Academic literature on the topic '1564-1616 Plays Shakespeare'

Studying English literature is insufficient without shedding light on the works of William Shakespeare (1564- 1616). His plays in particular, are rich of significant ideas that give inspiration, controversy and debate for both spectators and critics despite the fact that female characters in Shakespearean plays have less conversation than the male characters. Nevertheless; when they speak, the spectators feel that they seem as they were the backbone of the plays. Their roles are pivotal in the plays and in the development of the plot and undoubtedly, their words and their speeches reflect the mind of the male counterparts. In this respect, the present research is focused on the tone of female characters in Shakespeare’s comedy As you Like it in the light of two points. The first is the focus on how Shakespeare used tone differently for his male and female characters and the other is in what extent the tone is leveled in comedy plays. The aim of the present research is to examine, to understand and to characterize the tone in the boundaries of the context depending on Renaissance period.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is indubitably the best playwright of all time. He acquired an unique place in the world of literature. His plays earned international commendation and acceptance as the finest dramatist in the entire history of English literature. His play, The Tempest has been decoded differently by critics as a postcolonial text. In1611 when William Shakespeare wrote the play The Tempest, colonization was a recent concept in Britain. This paper is an attempt to inspect the postcolonial issues such as subjugation, dominance language, power and knowledge etc. and conjointly converse about the complex relationship that exist between the master and slave in The Tempest.

In classical Chinese literature, employing the literary motif of the ghost represents both the writers’ desire to escape the pattern of didactic literature promoted by Confucianism and their attempt to revolt against the rigidity of the Confucian dogma that is far too entrenched in reality and inhibits their creativity. Written during the Yuan Dynasty (1279– 1368) by Guan Hanqing (1225–1302), Snow in Midsummer presents the injustice of Dou’E who dies for a crime she did not commit, with the girl returning to the world of the living in the form of a ghost to obtain her justice. The motif of the vengeful ghost also appears in Shakespeare’s (1564–1616) play, Hamlet . In this essay, I will investigate comparatively the dramatic aesthetics through which the spirits are outlined in the two plays, the comedy used by Guan Hanqing and Shakespeare, respectively, in the scenes of the appearance of spirits, and last but not least, the religious substratum contained in the symbolism of these ghosts. After a contrastive analysis of the dramaturgical and aesthetic construction of the two spirits in these plays, I argue that, despite their belonging to two different cultural spaces, both authors question through the supernatural the moral values of the societies in which they lived.

