Essays and Research Papers on Selected Comparisons

A 5 page paper analyzing the use of the techniques and structures of comedy in these two works. The paper notes that because Shakespeare wrote in the Elizabethan era and Dryden during the Restoration, their differing sensibilities cause them to write a play that was natural and charming on the one hand and formal and ...

A 7 page paper comparing and contrasting elements of the two plays. Comparisons on difficulties staging due to exotic locales of the plays, imagery, good v. evil. Contrasts on allegorical references in The Tempest. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 4 page analytical look at Shakespeare's different depictions of love as seen in Twelfth Night and Midsummer Night's Dream. The writer argues that while Twelfth Night dealt with "courtly" -- or "romantic" love, Midsummer's Night Dream explored the very nature of love itself-- asking us how we can ever really know for sure when ...

A 6 page analysis of these two characters from 'Hamlet' and 'Measure for Measure'. It notes that as similar as Ophelia and Mariana seem on the surface, however, their fates are very different. Ophelia has had every advantage in life -- nurturing, guidance, and love -- but Mariana is the one whose firm orientation to ...

5 pages in length-- Focuses on Shakespeare's Ophelia (from Hamlet) and Mariana (from Measure For Measure). The writer notes that as similar as Ophelia and Mariana seem on the surface, however, their fates are very different. Ophelia has had every advantage in life -- nurturing, guidance, and love -- but Mariana is the one whose ...

An 8 page paper comparing and contrasting these two plays by William Shakespeare. The writer examines the characters, plot, and atmosphere of each. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

In 8 pages the author discusses Shakespeare's response to women through female characters in "Hamlet" and "Othello". "It is interesting to note the role of women in William Shakespeare's plays. Many of them are two-dimensional. They portrayals of subservient women. It is only in the close examination of his works ...

In 5 pages the author discusses William Shakespeare's reliance on the supernatural in the plays "Hamlet" and "Macbeth". "In the 1500s there was strong belief in the existence of the supernatural. The supernatural was a recurring theme in many of Shakespeare's works. In Hamlet and Macbeth, the supernatural was an essential part ...

A 5 page evaluation of the roles these two kings played within the confines of their individual plays. 'King Lear' by Shakespeare, and 'A Man or All Seasons' by Robert Bolt are the plays under examination. The evaluation of the two kings is in context of their effectiveness in relationship to those around ...

In 5 pages, the writer takes illustrations from three plays: Othello, Hamlet, & Coriolanus and analyzes them with regard to the "presentational theater" according to Russ McDonald. No additional sources cited.

In 6 pages the author compares two of Shakespeare's comedies: "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Much Ado About Nothing." When compared and contrasted many similarities and differences are found in terms of the relationships that are seen between love and marriage, sex and dowries, and fathers and daughters in the comedies "A Midsummer Night's Dream" ...

This 3 page essay discusses the ways in which comic action often is the result of mistakes, delusions, and disguises that result in a great deal of confusion before they are ever resolved. No additional sources cited.

A 12 page paper which examines homoeroticism, as exhibited in the William Shakespeare plays, The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, and Twelfth Night. Specifically considered are the homoerotic undertones of same-gender friendships, cross-dressing and transformation. Bibliography lists 11 sources.

This 5 page report discusses the relationships among the characters of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and 'Much Ado About Nothing.' No additional sources cited.

A nine page paper which looks at the form and function of the soliloquy in three of Shakespeare’s plays, showing how it allows insight into the fatal flaws and motivations of the protagonists as well as allowing the playwright to explore specific aspects of the human condition. Bibliography lists 3 sources

A 10 page analysis of the validity of the opinions of philosopher Stanley Cavell regarding Shakespeare's five greatest tragedies -- Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, and Antony and Cleopatra. The paper concludes that Cavell's insights, contained in his book Discovering Knowledge in Six Plays of Shakespeare, can be appropriately applied to Shakespeare, because Shakespeare's mindset ...

This 10 page paper compares and contrasts Romeo and Juliet with Titus Andronicus. The works are discussed in terms of plot, characterization and setting. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

In 10 pages, the author discusses the love and tragedies of William Shakespeare's plays, focusing on "The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," "The Tragedy of Macbeth," "The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice," and "The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark." Bibliography lists 14 sources.

A 5 page paper that argues the thesis that the influence that William Shakespeare's writings had upon his own life can be detected among the body of his work. Discussed are two major factors that played a role in this influence - his love and patriotism toward England and its monarchial principles and his ...

A five page paper looking at the way conflict between parents and children (specifically, between fathers and daughters) is rendered in three Shakespearean plays -- "King Lear," "Romeo and Juliet," and "The Tempest." The paper concludes that when parents are unable to understand their children, conflict ensues -- but when these parents refuse to change, ...

A 10 page paper which compares and contrasts two of William Shakespeare's most memorable villains, Shylock in the comedy, "The Merchant of Venice," and Iago in the tragedy, "Othello." Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 7 page paper explores the concept of romantic love primarily through the eyes of William Shakespeare. 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' are discussed in respect to the concept. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 5 page report discusses the idea and ideal of loyalty in the love relationships of characters in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Love’s Labor’s Lost.” Shakespeare regularly explored issues of love in loyalty in his plays. Many of the characters and the circumstances in which he presented them caused the audience to consider what they thought was ...

This 6 page paper compares and contrasts these characters. Ophelia, who appears in Shakespeare's Hamlet is compared with the more popular Juliet from the author's Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare's treatment of women in general is discussed. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 6 page paper which compares and contrasts some of Shakespeare's festive and dark comedies. The festive plays discussed are "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and the "Taming of the Shrew." The Dark comedies discussed are "The Winter's Tale" and "The Tempest." Bibliography lists 3 additional sources.