AD's English Literature

Introduction William Shakespeare 's tragic play "Hamlet" has captivated audiences for centuries with its complex characters and themes. Among these characters is Ophelia, the young and innocent love interest of the title character. While traditional interpretations of Ophelia portray her as a weak and passive victim of circumstance, a feminist reading of the character reveals a more nuanced and powerful portrayal of a woman struggling against the oppressive forces of a patriarchal society. The Oppressive Forces of Patriarchy Ophelia painting by John William Waterhouse Ophelia appears only but very few limited scenes and even her story is structured on Hamlet's. Again Ophelia is surrounded by male figures who seek to control and manipulate her. To satisfy his growing questions about whether Hamlet is feigning madness, Claudius, the Uncle -King makes three attempts to verify Hamlet’s sanity. In one of his endeavors he makes use of Ophelia, the daughter of the lord cha...

 "The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one." Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882) U.S. poet and essayist. Introduction  Ralph Waldo Emerson  (1803 - 1882)   , an influential American philosopher and writer, was deeply interested in Eastern thought, particularly Indian philosophy. Sometimes he looks more Indian than American. Many of the writings are truly an exploration of Indian studies which is essentially his understanding of it even if few missed the mark. More or less,  Emerson expressed in his works the notion that each human has the potential to transcend the material world and to comprehend and understand the infinite. The philosophical movement of which he was a leader has been given the name transcendentalism. Emerson, who was influenced by schools of thought such as English romanticism, Neoplatonism, and Hindu philosophy, is known for his ability to present his ideas eloquently and in poetic language and it is to be...

"That passed away; this also may." "Deor's Lament" I. Introduction "Deor's Lament" (included in  Exeter Book)  is one of the oldest surviving elegiac poems in the English language. Its author is unknown, but it is believed to date back to the 9th century or even earlier in the Anglo-Saxon Era . This poem is significant not only for its age but also for its structure, themes, and historical context. The poem tells the story of Deor, a scop (a poet or singer) who has lost his position at court and is suffering from great sorrow and longing. In the poem, Deor uses the stories of Weland and Eormanric to make sense of his own situation and find hope in the power of music and poetry. In this article, we will explore "Deor's Lament" in-depth and examine its various interpretations and legacies. II. The Context of "Deor's Lament" "Deor's Lament" is a poem that describes the experiences of a scop, a poet and entert...

"A myth is, of course, not a fairy story. It is the presentation of facts belonging to one category in the idioms appropriate to another. To explode a myth is accordingly not to deny the facts but to re-allocate them." Gilbert Ryle  (1900 - 1976) British philosopher. The Concept of Mind

Introduction From "Pride and Prejudice" to "The Great Gatsby," English literature has a rich history of being adapted into film and television. These adaptations offer audiences a chance to experience their favorite literary works in a new and exciting way, while also bringing the stories to a wider audience. In this article, we'll explore the history of English literature adaptations into film and TV, why they're so popular, and some notable examples. A Historical Survey Image: IMDb As we have already told, English literature has been adapted into film and television for over a century. One of the earliest examples is "The Tempest" (Shipwreck Scene, 2 mnts) from 1905 directed by Herbert Beerbohm Tree and Charles Urban, which was based on William Shakespeare 's play of the same name. However, it wasn't until the 1930s that adaptations became more widespread, with films such as "Wuthering Heights" directed by  William Wyler  and ...

Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is of the pain that accompanies a young girl's loss of innocence and a powerful autobiographical work that explores the life of a young Black girl growing up in the American South during the 1930s and 40s. The book begins in 1931 with Maya's earliest childhood memories and proceeds through the end of World War II. In the book, Angelou highlights the ways in which Black women face unique challenges and struggles as a result of their gender and race. Angelou notes that "The black female is assaulted in her tender years by all those common forces of nature at the same time that she is caught in the tripartite crossfire of masculine prejudice, white illogical hate, and black lack of power."(Chapter 34) Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" explores the theme of oppression and the intersectionality of race, gender, and class. In this article, we will explore Maya's encounter with e...

I ntroduction   From wives and mothers to muses and intellectual collaborators, women have often been instrumental in shaping the literary works of their male counterparts. There is a very old and famous saying, “behind every successful man, there stands a woman”! It is easier to test this adage by looking at the lives of famous people in history, particularly the authors, because of the details that we amass on those in the public light. We will examine some of the most notable examples of this dynamic, discussing the ways in which women have contributed to the creative process and helped to shape some of the most influential works of literature in history. Ultimately, we aim to highlight the invaluable contributions that women have made to the literary world, and to acknowledge the ways in which their influence has often been overlooked or marginalized. Throughout history, there have been many women who played important roles in supporting and influencing some of the great writer...