The Supernatural in Shakespeares Richard III Essay example

The Supernatural in Shakespeares Richard III Casting a darkly mythical aura around Richard III, supernatural elements are intrinsic to this Shakespearean history play. The prophetic dreams of Clarence and Stanley blur the line between dream and reality, serving to foreshadow impending doom. The ghosts that appear before Richard III and Richmond before their battle create an atmosphere of dread and suspense, and they also herald Richards destiny. The curses of three female royalties are fulfilled at the end, serving as reminders that the divine powers are stronger than Richards malice. Together, the supernatural elements of dreams, ghosts, and curses unify the plot of Richard III and allow the divine to triumph over evil. Dreams†¦show more content†¦Clarence dreams of the torments he must face from the spirits in the netherworld because he has killed Edward, and this foreshadows the appearance of the ghosts in Richard?s dream before his battle against Richmond. Stanley?s dream, too, reveals Richard?s murderous streak. In Act III scene iv, Stanley dreams that Hastings is being gored by a boar, Richard?s heraldic symbol. Soon after, this dream merges into reality as Richard orders Hasting?s execution. Cursed by Margaret as an ?elvish-marked abortive, rooting hog? (I, iii. 225), Richard is seen as a deformed and dangerous changeling. The boar in Stanley?s dream reinforces this image of Richard, and it reinstates Richard?s aggressive and violent tendencies. Although Hastings is involved in Stanley?s dream, he does not dream, but curses Richard by saying to his executioners: ?Come lead me to the block; bear [Richard] my head./They smile at me, who shortly shall be dead? (III, v. 106-107). This reality follow-up to Stanley?s dream foreshadows Richard?s imminent death due to his ruthless killings. Beginning with Anne?s declaration of Richard as the ?devil? that no mortals can endure (I, ii. 45-46), the motif of ghosts and demons continues to weave its way into Richard III as Richard is continually associated with hellhounds and with the shape-shifting Proteus, and as the two young princes Edward and Richard discuss the ghosts of their dead uncles. TheShow MoreRelatedThe Effectiveness of William Shakespeares Use of Supernatural in the Final Act of Richard III948 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Use of Supernatural in the Final Act of Richard III Richard III was written by William Shakespeare and tells the story of how Richard III wants to become king and does everything in his power to get there by assassinating members of his family to do so, for example, the Duke of Clarence, Lord Hastings, Lady Anne, Lord Rivers, the Duke of Buckingham, Henry VI, Prince Edward, Prince Edward V and Prince Richard. The last Act contains many supernatural elementsRead MoreShakespeare: Magic and Supernatural Occurances Essay1705 Words   |  7 PagesMagic and supernatural occurrences in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Richard III, and The Tempest are used to create a surreal world to confuse and resolve conflicts in each play. Magic provides the audience with an escape from reality and the comfort of the play’s unrealistic nature. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a love potion from a magical flower is used and misused to provide comic relief and resolution to love’s difficulties, supernatural ghosts are used to condemn a horrific murdererRead More The Supernatural in Shakespeares Works Essay1747 Words   |  7 PagesThe Supernatural in Shakespeares Works No one questions the fact that William Shakespeare is a pure genius when it comes to creating immortal characters whose characteristics transcends those of the normal supernatural beings, but most students of literature agree that his uses of the supernatural aren’t merely figments of his creative imagination. Every man, woman, and child is influenced by the age into which they are born and Shakespeare was no exception. Not only does his use of supernaturalRead MoreThe Contribution of the Supernatural to Richard III Essay973 Words   |  4 PagesThe Contribution of the Supernatural to Richard III During the Renaissance period people were very superstitious and England on a whole was an extremely religious country; people believed in both God and the Devil and Heaven and Hell. They also believed in prophecies, supernatural and curses. A modern audience would have reacted very differently to the play than a Shakespearean audience. The events contained within Richard III must have seemed very real to a ShakespeareanRead MoreRichard IIi As A Historic Play1730 Words   |  7 PagesRichard III is literarily known as a historic play. This play portrays historical events, such as when the play opens, Edward IV has become re-crowned. This play represents 14 years of events which is condensed into about 14 days. There are ultimately elements of tragedy and comedy throughout this play and many of which these elements seem unusual to this documented event in history. The first factor that is revealed that makes this play not entirely a historic retelling is that Shakespeare makesRead MoreShakespeare and Supernatural Elements1772 Words   |  8 Pagesgenius when it comes to creating immortal characters whose characteristics transcends those of the normal supernatural beings, but most students of literature agree that his uses of the supernatural arent merely figments of his creative imagination. Every man, woman, and child is influenced by the age into which they are born and Shakespeare was no exception. Not only does his use of supernatural elements within his works reveal the Elizabethans obsession with mythical beliefs, but it also revealsRead MoreHamlet and Macbeth by William Shakespeare810 Words   |  3 PagesMacbeth, and Richard III. The length of each play can alter the feeling of being apart of the play for the reader. By far Hamlet has the greatest length of the three, followed by Richard III and then by Macbeth. Despite all three plays being enjoyable to read, the mere length difference of Hamlet or Macbeth or Richard III makes for a more enjoyable and relatable read. Hamlet as a whole is easier to relate to because we get to know and follow Hamlet much longer than Macbeth or Richard III.Not sayingRead MoreMacbeth, By William Shakespeare1682 Words   |  7 PagesWhen we are first introduced to Macbeth in William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth he is illustrated as a loyal warrior hero to Scotland. Macbeth’s recognition on the battlefield helps gain him great honor from King Duncan who later announces him as Thane of Cawdor. However, throughout the play the audience is able to discover his human flaws. Ironically, his first characteristic of being a mighty powerful man actually changes to be a we ak man who gets stepped all over on. Through his soliloquies forRead MoreAnalysis Of Shakespeares Richard IIi 1865 Words   |  8 PagesThe Roles of Women in Richard III Shakespeare’s plays often share some of the same themes: greed, guilt, good and evil, unrequited or forbidden love. Perhaps the most overlooked theme is the plight of women in the time of Shakespeare. In a notoriously patriarchal part of history, the role of women was taboo subject matter; however, Shakespeare had no qualms about commenting on the female condition in his works. In his play Richard III, Shakespeare very clearly details the ways in which women sufferRead MoreEssay on The Power of Women in Richard III1491 Words   |  6 PagesThe Power of Women in Richard III In Shakespeares The Tragedy of King Richard the Third, the historical context of the play is dominated by male figures. As a result, women are relegated to an inferior role. However, they achieve verbal power through their own discourse of religion and superstition. In the opening speech of Act 1, Scene 2, Lines 1-30 Lady Anne orients the reader to the crucial political context of the play and the metaphysical issues contained within it (Greenblatt, 509)

