This Has Two Discussions. One Has Three At

This Has Two Discussiondiscussion One This Has Three At

This assignment involves analyzing two distinct literary works: Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Sharon E. Cooper’s Mistaken Identity: A Ten Minute Play. The first discussion requires exploring a conflict within Macbeth, identifying how this conflict relates to character development, and examining literary techniques that help convey the conflict, as well as its connection to human nature. The second discussion focuses on the play Mistaken Identity, analyzing a conflict present in the comedy, how literary elements develop this conflict, and comparing it with the conflict in Macbeth in terms of function and impact.

Paper For Above instruction

Conflict is a fundamental element in both tragedy and comedy, serving as a driving force for character development and thematic exploration. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, one of the most prominent conflicts is Macbeth’s internal struggle between his ambition and moral integrity. This conflict is vividly represented in the character’s descent into violence and moral decay as he grapples with the prophecy of the witches and the consequences of murdering King Duncan. For example, Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 7, reveals his internal turmoil and hesitation about killing Duncan: “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which overleaps itself and falls on the other.” This internal conflict propels Macbeth’s transformation from a noble thane to a tyrannical king, illustrating how internal struggles shape character arcs. Literary techniques such as dramatic irony and foreshadowing amplify the effect of this conflict. Shakespeare employs dramatic irony through Macbeth’s own words and actions that foreshadow tragedy, engaging the audience’s awareness of impending doom. The play also uses supernatural elements, like the witches’ prophecies, to heighten the tension and externalize Macbeth’s internal conflict, emphasizing the play’s exploration of the destructive nature of unchecked ambition.

In contrast, the conflict in Cooper’s Mistaken Identity is primarily external and comedic, revolving around mistaken identities and misunderstandings. A key conflict arises from characters’ attempts to reconcile their true identities with mistaken assumptions, leading to humorous situations. For instance, a character may believe another to be someone else, creating tension that ultimately resolves through revelation and comedic timing. Literary techniques like satire and irony are prominently used. The play employs irony when characters’ assumptions about each other cause misunderstandings, and satire to critique social norms and expectations about love and identity. These elements highlight the play’s humorous tone while exploring themes of self-awareness and societal perception.

While conflicts in Macbeth and Mistaken Identity serve different emotional and thematic purposes—tragedy versus comedy—they both function to develop characters and highlight human tendencies. The tragic conflict in Macbeth delves into the darker aspects of human nature, such as ambition, guilt, and moral corruption, reflecting universal struggles that lead to downfall. Conversely, the comedic conflict in Mistaken Identity examines human folly, social pretensions, and the desire for acceptance, often leading to humorous self-awareness and eventual reconciliation. These differences emphasize how conflict, as a literary device, adapts to serve the tone and purpose of the genre, yet both reveal insights into human nature and the complexities of human relationships.

References

• Shakespeare, W. (1606). Macbeth. The Royal Shakespeare Company.
• Cooper, S. E. (Year). Mistaken Identity: A Ten Minute Play. Chapter 14 of Journey into Literature.
• Bloom, H. (2006). Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human. Riverhead Books.
• Bradley, A. C. (1904)..Shakespearean Tragedy: Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth. Macmillan.
• Foster, S. (2008). Elements of Literature. Pearson Education.
• Holman, C. H., & Harmon, William. (2012). A Handbook to Literature. Pearson.
• Leveen, L. (2010). Shakespeare's Macbeth. Harvard University Press.
• Reed, T. (2019). Exploring Comedy and Tragedy. Literature Studies Journal.
• Wilson, A. (2012). The Art of Dramatic Literature. Yale University Press.
• Yousef, T. (2015). Literary Techniques and the Human Condition. International Journal of Literary Studies.