasizes the cruel killing of a Turk moments before killing himself to show that he is just as harmful to Venice as the Turks are. He compares himself to a Turk because he feels like he has done a sin by killing Desdemona. He feels like a foreigner, which is what characters such as Desdemona’s father have been thinking of him the whole time. Othello’s shift in tone leaves the witnesses shocked because they don’t know whether he is an unreasonable murderer or a caring person; therefore, Othello fails to regain his innocence. If Othello did not include killing the Turk, he would have had a greater chance of redeeming himself.

References

1. Shakespeare, William. Othello. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, Folger Shakespeare Library, Simon & Schuster, 2004.

The Manipulative Techniques of Iago in Shakespeare’s “Othello”

Introduction

Iago is by far the most intriguing character in William Shakespeare’s book “Othello.” With his persuasive words and actions, he is able to manipulate others into getting his way. Iago is capable of forcing Othello and others towards a horrible ending for them all. He is controlling and deceiving; he always has a well-thought-out plan that, in the end, only benefits himself. He is able to operate this by reverse psychology and ‘sowing the seed’ in Othello’s head. Iago specifically targets Othello; after all, they are friends, but through his set option of objectifying Othello, he uses his own insecurities against him, causing his downfall.

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The Facade of Friendship and Deceit

Iago is not your typical villain. He is discrete and hides amongst the people, acting like one of them, a friend, a lover, and an ordinary man. Othello being one of Iago’s close friends, gives him an advantage in the process of taking him down and his fellow friends. He wants retribution on Othello. Therefore, he targets his wife, Desdemona. Desdemona is rather vocal for a woman of her time. She wants Cassio around to act as a protector of her husband. Iago uses this against her.

He begins to mention to Othello his suspicion of Cassio and Desdemona. Then he makes sure Othello knows he can fully trust him and will back him through anything. This is a quote from Iago to Othello, ensuring that he is honest and is not tricking him. “I hope you will consider what is spoken comes from my love. But I do see you’re moved. I am to pray you not to strain my speech To grosser issues nor to larger reach than to suspicion” (3.3.231-235). Iago’s plan is solely centered around Othello’s insecurities, and he uses his jealousy towards Desdemona over her.

Othello has always trusted Iago and sees him as the only one to be brutally honest and have his back. Iago realizes that he needs ocular proof in order to ensure his plan is foolproof. To do this, Iago has his wife Emilia steal Desdemona’s handkerchief. He then takes the handkerchief and plants it in Cassio’s room. This is enough proof for Othello to believe and see it with his own eyes. Othello is beyond angered and in full belief that Desdemona is having a secret affair. His belief in her so-called infidelity pushes him to act on this rage. Othello wants to kill Cassio. Iago’s plot is going as planned.

This quote is from Othello; he speaks about how all men are destined to be cuckolds from the day they are born. If that is so, he already has a base belief that this was bound to happen, giving him all the more reason to believe Iago and for Iago to use this to his advantage in convincing him of his wife’s adultery. “O curse of marriage, that we can call these delicate creatures ours and not their appetites! I had rather be a toad and live in the vapor of a dungeon than keep a corner in the thing I love for others uses. Yet ’tis the plague of great ones; prerogatives are they less than the base. ‘Tis destiny unshunnable, like death. Even then, this forked plague is fated to us when we do quicken” (3.3.309-318).

Orchestrating Othello’s Downfall

As previously mentioned, Othello is so infuriated that he plans to kill Cassio. He never said anything about murdering his wife until Iago’s sneaky ways opened him to the idea. Othello and Iago are discussing murdering Cassio when Iago says, “But let her live” (471). This is referring to Desdemona. The thought of killing her wasn’t even a thought yet, but Iago’s words put the idea in Othello’s head. When Othello gets a feeling or belief, he does not hesitate to act on it. This is where we see Iago’s reverse psychology come into play.

It is so slick and devious. He is so good at manipulating that Othello has so much trust in him he wouldn’t think twice about Iago’s intentions. These are some quotes from a conversation between Othello and Iago on how Othello is going to murder his wife, Desdemona. Othello; “Get me some poison, Iago, this night: I’ll not expostulate with her lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again. This night, Iago.” Iago; “Do it not with poison. Strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated.” Othello; “Good, good. The justice of it pleases. Very good” (4.1.223-229).

Conclusion

In the end, everything works out in Iago’s favor through manipulation, lies, and reverse psychology. He was able to ruin the lives of many, and it was no sweat off his back. Clearly, Iago has mental issues, and this was just a fun game for him. Iago has clear methods of persuading, but they are all useful for the same thing. That thing is taking down Othello. None of these methods is an excuse for Othello’s unjust behavior, but they play a very big part in it. With his persuasive words and actions, he is able to manipulate others into getting his way. Sadly to say, Othello was the ultimate target; Iago used his insecurities to get the best of him and showed him no mercy.

