Essays and Research Papers on (All) Literature

7 pages in length. A comparative analysis between Machievelli's 'The Prince' and Shakespeare's 'Othello' in which the writer examines each work in light of their respective eras and sociocultural issues. It is concluded that in 'Othello,' the author seems to cry out for a different kind of sovereignty than in 'The Prince.' Bibliography lists 3 ...

This 5 page report discusses the fact that 'Hamlet' (1604) and 'Everyman' offer an excellent comparison between styles and dramatic license of their authors but even more clearly, they show the differing attitudes and visions of the world from the perspective of medieval times as compared to modern. The dark brooding prince compared to the ...

A 5 page paper which considers the confident arrogance of Oedipus and Hamlet, how when illusion collides with reality, each protagonist is forced, through their development as human beings, to undergo a profound reappraisal of his position in the universe. Specifically considered is whether or not the truth set these heroes free. No additional sources are used.

A 5 page paper which considers the tragic elements of these characters by examining conflicts between father and child, good king/person and bad king/person, male and female. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 4 page paper which compares and contrasts the portrayal of King Richard III, explain the reasons for the differences in characterization, and consider how the depiction of other historical events have been perceived differently. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 6 page report discusses 'background' characters in 'A Doll's House' (Christina), 'Romeo and Juliet' (Mercutio and Tybalt), 'Skylight' (Edward), and 'True West' (Mom). No bibliography.

5 pages in length. The aspects of love and relationship are vast and far-reaching within the literary boundaries of William Shakespeare's "Othello" and Robert Browning's "Porphyria's Lover." While both writers equally address each aspect, the manner by which they do so does not mirror the other; rather, Browning's treatment is significantly more traditional ...

A 5 page paper which examines how three elements of tragedy and of the tragic hero apply to the protagonists of King Oedipus, Prince Hamlet, and Amanda Wingfield. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 10 page research paper/essay that explores the universality of Shakespeare's plays. The writer argues that there are qualities in the work of Shakespeare that are not limited to English society or the Elizabethan age, bur rather speak to all human beings. Despite the passage of centuries, the changes in the English language--or the language ...

In three pages specific quotes from these respective classic works of literature are contextually interpreted and analyzed. Two sources are listed in the bibliography.

A 10 page paper which compares the similarities and differences the state of disguise has on characters and action in William Shakespeare's comedies, "All's Well That Ends Well," "Measure For Measure," and "The Merchant of Venice." Specifically considered are Shakespeare's use of "bed tricks" as a plot device. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page paper which compares and contrasts the themes manipulation of weakness and the wearing of masks in William Shakespeare's play, "The Tragedy of Othello" and David Henry Hwang's play, "M. Butterfly." Specifically considered are how Othello and Rene Gallimard are vulnerable because of their status as foreigners, how they attempt to mask ...

A 5 page paper which compares and contrast the protagonists' views on death and how they speak of their own dying in William Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of King Lear" and Johann von Goethe's "The Sorrows of Young Werther," concentrating on one key passage from each work, and closely analyzing how the emotions of each man ...

A 10 page research paper that, first of all, discusses Aristotle's conception of mimesis and how this applies to comedy. Then, the writer examines both Plautus' The Pot of Gold and Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice as to how money works as motivation in each work and how this reflects Aristotle's views. Bibliography lists 9 ...

A 5 page paper which examines the characters’ attitudes toward their husbands, their positions in society, and their sons. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A five page paper looking at these two works in terms of their treatment of the concept of the “natural slave.” The paper concludes that if by “natural slave,” Aristotle meant that one’s fitness to rule or serve is based on one’s aristocratic or menial birth, Shakespeare would have disagreed with that. But he would ...

This 3 page paper discusses the issues of revenging one's father through the exploration of various sons and their reactions to their fathers' deaths. Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 5 page research paper/essay discusses the clown in Elizabethan theatre and focuses on the role of clown in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and in Every Man in His Humor by Ben Jonson. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 5 page essay contrasts the use of satire in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" and Chaucer's "The Miller's Tale." The writer argues that Shakespeare's play is more cynical and less positive than Chaucer's tale. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 6 page paper comparing William Shakespeare's Othello and Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The basis for comparison is the authors' treatment of the theme of deception and revelation in these two works. The paper concludes that while the same motif -- misplaced trust -- is treated in both works, the difference lies in one ...

A 5 page paper that details the passage of magic, dreams, and incantations in a Midsummer Nights Dream and Goethe's Faust. The writer also examines how both works display these qualities and goes into significant plot analysis as well.

A 5 page paper which examines the way William Shakespeare initiates multiple resolutions in his comedy, 'Twelfth Night,' the order in which he chose to address them, evaluates the logic of this order as “pure” or “dramatic,” the status the harsh realities take in the plot resolution, and a determination as to whether or not ...

An 18 page paper which examines the ways in which William Shakespeare used word-plays (puns) for erotic, humorous and ironic purposes. Specific plays discussed include Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Merchant of Venice, Othello, A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It and The Taming of the Shrew. Bibliography lists 9 sources.

A 10 page paper which examines colonization and self-discovery as seen in Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A five page paper looking at "Oedipus the King", "Macbeth", and "Death of a Salesman" in terms of the way they pit the individual against forces he cannot control. The paper asserts that over time, Western civilization moved from a definition of tragedy as something set in motion by outside agents -- such as ...