The intention of this work was to analyse William Shakespeare's opinion about evil by linking his religious background and biblical quotations to deeds which appear throughout Shakespeare's plays.
Maybe such a great playwright as Shakespeare knew more about the meaning of the word "evil" as we do.
Table of Contents
- Evil – a Word so Difficult to Define
- Shakespeare’s Source of Inspiration
- Appearance of Evil in Shakespeare’s Plays
- Incest
- “Hamlet”: Claudius and Gertrude
- “Pericles”: Antiochus and His Daughter
- Summary
- Pessimism
- “Hamlet”: The Prince Himself
- Summary
- Murder
- “Hamlet”: Claudius
- “Macbeth”: Macbeth and His Lady
- Summary
- Incest
- Conclusion
- Not even Shakespeare Knew more about It
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to explore Shakespeare's portrayal of evil in his plays, examining recurring patterns and themes to understand his perspective on the concept. The analysis focuses on specific plays and characters, using biblical references to contextualize Shakespeare's likely views. The study avoids definitive conclusions about Shakespeare's personal beliefs, instead offering an interpretation of how evil is depicted and judged within his works.
- The definition and perception of evil in Shakespeare's time and its religious context.
- Shakespeare's use of recurring patterns of evil, such as incest, pessimism, and murder.
- The role of biblical allusions and references in shaping Shakespeare's depiction of evil.
- Analysis of specific characters and their actions as examples of evil in Shakespeare's plays.
- The connection between evil actions and their consequences within Shakespeare's narratives.
Chapter Summaries
Evil – a Word so Difficult to Define: This introductory chapter grapples with the inherent difficulty of defining "evil," exploring various perspectives, including religious interpretations (specifically referencing the Ten Commandments) and the subjective nature of moral judgments. It sets the stage for an examination of Shakespeare's portrayal of evil by highlighting the ambiguity and complexity of the concept itself. The chapter concludes by suggesting that exploring Shakespeare's works might offer insights into the perception of evil prevalent during his time.
Shakespeare’s Source of Inspiration: This chapter delves into the challenges of understanding Shakespeare's personal views on evil, given the limited biographical information available. It emphasizes the need to analyze his plays carefully, distinguishing between his own beliefs and fictional elements for characterization and plot development. The chapter highlights Shakespeare's Protestantism and his extensive knowledge of the Bible, suggesting these factors influenced his writing, although not exclusively.
Appearance of Evil in Shakespeare’s Plays: This chapter undertakes an in-depth analysis of Shakespeare's portrayal of evil through the lens of specific transgressions. It analyzes the themes of incest, pessimism, and murder as presented in his plays. By examining particular examples in "Hamlet" and "Pericles," it elucidates Shakespeare's likely condemnation of actions deemed morally reprehensible based on his religious worldview and the societal norms of the time.
Keywords
Shakespeare, evil, biblical allusions, Protestantism, morality, incest, pessimism, murder, regicide, Hamlet, Macbeth, Pericles, divine justice, vengeance, sin, repentance.
Shakespeare's Portrayal of Evil: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the overall focus of this academic preview?
This preview provides a comprehensive overview of a work analyzing Shakespeare's depiction of evil in his plays. It covers the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The analysis focuses on specific plays and characters, examining recurring patterns and themes to understand Shakespeare's perspective on evil within the religious and societal context of his time.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of Shakespeare's works?
The analysis centers on Shakespeare's portrayal of evil through specific acts and their consequences. Key themes include the definition and perception of evil in Shakespeare's time, the recurring patterns of evil such as incest, pessimism, and murder, the role of biblical allusions and references, analysis of specific characters (e.g., Claudius in Hamlet, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth), and the connection between evil actions and their consequences within Shakespeare's narratives.
Which Shakespearean plays are specifically analyzed in this work?
The preview highlights Hamlet and Macbeth extensively, with additional analysis of Pericles in relation to the theme of incest. These plays serve as case studies to illustrate Shakespeare's portrayal of different facets of evil.
How does the analysis approach the interpretation of Shakespeare's personal beliefs?
The analysis avoids making definitive claims about Shakespeare's personal beliefs concerning evil. Instead, it focuses on interpreting how evil is depicted and judged within the context of his plays, considering the societal and religious norms of his time. Shakespeare's Protestantism and knowledge of the Bible are acknowledged as influencing factors but not definitive interpretations of his personal stance.
What is the structure of the analyzed work, as revealed in the preview?
The structure includes an introductory chapter grappling with the definition of evil; a chapter examining Shakespeare's sources of inspiration and the challenges of understanding his personal views; a central chapter analyzing specific examples of evil in his plays (incest, pessimism, murder); and a concluding chapter. The preview also provides a comprehensive table of contents and keywords.
What are some of the specific examples of evil acts analyzed within Shakespeare's plays?
The analysis uses specific examples of incest (Claudius and Gertrude in Hamlet, Antiochus and his daughter in Pericles), pessimism (Hamlet's character), and murder (Claudius in Hamlet, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth) to illustrate Shakespeare's depiction of evil actions and their consequences.
What role do biblical allusions play in the analysis?
The analysis considers the role of biblical allusions and references in shaping Shakespeare's depiction of evil, acknowledging the influence of Shakespeare's Protestant background and his familiarity with biblical narratives. The Ten Commandments are referenced in the context of defining evil during Shakespeare's time.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries provided in the preview?
The chapter summaries highlight the inherent ambiguity of defining "evil," the challenges of interpreting Shakespeare's personal beliefs, and the in-depth analysis of specific examples of evil actions and their consequences in selected plays. The summaries emphasize the importance of considering the religious and societal context of Shakespeare's time.
What keywords are associated with this work?
Keywords include Shakespeare, evil, biblical allusions, Protestantism, morality, incest, pessimism, murder, regicide, Hamlet, Macbeth, Pericles, divine justice, vengeance, sin, and repentance.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Marco Schönberger (Autor:in), 2011, The Demonic Nature of Evil in Shakespeare's Plays, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/265676
