The plays key themes Essay Example For Students

The plays key themes Essay Using the detailed opening stage directions and the introduction of Goole on page 11 as your starting point, discuss how a director might develop the use of settings and characterisation to bring out the plays key themes.  The playwrights stage directions suggest Priestleys interpretations of the play. Priestleys emphasis is characterisation and this is shown within his stage directions.  Priestleys stage directions are pescriptive and detailed. This shows that he is very concerned about the response and perceptions of his audience. Similarly, the directions for the entrance of Inspector Goole are quite specific.  In this essay, I will examine Priestleys first set of stage directions, which advise the directors setting for Act One.  The furniture should be chosen to appear, solid, substantial, and, heavily comfortable, showing Arthur Birlings quality yet possibly vulgar and questionable taste and even views.  Priestleys stage directions are so pescriptive he even mentions the lighting. Before the Inspector enters, the lighting is, pink and intimate, suggesting a warm, pleasant atmosphere appropriate for a close family gathering. The light the suddenly changes to, bright and hard, as the Inspector enters, suggesting in a visual metaphor, the brutal, uncompromising way Inspector Goole throws light on the familiys sordid secrets. We will write a custom essay on The plays key themes specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now However, if I were the director I would put the Inspector slightly in the shadows, to symbolise his mysterious character. I would also put light on each member of the family so the audience could see their shock and to emphasis the metaphor.  Next, the arrangement of the people around the table shows Arthur and Sybil Birlings superiority within the family as they both sit at each end of the table as the most important people do. To emphasise their authority, I would seat them in a majestic, thick wooden chairs, different to the other family members chairs. Additionally, the audience can automatically distinguish that the family are celebration as the males are wearing, tails and white ties, and there are also, champagne glasses, being cleared away. Wealth again is a theme here.  This scene gives the impression of a happy and united family looking forward to the future with a degree of confidence. However, in retrospect, there are a number of hints that not all is what it seems, but these are not particularly obvious until later in the play. Character is also important within a play. The director must make the actor visually represent the actor as well as performing the Priestleys message through their character.  Priestley expresses the wish for a, portentous, Birling. He is a pompous, sandimonius character. As a director, this would encourage me to instruct the actor to project an ominous, domineering presence. The audience should see Birling as intimidating and a bit of a bully as his name would suggest. He must also appear wealthy and of importance. Next, Sybil Birling is presented to be a disdainful, haughty character. She is also a little snobbish although she married below her own social status. To reflect this, I would instruct the actor to speak properly, pronouncing all words correctly. I would dress her in expensive clothes and fine jewellery to echo her social class. She must also be strong and determined.  Priestley asks for Sheila to be, very pleased with life and rather excited. Sheila is the spoilt child within the family; she is slightly smug with this. To represent her character I would ask the actor to be giggly and over-affectionate to her fian Gerald. She is extremely excitable and girly.  Gerald is described as, easy well-bred young man-about-town. He should be portrayed as self-satisfied and quite crafty. He would be an attractive man and appear to have great respect for Arthur Birling. To show this I would instruct the actor to be attentive to everything that Birling says.

The Emotional and Cultural Conflict at the Personal Level essays

The Emotional and Cultural Conflict at the Personal Level essays Conflict can be defined as a disagreement through which the parties involved perceived a threat to their needs, interests and concerns. It occurs when people perceive that consequence of a disagreement. Emotional are the feeling experienced in conflict, ranging from anger and fear to despair and confusion. (Academic Leadership Support) When emotional and cultural conflicts occur at the personal level, it can give a great impact of inconsistency at the political, cultural and social levels in the country. In referring to this statement, this paper is going to discuss about the disintegration of individualism, are there any conflict in the characters and are they portrayed as inconsistence, restless and unsettle? And how is this kind of portrayal can suggest to the inconsistencies at the political, cultural and social levels in the country? This writing will not be able to achieve its objective in discussing the issues mentioned without any evidence taken from any short stories or poems. Therefore, in a way to provide clear examples to the analysis, two short stories are selected. The first one is The Tamarind Tree, written by Saffura Chinniah and the other is Ibrahim Something by Lee Kok Liang. Both these short stories have been identified to have emotional and cultural conflicts and it will be discussed further. The concern or the issue that is relevance for discussion is the issue of is there a conflict in the characters and are they portrayed as inconsistence, restless and unsettled? In the first short story, The Tamarind Tree, the major concern of discussion is about the main character, Uncle Das. He lives in a housing area, Is he portrayed as inconsistence, restless and unsettle? From his neighbours perspective, he is like other man. He has a wife, a child, a paid-up three bedroom house and on a decent pension. (pg. 38) He does not seem to have a c...

