Literary Criticisms of Shakespeare’s Hamlet Essay

This essay will discuss several literary criticisms of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. After skimming through several articles, I ended up with four peer-reviewed journal articles, each a different critical perspectives of the play: feminist, psychoanalytical/freudian, moral, and new historicism. My previous studies of Hamlet, as well as my rereading of the play this semester, has collectively given me a general knowledge of the text. My familiarity of the play made it easier for me to decipher the academic journals and see the connections each critic made with the play. I found it interesting, that after reading Hamlet so many times, that there were connections I never made on my own. For instance, the character Francisco only†¦show more content†¦I enjoyed this moral critique, and, assuming Shakespeare intended for his audience to make the connection, gives me a better understanding of the playwrights own morality. Looking at the play through this moralistic perspective, Cla udius’s actions would be defined as immoral: he violates a general moral principle by killing his brother and then again by taking what belonged to the King and made it his without permission. The murdered king does reappear, however, as a a ghost. The ghost in Hamlet is the subject of many literary critiques; in my research I came across two articles in particular about this topic that caught my interest. In particular, Zimmerman’s article explores Kristeva theory of abjection. The reaction from a threatening breakdown in meaning caused by the loss of the ability to distinguish between subject/self and object/other. The human corpse is one of the most common causes of this reaction because it reminds the living of their own materiality. Upon reading this I was able to relate it to Hamlet as Zimmerman did, â€Å"When the ghost first appears, he comes encased in armor, a portentous figure, a fair and warlike form (1.1.112, 50). What lies behind the armor is of course a corpse: if what makes Hamlet Sr. seem alive is his battle-ready fierceness, then what makes him an illusion is the mystery within. no/thing, an apprehensible outside enclosing andShow MoreRelatedExamples Of Revenge Tragedy In Hamlet1033 Words   |  5 PagesA lot of Shakespeare’s plays allude to revenge and revenge tragedy. Revenge tragedy is seeking revenge for wrongdoings done against someone in a literary work. Usually, the person seeking this revenge is the protagonist and the plot is usually developed throughout their journey to get their rightful revenge. Revenge tragedy is also the central conflict within a literary work. In the play, Hamlet,Young Fortinbras, and Laertes are all examples of revenge tragedy. Hamlet ironically isn’t a person thatRead MoreHamlet: a Feminist Approach Essay examples1224 Words   |  5 PagesHamlet: A Feminist Approach Sexism: the belief or attitude that one sex is inherently superior to, more competent than, or more valuable than the other (most commonly used for male superiority). This idea that women are weak is not a new one in the modern world. It has been studied for countless years along with the concept of a patriarchal society. A patriarchy is defined as a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it. Such systems currentlyRead MoreHamlet As Seen Through The Feminist Critical Lens1481 Words   |  6 PagesHamlet As Seen Through the Feminist Critical Lens As stated by Tim Gillespie in his text Doing Literary Criticism, the concept of literary criticism is the field of â€Å"interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating† literary works. Thus, literary criticism is not objective; rather, it varies subjectively depending on the critic and the lens, or school, they choose to view the work of literature through. Though the actual content of literature is of extreme importance, the way it is approached is of nearlyRead MoreThe Self Defeat of Heroes in Shakespeares Tragedies: A Character Analysis of Hamlet and Othello1495 Words   |  6 PagesThe