The use of symbolism in plays and poems Symbolism is the use of a person, an object, a place, or an

idea to represent it self and something beyond itself at the same time. Two recognizable examples o
f symbolism are the Stars and Stripes on the flag; this is the symbol for the United States of Ameri
ca. Another well-known symbol is skull and crossbones, which we all know represent something poisono
us. Symbolism is often used in all forms of literature and poetry. Many use it because it helps the
writer to get their expressions out more clearly (Prentice Hall Literature 619). Some symbols can be
read clearly and understood with ease but there are others, which have private meanings. Symbols wi
th private meanings usually cannot be comprehended at first glance but instead you have to really un
derstand the text in which you are reading. In order to get the exact meaning of a private symbol yo
u must appreciate the literary work in which you are reading (Prentice Hall Literature 619). More fr
equently used and most recognizable uses of symbolism in today's society are youth, which symbolizes
springtime, middle age, which is summer, and old age, which is autumn or winter. Also there is deat
h, which is darkness or cold, roses are used for love and beauty, and doves are for peace and owls,
which symbolizes wisdom. Two writhers who could be symbolizing by an owl are William Shakespeare and
William Blake (Prentice Hall Literature 619). William Shakespeare and William Blake can both be con
sidered as two of the greatest writhers in their time. Though Shakespeare wrote plays and Blake wrot
e poems there still remain many similarities between the two. These two writers became familiar with
symbolism and decided to take their poems and plays to the extreme. Both figured out ways to maximi
ze the effect of the use of symbolism in their poems and plays. Their knowledge of literature cannot
be questioned because the both soared above the rest. Their ability to use unique symbols makes the
m nothing short of literary geniuses. They have shown us that the expression of your thought can be
obtained in your literary work. (Prentice Hall Literature 619). William Shakespeare was born on Apri
l 13, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. Shakespeare began his
education at the age of seven where he attended the Stratford grammar school. While at Stratford he
studied Latin Rhetoric, Logic, and literature. His knowledge and imagination is said to have come f
rom reading about ancient authors and poetry. Shakespeare received a license to marry Anne Hathaway
in November 1582. Shakespeare was married when he was only 18. His wife was 26 years old. Shakespear
e fathered three children: Susanna, and twins Hamneth and Judith. Shakespeare was first recognized
as a writher by Robert Green in 1552. Shakespeare became widely known as an actor and a play writer.
By 1594 he had written six plays and two poems (Prentice Hall Literature 204). In 1599 Shakespeare
and six other associates became owners of the Globe which was an outdoor theatre. This is where he d
ecided to continue his acting. Shake4speare died April 23, 1616, but before his death he had written
thirty-seven plays (Prentice Hall Literature 204). William Blake was born in 1757. At the age of fo
ur he screamed because he was believed to have seen God in his window. At the age of eight, while wa
lking in fields, he saw a tree with angels. To the people Blake's visions raised great concern, but
to his parents his gift was something that should be nurtured. Blake never attended any schools, ins
tead he was self-taught. Although he did not attend any school his father decided when he became old
enough he would be sent to an engraver because Blake loved to draw (Prentice Hall Literature 618).