Avon Products, Inc Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Avon Products, Inc - Case Study Example This approach helped Avon achieve its transition from direct sales of the beauty business. The Company developed additional distribution channels that helped it improve in sales. Through its double commitment in the beauty products the company was able to gain The Company had begun to improve through its commitment in the beauty products business. Maintaining its dividend at $2.00 per share did not result to a drop in Avon’s Stock price. It maintained a fairly steady stock price during this period. Investors held Avon stock since it paid high dividends. The Company planned to reduce its dividends but was worried that it might drive down the stock prices. Retail business was helping the company make more sales thus increased profits. Avon was to reduce its dividends to conserve cash flow in the company (Tiemann 3). It believed that many of its investors would sell their shares quickly once it reduced its

Case studies and letter to the Editor Assignment - 1

Case studies and letter to the Editor - Assignment Example I will let them be aware that their misunderstanding is also affecting their work and eventually will affect our section’s productivity. I will ask them if they can commit to work with each other without fighting. I will tell them that I will observe them and see if there is any improvement. I have to tell them what the consequences will be if the disagreement persists. I will impose a policy of zero tolerance for office fighting. Emphasizing to them the importance of team work will also help. If after doing all these, the fighting continues, I will already refer it to higher management to assist me in resolving the problem. I will also suggest the possibility of assigning one of them to another section with the least communication with my section. But if this is done, it must be made clear to the employees that if they still ignore the office policy on fighting, it may already be a ground for their termination. Yes there is something George can do about Charlie’s behavior and for the company’s sake, he should. The change in his attitude towards staff meetings is a concern and a sign of demoralization. This justifies the need for him to take action on this matter. First, he should consult with the other old-time supervisors about how they feel about going to the meetings ever since Charlie came in. This is to verify if his sentiments are shared by the others or is it just him. If it is just him, then he should learn to change his attitude towards Charlie. However, if the others feel the same way, I think they have a valid reason to bring up their concerns over the behavior of Charlie to their manager. Tell their boss Charlie’s negative effects on morale and how the atmosphere during meetings has changed from positive collaboration to negative criticisms. After going to the boss, then George together with the others should invite Charlie in an informal get together, mayb e over a cup of coffee, and let him know how his