Essay on Varying Ideas on What Makes a Just Society

Philosophers from the ancient times to philosophers of today and the modern society all have voiced their opinions on how a government should be set up and ruled in order to have a just society. Some philosophers say that the government is corrupt and unjust while others argue that the government controls fairly and appropriately. The two main positions that philosophers believe are resources in society should be distributed to obtain common good and live life as long as you do not infringe on others. The laws and rules the United States government currently has in place today often originate from these philosophers ideas and work to maintain a just society. The definition of a just society can be described as a society with equality and†¦show more content†¦In his book he also described how the ideal life should be lived by all people in society. Plato believed in five regimes of government: Aristocracy, timocracy, Oligarchy, Democracy, and Tyranny but argued that a democ racy was the best for the people in a society. Tyranny is the worst according to Plato because it causes chaos and Oligarchy causes a society to split between the rich and poor. Plato said that democracy was best for its people because it is stable, fair, and provides safety for its people through natural rights. Democracy evenly distributes goods to everyone and Montesquieu strongly agreed with Plato’s philosophies on government ruling. Baron de Montesquieu philosophies on government are the most influential to the United States government today and how the people living in the states are governed. He uses some of the same ideas that Plato once voiced in The Republic about democracy and forms of government. Baron De Montesquieu said the main purpose of government is to maintain law and order, political liberty, and property of the individual. Separation of powers was a big idea and Montesquieu called the two types of government the Sovereign and the Administrative. The Adm inistrative form of government involves the judicial, legislative and the executive branches and is most like the democracy that the United States uses today. Montesquieu also is antithetical to anyShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Big Brother And George Orwells 1984713 Words   |  3 Pagesworld where having varying ideas from the government would end your existence. You need to think the same as everyone else in order to survive. You need to find someone that shares your ideas in order to begin a Revolution. When you finally find someone, the one person you trusted turns you over to the government, and you are tortured with your wildest fears. These what-if’s become reality in 1984, a novel written by George Orwell. Orwell’s 1984 follows the story of a dystopian society and one man’s pathRead MoreCultural Relativism784 Words   |  4 Pagespossess individualistic and varying moral codes. In this paper, I will argue that cultural relativism is deemed as invalid. In respect to my argument, I will discuss its invalidity due to four varying concepts: non-excusable and excusable actions, morality of individuals, chaos, and the fact that not forming a judgement is still a judgement. The first point that reinforces the idea that cultural relativism is invalid pertains to the idea that some actions in society are completely unacceptable.Read MoreAddiction and Society1653 Words   |  7 PagesIn our society we place high regard in individuals that are independently motivated and generally motivated towards purposes that are considered to be respectable within our society as contributing something. When individuals suffer from addiction deviate from this acceptable behavior they are often ostracized by society and in turn fall into a cycle where they are unable to better themselves not only because of their own addiction but because of the limiting view of an addict in our society. WhenRead MoreThe French Revolution And The American Revolution1137 Words   |  5 Pagesto varying degrees, however the French revolution was the most radical of the three. The American revolution revolved around American gaining independence from Britain and ensured its citizensâ€℠¢ natural rights. The French revolution involved the strong institution of law focused on Enlightenment ideas. Social reform is what the Haitians’ focus was in changing the governing of its people. The revolutions of each initially involved political problems that were sparked by the Enlightenment ideas. HoweverRead MoreDiscrimination In Society In Small Town Boy1204 Words   |  5 PagesSociety molds people to fit its own image and people who try to create change are discriminated against. By accepting ourselves and helping others do the same we become can become a diverse society without prejudice. Despite the benefits of a diverse society such as a variety of points of view, there is a large amount prejudice within families, towns, and cultures. Preconceptions about others influence the people within society and force them to change while those who fail to do so are pushed awayRead MoreMachiavelli And Socrates Similarities1437 Words   |  6 Pagesimportant. In this ma nner, the two philosophers tend to differ on several major ideas, namely the use of violence, political goals, and their method of research. Due to this polarization in ethical and political values, Socrates would have greatly disapproved of Machiavelli’s ideals, despite the identical backgrounds they share. The point that Machiavelli and Socrates differ on the most is the concept of violence and doing what needs to be done in a particular situation. According to Machiavelli, violenceRead MoreMythical Accounts By Ancient Egypt Essay1724 Words   |  7 Pagescontextual foundations and influence in society. The myths describe not only the societal hierarchy, but also enactments of rituals and a chronicled view of life in ancient Egypt gripped by religious values. Mythology employs the believer’s creative imagination, where according to Ions: â€Å"Egyptian myths†¦cannot be considered as fixed stories†¦their function in the Egyptian religion was to provide a notation of symbols with which to express ideas; if the ideas changed, then the myth also had to changeRead MorePlato s Theory Of The Soul1125 Words   |  5 Pages In this essay, I will be discussing how Plato divides the soul into three parts and how they are related with one another, what they are and what this division is supposed to tell us about the best life to live. Plato’s theory which can be referred to as justice in the individual, is split into three parts: appetite, spirit and reason. Throughout this essay, I will explore each part of this mechanism and how Plato believes this is the ideal way to live by being harmonious with these parts of consciousnessRead MoreReview of James H. Cones Martin Malcolm America: A Dream or A Nightmare1310 Words   |  6 Pagesother and what they meant to American society. Before the reader can understand why Martin and Malcolm developed such varying views on civil rights, he first discusses the details of the social and economic lifestyles that each man was raised. Cone explains that through their personal backgrounds, Martins stable familial and financial security where he was protected from racism as opposed to Malcolm, whose family was broken and economically deprived, is what cause oneRead More Is Human Cloning Another Frankenstein? Essay1272 Words   |  6 PagesShelley concludes that it is inappropriate for man to play god. With the advent of the science of creation, cloning, scientists now face the same problem that Shelley raised years ago. The applications of such research are numerous, all varying in severity. In what way the users for cloning are developed and performed is of much debate. Unfortunately, there is no absolute answer for the issue. nbsp; A popular suggestion is to develop cloning technology for medical use on humans. The creation

