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In:
  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    The opening scene of Macbeth sets the narrative and theme for the entire drama. It has the three witches determining their reunion on a battlefield to manipulate the returning war hero, Macbeth. They reveal their plan to cause much confusion and chaos in his life by clouding the ability to differentRead more

    The opening scene of Macbeth sets the narrative and theme for the entire drama. It has the three witches determining their reunion on a battlefield to manipulate the returning war hero, Macbeth. They reveal their plan to cause much confusion and chaos in his life by clouding the ability to differentiate between goo and evil.

    The setting itself is dark with thundering clouds and strong winds. It creates an atmosphere of dread, suspicion and misfortune that is continuous through the following acts.

    The idiom suggested by fair and foul and a layer of fog between them introduces the audiences to the central idea of the drama which is the dark outcome of lust for political power and selfish ambition.

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In:
  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    The last scene of the play Candida holds significant role in its development. James Morells, Candida’s husband is a clergyman. Initially he thinks that Candida is dependent on her and he is an ideal person. However as soon as Eugene Marchbanks enters the plot, he begins feeling insecure. Eugene makeRead more

    The last scene of the play Candida holds significant role in its development. James Morells, Candida’s husband is a clergyman. Initially he thinks that Candida is dependent on her and he is an ideal person. However as soon as Eugene Marchbanks enters the plot, he begins feeling insecure.

    Eugene makes him realise that he is not capable of being the husband of Candida. It is Eugene himself who should have her husband. Ultimately he gives up the hope of keep Candida with himself and gives her a choice to either run away or live with him.

    Thus Candida is auctioned. This is a satire on the society. Candida, as a woman holds no significance though she is an independent woman. She then makes it clear to Morell that she will live with her because he needs her.

    In Victorian Era, due to the emergence of feminism and empowerment, the women began to question the established authority of patriarchy. In the auction scene, Candida also questions the belief that she has to depend either on Eugene or Morell.

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In:
  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    The poem “In the Bazaars of Hyderabad” was written by Sarojini Naidu in the appreciation of her country during the time of freedom struggle of India. Sarojini Naidu was the first woman President of Indian National Congress and hence most of her poems reflect the theme of nationalism. In the poem “InRead more

    The poem “In the Bazaars of Hyderabad” was written by Sarojini Naidu in the appreciation of her country during the time of freedom struggle of India. Sarojini Naidu was the first woman President of Indian National Congress and hence most of her poems reflect the theme of nationalism.

    In the poem “In the Bazaars of Hyderabad“, which is in the form of questions and answers, the poet visits a number of sellers and asks them what they are selling and they, in turn, tell her about their products. Following are the main themes in this poem:

    India is a Rich Country

    The poet visits a number of shops and tells the readers how rich India and her culture is. From decoration items to the shroud, everything is available in India. Thus Indians should respect the richness of their country and feel proud of it. There is no such thing that they lack.

    Boycott the Use of Foreign Goods

    Another prominent theme in the poem is the emphasis on the use of native things and stop using foreign goods. During the phase of Indian Struggle against the British, the National Leaders encouraged the Indians to give up all types of foreign products so that the Indian economy may not depend on the British. Sarojini Naidu used poetry as a medium to convey and spread this message.

    Hyderabad; the Place of Her Birth

    Sarojini Naidu was born in Hyderabad and hence this poem is in the appreciation of that city.

    Read the summary of this poem here.

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In:
  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    The first two prophecies are for Macbeth. The first one declares him to become the Thane of Cawdor after defeating the reigning Thane name Macdonwald. The second prophecy predicts that Macbeth would soon rise to the rank of the Scottish king which also comes true when he kills King Duncan. The thirdRead more

    The first two prophecies are for Macbeth. The first one declares him to become the Thane of Cawdor after defeating the reigning Thane name Macdonwald. The second prophecy predicts that Macbeth would soon rise to the rank of the Scottish king which also comes true when he kills King Duncan.

    The third prophecy is for Banquo as he is predicted to remain untouched with kingship but end up being more successful than Macbeth as his heirs will continue to rule a lot longer into the future. This also came true evidenced by the coronation of King James I who was a descendant of Banquo.

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In:
  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    Candida is the eponymous protagonist of the play Candida by GB Shaw. The word Candid means frank and so she is. Right from the beginning, we can understand how caring and wise she is. In scene 1, she comes to her own home from her parents’ home to take children’s winter clothes. Finding everything iRead more

    Candida is the eponymous protagonist of the play Candida by GB Shaw. The word Candid means frank and so she is. Right from the beginning, we can understand how caring and wise she is. In scene 1, she comes to her own home from her parents’ home to take children’s winter clothes. Finding everything in on ordered condition, she begins arranging all the things.

    In the play she is depicted as strong which is on contrary to the traditional belief that men are strong and bold and women are weak. In this way, the play questions the discrimination with the women on the basis of gender.

    Shaw has tried to change the gender roles to show the strength of woman. James Morell, Candida’s husband is a clergyman who considers himself to be ideal husband because he believes that Candida is dependent on him. But later on it becomes clear that Candida is not dependent on him. She can sustain herself and has ample of other opportunities (like marrying Eugene Marchbanks).

    During the auction scene, it is Candida who decides to live with James and not because she cannot live without him but because he cannot live without her.

    On the other hand, James Morell is weaker and less wise than Candida. He is totally dependent on her and cannot live without her. As an emancipated or new woman, Candida can be considered to be the ideal of Victorian Era.

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