Romeo & Juliet Essay Example for Free

Romeo Juliet Essay Introduction William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire and was baptised there on 26th April 1564. John Shakespeare, William Shakespeares father seems to have been reasonably wealthy at the time of William Shakespeares birth. It seems likely from his fathers high and respectable position that William Shakespeare was educated at the Stratford grammar school. He did not, however, go to university and so did not have the kind of education which many playwrights experienced. In 1582, when William Shakespeare was eighteen, he married Anne Hathaway. The couple had three children, Susanna born shortly after their marriage, and the twins Judith and Hamnet born in 1585. We cannot be sure of the time that Shakespeare moved to London, it is thought that he moved in 1585 when a group of playwrights visited Stratford and performed their play there, this may have been the time of when he moved. We do know that he was living in London in 1592, by this time he was already known as a dramatist and actor. Even at this early stage he had become popular because, in 1592 Shakespeare was criticised in a pamphlet by a less successful writer Robert Greene, who wrote that a new and largely uneducated dramatist (Shakespeare) was taking over the position, which rightly belonged to university men. In 1596 Shakespeares son Hamnet died, apart from this grief there was also achievement, John and William Shakespeare (father and son) were granted a coat of arms which means their status as gentlemen was recognised by the college of Heralds. In 1597 Shakespeare bought a New place, one of the largest houses in Stratford. In 1599 he bought shares in the Globe Theatre and in 1609 he became part owner of the newly built Black friars theatre. In this year also he published a collection of sonnets. William Shakespeare retired to New place in 1611. It is thought that he did not break all his business contacts with London. He died in Stratford on 23rd April 1616 at the age of fifty-two. THE ELIZABETHAN THEATRE Drama became increasingly secularised during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries and plays ceased to be performed in or near a church. Instead, they were often staged in the courtyard of an inn. A performance in a courtyard such as this had many advantages. There were many doors that could be used for exits and entrances, balconies that could represent battlements or towers and, best of all, perhaps, there were usually guests in the inns who appreciated the entertainment. In 1576 the first theatre was built in London, it was built accordingly to the design of Elizabethan courtyards. Galleries and boxes around the walls of the theatre were where the rich people sat and, like the courtyard of an inn, it had no roof and so performances had to be cancelled if the weather was bad. The 1576 theatre and those built subsequently differed from the courtyard. They contained a large stage often called an apron because of its shape- which jutted out from one wall into the auditorium. The poorer members of the audience were called groundlings and stood around the stage throughout the performance. The large apron stage was not curtained from the audience and there was no scenery on it. Indications of where the scene occurred were built into the words of the play. Very rich costumes and music also compensated for the lack of scenery. It seems likely that plays went on from beginning to end without interval, thought the end of a serious scene was often indicated by the use of rhyming couplets. Examples of this can be found in plays such as Twelfth night, for instance, scenes 1,2,4, and 5 are all end rhymed. This is also found in the play Romeo and Juliet for example, the end of act two scene two, Romeo. Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy thy breast. Would I were sleep and peace so sweet to rest. The grey eyd morn smiles on the frowning night, Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light; And darkness fleckled like a drunkard reels. From forth days pathway, made by titans wheels. Hence will I to my ghostly sires close cell, His help to crave and my dear hap to hell. In Shakespeares time women were not allowed to perform on the stage, and so female roles were played by boys. This fact helps to explain why so many of Shakespeares heroines disguise themselves as young men. It was easier for a boy to act like a young man than to act like a young woman. ELIZABETHAN ENGLISH Every language changes. Differences in pronunciation and in linguistic preferences are often apparent even in the speech of a father and his son, so it is not surprising that the language of Shakespeares plays should be markedly different from the English we use today. In the sixteenth century the English language was only beginning to be used by creative writers, previously Latin and French had been considered. This is because the English language had not been fully developed and was harder to use. Adjectives, nouns and verbs were less rigidly confined to their specific classes in Shakespeares day. Adjectives were often used as adverbs. Nouns were often used as verbs. And verbs were often on occasions used as noun. Words changed their meanings as time passes, and so many words used by Shakespeare have different values today. This explains the language used in the plays during the 18th periods. Directing Act II scene II Romeo and Juliet is a play written by William Shakespeare (1564-1616). The play is a tragedy set in the fictional city of Verona. The Principality of Verona is ruled by Escalus. The story is based around two feuding families of Montague and Capulet. The leading characters are Romeo, a Montague and Juliet, a Capulet. At the beginning of the play Romeo is persuaded by his friends Benvolio and Mercutio to attend (uninvited) a feast held by the Capulets. Here Romeo hopes to see his beloved Rosaline, who we do not hear any more about. While at the feast Romeo catches a glimpse of Juliet. Their eyes meet and instantly they fall in love (Romeo completely forgets the reason why he attended, Rosaline). The balcony scene occurs early on in the play in act two. Romeo soon leaves the feast but his mind is still full of thoughts of Juliet, Romeo climbs over the wall and into her garden. Juliet cannot sleep and appears at the balcony . At this point they both declare their love for each other and exchange vows. They decide there and then that they will get married in secret the next day. The balcony scene is a crucial part of the play; it is the pivot point of the storyline and the interactions of the individual characters. In this scene Romeo and Juliet profess their love for each other and their intention to get married secretly, even though their two families would strongly disapprove. The leading characters attitude towards each other is completely changed as they disregard their families on going feud. Juliet says that it is Romeo she is in love with and he is the same Romeo even though he is a Montague. I will be directing act II, scene II, of Romeo and Juliet, I have made the choice of directing the scene as a film. The reason for me choosing this scene is because it is the pivotal point of the play and also the most interesting and recognised scene from William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet. The actor that I think would best fit the role of Romeo would be Freddie prince junior. The reason for me choosing him is due to him recently acting in allot of romantic films and also due to him being admired by all his female viewers. Michelle Pfeiffer has been picked by me to play the role of Juliet. I have made this choice because she has also played the part of a romantic young teenager in many films. She is also recognised as one of the most famous and attractive actors in the Hollywood film industry. The pivotal point of the play comes in act II, scene II, when Romeo and Juliet declare their love for each other on the balcony. It is the most recognised scene of the playas it is here that that the two characters decide that they shall marry, despite the knowledge of their parents disapproval. Although some readers may believe that Romeo and Juliet rush into their marriage, it proves that their love is intense. It also helps with the overall understanding of the characters as the play is set in the hot Italian city of Verona, taking the stereotypical view of Italian men and women; as romantic impulsive lovers. The play also demonstrates this trait by Romeos infatuation with Rosaline, which appears to disappear once he spots Juliet. This impulsive behaviour is a stereotype of Italian men.

