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All About Shakespeare
By Asad Imran
October 18, 2019
Categories: Classical Poetry, Drama

Shakespeare introduced mankind to these words like known as The Bard of Avon. The name of his
fashionable, comfortable and other 7,000 words father was John Shakespeare, who had been
through his literature and these words were not used
dealing with leather to make gloves. His mother
before the Shakespearian era. An ordinary literary
was renowned as the woman of higher rank. Her
person knows up to 20,000 words but it is said that
name was Mary Shakespeare. Shakespeare was
Shakespeare knew 27,000 to 33,000 words. If we
calculate the number of synonyms he knew then we the third one among his siblings. They were five
might come across the mind-boggling value of 70,000 brothers and three sisters. After the birth of
synonyms. Shakespeare, his father had to face a severe
financial crisis and his mother tried her best to
Quotations by Shakespeare bridge this financial gap. He had been learning
Greek and Latin languages in school but due to

1. Love is blind. the financial crisis, he was made leave the school
2. All that glitters is not gold. education.
3. All is well when end’s well

Shakespeare as a Drama Actor

Other Facts
He decided to make his way to London to earn
1. His work has been translated into every his livelihood. It is said that he had been
language spoken on the planet earth.
wandering jobless for almost six months. But it
2. Every 10th quotation is quoted of
was a golden era of theatre and he learnt the art
Shakespeare in religious as well as ordinary
of playwright by taking care of the horses which
books all around the globe.
were used in royal carriages: driven towards The
3. He spelled his name as Willam Shakspr.
Theatre. Then he started taking part as a minor
actor in dramas. His superior intellect soon
Birth and Parentage
paved his way to play as a leading role in dramas.

William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564,

The King’s Men– A Playing
at Stratford, England, in which the river Avon
flows. With reference to the river, he is well
Company of Shakespeare
 The first period of Shakespeare literary and
dramatic genius lasted till 1594. The language
A royal playing company which was managed by
used in these dramas is loaded with difficult
Lawrence Fletcher and by William Shakespeare.
phrases. But the Plots are well connected with
This company was well known for playing acts
the story. Here are the notable works of that
and dramas in the royal court of Queen Elizabeth.
period:
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth, this
Comedies
company was renowned as Lord Chamberlain’s
1. Comedy of Errors (1592)
Men. When King James I took over the throne,
2. Taming of the Shrew (1593)
the company was renamed as King’s Men.
3. Love’s Labour’s Lost (1594)
Tragedies
Marriage and Children of 1. Henry VI (1590-1592) (Historical play)
Shakespeare 2. Titus Andronicus (1594)

Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in 2nd Phase | Histories and

November 1582. He, himself was 18 and his wife
was 26 years old during the marriage. Their first
Comedies (Balanced Period)
child was Susanna, born in May 1583. Later on,
two twins were born, named as Hamnet (the boy) The second phase of Shakespeare’s works holds
and Judity (the girl). His son died of some an important position due to his historical plays.
unknown consequences at eleventh age. Judity’s The language used in these plays is simple. This
children died and Susanna’s children were not phase started from 1594 and lasted till 1600.
married. Thus, the lineage of Shakespeare ended Here are some works of this period:
and there is no one to call Shakespeare as his Historical Plays:
grandfather. 1. Richard II (1595)
2. Henry IV (1597)
3. Henry V

Workings of Comedies
1. A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595)
Shakespeare 2. The Merchant of Vence (1596)
(Tragicomedy)

The literary work of Shakespeare has been divided 3. Much Ado About Nothing (1599)
into 4 phases: 4. As You Like It (1599)
5. Twelfth Night (1600)
Tragedies
1st Phase | Immature Works 1. Romeo and Juliet (1595)
(Early) 2. Julius Caesar (1599)
3rd Phase | Tragedies and Dark
3. The Winter’s Tale (1610)
4. The Tempest (1611)
Comedies (Overflowing Period) Product of Collaboration:
1. Henry VIII (1613 – Historical Drama)
2. Two Noble Kinsmen (Written in 1613 and
The literary genius of this period by Shakespeare
Published in 1634)
is made of complex plot, challenging the reader
with sudden reversal of expected situations. This
phase is also renowned for the blood thirsty Poems by Shakespeare
tragedies as every tragedy of that period is
littered with deaths of characters, including the This seems a bit confusing as 154 sonnets are
protagonist as well. Here are some well-known also a part of his poetry but there are two long
plays of this period: narrative poems which are “considered” the only
Tragedies: pieces of poetry. He wrote these poems during
1. Hamlet (1601) the plague in England when the Government of
2. Troilus and Cressida (1602) England temporarily shut all the theatres to
3. Othello (1604) prevent the citizens from getting infected with
4. King Lear (1605) plague. Here are the names of these two poems:
5. Antony and Cleopatra (1606) 1. Venus and Adonis
6. Macbeth (1606) 2. The Rape of Lucrèce
7. Coriolanus (1607)
8. Timon of Athens (1608) Shakespeare wrote 37 plays (without mentioning 2
Problem Plays (Dark Comedies): lost plays) and 160 sonnets (actual 154 and 6 in
1. All’s Well That Ends Well (1602) dramas) collectively.
2. Measure of Measure (1604)

Everything Famous
4th Phase | Romantic Tragedies Regarding Shakespeare
(Final Period)
Some Oblique Words and their Meanings
The final period of Shakespeare literary genius. 1. He left us straight (at once).
During this period, he gave up his motives 2. I marry her, what a customer (prostitute)
regarding bloody spectacles and promoted 3. O brave new world for I charge (to give
peace and calm mixed with proper language, authority) thee to obey me. I pray thee
technical skills and psychological wisdom. These have a better chair.
plays often illustrate magical illusions and 4. Thou art a silly (less educated woman).
mythical creatures. Here are some works of the The famous words invented by Shakespeare
final period: 1. Amazement
1. Pericles, Prince of Tyre (1608) 2. Lonely
2. Cymbeline (1610) 3. Fashionable
 4. Hurry 8. Foregone conclusion
5. Majestic Famous Lines
6. Excellent 1. To be or not to be, that’s the question.
Famous Idioms 2. You too brutus. (not certain regarding its
1. Heart of Gold spelling)
2. Pillar of Strength 3. The course of true love never did run
3. Green-eyed Monster (Jealousy) smooth
4. To wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve 4. There’s nothing good or bad but thinking
5. Method in Madness makes it so.
6. More sinned than sinning 5. Hell is empty and all the devils are here.
7. Vanish into the thin air

Instances of Dramatic Irony in Oedipus Rex

By Asad Imran
May 12, 2020
Categories: Drama

When Oedipus is given the oracle of killing his

Irony
father and marrying his mother, he leaves Corinth
and sets forth to Thebes unknowingly. On his
Irony is the difference between expectations and
way, he kills an old person along with other
happenings while dramatic irony is the difference
persons, without knowing the fact that the old
between the knowledge of actors and that of the
person is his actual father and king of Thebes.
audience. Oedipus the King is the most
We, as the audience, know this fact but Oedipus
renowned example of dramatic irony and ironies
is unaware of it, creating an instance of Dramatic
of all kind. Every single scene contains many
Irony.
instances of irony. It is difficult to cover every
single instance of irony in the drama, yet here are
some examples of irony in Oedipus the King.
Oedipus to Marry Jocasta
Oedipus solves the prolonged riddle of Sphinx.
The Theban people reward him with the kingship
Oedipus to Kill the Old Man
of Thebes for this act of intellectual bravery. He
is married to the “widow” Jocasta. This is
another example of dramatic irony as the
audience knows he has married his mother but
Oedipus thinks he has married the wife of King
Laius (he did not know about Laius being his
father).
Oedipus to Call the Blind Prophet Child of Jocasta’s Attempts of Getting Rid of the
Endless Night Infant in Off-Stage Episode (Situational

Irony)
Thebes is suffering from the devastating plague
Both King Laius and Jocasta are given the oracle
and he has to find a way to save the city from the
killing plague. He has sent Creon, his brother-in- about their son committing the crime of patricide
and incest. Both tried to get rid of the child but
law to bring the oracle and it says that the plague
ultimately their child committed all the crimes,
shall be lifted unless the killer of King Laius is
causing distress in everyone’s life.
either killed or exiled. The problem is who is the
murderer of King Laius. To solve this issue, the
services of a blind but the “Godlike” seer are
called and Teiresias accuses Oedipus of killing Cosmic Irony in Oedipus Rex
the king. Oedipus fly in rage and mocks the
blindness of the prophet by calling him “Child of
Cosmic irony is the difference between the
the endless night”. This is the best example of
actions of gods and that of humans. To assert
dramatic, situational and verbal irony as in the
their dominance of gods over humans, they show
end, Oedipus makes himself a child of endless
their power of fate. Oedipus and his parents want
night.
to mock fate by going against their fate. At long
last (‫)آخر کار‬, fate and divine powers played their
trump card and showed the world who was the
The Truth Must be Made Known as actual boss.

Situational Irony
Oedipus resolves to find out the truth of his origin
and the murder of king Laius by saying, “Truth Sources
must be made known”. It is a situational irony as
he is paving the ways about the awful truth about
* https://www.britannica.com/art/dramatic-
himself and about the crimes, done by him in
ignorance. irony

Renaissance – A Voyage from Darkness to

Light
By Asad Imran
May 17, 2020
Categories: Classical Poetry, Drama

Renaissance is considered the bridge between

Introductory
Black Death (A plague which eradicated half of
the European Civilization) and modern Amerigo Vespucci as he noticed that the newly
civilization. It is speculated that it began in found land was not a part of the Indian continent.

14thcentury and lasted till the 16th century. It

alleviated the darkness of the Middle Ages and Fine Arts
introduced the world with scientific, philosophic, During the Renaissance, painting met excellently
artistic and humanistic advancements. skilled painters. Da Vinci has been the most
famous and talented portrait painter in the entire
Religious Reformation human history. Two of his paintings, Mona Lisa
and The Last Supper have gained an everlasting
currency.
During the Medieval era, Pope had all the
religious and political authorities of Roman
Catholic Christianity. Even kings from different
Scientific Innovations
The most influential innovation during this very
kingdoms could not resist against his ‘holy’
period were scientific inventions and corrections.
orders. But it was Martin Luther who printed 95
In middle ages, it was believed that the earth was
thesis against the ill practices of the Pope in
the centre of the universe but Galileo and other
1517 and separated England and Germany from
scientists gave reasonable theories and
the bondage of the Pope.
calculations about the heliocentric universe,
although they have been imprisoned. The ironic
Humanism concept of Flat Earth gradually decayed and
The movement gained attraction in Italy that Geology, Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry
human is the centre of all achievements and met their true representatives like Sir Isaac
advancements. He can make or mash his Newton, Galileo and Nicolaus Copernicus.
environment and the role of God has nothing to
play with the fate of humanity. That’s why, this
Theatres and Literature
movement was atheist in its nature. The
The Ancient Greek dramas were only limited to
Humanist group emphasized on the importance
the superiority of gods and the tragic downfall of
of education for all and invention of printing
the protagonist. Renaissance introduced
press alleviated the aristocratic influence over
conduction and alleviation of social evils in the
education as the books were publicly available in
plays performed in theatres and every possible
large number.
and non-possible theme was tried and gluttoned
in literature. Shakespeare, Spenser, Bacon and
Exploration Chaucer are some of the great names in
As the European people got out of their religious
literature during that period.
backwardness, the Englandeers and Portages
sea captains ventured into the unknown islands
and colonised them to enlarge their kingdoms.
Notable Children of
Christofer Columbus discovered America in Renaissance
1492. But the continent had been named after Name Place Occupation Best
 Known For solar
system
Leonardo da Italy Painter The Mona
Vinci Lisa & The Thomas England Philosopher Leviath
Last Hobbes
Supper
Geoffrey England Poet The
Desiderius Holland Scholar Translation Chaucer Canter
Erasmus of New Tales
Testament
Dante Italy Philosopher, The Di
Rane France Philosopher Modern Poet, Writer Comed
Descartes and philosophy and Political
Mathematician Thinker

Galileo Italy Astronomer, His Niccolò Italy Diplomat and The Pr

Physicist and pioneering Machiavelli Philosopher
Engineer work with
John Milton England Poet and Paradi
telescopes,
Historian Lost
arrested for
his views William England Playwright and Romeo
on Shakespeare Poet Juliet,
heliocentric (National Hamle
universe Poet of The
England) Sonnet
Nicolaus Poland Mathematician Modern
Copernicus and concept of
Astronomer a Left Out Source
heliocentric
https://www.history.com/topics/renaissance/re

Origin of Greek Drama

By Asad Imran
May 22, 2020
Categories: Drama

Greek Drama was an attribution or worship of the God were merely the battles of their mythical gods. These
Dionysus (The god of fertility, wine and theatre) in the dramas were based on myths. A myth is like a
festival, known as Dionysia, in which different theatrical hypothesis which is or cannot be proven by science,
performances were made. These dramas were just logic or reason.
episodic stories which were devoid of beginning, Types of Greek Drama
middle or the end of the story. The episodic stories 1. Tragedy
 2. Comedy 1. Sophocles
3. Satyr Plays 2. Aeschylus
3. Euripides
Famous Dramatists of Greek Drama 4. Aristophanes – Comedy

Greek Theatre
By Asad Imran
May 22, 2020
Categories: Drama

Literal meaning of Theatre is a viewing place. It 1. Enhance the distinction of characters for
was a grand place where the participants showed the spectators who were sitting far away
their dramatic performances in different groups from the stage.
like actors or chorus etc. Apparently, it viewed like 2. To alleviate the difference of gander
the sports stadium of the modern era. The Theatre 3. To make the audience fearful of gods
of Dionysus, situated in Athens. Like in Ancient
Greek Athletics, women were not allowed to take Chorus
part in performing the tragedy. Women and Chorus was a group of musicians, it played an
children were allowed to spectate the drama by integral part in simplifying and beautifying the
sitting on the most upper seats of the theatre. In story in Ancient Greek Drama. The main objective
the earliest Greek dramas, only a person had to of the chorus was to make certain scenes
perform many characters of the drama. As the understandable for the people, and to engage the
drama industry of ancient Greek started people when the actors were changing their masks
developing, the number of actors was increased and other costumes.
gradually. The participants used to wear masks to:

Structure of Greek Tragedy

By Asad Imran
May 22, 2020
Categories: Drama

The Ancient Greek Tragedy followed a specific

set of structure which was present in almost
every Greek tragedy. 3. Scenes or Episodes: A scene or a series
of scenes were performed to the audience
1. Prologue: An introductory part of the 4. Exodos: A conclusionary song, sung by
tragedy, illustrated by the chorus the chorus at the end of the tragedy, to
2. Parodos: Arrival of actors mourn at the tragic death of the hero or a
god

Aristotle’s Views on Greek Tragedy

By Asad Imran
May 22, 2020
Categories: Drama

Aristotle was a great thinker of the second-century gradually shift from pleasant situation to
B.E.C. In his book, poetics, Aristotle commented on gloomish situation
Greek tragedy as thus: 1.2 Complex Plot: In which the hero is
unaware of his actions: this type of plot holds
Tragedy, then, is a representation of an action that is
sudden reversal of situations and a (long)
worth serious attention, complete in itself, and of some
journey towards ignorance of incidents to
amplitude; in language enriched by a variety of artistic
awareness
devices appropriate to the several parts of the play;
presented in the form of action, not narration; by 2. Character: Characters make men choose
means of pity and fear bringing about the purgation of the right and avoid the wrong, while
such emotions. explaining the moral purpose of the story.
The central character of a story is called a
Source of definition: protagonist.
https://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/drama/classical%20drama/aristotle.html
3. Thought: Thoughts is what is possible and
important under certain circumstances,
in a story.
Elements of Greek Tragedy, For Greeks, these thoughts were

According to Aristotle important for them:

1. Fate
According to Aristotle, there are six elements of
the Ancient Greek Tragedy 2. Man’s position in the universe
3. A sudden change of situations
1. Plot: Arrangements of the story is called a
plot. According to Aristotle, a plot is a soul 4. Importance of gods
4. Diction: Formation of drama in either
of the tragedy It has two kinds:
poetic or prose form but in simple and
1.1 Simple Plot: In which the hero is aware
of his action: the arrangements of incidents lucid language
5. Music: Music helps to adorn the drama
 6. Spectacle: A background which is used final tragic fate)
behind a performance to illustrate some 2. Noble Birth (belonging to royal class, the
scene family of Greek gods or having achieved a
victory after fighting bravely in the

Qualities of Tragic Hero battlefield)

3. Essential goodness
4. Undeserved Downfall
1. Martia (the weakness or tragic flaw in the
hero which leads him to his destruction or

Oedipus Rex Simplified

By Asad Imran
May 22, 2020
Categories: Drama

1. Oracle: An obscure divine message, which 9. Oedipus’ Adoptive Parents: King Polybus and
predicts someone’s future. Queen Merope of Corinth, a shepherd gifted
2. Prophecy: A clear divine message of the king with the baby as they were childless
someone’s future; descent not by a god, 10. Oedipus’ Real Parents: King Laius and Queen
through a priest. Jocasta of Thebes. They received the
3. Apollo: A Greek god of prophecy, disease, prophecy that the kid will kill his father and
light, sun and youth will marry his mother. To avoid that prophecy,
4. Delphi: The central worshiping place of god they decided to kill their newly born child.
Apollo in where he blessed his worshipers 11. Cadmus: Founder and first king of Thebes
with his oracles 12. Motives Behind Oedipus’ Decision to Find the
5. Athena: The goddess of wisdom and war. Also Murderer of King Laos:
famous as Pallas 1. To obey Apollo’s prophecy
6. Sphinx: A female monster: her head was 2. To prevent himself from getting killed as a
human-like but her body or trunk of a lion. She king (He thought it was someone else who had
had been bothering the people living in killed the former king)
Thebes before her riddle was solved by 3. To save the Theban city from plague (as was
Oedipus. ordered by god Apollo)
7. Priest: An agent of god who performs various 13. Oedipus Expressions to Find the Murderer of
duties related to Christianity and in Greek the Former King of Thebes: I shall bring what
mythology, priests used to receive oracles is dark to light.
from god Apollo 14. Choragos: Leader of Chorus
8. Oedipus as King: Caring, empathetic, vain and 15. Oedipus’ Tragic Flaws:
pro-active 1. Rashness in judging people too early
2. Disrespectfulness to religious persons and
 laws If later you find error in what I have said,
3. Arrogance: Too much confidence in his You may say that I have no skill in prophecy.
ability of solving problems
16. Curse of Oedipus as Declared by Teiresias (in 18. Caveats by Creon and Chorus to Oedipus
Scene 1): 1. Oedipus should know the facts before he
1. He shall come across his own plight reacts (Creon)
2. He shall be banished from the city of CREON:
Thebes Now listen to me. You have talked: let me talk, too.
3. He shall be blinded You cannot judge unless you know the facts.
4. He shall be cursed by all 2. Judgements taken too early are dangerous
He accuses Oedipus the “defilement and (Chorus)
corruption of his country”. CHORAGOS:
17. Teiresias’ Prophecy (Scene 1): This is well said, and a prudent man would ponder
1. Murderer is in Thebes it.
2. Murderer will soon be deprived of his eyes Judgments too quickly formed are dangerous.
and “Kingly position” 19. Phokis: A place where king Laos was
3. Murderer will soon discover his other murdered, the road was divided into the ways
crimes (which he is unaware of them now) for Delphi and Daulia
Original Text of Teiresias’ Prophecy: 20. Oedipus Grief (in Scene 2):
TEIRESIAS: 1. He blames gods and fate for his suffering
I will go when I have said what I have to say. 2. He accuses gods for being savage and
How can you hurt me? And I tell you again: merciless towards him
The man you have been looking for all this time, 3. He resolves not to return to Corinth to
The damned man, the murderer of Laos, prevent from accomplishment his horrible
That man is in Thebes. To your mind he is prophecy
foreign- 21. Chorus Views on Scene 2:
born, 1. Superiority of Divine knowledge
But it will soon be shown that he is a Theban, 2. It condemns the vice of arrogance
A revelation that will fail to please. 3. They seek punishment for the hubris
4. Blasphemy must be avoided
A blind man, 22. Prayers of Jocasta (in Scene 3)
Who has his eyes now; a penniless man, who is 1. Relieve from the defilement
rich now; 2. To reduce the mental burden of Oedipus
And he will go tapping the strange earth with 23. Message by First Messenger/Shepherd (in
his staff Scene 3)
To the children with whom he lives now he will 1. Oedipus will be successor of the throne of
be Corinth
Brother and father—the very same; to her 2. Oedipus’ (adoptive) father has died of illness
Who bore him, son and husband—the very 24. The Reason Behind Oedipus’ Happiness
same (Scene 3)
Who came to his father’s bed, wet with his 1. According to Oedipus, his father died
father’s blood. naturally.
Enough. Go think that over. 25. Oedipus Resolve not to return to Corinth
(Scene 3)
 1. To prevent himself from accomplishing the of Oedipus
second part of prophecy (incest) Oedipus position changes from majestic to
26. First Messenger’s Second Message (Scene 3) wrenched
1. Polybus and Merope are not Oedipus’ real Chorus condemns the cruelty of fate
parents Exodos
27. Oedipus Resolve to Find the Truth (Scene 3): 32. Reasons for Oedipus’ Blinding Himself
The truth must be made known 1. To punish himself for the inner blindness
28. Oedipus calls himself the child of luck (Scene 2. To avoid looking at the miseries and horrors
3) after peripeteia
29. Ode 3: 33. Oedipus’ Reason not to Commit Suicide
1. Brevity 1. He wanted to give the killer an exemplary
2. Optimistic punishment
3. Chorus wonders about the parentage of 2. To execute the prophecy of Teiresias
Oedipus 34. Oedipus’ punishment is both physical and
30. Arabinoses and Peripeteia are two main mental yet he is ready for any other
events in Scene 4 punishment (either banishment or death)
31. Ode 4
Chorus laments on Arabinoses and Peripeteia

Role of Fate in Oedipus Rex (the King)

By Asad Imran
May 22, 2020
Categories: Drama

Before discussing the role of fate in Oedipus Rex, Every quote, written above, shows the dominance
we are to make it clear what the fate actually is. of fate over human civilization.

Oedipus is merely a puppet In the hands Fate and Ancient Greece

of fate.
Since Fate rules us and nothing can be Grecian people had a deeper faith in fate. For
foreseen (Jocasta) them, their future was determined by the divine
We blame gods for our misfortunes as powers. In order to know about their past or
naughty boys kill flies for their sports. future, they used to resort to a priest, who gave
Our wills and actions go contrary to our prophecies and an oracle by god Apollo.
expectations. Prophecies were prone to go wrong but oracles
Our thoughts are ours: their consequence is were words on stone, not “on the wind”.
not ours.
 Fate and Oedipus’ Parents

Oedipus, The King of Thebes

Oedipus’ actual and authentic parents were King
Laius and Queen Jocasta of Thebes. They
Oedipus was a wise and influential person. He
received an oracle that their son will kill his father
was successful in solving the prolong riddle of
and will marry his own mother. To escape from
the monster Sphinx. The Theban people were
that dismal condition, imposed by fate, they
greatly impressed by Oedipus’ intelligence and
simply gave the newly born child to a Theban
they made him their king and he was married to
Shepherd to kill it. But the Theban Shepherd took
Jocasta. Both his parents and Oedipus tried their
pity on the child and left it on Kithairón
level best to avoid their fate but fate clutched
mountains.
them in its cruel claws and the oracles went true.

Oedipus Brought up by a Royal Family

Oedipus’ Own Desire

On seeing a child, striving for life, the Shepherd of

Oedipus accomplished these crimes in complete
Corinth took the infant and gifted it to their
ignorance. But it was his quest for truth, “The
childless king and queen while earning a
truth must be made known”, the truth about the
handsome reward. They were King Polypus and
murderer of King Laius and about his lineage. He
Queen Merope. They brought him up as if he
was stopped by Teiresias, Creon and Jocasta but
were their actual son. One day, he overheard that
the plague and his own interest led him to the
he was not the real son of King Polybus and
horrible truth about the horrible wrongs.
Queen Jocasta. For confirmation, he set forth for
Delphi where he was given an oracle about the
crimes of patricide and incest. To prevent from Conclusion
accomplishing these horrible crimes, he left
Corinth and set his course for a random place. Oedipus’ afflictions were brought by fate but, to
On his way to Thebes, he, unknowingly, killed his know about his afflictions, was his own desire, to
father, taking him merely as an old man. blind and banish himself was, as well, his own
decision.

Elizabethan Era – An Age of Theatre,

Exploration and Religious Reformation in
England
By Asad Imran
May 22, 2020
Categories: Drama

This age is also known as the Renaissance of 1. Sir Francis Drake: The first to circle
England as during the reign of Queen Gloriana around the whole globe
(Elizabeth), England flourished in scientific, 2. Sir Walter Raleigh: To colonize North
industrial, philosophical and colonial America in 1585
advancements. This age is also renowned as the
Golden Age for political peace.
Class Division During Elizabethan Era
Age of Theatres 1. The class division was rigid and no one
During this age, theatres and dramas were widely was able to switch his class
performed in England, from casual Greek rip-offs 2. The Feudalism system was also at peak
to an illustration of social evils. The dramatic and helped the monarch to rule over the
genre of literature was more effective, influential working class
and popular at that time. Here are some 3. Another class, the merchants slowly but
renowned theatresin England: gradually strengthen their position and
1. The Red Lion Theatre has topped the Lords
2. The Theatre 4. The people had been judged by their
3. The Swan Theatre nobility and class, not by their characters
4. The Rose Theatre 5. The Chain of Beings:
5. The Globe Theatre 1. God
6. The Curtain Theatre 2. Angels
3. Humans
Notable Dramatists in English 4. Animals and Insects
5. Plants and Trees
Renaissance:
1. William Shakespeare: Famous for his
The Chain of Human Classes during the
Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and The
Sonnets Elizabethan Era
2. Christopher Marlowe: Famous for Jew of 1. Monarchy: Of Kings and Queens
Malta and Queen of Carthage 2. Nobility: Of Lords, Dukes and Ladies
3. Gentry: Of Knights and Soldiers

An Age of Exploration 4. Merchants: Of Businessmen

5. Yeomen: Middle-class people
There were three main reasons behind
6. Labours: Most lower class, workers in
Englanders to venture onto the wide oceans:
1. To find new continents and islands farms, industries and as servants

2. To find new markets for their business

3. To enlarge the kingdom of England Government

Famous Explorers
The government during the Elizabethan idealised the Church of England both as Catholic
era was comprised of three tiers: and Reformed but most importantly, she
abolished the supremacy of Roman Catholic
1. Monarch Church and proclaimed to honour the church as
2. Privy Council: The advisers of the the central church for England.
monarch
3. Parliament Elizabethan vs Greek Dramas
3.1 The House of Lords (was more
powerful during Elizabethan Era) 1. Action in a drama was not performed
3.2 The House of Commons (is powerful but told by the characters
today) 2. There were no or less spectacles as
compared with Greek theatre
Religion 3. Just like Greek theatre, there were no
During the Elizabethan Era, a major shift of divide female actors in Elizabethan Stage
could be seen in religion. Before Queen Gloriana, 4. Fancy Dresses: A major source of
British was “ruled” by the Pope of Roman attraction. Usually, the dresses were
Catholic Chruch. As soon as the fire of used and then gifted by aristocratic
Renaissance caught up in England, the situation class to the drama companies. No one
began to change gradually in favour of Protestant was allowed to wear such costly cloths,
form of Christianity and the authority of Pope in these dramas, these clothes were
began to question. Queen Elizabeth I was also a allowed to be worn and displayed to the
patronage of the Protestant movement. She masses

Qualities of Marlowian Tragic Hero

By Asad Imran
May 22, 2020
Categories: Drama

See the full-length article on The Jew of Malta as a accomplishments of his goals (either positive
Typical Marlowian Tragedy or negative)
3. Humble Origin: Unlike Aristotle, the tragic
1. Dominance: The protagonist dominates the
entire play through his intellect and no one heroes in Marlowe’s plays are the sons of the
people belonging to a humble or a poor
seems to excel in his dominance.
2. Passionate: The Marlowian tragic hero is family.
4. Conflict: He is a creature of external as well as
intensively passionate towards his goals and
can cost everything for the sake of spiritual conflicts.
 5. Auto-biographical Aspect: All the Marlowian 6. Elizabethan Morality: The protagonist is a
heroes are based on the life of Marlowe portrayal of Elizabethan morality.
himself to some extinct.

Character Sketch of Abigail – The Jew of

Malta
By Asad Imran
June 14, 2020
Categories: Drama

Introductory secretly throws her father’s money bags in a

Abigail is the “hopeless daughter of hapless street in the dark.
Jew”. She is the only character in the play by
Christopher Marlowe to exhibit positive and A Sincere Lover
likeable qualities . In early act, her father When she is sent to the newly made nunnery, two
prophesies that he loves her (as a daughter) and young men, named Don Lodowick (son of the
his money bags the most but it only turns out to governor) and Mathias because they deem her as
be a myth. Her father uses his 14 years old “fair”. She also falls in love with Mathias and
daughter as a tool to seek vengeance upon his when her father knows this all, he hatches
enemies. another policy to make Ferneze pay for his unjust
action through fighting a duel between Mathias
Pious Abigail does Something Sketchy and Lodowick. Abigail openly protests against
“Wrenched” Barabas, the wealthiest Jew of entire her father’s intrigues and resolutes, “I’ll make ’em
Malta is deprived of his hard-earned wealth by friends again”. But it is too late and both her
the Governor Ferneze and he devising his policies friends kill each other in the duel. The point is,
to reclaim his ‘gold’. Abigail, as a whole, is seen she is sincere in loving either her father and her
positive and does not catch red-handed doing “would have been” husband, Mathias. She does
anything harmful. Barabas uses his daughter as a her best to enjoin the two Maltese but her efforts
toy to retain his lost wealth by sending her as a are “frustrated” by her father. Barabas even does
fakely converted nun in his house which is not listen to the confession of love, uttered by
converted into a fresh nunnery. She does not Abigail, “O father, Don Mathias is my love! ” and
want to deceive neither the nuns nor her lover, moves forward to win his goal.
Mathias but her father exclaims, “It is no sin to
deceive a Christian” and forces her to do so. In Abigail – A Tragic Character
order to prove a good daughter towards her Having known all the “brave policies” of her
father, she commits such a shady thing and “hard-hearted” father through Ithamore, she
decides to convert to Christianity so that she Her character is an embodiment of genuineness
might be free from the sins committed by her in and honesty. Her character reminds us that
her afterlife. Her conversion infuriates her father positivity can exist in the blowing storms of
and he decides to poison her own daughter negativity and she is forced to kick the bucket but
whom he loved the most . Her pitiful death after she successfully retains her good name .
losing her beloved and her sincere help to her
father makes her a tragic character. She Sources, References and Citations
confesses every policy of her father to Friar 1. https://www.shmoop.com/study-
Barnardine when she breathes her last but she guides/literature/jew-malta/abigail
requests him, 2. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-
“To work my peace, this I confess to thee Jew-of-Malta/character-analysis/
Reveal it not, for then my father dies” 3. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-
Jew-of-Malta/quotes/
Conclusion 4. The Jew of Malta – Text by Famous
Abigail proves to be the most sincere daughter to Production
her father. She arises the feelings of pity in the 5. Lecture(s) of Sir Hassan Akbar
hearts of the readers through her tragic death.