Positive and Negative Effects of Hydraulic Fracking Essay Example For Students

Positive and Negative Effects of Hydraulic Fracking Essay Hydraulic Fracturing is the cracking of the Marcellus Shale by injecting more than one million gallons of water, sand, and other chemicals at a high pressure into wells that go as far as 10,000 ft. deep. Miners and people who work for gas companies do this to collect the natural gas that shale rock produces. â€Å"Fracking† was developed by Haliburton about 60 years ago. This was a big break through because there was a point in time where the United States was considered energy poor. With this relatively new finding, the U.S. would have a great supply of natural gas, and it will also take part take part in our nations’ process of using â€Å"clean† energy in the future. Although there are many positives to the situation, there are also negatives. You can say that fracking is a double sided mirror; beauty and distortion. Haliburton was founded by Erle P. Haliburton in 1919, where he started with nothing but a wooden mixing box, thus starting an oil well cementing business in Oklahoma. Later on, around 1930 is when the company expanded more to doing things such as, testing cement mixers, offered â€Å"acidizing† services to break down resistance of limestone formations and increase production of gas of oil and gas (Haliburton, 2013). This was its first steps in becoming the world’s most vast offshore service. Providing its services to Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, China, Europe and lastly, was realigned to both eastern and western hemispheres in 2006-07 and divided its services into two divisions: completion and production, and drilling and evaluation. Here’s the beauty of it all; there are many positives to hydraulic cracking for example, there are more people who are getting employed whether they are helping . . ut ultimately it is a positive thing because of all of the benefits it’s brought to the U.S. it made lots of people happy; farmers, miners, and unemployed people who were able to get a job. The federal government is not completely involved in this action therefore leaving the individual states to govern themselves. Farmers get paid for miners to use their land, miners make a profit off of the oil they collect, and employees make a living with the job they now have. This helps slow down the use of greenhouse gases that ultimately make global warming happen. What is better? Killing 2 birds with one stone, or killing no birds at all? You decide.Works Cited Catskill Mountainkeeper. Catskill Mountainkeeper. N.p., n. d. Web. 16 Nov. 2013. Donate. Top Stories RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. WebAccess. Penn State Secure Login:. N.p., n. d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.