References

1. “Iago’s Mirror: A Fictional Autobiography” by Stephen Oliver
2. “Iago: The Man and the Myth” by Konrad Eisenbichler
3. “The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice” (Critical Insights) edited by Scott L. Newstok

The Tragic Transformation of Othello: Unbecoming Emotions

Introduction

Everyone lies at some point or another in their life. Some do it out of shame, others guilt, and still others because they are afraid of the truth. In Shakespeare’s work, Othello, Iago tells one lie that will spiral to the deaths of 4 people, all out of hatred for his commanding officer, the Moor, Othello. Othello wants nothing more than to enjoy his life with his beautiful bride Desdemona, but in the end, his changes in character lead him to kill her instead. This drastic shift did not happen without cause, and it did not happen without the manipulation of the protagonist, Iago.

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The Initial Upright Character

However, the major issue that Othello faces is not the lie that is told but rather the way he reacts. Othello not only experiences his feelings but embodies them. This all-consuming absorption of his emotions changes his character over the course of the play and eventually overwhelms him to the point of plotting, killing, and, finally, suicide all because of one lie.

Manipulation and Insecurity

Othello begins as a noble character. He is an upright man. He is respected and presented as someone to look up to. He is a leader in the military and is known for his way of waging successful war. As he was introduced to Desdemona’s family, he told them of all of his horrible experiences as a black man and all of the horrible things he had seen as a soldier, yet he still managed to be such a tender-hearted person. He tells the family this, and Desdemona cries, and Othello recounts her response as “She wished she had not heard it, yet she wished that heaven had made her such a man. She thanked me”(01.03.165).

Desdemona is virtuous and pure, and they marry and spend the beginning of their married life together with an unconsummated marriage even as they arrive at Othello’s next military post on the island of Cyprus. This, again, is an exaggeration of the upstanding couple. This is the first glimpse of the type of extremes that Othello operates in for the remainder of the writing. It truly almost foreshadows the transitions that will take place in Othello in the coming days.

Jealousy and Spite

These changes dodge sharply and seemingly out of nowhere. It begins with Iago’s plan to cuckold Othello for Rodrigo to come in and take Desdemona all for himself. Rodrigo takes on Iago’s plan and understands that Iago hates Othello, and as such, it would be a win for the both of them. Rodrigo, at Iago’s advice, get’s Cassio drunk all the time, knowing that Cassio has a tendency to be violent.

This unfolds accordingly, and Othello hears about Cassio’s unbecoming behavior and sharply reprimands him, ultimately removing him from his post. This, again, to the aware reader, is a sign that Othello remains upright and dutiful. Desdemona sees her new husband’s overreaction to this seemingly harmful mistake on Cassio’s part and pleads for Othello to forgive him and receive him back again. Othello begins to see this and entertains the thought, but for a moment, when his emotions are once more accelerated.

The Path of Regret and Remorse

Iago steps in to seize his opportunity to strike Othello down. He cunningly takes advantage of the fact that Desdemona was pleading on behalf of another man to make it look suspicious to Othello. Knowing that Othello is an extreme feeler of sorts, Iago begins toying with him, saying half sentences and talking under his breath. Othello, curiously, demands that he speak and share his true thoughts. “‘Think, my lord?’ Alas, thou echo echoes me as if there were some monster in thy thought. Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something. I heard thee say even now thou likest, not that when Cassio left my wife. What didst not like?” (03.03.110-115).

Truly, what unfolded here was that Othello started to become insecure that he was missing something obvious, and with that open mindset, suspicions walked in. When Iago finally makes the actual accusation, it sounds so outrageous to Othello that he wants to dismiss it; however, having seen the glimpse of Othello’s insecurity Iago slithers on. As Iago paints a plausible picture of Othello, they both settle into this new reality, and Othello transitions from insecure to jealous.

Iago once more, seeing an opportunity, plants a handkerchief that belongs to Desdemona at Cassio’s house and knows that he has now sealed his friend in his box of hyper-emotionalism. Iago even points out how over-emotional Othello is by saying

“I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin And let him find it. Trifles light as air Are to the
jealous confirmations strong As proofs of holy writ. This may do something. The Moor
already changes with my poison. Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons Which
at first are scarcely found to distaste, But with a little act upon the blood Burn like the
mines of sulfur (03.03.330-340).”

