Marigari by Ngugi wa Thiongo - 691 Words

When it comes to the realty of violence, Thiong’o’s novel tells a political satire of newly Independent Kenya – the unnamed newly independent state- that helps us to examine the unexpected reality of decolonization within Africa. The Satire is strikingly familiar to the Political satire of George Orwell who wrote the legendary political satire about the Russian revolution, The Animal Farm. Matigari tells the story of a young liberation fighter who believed in the freedom he fought for, but instead the reality of the end result was that he had only assisted in replacing the colonialist oppressors who he describes as the old non- sower, with a new breed of unprepared capitalist imperialists as their ambition to rule is not fueled by the love of the people but rather by the benefits afforded to them once in power. Matigari’s symbolic return home to claim his home (since he had built it in part with his labor) is one that speaks to the attitudes of the coloni zed after the initial process of decolonization. These attitudes that come from the belief that once the colonists have been removed, then the wealth that has been hoarded off to Europe will remain in their country and the people will be able to live a better life since the wealth should be benefiting them, not Europe. This is an assumption that can be very problematic, in a way that this newly independent nation will come to its knees. An example of the effect of a newly ‘entitled’ elite who believes that the

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark - 825 Words

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark By William Shakespeare Submitted by: Tariq Khan Dated: Monday, 24th September, 2012 Hamlet as a Tragedy by William Shakespeare 1.1. Brief Introduction to Tragedy: Greek and English: Elizabethan tragedy is traced back to Greek tragedy, since Greeks are said to have pioneered the Western knowledge, be it Science, Arts, or Humanities—not necessarily Technology. The rich contribution of Greek dramatists like Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus and Aristophanes, is noteworthy, towards the development of both Roman and English Drama. Though Roman Drama could not thrive much as to invite the attention of Western audience, but English Drama excelled in Elizabethan Age (due to the royal patronage), with†¦show more content†¦On the other hand, Shakespearean tragedy radiates with strong characterization—round, of course—â€Å"Character is Destiny†. Sixthly, Pity and Fear for Catharsis are perhaps common in both the tradition of tragedies. And, lastly, the role of chorus (highlighting the past and intimating the future—pivotal to the plot), being common in Greek and English Tragedies, make them closer to each other. 1.2. William Shakespeare’s Hamlet: Hamlet by William Shakespeare is believed to be the Crown of Tragedies because of its thematic heterogeneity, stylistic features, rich characterization and appeal to Human Heart. A heart rending tragedy that overwhelms with revenge, filial love and introspection—explicitly exposed in four major Soliloquies by Hamlet, the prince. The said drama is equally fascinating to the students of history, philosophy, psychology, literature and perhaps many more. Though, it has flaws in its plot being unsystematic and less causative for the fulfilment of Organic Whole, yet the overall/final effect is quite impressive from artistic and literary viewpoints. Speeches of Polonius, Ophelia, Horatio, Claudius, and particularly the Hamlet’s glorify the drama; better illustrates and beautifies the tragedy, fulfilling the fundamentals of tragedy. Every character contributes, shares and cares, and above all, involved in the main action—action being the soul of drama! Internal and External ConflictsShow MoreRelatedHamlet, Prince Of Denmark1798 Words   |  8 PagesHamlet, Prince Of Denmark is by far one of the best known of William Shakespeare’s works and, may well be the most famous English-language play ever written. Categorized as one of Shakespeare’s â€Å"later tragedies,† it has developed a reputation as a difficult work to analyze. The Character of Hamlet is, perhaps, one of the most compelling characters to ever rise from the pages of English literature. He has been subjected to numerous interpretations and studies over the centuries, his actions thoughtsRead MoreHamlet, Prince Of Denmark1869 Words   |  8 Pages ABSTRACT I, with all my interest and will decided to do my term paper on one of the most controversial yet diversely analysed work of literature that is Hamlet, Prince of Denmark written by the ever greatest man in history of English literature, William Shakespeare.The aura of this play is not at all questionable. The essence it captures down throughout every single scene and dialogues is undeniably recommendable. But in spite of these