Between the ages of twelve and twenty, Blake wrote a series of poems. Some of his better known poems
were Poetical Sketches and Songs of Innocence. Instead of publishing his poetry he engraved them on
metal plates with varnish, and then he painted then by hand. Because the process took so much time
few of his books were published. Blake lived in a filthy London Studio where he continued to see vis
ions of angels and prophets who instructed him in his work. Once he painted while receiving a vision
of Voltaire. He was later asked did Voltaire speak English he replied "to my ears it was English" (
Prentice Hall Literature 618). Blake's poetry wasn't recognized until several years after his death
on August 13, 1827. This tells me that throughout Blake's lifetime poets were rarely understood. His
poetry was understood to operate on two levels one of them symbolic, the other was literal (Prentic
e Hall Literature 618). Shakespeare, one who is known for his extremely dramatic plays, was consider
ed one of the greatest writers of all time. Some of his more famous plays are Julius Caesar, Twelfth
Night, Romeo and Juliet, and King Lear. In these plays Shakespeare shows a variety of symbolism. So
me of his symbolism can be recognized at first glance, but there are others that have to be carefull
y read and studied to truly understand their meaning. In his pays happiness, times of hardship, love
and times of joy are all represented by symbolism. His plays are truly nothing short of a work of a
rt (The Complete Works of William Shakespeare 118). One play that Shakespeare displays his knowledge
of symbolism is Julius Caesar. This is a tragic play based on the lives of ancient Greek biographer
Plutarch. Writer Sir Thomas North translated the content. It was first performed in 1599 and publis
hed in 1623. The play takes place in ancient Rome, it tells the Roman events before and after the as
sassination of the Roman ruler Julius Caesar. Ironically in the play Julius Caesar is not the main c
haracter: the character within the main focus was Brutus. He is a Roman general and Caesar's best fr
iend. Brutus soon turns against Caesar and joins a plot to murder him. After the death of Caesar he
joins an army and soon kills himself (Julius Caesar38). Some symbolism in this play are the omens of
Caesar's death, the warnings of the augur and of artemidorus, and the absence of the heart in the a
nimal sacrificed all symbolizes the unity of an army which was destroyed. The river in the pay is sa
id to have symbolized the faminality of the Heavens. A red stain of the left leg and foot of the sta
tue of Brutus is said to symbolize the blood of the great Caesar. More examples of symbolism can be
found within this play. Explore it and notice the extreme use of symbolism (Julius Caesar 54). Anoth
er play where Shakespeare shows his knowledge of symbolism is Macbeth. Macbeth is also one of Shakes
peare's tragic plays. It is based on the Chronicles by the English historian Raphael Holinshed. It w
as first performed in 1623. This was a tale about how Macbeth captures the throne by murdering King
Duncan. After killing King Duncan he becomes more and more of a man without feelings. After the deat
h of his wife he feels nothing so he goes into battle. He is then killed and Duncan's son, Malcolm,
takes over the throne (Macbeth). Something special about this play is that the whole play symbolizes
a mixture of history and legends. Another form of symbolism in this play is when the witches promis
e Banquo that his children would inherit the throne. In the end it was not his children who inherite
d the throne; children symbolized grandchildren or descendants (Shakespeare 30). This play also symb
olizes a compliment to the king. It was suppose to flatter the king because it was written about his
ancestor, Banquo. This is one of Shakespeare's most popular plays in his time and in the present (M
acbeth). Unlike William Shakespeare, William Blake does not show his knowledge of symbolism in plays
. Blake uses his method of expressing himself through symbolism in poetry instead of in plays. He fe
els as though symbolism helps him to express himself through his poetry. Blake's poetry raised many
eyebrows in time, mainly because the people did not understand the greatness of his poems. Throughou
t his lifetime he went everyday with no one really noticing him for the great poet that he is known
as today. Two poems that stand out among the rest of Blake's poems are "The Lamb" and "The Tiger". T
hese are two poems where Blake actually had a chance to show ho much he loved to use symbolism (Pren
tice Hall Literature 618). In William Blake's "The Lamb", the lamb has two symbolic meanings. One me
aning I have interpreted as the lamb being the people of the world. Blake appears to have had proble
ms with the people of the world. Another being that the lamb symbolizes is a child, a child that is
more than a child, a child that seems to have a relationship with God (Prentice Hall Literature 620)
. In his poem "The Tiger", Blake truly expresses his feelings toward the world. He uses the jungle c
at as a symbol for the savage and unnamed forces in the world that prompts human beings to perform e
vil actions. William Blake's relationship with the outside world is unknown, but he was greatly mist
reated by everyone. He lived a life of poverty so that may have been more than enough to push him ov
er the edge. Also in Blake's poems he tries to show a contrast between good and evil. Blake believed
symbolism makes literature a wonderful thing (Prentice Hall Literature 622). Symbolism is a brillia
nt way to express your thoughts and emotions in your writing. The creator of symbolism was nothing s
