Play analysis

In the play Julius Caesar, Roman life during the time of the First Triumvirate is briefly depicted. Unfortunate events are highlighted by Shakespeare, suggesting that many people resort to superstition to navigate the uncertainties of the future. Superstition appears to be a common aspect of daily life for most Roman citizens. The setting of the […]

Soap operas are loved by most British people. The public’s obsession with soap operas is evident in their frequent viewing, reading of related magazines, and non-stop chatter about them. They relate to the characters as if they were real and become invested in their storylines. Even when a character is removed from the show, audiences […]

Macbeth by Shakespeare contains several terrifying and grave scenes, however, act 2 scene 2 is undeniably the most intense. The audience is not shown the murder of King Duncan but rather, Macbeth’s reaction to the crime and the dynamics between him and Lady Macbeth. Additionally, the gloomy setting contributes to a sinister atmosphere. This pivotal […]

I agree with the statement that The Importance of Being Earnest is unquestionably a comedy. There are numerous entertaining quotes and the plot itself is humorous. The storyline is a farce filled with coincidences that lead to an absurd climax. It uses irony to mock the everyday traditions of Victorian England. The language employed is […]

J B Priestley effectively employs dramatic devices in Act I of An Inspector Calls to communicate his concerns and ideas to the audience and engage them in the play. Written in 1945, after World War II, the play is however based in 1912, two years before World War I. J B Priestley’s play addresses his […]

In the 16th century, Shakespeare needed to ensure his plays were appropriate for all age groups due to the theatre being a popular source of entertainment. The audience was notorious for being disrespectful and reacting negatively if they disliked the performance. Shakespeare’s plays catered to a varied audience, including individuals from different social classes such […]

Within the play Streetcar Named Desire written by Tennessee Williams, the lives and relationship of Blanche DuBois and Stella Kowalski are plotted out in a scene of events that depicts astute betrayal and out of the ordinary family matters. Based on the time period of this play, that being of the Old South conservative dominated […]

Willy Russell’s ‘Educating Rita’ sees the first scene introduce many ideas which run throughout the play. The inventive use of such a large opening scene permits Russell to cover many issues and aspects within both character and theme which are extended and covered with more depth later in the play. Key points are introduced right […]

Willy Russell was born in Whiston, near Liverpool, England, in 1947. Russell has written a string of popular, award-winning plays and musicals, but perhaps one of the most well known is Educating Rita. In this play Willy Russell is very much producing a mirror image of parts of his life. As a child and growing […]

In the first act, Arthur Miller draws in and engages an audience, using several different techniques, such as dramatic irony, the use of language, stage direction and allegory. It is important that the audience is interested in the first act, because then they will want to watch the rest of the play. Arthur Miller establishes […]

In William Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream the audience follows the characters through a magical dreamlike adventure which creates thoughtful laughter. The comedy goes far beyond surface jokes because each trick holds a deeper meaning. Shakespeare’s immaculate and clever use of the English language presents his audience with an ongoing humor which is not […]

Stichomythia is a verbal fight between two characters in a book. In the book Hamlet stichomythia can be found in Act Three, Scene Four. This scene is between Gertrude and Hamlet. The significance of the stichomythia is to show how far Hamlet’s madness has gone. The scene starts off with Polonius telling Gertrude that he […]

In the Merchant of Venice written by William Shakespeare, a Christian named Antonio asks to borrow money from the Jewish money-lender shylock. Bassanio is the Christian that asks Antonio to borrow the money from shylock so he could marry the fair, rich, maiden Portia. Jews were treated with racial discrimination by the Christians, simply because […]

The prominent Alexander Pope once asserted, “Difficulties are the things which reveal the genuine nature of men.” His assertion implies that life’s challenges reveal the authenticity of people’s character. This notion not only holds true but is backed up by various literary masterpieces. Two works of literature that advocate this concept presented by Alexander Pope […]

In the play Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare explores the themes of love and hate. It is ultimately a love story between the characters Romeo and Juliet that ends in tragedy due to the ongoing feud between their families, the Montague’s and Capulet’s. Before Act 1 Scene 5 where the main characters would meet for the […]

The theme of victimization and its impact on Macbeth, the protagonist in William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, is examined. Different forms of victimization in his surroundings cause Macbeth to lose his authentic identity. Lady Macbeth’s immense ambition tricks him into murdering the king. This concept originates from the prophecies made by the witches, who plant in […]