small stage acting :: essays research papers

Topic - Small Stage Acting General Purpose - To Inform Specific Purpose - To explain the dos and don’ts of small stage acting Central Idea - By informing the listeners about what to do and what not to do on a small stage they can learn from my mistakes and avoid them if they ever want to do some acting. I. Introduction: â€Å"There is no business like show business like no business I know. Everything about it is appealing. Everything the traffic will allow. No where can you get that special feeling, only when you are stealing that extra bow.† A. You have to endure a lot being an actor or an actress. B. Stage acting is especially hard. 1. You have to project your voice. 2. Stand where everyone in the audience can see you. 3. There are no takes so you cannot miss a line. II. If you screw up, just go on: A. Opening night I slammed the door open so hard the props fell off the wall. 1. I covered and acted like I was supposed to do it. 2. The other girl on stage bent down behind the couch and laughed. B. If someone misses a line, go on with your line or try to jog their memory. C. I dropped my liquor glass in rehearsal and got yelled at because I did not pick it up. II. Props: A. It is important to use props that will not hinder your performance. 1. You are responsible for your props. a. Never leave them in the way or another actor will trip over them. b. I did not hold the wine glass the proper way. 1.) The director said I held the glass like a beer mug 2.) I was supposed to hold it like a lady: like my character. B. Always check to make sure your props are ready before you go on stage. 1. It would be awful to not be able to find your prop when you need it. 2. It is also not fun eating week old chex-mix. 3. Someone did not check the gun on opening night, so I had to yell â€Å"bang!† III. Eating and Drinking on Stage: A. Drinking on Stage 1. Never pour more in a glass than you will be able to drink before your exit. 2. I had to stand at the door and gulp my wine down before leaving (but it was in keeping with my alcoholic character). 3. Never gesture with your glass. B. Eating on Stage 1. Try to avoid salty foods on stage. small stage acting :: essays research papers Topic - Small Stage Acting General Purpose - To Inform Specific Purpose - To explain the dos and don’ts of small stage acting Central Idea - By informing the listeners about what to do and what not to do on a small stage they can learn from my mistakes and avoid them if they ever want to do some acting. I. Introduction: â€Å"There is no business like show business like no business I know. Everything about it is appealing. Everything the traffic will allow. No where can you get that special feeling, only when you are stealing that extra bow.† A. You have to endure a lot being an actor or an actress. B. Stage acting is especially hard. 1. You have to project your voice. 2. Stand where everyone in the audience can see you. 3. There are no takes so you cannot miss a line. II. If you screw up, just go on: A. Opening night I slammed the door open so hard the props fell off the wall. 1. I covered and acted like I was supposed to do it. 2. The other girl on stage bent down behind the couch and laughed. B. If someone misses a line, go on with your line or try to jog their memory. C. I dropped my liquor glass in rehearsal and got yelled at because I did not pick it up. II. Props: A. It is important to use props that will not hinder your performance. 1. You are responsible for your props. a. Never leave them in the way or another actor will trip over them. b. I did not hold the wine glass the proper way. 1.) The director said I held the glass like a beer mug 2.) I was supposed to hold it like a lady: like my character. B. Always check to make sure your props are ready before you go on stage. 1. It would be awful to not be able to find your prop when you need it. 2. It is also not fun eating week old chex-mix. 3. Someone did not check the gun on opening night, so I had to yell â€Å"bang!† III. Eating and Drinking on Stage: A. Drinking on Stage 1. Never pour more in a glass than you will be able to drink before your exit. 2. I had to stand at the door and gulp my wine down before leaving (but it was in keeping with my alcoholic character). 3. Never gesture with your glass. B. Eating on Stage 1. Try to avoid salty foods on stage.