hort of a genius. Those who understand and use symbolism know that it works wonders for you literary
work. If symbolism is used correctly it can stimulate the minds of your readers. Using symbolism al
lows you to lose control of your feelings in your writing. This is why it is used so often (Prentice
Hall Literature 721). symbolism plays poems symbolism person object place idea represent self somet
hing beyond itself same time recognizable examples symbolism stars stripes flag this symbol united s
tates america another well known symbol skull crossbones which know represent something poisonous of
ten used forms literature poetry many because helps writer their expressions more clearly prentice h
all literature some symbols read clearly understood with ease there others which have private meanin
gs symbols with private meanings usually cannot comprehended first glance instead have really unders
tand text which reading order exact meaning private symbol must appreciate literary work reading pre
ntice hall literature more frequently used most recognizable uses today society youth symbolizes spr
ingtime middle summer autumn winter also there death darkness cold roses used love beauty doves peac
e owls symbolizes wisdom writhers could symbolizing william shakespeare william blake prentice hall
william shakespeare blake both considered greatest writhers their time though shakespeare wrote play
s blake wrote poems there still remain many similarities between these writers became familiar with
decided take their poems plays extreme both figured ways maximize effect knowledge cannot questioned
because both soared above rest ability unique symbols makes them nothing short literary geniuses th
ey have shown that expression your thought obtained your literary work born april stratford upon avo
n england john mary arden began education seven where attended stratford grammar school while stratf
ord studied latin rhetoric logic knowledge imagination said come from reading about ancient authors
poetry received license marry anne hathaway november married when only wife years fathered three chi
ldren susanna twins hamneth judith first recognized writher robert green became widely known actor p
lay writer written other associates became owners globe outdoor theatre this where decided continue
acting shake speare died april before death written thirty seven born four screamed because believed
seen window eight while walking fields tree angels people visions raised great concern parents gift
something that should nurtured never attended schools instead self taught although attend school fa
ther decided when enough would sent engraver loved draw between ages twelve twenty wrote series some
better known were poetical sketches songs innocence instead publishing poetry engraved them metal p
lates varnish then painted then hand process took much time books were published lived filthy london
studio where continued visions angels prophets instructed work once painted while receiving vision
voltaire later asked voltaire speak english replied ears english wasn recognized until several years
after death august this tells that throughout lifetime poets were rarely understood understood oper
ate levels them symbolic other literal extremely dramatic considered greatest writers some more famo
us julius caesar twelfth night romeo juliet king lear these shows variety recognized first glance ot
hers carefully read studied truly understand meaning pays happiness times hardship love times repres
ented truly nothing short complete works play displays knowledge julius caesar tragic play based liv
es ancient greek biographer plutarch writer thomas north translated content performed published take
s place ancient rome tells roman events before after assassination roman ruler julius caesar ironica
lly main character character within main focus brutus roman general best friend brutus soon turns ag
ainst joins plot murder after joins army soon kills himself omens warnings augur artemidorus absence
heart animal sacrificed symbolizes unity army destroyed river said symbolized faminality heavens st
ain left foot statue brutus said symbolize blood great examples found within explore notice extreme
another shows macbeth macbeth also tragic based chronicles english historian raphael holinshed perfo
rmed tale about macbeth captures throne murdering king duncan killing king duncan becomes without fe
elings wife feels nothing goes into battle then killed duncan malcolm takes over throne special abou
t whole mixture history legends another form when witches promise banquo children would inherit thro
ne children inherited symbolized grandchildren descendants also compliment suppose flatter written a
ncestor banquo most popular present unlike does show uses method expressing himself through feels th
ough helps express himself through raised many eyebrows mainly people understand greatness throughou
t lifetime went everyday really noticing great poet today stand among rest lamb tiger these actually
chance show much loved lamb lamb symbolic meanings meaning interpreted being people world appears p
roblems world being child child than child seems relationship poem tiger truly expresses feelings to
ward world uses jungle savage unnamed forces prompts human beings perform evil actions relationship
outside unknown greatly mistreated everyone lived life poverty been than enough push over edge tries
show contrast between good evil believed makes wonderful thing brilliant express your thoughts emot
ions writing creator short genius those know works wonders correctly stimulate minds readers using a
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