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For your second essay, I want you to write on William Shakespeare's King Lear. Choose one of the topics listed below, and write at least one thousand words on it. If none of the topics appeals to you, then see me--or e-mail me--to clear a topic that you may wish to select on your own. But if you choose your own topic, I have to approve it before you begin writing.Your essay is to be argumentative. That is, you are to create a thesis statement that reflects your interpretation of what you believe William Shakespeare is saying about the topic you've chosen. Remember that this essay is not to reflect your view of misogyny, villainy, or jealousy. Put your own views aside, and tell me what you think Shakespeare believes, and then use evidence from the text to support that belief. In addition, don't be chatty in the essay; that is, don't talk informally to the reader, asking questions then answering them, as if the reader were sitting next to you. Be formal without being stuffy.Your thesis must have a specific focus. Once you've stated it, then choose passages and incidents from the play to argue that your view is a valid interpretation of what Shakespeare is saying. In your writing, I'm looking for a reasonable tone and for logical explanations and connections within the work. I don't want an essay based on emotions. I want critical thinking that reflects intelligence and thoughtfulness.
The essay should use the standard MLA form of documentation that is included in the back of the Diana Hacker text, Handbook for Writers, which all of the English composition courses use on campus. Basically your in-text quotations should look something like this: Shakespeare reflects this recurring reference to the gods' controlling our lives when he has Gloucester say "As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; / They kill us for their sport" (4.1.36-37). In the citation, 4 represents the act, 1 the scene, 36-37 the lines within the scene. This is the proper way to document an in-text citation. At the end of your paper then, add a work cited page.
Format of the Essay
In writing your essay, I want you to adhere to the standard format for manuscripts; that is, type the paper, and be sure to double-space it; please be kind to my aging eyes and use a twelve-pitch font. (I will not read a paper written in smaller font.) A readable text is important, so don't rely on a weak ink cartridge. In the upper lefthand corner of the first page, include your name, English 243, Essay #2, and the number of the topic you've chosen. If you've created your own topic, with my approval, please write out that topic at the top of the page. Be certain to create your own title for the paper, a title that connects with your thesis. Don't use Shakespeare's title! On the second and succeeding pages, include your last name and the page number (Alvarez 2, Alvarez 3, etc.) in the upper right hand corner. For additional hints about how to write a paper about literature follow this link.Confine your direct quotations (from the text) to no more than approximately fifteen percent of your paper. In addition, do not depend on sources for your ideas. The paper is meant to be your response to the topic; it is not meant to be a research paper. Please don't waste a great deal of time summarizing the plot of the work. We've all read the play. As a general guideline, you should include about two-to-three sentences of analysis for each sentence of summary. If you do little more than summarize the work, you will earn no higher than a "D." I want to know what you think about this work, how you interpret it, and how you evaluate it. As long as you are willing to support your points with evidence from the text, don't hesitate to reflect your thoughts. Do the best you can with this paper. No one can ask more of you.
Due Date
The due date and late date are listed on the syllabus.Topics
1. Among several despicable characters in King Lear, Shakespeare's Edmund is the most villainous. In reality, however, he is not a true Machiavellian. Despite the horrible means used to reach his goal, the Machiavellian prince at least has admirable ends in mind--helping the state survive and the citizens flourish. In contrast, Shakespeare's Edmund has his own selfish interests in mind, not the community's. Argue what you believe is the driving force (or are the driving forces) behind Edmund's villainy. Simply put, what motivates this man--power, jealousy, inferiority, vengeance, illegitimacy, or what else? And explore the ramifications of these motives.2. Shakespeare is often criticized for the misogyny that appears in his plays. Based on the principal female characters in King Lear--Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia-- argue that Shakespeare is (or isn't) reflecting misogynistic views in King Lear.
3. One critic states that unlike other Shakespearean tragedies, the problem of evil in King Lear is never resolved. Given the events at the end of this play--Cordelia's tragic death and Lear's death shortly after--is this an accurate assessment? Based on your answer to this question, argue what you believe Shakespeare is implying by the ending--and about the nature of evil as it appears throughout in the play.
4. As he is dividing up his kingdom at the beginning of the play, King Lear asks his daughters what appears to be a foolish question: "Which of you shall we say doth love us most"? Equally troubling, however, is Cordelia's cryptic--if not hurtful--answer to her father: "I love your majesty / According to my bond, no more nor less." What motivates this woman to say such a demeaning thing to her father? What does this reveal about her character, and to what extent is she responsible for her own tragedy of being exiled penniless--and her ultimate death?
5. What is the function of the fool in the play King Lear?