Power & control(unfinished)
Power and Control
Poems and plays often have to deal with the theme of power and control. In Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” Capulet wields the authority. Shakespeare portrays Capulet as a patriarchal ruler who is not afraid to show his controlling side. His aggression is key aspect in the play and becomes a catalyst for the outcome of our “star crossed lovers”. I will also examine the exertion of power in the poems “My Last Duchess”, “Hawk Roosting” and “Human Interest”. Firstly, I will begin with examining the theme of force in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”.
The first key scene to consider is act one scene on in which a battle between the Capulets and Montagues occurs. In this scene Capulet himself is not afraid to get involved in the battle. “Give me my longsword, ho”. The use of the imperative “Give” shows Capulet commanding other to do his deeds. It also shows him expecting others to be governed by him. This re-enforces the aspect of a patriarchal society in which man rules. This shows that he exerts power and control without think of any consequences or how it affects others.
Secondly, I will examine act one scene two. In this scene Capulet’s character changes his mood and Shakespeare depicts him as fatherly. He appears to give Juliet her own choice in who to marry. “My will to her consent is but apart”. This quote contradicts the earlier scene in which Capulet is very demanding of others. This illustrates that Capulet has a good relationship with his beloved Juliet; he trusts Juliet to make a good decision. He treats her like a human rather than an object; but his power to force her into a marriage if he feels it necessary is implicitly present.
The next scene to investigate would be act one scene five in which Capulet hosts his “accustomed feasts”. In this scene we can see how Capulet can gradually lose his temper. Capulet begins to use gentle imperatives toward Tybalt such as “content thee, gentle coz”. The word “content” is used as an
Poems and plays often have to deal with the theme of power and control. In Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” Capulet wields the authority. Shakespeare portrays Capulet as a patriarchal ruler who is not afraid to show his controlling side. His aggression is key aspect in the play and becomes a catalyst for the outcome of our “star crossed lovers”. I will also examine the exertion of power in the poems “My Last Duchess”, “Hawk Roosting” and “Human Interest”. Firstly, I will begin with examining the theme of force in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”.
The first key scene to consider is act one scene on in which a battle between the Capulets and Montagues occurs. In this scene Capulet himself is not afraid to get involved in the battle. “Give me my longsword, ho”. The use of the imperative “Give” shows Capulet commanding other to do his deeds. It also shows him expecting others to be governed by him. This re-enforces the aspect of a patriarchal society in which man rules. This shows that he exerts power and control without think of any consequences or how it affects others.
Secondly, I will examine act one scene two. In this scene Capulet’s character changes his mood and Shakespeare depicts him as fatherly. He appears to give Juliet her own choice in who to marry. “My will to her consent is but apart”. This quote contradicts the earlier scene in which Capulet is very demanding of others. This illustrates that Capulet has a good relationship with his beloved Juliet; he trusts Juliet to make a good decision. He treats her like a human rather than an object; but his power to force her into a marriage if he feels it necessary is implicitly present.
The next scene to investigate would be act one scene five in which Capulet hosts his “accustomed feasts”. In this scene we can see how Capulet can gradually lose his temper. Capulet begins to use gentle imperatives toward Tybalt such as “content thee, gentle coz”. The word “content” is used as an