Self-Defeat of Heroes in Shakespeares Tragedies: A Character Analysis of Hamlet and Othello Introduction Aristotle asserted that all tragic heroes had fundamental flaws that were the source of their undoing, and that were typically the source of their initial success, as well. Oedipus thinks he acts with justice, wisdom, and the assurance of success, and these things also cause him to completely destroy himself when he discovers the truth of his situation, as one prominent example. TheRead More William Shakespeares Hamlet Essay1277 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Hamlet Hamlet has been praised and revered for centuries as one of William Shakespeares best known and most popular tragedies. Based on its popularity, critics alike have taken various viewpoints and theories in order to explain Hamlets actions throughout the play. The psychoanalytic point of view is one of the most famous positions taken on Hamlet.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Psychoanalytic criticism is a type of literary criticism that analyzes and classifies many of the forms ofRead MoreThe Resisting Reader, By Judith Fetterley1391 Words   |  6 Pages In her book, â€Å"The Resisting Reader,† Judith Fetterley says of feminist criticism, â€Å"At its best, feminist criticism is a political act whose aim is not simply to interpret the world but to change it by changing the consciousness of those who read and their relation to what they read† (Fetterley viii). The most prevalent place that feminist criticism is used in this way is in response to the literary idea of the typical damsel in distress. The fragile young maiden who cannot fend for herself and mustRead MoreLiterary Scholarship And Criticism Of Shakespeare s The Invention Of The Human 1309 Words   |  6 Pagesbeyond the end of the mind’s reach, we cannot catch up to them. Shakespeare will go on explaining us, in part because, he invented us† (pp. 19-20). Bloom’s audacious evaluation of Shakespeare has been echoed throughout the canon of literary scholarship and criticism. In fact, Bloom’s â€Å"invention† thesis, found in Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human, represents a culmination of centuries of teaching and reflection upon the famous English poet’s craft. This craft is explicated by another ShakespeareRead MoreEssay about Portrayal of Women in Shakespeares Hamlet 1227 Words   |  5 PagesPortrayal of Women in Shakespeares Hamlet  Ã‚   Shakespeare was possibly the first writer to portray women as strong, crafty, and intelligent. However, he has still received criticism from feminists about his representation of women. Some have even accused him of misogyny. There are only two female characters in the play Hamlet - Gertrude, Hamlets mother and Ophelia, daughter of Polonius. Any debate based upon gender roles must therefore focus upon these two characters. Shakespeare portraysRead MoreImpossibility of Certainty in Hamlet1296 Words   |  6 PagesThe Impossibility of Certainty in Hamlet â€Å"Doubt is that state of mind where the questioner faces no single answer nor the lack of one, but rather a choice between a pair of alternatives.† – Harry Levin in The Question of Hamlet It is appropriate that William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is regarded as the Bard’s greatest dramatic enigma, for misunderstanding is the unavoidable condition of Hamlet’s quest for certainties. Not only is Hamlet bewildered by puzzling visions and by commands seeminglyRead MoreAnalysis Of William Shakespeare s Macbeth 1149 Words   |  5 Pagesand bailiff, Shakespeare is believed to have attended King’s New School because his father held an official position. Shakespeare did not receive any higher level education, however. Hardly anything else is known of the young William Shakespeare’s childhood. Shakespeare’s timeline then jumps ahead to November 28, 1852 when he married Anne Hathaway to legitimize Hathaway’s pregnancy. Their first daughter Susanna was born shortly after the marriage. She was shortly followed by the twins Judith and Hamnet