Final Reflection and Tragic End

This situation here is the ultimate example of Othello’s emotional state. Later in the narrative, when Othello finds out that Cassio does indeed have the handkerchief, he then decides to kill not only Cassio but also his dear Desdemona. His now spite blinded him. He believed what he wanted with no regard for what was clearly under his nose.

As his plan to kill Cassio unfolds at the hands of Iago, he begins to allow his spite to turn into rage. These feelings were clearly taking hold of Othello. He was no longer acting himself, even leading him to hit his wife. It’s important to point out here that only a short while ago, he was swooning her into loving him and vice versa. Desdemona even pleads with him to act himself. She says to him, “What horrible fancy’s this?”(04.02.29) He does not give in to this plead for him to act normally once more; instead, he continues his plan with Iago.

Ultimately, Iago enlists Rodrigo to kill Cassio, to which he fails and is then killed by Iago. Meanwhile, Othello suffocates Desdemona, Emilia comes to clear everything up and is killed by her husband, Iago, and finally, when all comes clear to Othello, he moves into instant regret by shouting, “O fool! fool! fool!” (05.02.339). And then stabs himself once more, demonstrating that his feelings were not only relevant to him, but they became him each and every time.

Conclusion

While reading this play, it is easy to see that Othello lived to the extreme when it came to his emotions. He not only went from absolute love to murder but also from being so sure of himself to so insecure and from jealousy to spite. All over a clear lie by a clearly unrighteous man, all in a matter of a week’s time or less. Near the end, even Othello talks about just how emotional he was “Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught in malice.

Then must you speak Of one that loved not wisely but too well. Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought, Perplexed in the extreme (05.02.360). The simple truth about Othello is that what he liked, he loved; what he was unsure about, he was insecure about; what he wanted, he was jealous of; what he disliked, he hated; what he wished he could change, he spat; and what he regretted he ended. In the end, he regretted himself because he was what he felt.

References

1. “Othello: A Critical Reader” edited by Lee A. Jacobus
2. “Othello: New Critical Essays” edited by Philip C. Kolin
3. “Othello’s Alienation” by Edward Berry
4. “Othello and Interpretive Traditions” by Edward Pechter

Theme of Revenge in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”: A Catalyst for Conflict and Tragedy

Introduction

The topic of revenge has been around for centuries on centuries. Eye for an Eye, right? If someone insults you, you insult them back, right? In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Revenge is an ongoing theme. Eight of these characters die by the end of the play as a result of the murder initiated by revenge. Shakespeare uses the theme of revenge to create conflicts between many characters.

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Revenge and Its Impulsive Nature

Revenge causes one to act recklessly through anger rather than with reason. It is based on the idea of an eye for an eye, but this idea is not always a smart way to live by. Young Fortinbras, Laertes, and Hamlet are all looking to get revenge for the deaths of their dads. There are three major bloodlines in the Tragedy of Hamlet. These are the bloodlines of King Fortinbras, Polonius, and King Hamlet. The fathers of each of these families are brutally murdered within the play. Fortinbras, King of Norway, is killed by King Hamlet; killed by sword during a hand-to-hand battle. “our valiant Hamlet-for so this side of our known world esteemed him-did slay this Fortinbras. ” This boastful Hamlet received land that was possessed by Fortinbras because it was written in a sealed contract.

Hamlet’s Internal Conflict and Self-Doubt

Polonius is subordinate to the King and a dad to Laertes and Ophelia. He is nosey and arrogant, and he does not trust his children. He is murdered by a young Hamlet while he is in a conversation between Hamlet and his mother, “How now! A rat? Dead, for a ducat, dead!” King Hamlet is the King of Denmark and Hamlet’s father. He has killed King Fortinbras, only to be murdered by his brother, Claudius. “My offense is rank; it smells to heaven; A brother’s murder?” Each of these events affects the sons of the deceased in the same way; it enrages them. Shakespeare uses the revenge theme to create conflict between Hamlet and Claudius. In Act I, scene 5, Hamlet is awoken by the ghost, who was his father. He makes Hamlet aware of his murderous death when he tells Hamlet how Claudius murdered him.

The ghost says this to Hamlet about Claudius, “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.” This is when Hamlet is first introduced to the revenge plot between himself and Claudius. Hamlet wants to make sure that the ghost is his deceased father before he kills Claudius. In order to do this, Hamlet has people recreate the death of his father presented before Claudius and declares him guilty based on his reaction to the play. “O good Horatio, I’ll take the ghost’s word for a thousand pounds. ” Hamlet declares Claudius’ guilt to Horatio and now understands that he must continue with his revenge plot.

