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Macbeth Video Assignment
Assignment 1
MACBETH VIDEOS
After watching 1 full production of Macbeth, find a scene from another production. You can rent one of the many Macbeth movies or look for clips on youtube–but avoid student productions. Look for professional clips (anything with Judi Dench or Ian McKellen would be great).
Select one scene from the play and examine the production of that scene in both the first version and the second one you have found. Write a short (2 to 3 page essay) in which you discuss the differences among the two versions. As you are comparing them, here are some things to consider:
1) Have a sense of how you think the scene should go.
- What do you imagine the setting to be?pow
- What would you have the characters wearing?
- Who would you cast in the roles?
- How do you imagine the characters delivering their lines?
- Interacting with each other?
2) Note the ways in which the productions differ from your expectation and from each other.
3) Evaluate the performances.
- Did the actors deliver the lines with the emotion/expression you expected? Which production did it better?
- Did the production focus on different aspects of the scene than you thought were important?
- Did the two productions emphasize the same elements of the scene?
- Did the actors seem well suited to their roles? Which production did it better?
4) Did the productions cut or add anything to the scene? Were the changes helpful or detracting?
See the following rubric:
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Indicator/Point Value |
Description |
Instructor Comments |
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Indicator: Essay fully addresses the prompt. Point Value: 35 |
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Indicator: Essay is properly structured and demonstrates a mastery literary analysis Point Value: 35 |
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Indicator: Essay maintains correct formatting. Point Value: 15 |
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Indicator: Essay demonstrates correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Point Value: 15 |
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Assignment 2
Romanticism
ROMANTICISM
A movement characterized not by “romance” as we understand the word today, but by an emphasis on the emotional over the rational, romanticism emerged in part as a reaction to the coldly scientific progress of the eighteenth century. Read the brief description of the Romantic period here. Some questions on the worksheet come from information on this site.
GOTHICISM
The Gothic genre actually began before the romantic movement really came together. In a site prepared for a class on “The Gothic Experience” at Brooklyn College, Dr. Lilia Melanie offers an accessible definition of “Gothic” as it pertains to literature. Read through her explanations at the following links: Gothic Defined, History, and Terror vs. Horror. Questions from this material will also appear on the worksheet.
SATIRE
While satire as a literary genre dates back to Greek and Roman orators, during the romantic period it experienced a sort of revival. Several authors–of prose, poetry, and non-fiction–turned to satire to express their concern over the state of society. Download and review the PowerPoint notes on satire. This information will be needed to complete future assignments. Finally, visit this Glossary of Gothic terms by Douglas Thomson and refer to the terms on romanticism, Gothic conventions, and satire found there.
View the attachedPPT
Complete the Romanticism/Gothicism Worksheet ( not available yet) I will be able to view the worksheet after submitting MACBETH VIDEO essay
Assignment 3
Frankenstein
FRANKENSTEIN
What began as a response to a challenge to write the best ghost story has become one of the most well-known and copied tales of the period. Read this concise biography of the author, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, and note the themes it introduces. Also keep in mind as you read that, while Shelley intended to write a novel in the Gothic tradition, Frankenstein also demonstrates elements of science fiction.
Download the study guide questions to complete as you read. These are designed to help guide your reading and check for understanding. You will not turn these in to be graded, but understanding these details in the novel will help you complete the assigned activities.
- An online version of the text can be found here.
- Another online version, with a Kindle download option, is available here.
For help refer toto Sparknotes summary .
Frankenstein: Prologue – Chapter 7
Directions: Create a word processing document titled “Frankenstein Assignment 1.”
For each question that follows, compose a short essay response (250 to 400 words). Be sure to provide a clear thesis statement that does not just restate the question. Support your thesis with specific evidence from the text. Clearly number your responses or copy the question and place your essay response under it.
Letters One through Four
- Why do you think Robert Walton is so eager to visit such a hostile environment?
- Discuss the similarities between Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein, the man Walton rescues. Why does Walton feel such compassion for Victor, a total stranger?
- Why is Walton so impressed with his shipmaster’s actions regarding his fiancee?
- What Romantic concepts do the characters of Victor and Walton illustrate?
Chapters One and Two
- Victor is deeply affected by Caroline’s death. Discuss Victor’s reaction to his mother’s death and the influence it has on his scientific studies.
- Discuss Victor’s friendship with Henry Clerval and compare it to his father’s relationship with Beaufort.
- What is “modern science” as explained by M. Waldman, and how does it differ from the theroies of Agrippa and the other scientists Victor studies?
Chapters Three, Four, and Five
- Why do you think Victor created such a horrible-looking creature? Did he realize what he was doing? Explain your answer.
