by Raphaela Romero, English major
from the February 2009 issue of The Literary Way
William Shakespeare, one of the most celebrated dramatists in literature, also leaves behind a legacy of skillfully written sonnets. These sonnets, some of which are among the most well known sonnets in the English language, have a particularly secular appeal. Shakespeare's poetry expresses heartfelt emotions regarding the subjects of romantic love, friendship, and death. The sonnets 130, 127, and 138 particularly deal with Shakespeare's mistress – a woman who may or may or may not have been of European descent. This woman of color, or Dark Lady, is the basis for several of Shakespeare's sonnets. From these sonnets, Shakespeare is revealing three different facets of his mistress – from an atypically grounded woman, to a symbol of natural beauty, and finally a deceptive seductress. read more...
by Jai Hayes, English major
from the February 2009 issue of The Literary Way
Rain poured down in the morning,
but the afternoon was wrapped in a sunny glow. read more...
by Jonathan Metoyer, English minor
from the May 2008 issue of The Literary Way
In every story, there is a point of no return. The climax is the turning point of a plot, the point in which everything changes. William Shakespeare's Hamlet is a tragic tale of revenge following the royal family of Denmark. The story's structure is often the subject of debate because of its dynamic plot, making it difficult to pinpoint a climax or turning point in the story. Despite arguments against it as the climax, Act III scene IV is no doubt a crucial stage in the play and in character development. Act III plays a pivotal role in establishing Hamlet as a unique, different kind of tragic hero. Hamlet's murder of Polonius essentially sets the stage for the rest of the play to happen, making it a critical part of the story. This act of murder sets off a chain of events that will eventually lead everyone to doom, and one could argue it marks Hamlet for the sting of hamartia . read more...