For
this assignment, you are required to write a 5-8 page essay that
conducts a comparative analysis of the themes, styles, or character
developments across multiple plays discussed in our course. This essay
will help you synthesize your understanding of the dramatic texts and
explore their broader societal and cultural implications.
Objectives:
To demonstrate a deep understanding of multiple dramatic works.
To analyze and compare significant themes, dramatic techniques, or character developments across different plays.
To articulate how these plays reflect or respond to their cultural and historical contexts.
Choosing Your Topic:
Select one of the following themes for your comparative analysis:
Thematic comparisons across plays.
Evolution of drama styles and techniques.
Psychological depth and complexity of characters.
Representation of social issues (e.g., race, class, gender, identity).
Adaptations and their impact on interpretation.
Plays:
Your analysis should include at least three plays from our syllabus. You may choose from:
“Trifles” by Susan Glaspell
“Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles
“A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry
“The Tragedy of Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
“Pygmalion” by George Bernard Shaw
“A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen
Additional plays that were covered in the course.
Instructions:
Introduction (1 page)
Introduce the chosen theme and its relevance to the plays selected.
Provide a brief overview of each play, including its author, plot, and historical context.
State your thesis that outlines the specific focus of your comparative analysis.
Body (3-6 pages)
Play Analysis: Break down each play’s approach to
the theme. Discuss the plays in separate sections or weave them together
in a thematic discussion, depending on which structure best suits your
analysis.
Comparative Analysis: Discuss similarities and
differences in how the plays handle the theme. Consider aspects such as
character development, use of symbolism, dramatic structure, and the
socio-political commentary made by the playwrights.
Contextual Analysis: Explore how historical and
cultural contexts influence the themes and presentations in each play.
Discuss the playwrights’ backgrounds and the societal issues at the time
of each play’s creation.
Conclusion (1 page)
Summarize your main findings and restate the thesis in the light of the analysis provided.
Reflect on the significance of these findings both in understanding the plays themselves and their broader societal impact.
Suggest areas for further research or how these plays might inform current social or cultural discussions.
Formatting and Submission:
Your essay should be 5-8 pages in length, double-spaced, using a 12-point Times New Roman font with one-inch margins.
Use MLA style for citations and include a Works Cited page (this does not count towards the page limit).
Proofread for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.
Submit your essay in a Microsoft Word format (doc, docx).
Evaluation Criteria:
Depth of Analysis: Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the plays and insightful comparative analysis.
Coherence and Structure: Presents information in a logical, clear, and well-organized manner.
Evidence and Support: Uses specific examples from the plays and scholarly resources to support arguments.
Originality and Insight: Offers original insights into the plays and their interconnections.
Mechanics and Style: Well-written, grammatically correct, and stylistically appropriate to the subject matter.
1. Thematic Comparisons Across Plays
Topic: Analyze a central theme such as the pursuit
of the American Dream, identity and self-discovery, or family dynamics
across different plays discussed in the course.
Plays: Any relevant plays from the course.
Approach: Examine how each play addresses the
chosen theme from different cultural, historical, or socio-economic
perspectives. Discuss how the playwrights use their characters and plot
structures to explore and comment on the theme. This could include
contrasting the outcomes for characters in different societal settings
or times.
2. Evolution of Drama Styles and Techniques
Topic: Trace the evolution of drama styles and
techniques across the plays studied, focusing on how different
historical contexts influenced theatrical expression.
Plays: Include a range from classical (e.g., Greek tragedies), through modern (e.g., “Pygmalion”), to contemporary plays.
Approach: Highlight specific elements like
dialogue, character development, use of symbolism, and stage directions.
Analyze how these elements reflect the changing themes and audiences’
expectations over time.
3. Characters’ Psychological Depth Across Dramas
Topic: Compare and contrast the psychological depth and complexity of characters across different plays.
Plays: Could include “Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles,
“The Tragedy of Macbeth” by William Shakespeare, “A Doll’s House” by
Henrik Ibsen, alongside “A Raisin in the Sun.”
Approach: Focus on how playwrights portray
psychological conflicts and the internal motivations of their
characters. Discuss how these portrayals influence the audience’s
empathy and understanding of broader societal issues.
4. Representation of Social Issues in Drama
Topic: Examine how plays reflect and respond to social issues of their time.
Plays: “A Raisin in the Sun,” “Trifles,” “Pygmalion,” and others.
Approach: Analyze the plays’ commentary on issues
such as race, class, gender, and identity. Discuss the role of drama in
societal reflection and potential change.
5. Comparative Analysis of Adaptations
Topic: Study how adaptations of a particular play into different formats or eras have altered its themes or characterizations.
Plays: Choose a play like “Pygmalion,” which has
been adapted into “My Fair Lady,” or “A Raisin in the Sun,” which has
been adapted into various films and a musical.
Approach: Compare the original play with one or
more adaptations, focusing on what these changes reveal about the
cultural and temporal context of the adaptations.
PROVIDE A SEPERATE TWO PAGE OUTLINE BASED ON THE ESSAY
