Essay on Mercutio of William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet

Mercutio of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Although the story of Romeo and Juliet does not focus on Mercutio, to many, he is one of the most interesting characters in literature. His name puns on the word mercurial which meansunpredictably changeable. His unsteady behavior makes him wise beyond his intentions. Arecurring trend in Shakespeare’s plays is the existence of a witty fool and many foolish wits. People such as Romeo, Friar Laurence, and Capulet are people who are made out to be wise, but,in the end, they make all the wrong decisions. Mercutio serves as a foil to all these characters. He is considered by every character in the play to be a fool, but, in the long run, he is the one whois the wisest. He brings a†¦show more content†¦In Act two, Scene one, after Mercutio realizes Romeo does not want to be found by him, Mercutio mocks Romeo’s feelings for Rosaline. He suggests that Romeo is shallow and that he isin love with Rosaline’s good looks and shapely body. Romeo quickly denies Mercutio’s accusation in the beginning of Act two, Scene 2, â€Å"He jests scars that never felt a wound (II.ii. 1).† Even Friar Laurence realizes Romeo’s shallowness when he hears Romeo has forgotten about Rosaline and is now infatuated with Juliet. Even though Friar Laurence says, â€Å"Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast (II.iii. 94).†, his curtain of phantasm makes him think he can go againstthis wise judgment. Mercutio is the only character that always stays with his initial judgment. Mercutio believes that sexual satisfaction is the only thing people feel for one another. That love is a man-made front used to justify a sexual relationship. â€Å"Why, is not this better nowthan groaning for love? now art thou sociable, now art thou Romeo; not art thou what thou art,by art as well as by nature: for this drivelling love is like a great natural, that runs lolling up anddown to hide his bauble in a hole (II.iv 82-87).† He describes love as a natural or somethingillegitimate and fake. Then he uses the metaphor of a â€Å"bauble in a hole† to say that all that aperson who claims to be in love really wants is sexual contentment. Once again his words altertheShow MoreRelatedThe Significance of Mercutio in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet1961 Words   |  8 PagesThe Significance of Mercutio in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet is about two lovers whose families are at war and how the two overcome the family feud for their love for each other. 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Mawangdui The Han Dynasty Tombs of Lady Dai and Her Son

Mawangdui is the name of an early Western Han dynasty site [202 BC-9 AD] situated in a suburb of the modern town of Changsha, Hunan Province, China. The tombs of three members of an elite ruling family were found and excavated during the 1970s. These tombs belonged to the Marquis of Dai and Chancellor of the Kingdom of Changsha, Li Cang [died 186 BC, Tomb 1); Dai Hou Fu-Ren (Lady Dai) [d. after 168 BC, Tomb 2]; and their unnamed son [d. 168 BC, Tomb 3]. The tomb pits were excavated between 15-18 meters (50-60 feet) below the ground surface and a huge earthen mound was piled on top. The tombs contained exceedingly well-preserved artifacts, including some of the oldest manuscripts of classic Chinese texts as well as unknown ones, still being translated and interpreted more than 40 years later. Lady Dais tomb was filled with a mixture of charcoal and white kaolin clay, which led to the nearly perfect preservation of Lady Dais body and grave clothes. Nearly 1,400 objects in Lady Dais grave included silk tapestries and painted wooden coffins, bamboo objects, pottery vessels, musical instruments (including a 25-string zither), and wooden figures. Lady Dai, whose name was likely Xin Zhui, was elderly at the time of her death, and the autopsy of her body revealed lumbago and a compressed spinal disc. One of the silk paintings was a wonderfully preserved funeral banner in her honor which is featured in the slideshow Funeral Banner of Lady Dai. Manuscripts from Mawangdui: I Ching and Lao Tsu Lady Dais unnamed sons tomb contained more than 20 silk manuscripts preserved in a lacquer hamper, along with silk paintings and other grave goods. The son was about 30 years old when he died, and he was one of several sons of Li Cang. Among the scrolls were seven medical manuscripts, which together comprise the most ancient manuscripts on medicine found in China to date. While these medical texts were mentioned in more recent manuscripts, none of them had survived, so the discovery at Mawangdui was just stunning. Some of the medical treatises have been published in Chinese but are not as yet available in English. A summary of that progress is in Liu 2016. Bamboo slips found in the sons tomb were brief unsigned prescriptional documents covering acupuncture, various drugs and their benefits, health preservation and fertility