Shakespeare Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Shakespeare - Essay patternThis paper examines the deposition scene in the two plays to draw out each kings relationship to kingship, his use of language, his mental state, his deployment of the temper narrative, and his use of the crown as a prop. Following this analysis of the two kings, there is a discussion of the theatrical techniques the authors use to highlight the main issues at stake, for practice session the setting and role of the other characters in the deposition scene and the way that the drama unfolds on the stage. in the long run the similarities and differences between Shakespeare and Marlowe are explained, leading to the conclusion that Shakespeare has borrowed some aspects from Marlowe but at the same time he has pushed Marlowes art in a number of new directions. In the deposition scene (Act V, scenery i) Marlowes King Edward II makes it very clear that he sees himself as belonging to a division that is very different from ordinary citizens The griefs of pri vate men are soon allayed/ But not of Kings (Marlowe, lines 8-9). In order to illustrate the different elements in the social hierarchy, Edward uses animal imagery. The people are deal the wood deer (Marlowe, line 9), while he describes himself as the imperial lion (Marlowe, line 11). ... In Shakespeares deposition scene (Act IV, Scene i) the king also assumes an entirely different and superior posture, but his climb is much more sophisticated. King Richard makes the religious allusions even more obvious by the analogy of the Passion of Christ. Shakespeares King Richard implies that he is like Christ, while the usurper and his many followers are like Judas So Judas did to Christ but he, in twelve,/Found truth in all but unity I, in twelve thousand, none. (Shakespeare, line 171) The analogy is expanded, as the King accuses the bystanders of being like the Biblical Pontius Pilate though some of you, with Pilate, wash your hands (Shakespeare, line 239). Kingship in both plays is s een by the kings as a status that is fundamentally different from ordinary citizenship, and ordained by god, but it is depicted as something affected by the traitorous actions of other people. The two kings use language in different ways to express their answer to the impending loss of their kingly status. Marlowes king Edward II is aware that he is experiencing a prominent deal of negative feelings when he confesses that outrageous passions cloy my soul (Marlowe, line 19) and he shows extreme insolence and disdain (Marlowe, line 20) and speaks of the fury of your king (Marlowe, line 73). When Winchester addresses him as My lord (Marlowe, line 113), Edward answers with short and choleric commands Call me not lord/ Away, out of my sight (Marlowe, lines 114-115) before he relents and realizes that he does not make believe the power to command any more. Shakespeares King Richard is also very grieved by what has happened, but he turns his anger into bitter satire, as for example wh en he asks to be