Analyzing Characters in Shakespeare's Plays

William Shakespeare is arguably the greatest playwright of all time. His plays have been read, performed and enjoyed for centuries, and his characters are among the most memorable and recognizable in literature. But what makes Shakespeare's characters so timeless and why do we still find them interesting and relevant today? A closer look at some of the characters in his plays can provide us with a deeper understanding of his writing and a better appreciation of his genius.

Understanding Character Development

One of the hallmarks of Shakespeare's writing is his ability to create complex, believable characters. He often used archetypes and stereotypes to help establish a character's identity, but he was also able to delve deeper and create characters that have depth and nuance. This is achieved through careful consideration of the character's motivations, conflicts, and relationships with other characters.

In Shakespeare's plays, characters are often developed through conversations and interactions with other characters. This allows the audience to gain insight into their motivations and personalities, and to understand how the character interacts with and is affected by the other characters in the play. For example, in Romeo and Juliet, the conversations between Romeo and Juliet provide insight into their feelings for each other and the motivations that drive their actions. Similarly, in Macbeth, the dialogue between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth reveals their relationship and Macbeth's ambition.

Characterization Through Language

Another effective way that Shakespeare develops his characters is through the use of language. The words and phrases that characters use to express themselves can reveal a great deal about their personality and character. For example, in Othello, Iago's use of language is often sarcastic and manipulative, which helps to establish his villainous character. Similarly, in Hamlet, the protagonist's use of words reflects his inner turmoil and confusion, which helps us to understand his state of mind.

Shakespeare also used language to contrast characters and emphasize their differences. By using different words and phrases to express the same sentiment, he was able to show how characters from different social classes spoke and acted differently. This technique is particularly evident in the comedy As You Like It, where the characters of Touchstone and Jaques use drastically different language to express the same idea.

Exploring Character Relationships

Shakespeare was also adept at exploring the relationships between characters in his plays. He often used pairs of characters to explore certain themes and ideas. For example, in Romeo and Juliet, the relationship between Romeo and Juliet is used to explore the idea of forbidden love, while in Othello, the relationship between Othello and Iago is used to explore the nature of trust and betrayal.

Shakespeare also used relationships between characters to reveal their motivations and desires. In Macbeth, the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is used to explore the idea of ambition and what it means to be a leader. Similarly, in The Tempest, the relationship between Prospero and Caliban is used to explore the themes of power and freedom.

Analyzing Character Traits

The character traits that Shakespeare gave to his characters are also important when analyzing them. Traits such as courage, loyalty, and ambition help to define a character and provide insight into their motivations and behavior. For example, in Hamlet, the title character's indecisiveness and reluctance to act reveals a great deal about his character and helps us to understand why he is so hesitant to take action. Similarly, in Othello, Iago's ambition and cunning reveals his motivations and helps us to understand why he is so determined to manipulate Othello.

Finding Relevance in Modern Times

The characters in Shakespeare's plays are timeless and still relevant today. His characters are complex and multi-dimensional, and their struggles and motivations are often still relevant in our modern times. For example, the themes of ambition and power explored in Macbeth are still relevant today, as are the themes of love and betrayal explored in Romeo and Juliet.

Shakespeare's characters are also highly relatable. Even though most of us will never experience the same situations as his characters, we can still relate to their struggles and emotions. This is because Shakespeare was able to capture human nature in a way that is still recognizable today.

Conclusion

The characters in Shakespeare's plays are some of the most memorable and recognizable in literature. By closely examining the characters, we can gain a better understanding of the playwright's genius and appreciate his writing even more. We can also find relevance in the characters and their struggles today, as they are often still applicable to our lives.