Religious References in Shakespeare Plays - 2707 Words

William Shakespeare’s plays take place in a variety of settings- from early modern England to distant, otherworldly islands. They address a multitude of topics ranging from love to politics, which were often relevant to current events of the time, such as colonization or the Protestant Reformation. This social and political commentary, cleverly masked so as to avoid censorship and create humor, has become a topic of interest for literary and historical scholars alike. Shakespeare’s use of symbolism and metaphor is still very open for interpretation, and leads many conversations regarding his work. Specifically, his use of Christian themes and ideas in non-Christian settings, such as the island in The Tempest or Rome in Titus Andronicus, is interesting with regards to life in England at the time, as well as in the rest of the world. While some of these references may have gone over the heads of his audiences, many of them certainly did not, and as a result, we can look t o them for an accurate representation of the religious, political, and social climates in Elizabethan England. In order to better understand the significance of any references within Shakespeare’s works, as well as to how they were applicable to life in sixteenth century England, one must first have a fundamental grasp on the general atmosphere of the time with regards to issues such as religion and politics. Remarkably different from most Christian churches today, the sixteenth century Church of EnglandShow MoreRelatedReligion in Hamlet Essay1149 Words   |  5 Pagesfamous tragedies William Shakespeare has ever written. Found throughout Shakespeare’s tragedy are many religious references. According to Peter Milward, the author of Shakespeares Christianity: The Protestant and Catholic Poetics of Julius Caesar, Macbeth, and Hamlet, â€Å"From a purely religious point of view, which is more than just biblical, Hamlet is rich in homiletic material of all kinds, ref lecting almost every aspect of the religious situation in a deeply religious age† (Milward 9). TheseRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet As A Play That Contains Frequent Meditations On Suicide Essay1590 Words   |  7 Pagesthe question† (Shakespeare 3.1.56). Audiences know Shakespeare’s Hamlet as a play that contains frequent meditations on suicide, yet despite suicide’s obvious religious connections, audiences do not often consider how religion as a whole functions within the play. This lack of awareness partially results from the subtlety of many of Hamlet’s religious elements. Through his religious references and the resulting emphasis on the gravity of the sins of murder and suicide, Shakespeare clarifies the contradictoryRead MoreShakespeare s Influence Of Writing954 Words   |  4 PagesShakespeare’s staged life, a period in which his life is well known for, is what society knows him as today. The name Shakespeare today means Englis h poet, actor, and play write. Shakespeare is regarded and considered by some the greatest writer in the English language. Being England’s nation poet he constructed 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and other verses. His plays and works have influenced today’s theatres. Shakespeare’s intellect had nothing to do with facts but with ambition, intrigue, love, andRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare: Greatest Playwright of All1554 Words   |  7 PagesWilliam Shakespeare: Greatest Playwright of All William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was a British poet and playwright, he was well known as the greatest writer of all time, he was often called the Bard of Avon.Although many facts of his life remain unknown, his poems and plays are unique and have timeless theme that touch everyone’s heart, and are still widely studied and performed in today’s society. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, England enjoyed a time of prosperity and stability that ledRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare: Greatest Playwright of All1568 Words   |  7 PagesWilliam Shakespeare: Greatest Playwright of All William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was a British poet and playwright, he was well known as the greatest writer of all time, he was often called the Bard of Avon.Although many facts of his life remain unknown, his poems and plays are unique and have timeless theme that touch everyone’s heart, and are still widely studied and performed in today’s society. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, England enjoyed a time of prosperity and stability that ledRead MoreThe Elizabethan Age: Is There a History Behind the Theater? Essay examples1668 Words   |  7 Pagespoetry and other forms of literature, as well as growth in humanism and significantly the birth of professional theater in England. This period embodies the work of Sir Philip Sidney, Edmund Spenser, Christopher Marlowe, the well-known, William Shakespeare, and various other writers. Literary expression was an important part of the Elizabethan era, in which a variety of themes and outlines endured while others seemed to fade or darken. This was a time where national pride to influenced contemporaryRead More Essay on Religion in the Works of William Shakespeare1720 Words   |  7 PagesWorks of Shakespeare       The purpose of this essay is to explore the religious nature of William Shakespeares plays. This essay covers three topics surrounding Shakespeares work: the religious climate of 16th Century England, Shakespeares upbringing (school, parents, Stratford itself), and a brief introduction into the impact his society and upbringing had upon his work.    I. THE RELIGIOUS CLIMATE OF 16TH CENTURY ENGLAND    In order to understand the religious content inRead MoreEssay on King Lear is a Christian Play About a Pagan World1184 Words   |  5 PagesKing Lear is a Christian Play About a Pagan World It is evident that King Lear contains references to both the Christian and Pagan doctrine. However, they seem to be expressed in entirely different styles. King Lear is purposefully set in a pre Christian era with numerous references to classical Gods but conversely there appears to be a striking resonance of Christian theology throughout the play. These echoes appear in various forms including the idea of Edgar beingRead MoreAnalysis Of The Elizabethan Era And Shakespeares Hamlet807 Words   |  4 Pagesthe plot of the play. Written during the Elizabethan era, Shakespeare incorporates aspects of that time in order to engage the audience. Hamlet’s soliloquy in act four scene four, lines 33-66, targets the original Elizabethan audience by displaying cultural, social and economic aspects of that time period. In order to engage the audience, Shakespeare incorporates a large portion of the Elizabethan culture, which is religion. Throughout the play, there are countless references to the religionRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet - Suicide And Selfhood Essay1365 Words   |  6 Pagestrue† (Shakespeare 1.3.78)--suicide and selfhood: two issues that Hamlet ruminates on throughout Hamlet. Shakespeare reveals the connection between these two ideas through his references to Christianity throughout the play. By juxtaposing characters’ treatment of suicide and murder--two equally grave sins in a world governed by Christian morals--Shakespeare presents suicide as the greater sin because it represents something worse: the annihilation of the self. Through this contrast, Shakespeare reveals

Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart - 1007 Words

Fearful Flaw Okonkwo is the protagonist of Chinua Achebe’s story, Things Fall Apart. He has a calamitous flaw that dominates his life. His fear of failure and of weakness causes him to take unnecessary and destructive actions. His fear of weakness leads him to be emotionally distant from his children, beat his wives, kill Ikemefuna whom he loved, and the Commissioners messenger. His fear of failure causes him to disown his oldest son who did not meet his expectations, become well than his idle father, makes a comeback after exile, and keeps his property in check. Okonkwo needs his home, Umuofia to be untouched since its structure and system were measures that gave him worth and meaning in his life. He obligated to this purpose because his†¦show more content†¦Okonkwo was warned to not take part of the killing of the boy who called him father, but he ignored it. Ikemefuna had to walk into the forest and knew he was going to get killed. He called for Okonkwo, but Okonkw o did not want to show that he was weak so he killed him. Okonkwo did not want to admit that he was depressed for killing Ikemefuna, so he fell into a short depression. Okonkwo’s most loved child in the story, Enzima has an evil spirit in her. Chielo takes Enzima in the middle of the night because she said the god has called on her. Ekwefi follows because she wants to make sure Enzima does not get hurt. While Okonkwo stays at home worrying. He decided to go to the cave and back to his house through a period of three times. He has a fear of weakness so instead of staying at the cave waiting for Enzima and Chielo, he decides to return home. Then, he comes back again and meets Ekwefi. He also makes her his famous herb medicine because she was sick. This shows that Okonkwo cares for his family but his fear of weakness keeps him distanced. Okonkwo accidentally kills Ogbuefi Ezeudu’s son, which leads him to seven years of exile in his motherland, Mbanta. Although he is exile d this now prevents him from achieving more titles, he plans on making his sons besides Nowye achieve titles. His fear of failure causes him to plan out his comeback to Umoufia so his children will not become failures and maybe perhaps more successful than he is. He also plans having twoShow MoreRelatedChinua Achebes Things Fall Apart1601 Words   |  7 Pagesbelieved they were bringing positive changes and good deeds to the locals from an Imperialistic point of view, the majority of natives were affected by the political, cultural, religious, and economic changes which are depicted in the Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart. The novel primarily focuses on small villages such as Umuofia village in southern Nigeria, and the native’s first and prolonged contacts with the British expansionism or missionaries. In the novel, Achebe depicts the political changesRead MoreAnalysis of Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart1579 Words   |  6 PagesChinua Achebes 1958 novel Things Fall Apart marked a significant turning point not only for literature, but the world, because the novel is an attempt to blend the conflicting identities and ideologies of Africa in the wake of colonization. The novel depicts the destructive tension that arises between the traditions of the Igbo people and white colonizers, but, perhaps contrary to the readers expectation, it does not present either side as holding the ethical high ground. Rather, the novel suggestsRead MoreChinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart Essay2000 Words   |  8 PagesChinua Achebe’s novel â€Å"Things Fall Apart† chronicles the life of Okonkwo, a strong man whose existence is dominated by fear and anger, and the Ibo tribe, a people deeply rooted in cultural belief and tradition. As events unfold, Okonkwo’s carefully constr ucted world and the Ibo way of life collapses. The story of Okonkwo’s fall from a respected and feared leader of the Ibo tribe to an outcast who dies in disgrace dramatizes his inability to evolve beyond his personal beliefs, affecting the entireRead MoreChinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart Essay1736 Words   |  7 PagesThe classic African literary tale Things Fall Apart, written by Chinua Achebe, is a brilliant account of historical African culture and the destruction colonialism can cause upon such cultures. As the reader follows the narrative and complexity of the characters through the novel, a sense of pride, trust, and faith in history emerges. Yet, with the introduction of colonialism the characters must learn to embrace and adapt to a new culture and set of beliefs or face termination from society. TheRead MoreEssay on Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart1835 Words   |  8 PagesChinua Achebe’s â€Å"Things fall apart† is a story about a man named Okonkwo who is successful and physically strong. However, Okonkwo is emotionally unavailable and afraid that he will be seen as weak and that others will compare him to his father. The book’s peak is when Okonkwo does something considered immoral by killing a boy who he had taken in and raised as his own for three years, because he did not want to be seen as weak. Okonkwo is ruled by one obsession and that is to hate everything thatRead More Analysis of Achebes Impartiality in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart1098 Words   |  5 PagesAchebes Impartiality In Things Fall Apart   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Knowledge of Africa and the inhabitants of the massive continent were often portrayed as barbaric beasts by the first missionaries to enter the land.   Because of skewed writings by European missionary workers, a picture was painted for their readership of a savage Africa saved only by the benevolent, civilized western influence.   Achebe successfully attempts to redirect this attitude. Achebe educationally has the means to convey a different perspectiveRead More Existentialism in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart Essay1635 Words   |  7 PagesExistentialism in Things Fall Apart      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Chinua Achebe presents his audience with an interesting twist to a contemporary school of thought in his work Things Fall Apart.   This post-colonization narrative incorporates several traits that revolt against normative philosophic systems and tralititious theories and beliefs of the existence of man and his place in the universe.   Achebes efforts are characterized by a small diverse group of writers that purge realizations of predestinationRead More Missionaries Are to Blame in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart 842 Words   |  4 PagesMissionaries Are to Blame in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart      Ã‚   The burden and calling to reach out and help others, enfold many people in society throughout the world. Rich or poor, young or old, black, red or white, the motive is helping those with a need. As Chinua Achebe points out in his book, Things Fall Apart, though there is the aspiration to lend a hand, it can sometimes become deadly, and even fatal to the lives of people. Although the missionaries try help convert the Ibo villageRead More Okonkwo in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart Essay973 Words   |  4 PagesOkonkwo in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart  Ã‚  Ã‚   Okonkwo, as presented by Chinua Achebe in the novel Things Fall Apart, wished to be revered by all as a man of great wealth, power and control--the antithesis of his father. Okonkwo was driven by the need to exhibit utmost control over himself and others; he was an obsessive and insecure man. Okonkwos father, Unoka, was a failure, a loafer, and People laughed at him (1426). This would bring great shame to any man as it did for OkonkwoRead MoreEssay on Gender in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart1881 Words   |  8 Pagescontradictions in the work of Chinua Achebe in relation to his placement of woman and femininity. Kristen Holst Petersen states that ‘the African discussion is between feminist emancipation versus the fight against neo-colonialism, particularly in its cultural aspect...which comes first, the fight for female equality or the fight against Western cultural imperialism’. This paper will attempt to highlight these contradictions in relation to Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Above all the tribe values

