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The life and works of William Shakespeare
The life and works of William Shakespeare
The life and works of William Shakespeare
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“I could live in a walnut shell and feel like the king of the universe. (2.2.275-76)” As a playwright Shakespeare’s voice resonated, remaining strong throughout his work, changing but never faltering. Chronologically, his plays reflected his feelings towards personal experiences and events. Focusing on his tragedies forms concrete evidence concluding that his personal life was expressed throughout his work.
Initially, the notorious Bard lived during the Elizabethan era and, courting Anne Hathaway, had three children, Susanna and twins, Hamnet and Judith. Shakespeare was extremely talented with language, voice, and fluidity of writing to the point where many theorized he stole the plays from a more educated playwright. His being in poverty created a misconception that he was uneducated; however he attended a grammar school known as the King’s New School (Alchin). Born in April 1564, and he died on his birthday fifty-two years later. His first play was written and published in 1589, The Comedy of Errors (Johnson).
Much Ado about Nothing was estimated to have been Shakespeare’s eighteenth play, published in 1598 (Johnson). During which time, he received the title of “Principle Comedian” (Alchin), he also helped finance the construction of the Globe Theatre, making an exceptionally grand year for Shakespeare. Though Much Ado was a dramatic romance interlaced with comedic relief, it had tragic aspects. Claudio accusingly asked “Would you not swear, / All you that see her, that she were a maid, / By these exterior shows? But she is none: / She knows the heat of a luxurious bed; / Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty. (4.1.35-39)” This quote concisely sums up the theme of tragedy contained within, displaying disloyalty, accusation, and...
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...ndings of two fellow actors, John Hemmings and Henry Condell (Alchin).
Works Cited
Alchin, Linda. "William Shakespeare Biography." WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE BIOGRAPHY. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
Bray, Peter. "Men, Loss and Spiritual Emergency: Shakespeare, the Death of Hamnet and the Making of Hamlet." JMMS The Intimate Connection. Jun 2008: 95-115. Magazine. 21 Nov. 2013.
Johnsen-Neshati, Kristin. "A Cultural Context for Othello." Harman Center for the Arts. 19 August 2005. Shakespeare Theatre Company. Web. 20 Nov 2013.
Johnson, Eric M. "Shakespeare's Plays, listed by Presumed Date of Composition." Open Source Shakespeare . George Mason University, 2013. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.
Mabillard, Amanda. “Introduction to Hamlet.” Shakespeare Online. 20 Aug. 2000. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.
Grant, Virshaun. "Iago the Antagonist." Study Mode. 8 Mar 2013. Study Mode. Web. 19 Nov 2013.
William Shakespeare is known for his use of dramatic irony and complicated story lines. In Much Ado About Nothing, he also adds in the element of disguise to what the characters know, or what they think they know. There are multiple characters trying to ensnare others in different facades, whether it be for better or for worse. The deception and illusion in the play can either assist the characters or completely shatter the situation, but in both cases, Shakespeare advises us to infer about what we hear or see before we jump to conclusions.
Clark, W.G., and W. Aldis Wirhgt, eds. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Vol 2. USA: Nd. 2 vols.
William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing is a play involving by deception, disloyalty, trickery, eavesdropping, and hearsay. The play contains numerous examples of schemes that are used to manipulate the thoughts of other characters; it is the major theme that resonates throughout the play. Ironically, it is one of these themes that bring serenity to the chaos that encompasses most of the play.
Rossiter, A.P. "Much Ado About Nothing." William Shakespeare Comedies & Romances. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986.
Barton, Anne. Introduction. Much Ado About Nothing. The Riverside Shakespeare, 2nd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1997. 361-365.
Snyder, Susan. “Othello: A Modern Perspective.” Shakespeare: Othello. Eds. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Washington Square Press, 1993.
With its entangled double plots and eloquent use of words, Much Ado About Nothing is a story that has the ability to entertain the masses both young and old. Shakespeare’s use of figurative language along with situation creates such vivid imagery for which carries the drama from beginning to end. For example, when we look at Act 1 Scene 1 of the play ...
Foils are minor characters, that through similarities and differences, set off or accent the main characters of a play. There is a strong connection between the foils in a play and one's final perception of the main characters. In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, there is a continuous shifting of the main character's emotions. These emotions range anywhere from madness and rage to grief and sorrow. In Hamlet there is a foil that represents each emotion and behavior that is displayed by the main character- Hamlet.
In William Shakespeare’s play ‘Much Ado about Nothing’, there are many instances of trickery and deception, which seem to surround the whole of the play.
“And when I lived, I was your other wife, And when you loved, you were my other husband(Shakespeare 60).” In the beginning of the play it was overwhelming, steeped in love at first sight between Hero and Claudio, until Don John’s evil-manner took a role in ruining the love between them. And because of this a conflict developed between them, but was resolved when their vigorous love for one another overcame the conflict. In Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, Hero serves as the foil character of Claudio because of Hero’s dignified, well-mannered, eminent reputation is illuminated through Claudio’s insecure, accusing, and doubtful weakness; thereby, interminably influencing the conflict in the plot.
Mabillard, Amanda. "Shakespeare in Print." Shakespeare Online. N.p. 20 Aug. 2004. Web. Web. 25th of April
Dutton, R., & Howard, J.E. (2003). A Companion to Shakespeare’s Works.(p. 9) Maiden, MA: Blackwell Pub.
11 Dec. 2011. The "Othello". Shakespeare for Students: Critical Interpretations of Shakespeare's Plays and Poetry. Ed. Anne Marie Hacht.
Rossiter, A.P. "Much Ado About Nothing." William Shakespeare Comedies & Romances. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986.
Shakespeare, William, and James K. Lowers. Othello: Commentary, Complete Text, Glossary. Lincoln, Neb.: Cliff's Notes, 1968. Print.