Michael Overstreet Professor Steven Rydarowski ENGL 1301 - Sat. 8:00 a.m. 15 April 2017 Themes, Motifs, Symbols, and Subject Matter Common to William Shakespeare The core themes that are common in Shakespeare’s works include betrayal, conflict, appearance and reality, and lust. Shakespeare has used betrayal in most of his plays. For instance, this theme is evident in Hamlet, where Claudius decides to murder his brother to become King of Denmark. We notice that Claudius betrayed his brother by killing him to rise to power. Another example of betrayal, by Shakespeare, is with Julius Caesar. The people deceived Caesar to believe that he would be the next king, while his close friends plot to kill him. The next common theme is conflict. The bulk …show more content…
Many events and characters change stance in course from the start to the end of the play. When a play begins, it does so in a disorderly manner; where things are not right. Many issues cause chaos, which require remedies. Often times, many characters at the start of the plays are found to be in wrangles or rivalry, and they tend to be in disagreement. The theme of rivalry is often related to family issues, politics, or love. However, towards the end of the play, there is usually restoration of order. All differences, such as misery and madness, change and people end with a new found love for each other. There is also the restoration of what had been destroyed at the beginning of the play; the characters change from bad to good. A good example of this is in the Twelfth Night. Malvolio changes from a foolish person to a good lover. The motif of hatred in also found throughout most of Shakespeare’s plays. There exists hatred for women, as they are viewed as less important people in society. Shakespeare portrays how women suffer in relationships, as they are often made accountable for any misfortune. In the play Hamlet, Hamlet shows his disgust and hatred for women, especially in his affair with Ophelia and …show more content…
It explores fundamental themes including treachery, moral corruption, and revenge. These themes are common in the contemporary society, hence making this play very important. The characters in the play exhibit madness and the plot involve murder and revenge. Macbeth This is the shortest and the darkest tragedy of Shakespeare. The play is important because it investigates and explores the corrupting and detrimental consequences of power and ambition. For instance, in the play The Lord of Scotland, Macbeth kills to acquire and retain his crown. The negative actions of Macbeth lead to the destruction of his country through the creation of civil war. Romeo and Juliet The play is considered important and popular because it depicts the story of lovers who die over each other because of love. It shows how a relationship may, at times, be dangerous and even lead to the death of each other. Following the deaths, both families decide to reconcile. Therefore, the story ends in the restoration of the destroyed element. King