- What are some of the characteristics of the Gothic novel and how does Mary Shelley use them in these chapters.
- Victor tells us that his friend Clerval’s imagination was “too vivid for the minuitae of science.” What does he mean by this?
Chapters Six and Seven
- After Justine is accused of William’s murder, why do you think Victor never tells anyone about the creature?
- Explain why Justine confesses to the crime even though she is innocent.
- Discuss Victor’s experience with lightning and Shelley’s use of it when Victor sees the Creature.
Assignment 4
Directions: Create a word processing document titled “Frankenstein Assignment 2.” For each question that follows, compose a short essay response (250 to 400 words). Be sure to provide a clear thesis statement that does not just restate the question. Support your thesis with specific evidence from the text. Clearly number your responses and copy the question and place your essay response under it. To earn full credit, each response must meet the following requirements:
- Writing is free of spelling or word use errors.
- Writing is free of run-on sentences or sentence fragments.
- All punctuation is used appropriately.
- All proper nouns and the beginnings of sentences are capitalized appropriately.
- All other standard English grammar, punctuation, and spelling are followed.
- Sentences vary in structure between simple, complex, compound, and complex-compound structures.
- Fully developed paragraphs have a minimum of four – five sentences each.
- Victor says of his father that “a more indulgent and less dictatorial parent did not exist upon earth.” Discuss Alphone’s influence on Victor and Victor’s feelings toward his father. Compare Alphonse’s and Victor’s relationship to Victor’s relationship with the creature.
- Give some examples of the Romantic concept in Shelley’s use of physical locations. How does it help establish character and mood in the novel?
- Discuss Victor’s reluctance to create the second creature. Why do you think he destroys it in front of the other creature?
- Compare the events that occur on Victor’s wedding night to the night when Victor destroyed the second creature.
- Did it surprise you that the creature killed Elizabeth and not Victor? Explain your answer.
- When Victor is chasing him, why does the creature keep leaving clues to help Victor follow his trail?
- Do you think Victor is right when he urges Walton to abandon his ambition? Explain your answer.
- Is Victor justified in blaming himself for the deaths of Henry, Elizabeth, and his other family members? Explain your answer.
- Discuss the creature’s final speech to Walton. How does he really feel about Victor? Is he sad or happy about his death?
- Why do you think the creature wants to eliminate any evidence of his own existence?
Assignment 5
Frankenstein Essay
ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
Directions: Complete one of the following essay assignments. Read each one carefully before deciding on an essay. At the top of your work, please label which option you chose.
Option 1: Point of View
A frame narrative tells stories within stories. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley provides a frame narrative by allowing Walton, Frankenstein, and the Monster a chance to explain their point-of-view at various times in the novel. Each of these narrations helps to influence the reader’s perception of the story.
This assignment has three parts.
First, in three well-developed paragraphs of at least 7 sentences each, explain the different perspectives of the story though the eyes of Walton, Frankenstein, and the Monster. How does each perspective help to build the overall theme of the story?
Second, in a paragraph of at least 7 well-developed sentences, explain which character you most identity with. Why are you drawn to this character?
Finally, in a paragraph of at least 7 well-developed sentences, explain your opinion of who the real “monster” is in the story. Why do you feel this way?
Option 2: Modern Frankenstein
In an essay of at least 1000 words, answer the following:
With modern technology, is it possible to recreate Dr. Frankenstein’s experiment? Should it be pursued?
This assignment at least 1000 words and must contain evidence from the story to support your claim properly cited in MLA format. As well, three outside sources must be used to provide modem scientific evidence of the possibility of recreating Dr. Frankenstein’s experiment. These sources must also be properly cited in MLA Format. Remember the modern science has come a long way in the past 20 year alone in relations to organ transplants and prosthetics. Imagine the innovative possibilities 20 years into the future! Dig deep to find the evidence needed to complete the essay. Please check for spelling, grammar, and word choice errors before turning in the assignment.
Option 3: The Monster
How do people react to the Monster when they see him? Can you blame them? Are they right? How does this relate to the way people judge each other in modern society? Do you have compassion for the Creature? Why or why not?
This assignment is at least 1000 words and must answer the above questions in full. Please use evidence from the story to support your claim properly cited in MLA format as well as at least two outside sources. Please check for spelling, grammar, and word choice errors before turning in the assignment.
See the following rubric:
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Indicator/Point Value |
Description |
Instructor Comments |
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Indicator: Essay fully addresses the prompt. Point Value: 35 |
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Indicator: Essay is properly structured and demonstrates a mastery literary analysis Point Value: 35 |
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Indicator: Essay maintains correct formatting. Point Value: 15 |
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Indicator: Essay demonstrates correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Point Value: 15 |
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Mock Heroic
MOCK HEROIC
Social behaviors in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were guided by a rigid, but unwritten, code. In his poem “The Rape of the Lock” Alexander Pope explores the complicated relationships between men and women and uses a mock heroic style to criticize the overly dramatic behaviors of a specific social class.