Thematic Significance of The Jew of Malta

By Asad Imran
June 15, 2020
Categories: Drama

Introductory We know policy different but in Elizabethan Era,

The Jew of Malta is a tragic story of a Jew, living this word meant a subtle intrigue. Barabas is
in Malta. This play appeared in 1592 during seen using this word throughout his play when he
Elizabethan Era. That is why this play marks its is planning something harmful. Barabas can
appearance as a protestor (representator) of easily guess that it is the policy of the Maltese
Elizabethan Morality. The story revolves around government to take a hold of Barabas’ ships,
Barabas, the most wealthy Jew in Malta whose house and bags ‘brimful’ of money because they
wealth is confiscated by the Christians. So, might use this wealth to pay the tribute which
religion, hypocrisy, Machiavellianism, policies, has been left unpaid for almost 10 years.
avarice and justice intensify their existence as Barabas devices his daughter, “Be ruled by me.”
important themes of the play. to receive his hard-earned wealth back. From
reclaiming his bags to poisoning his “second
Policy half”, Ithamore, Barabas makes the best use of
his policy. Manifestly, a policy is a soft-sounding seeks vengeance on Barabas by dropping him
version of self-interest. into his “dainty gallery”. Revenge is a fruit
begotten through the seed of avarice but
Greed Barabas’ revenge is uncontrollable and
Lust for money and shiny wealth is a humanly unjustified which paves the way for his tragedy.
virtue which is seen in its abundance in the
particular play. The soul of Machiavelli gives us a Hypocrisy
hint in the prologue that Barabas “smiles to see Hypocrisy also serves as one of the major
how full his bags are crammed”. When the play themes of the play which is abruptly depicted by
begins in the counting-house, Barabas is seen the protagonist himself. Barabas shows his
anxious about his trading ships, returning from double face even to his fellow Jews. He promises
different parts of the world. But avarice is not both Lodowick and Mathias to have his
limited in Barabas only, Lodowick seems to grab “diamond” but advises his daughter, “It’s no sin to
Barabas’ wealth by marrying Abigail; Friar deceive a Christian”. His hypocrisy is not limited
Jacomo and Barnardine try their best to receive to his adversaries, he plays with his own
the feign sympathy of Barabas for the Church; daughter (by protesting he loves her the most
Ithamore, Pilia Borza and Bellamira also attempt and then kills her) and his “second half” Ithamore
to extort money from Barabas. In short, the by poisoning him too. Among other hypocrite
theme of avarice is present in every negative characters is Lodowick who plans to snatch
character of the play. Barabas’ coffers through entrapping Abigail in
the web of love. Ferneze showcases his
Revenge hypocrisy as a mean to ensnare Barabas as well
The whole drama begins when Barabas’ whole as the Turks. Hypocrisy and revenge go hand in
property is seized by the Maltese Governor, hand in this play.
Ferneze. Barabas declares his revenge as thus:
“I am not of the tribe of Levi, I, Anti-Semitism
That can so soon forget an injury.” In simple terms, Anti-Semitism is the religious
So, Barabas’ first instalment to get even with decimation of the Jews. This is the core theme of
Ferneze comes in the shape of a duel between the play which serves as a tonic to push the
Don Lodowick and Mathias which results in the tragic workflow. Why was Barabas’ property got
death of the two. Ferneze and Katherine seek confiscated? Because he was a Jew. Why was
revenge on Barabas and when Abigail knows Barabas blackmailed by Itamore? Because he
about her father’s deeds, she converts to had a long nose . In fact, Barabas was out-done
Christianity and her father even seeks vengeance by both Maltese Christians as well as Turkish
on her by poisoning all the nuns, including his Muslims but Barabas successfully jumped from
“inconstant Abigail”. Barabas is still unsatisfied these hurdles. Religious discrimination also goes
and strikes Jacomo and Barnardine with the parallel with other themes in The Jew of Malta.
arrows of revenge along with Pilia Borza and
Bellamira. Barabas and Ferneze join hands to get Conclusion
even with Turks and it all finishes when Ferneze
The Jew of Malta is a play in which avarice and 2. Lecture(s) of Sir Hassan Akbar
Anti-Semitism give birth to revenge and 3. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-
hypocrisy which are executed by the subtle work Jew-of-Malta/themes/
of policy. 4. https://www.shmoop.com/study-
guides/literature/jew-malta/themes
Sources, References and Citation 5. https://www.sparknotes.com/drama/jew
1. The Jew of Malta – Text by Famous 6. https://www.shmoop.com/study-
Production guides/literature/jew-malta/quotes

The Jew of Malta as a (Typical Marlowian)

Tragedy
By Asad Imran
June 17, 2020
Categories: Drama

Introductory Ages to showcase religious plays for example,

The full-length title of the very play reads as thus: showcasing the resurrection of Christ and other
“The Tragedy of the Rich Jew of Malta.”, thus Biblical events) and morality (as the name
indicating us that we are about to enter into the suggests, morality plays were performed to
gnomish realm of tragedy. But the question depict and advertise Christian morals) plays were
arises, is it really a tragedy or just Marlowe popular among the masses. When the first ray of
randomly chose this title for his play. To answer Renaissance shined forth, Masques and
this question, we first need to define what Pageants (An elaborate representation of scenes
tragedy actually is. Oxford dictionary defines from history etc; usually involves a parade with
tragedy as thus, “a serious play with a sad rich costumes) were introduced, thus adding a
ending, especially one in which the main touch of comedy in dramas. Then the University
character dies.” Wits (a group of university graduates), including
Marlowe came ahead and started innovating in
dramas by moving from the mere imitation of
https://youtube.com/watch?v= Senecan tragedies (ancient Roman Tragedies). A
critic remarks, “Before him there was neither
genuine blank verse nor a genuine tragedy in our
A Typical Marlowian Tragedy language. After his arrival the way was prepared,
Before Christopher Marlowe took to writing plays, the paths were made straight, for Shakespeare.”
mystery (mystery plays originated in the Middle
How is Marlovian Tragedy different from the Ithamore as well as the comic ending. We often
Ancient Medieval Tragedies? consider comedy a thing which makes us laugh
The ancient Medieval tragedies dealt with the but in dramatic terms, comedy means a story
downfall of princely and kingly figures. Marlowe which ends happily and all problems are solved.
seems to deny this rule. His heroes belong to the The ironical aside of Barabas, when he is to
humble families but they attain a higher position speak with Lodowick, “One that I love for his
through their heroic qualities and struggles. For good father’s sake” makes us laugh a bit while
instance, Barabas (our protagonist in the play, alerting us that something terrible is going to
The Jew of Malta) is not a son of a king but an take place. And the drama proceeds with a
ordinary Jew, who retains his “counting-house”, number of bloodsheds. For Christians, Jews and
ships and gold through hard work and policy. Turks are major problems which are
exterminated at the end when Selim Calymath is
Another major hallmark of Marlowian tragedy is captured and Barabas falls a victim to his own
the implication of Machiavellism. The soul of policy. Thus poetic justice is done because
Machiavelli fly beyond the Alps to present a “Heavens are just”.
tragedy of the Jew who accumulated his wealth
through the means of Machiavelli and using Conclusion
every character to serve on his ends. Barabas is The Jew of Malta is neither a complete tragedy
seen practicing Machiavellian principles of not an absolute comedy. T.S. Eliot sums the
attainment of power and wealth which steadily whole debate by denoting to a new genre called
leads to his tragedy. Tragic Farse because the tragedy is presented
without a sombre or gloomiest but rather comic
Unlike the ancient tragedies, which “blamed” fate tone.
for the suffering of the hero, here in Marlowian
tragedy and especially in Mr. Jew of Malta, we
Sources, References and Citations
see a mental conflict . Ferneze takes an unjust 1. The Jew of Malta – Textbook by Famous
hold of Barabas’ property and Mr. Jew vows in Production
verbal solitude to seek vengeance on the 2. Lecture(s) of Sir Hassan Akbar
Governor but in the end, to curb the core problem,
3. https://www.shmoop.com/study-
Turks, he makes Ferneze his confidential who guides/literature/jew-malta/analysis
makes the Jew fall down in the burning caldron 4. http://www.cssforum.com.pk/css-
which he made to “surprise the Turks”. This all optional-subjects/group-v/english-
happens due to the inner conflict to get his lost literature/10308-jew-malta-typical-
wealth.
marlovian-tragedy.html
5. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.c
A Dark Comedy 6. https://sites.udel.edu/britlitwiki/mystery-
The dramatic flow in The Jew of Malta is and-morality-plays/
somewhat stained by comic remarks of Barabas, 7. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Senecan_
Character Sketch of Barabas in The Jew of
Malta
By Asad Imran
June 18, 2020
Categories: Drama

Introduction combined cannot reach near the line of his

Barabas is the most notable protagonist of the amassed treasure.
play, The Jew of Malta, which entirely revolves
around him. Barabas gets his name through a Barabas – A Representative of
Biblical thief Barabbas who is caught in a Jewish Machiavellian Morality
crowd and is given two choices of either Jesus or Barabas’ tragic farce is narrated through the
him to leave. Barabas, in the play, is given only ghost of Machiavelli who claims in the Prologue
one choice, conversion to Christianity to reclaim that, “Which money was not got without my
his confiscated wealth. Mr. Jew practices the means. ” The actual Machiavelli suggested a
best pursuit of his policies but his intrigues cynical way to claim money and power, and
reflect back upon him and appear as one of the Barabas is no exception from this. At first,
causes behind his tragedy. Barabas is seen somewhat ‘good’ but his
Machiavellianism revealed when his “coffers” are
https://youtube.com/watch?v= entrapped by the Governor. He devices,
Lodowick, Mathias, Ithamore, Turks and even
A Successful Businessman Ferneze and his own daughter Abigail to reclaim
During the reign of King Edward I, all the Jews, his lost counting-house. He acquires power
living in England were expelled and through his “brave policies” and everyone,
excommunicated because of their religion until including himself and excluding Ferneze, falls a
1656 when they were remitted. This play takes prey to Barabas’ intrigues and loses his life.
place in 1592 so Mr. Jew is located in Malta Barabas is not alone in adapting himself to
instead of England . Barabas makes his living Machiavellistic morals, Ferneze is seen being the
through the business of ships and money- same in paying back the Turks and Barabas;
lending. Money-lending was prohibited in Lodowick, for his plan to deceive Abigail and
Christians at that time so Barabas got an Barabas, Bellamira, Pilia-Borza and Ithamore plan
advantageous point. In Act 1 Scene 1, we see to extort Barabas’ money by blackmailing him
Barabas interrogating about his ships, coming through correspondence; Friar Jacomo and
from different lands including Persia, Spain, Barnardine, they use religion “as a childish toy” to
Greece and other well-known continents with hide their “mischiefs” of sexual lust as well as
gold, pearls, opals, topaz and wine brought in crave for gold.
return. His bags of gold are so “well crammed”
that the wealth of all the people of Malta Barabas Only Lives for Himself
Earlier, he protests that he loves gold and his Barabas is a complex character with a complex
daughter but he poisons her when she becomes past and a straight forward future. He exhibits
“inconstant” by converting her to Christianity. the qualities of a true Marlowian as well as
Barabas also declares Ithamore, a Turkish Machiavellian Character through his actions,
Muslim slave, his “second half” and a heir of his utterance and most importantly, his policies.
wealth but we see Ithamore poisoned by him as
soon as Ithamore revolts against Barabas. Why Sources, References and Citation
he does so? The answer is simple, he kills 1. The Jew of Malta – Textbook by Famous
everyone who stands as a stumbling block Production
against his way to erect a shiny castle of gold. 2. Lecture(s) of Sir Hassan Akbar
But he is not the only one; Ferneze sees his 3. https://www.shmoop.com/study-
pursuit behind freezing Barabas’ wealth so that guides/literature/jew-malta/barabas
the unpaid tribute can be slapped on the face of 4. https://www.sparknotes.com/drama/jew
Calymath and vice versa . 5. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-
Jew-of-Malta/character-analysis/
Conclusion

Aristotle’s Concept of Tragedy in Oedipus Rex

By Asad Imran
June 20, 2020
Categories: Drama

Overview bringing about the purgation of such emotions. “.

Born in 384, Aristotle is still remembered and Let’s trace the clues of this definition in the play
regarded as one of the pioneers in philosophy, of Oedipus Rex because this tragic play was the
literature, science, mathematics, biology and prime focus when Aristotle gave his concept of
metaphysics etc. Oedipus Rex was written way tragedy.
before the student of Plato had born. Greek
Tragedy was gradually evolving at the time of Representation of an Action that is Worth
Sophocles. Aristotle, in his Poetics, set the Serious Attention
foundation of a typical Greek Tragedy as thus, In the early versions of Greek Dramas, a tragedy
“Tragedy, then, is a representation of an action was presented through narration, not action but it
that is worth serious attention, complete in itself, gradually changed in Sophocles’ times when his
and of some amplitude; in language enriched by plays, including Oedipus Rex were presented
a variety of artistic devices appropriate to the through actions of actors, wearing different
several parts of the play; presented in the form of dresses and masks. Such newness of
action, not narration; by means of pity and fear presentation (might have) attracted a large
number of Greek viewers and that is how a Greek For instance, when Oedipus mocks Teiresias by
drama saw its climax (arooj) during Aristotelian calling him, “You child of the endless night”, this
era. is verbal, dramatic as well as situational irony
because, at the end, it is Oedipus who becomes
A Typical Greek Tragedy is Complete in the child of the endless night (blind).
Itself
Most of the Greek Tragedies followed a complex The objective of the Greek Tragedy
plot in which the hero was unaware of his actions The main objective of the ancient Greek tragedy
which lead him to his finale. It might be was to arise the feelings of pity and fear towards
ambiguous for the character himself, but the the hero and life, and their catharsis. It is natural
audience did know his story well. So, a Typical that when we see someone in hot waters, we feel
Greek Tragedy was complete in itself, leaving no sympathetic for them . After reading the full text
extra thinking or mental processing behind. For of Oedipus Rex, we feel that our sufferings in the
instance, in Oedipus Rex, the play opens with a present time have no comparison with the plight
plague in Thebes and our brain works on of Oedipus and we deem ourselves very blessed
attaining the answers of these questions, Where that we have no such obstacles to confront with.
is Thebes? Who is Oedipus? Who are the real This satisfaction is the second name of
parents of Oedipus? What is the reason behind Catharsis.
this plague? All the questions are answered
within the text of the drama that King Laius and Conclusion
Jocasta are Oedipus’ real parents and he has Oedipus Rex checks all the required boxes of the
fulfilled the prophecy by marrying his mother and ancient Greek tragedy. It is straight forward, all
killing his old father unknowingly, which is the the events are well-connected with each other
core cause behind the suffering of the Theban ironically, gradually leading the hero to his
people. catastrophe and his misery makes us pitiful
which paves the ways for psychological
Of Considerable Amplitude and Enriched satisfaction.
with Artistic Devices
A typical Greek Tragedy does not cover over a Sources, References and Citations
few pages. It comprises of three sub-dramas, 1. Lecture(s) of Sir Hassan Akbar
technically known as Trilogy. The Tragedy of 2. https://www.gradesaver.com/oedipus-
Oedipus is a collection of three sub-dramas, rex-or-oedipus-the-king/study-
Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone guide/oedipus-and-
which span over a handsome amount of pages. aristotle#:~:text=According%20to%20Aris
Moreover, these dramas were decorated with a 3. https://patrumtheologia.wordpress.com/
number of figurative and artistic language, aristotelian-tragedy-of-oedipus-rex/
including similes, metaphors and irony etc. While 4. http://www.cssforum.com.pk/css-
citing examples of Irony, Oedipus Rex takes the optional-subjects/group-v/english-
cake as every act has an abundance of irony, be it literature/385-aristotles-concept-
situational irony, verbal irony or dramatic irony. tragedy.html
 5. Aristotle’s Views on Greek Tragedy

