compare and contrast characters from two of the following shakespeare plays richard the third hamlet measure for measure othello the tempest

Directions

For the second paper assignment, use your close reading skills to compare and contrast characters from TWO of the following plays:

• Richard III
• Hamlet
• Measure for Measure
• Othello
• The Tempest

Format: You may select an analytical paper format or a creative writing approach; either type of paper should include a thesis and demonstrate your interpretation of two Shakespearean characters, each one from a different play.

Thesis: Include an underlined thesis in your first paragraph that 1) specifies the plays and characters that you will compare, and 2) includes an interpretative thesis based on your reading of these two characters and your selected essay prompt.

Textual evidence to support thesis: Identify short passages from each play (at least two quote per play) that support your interpretation. Close read these passages to illustrate how your interpretations of the two characters makes sense.

Summary of Paper Requirements

• Minimum of 4 pages, double-spaced (1000-1500 words, not including quoted material).
  Please include your word count (without quotes) at the top of your paper.
• An analysis of two characters, from two different plays on the list, above.
• Include a thesis statement (your interpretive claim) in the opening paragraph and underline it.
• Incorporate at least TWO short quotes (2-10 lines) from EACH play into your paper. Include parenthetical citations with act, scene, and line numbers. MLA citation format is recommended.
• Include at least ONE quote of relevant information from an introduction in The Norton Shakespeare, and include page numbers.
• Include a Works Cited & Consulted page, with a citation for The Norton Shakespearetextbook, and all additional sources you consult while preparing this paper.
• In addition to these requirements for this assignment, review the Writing Assignment Rubric (included in the Writing Resources)

Essay Prompts

For this paper assignment, select one of the following prompts.

1. Character Comparison: Select two characters from two different plays (see list above), for a compare-and-contrast essay. Here are some questions to consider: Are the characters protagonists (the main characters) or antagonists (characters who challenge the main character)? Are they heroic or villainous, consistently noble or corrupt? Or, are they complex characterizations, possibly personas with admirable intentions, but questionable moral flaws? What motivates them? What makes them charismatic, shocking, and/or admirable? How do they fare by the end of their play, and why? What happens to bring about a specific character’s fate, tragic fall, or success? What lessons do these characters teach us about human nature, gender roles, power, duty, integrity, courage, virtue, prejudice, ambition, good and evil, etc. (focus on one or two of these concepts). How does comparing your selected characters help illuminate one or two key concepts in Shakespeare’s texts? Craft a thesis that proposes an interpretation about what these two characters reveal. Be sure to include close readings of passages in each play AND a quote from one of the introductions in The Norton Shakespeare.
2. Creative writing essay: Imagine a competition between two of Shakespeare’s characters from two different plays–perhaps, Ophelia versus Lady Anne, or Claudius versus Prospero–in a battle of wits: the classic game, “Rock-paper-scissors.” Use your knowledge of these characters in their respective plays to build an argument for how each one would play this game and how the game would unfold. Discuss the symbolic significance of selecting “rock,” “paper” or “scissors” (you can decide what these moves signify), and explain why each character would make particular choices. Who would win? Who would lose? And why; or, would there be a draw? The aim of this paper is to demonstrate your detailed understanding of each character based upon information in the plays. Quote and close read passages from the plays to support your interpretations of the characters, and include at least one quote from an introduction in The Norton Shakespeare to support your analysis of this match up.
3. As noted in the introduction to Richard III, Shakespeare’s depiction of monarchy was strongly influenced by political theories presented in Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince, which was first printed in 1532, and widely read throughout Europe and Britain. Read the following excerpt from The Prince and then write an essay, with a detailed thesis about how two characters from two different Shakespeare’s plays reflect, endorse, or critique Machiavelli’s advice to monarchs on how to gain and maintain political power. Think about how some characters manipulate other characters. Why do some kings or leaders ultimately come to a violent end? What lessons do these plays convey about leadership?