The literary blogger

 In William Shakespeare's play 'Hamlet' , the concepts of hamartia and hubris are prominent in the characterization of the titular character, Hamlet himself. Hamartia refers to a tragic flaw or error in judgment, while hubris denotes excessive pride or arrogance. Through Hamlet's actions and soliloquies, these elements are explored, contributing to the unfolding tragedy of the play. Hamartia is exemplified in Hamlet's character through his indecisiveness and propensity to overthink. Despite his initial determination to avenge his father's murder, Hamlet constantly hesitates and second-guesses his course of action. This flaw is evident in his soliloquy: "To be, or not to be, that is the question" (Act III, Scene I) Here, Hamlet reflects on the morality of suicide and the nature of existence, revealing his tendency to ponder rather than take swift action. His hamartia prevents him from promptly fulfilling his duty to avenge his father's death, leadin...

 'The Merchant's Tale' is a part of Chaucer's famous work 'The Canterbury Tales,' which consists of a collection of stories told by different characters on a pilgrimage to Canterbury. The tale revolves around the character January, an old and wealthy knight who desires to marry a young and beautiful woman named May. Despite their significant age difference, January desires to have a child with May, but she is not interested in him. The tale highlights the theme of desire and its consequences. January's desire for May is driven by his physical attraction towards her beauty, and he believes that marrying her would bring him happiness. He says, 'I wol no wyf, thogh thou me yeven al / That possible is in erthe so hye' (lines 1071-1072). However, his desire blinds him to the reality that May does not share his feelings and is only marrying him for his wealth. January's desire for children is also driven by his fear of being alone and leaving no legacy...

 The novel "Atonement" by Ian McEwan tells the story of Briony Tallis, a young girl from a wealthy family, who falsely accuses her sister's lover, Robbie Turner, of a crime he did not commit. The novel explores themes of class, power, and social inequality, making it ripe for analysis using Marxist literary theory. Marxist literary theory focuses on the ways in which literature reflects and reinforces the dominant ideology of the ruling class. In "Atonement," this is exemplified through the portrayal of the Tallis family, who are members of the British aristocracy, as well as the working-class characters who are subservient to them. The novel is set in England in the 1930s and 1940s, a time of great social and political upheaval, with the country on the brink of war. The novel's portrayal of the Tallis family can be seen as a reflection of the capitalist ruling class. They are wealthy landowners who live in a grand mansion, surrounded by servants and workers...

 Marxist literary theory focuses on the relationship between literature and society, particularly in terms of class and power dynamics. Shakespeare's King Lear is a complex work that deals with themes of power, wealth, and social class, making it a fruitful text to analyze through a Marxist lens. One of the most prominent Marxist themes in King Lear is the struggle between the ruling class and the working class. The play's central conflict revolves around the distribution of wealth and power between Lear and his three daughters. Lear's decision to divide his kingdom among his daughters based on their public declarations of love for him mirrors the way in which wealth and power are distributed in a capitalist society. This decision ultimately leads to Lear's downfall and the subsequent power struggle between his daughters and their suitors. Additionally, the character of Edmund serves as a symbol of the struggle between the ruling class and the working class. As a bastar...

 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a novel that portrays the social and economic conditions of the American South before the Civil War. The novel follows the journey of Huck, a young white boy who flees from his abusive father and embarks on a rafting trip down the Mississippi River with Jim, an escaped slave. The novel addresses various themes, including race, identity, and social inequality, making it a suitable work for Marxist literary analysis. Marxist literary theory focuses on the social and economic conditions in which literature is produced, and the ways in which literature reflects and reinforces these conditions. One of the key concepts in Marxist theory is the idea of class struggle, which is the conflict between the ruling class and the working class. This conflict is often represented in literature through the portrayal of characters and their relationships. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the conflict between the ruling class and the working ...

 The Petals of Blood by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o is a novel that delves into the theme of the struggle for freedom and independence in post-colonial Kenya. It explores the tensions between the ruling class and the oppressed, as well as the struggles of individuals to survive in a society where power is held by a few. Using Marxist literary theory, this analysis aims to examine the novel's portrayal of class struggle, exploitation, and revolution. The novel is set in a fictional village of Ilmorog, which represents Kenya as a whole. The village is characterized by extreme poverty, corruption, and violence, which are a direct result of the capitalist economic system and the exploitation of the working class by the ruling class. The characters in the novel represent different social classes, each with their own interests and struggles. For instance, the four main characters, Munira, Karega, Wanja, and Abdulla, are all from the working class, and their lives are marked by poverty and stru...

 'Measure for Measure' by William Shakespeare is a play that has been widely studied and analysed through various critical lenses, including Marxist literary theory. In this analysis, we will examine how Marxist literary theory can be applied to 'Measure for Measure' to understand the play's exploration of social and economic hierarchies, power relations, and class conflict. At its core, Marxist literary theory asserts that literature reflects the social and economic conditions of its time, and that the dominant ideologies and power structures of a society are reinforced through literary works. In 'Measure for Measure', Shakespeare examines the theme of justice and the tension between law and mercy. The play takes place in Vienna, where Duke Vincentio hands over his power to Angelo, who is tasked with enforcing the laws of the city. Angelo's strict adherence to the law, however, leads to injustice and oppression, particularly for the lower classes. Marxi...

 Marxist criticism views literature as a reflection of the economic and social conditions of the time in which it was produced. Applying Marxist analysis to Chaucer's 'The Merchant's Tale' we can see the tale as a commentary on the class struggles and power dynamics of medieval England. The character of January, an elderly knight who marries a young woman, can be seen as representative of the ruling class in medieval society. January's wealth and status afford him the luxury of seeking a young and beautiful wife, highlighting the class divide between the wealthy and the working class. His desire for May, a young woman of a lower social class, reflects the exploitation and objectification of women by men in power. May, on the other hand, can be seen as representative of the working class, who are forced to use their sexuality to gain power and protection. She uses her beauty and charm to manipulate January and the younger squire, ultimately gaining control over their...