The works of William Shakespeare (1564-1616) have occasioned such a history of being altered to fit new historical periods, new cultures and new media that they have dominated literary studies related to the term „adaptation‟. Adaptation of a main source into different trans-genres, such as graphic novels, movies, performances on different kinds of stages, and indeed translations, are the study area of Adaptation Theory. The goal of an adaptation is to transfer works from one culture and language to make them usable for another culture and society. This research paper offers a comparative approach to two different plays produced in two different cultures, which have to date been regarded as wholly independent. As I will show, of the two, the source play, or „hypo text‟, is William Shakespeare’s historical tragedy King Richard II (text „A‟), while I will juxtapose Balalkrishna Samas play Bhimsenko Antya [The Doom of Bhimsen as a hypertext (text „B‟), which I will analyse in the light of Adaptation Theory. The paper shows that the plots and characters of the two plays are closely interrelated. Fourteen major incidents correspond closely between the main source and the adapted version, along with broad similarities in settings, even where characterizations of the principal characters suggest a diverging relationship with the hypo text. Sama‟s The Doom of Bhimsen, in short, is an appropriation of Shakespeare’s King Richard II, newly contextualized to Nepalese history and culture while being produced as a completely new Nepalese product. As this aspect of Sama’s play has never previously been explored; this research paper brings a breakthrough in the study of Nepalese literary history, and at the same time, makes a fresh contribution widening the area of adaptation theory.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this thesis I will look at the way in which power relationships are presented in Shakespeare's dramas, with specific reference to the so-called ''Henriad'', Measure for Measure and The Tempest. Each play consists of a network of power relationships in which different forms of power interact on different levels. Different characters in the above-mentioned plays have access to different forms of power according to their position within these networks. The way in which the characters interact could also cause or be influenced by shifts and changes in the networks of power relationships that occur in the course of the action. I will use Michel Foucault's theories on the relationship between power, knowledge and discourse as a guide to my analysis of Measure for Measure. I will also use selected aspects of Mikhail Bakhtin's theories on language and literature, with specific references to the concepts of "dialogism" and "heteroglossia" or "manyvoicedness", as well as his concept of carnival, which implies a temporary inversion in power relationships in an unofficial festive context, as a guide to my analysis of the Henriad. I will use a combination of the theories of Foucault and Bakhtin in my analysis of The Tempest. I have chosen the terms "discourse" and "dialogue" as key terms in the title of this thesis not only because they play an important role in the theories of Foucault and Bakhtin respectively, but also because they play an important role in the analysis and representation of power relationships. According to Robert Young, Foucault relates ''the organisation of discourse ...to the exercise of power" (10). One could also say that the power relationships in a society are reflected in the portrayal of a dialogue between different voices representing different sections of or classes in that society as in Bakhtin's principles of dialogism. I will explain the overall importance of these terms in more detail in the Introduction and the other relevant chapters. In the introductory chapter I will first provide a theoretical background for the thesis as a whole. Then I will look at the specific theoretical principles that are relevant to each chapter. In the chapter on the Henriad I will look at the way in which an alternative perspective on power relations and the role of the king are created by looking at them from the perspective of Bakhtin's concept of carnival. In the next chapter, I will show how Measure for Measure presents us with an evaluation of different strategies of power, which I will look at from the perspective of Foucault's theories on power, knowledge and discourse. In my chapter on The Tempest I will combine aspects of both theories in my analysis of a play that presents us with a complex analysis of power relationships as a social phenomenon. In the concluding chapter I will look at the different perspectives on power relationships that emerged from my previous chapters and attempt to see what its implications are for the representation of power relationships in Shakespeare's work and perhaps as a social phenomenon.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie tesis gaan ek kyk na die wyse waarop magsverhoudinge uit gebeeld word in Shakespeare se dramas, met spesifieke verwysing na die sogenaamde "Henriad", Measure for Measure en The Tempest. Elke drama bestaan uit 'n netwerk van magsverhoudinge waarin verskillende vorme van mag op verskillende vlakke wisselwerking uitoefen. Verskillende karakters in bogenoemde dramas het toegang tot verskillende vorme van mag volgens hul posisie in die netwerke. Die manier waarop die wisselwerking tussen die verskillende karakters plaasvind kan ook verskuiwings en veranderinge in die netwerk van magsverhoudinge in die loop van die aksie veroorsaak, of daar deur beïnvloedword. Ek gaan Michel Foucault se teorieë oor die verhouding tussen mag, kennis en diskoers as 'n gids tot my analise van Measure for Measure gebruik. Ek gaan ook uitgesoekte aspekte van Mikhail Bakhtin se teorieë oor taal en literatuur, met spesifieke verwysing na die konsepte van "dialogisme" en "heteroglossia" of "meerstemmigheid", sowel as sy konsep van karnaval, wat 'n tydelike ommekeer in magsverhoudinge in 'n onoffisiële feestelike konteks impliseer, as 'n gids tot my analise van die Henriad gebruik. Ek sal 'n kombinasie van die teorieë van Foucault en Bakhtin gebruik in my analise van The Tempest. Ek het die terme "discourse" en "dialogue" as sleutel terme in die titel van hierdie tesis gebruik, nie net omdat hulle 'n belangrike rol in die teorieë van Foucault en Bakhtin onderskeidelik speel nie, maar ook omdat hulle 'n belangrike rol in die analise en uitbeelding van magsverhoudinge speel. Volgens Robert Young verbind Foucault die manier waarop diskoers georganiseer word met die uitoefening van mag (10). Mens kan ook sê dat die magsverhoudinge in 'n gemeenskap gereflekteer word in die uitbeelding van 'n dialoog tussen verskillende stemme wat verskillende dele van of klasse in die gemeenskap verteenwoordig soos in Bakhtin se beginsel van dialogisme. Ek sal die algehele belang van hierdie terme in meer besonderhede bespreek in die inleidingen die ander relevante hoofstukke verduidelik. In die inleidende hoofstuk gaan ek eers 'n teoretiese agtergrond vir die tesis as geheel verskaf Dan sal ek kyk na die spesifieke teoretiese beginsels wat relevant is tot elke hoofstuk. In die hoofstuk oor die Henriad gaan ek kyk hoe 'n alternatiewe perspektief op magsverhoudinge en die rol van die koning geskep word deur hulle te beskou van uit die perspektief van Bakhtin se konsep van karnaval. In die volgende hoofstuk sal ek kyk hoe Measure for Measure 'n evaluasie van verskillende magsstrategieë aan ons voorlê, waarna ek gaan kyk van uit die perspektief van Foucault se teorieë oor mag, kennis en diskoers. In my hoofstuk oor The Tempest gaan ek aspekte van albei die teorieë kombineer in 'n drama wat 'n komplekse analise van magsverhoudinge as 'n sosiale verskynsel aan ons voorln sosiale verskynsel aan ons voorlê. In die laaste hoofstuk gaan ek kyk na die verskillende perspektiewe op magsverhoudinge wat voortspruit uit die voorafgaande hoofstukke en kyk wat die implikasie daarvan vir die uitbeelding van magsverhoudinge in Shakespeare se werk en as 'n sosiale verskynsel is.