The conflict between Hamlet and Claudius is delayed by Hamlet but does invently occur in the last scene. Hamlet’s mother has just died before this, Hamlet has been brutally murdered by Laertes’ poisoned sword, and Hamlet has just struck Laertes with a fatal blow when Laertes says that this was all brought on by Claudius. Hamlet, now understanding that there is no more time for him to postpone his revenge, stabs Claudius and kills him.

Interpersonal Conflicts and Tragic Consequences

“The point is poisoned too! Then venom, to thy work Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, drink off this potion-is thy union here? Follow my mother. ” This left the King dead, and his father’s death avenged. Shakespeare uses the revenge plot to create conflict between Laertes and Hamlet by having Laertes avenge his father’s and sister’s death which Hamlet is responsible for. After learning of his father’s death, Hamlet decides that he can no longer trust anyone besides Horatio. While acting out his madness, he visits Ophelia and cuts off his ties with her because of his distrust of everyone. In Act III, when Hamlet talks with his mother, he notices that he is being spied upon. Thinking that it is the King, Hamlet mistakenly kills Polonius, who was hiding behind a big rug, which for some medieval reason, was hung on the wall. It is believed Ophelia herself went mad because of Hamlet’s rude and violent treatment of her and also because Hamlet killed her father.

In Act IV, Ophelia’s madness drives her to walk into the river and drown. When Laertes comes back from France, he hears the horrible news and says, And so have I a noble father lost; A sister driven into desperate terms, Whose worth, if praises may go back again, Stood challenger on mount of all the age For her perfections: but my revenge will come. Laertes is plotting revenge against the murderer of his father and sister, Hamlet. Claudius asks Laertes, “What would you undertake, To show yourself in deed your father’s son, More than in words? ” Claudius and Laertes conclude that they will hold a sword duel between Hamlet and Laertes. Laertes will have poison on his sword, and Claudius will have a glass with poison in it ready for Hamlet to quench his thirst.

During the duel, Hamlet is scratched by his poison-tipped sword of Laertes. It is now inevitable that Hamlet will die. Therefore, the conflict between Laertes and Hamlet resulted in revenge for Laertes. The lack of thought used in exacting the revenge leads to the deaths of both Laertes and Hamlet. Laertes plans with Claudius to kill Hamlet with the poisoned-tipped sword, but they had not thought that the sword might be used against them.

With Laertes believing the King’s accusations that Hamlet had murdered his father, he was in a blind rage and would not listen to Hamlet’s explanation and apology. “I am satisfied in nature with my revenge. I stand aloof and will not reconcile. But till that time, I do receive your offered love like love and will not do it wrong. “. He fights Hamlet and wounds him once with the poisoned tipped sword, but unfortunately, their swords are switched, and Hamlet and Laertes with the sword. That is the wound by which Laertes dies. Hamlet had many chances to kill his uncle, but his rage outweighed his intelligence; he chose to wait until the lord could see no good in Claudius and then strike him down into a world of eternal damnation.

“Now might I do it pat, now he is praying; A villain kills my father; and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven. ” Hamlet waits until he can kill his uncle while he is performing a sin; unfortunately for Hamlet, the sin is the poisoning of his son-in-law. Hamlet dies of his poisoned wound. Young Fortinbras regains his father’s land without the use of violence or death to himself. Hamlet crowns him the new ruler of Denmark before he dies, and Fortinbras once again gains all of his father’s taken land and becomes King of Denmark.

Delayed Revenge and Its Outcomes

Through the revenge theme, Shakespeare creates an interior conflict between Hamlet and himself. In Hamlet’s first soliloquy, Hamlet displays his melancholy state of being and his unwillingness to live. ” Or that the Everlasting had not fixed His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter! ” Hamlet states that if God was not against suicide, then he would take his own life. In Hamlet’s second soliloquy, after the meeting with his father’s ghost, he beats himself up by saying, “Am I a coward…?, and, I am pigeon-livered, and lack gall”. Hamlet is craving revenge at this time, but he is questioning his will to kill Claudius, so he calls himself a coward. Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave, That I, the son of a dear father murdered, Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, Must like a whore unpack my heart with words,(2. 2. 584-588)

The greatest interior conflict between Hamlet and himself occurs when Hamlet delays the killing of Claudius. Hamlet carefully examines the need to avenge his fathers death: A villain kills my father, and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send To heaven. O, this is hire and salary, not revenge. (3. 4. 76-79) Postponing at this point is Hamlet’s tragic flaw. The conflict between Hamlet and himself is solved when Hamlet kills Claudius because he knew was going to die soon and has very little time left. Therefore, the self-conflict between Hamlet and his mind evolved from the revenge plot. Since the Heads of the three major kings were each murdered, the oldest sons of these families wanted vengeance, and two out of the three sons perished while carrying out their acts of vengeance, revenge is a major theme in the Tragedy of Hamlet.