What I Learned About Research At An Introductory Level Essay

In the reading of the book Methods in Behavioral Research, the author clearly defines the case study as â€Å"an observational method that provides a description of an individual† (Bates, 2012, pg. 121). The objectives of this course fitting to our syllabus were to familiarize us to the practices of psychological research, to advance our understanding of how research is completed and the methods used to do it, and to give us the capability to communicate knowledgeably about the ideas following the research procedure. This paper will use myself as a case study to inspect what I have learned about research as it applies to the above-mentioned goals. An inspection of those techniques and the idea of investigation itself will then be laid against the Biblical guidelines that have been set before us Christians. What Have I Learned About Research at an Introductory Level? As stated in our syllabus, research is essential to the science of psychology. This course was an introduction to the basic concepts and instruments needed to assess and conduct research. Through understanding the research process, as well as the ideas such as validity and reliability, we become better acute consumers and producers of research. I have also learned that research comes in many different tests and observation, but each method is just as important as the last one. Why Use Research and the Scientific Method? In the field of psychological wellbeing, specialists must be regularly studying forShow MoreRelatedWhat I Have Learned About Research At An Introductory Level986 Words   |  4 Pagesa community, or an organization. Case Studies illustrate a problem; indicate a means for solving a problem; and/or shed light on needed research, clinical applications, or theoretical materials† (APA, 2010, p. 11). The goal of this paper is for me to conduct a case study on myself and explain what I have learned about research at an introductory level, and how I evaluate or critique it from a biblical, Christian perspective. The Subject: Jasmine The subject of this case study is a 19-year-oldRead MoreWhat I Have Learned About Research At An Introductory Level1776 Words   |  8 PagesThroughout this course I have learned many things about research at an introductory level. Research is a critical part of all of our lives in many ways. God blesses each of us with a degree of common sense and we all learn from observing others even as babies, we learned behaviors and skills by observing our parents. Walking through experiences throughout life teach us a lot we need to know as well but sometimes we have to take a better approach when we need to learn about certain things. ManyRead MoreWhat I Learned About Research At An Introductory Level As A Case Study1069 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Within the eight weeks of this course, we learned a lot about psychological research. This course provided an understanding of how research is completed. This course also gave an understanding of what methods to utilize based on that particular research that is being conducted. In this paper I will discuss exactly what I learned about research at an introductory level as a case study. In the field of mental health, professionals must be constantly looking for ways to help their patientsRead MoreStatement of Teaching Philosophy, and My Experience Teaching Chemistry in India1063 Words   |  5 Pagesonly load their minds, he cannot quicken them.† †¦ Rabindranath Tagore (Nobel prize in literature in 1913) This is my favorite quotation because it express what, I think, is the essence of teaching and learning. As a student, I have observed that the best teachers were those who cared the most about teaching. It is noteworthy to mention that, I loved the way of my organic chemistry teacher taught conformational chemistry by using models. Therefore, a teacher has to create a way to teach the fundamentalRead MoreWhat I Have Learned And Perfected While Taking This Course934 Words   |  4 PagesResearch can be a very scary topic when it is first introduced to a class, and I was that scary student. Research to me was like learning how to swim for the first time with a life vest on, and my heart beating 100 miles per hour because I’m so afraid. Taking off my life vest and diving into this research course has been very rewarding for me. I have learned so much in such a short amount of time. It has open my eyes up to a variety of ways I can start and conduct my research. Research is not soRead MoreMy Day As An Emergency Room Volunteer852 Words   |  4 Pageseffort his vital signs are stabilized and he begins to regain consciousness. Later, after the excitement had passed, I learned what brought him here. He is diabetic and couldn’t afford to properly manage his condition. He had fainted due to hypoglycemia and hit his head. He had almost lost his life because of the unfortunate financial realities of modern healthcare. In that moment, I came to appreciate the very real cost of disease and the incredible role physicians have in ameliorating it. This formativeRead MoreMy Future Career As A Law Enforcement Officer1821 Words   |  8 Pageslast seven weeks students have dove into the study of research, receiving an introduction to a deeper level of conducting and reinterpreting different research methods. Questions such as, â€Å"What have you learned about research at an introductory level?† and â€Å"How do you evaluate or critique this from a bibl ical, Christian perspective?† will be answered in the personal case study that will be conducted on myself. The fascinating thing about research is that every individual conducts it in a differentRead MoreAnalysis of the Class Orientation to Psychology Essay1371 Words   |  6 Pagespart of my college experience thus far. Although I came into college confidently declared as a psychology major, I didn’t really know what this meant or entailed prior to taking this course. This course taught me valuable information about myself, about the field of psychology, and about how I can mold those two together. All that I’ve learned this semester in Orientation to Psychology helped me to form a coherent and positive understanding of who I am and how this identity fits into the world ofRead MoreFacilitation of Learning1390 Words   |  6 Pagesalso essential for mentors to maintain professional knowledge and skills and to reflect on experiences that facilitate learning. Th is is in agreement with the standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives (NMC 2008). As a mentor I have the privilege and responsibility for helping students translate theory into practice. According to NMC (2008) while supporting and assessing learners the mentor should have the following qualities to establish an effective working relationship,Read MoreHow I Have Learned As A Student Essay1426 Words   |  6 Pagesthe various methods I have learned as a student in the introduction to research course. The skills and methods taught in this class have been presented through course textbooks, online articles and videos, and interaction with the professor. Other opportunities for learning the research skills and methods occurred through writing of papers, testing knowledge through quizzes, and through interactive discussion board threads and posts. In addition to acknowledging these learned methods, this paper