Role of Chorus in Oedipus Rex

By Asad Imran
June 22, 2020
Categories: Drama

Introductory
Chorus has been derived from a Greek word, Chorus comments on the terrible predictions of
khorus, which means “round dance, group of Teiresias that the “blind man who has eyes now”
dancers”. It is a group of people who take part in will turn out to be the murderer of King Laius and
dancing and commenting on the story which is also curses the wrenched who has committed
recently presented. Chorus was an integral part this crime and questions, “Shall I believe my
of Greek tragedy and their main objective was to great lord criminal?” Chorus is also observed as a
engage the audience in emotional relief so that middleman between Creon and Oedipus who
they might not sweep away in the tragic blames Creon for plotting against his throne
atmosphere. How did chorus achieve that goal? along with the “blind” seer. Choragos (The chief
Through dancing on the music, through of Chorus) advices Oedipus, “Judgments too
commenting on the dramatic situation and by quickly formed are dangerous.”. Thus Chorus not
wearing and changing masks as the occasion only entertains the audience with background
demanded. story, but also plays an active part in solving
‘minute’ problems. It is also the Chorus who
Oedipus Rex is a Greek tragedy and it is surely shows the Messenger way to Oedipus’ palace.
and accurately enriched with the (4 to 5) odes of
Chorus, helping the characters in depicting Lastly, Chorus is seen mourning the tragic
different scenes and actions. At first, the Chorus demise of Oedipus and says that generation of
is seen commenting and lamenting on the plague moral man adds up to nothing. This ode must be
which has adversely hit the city of Thebes. looked as the view of Chorus as Oedipus still
“The plague burns on, it is pitiless, retains his heroic figure, even after his downfall.
Though pallid children laden with death
Lie unwept in the stony ways.” Conclusion
So, it is Chorus who sets off the tragedy after Chorus effectively plays its role as a strong voice
prologue and structurizes it perfectly. Why did of the Theban people. They dance on the music,
Sophocles added the role of Chorus at the first wear masks without creating an ambiguity and
place? It is simple, he wanted to give the Theban most importantly, helps the characters, actors
people an outline of the plague or major problem and audience in and out of the play actively and
in the play. precisely.
 3. https://www.bachelorandmaster.com/glo
Sources, References and Citation of-chorus-in-oedipus-rex.html
1. http://www.cssforum.com.pk/css- 4. https://www.shmoop.com/study-
optional-subjects/group-v/english- guides/literature/oedipus-the-king/the-
literature/10313-oedipus-rex-role- chorus
chorus.html 5. Lectures of Sir Hassan Akbar
2. https://www.sparknotes.com/drama/oedipus/character/the-
6. https://www.etymonline.com/word/choru
chorus/

Character of Oedipus (as a Tragic Hero)

By Asad Imran
June 25, 2020
Categories: Drama

Introduction Corinthian monarchy, he bore swollen ankles.

Oedipus Rex is a tragic play, all about Oedipus The word Oedipus also means ‘Swallow Ankles’.
himself and his resolution which accounts for his This is how his name was coined by the cruel
tragedy. Scholars, from the ancient Greek till fate.
today have written many gigantic research
Oedipus
papers just to give a solid reason to Oedipus as an Intelligent and
hamartia (which means what were the causes Responsible King of Thebes
behind Oedipus’ tragedy). Oedipus protests a Time goes by and Oedipus grows up into a young
straightforward character. His motives are man. He, somehow, overhears the same
disclosed mainly by himself to find out the prophecy but, this time, for himself only. He, then,
actuality behind the murder of the previous king, runs away to the city of Thebes where a tyrant
Laius. monster, Sycorax had been tormenting the
people in Thebes when a person would answer
How Oedipus Coined his Name? her riddle in a wrong way. Oedipus shows up his
Oedipus’ parents received a prophecy that their intellectual talent and solves the riddle within one
son will commit patricide and incest before he try. Much impressed by the show of intelligence,
was born. To prevent the prophecy from the Theban people make Oedipus, their king.
fulfilment, Oedipus was handed over to a After several years, another plague hits the city
shepherd, who was instructed to kill the baby , and people demand Oedipus, a solution to the
but the shepherd took pity on the child and devastating plague. Before their demand,
placed it in the Cithaeron mountain where his Oedipus has already sent Creon, his brother-in-
ankles were joined together by a pin so that he law to Delphi to bring an oracle which will surely
might not slip away. When he was gifted to the tell them the solution. Oedipus’ fast-paced act
shows how responsible and anxious he is about
the betterment of his city. Conclusion
Oedipus’ early life was adversely affected by fate.
Oedipus’ Self-Judgement (Somewhat) He tried to flee from his fate. But as much as he
Brings Ruin to Him attempted to escape from his fate, the divine
The oracle brought from Delphi suggests that the powers worked against him and made himself
murderer of King Laius should be either exiled or the tool of his own tragedy. Despite his awful
punished to death. Previous successes of tragedy, Oedipus’ character remains unstained
Oedipus were made through his quick and we, the readers are compelled to blame fate
judgements of the problems or riddles just like for his suffering.
the riddle of Sphinx. But to bring “what is dark to
light” was not something which should be References, Sources and Citations
“judged” quickly. Oedipus, earnestly, committed 1. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Oedipus
this mistake and accused Creon and Teiresias of Rex/character-analysis/
plotting the murder of the old king. This, not only 2. https://www.shmoop.com/study-
shows his rashness, but also his blasphemous guides/literature/oedipus-the-
behaviours to religion and religious people. king/oedipus
Oedipus was warned by Creon, “You cannot judge 3. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/oedipus-
unless you know the facts.” and by Choragos, rex/characters/oedipus
“Judgements too quickly formed are dangerous”. 4. https://www.sparknotes.com/drama/oed
His firm resolution of “Truth must be made 5. Lecture(s) of Sir Hassan Akbar
known” gradually but steadily leads Oedipus to 6. http://www.cssforum.com.pk/css-
his blindness and he discovers that he was the optional-subjects/group-v/english-
murderer of the king and husband of his own literature/108910-oedipus-rex-tragic-
mother. hero.html

Character Analysis of Desdemona in ‘Othello’

by Shakespeare
By Asad Imran
June 27, 2020
Categories: Drama

Introduction qualities of virtue, sympathy, bashfulness and a

Desdemona, a Venetian maiden, is the sole faithful wife. Just like many other characters, she
paragon of physical as well as spiritual beauty in is not without her shortcomings which account
Othello . She strikes her character through her for her, being a victim of Iago’s evil intensions
and intrigues. Despite her weaknesses her To simply put, she loved Othello, not because of
positive qualities provoke us to admire as a his black complexity but because of his fierce
guiltless character. Many critics stand for or adventures of seas and lands. When Desdemona
against her. is asked to prove her love for Othello before
Senate, she juxtaposes (places accordingly) her
Desdemona’s Bashfulness and Beauty feelings for Othello,
Brabantio is rather shocked to see her daughter “My heart’s subdued
revolting against his wishes because he deemed Even to the very quality of my lord.
her, “a maiden never bold of spirit. So still and I saw Othello’s visage in his mind,
quiet that her motion blush’t at herself” until she And to his honors and his valiant parts
saw Othello and all her shyness evaporated. Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.
Othello counters Brabantio’s statement regarding So that, dear lords, if I be left behind
his daughter that Desdemona is “fair, feeds well, A moth of peace and he go to the war,
loves company, is free of speech”. Desdemona’s The rites for which I love him are bereft me,
beauty is aptly sketched by Cassio as thus: And I a heavy interim shall support
“Most fortunately. He hath achieved a maid By his dear absence. Let me go with him.”
That paragons description and wild fame, She is ready to exceed every limitation out of her
One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens, love for Othello and she practically does so by
And in th’ essential vesture of creation not only going with him to Cyprus as to support
Does tire the ingener. “ her gallant husband, but also when she is
In simple terms, Cassio wants to assert the fact smothered by Othello’s misunderstood cruelty
that Desdemona is so beautiful that her physical and says when Emilia inquiries about the
grace defies all the stories describing beautiful murderer, “Nobody. I myself. Farewell. Commend
ladies and she is the masterpiece of God’s me to my kind lord. Oh, farewell!” just to protect
creation. Manifestly, her shyness and abundant Othello from being hanged.
beauty is described by many noticeable
characters. Desdemona’s Innocent and Simple Nature
Desdemona is a pure character who is free from
Desdemona’s Love for Othello any vile ailment. But she expects from others to
Her love for Othello is deep, profound and be the same as she is which proves fatally
without any ostentation. She admires Othello for wrong. She does not realize that she is being
his deeds of bravery, done in the battlefield. destroyed by the people she trusts the most,
Othello, while giving his account of his love affair including her brave “Moor” who is poisoned by
with Desdemona as follow, Lago. Another significant trait in Desdemona’s
“She gave me for my pains a world of sighs. character is her simple, trustful and sympathetic
She swore, in faith, ’twas strange, ’twas passing nature. That is why she expresses her firm
strange, resolution to Cassio when he resorts to her for
‘Twas pitiful, ’twas wondrous pitiful. his restoration of the rank of the lieutenant,
She wished she had not heard it, yet she wished “If I do vow a friendship, I’ll perform it
That heaven had made her such a man.“ To the last article. My lord shall never rest, ………
Therefore be merry, Cassio, criticizes Desdemona for her faults as thus, “She
For thy solicitor shall rather die is declared untruthful, she is said to lack intellect
Than give thy cause away.“ and self-respect, she is secretive, she meddles in
And this is pretty much what happens to her on her husband’s military affairs. “
account of advocating for her suit Cassio to
Othello and he thinks it an affair and she loses Conclusion
her life tragically because of her simple, trustful Desdemona is a round character, possessing
and helpful disposition . both good and bad qualities but she leaves a
noteworthy impression on a reader and he
Desdemona’s Faults cannot withhold himself from praising
As a character, Desdemona is presented as an Desdemona as a gentle-hearted character.
ideal character who can hardly be found in the
real world of ours. Her first and foremost fault is Sources, References and Citation
her dual-channel nature of which she herself 1. Othello – Critical Studies by Dr. S Sen
alludes, “I am not merry, but I do beguile. The and P. S. Chopera, 2014 Edition
thing I am by seeming otherwise.” Her father 2. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Desdemo
takes her to a shy lady but in reality, she elopes 3. https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespea
with “an old black ram”. Another shortcoming in 4. https://englishsummary.com/lesson/des
her character is she is too simple and helping character-analysis/
without eying into her surroundings when she 5. https://www.shmoop.com/study-
acts as a ‘lawyer’ for Cassio and Iago guides/literature/othello/desdemona
instruments the best use of her intellectual 6. Lecture(s) of Sir Hassan Akbar
blunder to lead her to tragedy. A critic sharply

Character Analysis of Iago in ‘Othello’ by

Shakespeare
By Asad Imran
June 30, 2020
Categories: Drama

Introduction person around him to serve on his own end. He is

Iago, the man who is not what he claims to be, is angry with Othello for not promoting him to the
one of the most striking creations of rank of a lieutenant and he uses every possible
Shakespeare who lasts an immeasurable impact villainish trick for the demise of Othello,
on every person, in or out of the play. He is the Desdemona, Cassio and Rodrigo (although he
most clever out of the bunch who devises every used Rodrigo’s money to put up with his
“enemies” but stabbed at the end) through his restoration of his rank and position. S. T.
unescapable “webs”. A critic remarks on the Coleridge, terms Iago motiveless because
purely evil side of Iago, “A more artful villain than according to him, Iago was an inborn devil . But
this Iago has never been portrayed; he spreads Iago is a humanistic craft of Shakespeare. He is
his net with a skill in which nothing can escape. ” far from motiveless as his motivation circles
around his love for power.
Iago and Other Villains from Other Stories
As already asserted by a critic, Iago is the most Iago’s Hypocrisy
subtle knave in the entire history of English Iago is, from top to bottom and left to right, a
Literature . Iago is the most callous person who hypocrite but his hypocrisy dwells on every
burns every person, trying to run before and after character of the drama. He says to Rodrigo about
him. His unpredictable callousness even his hypocrisy while serving under Othello,
surpasses Milton’s Satan in Paradise Lost who is “In following him, I follow but myself
sympathetic with his fellow fallen angels who are Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty
thrown into the burning depths of hell but on the But seeming so, for my peculiar end…..
contrary, Iago is observed playing with his fellow ……. I am not what I am“
mate, Rodrigo. Ferneze, the Christian Governor of His remarks, “I am not what I am” are sufficient
Malta in The Jew of Malta is also noticed working enough to give a clue of his terrible hypocritical
for the betterment of his city, protecting it from nature which he exhibits in many crucial parts of
Turks and ‘Jews’. On the flip side, Iago lives for the play. For instance, Iago is behind the duel
himself and his motives. So, Iago is quite between Rodrigo and Cassio and indeed, he
different from the villains in his contemporary sends Rodrigo for some fists but on the spot, he
literature as well as after his debut. mistreats Rodrigo and stabs him. So, Iago turns
out to be what he is not, even to his dear Rodrigo.
Iago’s Motives
Iago hunts for the motives to set up his webs of Iago’s Trust
conspiracy for the characters he hates the most. This is the most horrible weapon of Iago which
What motivates Iago to hate them? He has he utilizes to hunt his prey. His wordful skills are
stated about the pursuits behind his agony is strongly spell bounding and he is trusted by every
Cassio’s “unjust” promotion. But in another person. Both Othello and Desdemona call him,
soliloquy, he blabbers that Othello has, perhaps, “Honest Iago”, Cassio, Brabantio and Rodrigo
slept with his Emilia, also show their faith in Iago. But , their trust in
“I hate the Moor Iago is an eyewash and things are revealed after
And it is thought aboard, that’ twixt my sheets a heavy toll of life of the protagonists. But Iago is
He’s done my office“ actually honest to the readers who read this play!
He devices the same motive for Desdemona that Notice,
she might have an affair with Cassio and thus “You are well turn’d now!
proves his motive through, at first, depriving But I will set down the pegs that make this music
Cassio of his newly attained rank and then As honest as I am“
Cassio’s requests to Desdemona for the
He never conceals his evil intensions from the well as horrible inner confession make a reader
readers and he “honestly and earnestly” reveals tremble with fear.
them to the readers in his soliloquies. Other Titles

Other Traits in the Character of Iago Character Sketch of Iago

Iago’s villainy is mainly intellectual and devilish, Iago as a Villain
and sometimes, the results of his villainy exceed
his expectations,
“I have ’t. It is engendered! Hell and night References, Sources, Citation and
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s Suggested Reading
light“ 1. https://www.shmoop.com/study-
Iago’s revenge is mostly ignited by jealousy. He guides/literature/othello/iago
cannot tolerate who surpasses against him. He is 2. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Othello/
subtly expert in scanning through the inner analysis/
psychological minds of the people around him. 3. Othello – Critical Studies by Dr. S Sen
His villainous expressions are interestingly and P. S. Chopera, 2014 Edition, Page
marked with humour. 314
4. Lectures of Sir Hassan Akbar
Conclusion 5. http://neoenglishsystem.blogspot.com/2
Manifestly, Iago is a complex blend of intellectual character.html
villainy whose humourous verbal expressions as 6. http://myenglish61.blogspot.com/2015/0
of-jealousy-in-othello.html