studies. The manuscripts also include the earliest version yet discovered of the Yijing (commonly spelled I Ching) or Classic of Changes and two copies of the Classic of the Way and its Virtue by the Taoist philosopher Laozi (or Lao Tzu). The copy of the Yijing probably dates about 190 BC; it includes both the text of the classic book  and four or five discrete commentaries, only one of which was known before the excavation, the Xici or Appended Statements. Scholars (according to Shaughnessy) call the longest one after the first line: Ersanzi wen The Two or Three Disciples Ask. Also included were some of the worlds earliest maps, including the Topographical Map [of the Southern Part of the Kingdom of Changsha in Early Han] (Dixing tu), the Map of Military Dispositions (Zhu jun tu,  and described in detail below), and the Map of City Streets (Chengyi tu). Medical manuscripts include Chart of the Burial of the Afterbirth according to Yu (Yuzang tu), Diagram of Birth of a Person (Renzi tu) and Diagram of the Female Genitals (Pinhu tu). The Diagrams of Guiding and Pulling (Doayin tu) has 44 human figures performing different physical exercises. Some of these manuscripts contain images of celestial deities, astrological and meteorological elements, and/or cosmological schemes that would be used as instruments of divination and magic. Military Maps and Texts The Zhango zonghenjia shu (A Text of the Strategists in Warring States) contains 27 stories or accounts, eleven of which were known from two other well-known manuscripts, the Zhanguo ce and the Shi Ji. Blanford (1994) compared Account #4 describing the results of a diplomatic mission for the King of Yan to similar accounts in the Shi Ji and Zhanguo ce and found that the Mawangdui versions are more complete than the others. She considers the Mawangdui version more eloquent and of a higher effective rhetorical quality than the later editions. The Military Garrison Map is one of three maps found in Tomb 3 at Mawangdui, all painted in polychrome on silk: the others were a topographic map and a county map. In 2007 Hsu and Martin-Montgomery described their use of a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based approach, geo-referencing the map to physical locations in the Fundamental Digital Map of China. The Mawangdui map supplements the historical accounts of a military conflict described in the Shi Ji between the Han and the Southern Yue, a tributary kingdom to the Han. Three phases of the battle are illustrated, pre-conflict tactical planning, the battle progress of a two-pronged attack, and post-conflict constructions to keep the region under control. The Xingde Three copies of a text called the Xingde (Punishment and Virtue) were found in Tomb 3. This manuscript contains astrological and divination recommendations for successful military conquests. Xingde copy A was transcribed between 196-195 BC; Xingde copy B, between 195-188 BC, and Xingde C is undated but cannot be later than the date the tomb was sealed, 168 BC. Kalinowski and Brooks believe that the Xingde B version contains calendrical corrections for Xingde A. Xingde C is not in good enough condition to reconstruct the text. The Mourning Diagram, also found in Tomb 3 (Lai 2003), describes proper mourning practices, including what mourners should wear and for how long, based on the relationship of the mourner to the deceased. As for those [one] mourns for a year: for father, [wear] untrimmed sackcloth for thirteen months and then stop. For grandfather, fathers brother, brother, brothers son, son, grandson, fathers sister, sister, and daughter, [wear] trimmed sackcloth for nine months and then stop. The Arts of the Bedchamber The Arts of the Bedchamber (Li and McMahon) are a series of teaching techniques to assist men in the art of attaining harmonious relationships with women, enhance health and longevity, and generate descendants. In addition to assistance with sexual health and recommended positions, the text includes information about promoting healthy fetus growth and how to tell if your partner is enjoying herself. Sources   This glossary entry is a part of the  Silk Road and part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Blanford YF. 1994. Discovery of Lost Eloquence: New Insight from the Mawangdui Zhanguo zonghengjia shu. Journal of the American Oriental Society 114(1):77-82. Hsu H-MA, and Martin-Montgomery A. 2007. An Emic Perspective on the Mapmakers Art in Western Han China. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society 17(4):443-457. Kalinowski M, and Brooks P. 1998. The Xingde; texts from Mawangdui. Early China 23/24:125-202. Lai G. 2003. The diagram of the mourning system from Mawangdui. Early China 28:43-99. Li L, and McMahon K. 1992. The contents and terminology of the Mawangdui texts on the arts of the bedchamber. Early China 17:145-185. Liu C. 2016. Review on the Studies of Unearthed Mawangdui Medical Books. Scientific Research 5(1). Shaughnessy EL. 1994. A first reading of the Mawangdui yijing manuscript. Early China 19:47-73.