 Marxism is a social, economic, and political theory that emerged in the 19th century as a critique of capitalism. At its core, Marxism seeks to understand the ways in which economic systems shape society and the relationships between people within those systems. Marxist literary theory applies these principles to literature in English, examining how works of literature reflect and reinforce the dominant ideologies and power structures of their time. According to Marxist literary theory, literature is not created in a vacuum, but is instead a product of the social and economic conditions of its time. Literature in English, like all art, reflects the social and economic conditions of the time in which it was produced. Marxist literary critics seek to understand how literary works are shaped by the social and economic conditions of their time and how they reflect and reinforce the dominant ideologies and power structures of that time. One of the key concepts in Marxist literary theor...

 Introduction of the characters who live in the Castle: Within, stood a tall old man, clean shaven save for a long white moustache, and clad in black from head to foot, without a single speck of colour about him anywhere. He held in his hand an antique silver lamp, in which the flame burned without chimney or globe of any kind, throwing long quivering shadows as it flickered in the draught of the open door. The old man motioned me in with his right hand with a courtly gesture, saying in excellent English, but with a strange intonation:—  “Welcome to my house! Enter freely and of your own will!” He made no motion of stepping to meet me, but stood like a statue, as though his gesture of welcome had fixed him into stone. The instant, however, that I had stepped over the threshold, he moved impulsively forward, and holding out his hand grasped mine with a strength which made me wince, an effect which was not lessened by the fact that it seemed as cold as ice—more like the hand of ...

The question of whether it is fair for the Duke to have used Mariana in Measure for Measure is a complex one. On one hand, it could be argued that the Duke's plan to use Mariana in order to bring about Angelo's downfall was manipulative and potentially harmful to Mariana herself. Mariana was initially abandoned by Angelo after the loss of her dowry, and it is clear that she still loves him and wants to be with him. The Duke's plan to have her impersonate Isabella and sleep with Angelo in order to secure his redemption could be seen as exploiting her love and loyalty for his own purposes. On the other hand, it could also be argued that the Duke's plan was necessary in order to bring about justice and restore order to the city. Angelo's abuse of power and attempted rape of Isabella cannot go unpunished, and the Duke's plan, while risky and potentially harmful to Mariana, ultimately achieves this goal. Furthermore, Mariana herself agrees to the plan and is willing ...

Mariana is a complex character in Shakespeare's play Measure for Measure. Initially, she is presented as a woman who has been abandoned by her fiancé, Angelo, after he discovers that her dowry has been lost at sea. Mariana's situation is used by the Duke and Isabella to trick Angelo into thinking that he has slept with Isabella, thereby bringing about his downfall. Mariana languishing.  However, as the play progresses, Mariana's character begins to reveal itself. She is shown to be a woman of great patience and resilience, who is willing to endure the pain of Angelo's abandonment and humiliation in order to secure his redemption. When asked by the Duke why she would agree to such a plan, Mariana responds: "I have spirit to do anything that appears not foul in the truth of my spirit" (Act 4, Scene 1). Mariana's loyalty to Angelo is also evident in her willingness to take on the difficult task of impersonating Isabella in order to consummate Angelo's mar...

 Mistress Overdone and Isabella are two of the most prominent female characters in William Shakespeare’s "Measure for Measure". Despite the fact that they are both women living in the same patriarchal society, their experiences and characteristics differ drastically. While Mistress Overdone represents the harsh reality of the societal limitations and restrictions placed upon women, Isabella represents the ideal of moral and religious virtue.  To begin with, Mistress Overdone is a character who runs a brothel in Vienna. Her character represents the harsh reality of the societal limitations and restrictions placed upon women in Elizabethan England. Her establishment is seen as a place where men indulge in immoral and illicit activities, and her character is depicted as a symbol of the moral decay of society. Her dialogue and behavior reflect a sense of cynicism and resignation to the societal norms that have led her to her current position in life. In contrast, Isabella is a ch...

 Isabella is main feminine protagonist in William Shakespeare's play, Measure for Measure. She is portrayed as a young, devout, and principled woman who is faced with a difficult moral dilemma when her brother is sentenced to death for fornication, which was a crime punishable by death in 17th century Vienna. Isabella's character is complex and multi-layered, and she undergoes significant development throughout the play. This appraisal will explore Isabella's characterisation in Measure for Measure, using examples and quotations to support the analysis. At the beginning of the play, Isabella is introduced as a novice nun who is about to enter a convent. She is described as "a thing enskied and sainted" (Act I, Scene 1), which highlights her pure and virtuous nature. Isabella is committed to her religious beliefs and is determined to live a life of chastity and celibacy. She is hesitant to intervene in the affairs of the world and is reluctant to leave the safety o...

 Measure for Measure is a play written by William Shakespeare, first performed in 1604, which is categorized as one of his “problem plays.” This play has been the subject of much critical debate, particularly surrounding its ambiguous nature, its thematic and philosophical complexities, and its sometimes troubling portrayal of gender and sexuality. This essay will appraise Measure for Measure by examining its plot, themes, characters, and language, and consider its significance and relevance to contemporary audiences. The plot of Measure for Measure is set in Vienna, where Duke Vincentio decides to leave his position of power in the city to the strict and puritanical Angelo, under the pretence of taking a leave of absence. In reality, however, he disguises himself as a friar, and stays in Vienna to observe how Angelo manages his new role. Claudio, a young man, has been imprisoned for impregnating his fiancé, Juliet, before their marriage, which has been deemed a criminal offence. A...