Shakespeare’s Othello – The Moor of Venice

as a Tragedy
By Asad Imran
July 7, 2020
Categories: Drama

Introduction dialogues, actions and conflicts. The play

The full title of Othello reads as thus, “The harmonizes the traditional somber tone of
Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice”. We jealousy along with flaws in characters who
cannot proclaim Othello being a tragedy just frame the play with hero’s ‘determined’ downfall.
because the word “tragedy” lives inside the title.
Othellois a tragedy because the play is teaming Excessive Pain
up with an abundant material in scenes,
A typical tragedy is characterized by the painful handkerchief is picked up by Emilia and then Iago
atmosphere and suffering of different but which he uses to exterminate his “foe”. Fate also
significant characters of the play. seems to deafen Othello of Desdemona’s
Othellosurpasses among all other tragedies, innocence when Cassio and Iago are jesting
crafted by Shakespeare. Even it excels King Lear about Bianca (and Othello thinks Cassio is
in pathos (a fancy equivalent behind the term talking about Desdemona). Despite these
catharsis). Not only one, but many ‘good’ chances and accidents, tragedy in Othello is
characters are affected by the evil doings of Iago mainly moved by its peculiar characters Othello
in a rather secular atmosphere where spirituality and Iago. Iago, who is rendered ‘honest’ by
seeks to twinkle its existence. There is no relief everyone in the play, manipulates his “honesty” to
of suffering in the play, the plight which seeded cause damage to everyone who tries to excel
forth through the jealousy of Iago, it was him. So, fate gives way to characters to gradually
multiplied without any break of happiness or move towards the guillotine.
dramatic relief. Another thing which contributes
into the exhibition of excessive pathos is sexual Othello as a Shakespearean Tragedy
jealousy. Rodrigo bears his hatred for Othello Othello is, after all, the tragedy written by
because he wanted to woo Desdemona sexually Shakespeare so it checks all required boxes of
and Othello accuses his “fair” Desdemona for being a Shakespearean tragedy perfectly but in a
spoiling his sheets with Cassio out of his sexual different way. Shakespearean tragedy is different
jealousy which was terribly fed by Iago. A critic, from Marlowian as well as Greek tragedies.
Dr. Bradley expresses his views as thus, “What Tragic hero should belong to a noble family but
spectacle can be more painful than that of this Othello comes of a black complexation. Still he
feeling turned into a tortured mixture of longing possesses higher rank of General. Almost all the
and loathing. ” Manifestly, Othello carries an Shakespearean tragedies end in deaths and
excessive level of pathos which arises the blood, but in Othello, the villain is punished to
feelings of pity and fear tremendously in the death for his evil passions as well. Unlike the
heart of a reader. tragedies which proceeded before Shakespeare,
he has magnified his tragic genius by adding
Tragedy of Character or Tragedy of Fate? mental conflicts to it. Jealously, which is a
In every common tragedy, fate and hamartia go prominent theme of the play, comes to life
hand in hand to shape a terrible tragedy. Most of through the conflict of mind of which Iago,
Shakespeare’s plays are illustrated with the Othello, Brabantio and Rodrigo suffer. Bradley
haunted images of fate or supernatural powers. beautifully sums up the whole debate,
For example in Macbeth, witches foretell the “Shakespearean tragedy is essentially a tale of
possible future. Role of fate in Othello is not suffering and calamity, conducting to the death
simple to evaluate as fate hardly seems to affect of tragic hero. “
the play but it does affect characters especially
Desdemona when Othello is initially being Conclusion
poisoned by Iago and she drops her handkerchief Othello is a magnificent tale of unparalleled plight
which is a token of love by Othello. The missing which moves its major characters to their finale
either by fate or by themselves, with a distinctive 2. https://studydriver.com/william-
taste of Shakespearean tragedy. shakespeares-othello-the-moor-of-
venice-as-a-tragedy/
References, Suggested Readings and 3. https://www.risenotes.com/othello/Othe
Citations as-a-tragedy=1.php
1. https://www.shmoop.com/study- 4. Othello – Critical Studies by Dr. S Sen
guides/literature/othello/analysis and P. S. Chopera, 2014 Edition, Page
468

Role of Chance or Accident in Shakespeare’s

Othello
By Asad Imran
July 13, 2020
Categories: Drama

Introductory hunting after the handkerchief to ensnare both

Iago’s subtle and matchless villainy is Desdemona and Cassio through that particular
considerably assisted by the role of chance or handkerchief but Desdemona keeps the
accident. Iago’s intellectual villainy is awesome handkerchief with great care in her possession.
but chance provides an extra and final boost to One day, she drops it by chance when she is
manipulate as well as eradicate the characters offered to bind Othello’s aching head. Hardly
whom Iago is jealously indifferent with, including Desdemona leaves the place where she has
Cassio, Othello and Desdemona. A sound mind dropped the most precious gift and Emilia, the
could easily question the “blind” manipulation of wife of Iago happens to come at the same place
Iago to ruin his villainy in front of his victims but and pick it up by chance as well. Such accidental
some “By-Chance” incidents stamped the tragical loss and discovery of the handkerchief provides
end of the victims profoundly. Before taking a vitality to Iago’s base motives. When Desdemona
deep dive into the role of chance played in is unable to produce the handkerchief, Othello
Othello, let us clarify what chance actually is. feels deeply annoyed by the loss of it and his
Cambridge Dictionary defines “Chance” an doubt against Desdemona’s character grows
occasion that allows something to be done. even stronger than the “honest” words of Iago.
Desdemona expresses her grief to Emilia as thus:
Desdemona’s Dropping her Handkerchief “Since there’s some wonder in this handkerchief
Chance, for the first time, plays its fatal role when I am most unhappy in the loss of it“
Desdemona drops the handkerchief which she
received as a token of love from Othello. Iago is Cassio’s Blunt Confession
The second and the most crucial aspect of the villainy of Iago. The notable characters are
chance is highlighted when Cassio appears failed to find any way of escape from the unjust
before Othello but Iago sends him away and asks clutches of fate which has changed its favours
him to come later. If Othello saw Cassio at this for the devil. Such tyranny of fate cultivates the
time, he would have run into rage and inquired belief in us that our life is governed by the
him about the handkerchief and how did he unseen forces of darkness and goodness has
attain. But Cassio again comes in the scene nothing to do in this world without light.
when Othello has hidden himself and he Resultantly, the role of chance, played in Othello,
overhears the conversation between Iago and illustrates a terrible picture of fate and its
Cassio. Cassio is ridiculing his Bianca (a association with lightless spirits.
courtesan) but Othello misunderstands that he is
mocking his Desdemona. The tension grows References and Suggested Readings
even more grim when Bianca hits the scene and 1. https://www.studymode.com/essays/Ro
she complains to Cassio that he is cheating on Of-Chance-In-Othello-63732148.html
her and he is in love with someone else. She says 2. https://www.enotes.com/homework-
that the handkerchief which he gave to her was a help/discuss-role-chance-fate-
love token from another lady. Thus Cassio’s blunt coincidence-othello
confession confirms the burning suspicion in the 3. https://neoenglish.wordpress.com/2010/
mind of Othello and he questions Iago when on-the-view-that-the-chances-and-
Cassio has departed, “How shall I murder him, accidents-in-othello-adversely-affect-our-
Iago? ” Accentual event dominates the mind of view-of-it-as-a-tragedy-of-character/
Othello than reasoning the truth. 4. Othello – Critical Studies by Dr. S Sen
and P. S. Chopera, 2014 Edition, Page
Conclusion 518
It is clear that chance and accident strengthen
the feeling of fate in us. Fate seems to side with

Discussion on Racism in Shakespeare’s

Othello
By Asad Imran
July 14, 2020
Categories: Drama

Introduction race. Othello, the play written by Shakespeare, is

Racism, to simply put, is the discriminatory or also based on racism. In fact, racism is one of
abusive behaviour towards members of another the most prominent motifs behind the play.
Racism is depicted through the jealousy of Iago Brabantio, who once loved and invited Othello to
with “black” Othello. Racial discrimination, his residence, suddenly changes his side to stand
illustrated in Othello is historical and realistic. against Othello. Why? Since he loved Othello
personally, but still Moors were not respected in
Historical Context the Venetian society. That is why Brabantio
Shakespeare wrote this play in 1604. But it accuses Othello of raping (kidnapping) his
showcases Elizabethan flux against the Spanish beloved daughter to
Moors which were racially targeted. 1. Secure his seat in the senate
Shakespeare’s six months interaction with 2. Retain his respect, reputation and
Morocco’s ambassador gave him enough insight honour in the Venetian society
about racism who had come to request Queen But the Duke advises Brabantio to have faith in
Elizabeth an alliance with Morocco against Othello because he is “fair than black”.
Spain. Moors were usually disliked by many
Europeans because of their black complexation. Othello Sniffs a Little Racism
So, the racial feature of the play tends to inherit “My parts, my title and my perfect soul/Shall
some historical dilemma. manifest me rightly”, says Othello who is still
unaware of the purposeful hatred against him.
Othello’s Gallantry Minused by Iago’s But to his heart, he believes, “And yet, how nature
Prejudice erring from itself—”. He inwardly believes that
Othello is the general of the prospering city of Desdemona might betray him for his dark
Venice. He has made his name through complexation. After being racially poisoned by
intellectual as well as martial victories over his Iago, Othello determines that he will send
enemies in the battlefield. Othello promotes Desdemona out of his household if she is found
Cassio to the rank of Lieutenant and this racially dejected of him.
infuriates Iago. Iago, then, makes the best use of
racial indifference to achieve his evil motives. Othello is Questioned
The question arises, is Iago magnifying the Iago keeps feeding Othello of Desdemona’s
already prevailing racial prejudice or is he “disloyal” attitude. His rage and agony against
establishing the racial atmosphere as a new? The her continues to nurture every day and night. One
answer is rather difficult to answer as Othello is day, when Lodovico brings a letter for Othello,
highly regarded by the Venetian government Desdemona gets it first and Othello
despite his being a Moor. However, Iago misunderstands that the letter has come from
exponentiates the racial prejudice subtly and her supposed lover. Resultantly, he slaps
successfully for the noble demise of Othello. So, Desdemona. Lodovico is shocked to see the
in Iago’s perspective, racial prejudice is a plot other side of the shiny coin and questions,
rooted in jealousy. “Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate
Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature“.
Brabantio’s Racist Attitude Towards
Othello Murder
After Iago successfully convinces Othello of “Green-Eyed Monster”, people, once who admired
Desdemona’s infidelity, Othello smoothers his him, defamed and condemned Othello, not by his
“fair Desdemona”. After he has accomplished the character, but by his black colour.
deadliest task, his skin colour is used to describe
his cruelty. For instance, Emilia calls him a Sources, References and Suggested
“blacker devil!”. Emilia also exclaims that Readings
Desdemona was too fond of her “filthy bargain”. 1. https://racisminshakespearesworld.weeb
Such racist terms leave no ground for Othello to in-othello-by-william-shakespeare.html
stand again respectfully. 2. https://owlcation.com/humanities/Race-
in-Shakespeares-Othello
Conclusion 3. https://www.anoisewithin.org/doubt-
Othello lived a life without social prejudice but his and-racism-in-shakspeares-othello/
opponents used his colour to frame Othello in his 4. https://sites.google.com/site/msblt5othe
own love and unfathomable jealousy. When 5. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Othello/
Othello committed all those crimes out of the

Supernatural and Romantic Elements in

Shakespeare’s The Tempest
By Asad Imran
July 17, 2020
Categories: Drama

Introduction
Written in 1611, The Tempest is regarded as the https://youtube.com/watch?v=
final and last play of Shakespeare. Basically, The
Tempest is a magical comic which describes the What is a Romance?
story of the Duke of Milan, Prospero, who was A romance is an unrealistic play or a story which
duped by his brother Antonio. Prospero was sent essentially tells the events which are rendered
to an island where he practised his magical impossible or not suitable for the ordinary
spells to strengthen his position in that island. human-beings to perform. Technically speaking,
After a few years, his rivals are caught in a romantic play is a combination of both tragic as
tempest (storm) and happen to be governed by a well as comic genre. This genre was not a
soul of Prospero in the land of Prospero. So this trending hashtag in Shakespeare’s time so he
play carries many romantic (remote to life) and might have taken some seeds from Francis
supernatural elements. Beaumont and John Fletcher (somewhere
between 1607 – 1613), who originally worked
behind the (modern) romantic plays. The last Prospero’s forgivingness is rare but it is shown by
four plays of Shakespeare are neither tragic, nor realistic people at certain times.
comic nor historic entirely but they carry a few
bits from the already mentioned genres. The Supernatural Enterprise in The Tempest
romantic plays written by Shakespeare are A romance is rendered as incomplete if there are
Pericles, Cymbeline, The Winter’s Tale and The no spirits or supernatural creatures. Supernatural
Tempest. creatures or happenings are beyond scientific
explanation. Oxford dictionary defines
Romantic Elements in The Tempest supernatural as a noun as thus, “Events, forces or
The Tempest is a striking example of a romantic powers that cannot be explained by the laws of
play. The play begins when King Alonso and his science and that seem to involve gods or magic”.
company are cast shore on Prospero’s island Supernatural serves as the most governing factor
safe and sound. Which is rather romantic as in The Tempest after Mid-Summer’s Night
normally shipwrecks are drowned to death. Dream. When Shakespeare wrote this play,
Though they are left alive by the tempest just like people had a firm believe in supernaturalism.
Prospero with his little daughter anchored safely The events in The Tempest are moved by
before twelve years ago after facing the cruelty supernatural powers. From creating the storm in
of the tempest, yet they are separated from each the sea to separating the ship-wrecks, from
other. King Alonso, who is separated from his saving the life of the old Gonzalo to condemning
son, thinks that his son is sleeping in the depths the “three sinners” by the harpy , from placing
of the ocean. The same thought knocks at the Ferdinand before Miranda to the masque
mind of Ferdinand, a handsome hero, who presented during their marriage ceremony is all
labours for his beautiful maiden, Marinda. masterminded by Prospero and illustrated by
Despite the romantic love venture between Ariel . But one thing to be noted here that
Miranda and Ferdinand, The Tempest carries Prospero is not almighty in his art of magic. His
many more romantic traits. The play exhibits the magic cannot make Miranda and Ferdinand love
Elizabethan spirit of voyaging towards the distant each other . Also, the conspiracy of Antonio and
islands. Miranda’s awe after eying other human- Sebastian to kill King Alonso is not the pursuit of
beings is also romantic (unrealistic) as it is Prospero’s magic. But still with Prospero’s limited
difficult to find a person unaware of his fellow magical power, he knows well to tame the play
mates. according to his will.