Oh Father, Where Art Thou Thy Son Awaits Free Essays

Troy Maxson, the main character in August Wilson’s critically acclaimed play Fences, talks about his father who was never there for him when he was a kid. Born in the southern United States, where African- Americans were racially discriminated during the time, Troy’s father was evil and tortured him. He feels that he has been really supportive for his kids and he is what his father had never been to him. We will write a custom essay sample on Oh Father, Where Art Thou? Thy Son Awaits or any similar topic only for you Order Now Troy grew up with a father who thought putting food on the table and roof over the head was the only thing a father has to do for his family. Despite Troy’s attempt to be unlike his father, his style of talking to the kids and ordering them to respect him makes him exactly like his father. Fences, is not necessarily about how history repeats itself, but also how a person’s past influences their life and decisions. Troy’s father didn’t support the family like a normal father did. His father, Maxson Sr. was there only to support his family basic needs; food on the table and roof over their heads. His father was never there for him or his family. Troy talks about his father being evil because of which nobody could withstand him and also his mother leaving him when he was young because of his father’s evilness. He says: My mama couldn’t stand him. Couldn’t stand that evilness. She ran off when I was eight. She sneaked off one night after he had gone to sleep. Told me she was coming back for me. I ain’t never seen her no more. All his women run off and left him. He wasn’t good for nobody. (1.4.109) His father was not good enough for everybody and whoever was with him they would only last for few days and after that they left because Troy thinks Maxson Sr. was evil which is also the main reason why Troy feels his mother left him and Troy when Troy was a young kid. Having a father who was unable to care for his son, Troy instantly realizes that he has to mature hurriedly so he can take care of himself. At a mere age of fourteen, Troy finds himself becoming a man from a child. He realizes he has metamorphosed into a man from a kid when he and Maxson Sr. get into a fight. When his father finds him flirting with a girl when he was supposed to be working, they have a real go at each other. Troy describes the moment as, He had them letter straps off the mule and commenced to whupping me like there was no tomorrow. I jumped up, mad and embarrassed. I was scared of my daddy. But I see where he was chasing me off so he could have the gal for himself†¦When I see what the matter of it was, I lost all fear of my daddy. Right there is where I become a man†¦at fourteen years of age. Now it was my turn to run him off†¦ I picked up them reins and commenced to whupping on him. (1.4.109) When Troy whips his father with the leather straps he realizes he has transformed into a man. He feels showing his father that he didn’t fear him was good enough to survive in the world by own self. Since that incident with his father, Troy associates adulthood as being strong enough to stand up for own self. He feels he has learnt that fighting with his father was the only way to prove him that he had grown up and could take care of himself. Troy thinks that he has freed himself from his father evil influence, reviews his past and tries to learn from his father’s mistake. Since his father was irresponsible for him, Troy is inclined to be a father unlike his father in each and every way possible but unfortunately that doesn’t work out. He turns exactly like his father. He doesn’t support his sons Lyons and Cory at all. He is vile to both of his sons but Cory, his youngest son whose dream is to become a football superstar, gets affected and pays the price badly when his father shatters his dream by not letting him play. Since he and Troy don’t get along, Cory feels isolated. Even when he asks Troy why he didn’t like him, Troy responds: Liked you? Who the hell say I got to like you? What law is there say I got to like you? Wanna stand up in my face and ask a damn fool-ass question like that. Talking about liking somebody†¦I go out of here every morning†¦bust my butt†¦putting up them crackers every day†¦ ’cause I like you?