the playRead MoreHamlet, The Prince Of Denmark1891 Words   |  8 Pages Hamlet is one of William Shakespeare s most iconic plays about a tragedy. The play begins with Hamlet mourning the death of his father and ends with a hefty amount of corpses. The cause of the multiple deaths may be from Hamlet s decisions that formed from questioning that which is unknown to him. Throughout the Shakespearean play, Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, as well as the audience, are placed in a constant state of uncertainty.While Hamlet grieves his father s death many things start toRead MoreHamlet, Prince Of Denmark, By William Shakespeare941 Words   |  4 PagesThe famous tragedy entitled Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, often abbreviated to Hamlet and written at the turn of the seventeenth century, was the playwright William Shakespeare’s longest play and among the most influential works to exist in English literature. The play dramatizes the poisonous intents of the demonically brilliant king of Denmark, Claudius, a man so driven by greed and lust for his brotherâ€⠄¢s, King Hamlet’s, throne, wife and supremacy that he commits the ultimate act of fratricide, consequentlyRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet, Prince Of Denmark1740 Words   |  7 Pages Shakespeare’s tragedies are filled with many commonalities: violent murders, treachery and revenge. However, while Hamlet, Prince of Denmark portrays these same ideas, it effectively fights against the traditional expectations of a Shakespearean tragedy. The play centers on Hamlet’s attempts to avenge his father’s murder, yet his greatest struggles are against himself. Stemming from his constant desire to plot a perfect revenge, Hamlet’s obsessiveness often leads to frustration. Shakespeare usesRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet, Prince Of Denmark1584 Words   |  7 Pages The drama Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is a renowned play that was written by William Shakespeare, it portrays love, tragedy, gluttony, and of course vengeance. Hamlet is a character that was perhaps the best dramatic person to be created in such a play. He is, in fact, irresponsible, however careful, polite, yet rude, affectionate, but cruel. People may, in fact, feel that this play is troubling, or maybe overwhelming, on the other hand, William Shakespeare possibly wrote this play over an incidentRead MoreQuestioning the Sanity of Hamlet in Shakespeares Hamlet, Prince of Denmark987 Words   |  4 Pages In William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, we, as readers, increasingly question the sanity of the protagonist, Hamlet, as the play continues. His seemingly psychotic banter with the other characters of the play begins to convince us that Hamlet is, indeed, insane. Hamlet, however, states, â€Å"How strange or odd soe’er I bear myself, as I perch ance hereafter shall think meet to put an antic disposition on† (1.5.171). He specifically tells Horatio and Marcellus that he will be actingRead MoreThe Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare1230 Words   |  5 Pageswrote his longest, most influential and powerful tragedy, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Set in the Kingdom of Denmark, the play stages the revenge that a young prince seeks against his uncle for murdering his father, inheriting the throne, and subsequently marrying his mother. Prince Hamlet, a university student, is an extremely philosophical and thoughtful character. When his father the King of Denmark dies, Hamlet returns home only to be presented with evidence that suggests his uncleRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet, The Prince Of Denmark985 Words   |  4 Pages William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, The Prince of Denmark has remained to be the most astonishing of William Shakespeare’s tragedies. It is widely known to be considered as a philosophy or drama based play, but moral center is universally acknowledged. The characters in Hamlet persistently struggle with the power of their consciences, as they are tempted to satisfy their innermost desires. Hamlet, The Prince of Denmark, is bestowed upon the strenuous task of taking justice into his hands to avenge hisRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet Prince Of Denmark 1540 Words   |  7 PagesHamlet Prince of Denmark is one of the key plays that gives the audience an insight into human character. William Shakespeare chooses to focus on the influence of people’s emotions on their actions, rather than their rationality. In the play, the melancholic Prince Hamlet, chooses to avenge his murdered father by killing his uncle who marries his mother and assumes the throne. Although the plot is simplistic, it shows how Hamlet undergoes considerable emotional stress before exacting his supposed

