Write a polished five page essay in which you develop an analysis that responds to one of the following prompts.
Your text poses a series of suggestions for writing on page 1459.
Write an essay on suggestions 1, 2, 5 or 6.
In A Midsummer Night’s Dream’s best known speech, Theseus asserts that “The lunatic, the lover, and the poet/ Are of imagination all compact” (5.1.7-8). Citing evidence from the play, write an essay analyzing Shakespeare’s characterization of love- not only in the play’s action but also in the words of the love obsessed characters. Is Shakespearean love merely a kind of madness, or does it contain hints of a guiding wisdom beyond the awareness of the lovers themselves?
Early in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Helena remarks, “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind” (1.1.234). The play is filled with references to eyes and vision; indeed, the plot hinges on the differences between what characters see and what they think they see. Using specific examples, write an essay exploring the significance of eyes, sight, seeing in the play. What does the play suggest about the power and the limitations of human vision?
5. In a Midsummer Night’s Dream, characters perform a play. What are the functions and effects of this device? What might the plays within plays suggest about the value of drama- including the value of plays like Shakespeare’s own? What different attitudes toward drama are displayed by various characters in A Midsummer Night’s Dream? Write an essay exploring the function and significance of these plays within plays. What attitude toward drama does Shakespeare encourage us to adopt?
6. Write an essay exploring the characterization of the socially lowly characters in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and their thematic significance. What might be noteworthy about when such characters appear? Might some or all of these characters dispay a wisdom lacking in their social betters? If so, what is it?
Remember when you are forming an analysis and explication to be the central thrust of your paper, ask yourself the question, and the answer will be your working thesis. Working is the operative word because you must consider other possible answers to your question – opposing viewpoints. Including these opposing viewpoints and then giving evidence and proof is what will make a strong paper. It will also make your final thesis one which is thoughtful and sound. Also, as you research, don’t just look in your outside sources for confirmation of your viewpoint, but consider all viewpoints. You may change your thesis as you continue your research, but this will ultimately strengthen your paper.
Articulate your thesis near the start of your paper, at the end of your introduction, then in the body of your paper work to convince your reader of how one arrives at your viewpoint through analysis of the text and support from outside sources. Remember that if a thesis is not arguable, then it is a statement of fact, and not a thesis at all.
This paper should follow all relevant MLA guidelines for a research paper. This means double-spaced text, one inch margins, name and page number on each page, and proper citation of all quotes and secondary sources. Use standard 12 pt font, such as times new roman or arial. Please remember that you must use at least two secondary, academic sources (one of these is NOT the primary text).
Remember that an excellent essay develops your original ideas and analysis clearly and thoroughly. To this end, it is helpful, when writing, to create an outline. In particular, if focusing on a symbol, begin by simply re-reading the poems and write down what you identify as symbols. Consider what a symbol is, and consider how this symbol may be used differently at different times in the book. How does this change its conveyed meaning? In terms of what we have previously labeled “counter-argument,” consider what may be other possible meanings to the symbol.
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