English Literature Essays Examples For College & High School Students in PDF

27201 total results

An Analysis of Macbeth’s Moral Degradation in the Play Macbeth by William Shakespeare (1505 words, 6 pages)

Macbeths Moral DegradationIn his play, Macbeth, Shakespeare presents a character who is confronted with a moral dilemma. After receiving a prophecy from three witches, stating that he will become the next king, Macbeth must decide whether or not he should kill his king, Duncan. Prior to killing Duncan, Macbeth is ... Read More

Twelfth Night, or What You Will by Shakespeare: Realistic Delusions of Love (1685 words, 5 pages)

Realistic Delusions of LoveTwelfth Night, or What You Will, is one of the last comedies written by the famous playwright William Shakespeare. It follows a variety of characters as they work their way through a dramatic love triangle between Duke Orsino, Countess Olivia, and the crossdressing Viola, otherwise known as ... Read More

Transformation of Juliet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (1167 words, 4 pages)

Juliet Capulet An Epic TransformationIn William Shakespeares tragedy Romeo and Juliet, there were numerous characters that captivated the audience and developed in a heart breaking yet appealing way. Each character has a unique personality that was essential to the plot, all of them interesting in their own quirky way. But ... Read More

A Analysis of the Terror of Totalitarianism in 1984, a Novel by George Orwell (1472 words, 6 pages)

To those that read George Orwells 1984, the experience can be described by one word coldness. It is cold in a sense that it is a world without hope. It is cold in that it is a world without feeling. It is cold in that it is a world devoid ... Read More

The Rise of Totalitarianism in 1984, a Novel by George Orwell (620 words, 2 pages)

As I read 1984, I began to think about actual totalitarian regimes. Most bear a striking resemblance to the world of Winston Smith...that of London, Airstrip One. George Orwell life coincided with the rise of some of the most truly terrifying totalitarian nations, such as Nazi Germany and the Soviet ... Read More

An Analysis of the Ingenuity of the Novel Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe (1762 words, 6 pages)

The Robinson CrusoeRobinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is one of the most innovative novels of its time. It tells the story of a shipwrecked adventurer who is forced to overcome an overwhelming series of challenges instigated by the dangers on the island he becomes stranded on. Although his plight may ... Read More

Scene Analysis in Richard II, a Play by William Shakespeare (718 words, 2 pages)

The opening scene of Richard II begins with Bolingbroke and Mowbray accusing each other of treason. Bolingbroke is the first to speak, and he accuses Mowbray of embezzlement, plotting the death of Duke of Gloucester, and plotting against England for eighteen years. Bolingbroke is related to Richard, whom they are ... Read More

An Analysis of the impact of Race in the Play Othello by William Shakespeare (640 words, 2 pages)

Shakespeare's Othello is a tragedy about both interracial marriage and murder. Although it is uncertain how Othello would have been perceived during the seventeenth century, the topic of race most likely would have generated controversy among the audience (Othello Preview pg. 1106). Race is paramount to Othellos meaning since it ... Read More

An Analysis of the Effects of Gertrude’s Poor Judgement in the Play Hamlet by William Shakespeare (566 words, 3 pages)

Hamlet The story starts on a cold night in the Royal castle of Denmark, wherea sentinel is relieved of his duty by another. Another sentinel entersescorting Horatio, the prince's best friend who informs Hamlet that theyhad seen the ghost of the late king Hamlet. Hamlet decides that he wouldalso like ... Read More

An Analysis of Parent-Child Relationship in the Tempest by William Shakespeare and Sunjata by David Conrad (590 words, 2 pages)

The parent-child relationship in the two pieces of literary works reveals a clear cut of what happens in the real life situations. The two lay vivid emphasis on the how parents relate to their children in all settings. For instance, the play the Tempest revolves around how King Henry IV ... Read More

The Satirization of Children Working Hard Labor During the Victorian Era in Lewis Caroll’s Book Through the Looking Glass (1064 words, 4 pages)

The children of today, when under the care of proper, good parents,are raised sheltered, protected from the dangers of the adult world untilit is time for them to become adults. In this day and age, one is notperceived as an adult until they are at least twenty-one years of age, ... Read More

An Analysis of Macbeth’s Misused Imagination Leading to a Tragic Outcome in the Play Macbeth by William Shakespeare (1102 words, 4 pages)

The Perils of Misused Imaginationthere is in Macbeth one marked peculiarity, the true apprehension of which is the key to Shakespeares conception. This bold, ambitious man of action has, within certain limits, the imagination of a poet.-A.C. BradleyMacbeths vivid and dynamic imagination causes him to both possess reckless ambition and ... Read More

A Personal Vision of Who Should Portray the Roles of the Characters From the Play Macbeth by William Shakespeare On Screen (1828 words, 5 pages)

Macbeth Final ProjectMacbethActor Leonardo DiCaprioPeople with charisma are noticed, respected, and followed in society. However, someone who fakes charisma will come off as a poseur and will be looked as suspicious. In order to fit the events of the play, I portrayed Macbeth to be compelling at first but a ... Read More

An Example of Science and Technology Bringing Out the Evil of Humanity in Lord of the Flies by William Golding (519 words, 3 pages)

The Power of the Conch and the Science of the GlassesFrom the beginning of the book, the conch becomes a symbol for civilization and order. It was a call of order for order and society. Its sound brought all the boys from the wreckage to Piggy and Simon from chapter ... Read More

An Analysis of the Relationship Between Frankenstein and the Creature in Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, Relying on Paradise Lost and the Myth of Prometheus (293 words, 2 pages)

