Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
freud's psychoanalytic theory in shakespeare text
measure for measure by william shakespeare
desire in measure for measure shakespeare
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: freud's psychoanalytic theory in shakespeare text
William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure
The desires of the characters in Shakespeare’s Measure For Measure are not entirely clear, and are made ambivalent and ambiguous by the use of their language. Particularly in 3.1.52-153, when Isabella visits Claudio in prison, ambiguous lines and puns make it unclear whether Isabella desires Claudio’s death and whether he truly desires to be free of sin. These desires were further convoluted by viewing the current Folger Theatre production of the play.
"Trade" (151) is one pun which illuminates ideas about Claudio's desires. Taken to mean an exchange, Isabella insinuates that Claudio's sin and death are like the title of the play, a measure taken for a measure, or rather a punishment that fits the crime. However, Freud's notion of the compulsion to repeat is evoked when the word is taken to mean a habit. Isabella insinuates Claudio's perpetual sinning earlier when she comments that Claudio's freedom would "offend [Angelo] still" (99) by continuing his behavior. The concept of the death drive as a desire to return to the womb also emerges when Isabella warns Claudio that accepting Angelo's offer "Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear / And leave you naked" (70-71), the image of debarking a tree becoming a form of regression.
Claudio's response that he would "encounter darkness as a bride / And hug it in [his] arms" (82-3) is wholly ambivalent and ambiguous. It could be a straightforward admission to his desire for death, also showing that he readily accepts his punishment. Additionally falling under Freud's philosophy, it could instead be an admission of his compulsion to repeat: he would make love to death as his bride, just as he did to Juli...
... middle of paper ...
... truly became emotional during his 15 line speech about the uncertainty of death. He was spotlighted during this passage, making it more like a soliloquy and therefore more honest. The audience was privy to his real fear of death and his desire to live, but then his pathetic supplication on his knees made my desire for him to die increase.
What sin he refers to is of course unclear in the text as well as in the production, and literally holding that line above the characters’ heads made it even more uncertain who was truly the sinner: Claudio, Angelo, or Isabella? The audience was left feeling uncertain just as Claudio is about death, and Isabella is about her feelings towards whether her brother should die. Mostly this scene illuminates the universal desire for certainty, made even more apparent from the lighting change during Claudio’s soliloquy.
Shakespeare's comedies A Midsummers Night's Dream and Much Ado About Nothing have many parallels while Measure for Measure is a problem play with a completely different tone. Comparing and contrasting these three plays provides insights into the views of Shakespeare concerning comedy.
In the time of William Shakespeare where courtship and romance were often overshadowed by the need to marry for social betterment and to ensure inheritance, emerges a couple from Much Ado About Nothing, Hero and Claudio, who must not only grow as a couple, who faces deception and slander, but as individuals. Out of the couple, Claudio, a brave soldier respected by some of the highest ranked men during his time, Prince Don Pedro and the Governor of Messina, Leonato, has the most growing to do. Throughout the play, Claudio’s transformation from an immature, love-struck boy who believes gossip and allows himself to easily be manipulated is seen when he blossoms into a mature young man who admits to his mistakes and actually has the capacity to love the girl he has longed for.
Clark, W.G., and W. Aldis Wirhgt, eds. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Vol 2. USA: Nd. 2 vols.
Near the end of all plays there is the climax, the part of the play where all the action comes together, the most important part of the play. Near the end of Measure for Measure, Isabella confronts Angelo in front of the Duke. This is the climax of the play. Although there are many important parts in Measure for Measure, by William Shakespearem, Isabella's accusations of Angelo is the most important because of the language used, the charactor development that comes out, and the emphasis of the plays themes.
