An analysis of the ways Shakespeare implies values in his plays : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Abstract

This discussion of Shakespeare's values as embodied by his characters seeks to refute Samuel Johnson's statement that Shakespeare makes no just distribution of good or evil and that he carries his persons indifferently through right or wrong, dismissing them without further care. This paper's premise is that Shakespeare does indeed justly distribute good and evil, and this is illustrated by whether or not his characters prosper. In order to examine this issue, this discussion includes a study of the main characters from a variety of Shakespeare's plays: one history--The Second Part of Henry IV; three comedies--Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Merchant of Venice; and two tragedies-- Hamlet and Macbeth.