Not an Entirely Romantic Play Does Supernaturalism Make This Play

Romantic, The Tempest is rightly entitled but it Undisplayable?
also protests (shows) realistic parts. Other Charles Lamb asserted that the rapid
characters, apart from Prospero are portrayed as supernaturalism made this play a despair for the
if they were real humans. Miranda and producer to display spirits among Prospero. His
Ferdinand’s first sighted love is no fantasy as point was justifiable in his time because there
such (temporal) love is rampant in our society. was no special equipment to facilitate the
Alonso’s, as well as Antonio’s villainy, is not a audience with a supernatural atmosphere. But
fairy tale as intrigues are a part of political life. today is a shining era of computer animation and
creating a spirit or even a mythical Greek god is 2. https://www.shmoop.com/study-
just a few clicks away in Desktop Apps like guides/literature/tempest/analysis
Adobe Premiere Pro and Aftereffects. When a 3. http://www.literary-
majority of people watch dramas on their articles.com/2014/04/the-tempest-as-
television for free, the plays like Tempest are romance.html#:~:text=Supernatural%20e
easily displayable on television or in short clips 4. https://www.literaturemini.com/2018/07/
on different social media sites or apps . use-of-supernatural-elements-in-the-
tempest.html
Conclusion 5. http://flash.lakeheadu.ca/~pallingh/shak
The beauty of The Tempest is enhanced by its 6. https://olengmate.blogspot.com/2019/04
romantic as well as a supernatural atmosphere. elements-in-tempest.html
Which creates a distinctive but an enjoyable 7. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.c
environment for everyone. 8. Critical Study of The Tempest by
Rajinder Paul – Published by Rama
References, Citations and Suggested Brothers – 2007 Edition – Pages 175
Readings and 199
1. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-
Tempest/

Character Sketch of Miranda in

Shakespeare’s The Tempest
By Asad Imran
July 19, 2020
Categories: Drama

Caliban. She was rescued by her father when

they were thrown out by Antonio. Overall,
Introduction
Miranda possesses a beautiful heart with
Miranda is a fourteen (some say fifteen) years
positive sympathy.
old girl who is the only female character in the
play . She is the most charming figure of
https://youtube.com/watch?v=
Shakespeare. She is also a romantic figure of the
play who immediately falls in love with King
Alonso’s Son, Ferdinand and who has not eyed Her Sympathetic Nature
any human-being other than her father and
Miranda’s meek heart cannot see anyone in Ferdinand, the royal son of the majestic king of
trouble. When her father raises a storm in the Naples, Alonso, for a spirit,
oceans through his magical powers. She
requests her father to end the storm as the What is it? A spirit?
plightful cries of the ship-wrecks made her Lord, how it looks about!
miserable too. . She expresses her sorrows for It carries a brave form. But ’tis a spirit.
the desperate, “Poor souls, they perished,”. She,
then, says that if she had been a powerful She believes Ferdinand a spirit until she is
goddess, she would have sent the ocean to the corrected by her father who says that Ferdinand
bowels of the earth before it dared to crash the is a human being who eats and sleeps like them.
ship. Then her father narrates his hairbreadth Ferdinand’s good looks make Miranda
escape from the tempest hatched by the Nature immediately fall in love with him at first sight .
itself. After having heard the stormy account of When Mr. Prince tells him about his father who
her father, she says that she might have created has drowned in the sea, she expresses her
trouble for her father. Prospero says that they sympathy for him, praying: “Alas! May God have
were helped by an old Lord named Gonzalo who mercy upon your father!” When Prospero, on his
gave them eatables and other necessary items purpose, scolds Ferdinand, she shows her
for the survival. Miranda is, again, moved by the anxiety as thus, “Why speaks my father so
help and she wishes that she would meet urgently?”
Gonzalo.
These incidents show Miranda’s sympathetic When Prospero becomes pre-occupied in his
behaviour but it is only limited to the good people book reading, she secretly meets Ferdinand and
only. She hates Caliban for a sound reason as requests him to share his labour which is
once, that “monster” tried to “fill the island with assigned by her father. Ferdinand rejects her
Calibans” by raping her. She protests her hatred proposal and replies that he must complete his
against Caliban as follows, work in the given time. When Ferdinand praises
her beauty in eloquent terms, she replies, owing
Tis a villain, sir, to her modesty (apny shaysta/umda rawaye ki
I do not love to look on. qassam khaty huy), that she loves no one other
than him, he replies that he loves her, honours her
and values her more than anything in this world.
She is greatly moved by his sincere confession
Miranda’s Deep Love for Ferdinand
that happy tears begin to flow from her eyes.
Miranda is a romantic character in a worldly
Manifestly, it is clearly evident that her love for
sense because of the love affair which ensnares
Ferdinand is immeasurable.
both the prince and princess entirely. Having
spent twelve years on a remote island, Miranda
has not met any human other than her father. The Most Charming Output from
That is why she startled to see a princely figure
Shakespeare’s Pen
standing in front of her and she mistakes
The character of Miranda is the most charming
creation ever sketched by the pencil of the noble
playwright, Shakespeare. Although there are no what the moon and stars were . They also argue
clear references to her unparallel beauty in the that the language of these lines is weaker than
play, yet she strikes her appearance as a modest, Prospero’s if he had spoken at that moment.
sympathetic, cheerful, simple and innocent girl.
Ferdinand sees her perfect and peerless.
Conclusion
Prospero admires her daughter by saying,
Resultantly, Miranda is a cheerful personality with
her innocent sympathy for those who are caught
O Ferdinand,
entrapped in the tyranny of Nature and Prospero.
Do not smile at me that I boast of her,
Her romantic character makes us forget about
For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise
any terrible happening of the past and present.
And make it halt behind her.

Sources, References and Suggested

Some Controversies among the Critics Readings

In Act I Scene ii, when Miranda chides Caliban for 1. Critical Study of The Tempest by
calling names upon Prospero, these lines are Rajinder Paul – Published by Rama
often reattributed to Prospero by several critics. Brothers – 2007 Edition – Pages 110
According to them, these lines might be (Character of Miranda)
associated with Miranda for a typing error 2. https://www.shmoop.com/study-
because these lines collide with the cheering guides/literature/tempest/miranda
attitude of Miranda. Critics also assert that the 3. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-
language used by Miranda strongly resembles Tempest/character-analysis/
that of Prospero and throws her out of her 4. https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespea
innocent character which Shakespeare gifted us. 5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miranda_(T
But some critics go in favour of the lines, being oldformat=true
spoken by Miranda as it is later confirmed by 6. The Tempest – No fear Shakespeare
Caliban that it was Miranda who taught the beast Translation

Themes of Wealth, Love and Marriage in

Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest
By Asad Imran
July 20, 2020
Categories: Drama

Introductory
The play first appeared in 1895. The full title of of marriage. Cecily and Algernon fall in love with
the play reads as thus, “The Importance of Being each other at first sight and they also have to
Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People“. fight against the hurdles propped by the society
Oscar Wilde mainly wrote this play to satirize and against them. Dr. Chasuble and Miss Prism have
mock the hollow morality of the Victorian society clearly admired each other but they feel shy to
where money, love and marriage are “earnestly” show their love for them. In short, love in this
interlinked. Basically, The Importance of Being drama is not self-sacrificing but it is shown for
Earnest is a story of concealing identities for the admiration, attention and pure affection.
attainment of the desired ladies. The whole story
is highlighted through the themes of money, love Theme of Marriage
and marriage. Marriage for older Victorians was a mean to
receive a partner who would feed the other
Theme of Wealth financially well, who would give the other a well
Wealth plays a central role in determining one’s quoted title in the society. The upper class asks
social status. People with a hefty amount of the questions like, “State your name, rank, and
money are respected more than the ones who serial number.” to ensure that their son-in-law has
can hardly make both ends meal. It was the the three Cs, (Cash, Character and Class). Jack
amount of wealth which divided the people of was about to be accepted as a husband for
Victorian England in three, the upper class, Gwendolen but he was rejected as his class was
middle class and lower class. The mentality of unknown to everyone, including him.
the upper class is revealed through Lady
Bracknell who is looking for the husband for her Many characters hold different perspectives for
daughter if he happens to possess some cash. marriage. For example, Dr. Chasuble and Miss
There are two other requirements as well but the Prism, although they are old, but they marry for
silvery coins do shine to blind the upper class. the sake of love, not for the sake of social status
or wealth as most older Victorians did. Algernon
Theme of Love values marriage as a skepticism towards
Love, in this play sees itself romantically than the committing to only one woman as compared to
love which is promoted through spiritual or Jack who has more traditional attitude of the
sensual branch. Love is depicted as superficial typical nineteenth century on marriage.
and as a mean to fulfil personal interests . For
instance, Cecily falls in love with through rumors Conclusion
from other people and Gwendolen plans to love The Importance of Being Earnest successfully
Ernest because it is his ‘name’ which fills her with satirizes the Victorian traditions through the
feelings of love! themes debated above. Both love and marriage
feed on wealth and social status in the Victorian
Love, in terms of the plot of the play develops society.
quite romantically . At first, we see Gwendolen
and Jack already in love but they are fighting Sources, References and Citations
against the social obstacles to achieve their goal
 1. https://www.gradesaver.com/the- 4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Import
importance-of-being-earnest/study- oldformat=true
guide/themes 5. https://www.shmoop.com/study-
2. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The- guides/literature/importance-of-being-
Importance-of-Being-Earnest/themes/ earnest/themes
3. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the- 6. https://sites.udel.edu/britlitwiki/social-
importance-of-being-earnest/themes life-in-victorian-england/

Significance of the Title in The Importance of

Being Earnest
By Asad Imran
July 21, 2020
Categories: Drama

Bracknell to get the hand of Gwendolen but the

Introduction Lady shows her dislike for the name. The Lady is
Oscar Wile terms The Importance of Being more serious about the three Cs, (Class, Cash
Earnest, a trivial comedy for serious people. and Character). She questions him about his
Wilde’s term is itself a pun. A pun is a literary orphanage and parental identity. So, that is how
device which creates a humorous effect by the Jack’s un-“earnest” act (deceitful action) serves
use of the word which has a fleet of different nothing to him other than complicating the plot.
meanings. In the play, Wilde puns through the Jack decides to kill his fictitious brother Ernest
word “Earnest” as the meaning of honest and as soon as he learns Cecily’s interest in that
“Ernest” as a masculine name meant “Serious” in name.
German. The name, Ernest is manipulated by
Jack and then Algernon to serve for their Algernon’s Ernest
purpose. Algernon’s future soul-mate is also profoundly
devoted herself to name that sounds like
Jack’s Younger Brother Ernest “Ernest”. “It had always been a girlish dream”,
Jack fabricates his younger brother named says Cecily “of mine to love someone whose
Ernest to successfully woo Gwendolen. Why name was Ernest. There is something in that
does Jack fabricate his second brother? Because name that seems to inspire absolute confidence.”
Gwendolen is extremely obsessed with the Why does Cecily say so? Gwendolen answers on
name. She says, “It is a divine name. It has a Cecily’s part, “He is the very soul of truth and
music of its own, …. It produces vibrations.” So honour. Disloyalty would be as impossible to him
Jack, in the disguise of Ernest meets Lady as deception. ”
Algernon, having known Cecily’s obsession, he thus, “That we should treat all trivial things in life
also devises another fictitious brother named very seriously, and all serious things of life with a
Ernest. He terms this dishonesty as “Bunburing”. sincere and studied triviality.”
But Algernon’s plan goes flat on him and he,
along with Jack, resort to Dr. Chasuble to get Sources, References and Suggested
themselves Christened to the name “Ernest” so Readings
that their beloveds may not reject them. 1. https://brainly.in/question/14301963?
Eventually the truth is revealed which startles the fbclid=IwAR1MsiJGeQfQLEp5wOSdCvc96
girls for a moment but they forgive their lovers 2. https://www.indiastudychannel.com/reso
after realizing ‘honesty’ in the hearts of Jack and The-Title-The-Importance-Being-
Algernon. Earnest.aspx?
fbclid=IwAR3MDXbvR4rrNy6FZ97DwtcrY
A Trivial Comedy with Serious Satire dkB1F843hlQ80M-WFCeqFVhF_iks
It is evident by the subtitle of the play that Oscar 3. https://www.bard.org/study-guides/the-
Wilde did not mean his play to be only importance-of-the-importance-of-being-
remembered for its comic setting. This trivial earnest
comedy is a serious satire on sham Victorian 4. https://www.shmoop.com/study-
moralities. Wilde, through his comical and guides/literature/importance-of-being-
satirical tone unveils the hypocritical as well as earnest/analysis
hateful attitude of the shallowness of the 5. https://www.behindthename.com/name/
Victorian people. Take Lady Bracknell’s blunt 6. https://www.enotes.com/homework-
comments on her visit to her neighbour Lady help/what-is-the-meaning-of-the-title-the-
Harbury, who “looks quite twenty years younger” importance-371568?
since “her poor husband’s death”. Then the play __cf_chl_jschl_tk__=02be3b8b2153a2a6a
moves on and every character’s distorted 1595309625-0-
ambition is revealed. Wilde, through such “trivial” AYxijvRs5twzgN0sDqHwUf0Az41_TfI582
story, gives the lesson that honesty, no matter r-
how small it is but it is the best policy. uagTb0iUo6i2BWN7Oyp0BEwHCA5hc08P
qihMo3luP0DpUChwq9IfphyKTC4R-
Conclusion dHEiQk3LLZQMU1Rn8SNSoo8LB4VGgYS
Wilde, himself concludes the whole debate 7. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/844/844
stating the theme of the play to Robert Ross as h/844-h.htm

Social Satire in Wilde’s The Importance of

Being Earnest
By Asad Imran
July 22, 2020
Categories: Drama

lesson with a mild satire that it is essential to be

earnest than Ernest, which is merely a name.
Read more
Introduction
The Importance of Being Earnest is, from head to
Significance of the Title in The Importance
top, a literary satire. A satire is a literary device
which is implied to ridicule the follies, abuses, of Being Earnest
stupidity and faults of either an individual or an Farcical Elements in Wilde’s The
entire society in the notion of not to defame it but Importance of Being Earnest
to reform it. Oscar Wilde, a top tier satirist,
develops satire in his “trivial comedy for serious
people” to ridicule as well as reform the shallow Satire on the Institution of Marriage
Victorian society who took a great deal in
Marriage was a crucial problem as an institution
forming many minute but noticeable social
during the Victorian Era. Women were not
injustices through the flawed characters who are
allowed to choose their future life partners,
deformed by the morals of the Victorian
neither did the men. Both of them were selected
civilization.
based on their social status and the amount of
wealth they possessed. In the particular play, we
https://youtube.com/watch?v= find Lady Bracknell hunting for the husband for
her daughter who fits exactly to her three Cs rule.
Satire within the Title That is why she rejects Ernest in the garb of Jack
The importance of Being Earnest is in itself, a because his orphanage is a hindrance in knowing
satire. Wilde subtly uses Earnest in two ways. his true identity despite his being wealthy.
Earnest for honest and Ernest for serious. But if Marriage was dull and devoid of any constructive
we look closely in the play, no one is earnest in passion. Martial freedom was termed as a
the play. Everyone is doing the opposite of what fantasy those days.
is set in the title. Jack is ‘earnest’ as Ernest, a
fictitious brother, just to woo his Gwendolen who Satire of Character(s)
is passionately obsessed with the name Ernest. Characters play a significant role in highlighting
The same goes for Algernon and Cecily. Algernon themes and satires in the most prominent way
resorts to bunburing, a similar but polite intrigue possible. The Importance of Being Earnest is a
to ensnare Cecily in her devotional web of Ernest. satire of character(s) in two senses. Firstly, if we
When comic relief is achieved, Jack mockingly take the casual meaning of character then this
asserts to Lady Bracknell that he has finally play shadows a shallow characteristic trait.
realized the vitality of being Earnest. Thus the People’s character in this play is not determined
title and the play’s ending lines suggest a moral by their actual character, but by other socio-
economic factors including cash and class. If we character(s), title and marriage in The
measure this play in terms of its characters Importance of Being Earnest elegantly and
(imaginary people), satire is seen in action in playfully.
every character. For instance, Algernon, an
aristocrat, throws parties during every notable
Sources, References and Suggested
occasion but still proclaims to be short of money.
Jack is the opposite of the gaiety found in Readings
Algernon. He, sometimes, appears profoundly 1. http://englishliterature24.blogspot.com/2
serious that Cecily tends to call her guardian importance-of-being-earnest-as.html
“unwell”. Speaking of Cecily, the girl is so 2. https://neoenglish.wordpress.com/2010/
enamoured of the name Ernest that she the-importance-of-being-earnest-as-a-
purchases a ring on the unknown man’s behalf. social-satire/
Gwendolen, another aristocratic gentle-girl, is 3. https://www.bachelorandmaster.com/glo
farcically obsessed with the name Ernest, calling in-importance-of-being-earnest.html
it “divine” which has “a music of its own”. Dr. 4. http://jackklinton.blogspot.com/2017/11
Chasuble, although he is a Christian priest but he of-being-earnest-as-social.html
quotes references from pagan authors. Miss 5. http://www.askliterature.com/drama/osc
Prism is portrayed as an absent-minded lady who wilde/the-importance-of-being-
forgets her son in a railway station. . Thus such earnest/importance-of-being-earnest-is-
satirical follies of characters are depicted as a-social-satire/
“historical” absurdities of the prestigious 6. Essays, UK. (November 2018). Satire In
Victorian Age. The Importance Of Being Earnest
English Literature Essay. Retrieved from
https://www.ukessays.com/essays/engli
Conclusion
literature/satire-in-the-importance-of-
Manifestly, Wilde represents the satirical image
being-earnest-english-literature-
of the renowned Victorian society through
essay.php?vref=1