Eyewitness Testimony Free Essays

In the legal profession, eyewitness testimony (EWT) is generally defined as the account of an event provided by an individual or individuals who have witnessed it. Such an account could contain the identity or identities of the people who were involved in the event, a narration of how the incident, itself, occurred, and a detailed description of the scene before, during, and after the event took place. In criminal cases in the United States, the general tendency is for juries to grant EWT a rather high level of reliability, especially in the process of identifying the perpetrator/s of a criminal act (McLeod). We will write a custom essay sample on Eyewitness Testimony or any similar topic only for you Order Now Unfortunately for jurists, research has been consistent in showing that EWT is not as reliable as generally perceived. As a matter of fact, in Problems and Materials on Trial Advocacy written by A. Leo Levin and Harold Cramer, the authors stated that Eyewitness testimony is, at best, evidence of what the witness believes to have occurred. It may or may not tell what actually happened. The familiar problems of perception, of gauging time, speed, height, weight, of accurate identification of persons accused of crime all contribute to making honest testimony something less than completely credible (Cline). This view is shared by many legal practitioners. The prevailing view not only among defense lawyers but also among prosecutors is that in spite of the sincerity of eyewitnesses, EWT could not always be credible. They are convinced that when somebody professes to have witnessed an incident or a crime, for that matter, such a statement should not be taken by faith because it is very possible that what he or she remembers seeing may not have actually happened. This argument is generally based on the fact that not all eyewitnesses possess the same degree of competence. A competent eyewitness should have the following qualities: sufficient â€Å"powers of perception†; ability to remember and describe what he or she remembers seeing; and the willingness to tell only the truth (Cline). In theory, an eyewitness testimony could be discredited in a court of law if it could be established that an eyewitness is not competent by showing that his or her memory and perception are impaired, he or she has certain biases or prejudices against the accused, or that he or she is a reputed liar. Unfortunately, records show that even eyewitness accounts from highly competent witnesses have nonetheless caused the conviction of many innocent people. These are cases which involve competent eyewitnesses giving eyewitness accounts which are not credible but appear convincing to jurors (Cline). Since eyewitness account is highly dependent upon the memory of an individual, his or her recollection of events is greatly affected by â€Å"age, health, personal bias and expectations, viewing conditions, perception problems, later discussions with other witnesses, [and] stress† (Cline). In other words, EWT should be appraised on a case-to-case basis, taking into consideration the personal attributes of the eyewitness and the conditions prevailing at the time of the event such as weather condition, time of day, distance of the witness from the incident, and illumination. Stress is another factor which affects a person’s memory. For instance, an eyewitness who has been so horrified by a killing often fails to recall vital aspects of the incident. In such cases, it is said that the memory of the witness fails him or her, giving credence to the school of thought which maintains that man’s memory is actually imperfect (Cline). Elizabeth Loftus belongs to this school of thought. In fact, in her book Memory: Surprising New Insights into How We Remember and Why We Forget, she wrote that â€Å"we often do not see things accurately in the first place. But even if we take in a reasonably accurate picture of some experience, it does not necessarily stay perfectly intact in memory†¦ With the passage of time, with proper motivation, with the introduction of special kinds of interfering facts, the memory traces seem sometimes to change or become transformed† (Cline). In other words, memory is not only imperfect but could also be manipulated or managed. This is only one of many observations raised by scholars and researchers about the reliability of eyewitness testimony.    How to cite Eyewitness Testimony, Papers

Resurfacing free essay sample

As my eyes flashed open, I silently swore I would never enter the water after today. The brilliant, golden sunshine rained down, creating scintillating sparkles on the beautiful turquoise sea. I searched for a sign of safety while afloat on my deep indigo inner, my eyes found a sandy shore seemingly miles away. The seconds ticked by and the silky sea continued to drift me away from the beach. It seemed as though the sea was demanding a choice: stay on the safety of the float and continue to stray from the shore, or jump and attempt to make my way back. The soft waves warmly invited me in, cajoling me to proceed to land. I leapt. The seemingly friendly ocean readily turned treacherous as it engulfed me for a few moments before I resurfaced. With waves toppling over my head relentlessly, I plummeted to the ocean floor once again. I twirled among the torrents of the currents, utilizing my minimal swimming skills to get my head above the water. We will write a custom essay sample on Resurfacing or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Plunging towards the shore, one stroke at a time, I was able to reach my sandy sanctuary. For a few weeks following the event, I avoided the beach and any other body of. But then I began to think; what if I had not jumped off that float? What if I had went with the flow of the ocean, temporarily afloat but inevitable to float further out to sea and drown? I then realized that to flee my fear of the ocean would be the same effortless way out; the drift out to sea, and I refused to allow myself to do this. That leap saved my life, in more than one way. By surfacing from my near drowning experience, I realized to truly live I have to fight against my fears through taking chances. When a challenge presents itself, I know that I will not let myself be drawn into the apparently easy way of handling it because more often than not, this way is the hardest to recover from out of all. Refusing to allow myself to drown in my own fears, I returned to the beach. I felt anxious about how my encounter with the water would end; I edged towards it and stopped short of the foamy line. While inhaling the salty air, I strode two steps in. Ankle deep was far from good enough for me; I closed my eyes and waded out to my waist. The gentle breeze played with my hair and rolled over my skin. There was no fear, just excitement. â€Å"Never again,† I silently swore. â€Å"Never again would I let fear engulf my life, not when I have the willingness to leap and knowledge that I will always be able to resurface.† And while the argument â€Å"you must look before you leap† holds water, I know you must also be willing to leap to get to where you want to go. For college, I am more than willing to take that leap of fate. I know that in college, I will have opportunities to jump into my classes, clubs, and new experiences which will only be meaningful when I work to become adept at each. I am excited to challenge myself so I can learn as much as I possibly can without letting anything hold me back, even if it is waves of work crashing down on me, because I know I’ll be able to resurface an even stronger, more learned person.