Student Question
What are the similarities and differences among The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Othello?
Quick answer:
Shakespeare's plays share some similarities but differ significantly in themes and genres, including tragedy, comedy, and historical drama. Common themes include the role of women and types of love. Some plays feature strong female characters like Lady Macbeth, while others focus on romance or persuasion through love, such as in Othello. Additionally, the contrast between romantic love and deep male friendships, like in Othello and A Midsummer Night's Dream, is noteworthy.
It sounds as if you are being asked to write a compare and contrast essay
concerning several of Shakespeare’s major plays. The themes of these plays are
quite different, and the genres include tragedy, comedy, and historical drama.
Since compare and contrast essays require unified themes, you need to choose
some one theme treated in all six plays rather than trying to cover all aspects
of all the plays.
One good theme would be the role of women. In several of these plays there are
strong female characters (Titania, Lady Macbeth, etc.) and in others women
whose political influence is limited to persuasion via love (Desdemona), and
another group in which the main female characters are purely occupied with
romance.
Another possible theme would be comparing types of love – romantic or sexual
love versus deep male friendships (e.g. Othello's love for Desdemona and his
friendship with Iago, love for the women in relation to male bonding in
Midsummer, etc.)
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.