Passion play

A passion play is a dramatic presentation, of the medieval origin, depicting the passion of Jesus Christ; his trail, suffering and death. It is a traditional part of Lent in several Christian denominations, particularly Catholic tradition. Performances of such plays are recorded in various parts of Europe from the early 13th century onwards. Some formed part of the cycles of mystery plays, others were performed separately, usually on Good Friday.

The prologue of Doctor Faustus

The chorus is telling the audience to patiently reserve their judgement of Faustus which is shown when it says “to patient judgements we appeal our plaud”, suggesting that the chorus is trying persuade them to emphasis with him and be open-minded, even though he sold his soul to the devil which would be seen as an unforgivable sin by an audience in the Sixteenth Century. Also, the chorus takes the audience through his journey from birth to adulthood, which is shown when it says “now he is born”, which perhaps is an attempt to make them feel sympathetic towards Faustus and his downfall as it allows them connect with him. Also, the fact that he was “born of parent’s base stock” yet he was “shortly graced with his doctor’s name” shows that he is intelligent and has achieved great things.

Why was there tension between Catholics and Protestants in the Elizabethan times?

Shakespeare sneakily employs religious references and symbolism that his audiences would have been aware of to talk about the way the Queen oversaw the nation's religious affairs. When Elizabeth was made Queen of England after the death of Mary Tudor, her people had good reason to be concerned. Within more or less the past decade the nation had gone from Protestant under Edward VI to Catholic under Mary and now back to Protestant (jeeeez make your mind up). Neither Elizabeth nor her government was very enthusiastic at first about religious reform, knowing the problems that would ensure. At first, she simply banned preaching altogether to try and keep the peace, desperately afraid of Catholic revolt. Most Catholics were equally optimistic, assuming that a Catholic husband was all Elizabeth needed. It was the Protestant population, in fact, who wanted revenge for their fellow Englishmen who were exiled, imprisoned and burnt at the stake under Queen Mary. 

The Bloody Chamber

There were few things in the bloody chamber which I found particularly effective. Firstly, the fact that the heroine (the narrator) is nameless, this suggests that she represents all women therefore this could be related to feminism. Also, In the story the heroine tells us how her suffering became the source of her enlightenment, meaning that she overruled the man who was dominating her life (in other words she killed him because he was planning on decapitating her) and became a strong female figure.  However, it can be argued that she shows weakness when she tells her mother that she may not be sure that she loves the Marquis but she is sure she "wants to marry him", suggesting that she only married him due to his riches and position. This means that she depends entirely on his wealth and is therefore vulnerable and ignorant.

The story also contains some eroticness. At the start of the story when she is on the train sexual verbs such as “pounding”, “thrusting” and “burning” are used to suggest that she is feeling aroused and the heroine (who is a virgin) seems excited to gain sexual awareness and is curious about the act of sex which she anticipates. There is also a gothic feel though out the story which is mainly created by the setting and the symbolisms of death, such as the ruby necklace which he forces her to wear as it symbolises the death which he has planned for her.

Right I shall carry this on in another post as I am tired and need sleep!