AltBritLit by ER

The King James Bible documentary discusses the importance and continued relevance of the King James Bible. King James was not only a king of England but was also king of the church of England. Many people were against the church of England because they felt it was unlawful and anti-christian. There were those who went against King James and started their own religious group, the puritans, and those who stayed in the church of England. James knew he had to do something to unite these two opposing sides of religion so he decided to meet with both sides. He heard arguments and talks and realized that he would never win everyone back over to his side. Therefore, he came to the conclusion that he would need a compromise. It was brought to James’ attention that there were plans for a new revision of the Bible because past successors had been corrupt and not gotten the translation exactly correct. Most Bibles that had revisions done by monarchs had poor translations or focused so much on the...

The last two acts of Othello build upon the lies told from Iago about an “affair” between Desdemona and Cassio. Iago continues to create a dramatic love story between Desdemona and Cassio which causes Othello to slowly go crazy, “Lie with her? Lie on her? We say lie on her when they belie her.” (608). From that passage, Othello is trying to understand if these are all lies about Desdemona or if she really is disloyal because he has come to be so conflicted about the matter. Clearly, Iago has started to diminish the trust Othello once had with Desdemona. Othello then encounters Cassio and is convinced of his mischievous doings so Othello seeks to murder Cassio, “How shall I murder him, Iago?” (611). Moments later, Othello talks about wanting to kill Cassio because he has stolen the sweetness of his love, “I would have him nine years a-killing!- A fine woman, a fair woman, a sweet woman!” (612). Othello is most evidently dismayed by the constant manipulation from Iago and has now come ...

In the first three acts of Othello by William Shakespeare, there are moments of jealousy and revenge that occur with the protagonist, Othello. The reader learns in Act I that Othello is a military man who secretly married a woman known as Desdemona. Desdemona’s father as well as Othello’s colleagues were all unaware of this marriage until it is brought to light by Othello, “... I love the gentle Desdemona, I would not my unhoused free condition put into circumscription and confine for the sea’s worth.” (561). Othello brings to light that he is indeed married to Desdemona, then, it is revealed that one of Othello’s fellow military comrade, Cassio, wants Desdemona all for himself. Cassio thinks of Othello as a fool and he wants to get even with him for marrying Desdemona, “And I dare think he’ll prove to Desdemona a most dear husband. Now I do love her too, not out of absolute lust… But partly led to diet my revenge…” (580). It is evident that Cassio wants to take Desdemona away from O...

Shakespeare’s Sonnets is a poem that takes a unique perspective at the beauty in a man. It focuses on this attractive man who is way above normal beauty standards. This poem gives no indication of a time period or location, which is often a characteristic of Shakespearean work. As Shakespeare is talking about this beautiful man, he often brings up the theme that beauty is fleeting because it cannot escape time, “Sets you most rich in youth before my sight, Where wasteful Time debateth with Decay To change your day of youth to sullied night.” (541). Here it is evident that Shakespeare is warning someone to cherish their youth because time will soon take its toll on their beauty. However, Shakespeare tries to keep this beauty eternal through his writing, “Yet do thy worst, old Time; despite thy wrong, My love shall in my verse ever live young.” (542). He is trying to show that he can beat time and make beauty eternal. The poem goes on and Shakespeare continues his talk of beauty and d...