Use the “Outline: ‘The Rape of the Lock'” and “Poetic Forms and Terms'” handouts as you read the poem.
Read “The Rape of the Lock” here. This site also offers an easy to understand summary of the poem and discussion of some themes in the poem. And SparkNoteshas study questions or even an online quiz to test your understanding of the poem.
After you read the poem and consider the questions on the handouts, explore the information on the website where you read the poem. Pay specific attention to the elements of the mock heroic in the poem. Complete the short writing assignment based on what you have read.
Assignment 6
The Rape of the Lock
Create a document titled “The Rape of the Lock.” Compose a one-page response to the following writing prompts. Although the prompt has several parts, your answer should be one long, well-developed paragraph that addresses the different parts in any order you choose.
Prompt: How would you characterize Pope’s attitude towards Belinda? Where (if anywhere) do you see praise, and where (if anywhere) do you see some version of insult? How would you feel about this poem if you were Belinda? This poem was a best-seller even among the people it was making fun of. Can you think of reasons why the targets of a satirical work be fans of that work?
Remember to format your document according to MLA guidelines.
The are couple of handouts that suppose to help you completing the above assignment. However, you are not obligated to use them! ( Find Handout z3F8and a9Z5F attached).
Assignment 7
Social Criticism
SOCIAL CRITICISM
Johnathon Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” is one of the best–and some would say, shocking–examples of written satire. Swift takes on the voice of a very reasonable, concerned citizen to argue for the most barbaric of actions. As you read, it is very important that you remember this is a piece of satire, not a serious suggestion. He is proposing an extremely distasteful behavior to demonstrate how extremely distasteful he finds the current behavior of society.
Before you begin reading, you can find an outline of the essay here (also look at task 2 for suggestions about how to break down the text to analyze it). The full text is available to read here. Read through the essay, noting the elements of satire (such as irony, reversal, exaggeration) that were discussed in the PowerPoint notes.
After you have studied the essay, complete the short writing assignment.
A Modest Proposal
Create a document titled “A Modest Proposal.” Format according to MLA guidelines.
In a one to two-page response, respond to the following prompt. Although the prompt has several parts, your response should be one well-developed paragraph. Do not treat each part of the prompt as separate question. Instead integrate all the suggestions into your response, organizing your answer as best suits your ideas.
Prompt: Evaluate Swift’s “Proposal,” applying the three questions for identifying satire found in your PowerPoint notes. What are Swift’s real ideas about how to help the poor? What satiric methods does he use? (give examples) Do Swift’s criticisms have any application in our society today?
Assignment 7
FINAL ASSESSMENT
We have studied a lot of styles–Gothic, mock heroic, satiric. For this final activity, you will have the chance to do some creative writing, mimicking the style you prefer. Select one of the options below. You may refer to the text we studied as a model as you compose your original work.
Option #1: Gothic Tale
Using what you have learned about the conventions of the Gothic style (setting, themes, hero) compose a short Gothic tale. Your story can be “unfinished”–meaning it can sound like the introduction to a long story–or can be a complete story with a clear resolution. Requirements:
- Minimum 600 words
- Incorporates at least 3 elements of Gothic literature (found on the website at the beginning of this unit)
- Uses vivid description
- Introduces at least one character and one conflict
Option #2: Mock Heroic/Epic
This will be done in the form of a poem. Like Pope’s “The Rape of the Lock,” you will select a trivial situation (social situation, school or celebrity gossip, etc.) as the basis of your epic. Following the elements of the mock heroic as explained in the PowerPoint notes and on the website (from your study of Pope), compose a poem in the mock heroic style. Requirements:
- At least 50 lines long
- Written in rhymed couplets (aa, bb, cc, etc.)
- Contains at least one example of personification
- Contains at least one allusion
- Uses vivid descriptions, hyperbole, humor, or other elements of satire
Option #3: Satire Essay
Johnathan Swift’s essay proposed an outrageous solution to a serious problem. At the same time, it exposed the hypocrisy in the current popular thought and the scandal in how the poor were treated. Select an event of some seriousness/importance in your school, community, state, country, the world and compose a prose satire of the event. Requirements:
- Minimum 500 words
- Author adopts a different persona as the “speaker” of the essay
- Contains at least one example of verbal irony
- Uses vivid descriptions, hyperbole, humor, or other elements of satire
- Can be done in the form of a parody
- Clear organizational structure