Conclusion

As a theme, revenge was in all parts of the play. It seems weird that Claudius, Laertes, and Hamlet have been murdered by the same sword. It is also ironic that the first to seek revenge against Claudius, Fortinbras, becomes King of Denmark. Revenge was the motive behind the three of the protagonists of the play; for two, it ended up downfall, and for the other, it led to power.

References

1. Shakespeare, William. “Hamlet.” The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Edited by David Bevington, 7th ed., Pearson, 2013.

Personal Beliefs: King’s Take on Childhood Horrors in Film

Childhood Imagination vs. Adult Skepticism: King’s Exploration of Horror Films Through Innocent Eyes

In the article “My Creature from the Black Lagoon” by Stephen King, King compares and contrasts the reactions between adults and children with horror films. He begins the article by telling a very detailed childhood story and uses the expression of strong adjectives that paint a picture in the reader’s head. King argues that as children, we have a broader imagination that works perfectly with horror films, unlike adults, who sometimes do not have the strength to believe the story, almost ruining the point of the horror genre. He uses his emotions and memory to strengthen his thesis and to really pull the audience in using a personal experience. King does an excellent job of providing detailed storytelling and personal experience in his research and providing a clear message to the audience that supports his entire subject, resulting in a great article.

The purpose of this article was to inform and entertain his readers on the differences between a child’s imagination and that of an adult when it comes to horror films. He does this by using word painting at the introduction of the article. The use of word painting made it possible to put the reader right beside him that day he experienced watching the film “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” “By the time the Creature made his appearance, my brother had slithered down onto the floor of the back and had fallen asleep.” (King, 102).

King later starts to compare and contrast typical horror movies to children’s Disney movies, revealing that they both actually have a lot in common. This does a really great job of persuading the reader to agree with what King is saying by taking something so innocent as a Disney movie, analyzing the story, and comparing it to something horrific that would scare even an adult. His point is very evident when he is talking about the Disney story of Hansel and Gretel, “it progresses to kidnapping (the witch in the candy house), enslavement, illegal detention, and finally justifiable homicide and cremation.” (King, 106), all subjects that can be easily turned into a rated R horror film.

Personal Beliefs and the Power of Childhood Conviction: King’s Insight into the Adult vs. Child Imagination in Horror

After reading the first few pages, it is clear why King wrote this article that it is easier for a child to believe the unbelievable compared to that of an adult. He makes the message very clear throughout the article by providing examples and using compare and contrast. At one point, he steers away from the horror genre and backs his belief by using examples of make-believe figures that children believe in, “Children deftly manipulate the logistics of Santa Claus’s entry on Christmas Eve (he can get down small chimneys by making himself small, and if there’s no chimney there’s a letter slot, and if there’s no letter slot there’s always the crack under the door)..” (King, 103). As adults, we know Santa Clause is not real, but to a child, if Santa Clause is real and able to magically squeeze through cracks, then anything can be possible, even the creature from the black lagoon.

Being considered the “king” of horrors, King is very biased on the subject he is discussing. From the beginning, he makes his opinion very clear to the audience and does not provide any scientific evidence or other quotes to support his thesis. Instead, he relies solely on his beliefs and life experiences. This makes it very evident that he is biased in this article, but he effectively compares and contrasts his ideas to persuade the audience that he is correct.

Even though King does not use any research to support his thesis, he attempts to connect to his readers by using his own personal experience and beliefs. He relies on the reader to have similar experiences as him as a child and even as an adult to make his message clear. “There are adults today who, when questioned, will tell you that the most frightening thing they saw at the movies as children was Bambi’s father shot by the hunter or Bambi and his mother running before the forest fire.” (King, 103-104).

With compare and contrast, he explains the differences between a child’s imagination and believing a film compared to that of an adult. As King wrote, “In this sense, kids are the perfect audience for horror. The paradox is this: children, who are physically quite weak, lift the weight of unbelief with ease.” (King, 103). With some adults, he says, “The muscles of the imagination have grown too weak.” (King, 103). For someone who is familiar with King’s work, this approach could work, but he could have used more quotes and evidence from other articles and authors to strengthen his thesis.

