Shakespeare Comedies MID-TERM ESSAY
TASK: Write a minimum 750 word essay comparing and contrasting issues or themes in at least 3 of the 6 plays we have studied so far this semester:
1) The Comedy of Errors
2) The Taming of the Shrew
3) A Midsummer Night's Dream
4) Much Ado About Nothing
5) Twelfth Night
6) The Tempest
OBJECTIVE:To write a literary analysis (comparison-contrast) essay about Shakespearean drama. To Properly use the 6 TRAIT WRITING RUBRIC.
TOPICS: Choose one topic from either TOPIC “A” or TOPIC “B”!
TOPIC “A”:
- Compare female heroes (Adriana, Kate, Titania, Beatrice, Viola) and why they are strong female role models and how they deal with men.
- Compare male-female couples (Antipholus-Ephesus + Adriana, Petruchio + Kate, Oberon + Titania, Benedick + Beatrice, Orsino + Viola [Cesario]) and their relationships (love, wooing, fighting/arguing, marriage).
- Compare male suitors (the guys who want to marry the girls: how they woo and win (or don't win) their women---Antipholus-Syracuse; Petruchio, Lucentio, Hortensio; Lysander, Demetrius; Benedick, Claudio; Orsino, Sebastian, “Cesario”; Ferdinand).
- Compare siblings (brothers, sisters, or brother / sister---Antipholus-S + Antipholus-E, Dromio-S + Dromio-E, Adriana + Lucianca; Kate + Bianca; Don Pedro + Don John; Viola + Sebastian; Prospero + Antonio, King Alonso + Sebastian).
- Compare fathers (Egeon; Baptista; Egeus; Leonato; Prospero).
TOPIC “B”: Examine any of the “elements of comedy” in the plays:
1. Mischief
2. Love at First Sight or Types of Love (Selfless, selfish, puppy,
controlling, young immature, true, mature, etc.)
3. Jealousy
4. Disguise / Mistaken Identity
5. Misfortune and Tragic Potential
6. The Clowns
7. Happy Endings
PREWRITING:
--Pick a TOPIC you are truly (or semi-truly) interesting in.
--Decide which of the PLAYS you will use.
--Make a LIST of examples, details, quotes from the plays about your
topic. Use a jot list, clustering, etc.
--Write a THESIS (main idea) for your essay.
WRITING: [This essay will be written in present tense! Most VERBS end in “s.”]
TITLE:
INTRODUCTION:
--Use a catchy ATTENTION GRABBER to begin your essay.
--Include the TITLES of the plays you'll use (in italics!).
--Include your THESIS (it doesn't have to be the last sentence of Introd.).
BODY:
--TOPIC SENTENCE (1st sentence) for each paragraph that goes back to the thesis and tells what your paragraph will discuss.
--Include many examples, details, quotes from the plays to illustrate and develop your paragraphs.
--Properly DOCUMENT (1.1.10-11) the quotes you use (unless film only).
--Use TRANSITIONS to link paragraphs and sentences within paragraphs.
--Pick the best word possible (WORD CHOICE) all the time!
CONCLUSION:
--Restate your THESIS in the first sentence.
--COMPARE your three plays and discuss NEW INSIGHTS you've gleaned from writing the essay.
--Put some ZIP in your conclusion! Don't simply rehash your Introd.
REVISING:
Whatever suggestions I offer, use them! Read your paper aloud!
MAKE SURE YOUR PAPER IS LONG ENOUGH! This is critical!
EVALUATION: Do your own work! Do not plagiarize! (from others or websites).
The typed rough draft is worth 30 pts.
The typed final copy is graded with the 6-TRAIT RUBRIC (120 pts.)
Writing is 30% of your grade in this class. NO LATE WORK!
If you choose not to do this assignment, it will severely hurt your grade.
ROUGH DRAFT due: By THURSDAY, MAY 14!
The FINAL COPY due: By FRIDAY, MAY 15! (Library—May 13,14,15)
[You will type in “WORD” and transfer into Learning Express!]