Shakespeare, dans ses dernières œuvres, traite sur le plan dramatique le thème des retrouvailles, de la réconciliation et du pardon. Shakespeare, par une nouvelle approche dramatique, montre aussi comment un homme retrouve sa précédente situation dans la vie en parfaite harmonie. Ce phénomène qui était présent au début de toutes ses dernières pièces, s'est perdu à cause d'un mal quelconque ou d'un méfait. Shakespeare démontre comment cette harmonie perdue a été retrouvée dans chaque pièce d'une façon cyclique. Dans toutes ses dernières œuvres, le dramaturge présente deux groupes différents de personnages évoluant dans deux mondes différents : les méchants, dans un monde naturel et les innocents dans un monde pastoral. Dans le monde naturel, au commencement, il y a les parents et les enfants, mais à cause des mauvaises actions des parents, les enfants ont été séparés. Le premier groupe reste dans le monde sophistique ou naturel pour souffrir et se repentir et le deuxième, les innocents, qui sont les victimes des premiers, ont été élevés en même temps dans un monde pastoral. A la fin, les parents, dans leur état de rédemption, retrouvent leurs enfants pour vivre en harmonie avec eux. Shakespeare présente le même processus dans toutes ses dernières pièces : "le conte d'hiver", "la Tempête" et "Cymbeline ", à travers l'exemple d'une famille bien organisée. Dans chaque pièce, l'histoire commence dans une famille royale harmonieuse avec tous les membres de la famille. Querelles, conflits à cause de la passion, de l'orgueil et des convoitises etc. . . Brisent l'atmosphère d'harmonie et cause la séparation éventuelle des enfants de la famille. Les membres sépares de cette famille royale se trouvent dans différents milieux sociaux. Les parents sont dans leur résidence royale, à l'exception de "la Tempête", et les enfants sont dans un milieu primitif ou pastoral
Shakespeare, in his final plays, dramatically deals with the theme of reunion, reconciliation and forgiveness. Shakespeare, through a new dramatic approach, also shows how a man regains his former state of affairs in life in perfect harmony. This phenomenon, which was present at the initial stage in all his final plays, has been lost, because of some evil or misdeeds. Here Shakespeare demonstrates how this lost harmony has been regained in each play through a circular pattern of movement. In all his final works, the playwright presents two different groups of people in two different worlds: evil-doers, in a sophisticated or naturel world and innocent people in a pastoral world. In the natural world, at the beginning, there are parents and children. Because of the parents’ evil deeds, the children have been separated. The former remains in the natural world to suffer and repent and the latter, the innocent, who are the victims of the former, have been brought up, at the same time, in the pastoral world. At the end, the parents, in their redeemed state, meet their children to be in harmony with them. Shakespeare presents the same process in all his final plays: "the winter's tale, "the tempest" and "Cymbeline", through h a well-organized family. In each play, the story begins in a harmonious royal family with all its family members. Disputes and conflicts, because of the passion, pride, lusts etc. . . Break this harmonious atmosphere, causing the eventual separation of the children from the family. The separated members of this royal family find themselves in different social surroundings. The parents are in their courtly residence, with the exception of "the tempest", and the children are in a primitive milieu or in a pastoral environment

This dissertation examines the arguments against tragedy offered by feminist playwrights in their "re-visions" of the plays of Euripides and Shakespeare.
In the first part, I maintain that feminist dramatic re-vision is one manifestation of an unrecognized tradition of women's writing in which criticism is expressed through fiction. I also argue that the project of feminist dramatic re-vision embodies a feminist "new poetics."
In the second part, I examine the aesthetics and politics of tragedy from a feminist perspective. Feminist arguments against tragedy are, in effect arguments against patriarchy. But it is the theorists and critics of tragedy---not the playwrights---who are unequivocally aligned with patriarchy. Playwrights like Euripides and Shakespeare can be seen to destabilize tragedy in their plays.
In the third part, I show how recent feminist playwrights (Jackie Crossland, Dario Fo and Franca Rame, Deborah Porter, Caryl Churchill and David Lan, Maureen Duffy, Alison Lyssa, The Women's Theatre Group and Elaine Feinstein, Joan Ure, Margaret Clarke, and Ann-Marie MacDonald) counter tragedy by extrapolating from the arguments presented by Euripides and Shakespeare in The Medea, The Bacchae, King Lear, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet and Othello , and by allocating voice and agency to their female protagonists.