Personal Voice and Final Reflections: Stephen King’s Authentic Appeal and Conclusive Thoughts on Horror’s Allure for the Young

King’s tone throughout the article stayed consistent; he was very passionate about the subject and made it clear this was a personal belief that he wanted to be heard. He wrote the article using an informal writing style in order to use certain words that enable the reader to feel what he is feeling, almost as if he is talking directly to you, “Guys like me who wear glasses have a hell of a time with 3-D, you know; ask anyone who wears specs how they like those nifty little cardboard glasses they give you when you walk in the door.” (King, 106). This was a great method to use in order to really connect to the audience.

In conclusion, King did a great job of making the message clear to the audience about his opinion that it is easier for children to believe a horror film than adults. Nothing should be changed or added because he was still able to support his thesis by convincing the audience through personal experiences and his overall opinion. Even though he did not use any other form of research, he was still able to effectively prove that his thesis was correct.

References

1. Bettelheim, B. (1976). The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales.
2. Carroll, N. (1990). The Philosophy of Horror: Or, Paradoxes of the Heart. Routledge.
3. Tudor, A. (1989). Monsters and Mad Scientists: A Cultural History of the Horror Movie. Wiley-Blackwell.
4. Piaget, J. (1962). Play, Dreams and Imitation in Childhood. W. W. Norton & Company.

Rupi Kaur’s Femininity in Literature: Exploring the Essence

Appreciating the Poetic Craftsmanship

An author I have always admired and who has written a couple of my favorite books is Rupi Kaur. Rupi Kaur is an Indian poet who now lives in Canada. I have always loved poetry, as it gives certain imagery and has a rhythm to it. The author can express themselves creatively through metaphors, similes, and personification. I enjoy taking apart the lines and really trying to understand the message the author is trying to convey. Rupi Kaur’s poems are pretty straightforward, with a clear message. Most of her writings are accompanied by drawings, which are really gorgeous and help view the poem.

Empowering Themes of Femininity

My personal favorite book by Rupi Kaur is ‘Milk & Honey.’ This book is her first collection of poems. It has a lot of themes, the main one being femininity. Kaur’s words are very personal, and they really speak to me. She uses her poetry to apprehend common experiences that are not talked much about. She tells the truth of her own experiences, and this inspires me to speak my own truth. This book is split into four sections, ‘The Hurting,’ ‘The Loving,’ and ‘The Breaking,’ and ‘The Healing.’ ‘The Hurting’ focuses on Kaur’s childhood abuse, ‘The Loving’ talks about her first romantic relationship, ‘The Breaking’ talks about heartbreak, and ‘The Healing’ focuses on the healing process, liberation, and the ability to unlearn the destructive instructions she was taught about love, sex, and femininity growing up.

The Empowering Aura of ‘The Healing’

My favorite section in this book is ‘The Healing.’ Rupi Kaur empowers women through the concept of self-love. Being able to relate to most of the words written by Kaur has inspired me to become more positive and strong. Her words give me a feeling of confidence that even though I have faced difficulties in the past, I can work toward a better future. Kaur’s poetry comforts me, and she reiterates that every being is born unique and is important in this world.

Resonating Empowerment in Kaur’s Poetry

Rupi Kaur’s poems remind women of their own personal power. Her work is almost an imploration for action to women everywhere to accept themselves and celebrate womanhood. Kaur shows how being a woman can be power, something that she and many other women do not recognize in their own lives. In World Literature this semester, I want to gain knowledge and understanding of different types of writing. I want to be able to not only analyze text but really understand it. A book is so much more than words; there is a whole other meaning beneath them. That is something I have not always paid attention to, but it is a skill I would like to gain from this class.

References:

1. Are Some of Our Dreams Glimpses From A Parallel Universe? (2014).
2. McNamara, P. (2014). Do worlds interact?
3. Parallel Universes: Theories & Evidence (2018).

Investigate how themes of migration are depicted in a contemporary novel or shor

Investigate how themes of migration are depicted in a contemporary novel or short story collection. Select a work from the last fifty years that focuses on migration experiences. Analyze how the author portrays the challenges and opportunities of migration, its impact on the characters, and the broader themes of the narrative. Use specific examples from the text and relevant historical or sociological references to support your analysis.