In the story, the death of Narciso and Lupito cause Antonio to doubt his religion because he cannot understand why God let them happen. Lupito’s death is significant because it is the first death that Antonio witnesses. The murder of Lupito causes Antonio to wonder about religion, sins, and death. After Lupito dies, Antonio says that “a priest could have saved Lupito” (Anaya 23). Antonio questions his religion and the power of a priest because the priest could not save Lupito. Antonio doubts if he is capable of being a priest and he is unsure of his destiny of becoming a one. When Antonio sees Lupito at the river, he believes that he should have been able to save Lupito’s soul, since he might become a priest. Because Antonio could not save Lupito, he feels regret. Antonio shows that he is feeling guilty when he asks himself, “How would I ever wash away the stain of blood?” (23). Antonio’s guilt implies that his future of being a priest might not be suitable for him because he should not feel guilt in something he is destined to do. In addition, Narciso’s death causes Antonio to lose faith in Cath...
Dutton, R., & Howard, J.E. (2003). A Companion to Shakespeare’s Works.(p. 9) Maiden, MA: Blackwell Pub.
...ce. In the very last dream, he witnesses three deaths that occur in front of him. This shows that he is losing his innocence because the people that die in the dream were not evil but good. This makes Antonio realize that the world is unfair and unjust. In his dream, “the Golden Carp appeared and Cico struck with his spear and the water ran blood red” (176). The Golden Carp dies which signify his loss of innocence, because only the innocent who have not sin can see the Golden Carp.
"O cunning enemy that, to catch a saint, with saints dost bait thy hook." A disturbing tale of suspense, dark comedy and corruption, Shakespeare's Measure for Measure explores sexuality, morality and the law, exposing the abuse of authority in high places amid the seething underworld of Vienna. This essay will explore Isabella’s moral dilemma.
Jones, Eldred. "Othello- An Interpretation" Critical Essays on Shakespeare's Othello. Ed. Anthony G. Barthelemy Pub. Macmillan New York, NY 1994. (page 39-55)
Cohen, Walter, J.E. Howard, K. Eisaman Maus. The Norton Shakespeare. Vol. 2 Stephen Greenblatt, General Editor. New York, London. 2008. ISBN 978-0-393-92991-1
Parallels between Measure for Measure and The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, and Twelfth Night
In response to Sebastian’s question about whether his conscience would bother him after committing fratricide, Antonio replies, “Ay, sir, where lies that? If `twere a kibe / `Twould put me to my slipper…” meaning that if his conscience was a small sore on the heel of his foot (a kibe), it would drive him to wear comfortable shoes but it would certainly not disrupt his life or stop him from doing what he’s doing. This shows Antonio to be a cold-hearted man, one who is able to quiet that little voice inside his head and push it to the back of his brain and continue with his terrible acts. In the next thought, he says, “…but I feel not this deity in my bosom,” admitting he doesn’t feel the tug of a conscience in his heart.
William Shakespeare, poet and playwright, utilized humor and irony as he developed specific language for his plays, thereby influencing literature forever. “Shakespeare became popular in the eighteenth century” (Epstein 8). He was the best all around. “Shakespeare was a classic” (8). William Shakespeare is a very known and popular man that has many works, techniques and ways. Shakespeare is the writer of many famous works of literature. His comedies include humor while his plays and poems include irony. Shakespeare sets himself apart by using his own language and word choice. Shakespeare uses certain types of allusions that people always remember, as in the phrase from Romeo and Juliet, “star-crossed lovers”.
Jones, Eldred. "Othello- An Interpretation" Critical Essays on Shakespeare's Othello. Ed. Anthony G. Barthelemy Pub. Macmillan New York, NY 1994.
William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, which is commonly believed to criticize society’s romanticized idea of love, demonstrates that even though love may seem unachievable, it is still possible to find it even in the most unlikely places. Shakespeare illustrates this idea in Twelfth Night through the characters Antonio and Sebastian by subtly suggesting that Antonio and Sebastian are more than just friends. It is Sebastian’s physical beauty that attracts Antonio to him, which leads him to devote himself to Sebastian as a sign of love. Antonio’s love for Sebastian grows to obsession; however Sebastian considers their friendship to be completely plutonic. In addition Sebastian generally tries to save Antonio from his own desire; however he does a bad job by leading him on unintentionally due to his passive nature.