Farcical Elements in Wilde’s The Importance

of Being Earnest
By Asad Imran
July 24, 2020
Categories: Drama

Introduction
“The play, though extremely funny, was Gwendolen and Cecily show their excessive
essentially hateful”, observes G. B. Shaw, a detainment for the two but the ladies give up
renowned essayist. His hatred against the play when their lovers’ love is proven. So, The
The Importance of Being Earnest is largely based Importance of Being Earnest checks the first box
on its farcical illustration. A farce is a literary of being a farcical comedy through the false
genre and a sub-category of comedy that is identities of Jack and Algernon.
aimed at making people laugh through
exaggerated statements as well as actions of the
characters in a play. Its origins span over the https://youtube.com/watch?v=
times of Aristophanes, a famous Greek comic
playwright. The Importance of Being Earnest is a Mockery of the Upper Class
farcical play because of the misinterpreted During the rapid industrial growth in the Victorian
identities and mockery of the upper class, not to Era, the social structure was divided into three
mention some absurdities in the characters as major classes. The upper class which possessed
well. social privileges, including honour and did not
observe any manual or laborious work. On the flip
Also Read side, people of the middle class as well as the
lower class earned their bread through manual
Social Satire in The Importance of Being work and they did not enjoy the same amount of
Earnest social prestige as compared to the upper class.
Significance of the Title in The Importance The mentality of the upper class is mocked
of Being Earnest through the character of Lady Bracknell in this
Themes of Wealth, Love and Marriage in play. Lady Bracknell selects the husband for her
daughter based on his cash, character and class .
The Importance of Being Earnest
Another example as a mockery can be quoted
from Cecily who considers herself betrothed
(engaged) with Ernest without seeing and
False Identities
knowing about the particular person (Algernon, in
Jack is Ernest and Algernon is Ernest as well but
this case) and she has purchased an
who is the true Ernest? The question remains
engagement ring on the behalf of that “invalid”
unanswered. Jack and Algernon, through their
Ernest.
false identities, want to impress their love upon
Gwendolen and Cecily respectively because
these rich ladies are farcically obsessed with the
Absurdities
name Earnest. For Gwendolen, Ernest is “a divine A Farse is incomplete without addition of
absurdities in it. An absurd action is that type of
name” and sings its own music while Cecily has
action which is “Inconsistent with reason, logic or
a childish desire to marry someone whose name
is Ernest. Their love for the fictitious people is common sense” which makes people laugh with

superficial as both Ernests are reputed for being noise. The Importance of Being Earnest is

wicked as well as invalid (ill). When their true teaming up with many absurd examples. For
instance, Algernon, an aristocrat, cries his
identities are revealed before their beloveds,
bankruptcy resulting after his ostentative parties. fantastic farse but its farcical elements play a
Jack is ridiculously serious that he looks “sick”. key role in signifying the satirical pen-picture of
But the most flagship level of absurdity is shown the prestigious Victorian Society.
by Miss Prism who not only leaves her three-
volume long novel in a pram but also leaves her References, Sources and Suggested
baby in her handbag in a railway. Such level of Readings
absurdity not only make us laugh but also give s 1. The Importance of Being Earnest as
many reasons to point our fingers at the absurd Farcical and Satirical Comedy Essay.
values found in the Victorian society. (2016, Oct 17). Retrieved from
https://graduateway.com/the-importance-of-
Conclusion being-earnest-as-farcical-and-satirical-comedy/
Farcical plays are far from realities. The events 2. https://ardhendude.blogspot.com/2012/
presented in these plays are hardly seen in actual importance-of-being-earnest-oscar.html
life. For example, Jack’s surname turns out to be 3. https://literarydevices.net/farce/
Ernest at the end of the play, so as the Algernon’s, 4. https://neoenglish.wordpress.com/2010/
which is what both girls want their lovers to be. the-importance-of-being-earnest-as-a-
Though The Importance of Being Earnest is a social-satire/

Classical Drama – Short Questions and Their

Answers (From Sargodha University Past
Papers) MA English Literature Part 1
By Asad Imran
August 29, 2020
Categories: Drama, Short Questions

king of Thebes when Oedipus took power.

Q2: How does Jocasta end her life?
View Long Questions/preview/button/#000000 Jocasta ends her life by hanging herself over
the bed where Oedipus unknowingly
2021 committed incest with Jocasta.
Q3: According to Machiavelli, why has he
Q1: Why does Apollo punish the Thebes? come to England?
Apollo punishes the city of Thebes because In the Prologue to the play, Machiavelli claims
they did not find the murderer of the former that he has come to England to present the
tragedy of a famous Jew merchant of Malta. Q1: What does Oedipus think when Jocasta
Q4: Who says that the sudden death of forbids him to explore more about his
Barabas is very strange? identity?
Bosco says that the sudden death of
Barnabas is very strange when his dead body Oedipus thinks that Jocasta might be worried
is presented before Ferneze. about his lineage as he might turned out to be
Q5: How does Iago make himself look the son of a slave.
favourable in Othello’s eyes?
At first, Iago hatches the seeds of anger Q2: How does Oedipus kill Jocasta?
against Brabantio’s daughter and then uses
the information about Brabantio’s anger to Possible Answer 1: Oedipus does not kill
establish trust in Othello’s eyes. Jocasta directly but she hangs herself when
Q6: Why was Bianca angry with Cassio? Oedipus’ “fated” guilt is revealed.
Bianca was angry with Cassio because after
she got the sight of Othello’s handkerchief, Possible Answer 2: Tiresias and Jocasta tried
she thought that he was cheating on her and their best not to proceed the ongoing
was in love with another woman. investigation about the man at fault but he
Q7: On what grounds does Prospero agree to resists and kept on to reveal the curiosity.
release his prisoners? When the way was being made cleared and
Prospero agrees to release the prisoners on the disclosure was ready to be revealed then
one condition that they will not hatch any Jocasta realized that Oedipus is leading him
plots. and herself to a blind alley. So she skipped out
Q8: Name the speaker (The Tempest): “He of the scene and hanged herself. In this sense,
that dies pays all debts.” it can be said that Oedipus became the main
Stephano speaks these lines. source for her suicide and in this sense, he
Q9: According to Algernon, what is the
can be considered her killer. (Originally
essence of romance?
answered by Zahid Shabeer) Learn more
According to Algernon, the essence of
romance is uncertainty. Q3: What had Ithamore been doing before
Q10: What do the main characters in The
Barabas bought him?
Importance of Being Earnest’ think about the
lower classes? Ithamore was as callous as Barabas or even
They think that the lower classes are less surpassed him in certain “arts”. Ithamore had
ostentatious and more humble as compared
been involved in poisoning wells; cutting
to their aristocratic counterparts.
throats of Christian travelers and maimed
pilgrims in Jerusalem.
2020
Q4: Why is Barnardine grieved by Abigail’s he is thrashed by Prospero,
death?
Thou didst prevent me. I had peopled else
Barnardine is grieved by Abigail’s death
because he did not have enjoyed her physical This isle with Calibans.
“grace”. He shows his grief as thus in a
response to Friar Jacomo: Q9: How does Jack’s cigarette case betray his
identity to Algernon?
“And a virgin too.”
Jack unintentionally leaves his cigarette case
Q5: Why did Othello strip Cassio of his rank? to Algernon’s lodgings on which Jack’s true
name is written. View Source
Othello stripped Cassio of his rank of
Lieutenant on his fierce fight with Rodrigo and Q10: What is Lady Bracknell’s initial opinion
Lodovico, cunningly provoked by Rodrigo as a about Cecily?
plot of Iago.
Lady Bracknell’s initial opinion about Cecily is
Q6: What pattern is present on Othello’s that she belongs to a poor family. But when
handkerchief? she learns about Cecily’s wealth, her stern
attitude against her changes to a moderate
The pattern present on Othello’s handkerchief one.
is of strawberries. The colour of strawberries
signifies the power of love. 2019
Q1: How many odes are present in Oedipus Rex?
Q7: Mention two motifs in The Tempest. There are 4 odes present after every scene of
Oedipus Rex.
Two hidden but tracible motifs of The Q2: Why is Oedipus reluctant to go to Corinth
after the death of King Polybus?
Tempest are as thus:
Oedipus fears to go back to Corinth as he might
fulfil the second part of the oracle of committing
1. Music
the crime of incest.
2. Mysterious noises
Q3: What is Act 2 Scene 1 in Jew of Malta
3. Drawing
mainly about?
Act 2 Scene 1 is mainly about Abigail throwing
Q8: In what way does Caliban mention his
the bags full of gold and money and Barabas
mental and moral degradation? catches his “bliss” and hugs his moneybags
while standing in an alley of his counting-house
Caliban, the “fish-like monster” mentions his which is turned into a nunnery.
mental and moral degradation as thus when Q4: What does Barabas’ nose symbolize for?
Barabas’ nose symbolizes for humour and satire. King Laius was murdered by his own son,
It is a common symbol for a Jew to have a long Oedipus the King in the place where three roads
pointing nose. met. Oedipus killed the old man with his youthful
Q5: What is Brabantio’s warning to Othello about might, taking the old man for merely a stranger.
Desdemona? Q2: Who was called the son of Labdakos?
Brabantio who is much dejected by the marriage Oedipus was called the son of Labdakos by the
of his gentle Desdemona with “An Old Black Chorus in Ode 1 in the following line: Labdakos’
Ram”, warns Othello that she has deceived her line, and the son of Polybos
father by marrying and she might deceive the Q3: What is Oedipus’ request to Creon in the
Moor too. ending scene of the play?
Q6: How did Vince treat Othello before he was Oedipus requests his brother-in-law Creon after
dispatched for Cyprus? his tragedy is unfolded before him that his sons
Venice treated the “Valiant Moor” in an engaging shall grow up in the warm winds of the society
manner and wished for his victory in silent but his daughters shall not withstand these warm
prayers. winds and they have no one except their uncle
Q7: How are Ariel and Caliban different? Creon to fall back upon.
Ariel is a faithful servant spirit of Prospero while Q4: Why is Othello sent to Cyprus?
Caliban is rude in his behaviour towards his Othello is sent to Cyprus by the Venetian Senator
master and he was born out of wedlock through to combat with a possible Turkish invasion
the womb of a witch. prevailing in Cyprus.
Q8: Who is Sycorax? Q5: How is Rodrigo befooled by Iago?
Sycorax is the name of a witch who gave birth to Lago uses his stealthy and fatal weapon of his
a beast Caliban and overtook the throne of the persuasive tongue and convinces Roderigo to
lonely island where Prospero and his daughter “put money in thy purse” for him to attain
took shelter. Desdemona for his sexual satisfaction but Iago
Q9: What is a Dandy with a reference to ‘The stabs him back after “serving for his own
Importance of Being Earnest’? purposes”.
A dandy is a person who pays excessive Q6: Why does Desdemona marry Othello?
attention to his dress, looks and lifestyle, while Desdemona marries Othello after learning about
pinpointing his society’s dual identities through his dangerous military ventures and she
his wit. Jack and Algernon are those two dandies professes to love Othello’s occupation as a
in The Importance of Being Earnest. View Source general. I, as a reader, assume that she might
Q10: Define artificial comedy: have married Othello in order to serve Othello as
Artificial comedy is just another term for comedy his companion in his ordeals.
of manners, where a playwright decides to Q7: Who is Bunbury in the play “Importance of
satirize the behaviour of a particular social group, Being Ernest”?
which is normally upper class in some way. Algernon is Bunbury in the play The Importance
(Copied from eNotes) of Being Earnest as Jack’s invalid brother,
2018 Earnest just to escape from his responsibilities in
Q1: How was Lais murdered? his society. View Source
Q8: Why does Miss Prism fear from Lady Q6: Who is the first character to refer to Othello
Bracknell? by name?
Miss Prism fear from Lady Bracknell as she Duke of Venice refers to “Valiant Othello” in Act I
might be questioned for stealing a baby from scene ii.
Bracknell’s house. View Source Q7: Who, in “The Tempest’, says: “He that dies
Q9: Why does Barabas decide to kill Ithamore? pays all debts”?
Barabas decides to kill Ithamore because he Stephano speaks these lines in The Tempest in
“knows too much” about Barabas’ vengeance and Act III Scene ii.
he might confess to Ferneze. Thus Barabas Q8: Introduce Boatswain in the Tempest:
decides to poison his “heir”. Boatswain is in charge of running the ship in the
Q10: Who is Ceres? storm. He has no time for time-wasters and does
Ceres is one of Prospero’s spirits (likely Ariel) not bother to shackle his tongue when talking to
representing the goddess of the harvest in the landlubbers coming on deck and getting in the
masque. She joins Juno to bless Ferdinand and way. (Copied)
Miranda’s union. (Copied) Q9: How is Algernon a dandy in ‘The Importance
2017 of Being Earnest’?
Q1: What is the other name of Apollo used in Algernon serves as a dandy in The Importance of
“Oedipus Rex’? Being Earnest because he remains conscious
Another name used for god Apollo in Oedipus about good clothes and spends lavishly on
Rex is Phoebus, a dazzling ray of light. throwing parties.
Q2: How does Creon treat blind Oedipus in the Q10: When is Cecily bad and good for lady
end? Bracknell?
Creon treats the blind Oedipus as a true brother- Initially, Cecily is bad for Lady Bracknell because
in-law and uses every possible mean to make she is a niece of the Lady’s poor sister’s son,
Oedipus stay in his Theban palace. Jack. But the Lady takes Cecily good when it is
Q3: What is meant by the Machiavellian revealed that she is wealthy. View Source
statement “End justifies the means”? 2016
This Machiavellian statement indicates that a Q1: How does Oedipus become the king of
person’s death reveals all his concealed intrigues Thebes?
so as his follower Barabas reveals his own Oedipus becomes the king of Thebes by solving
policies before his arch-enemy, Ferneze, when he the mind-wrenching riddle of Sphinx. He achieves
falls in his own “dainty gallery”. the monarchy as a reward of solving the puzzle.
Q4: Why is Barabas angry with the three Jews? Q2: What are the charges of Oedipus against
Barabas is angry with three Jews as they have Creon?
arrived to seek Barabas’ help on the arrival of Oedipus charges Creon for plotting the murder of
Turkish galleys and Barabas only cares about his King Laius with the companionship of “Child of
own gold and coffer. Endless Night”.
Q5: Why does Desdemona marry Othello? Q3: Who says in “Jew of Malta”: “I count religion
Already Answered but a childish toy”?
This sentence is uttered by the soul of 2015
Machiavelli who prologues to present “the Q1: Why does Oedipus run away from Corinth?
tragedy of a Jew”. Oedipus has run away from Corinth in order to
Q4: What does Ithamore reveal about his past flee from his destined fate of committing the
deeds to Barabas? crimes of patricide and incest towards his
Ithamore reveals about his cruel profession of (adopting) parents.
slaining and poisoning the innocent people and Q2: What are the traits of Apollo?
he hates Christians as his master does. Apollo is an ancient Greek god, son of Zeus and
Q5: Why does Iago turn against Othello? Leto. He is a god of oracles, fertility, diseases and
Iago turns against Othello for not promoting him cure.
as Othello’s lieutenant and giving his seat to Q3: How does Ferneze treat Basso when Basso
Cassio who is “mere prattle without practice”. demands tribute?
Q6: What is called “a green-eyed monster”? Ferneze replies bluntly upon Basso’s demand of
Jealousy is personified as “a green-eyed ten years’ unpaid tribute that he shall have no
monster” by the Bard of Avon. tribute from Malta, thus treating him worthlessly.
Q7: Why is ‘The Tempest’ called a play about Q4: With whom is Abigail in love with?
revenge? Abigail is in love with Don Mathias.
‘The Tempest’ is called a play about revenge Q5: What is Othello’s opinion about unexposed
because this theme prevails right after the play Iago?
begins and Prospero’s Ariel creates a tempest on Othello considers his ancient honest as he is
the ocean to make the being-revenged unaware of the knavery which is about to take his
submissive for once they used their influences to faith away.
throw Prospero and his newly born daughter in Q6: Why is Brabantio dismayed about
the ocean. Desdemona?
Q8: Mention some ambitions of Caliban. Brabantio is dismayed about Desdemona’s
Caliban, the “fish-like monster” wants to kill marriage with Othello because of his black
Prospero to rule over his mother’s island and for complexation.
this ambition, he instruments Stephano, a Q7: What is the reaction of Prospero when he
“heavenly-drunkard” to accomplish the monster’s notices Ferdinand in love with Marinda?
long-cherished desire. Prospero rejoices, noticing signs of affections
Q9: On what grounds, do you dislike Lady between Ferdinand, Prince of Naples and
Bracknell? Miranda, Queen of Milan. But he plans to put The
I dislike Lady Bracknell for her interfering, Prince on test as “too light winning make the
authoritative and hypocrite behaviour. She wants prize light”.
everyone to press under her thumb. Her Q8: How was Caliban begotten?
obsessed vision of the three Cs (Cash, Caste and Caliban was begotten through his mother. She
Character) creates detest against her in our died on the island while giving birth to a half-
heart. beast where Prospero and his daughter lodged
Q10: Define Artificial Comedy. in.
Already Answered.
Q9: What do you know about Lane in ‘The Q10: What picture of Lord Bracknell is created
Importance of Being Earnest”? by the things Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen say
Lane is Algernon’s butler who knows pretty much about him?
everything about his master. He even saves his The picture of Lord Bracknell is painted through
master from Lady Bracknell’s possible insult his wife Lady Bracknell and his daughter
when his master eats sandwiches “unethically”. Gwendolen as another aristocrat who remains
View Source absent in functions of the family. View source

