Literature

ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

Discuss the structure of the play. How do the quick scene changes affect the plot?

English Literature, Literature, William Shakespeare /

In sheer number of scenes, Antony and Cleopatra outstrips all other Shakespearean plays. Act V, scene ii, the longest scene in the play, is a mere 356 lines, a modest length compared to scenes in Shakespeare’s other tragedies. The shortness of the scenes compresses our sense of both space and time. First, geographically speaking, the play shuttles the audience […]

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ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

Contrast Cleopatra with Octavia. How is each representative of her civilization?

ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, English Literature, Literature, William Shakespeare /

Cleopatra and Octavia represent rival civilizations. Cleopatra’s beauty and seductiveness are without question. Even Enobarbus, who resents the queen’s command over Antony, acknowledges the undeniable strength of her powers. In fact, his description of Cleopatra in Act II, scene ii offers the play’s most complete picture of her beauty and charms. In a world devoted

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ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

Discuss the structure of the play. How do the quick scene changes affect the plot?

ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, English Literature, Literature, William Shakespeare /

In sheer number of scenes, Antony and Cleopatra outstrips all other Shakespearean plays. Act V, scene ii, the longest scene in the play, is a mere 356 lines, a modest length compared to scenes in Shakespeare’s other tragedies. The shortness of the scenes compresses our sense of both space and time. First, geographically speaking, the

Discuss the structure of the play. How do the quick scene changes affect the plot? Read More »

ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

Plot Overview or Summary of ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, English Literature, Literature, William Shakespeare /

Mark Antony, one of the three rulers of the Roman Empire, spends his time in Egypt, living a life of decadence and conducting an affair with the country’s beautiful queen, Cleopatra. When a message arrives informing him that his wife, Fulvia, is dead and that Pompey is raising an army to rebel against the triumvirate,

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Absalom-and-Achitophel

Absalom and Achitophel as a Political Satire | Dryden

Absalom & Achitophel, Dryden, English Literature, Literature /

Satire is a form of literature, the proclaimed purpose of which is the reform of human weaknesses or vices through laughter or disgust. Satire is different from scolding and sheer abuse, though it is prompted by indignation. Its aim is generally constructive, and need not arise from cynicism or misanthropy. The satirist applies the test

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Thomas Hardy

To what extent is character and fate responsible for tragedy in Return of the Native

English Literature, Literature, Thomas Hardy /

Pessimism, Fatalism, Determinism: Words like pessimism, fatalism and determinism have freely been used by critics and readers to describe Hardy’s philosophy of life. These labels largely convey his outlook and attitude. Every where in the novels of Hardy, human beings appear to us crushed by a superior force. He is pessimistic because he believes that

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Thomas Hardy

The role, function and significance of Egdon Heath with attitudes of various characters to it

English Literature, Literature, Thomas Hardy /

Symbolic of Hardy’s philosophy: RN has been called “The Book of Egdon Heath”. With most of the other novels of Hardy, the scene could be transposed to other part of Wessex without affecting the story except RETURN OF THE NATIVE where Egdon Heath is the dominant factor. Wessex was an old name for a territory

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Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy’s art of plot-construction in Return of the Native

English Literature, Literature, Thomas Hardy /

Symmetry and unity: The plots in the novels of Hardy show a remarkable unity and symmetry. Hardy’s training as an architect seems to have greatly influenced his art in the construction of his plots. The RETURN OF THE NATIVE has a plot which admirably built and constructed. The plot largely follows the logic of cause

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The-Tempest Summary

The Tempest by William Shakespeare | Full Movies & Summary

English Literature, Literature, The Tempest, William Shakespeare /

 Summary: A storm strikes a ship carrying Alonso, Ferdinand, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Stephano, and Trinculo, who are on their way to Italy after coming from the wedding of Alonso’s daughter, Claribel, to the prince of Tunis in Africa. The royal party and the other mariners, with the exception of the unflappable Boatswain, begin to

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