In this dissertation, I examine the complex role that the body played in early modern constructions of judgment. Moving away from an overreliance on anti-theatrical texts as the authority on the body in Shakespeare's plays, my project intervenes in the field Shakespearean studies by widening the lens through which scholars view the body's role in the early modern theater. Through readings of four plays—Richard II, Hamlet, King Lear, and The Winter's Tale—I demonstrate that Shakespeare uses a wide range of ideas about the human body from religious, philosophical, medical, and cultural spheres of thought to challenge Puritan accusations that the public theater audience is incapable of rational judgment. The first chapter outlines the parameters of the project. In Chapter 2, I argue that Richard II draws parallels between the theatrical community and the community created through the sacramental experiences of baptism and communion to show that bodies play a crucial role in establishing common experience and providing an avenue for judgment. In Chapter 3, I argue that Shakespeare establishes correspondences between bodily and social collaboration to show how both are needed for the memory-making project of the theater. In the next chapter, I show how Shakespeare appropriates what early moderns perceived of as the natural vulnerability in English bodies to suggest the passionate responses associated with impressionability can actually be sources of productive judgment and self-edification. I argue the storm models this passionate judgment, providing a guide for audience behavior. In Chapter 5, I argue that the memories created by and within the women in The Winter's Tale evoke the tradition of housewifery and emphasize the female role in preservation. Female characters stand in for hidden female contributors to the theater and expose societal blindness to women's work. Through each of these chapters, I argue that Shakespeare's plays emphasize the value of bodily experience and suggest that the audience take up what I have termed "corporeal judgment."

This study is aimed to read Shakespeare's problem comedies, Troilus and Cressida and Measure for Measure into the historical and cultural context of dynamically-changing English Renaissance society at the turn of the sixteenth century. In the historical context of emerging capitalism, growing economic crisis, reformed theology, changing social hierarchy, and increasing sexual control, this study investigates the nature of complicated moral problems that the plays consistently present. The primary argument is that the serious and dark picture of human dilemma is attributed not to Shakespeare's private imagination, but to social, political, economic, and religious crises in early modern England.

Six years as a sub-examiner of both literature and written work made me aware of a personal dissatisfaction with the system of examining. This research examines in detail the use of the contextual question in examining Shakespeare's plays. The main concern has been to try to deduce what constitutes a good set of contextual questions. This area appears to have attracted little detailed research. However, there is much general writing on the teaching of literature. There is no major conclusion in the dissertation but rather a series of conclusions related to the concept of the contextual question. These are summarised towards the end of chapter three. Some general recommendations appear at the end of chapter three as a sub-heading. The findings of this investigation indicate a need for further research into the system of examining literature in the Cape. It is hoped that teachers and examiners reading this dissertation will be able to use the findings to provide a possible framework for the setting of sound contextual questions

This thesis provides a detailed consideration of the family in Shakespeare’s canon and the engagement therewith in three South African novels: Hill of Fools (1976) by R. L. Peteni, My Son’s Story (1990) by Nadine Gordimer, and Disgrace (1999) by J. M. Coetzee. The study is divided into an introduction, three chapters each addressing one of the South African novels and its relationship with a Shakespeare text or texts, and a conclusion. The introductory chapter provides an analysis of the two strands of criticism in which the thesis is situated – studies of the family in Shakespeare and studies of appropriations of Shakespeare – and discusses the ways in which these two strands may be combined through a detailed discussion of the presence of power dynamics in the relationship between parent and child in all of the texts considered. The three chapters each contextualise the South African text and provide detailed discussions of the family dynamics within the relevant texts, with particular reference to questions of authority and autonomy. The focus in each chapter is determined by the nature of the intertextual relationship between the South African novel and the Shakespearean text being discussed. Thus, the first chapter, “The Dissolution of Familial Structures in Hill of Fools” considers power dynamics in the family as an inherent part of the Romeo and Juliet genre, of which William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is but a part. Similarly, the impact of a socio-political identity, and the secrecy it necessitates, is the focus of the second chapter, “Fathers, Sons and Legacy in My Son’s Story” as is the role of Shakespeare and literature within South Africa. These concerns are connected to the novel’s use of Shakespeare’s Sonnets, King Lear, and Hamlet. In the third chapter, “Reclaiming Agency through the Daughter in Disgrace and The Tempest”, I expand on Laurence Wright’s argument that Disgrace is an engagement with The Tempest and consider ways in which the altered power dynamic between father and daughter results in the reconciliation of the father figure with society. The thesis thus addresses the tension between parental bonds and parental bondage