Performing Arts

Madame Butterfly is one of the most popular operas of all time. But the ending has a twist—the final chord is unusual. So why did Puccini choose to end his own favourite opera this way?

In the Romeo and Juliet death scene, Juliet is lying in the tomb, under the influence of a sleeping potion that makes it appear that she has died. Romeo finds her in the tomb. Before entering the tomb, Romeo kills Paris in the graveyard.

The Nurse is a bawdy, overly talkative, and humorous character in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. She teases, but is completely devoted to Juliet. She eventually betrays Juliet's wishes by giving her unkind advice. Even so, the Nurse is completely grief-stricken by Juliet's feigned death.

The balcony scene serves to develop the characters of Romeo and Juliet so that the audience can begin to sympathize with them. The balcony scene is critically important to the development of the plot of the play because it is during this scene that the lovers' secret marriage is decided.

In this essay, I analyze William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, and analyze how religious connotations hinder Hamlet's action and ability to avenge his father's death.

Death of a Salesman's Willy Loman, was really a low man. He led a very sad life, accoplished little, but had big dreams. Here is an analysis of the man behind the story.

Analysis of the content and poetic structure of the closing words in Romeo and Juliet.

Three sonnets from Romeo and Juliet are in the Act I prologue, the lovers' first kiss in Act I, and the Act II prologue. Each sonnet is analyzed and explained with some tutorial links and review for iambic pentameter and rhyme scheme.

There has been a long-standing debate over the true definition of tragedy in dramatic literature. Read this discussion of Aristotle's definition weighed against three tragedies written in different centuries.

A close analysis of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet prologue, line by line. Explains rhyme scheme and Iambic pentameter in the prologue. Tutorial and video links.

This is an analytical essay that examines the racial issues in Shakespeare's play, "Othello." The play ponders whether race is a social fabrication or an innate ugliness of human nature.

Is The Cherry Orchard a tragedy or a comedy?

This article explores how to teach drama using several different, easy concepts. Gain confidence in your lessons when you use any one or a combination of these tools. A clear guide for how to use drama lesson plans, drama games, improvisation games, and monologues.