†¦ It’s my job. It’s my responsibility! †¦ A man got to take care of his family†¦ ‘Cause it’s my duty to take care of you. I owe a responsibility to you! (1.3.91 and 107) Troy lets Cory know that what it takes to become a â€Å"man†. The â€Å"man† Troy is referring to is himself and he explains Cory that in order to become the â€Å"man† one has to be responsible. That person has to be able to put food on the table for his family. He also lets Cory know that one doesn’t have to love his family to take care of them. The duties and responsibilities bind a man and his family which keep them together. Duty to take care of the family was what Maxson Sr. did and Troy is following the exact footstep of his father. Troy, as a father, spent most of his time with Cory. He was in jail when his eldest son Lyons was born. The relationship between Cory and Troy seems to be futile; every time they are together they end up in an argument. Cory feels his father doesn’t love him at all. His feeling about his father detesting him grows even stronger when his father doesn’t let him play football. Cory, in order to achieve his dream, quits his job at AP grocery store so that he can play football. He disobeys his father by quitting his job when Troy had strictly told him to quit playing football and look for a steady job. Troy was discriminated when he was young for playing baseball and thinks his son fate will also be the same like him. But he doesn’t realize that times have changed and at the same time he is arrogant as well. Cory ends up not playing and as always has to obey his father’s decision and forgets about his lifelong dream. Eventually one day, he gets tired of Troy and claims his dominance by standing up against his father and making him realize that he can take care and survive in the world on his own and leaves the house. Before leaving the house Troy talks to his son and says: You a man. Now, let’s see you act like one. Turn your behind around and walk out this yard. And when you get out there in the alley†¦you can forget about this house. See? ‘Cause this is my house. You be a man and get your own house. (2.4.71) When Troy battles with Cory he feels his son is more than capable to take care of himself and kicks Cory out of the house. He feels Cory has become a man because he stood up for himself. Standing up for own self is the character Troy sees as being an adult. He also realizes that his son has shown enough evidence of maturity when he fights with him. This reminds Troy what he did years ago with his father which is also the reason why Cory is kicked out of the house. Wilson’s Fences lets us know that no matter how one tries to forget his/her past, it will always haunt him/her and will also come to play a significant role in the future. Troy grew up with a father who hardly supported him and once beat him to death. Although he tries not being like him, he follows each and every step his father had taken and in the end becomes a mirror of his father. He demands respect, thinks about himself, is unkind and harsh to his sons. Cory pays for the arrogance that his father shows but ends up being just like his father by arguing with him and leaving the house because he thinks he has matured enough. Fences in the end, symbolizes the barriers Troy who has faced and his son Cory who is going to face in life. Wilson in the end gives the readers a hope that Cory will break the barrier and become a good father to his kids unlike his father and his grandfather. How to cite Oh Father, Where Art Thou? Thy Son Awaits, Papers

A woman killed with kindness monologue Essay Example For Students

A woman killed with kindness monologue Essay A monologue from the play by Thomas Heywood NOTE: This monologue is reprinted from A Woman Killed With Kindness. Ed. A. W. Ward. London: Dent, 1897. WENDOLL: I am a villain, if I apprehendBut such a thought! Then, to attempt the deedSlave, thou art damned without redemption!Ill drive away this passion with a song.A song! Ha, ha! A song! As if, fond man,Thy eyes could swim in laughter when thy soulLies drenched and drowned in red tears of blood!Ill pray, and see if God within my heartPlant better thoughts. Why, prayers are meditations,And when I meditate (O, God forgive me!)It is on her divine perfections.I will forget her; I will arm myselfNot t entertain a thought of love to her;And, when I come by chance into her presence,Ill hale these balls until my eyestrings crackFrom being pulled and drawn to look that way.O God, O God! With what a violenceIm hurried to my own destruction!There goest thou, the most perfectst manThat ever England bred a gentleman,And shall I wrong his bed?Thou God of Thunder,Stay, in thy thoughts of vengeance and of wrath,Thy great, almighty, and all-judging handFrom speedy execution on a villain,A villain and a traitor to his friend!