One of the main themes of the novel The Shining‚ by Stephen King‚ is expressed through the character of Jack Torrence‚ who unwittingly loses his temper on occasion and forfeits his common sense to commit borderline monstrous acts. Him‚ being a normally happy family man with a wife and son‚ can express the theme that “anyone is capable of going insane if pushed in the right direction”. One example of this occurring when Jack tells a doctor of the night he came home to find his son‚ Danny‚ has destroyed
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Because Lear is capable of change‚ he becomes a tragic hero; because Antigone is incapable of change‚ she never becomes a tragic heroine. Aristotle defines a tragic hero as someone‚ usually a male‚ who “falls from a high place mainly due to their fatal flaw.” During the highest point of the tragic hero’s life‚ something is revealed to the protagonist causing a reversal in their fortune. This reversal of fortune is caused by the flaw in their character. Tragedy evokes catharsis‚ a feeling of
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Though the characters Beowulf and Grendel share pages in both the Old English epic poem Beowulf and in the novel Grendel‚ it is in the contemplative glances away from the pages that the similarities come to an abrupt stop. When considering the traits of the characters Beowulf and Grendel‚ their idiosyncrasies and actions whittled down to analytical musings‚ it can easily be said that the two are polar opposites in every sense of the word. If Beowulf is the warrior‚ then Grendel is the coward; if
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To be a tragic hero or not to be a tragic hero‚ that is the question. This phrase is a clash between two very important figures of literature. William Shakespeare an English composer who wrote many well-known plays with Hamlet being the most popular and Aristotle who was a Greek philosopher and well known for his academics who created the expression tragic hero. Combining the work of these two individuals we come to question is Shakespeare’s character Hamlet worthy of Aristotle’s term tragic hero
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In Sophocles’ play‚ Oedipus Rex‚ there are many themes that are woven through the life of King Oedipus‚ and revealed through the key points of the plot. One of the most important themes is the inevitability of ones’ fate. Although fate is considered the usual genre of the Greeks in playwriting there‚ are specifics that Oedipus conducts unusual to our own way of thinking of a king during the Ancient Greek times. For example: Oedipus’s ignorance of believing what is said from his wife‚ Iocaste and
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Haley Buls Mrs. Boness AP Literature 3/29/15 Tragedy and the Common Man – Questions 1. Why is the common man “as apt a subject for tragedy in its highest sense as kings were”? Tragedy once belonged to the kings and the high-bred class‚ because tragedy centers on the awareness of disparity between self-image and the perception the world has of you. In archaic times‚ only kings could retain this sense of nobility. But now nobility belongs to every man. Revolutions provide proof enough‚ that the common
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Draw yourself a Venn diagram and use it to note similarities and differences between the two characters‚ Hamlet and Agamemnon. Do this on your own now and complete it thoroughly. As part of your analysis‚ consider how the following elements of tragedy are used in each play. (Remember‚ this is what you learned in Lesson 1.) Aristotle’s four components of tragedy: It involves someone of higher standing. This protagonist makes an error in judgement. This error results in suffering for the person. This
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Context reflects values Context is a clear reflection of the values of any era‚ especially in Shakespeare’s canonical play Hamlet. The events and characters in Hamlet embodies the historical context of shifting religions and political uncertainty that lead to a society imploding. Composed in the 1600s‚ the murder of a king and the encroachment of foreign power would have had particular resonance for the audience as there was an innate failed invasion of Britain by Spain and an attempted assassination
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Greek Contributions to Modern Western Civilization Ancient Greek culture has influenced modern western civilization from their discoveries and traditions during their Golden Age. Their philosophies‚ politics and values have helped shape our every day life. Some of the most prominently displayed leaders of all time lived in Greece during the time. Their math‚ art science politics‚ architecture‚ drama‚ medicine‚ philosophy and values have inspired today’s everyday way of life. If it weren’t for their
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Throughout the course of the drama‚ Willy Loman‚ a delusional salesman sinks lower into his depression and confusion‚ until he eventually ends his life. There has been much discussion on whether ’Death of a Salesman’ is a tragedy‚ and if Willy is a tragic hero. Many critics question the supposedly tragic elements of the drama‚ citing Aristotle’s definition of tragedy‚ and Shakespearean examples. Willy is often compared to King Lear‚ however it is often suggested that his misfortune pales in comparison
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