A Soldier’s Conviction Free Essays

You people must know that the life of army personnel is not an easy job. Our fingers bleed with the thorns of the branches that give us roses. We pay the penalties for the benefits that we accrue as army personals. We will write a custom essay sample on A Soldier’s Conviction or any similar topic only for you Order Now The foremost reason for which I joined the army is the gift of honor and dignity that this job gives to the soldiers. From time immemorial nations distribute these gifts to the men who lay their lives for the sake of the glory of their country and for the safety and protection of the lives and wealth of their countrymen. I desired that gift and so I joined the army. I got it. My family has to bear the pangs of separation from me. Though they don’t work for the army but they suffer because I work for the army. The nature of my work takes me away from them for days on end. My son is just five years old, he loves me and feels proud of me for being an army personnel, but he wants to spend a great deal of time with her mother that she cannot afford for being an army personnel. He hates bad guys because he thinks that they are the reasons for which armies are given birth in this world. In army, people are not allowed to choose their dating partners of their will and liking. The routine of their job forbids them from doing so. My job doesn’t allow me to date with a civilian as he is not able to understand the hardships, problems and tight schedules of army life. We don’t have a big deal of spare time to spend in understanding our intended life-partners or friends. We are required to be ever ready to move at any time to any place. In this job we see people dying, wounded, brutally massacred and killed. These horrible scenes strongly affect our sensibilities and we suffer spiritually and mentally because of them. This job provokes us to mistrust the people and be ready for the worst. I have to follow so much rules and regulations in this life that I feel like a robot. I am so trained that I cannot mix and talk freely with the civilians. Yes, if you want job security and stability you can have it in army. It is a fact that now a days, in civilian jobs; people are sacked from the jobs on petty issues and small mistakes. In army we enjoy the stability of the job, as government stands guarantee, and we don’t fear that we might be kicked out on trifles. No doubt we, the soldiers, are made strong physically and mentally. I can dare to challenge anything in life because I am a soldier. We feel proud that we can be part of history by serving in operations. Take my example; I am a part of the history as serving in the operations against the Iraqi freedom AOR. My job made me eligible for many benefits such as low or zero markups on many different kinds of loans, many discounts and very attractive insurance policies. I get many traveling, dining and hoteling benefits. I enjoy many holidays here. My health is well taken care of for being army personnel. It is not just that they send you out in the field to die a dog’s death. They care you very well in the field as well as out of the field. No doubt army serves you well but disturbs you as well. Â   How to cite A Soldier’s Conviction, Papers