Background:
Since the beginning of this semester, we have been focusing on techn

Background:
Since the beginning of this semester, we have been focusing on technology and media-related topics, whether we were reading about ChatGPT and AI or discussing the consequences of cancel culture. However, for this last essay assignment, we will turn our focus to a different topic that will help you explore your future academic and career goals as well as satisfy one of the SLOs (Student Learning Outcomes) for our class:
Use reflective writing to explore aspects of their identities, career goals, interests, learning experiences, and/or values.
As a community college student myself, I spent a number of years “trying out” different majors. I began my academic career as a Psychology major, and then I switched to Business for a few semesters. Finally, I came to the realization that I was just doing what other people expected of me, when the answer was right there! As someone who had always enjoyed reading and writing, majoring in English seemed like the ideal path for me. But, getting to this point took a good deal of reflection, trial and error, and advice from educators.
Choosing a major is a pivotal decision in one’s academic journey, shaping future career prospects and personal growth. For this essay, you will spend time doing some personal reflection as well as research to explore your potential major. At the same time, some of you may have different goals other than selecting a major like pursuing a certificate, seeking personal enrichment, or something else.
Writing Task/Prompt:
For this assignment, you will write a five-seven page essay (worth 100 pts.) that encourages you to engage in both self-reflection and research to determine the best path forward for your academic and personal aspirations. Through introspection and investigation, you will gain clarity on your interests, strengths, and goals, while also examining your field of study’s academic possibilities and career opportunities.
If you are undecided about a major, that’s okay too, as this will give you a chance to explore different options. You may even find that this project will help you narrow down your major.
This essay will include the different writing styles/genres that we are covering in this class (narration, description, analysis, and argument). Your essay should also be split up into different sections (listed below), but be unified with a thesis statement that is supported with personal experience as well as logical reasoning and evidence from at least five credible sources.
Sections of Your Essay:
Each Part should encompass around one-two paragraphs (this is mainly about the body of your essay. You, of course, still need introduction and conclusion paragraphs).
Part 1: Personal Reflection
Reflect on your academic journey thus far and consider your interests, strengths, and goals. What experiences, classes, or activities have sparked your curiosity or passion? Describe any uncertainties or challenges you may have encountered in determining your academic path. Are there specific skills or knowledge areas you wish to develop? How do you envision your future, both academically and personally?
In this section, narration, description, and analysis will come into play.
Part 2: Exploration and Goal Setting
Explore various academic paths available to you, including selecting a major, pursuing a certificate or specialized training, or engaging in self-directed learning. Research the requirements, curriculum, and potential outcomes associated with each option. Consider how each path aligns with your interests, strengths, and long-term goals. Evaluate the feasibility and practicality of each option based on your personal circumstances and aspirations.
In this section, analysis and narration will come into play.
Part 3: Synthesis and Action Plan
Synthesize your personal reflections with your exploration findings. How do your interests, strengths, and goals inform your decision-making process? Reflect on the potential benefits and challenges of each academic path you have considered. Develop a concrete action plan outlining steps you will take to further explore your chosen path or paths. Consider seeking guidance from academic advisors, mentors, or professionals in your field(s) of interest.
In this section, argumentation and analysis will come into play.
Part 4: Optional: Controversial Topic Exploration
While this is not required, to broaden your essay, you might choose a controversial topic within your potential major or area of interest and conduct in-depth research. This could be an ethical dilemma, a technological advancement, a policy debate, or any issue currently sparking discussion in your field. Analyze various perspectives on the topic, the arguments presented, and the potential implications for the future of the field. Reflect on how this controversy might impact your decision to pursue this major and how you might engage with such issues in your future career. As an example, let’s say you are majoring in Nursing or another medical field, you could look into how technology is being used to prolong lives, the Ozempic weight loss trend, or something else.
In this section, argumentation and analysis will come into play.
Begin Researching:
Go online and type your subject into Google or another search engine and do some preliminary research to see what’s out there
When you are researching college majors or how to choose a major, I would recommend either avoiding or being cautious about using sources that are connected to specific colleges (unless it is the college you are interested in attending), as this will generally be more of an advertisement for that specific school. Instead, look for general sources that are not affiliated with specific colleges.
Go to the Cuyamaca College LibraryLinks to an external site. homepage and research answers to your questions. Based on your research, formulate a working thesis
Devise a search strategy and gather sources. Gather more sources than you need; this way you can go through and evaluate them and see what’s most useful for your project. Keep track of your sources!
As information is to knowledge, so too is a “report” to a “research essay.” You are not writing an extended summary of sources; rather, you are writing a persuasive essay in which sources are used to support your claims. You must make an argument in this essay, not merely summarize facts.
