Modern Drama: Themes, Movements, and Masterpieces
Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles”: A Feminist Perspective
In Trifles, a woman is taken into custody under suspicion of her husband’s murder. The play focuses on two women who enter her house with the sheriff and an attorney, who are searching for evidence. While the men are searching, the women discuss the case. During this play, the women end up finding more evidence than the men do, but because they are women, they aren’t taken seriously. Glaspell shows that women aren’t viewed as equal when Hale says,
Read MoreFoundational Concepts in American History and Literature
Early American Figures and Literary Pioneers
Notable Colonial Personalities
William Bradford was elected Governor of Plymouth 30 times, playing a crucial role in the colony’s early development. Anne Bradstreet was the first woman to publish a book of poetry in America.
Pilgrim Fathers vs. Founding Fathers
The Pilgrim Fathers were Puritans who journeyed to the New World during the Colonial Period (17th century). In contrast, the Founding Fathers were American politicians and philosophers who spearheaded
Read MoreWilliam Shakespeare’s Literary Legacy: Sonnets and Plays
William Shakespeare’s Literary Works: Poetry and Drama
William Shakespeare is renowned for his profound contributions to poetry and drama, establishing himself as the most significant poet to have written in English.
Shakespeare’s Poetry
Shakespeare’s poetic output can be broadly classified into four non-dramatic short poems and his celebrated Sonnets.
The Sonnets
The English, or Shakespearean, sonnet form was first developed in England by Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey. Shakespeare’s sonnets, once a source
Read MoreBritish & European Cultural Journeys: Traditions & Encounters
London & European Cultural Encounters
Madrid Meetings & British Brews
Antonio’s Madrid Rendezvous: Antonio met his British friends at a café in Madrid.
Afternoon Refreshments: For afternoon tea, Antonio and Pablo enjoyed a couple of pints of beer.
The Globe Theatre: Past & Present
Fate of the Original Globe Theatre: The original Globe Theatre burned down in the mid-17th century and was destroyed again 30 years later.
Globe Theatre Performances: Then & Now: Significant differences exist
Read MoreSpanish Ballads: Origins, Evolution, and Poetic Forms
The Romance (Ballad) Tradition: An Introduction
A romance (ballad) is a composition typically consisting of an indeterminate number of eight-syllable verses, characterized by assonance rhyme in pairs, leaving the odd-numbered verses free. The term old ballads refers to the collection of ballads sung in the late Middle Ages. These old ballads played a dual role: they represent a genre of oral origin and popular appeal in the late Middle Ages, but they were also subject to the influence of written
Read MoreClassical Literary Forms: Drama, Epic, and Satire
Plautus’ Pots of Gold: A Roman Comedy
Pots of Gold, originally titled Aulularia in Latin, is a Roman comedy written by Plautus, one of the most celebrated playwrights of ancient Rome. This play is an excellent example of early Roman comedy, which was heavily influenced by Greek New Comedy but adapted to suit Roman audiences. The play focuses on themes of greed, deception, and social values of the era.
Euclio’s Obsession: Greed and Paranoia
The central character of the play is Euclio, a miserly old
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