Elements of Renaissance in the Works of

Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe
By Asad Imran
November 27, 2020
Categories: Drama

Christopher Marlowe and Shakespeare were

Introductory both the top-notch playwrights of the
Elizabethan era. In fact, they were born in the
Renaissance is a period of the revival of same year, in 1565. Marlowe was fortunate
knowledge, the rebirth of power and discovery enough to coin his name as the one among
of new lands that were unknown to human the University Wits (a group of university
civilization. It is not easy to pinpoint an exact graduates) but it was Shakespeare, who took
date for the beginning and end of this away the throne of the best dramatist of
prestigious era but a careful study of literary Elizabethan era from Marlowe. The literary
Geography reveals that it started in the 14th genius of both the contemporaries was
century and ended in the sixteenth century. marked with the same exhibition of the colour
The period of the Renaissance served as a of Renaissance as their poetic or prosaic
transition period from the dark ages to the age counter-parts like Edmund Spenser or Francis
of science and technology. But it was surely Bacon.
an age of discovery, religious reformation and
notorious for the accumulation of wealth and The Jew of Malta
power.
The political tussle between Europe and the
Ottoman Empire was a chief issue among the
people of Renaissance. Numerous wars were
fought for securing the sovereignty of Europe. I follow him to serve my turn upon
The Jew of Malta by Marlowe is a correct him.
historical account of Spanish and Ottoman
influence to claim the island of Malta. The In this respect, Iago’s villainish character
show and the lust of power is vividly woven parallels Barabas. Such reflection of self-
into the heart of the play. Barabas, a Jew, interest is purely of Renaissance.
whose wealth amounts more than the wealth
of the whole Malta combined, uses The Tempest
Machiavellian principles to settle his scores
with the ones who harm him and his gold, and The Tempest of Shakespeare is distinctively
to harvest more power through the use of his marked with geological discovery of new
“brave policies”. The actions of all characters places or more specifically, islands. It is
in this play except Abigail broadcast a historically evident that the epoch of the
negative image of Renaissance. Renaissance was an age of discovery and
colonization. To put these measurements in
Othello the story of The Tempest, we discover the
same stuff. Prospero and his newly born
Othello by Shakespeare is another but a dark daughter are banished from Milan and they
tragic work to showcase the Ottoman Europe are cast to the sea. After facing the tempest
tug-of-war. Despite the historical allusion to stout, Prospero discovers a strange island but
Renaissance, Othello signifies the religious he colonized it through his supernatural
transition to humanism, a movement in which powers. He thought Caliban, an inhabitant of
man was considered as the centre of his that island, language and used the beast to
actions and accomplishments instead of God. serve for his own purposes. The same goes
Some critics even argue that the atmosphere for Arial and other spirits. Such a phenomenon
of Othello is secular. We can easily trace out directly shows how a place is colonized. First,
the humanistic elements in the arch villainy of the colonizers will make its inhabitants learn
Iago. Almost all of his subtle knavery is back- something as a reward or will aid them
upped by his persuasive tongue and his sheer financially and then they will use these
trust of him in both his enemies and his inhabitants to make products for them or even
“friends”. In some way or the other, Iago was a a purchaser. Caliban’s curse also alludes to
subtle follower of the teachings of the cries of the oppressed for freedom. In the
Machiavelli. Iago asserts his self-interest as case of The Tempest, freedom is granted but
thus, in actual life, liberty is granted with a huge
trade-off or a land dispute. Thus, the discovery
of new lands and colonizing them was a true in their writings with a stout exhibition of
“spirit” of the Renaissance. Elizabethan morality.

Conclusion There are no sources as this answer is purely

written by me after a careful study of these
Manifestly, both Shakespeare and Marlowe plays and lectures of Sir Hassan Akbar, Sir
were greatly influenced by the epoch of Saffi and Sir Mohsin on Renaissance.
Renaissance and its impact is directly visible

List of Important Long Questions of Classical

Drama for MA English Literature Part 1 –
Sargodha University
By Asad Imran
March 20, 2021
Categories: Drama

2. Character Sketch of Desdemona

Click on any of the questions to see 3. Character Sketch of Iago
a detailed answer. {alertInfo} 4. Character Sketch of Casio
5. Othello as a Tragedy

Oedipus Rex 6. Racism in Othello

7. Role of Chance and Accident
1. Concept of Fate & Free Will/Character & 8. Significance of the Handkerchief Scene
Fate
2. Oedipus as a Greek Tragic Hero The Jew of Malta
3. Plot Construction in Oedipus Rex
4. Hamartia & Hubris 1. Jew of Malta a Morlovian Tragedy
5. Irony in Oedipus Rex 2. Character Sketch of Ferneze
6. Role of Chorus 3. Character Sketch of Barabas
4. Character Sketch of Abigail

Othello 5. Themes in Jew of Malta

6. “If there is No Marlowe then No
1. Character Sketch of Othello Shakespeare”, Elaborate
The Tempest 1. Title Significance of Importance of Being
Earnest
1. Character Sketch of Prospero 2. Importance of Being Earnest as a Comdey
2. Character Sketch of Miranda of Manners
3. Compare & Contrast between the 3. Importance of Being Earnest as a Farcical
Characters of Aerial & Caliban Play
4. Themes in The Tempest 4. Importance of Being Earnest as a Social
5. Role of Supernatural Machinery in The Satire
Tempest 5. Character Sketches of Algernon Monicrieff
& Jack Worthing

The Importance of Being 6. Character Sketches of Lady Augusta

Bracknell & Cecily Cardew
Earnest
7. Use of Wit & Paradoxical Statements

Classical Drama – Past Papers – MA English

Literature – Part 1 – Sargodha University
By Asad Imran
January 16, 2022
Categories: Drama

2. How does Jocasta end her life?

Time Allowed: 3 Hours 3. According to Machiavelli, why has he come
Total Marks: 100 to England?
Passing Marks: 40 (As of 2020) 4. Who says that the sudden death of
Note: Objective part is compulsory. Attempt
Barabas is very strange?
any four questions from the subjective part.
5. How does Iago make himself look
favourable in Othello’s eyes?
2021 6. Why was Bianca angry with Cassio?
7. On what grounds does Prospero agree to
Short Questions release his prisoners?
8. Name the speaker (The Tempest): “He that
1. Why does Apollo punish the Thebes? dies pays all debts.”
 9. According to Algernon, what is the essence 2. How does Oedipus kill Jocasta?
of romance? 3. What had Ithamore been doing before
10. What do the main characters in The Barabas bought him
Importance of Being Earnest’ think about 4. Why is Bamardine grieved by Abigail’s
the lower classes? death?
5. Why did Othello strip Cassio of his rank?
Long Questions 6. What pattern is present on Othello’s
handkerchief?
1. What view of the human condition is 7. Mention two motifs in The Tempest
offered by the play ‘Oedipnas Rex7 8. In what way does Caliban mention his
2. “Feelings of repentance and remorse even mental and moral degradation?
in their worst periods (except in Faustus) 9. How does Jack Worthing’s cigarette case
rarely come to the lips of Marlowe’s betray his identity to Algernon
protagonists. They remain triumphant even 10. What is Lady Bracknell’s initial opinion
in their defeat. “Bring to mind the manner about Cecily?
of Barabas’s death and analyse his
character in the light of the above- Long Questions
mentioned statement
3. Jealousy is one of the major themes of 1. investigate thoroughly to discern who is
‘Othello’. Who is more jealous–Othello or really responsible for the miserable end of
lago? Justify your answer by giving Oedipus
examples from the text. 2. Barabas seems both an oppressor and the
4. What do we learn about colonialism in “The oppressed. Quote text to prove your point
Tempest’? 3. “Women are not presented in a very
5. What is your estimate of Lady Bracknell- a positive light in Shakespeare’s Othello”
flat or a round character? Give examples to Elaborate
prove your point 4. Explore the ways in which Shakespeare
6. How do Marlowe and Shakespeare exploit portrays power and authority in “The
blank verse in their plays? Tempest
5. Mention the elements that categorize
2020 ‘Importance of Being Earnest’ as an
artificial comedy.

Short Questions 6. How do Christopher Marlowe and William

Shakespeare present the Renaissance
1. what does Ocdipus think when Jocate colour in their works?
forbids him to explore more about his
identity. 2019
Short Questions 2018

1. How many Odes are present in “Oedipus Short Questions

Rex?
2. Why is Oedipus reluctant to go to Corinth 1. How was Lais murdered in Oedipus Rex?
after the death of Polybos? 2. Who was called the son of Labdakos?
3. What is the Act 2 Scene 1 of Jew of Malta’ 3. What is the request of Oedipus to Creon in
mainly about? the ending scene of the play
4. What does Barabas’ nose symbolize for? 4. Why is Othello sent to Cyprus?
5. What is Brabantio’s warning to Othello 5. How is Roderigo befooled by lago?
about Desdemona? (Othello)
6. How did Venice treat Othello before he was 6. Why does Desdemona marry Othello?
dispatched to Cyprus? 7. Who is Bunbury in the play “Importance of
7. How are Ariel and Caliban different? Being Earnest”?
8. Who is Sycorax? 8. Why does Miss Prism fcar from Lady
9. What is a dandy with reference to Bracknell? (Importance of Being Earnest)
“Importance off Being Eamest? 9. Why does Barubas decide to kill Tthamore?
10. Define artificial comedy. 10. Who is Ceres? (Tempest)

Long Questions Long Questions

1. Justify the claim that Oedipus Rex is 1. In Sophocle’s view, what role do the gods
primarily a religious play. play in man’s destiny?
2. I count religion but a childish toy, and hold 2. Discuss the character of Barabas in the
there is no sin but ignorance.” How far is play The Jew of Maita”?
Marlowe justified in these claims in “The 3. How does Shakespeare present lago
Jew of Malta? across the play in Othello?
3. Why does Othello fail to recognize an evil 4. Describe the character sketch of
like lago? Desdemona in Othello.
4. illustrate the impact of symbols used in 5. What are the four main characters
“The Tempest on the developments in the relationships to reality? How do they cope,
play. romanticize or escape from it? In
5. Evaluate the so-called interview Lady “Importance of Being Earnest.”
Bracknell conducts of her future son-in-law. 6. Is the Tempest a romance?
6. Why are Shakespearean tragedies more
lasting than those of his contemporaries 2017
Short Questions elements of this literary genre are included
in the play?
1. What is the other name of Appolo used in 6. Give a precise character sketch (in not
“Oedipus Rex’? more than 300 words) of the following:
2. How does Creon treat blind Oedipus in the a. Abigail b. Cassio
end?
3. What is meant by the Machiavellian 2016
statement “End justifies the means”?
4. Why is Barabas angry with the three Jews? Short Questions
5. Why does Desdemona marry Othello?
6. Who is the first character to refer to Othello 1. How does Oedipus become the king of
by name? Thebes?
7. Who is “The Tempest’ says: “He that dies 2. What are the charges of Oedipus against
pays all debts”. Creon?
8. Introduce Boatswain. 3. Who says in “Jew of Malta”: “I count
9. How is Algernon a dandy in ‘The religion but a childish toy”?
Importance of Being Earnest? 4. What does Ithamore reveal about his past
10. When is Cecily bad and good for lady deeds to Barabas?
Bracknell? 5. Why does Iago turn against Othello?
6. What is called “a green-eyed monster”?
Long Questions 7. Why is ‘The Tempest’ called a play about
revenge?
1. Is ‘Oedipus Rex’ a tragedy of fate or 8. Mention some ambitions of Caliban.
character? Quote text to prove your point. 9. On what grounds, do you dislike Lady
2. “Jew of Malta’ is a tragic-comedy: Satire of Bracknell?
religious hypocrisy and Machiavellian 10. Define Artificial Comedy.
scheming. Agree or disagree with
examples. Long Questions
3. “Iago is the most evil but also the most
fascinating character in the play ‘Othello’”, 1. Enlist the major conflicts present in the
How? play “Oedipus Rex”.
4. The so-called civilized characters are far 2. “I am my own best friend”. Justify the
worse than the ‘uncivilized’ Caliban. statement by analyzing the character of
Discuss. Barabas.
5. Why is ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ 3. Prove with examples that Othello himself is
considered a comedy of Manners? What responsible for his downfall.
4. What are the dramatic purposes of using 9. What do you know about Lane in ‘The
supernatural elements in “The Tempest”? Importance of Being Earnest”
5. How does ‘The Importance of Being 10. What picture of Lord Bracknell is created
Earnest’ satirize the problems of Victorian by the things Lady Bracknell and
society? Gwendolen say about him?
6. Give a precise character sketch (in not
more than 300 words) of the following: Long Questions
a. Desdmona b. Miranda
1. Who is responsible for Oedipus’ tragedy –
2015 character or fate? Prove with examples
from the text.

Short Questions 2. “For, so I live, perish may all the world” is

the policy of Barabas. How does he
1. Why does Oedipus run away from Corinth? materialize this policy?
2. What are the traits of Apollo? 3. On what grounds can Othello be called one
3. How does Ferneze treat Basso when Basso of the greatest tragedies?
demands tribute? 4. Compare and contrast the characters of
4. With whom is Abigail in love with? Ariel and Caliban in ‘The Tempest’.
5. What is Othello’s opinion about unexposed 5. “The Importance of Being Earnest’ is more
Iago? a psychological farce than a farcical
6. Why is Barbantio dismayed about comedy. Prove with examples from the
Desdemona? text.
7. What is the reaction of Prospero when he 6. How is Greek tragedy different from
notices Ferdinand in love with Marinda? Shakespearean tragedy?
8. How was Caliban begotten?