Cruising through Literature

Betrayal

"Yes," I can relate to the topic of betrayal since I, in the past have experienced some forms of betrayal. One incident occured when a trusted friend of mine initiated rumors about me without my knowledge.

At first I found it difficult to believe and understand, since I considered her a trustworthy friend. Then, I began to exprience emotions such as anger and hurt. So as a result, to acquire closure, I confronted her about the situation.

I did not misunderstand the situation as she clearly confessed about making such faulty accusations and her reasons behind doing so. She even went as far as apologizing for her actions. We are now, today, still best friends!

The major Shakespearean plays I have done over years consist of:

The Merchant of Venice

Much Ado About Nothing

Romeo And Juliet

The character in these plays always seemed to resort to violence, trickery or revenge because in some point of they felt betrayed or defied by another character. The chracters also exhibit such characteristics as an act of desparation to save a loved one or provide happiness. In the first play the Merchant of Venice, the character Shylock initiated his need for revenge by insisting upon a pound of Antonio's flesh since he was unable to repay his debt to him. Shylock's persistence was not percieved as an act of revenge but as an act of justice due to Antonio's treatment in the past. Another example of trickery is Portia, Bassanio's fiance act of desparation to free Antonio of the bond made with Shylock. She disguised herself as a lawyer and pleaded Antonio's case setting him free.

Secondly, in the play Much Ado About Nothing the antagonist character Don John only seeked to take revenge on his brother Don Pedro which in turn included the betrayal and trickery of other characters. The protagonist, Don Pedro and his trusted friend Claudio were tricked by Don John into believing that Claudio's love, Hera, was wass unfaitful. As a result Claudio and Don Pedro angered and betrayed designed a plot to embarass the infidel Hera. Nonetheless not all forms of trickery are designed to hurt as some bring happiness. An example of this form of trickery is presented when the other characters tricked Beatrice and Benedick into believing that they were in love with one another.

The Third play Romeo And Juliet consists of one of its main characters,Romeo, resulting to violence. His actions were driven by his anger for the loss of his cousin's life, Mercrutio, by the hands of a Montague, Tyblalt. Romeo then as an act of honour and justice, sought revenge on Tybalt and slayed him. Nevertheless Romeo and Juliet both orchestrated plans to untrap themselves of the circumstances that were not entirely of their own will. Hence, they tricked the other characters as an act of desparation to be together. But unaware of the others plan and through some forms of misunderstanding their day of happiness quickly turned into a day of sorrow.

The historic events occuring during the era of these plays was that the Reformation. Christianity was at its peak as paganism and atheism were not tolerated as they seek to reform England and the World. The renaissance "rebirth" gave light to the changes brought about by music,art, literature and theatre. Also in this era there were fatal diseases such as Influenza and Black Death.

Elizabethan Theatre

The English Renaissance theatre was named after Queen Elizabeth I during her reign in 1558-1625. The Elizabethan stage plays consists of elements of both mystery and morality. The mystery plays, a medieval tradition were intricate stories based on legend through biblical themes, as a result the plays were also performed in the Cathedrals. In 1572 the law bannedthe theatre companiesand labelled the actors as Vagabons. Nevertheless, Queen Elizabeth I enjoyed the plays leaving the privy council no choice but to reinstate the companies. The plays became unified were both the commoners and upper-class were able to enjoy the play together. It was not until the end of Elizabeth's reign that the theatre belonged only to the upper-class.

The illustrious theatre was then renamed “The Globe Theatre.” It was constructed in 1597 then burnt down on 29^th June 1614. It was rebuilt in 1614 then demolished by the Puritans in 1644.

Theatre of the Absurd

The theatre of the absurd is a theatrical style based on the philosophy of the absurd and the philosophy of existentialism that began in France late1640's and stemmed to the 1660's. The plays are centered around the beliefs that humans exist in a godless world therefore life has no purpose or meaning hence, their is a break down in communication.

William Shakespeare

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon on 23^rd April 1564 to John Shakespeare, a successful glover and alderman originally from Snitterfield, and Mary Arden, the daughter of an sophisticated landowning farmer. His actual birth date remains unknown, but is traditionally observed on 23 April, St George's Day. He was the third child of eight and the eldest surviving son. John and Mary’s children comprised of Joan (only survived two months), Margaret (she died one year later), both died from the plague “Black Death”, William (died 1616 aged 52), October 13 Gilbert (died 1612 aged 46), Joan (died 1646 aged 77), Anne (1579 died aged 7), Richard (died 1613 aged 39) and Edmund (died 1607 aged 27).
In 1553, Shakespeare received an education at the King’s New School in Stratford, a free chartered school a quarter- mile away from his home. With the school’s curriculum governed by England’s law (Elizabethan era), he was given an intensive education in Latin Grammar and the Classic Arts
At the age of 18, Shakespeare married an older Anne Hathaway of 26 years. The wedding took place on 27^th of November 1582 where the consistory court of the Diocese of Worcester issued a marriage license. Six months following the marriage Anne gave birth to a daughter, Susanna, baptized 26 May 1583. Almost two years later followed twins, son, Hamnet and daughter, Judith and they were baptized 2 February 1585.Hamnet died of unknown causes at the age of 11 and was buried 11 August 1596. Between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men.
Shakespeare produced most of his known work between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were mainly comedies and histories, genres he raised to the peak of sophistication and artistry by the end of the 16th century. He then wrote mainly tragedies until about 1608, including Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth, considered some of the finest works in the English language. In his last phase, he wrote tragicomedies, also known as romances, and collaborated with other playwrights. He then later retired to Stratford around 1613, where he died three years later on 23^rd April 1616.
Many of Shakespeare’s plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. In 1623, two of his former theatrical colleagues published the First Folio, a collected edition of his dramatic works that included all but two of the plays now recognized as Shakespeare's

William Shakespeare is regarded as the greatest playwright to date his surviving works consists of an estimated 38 plays, 154 sonnets, 2 long narrative poems, and several other poems. The list of forms of the plays produced are:

Comedy