Revenge is bittersweet- the count of monte cristo

Edmond pleads that he is innocent, Violent does not grant him any sympathy and sends him to prison. For thirteen years Edmond gets whipped and beaten up for being accused of a crime that he did not commit. While he is captive he meets a priest, Babe Farina. Farina teaches Dante to defend himself, however the final lesson he teaches Dante is, ‘Do not commit the crime for which you now serve the sentence. ‘Farina is saying that Dante should not commit a crime as he would have to serve a sentence, which in this case he meant hat Dante should feel guilty if he commits a crime as he is being as bad as the person who harmed and disrespected him.As soon as Edmond Dante escapes the prison all he longing is to get revenge on Violent for sending him to prison. Dante disguises himself as the Count of Monte Crisis with the help of his friend Jackpot. Dante providentially plans and plots avenge on Violent so that he can suffer like how he did. â€Å"They should suffer like how I did, †as Dante quotes throughout the film. After devising a few of tricks Dante ambushes Violent and gets him arrested. Violent feels convicted once he has been seized and remorse incarcerating Dante.Ultimately, Dante is penitent for Violent as another soul is in agony. Regarding Bernard Monde, Dante is hysterical about Monde as he has appropriated and betrayed Dante. Monde who was once Dante dear friend took away his beloved fiance. As a consequence Dante complicity revenge on Monde. He transacts this by costively taking away everything that Monde has. Initially, Montages fortune, wealth and eventually his wife Mercedes. Dante begins taking Montages fortune s that is all that he really has. Once all of Montages funds have been withdrawn he begins a to collapse.Eventually, Dante gets Mercedes and all of Montages riches. As Monde states, † Now you've taken Mercedes,† which frustrates him. Although Dante has Mercedes and fortune it is still not enough, he wants Monde to p ay, therefore they fight to the death. Dante takes a man's life for the first time, Montages. Despite that Dante got his vengeance he now lives the blood stains of another man's life on the palm of his hands. This emotion of remorse and contrition ill always remain with Dante as what has once been done cannot be undone.Dante learns from this that he should have listened the final lesson the priest told him â€Å", Do not commit the crime for which you now serve the sentence. † Dante says, â€Å"All that was used for vengeance will now be used for good,† in the consequence, intimating that he will not have vengeance over anyone but use what he did for good now. Dante has his mind focused on vengeance that he loses what is important, Mercedes. Dante is concentrated on getting revenge on Violent and Monde that he avoids who was once his fiance. Luckily for Dante Mercedes remembered him, even in his disguise as The Count of Monte Crisis.Mercedes tries to reason with Dante, however Dante says to Mercedes, â€Å"If you ever loved me, don't rob me of my hate. It's all I have. â€Å"Dante constantly pushes away Mercedes whom is he who once loved dearly. Eventually, Dante begins to focus on Mercedes than revenge, unfortunately it is too late. Monde battles Dante to the death. Mercedes loses the man who was once her husband even though she gets the love of her life back. Although Mercedes and Dante are back together now nothing ever be like how it once was and Dante will have to live with guilt of choosing vengeance over Mercedes.Consequently, revenge does not provide or do any good. Instead, Dante learns and has to live with remorse and guilt of murdering Monde. Although he gets Mercedes back, Mercedes will always remember everything that Dante did. How he pushed away her, how he would rather get vengeance than be with her. Vengeance never did any good, it Just created remorse and guilt to the beholder of it. As for what happens, the murder of Monde, it can never be undone. As for the feeling of guilt it will always remain.