Understanding and writing about themes in English literature is essential and a common part of various essay assignments in most classes. Themes are the central ideas or underlying messages in a work of literature, and they’re often subtle, complex, and open to interpretation. Whether tackling a paper or just preparing for class discussions, these tips…
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What would Shakespeare say if he could speak to us today? In our new blog series, we’re doing just that—bringing the Bard back for a series of playful, insightful, and often hilariously bawdy conversations! To kick off, we sat down with Shakespeare for an exclusive interview about one of his most colorful phrases: “making the…
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At eNotes, we're excited to announce the launch of our brand-new Literary Criticism Collection! This comprehensive resource is designed to deepen your understanding of classic and contemporary literature by providing detailed analyses and insights from leading critics, including many of the greatest critics to ever publish, across a range of genres, authors, and works. Whether…
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Shakespeare’s Macbeth is filled with moral complexity, driven by ambition, betrayal, and outright cruelty. But not all characters are equally steeped in evil. Here’s our ranking of Macbeth characters, starting from the least evil and working our way up to the most malicious. 9. Duncan The Innocent King Duncan, the benevolent king of Scotland, is…
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We've all seen ducks flying around, doing duck-like things in the park, and just being cool birds. But literary icons? Really? Ducks may seem like an unlikely source of literary greatness, but these web-footed characters have waddled, quacked, and flapped their way into some of the most beloved stories ever. From children's classics to rude…
We all know that big Hollywood hits like Pride and Prejudice or The Hunger Games are based on books, but what about those films you’ve enjoyed without realizing they’re actually literary adaptations? Many popular films have literary origins that go unnoticed, especially when they’re loosely adapted or based on obscure (or even unknown) works. Here are…
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The 20th century was full of horrors. Two world wars, genocides in multiple parts of Europe, and rapid technological growth that was both destructive and frightening. A direct result of this terror and uncertainty are some of the most profound and unsettling visions of dystopia, exploring oppressive regimes, crumbling societies, and bleak futures. These novels…
In his influential 1991 essay, “The Romantic Criticism of Romantic Criticism,” Patrick Parrinder delves into the complexities of Romantic literary theory, offering readers a deep dive into the way Romantic critics have engaged with their own era’s literary works. This essay, which you can read in the eNotes Romantic Literary Criticism section, is a critical…