Analyze your sources thoroughly from a persuasive standpoint to determine their usefulness and credibility. If you do not know the author or origin of a source, if you do not thoroughly understand a source, do not use it! Don’t jeopardize your credibility. Remember, don’t let the sources overtake your paper
Requirements for Sources:
Your essay must have at least five credible/reliable sources (you can use sources listed below, but you still need to find at least four of your own sources)
You must include at least one article from the electronic databases (they can be accessed through the library’s homepage)
You can use magazines (i.e. Time, Rolling Stone, GQ), newspapers (e.g. San Diego Union Tribune, New York Times) and books
Limit your use of general websites (Yahoo, CNN, etc.)
Do not use general encyclopedic works (e.g., the dictionary, the Encyclopedia Britannica, Wikipedia) in your essay
You may also conduct interviews and perform surveys
Start researching as soon as possible
**Remember that a well-researched paper will include a variety of sources. Also, for academic papers, books and scholarly journals tend to provide the most credible information.
Sources to Potentially Check Out (or Use) for Your Essay (some are links to websites while others are PDFs):
“I’m a History Professor. Here’s What Students Need to Know About Choosing a Major so They Succeed in College”Links to an external site.
“Building Your Dream Life: How to Turn Passion into Purpose”Links to an external site.
“Choosing the Right College Major”Links to an external site.
“How to Pick Your College Major” (Video)Links to an external site.
“College Alternatives: Less Expensive Career Paths” (Video)Links to an external site.
“Women in STEM Education”Actions
“Six Myths About Choosing Your College Major”Actions
Plagiarism:
Like all essays written for this class, your research essay must constitute original work (that means that you cannot use an essay that you have already written for another class). Furthermore, since this is a research essay, all sources must be cited accurately, using MLA format. Rule of Thumb: If you are ever unsure about whether to cite or not, cite it! If you have any questions about plagiarism or citing, please talk to me and/or review Cuyamaca’s plagiarism policy. We also have a number of MLA resources that we have been discussing over the course of this semester.
AI/ChatGPT Policy for English 120 (8914):
The use of generative AI tools (ChatGPT, Grammarly, Dall-e, etc.) can be used for the following activities in our class:
Brainstorming ideas
Checking grammar and style
Receiving feedback on writing
Help with researching
The use of generative AI tools (ChatGPT, Grammarly, Dall-e, etc.) cannot be used for the following activities in our class:
Writing assignments (Essays, Exploratory Writings, and Quizzes), and this includes smaller sections of the writing like paragraphs and multiple sentences
Impersonating you or your writing in a Discussion or Workshop, including Replies to your peers
Regardless of how you use ChatGPT, you are responsible for the information and content you submit in this class. You also need to include, in the assignment, what parts are generated by ChatGPT, or how you used it to help you. Any assignment that utilizes ChatGPT in an unauthorized manner will be subjected to our Plagiarism policy. In short, this means you will be contacted by me in an email or in my comments on the assignment, and depending on the situation, you may have a chance to redo or revise the assignment (if I give you a 0). However, as we watched in the video, AI detectors are unreliable, and so it’s a mixture of intuition, discussion, and learning as we go. Therefore, in my opinion, it is best to be honest about it as I am more willing to give you another chance to do the work.
Requirements/Rubric:
Your grade will be based on how well your essay:
Addresses the assignment thoughtfully, analytically, and creatively
Contains a clear and concise thesis statement which states an arguable, definitive position
Contains cohesive, focused, body paragraphs that relate back to your thesis
Contains summaries, paraphrases, and direct quotations of a minimum of five sources
Includes specific personal experience where relevant
Contains a logically progressive structure that covers the three (or four) parts mentioned above
Maintains audience awareness (appeal to and persuade your readers)
Includes a counter-argument (the other side of the issue, so you are seen as credible)
Contains sentence variety and an appropriate tone
Is nearly free of punctuation, mechanical, and spelling errors
Is five-seven pages typed, double-spaced and formatted in MLA style (the Works Cited page is not included in the four page requirement)
Avoids plagiarism or the use of AI generated content (this may result in decreased grade and potentially a 0 for the assignment
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Things to note about me:
I am going into a Bio major and want to become a PA
Science and helping others has always sparked my passion
I tend to give up easily
A challenge has been tearing my ACL and giving up on most things, including sports and school
I want to be successful and make my parents proud
I’m a first gen and want to complete things my parents never had the privilege to do, which was to have education

This annotated bibliography is supposed to be built off of the subject in the ar

This annotated bibliography is supposed to be built off of the subject in the article you selected from the research binder. If your article was about Mangrove trees, then some research about mangroves makes sense – you also might need information about shrimp farming, the effect of mangrove trees on climate change (and so on).
Your Annotated Bibliography must consist of a diverse body of research. The requirements for these are your source from the Research Binder PLUS:
1) One article from a .org or a .edu
2) One article from an Academic Journal (https://library.fau.edu/)
3) One article from a Popular Magazine
4) One additional credible publication of your choosing (Ted Talks are useful! So are documentaries), choose this one last – and use it to fill in the research blank in your body of research.
SAMPLE:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12T2YdrTlQa0tu3…