Subject : #14159: Curso monográfico de literatura inglesa: Shakespeare in Performance. - Group B.

Student´s name : Bordas del Prado, Ana Isabel.

Title of the paper : “The Role of Puck in A Midsummer’s Night Dream.”

Author or topic: William Shakespeare.

Abstract : Although there is little character development in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and no true protagonist, critics generally point to Puck as the most important character in the play. The mischievous and witty sprite sets many of the play’s events with his magic, through deliberate pranks on the human characters and unfortunate mistakes. The aim of this individual paper is to show who is Puck, his functions in the play, his relationships with other characters and his contribution and importance in the creation of this comedy.

Title of the paper : “The Characterisation in Shakespearean Comedies”

Author or topic : William Shakespeare.

Abstract : This collective paper deals with the comic characterisation in Shakespearean plays. After pointing out the main conventions of Shakespeare’s comedies, we develop in several points how a comic character is created. To that purpose, we analyse extrinsic elements such as the recreation of social stereotypes, costumes, hairstyle, make-up or voice tone. Moreover, as an improvement of the first paper, we support the theory with examples from characters we dealt with in our individual papers. My contribution to the collective paper can be seen here. If you wish, you can see the pictures from our presentations as well!

Title of the paper : “Objects of Desire”. A brief analysis of desirable objects in The Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice and The Comedy of Errors.

Author or topic : William Shakespeare.

Abstract : It is of human nature to have a capacity of desire that is never fulfilled. However, once the desired object is achieved is replaced by a new one, thus creating a continuum of necessity. William Shakespeare was aware of that “dark” and never-ending ambition of human beings, and he recreated that in his comedies. Many of his plays include objects which are most of the time crucial for the development of the plot. These objects play an important role, since they are of either physical or emotional value. Therefore, we will see characters desiring, lying or even fighting for money, jewels, dresses or more stunning, a piece of human flesh. The aim of this paper is to analyse and compare some of the main objects of desire which are present in The Merchant of Venice, The Taming of the Shrew and The Comedy of Errors. We will see what they do represent and the way in which each character wants them, thus defining their personalities.

Auto-evaluation : To be honest, I have made a really great effort in the four essays and in the creation of this webpage. Moreover, presentations have been a hard challenging job, since it was not easy to put into “scene” the ideas of ten people and to find the adequate props for a better result. Therefore, I consider that I deserve a “sobresaliente”, since I have fulfilled all the goals proposed for the course.

Academic year 2006/2007
© a.r.e.a./Dr.Vicente Forés López
© Ana Isabel Bordas del Prado
Universitat de València Press
abordel@alumni.uv.es