Analysis of Gaveston in Edward Ii free essay sample

Gaveston in â€Å"Edward II† by Christopher Marlowe Piers Gaveston first appears in â€Å"Edward II† in Act 1 Scene 1 and is a major character throughout the play even after his death in Act II Scene VI. Before the beginning of the play, Gaveston was assigned by Edward I to be a companion to Prince Edward (later King Edward II) in the hope that Prince Edward would lose some of his non-masculine qualities. Once Edward I dies, however, and Edward II is crowned King of England, Gaveston is free to return to England and effectively become co-ruler. However, the nobles will not accept a man born of a lower status than them receiving a position of power above them. The very first line of the play begins with Gaveston reading a letter from the new King Edward, â€Å"My father is deceased, come Gaveston, / And share thy kingdom with thy dearest friend† (1. 1. 1-2). This letter expresses the relationship between Gaveston and Edward. Now that Edward I is dead, his son has revoked the exile on Gaveston by inviting him back to England. Piers Gaveston is clearly excited at his return when he says â€Å"Ah, words that make me surfeit with delight! What greater bliss can hap to Gaveston / Than live and be the favourite of a king? † (1. 1. 3-5). This is an example of dramatic irony because it is his return to England that is the cause of his death. Gaveston continues his soliloquy: Sweet prince I come; these, these thy amorous lines Might have enforced me to have swum from France, And, like Leander, gasped upon the sand, So thou wouldst smile and take me in thy arms. (1. 1. 6-9) These lines show the affection and relationship between Edward and Gaveston when Gaveston proclaims that he would swim from France to England to be with his beloved. Gaveston then says, â€Å"The sight of London to my exiled eyes / Is as Elysium to a new-come soul† (1. 1. 10-11). In Greek mythology, Elysium was the resting place reserved for the souls of the heroic and virtuous. Gaveston says that it is not London or the people that he loves; it is the man the city holds. He gives his biggest compliment to Edward when he says, â€Å"What need the arctic people love star-light / To whom the sun shines both day and night? † (1. 1. 16-17). Marlowe uses this metaphor to show that the ing, whose traditional symbol is the sun, is being compared to the arctic sun, which shines all the time during summer months. As Gaveston is thinking about Edward, he is interrupted by three poor men wishing to become servants of him. He believes himself to be above and better than these poor men, â€Å"Let me see, though wouldst do well to wait at / my trencher and tell me lies at dinner-time; and, as I like / your discoursing, I’ll have you. â₠¬  (1. 1. 30-33). He uses sarcasm when he says â€Å"Let me see† because Gaveston has no intention of employing the poor men. He seems to boast that he has power and offers them a low position. Marlowe uses foreshadowing when a poor man says, â€Å"Farewell, and perish by a soldier’s hand† (1. 1. 37). In Act II Scene VI Gaveston is killed by the Earl of Warwick’s soldiers. Gaveston’s has a very brutal response to the poor man. He shows that that poor man has no power over Gaveston at all by comparing himself to a porpentine, and the poor man to a goose. Obviously, a goose’s plume has no power against the powerful quills of a porpentine; therefore, the poor man’s words have no effect on Gaveston. Gaveston has shown his true colors as a manipulative, devious liar. After the three poor men exit, Gaveston shows how much he wishes to please Edward by saying, â€Å"Music and poetry is his delight: / Therefore I’ll have Italian masques by night,† (1. 1. 53-54). Marlowe continues to develop the character of Gaveston by showing the homosexual side of Edward’s and his relationship when he says, â€Å"To hide those parts which men delight to see,† (1. 1. 64). This part of the play is one of the only situations in which Gaveston is clearly homosexual. Also, Marlowe makes another reference to Greek mythology: One like Actaeon, peeping through the grove, Shall by the angry goddess be transformed, And running in the likeness of an hart, But yelping hounds pulled down, and seem to die. (1. 1. 66-69) This is referring to the story of Actaeon, a hunter who accidentally came across Artemis bathing in the woods. He was turned into a stag and hunted down and killed by his own hounds. Finally Edward and Gaveston are together and as Gaveston kneels before Edward, Edward says, â€Å"What, Gaveston, welcome! Kiss not my hand, / Embraces me, Gaveston, as I do thee: / Why shouldst thou kneel? Knowest thou not who I am? † (1. 1. 139-141). This shows how Edward views Gaveston as an equal. Gaveston replies, â€Å"And since I went from hence, no soul in hell / Hath felt more torment than poor Gaveston. † (1. 1. 145-146). Gaveston is displaying his love for Edward by saying not even the souls in hell have felt more torment than him. Edward also shows how he thinks of Gaveston as his equal when he more or less offers him England: Fear’st thou thy person? Thou shalt have a guard. Wants thou gold? Go to my treasury. Wouldst thou be loved and feared? Receive my seal; Save or condemn, and in our name command Whatso thy mind affects or fancy likes. (1. 1. 165-169). Edward offers him protection, money, and power. This forshadows Gavestons fall, because he needed the protection Edward offers. Edward’s adoration eventually leads to both his and Gaveston’s downfall because Gaveston is given privileges outside of his class because of his relationship with Edward. Their entire relationship is summed up in a few lines when Gaveston says, â€Å"It shall suffice me to enjoy your love, / Which whiles I have, I think myself as great† (1. 1. 170-171). Gaveston turns down all these favors from Edward, claiming that his love is enough. However, the love that Gaveston and Edward share is not without major pitfalls. We do not know whether Gaveston actually loves Edward, or is simply using him until the end of the play when we find out it is both. The relationship eventually costs both of them the ultimate price.