Count Dracula

As in Ovid’s tale “Pyramus and Thisbe,” in “Romeo and Juliet,” Shakespeare communicates the theme that familial hindrances upon a romance may induce the deaths of the lovers involved; however, these deaths may allow for the families to attain peace. Shakespeare further develops this theme, insinuating that such situations may prove avoidable, rather than maintaining an inextricable tie to human nature. Shakespeare initially mirrors the theme of “Pyramus and Thisbe,” as the families of Romeo and…

On August 21st, 1904, one of the world’s greatest jazz musicians was born. This great musician was known as William Count Basie. He was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, where he became a pianist and a player of vaudeville based entertainment. Basie ultimately formed his own big band that had many hits, for example: “Blue Skies” and “One O’Clock Jump.” Basie’s band and music helped to define the ‘swing’ era. He became the first African American male to receive a Grammy Award. Throughout his years…

The book begins with a modernist architect, Le Corbusier, visiting New York City. Le Corbusier marveled both the city and the musical culture of African-Americans. He believed, “jazz is an event representing the forces of today” (p. 3). The forces of today are the industrialization and mass production of American society. He even goes on to state that American society is a “machine for living” (p. 3). Le Corbusier believed jazz reflected and contained chaotic yet continuous rhythmic flow that…

Honour Shakespeare consistently throughout the play makes reference to and emphasises the importance of the code of honour and reputation. He shows how vital these themes to the plot and how much they influence the play up till the tragic ending; for example, the different social ranks banding together to fight the opposing family or when Tybalt wishes to challenge Romeo to a duel. The need to defend and uphold their family reputation and honour results in the many tragedies and deaths seen in…

By the 1940s, most of the jazz music scene was Swing Jazz, it was classically structured harmonies, commercialized big bands and it had limited room for improvisation; most of the bands at the time were limited in uniqueness. Such a borderline bland music scene proved fertile ground for Bebop, but what started as a musical form unknown, or at least not meant to be known, by the public, played in afterhours of nightclubs, was revolutionized by the alto-sax player, Charlie Parker. Despite his…

In the novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, many characters are introduce throughout the story and most of these characters undergo an indentity change at some point during the novel. The main, and by far the most dynamic character, is Edmond Dantès. Dantès is the protagonist of Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel. Edmond lived his life honestly, that is until he was framed for a crime he did not commit. Taking place in Marseilles, France in the 1800’s, Dantès fights for his freedom and pursues many…

Romeo + Juliet is a movie about two star-crossed lovers who journey with a relationship between the toils of two families feud, adapted from Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet and produced into a film by Baz Luhrmann. The movie details the lives of Romeo and Juliet, who are in love, though caught in the confusion of their families feud. The lovers conceal their relationship, but that doesn’t keep either families from concealing their ‘swords’. Several die in the conquest of…

William Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet” is a tragedy love story of two teenagers amid the traditional feud of the Capulet and the Montague families. The play ends with the untimely demise of Romeo and Juliet and leaves the audience in doubt about the actual cause of their deaths. Throughout the play we see characters that directly and indirectly oppose Romeo and Juliet’s love. On the surface we see how a series of immature decisions made by Romeo and Juliet lead them to kill themselves,…

A movie adaptation of Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare directed by Franco Zeffirelli in 1968 portrays the original work of the playwright and script. The story is about the tragic, and untimely death of two lovers, Romeo and Juliet . In the following scene the story opens to Act III Scene i with Mercutio and Tybalt. This scene follows the interaction of major characters such as Tybalt, Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio. Throughout this scene, the adaptation was able to interpret the following:…

How does Shakespeare help the audience understand the changes in Juliet’s Character in Romeo and Juliet? Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is undoubtedly one of the greatest romantic tragedies of all time, expressing the story of two passionate and unique star-crossed lovers. However, beneath all the layers of love and Veronese 15th century culture, the reader is plunged into an unfamiliar environment where the two genders are treated and expected to behave in a completely different manner. Whilst…