Maybe a Better Icebreaker?

In the Duchess of Malfi, the reader can see many examples of literary techniques. One example of this is that Webster uses the form of foreshadowing. An interesting example of this is in the scene where Antonio and The Duchess are married. The Duchess calls Antonio into her bedchamber with the intent of marrying him, but at first tells him that she will be dictating to him. The reader soon discovers that The Duchess is going to be dictating to Antonio her will for when she passes away.

It is interesting to recognize the fact that it is a will that the Duchess wants Antonio to write, in some ways this seems rather morbid, when one considers she is about to ask a man to marry her. The fact that it is a will makes the reader realize that in the same hour when Antonio and the Duchess create their bonds of marriage they are also inadvertently point to the end of their love in death. Another interesting point to note is the fact that while the Duchess is talking to Antonio she jokes with him about who will get her inheritance. This also foreshadows (or really just hints to Antonio) about her upcoming proposal of marriage.

Hamlet: Your Stereotypical Prince

When one thinks of a prince certain images are conjured to mind. Usually those pictures consist of a pampered, playboy who has been given privileges his entire life. When I looks at the Prince of Denmark in the form of Hamlet all of these perceptions can be seen in his character. He had been educated at an elite school, he had the erotic love of a woman, he had the promise of power, but then his world was flipped upside down.

I think that the reason Hamlet so easily pursued a path of destruction was because he had lived such a pampered life up to that point. It makes sense that at the first sign of real tragedy in Hamlet’s life that he would go crazy (figuratively and literally) with revenge and anger. All he needed was a spark to turn his depression into vengeful wrath, and when that spark came in the form of his father’s ghost Hamlet’s downward spiral began.

In many ways his Hamlet’s mollycoddled character was the prime target for Shakesperare to mold his tragedy around. Hamlet had the promise of greatness but when his world was destroyed (by the breaking of his family, by the possible loss of kingship, by school friends that were working for the man he hated, and a girlfriend who was used by everyone) his personage exploded killing all around him.

Faustus' Allegiance

Throughout the play of Dr. Faustus the reader sees a character, who's only interest is his present self. This character is Faustus. The play begins with Faustus' expressed desire to attain knowledge that no one else possesses. Through this wish one sees that above all Faustus values himself, but the reader also begins to see a picture of how Faustus is indifferent to everything except his surrounding, present world. We see this when we consider how Faustus so flippantly sold his soul. He is warned that if he sells his soul he will be damned to hell for eternity, yet he signs his soul away with almost no cares. From this sale he attains powers and pleasures that are limited to "earthly delights". It may seem that Faustus allies himself with Satan when he signs a pact with him, but the allegiance that Faustus sees himself as having is one with this world and what it has to offer.

However, in a way, the allegiance that Faustus thinks he has made solely with earthly desires is actually also made with Satan. The earth has been described as belonging to Satan, and as a Christian I believe this statement. I realize that I have been born into this world, but I don't feel like it is my true home. I believe that where God is, is my actual home. I try to "be in the world, but not of it". Also, from a Biblical standpoint one can look at the story of where Satan tempts Christ. Satan offers Christ parts of the world indicating that, he controls it. Now, I believe that God is all powerful, and plays an important role in the lives of many who live on earth, but I also believe that this is a fallen world, where Satan has immense power. So, when Faustus makes his deal thinking that he will have his worldly powers, he inadvertently dooms himself to damnation.