In my Frankenstein essay, even though I was able to connect the relationship between Frankenstein and the Creature, the lack of focus on the passages hindered my essay.While I was reading Frankenstein, I was able to see the complex relationship between him and the Monster was very similar to the ... Read More

The Tragic Sense of Life in the Play, Hamlet by William Shakespeare (1078 words, 4 pages)

In A Handbook to Literature by C. Hugh Holman and William Harmon, tragedy is defined as the effort to exemplify what has been called the tragic sense of life that is, the sense that human beings are inevitably doomed, through their own failures or errors or even the ironic action ... Read More

A Character Analysis of Othello as a Tragic Hero From the Play Othello by William Shakespeare (588 words, 3 pages)

Othello as a Tragic HeroMany have contemplated of how one should analyze Othello. While there are people who would argue a formalist approach or a sociological approach is the best to interpret Othello, many forget how Othello mirrors a classical tragedy. Since Ancient Greece, classical tragedy has haunted many spectators ... Read More

A Character Analysis of Eve in Paradise Lost by John Milton (1253 words, 5 pages)

John Miltons Portrayal of Eve Simplistic Creature or Complex Individual?For centuries, Eve has been infamous for being the catalyst of the fall of humanity. Her submissive portrayal in the Bible has also damaged her reputation in society. Many have asserted this portrayal of Eve not only characterizes her in the ... Read More

An Analysis of the Corruption and Deception in the Medieval Society in The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (438 words, 2 pages)

In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer examines the corruption and deception that was prevalent in medieval society. With a sardonic tone, Chaucer utilizes the Pardoner as a deceptive character in order to illustrate how one can become blind to manipulation when he or she is seeking a higher purpose. In the ... Read More

The Complex Character of Eve in Paradise Lost, a Poem by John Milton (510 words, 2 pages)

I approached the Paradise Lostliterary criticism with the knowledge of Miltons themes in the epic poem and his purpose of portraying Eve as a complex individual. With concrete examples, I was able to write a detailed analysis of Eves nature in the epic poem. However, my errors in MLA format ... Read More

A >Discussion on Who the Lord of the Flies Is in Lord of the Flies by William Golding (640 words, 3 pages)

Who is the Lord of the Flies?In Lord of the Flies, Simon encounters two visions of the Beast. In chapter 8, Simon sees the white teeth, and the half dim eyes filled, with the infinite cynicism of adult life (Golding 137). The Beast is now introduced as the Lord of ... Read More

The Beast as an Unconscious Way of Bringing Fear to the Subconscience in Lord of the Flies by William Golding (373 words, 1 pages)

The children questioning of if a beast exists on the island reminds me of when I questioned if there was a monster living inside my room during the night. I would wonder if the monster was hiding in the closet, or under my bed, or if it was right next ... Read More

A Character Analysis of Juliet as a Strong Female Character Who Changed the Perception of Women in Society in the Play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (590 words, 3 pages)

Defying Womens PerceptionFeminist Literary Criticism in Romeo and JulietThroughout history, women have been defined by stereotypes due to the perception of women in literature. Women were looked as weak, vulnerable, and an object to bear children. These views have affected women to a point where they think this was their ... Read More

An Analysis of the Intertextual Perspectives of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince (1186 words, 4 pages)

The inter textual perspectives between both texts portray the consistent ideas about leadership and political power irrespective of the distinctive context. However, both texts express their distinctive values towards the notion of leadership and the mannerism in which power should be obtained, which ultimately enhances our appreciation. Shakespeares Julius Caesar ... Read More

An Examination of Elizabeth Bennet and William Darcy’s Marriage in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1165 words, 4 pages)

In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen examines societys focus on the superficiality of marriage. Many readers assert that the engagement between Elizabeth Bennet and William Darcy diminishes the message of the satirical novel. However, Austen utilizes the marriage of Elizabeth Bennet and William Darcy to underline how marriage needs to ... Read More

An Analysis of the Concept of the Id, the Ego, and the Superego in Lord of the Flies by William Golding (305 words, 2 pages)

The ID, Ego, and Superego in Lord of the FliesSigmund Freud was a neurologist who later became to be known as the father of psychoanalysis. His ideas of psychology included psychosexual development, the Freudian slip, and the ID, Ego, and the Superego. Freuds theory was that personality was divided into ... Read More

A Reflection on Writing an Essay about The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (373 words, 2 pages)

Even though I was able to analyze The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and create an organized essay, my analysis was not completely thorough and I wasnt as consistent to relate my support back to my thesis. My thought process for the themes of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry ... Read More

A CHaracter Analysis of Desdemona from the Play Othello by William Shakespeare (1632 words, 5 pages)

Introduction William Shakespeare lives on as a poet and playwright primarily because of the power of his individual words however, his continued fame is also due to the potency of his stories. Alternatively telling stories of love, of revenge, of jealousy, of heroic actions, of selfish deceit, Shakespeares plays transform ... Read More

An Analysis of Themes in Northanger Abbey, a Novel by Jane Austen (1881 words, 7 pages)

Jane Austen is universally known for her uniquely intimate and precise descriptions of every-day life in late 18th and early 19th century England, and her plots are oftentimes focused on the humorous adventures of women who attempt to navigate the structures of polite society. While Austens first novel, Northanger Abbey ... Read More

An Analysis of the Methods of Characterization in The General Prologue of The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (2063 words, 7 pages)

Without a doubt, Geoffrey Chaucer expresses his opinion towards the pilgrims in The General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales, which is achieved by methods of characterization. Chaucer includes many characterization methods to allow the reader to understand his presumption of each character. Chaucer utilizes methods of characterization as well as ... Read More

English Literature Essay Examples