500-750 words (approx. 2-3 pages)
As mentioned below, for this essay, I will be using Shylock’s monologue from the Merchant of Venice. You will need to cite this book and also correctly use in-text citations for the page numbers. The monologue that will be used for this essay is in act 3 scene 1, lines 40-54. Here is a link to the text
https://www-oxfordscholarlyeditions-com.utk.idm.oclc.org/view/10.1093/actrade/9780199591152.book.1/actrade-9780199591152-610-div3-13?product=nos&r-1=1.000&wm-1=1&t-1=workmap-tab&p1-1=1&w1-1=1.000&p2-1=1&w2-1=0.286&p3-1=0&w3-1=0.286
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a brief essay, do a focused, thesis-driven analysis of a single dramatic speech from either A Midsummer Night’s Dream or The Merchant of Venice. The passage you choose should be approximately 7-15 lines long. It should be spoken by a single character. It can be an excerpt from a longer speech if you wish. You can choose either a soliloquy (i.e., spoken by a character who is alone onstage) or a speech drawn from a character’s dialogue with others.
Your essay will not just paraphrase what the speech is saying, or talk about how it advances the plot. Instead, you will make a short argument about some specific aspect of its content and form. Organize your paper around a clear thesis, and support it with evidence from the text. As you craft your thesis, you might ask yourself some of the following questions: what is interesting to you about this passage? What does it reveal about the speaker(s)? What does it tell us about their past, their emotional state, or their worldview? Does the character seem to be in control of their thoughts and feelings, or does the speech expose things about the character that they don’t intend or realize? How is the speech put together? What is striking about its vocabulary or sentence structure? Is there an image or idea in the speech that catches your eye? Why is it there? What is Shakespeare using it to convey? Is it connected to other aspects of the play? Does the speech use rhyme or other sound effects? Why?
Whatever argument you come up with, try to support your case with as much direct evidence as you can. Quote specific words and phrases that reinforce the claims you’re making. Try to highlight details of the speech’s language and structure, such as its diction, its handling of rhythm, its imagery or symbolism, or any other aspect of it that supports your thesis about the passage’s meaning.
Your thesis doesn’t need to be big or complicated, just a narrowly focused organizing idea to guide your close reading. And you don’t have to mention every single interesting detail that you find in your passage; just use the ones that best support the argument you’re making.
If you choose a speech that we discussed at length in class—although I recommend against this—please try to avoid repeating material from our discussion wherever possible.
A sample assignment written by a student in a recent Shakespeare class is posted in the Modules area (see the Essay Grading and Tips section) to give you a sense of what I’m looking for. You’re welcome to get in touch with me if you’d like advice or suggestions as you put this together.
PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO FORMATTING AND PROOFREADING. Essays with several careless errors—and this includes the improper formatting of quotations—will be penalized. A separate title page is not necessary, but please do title your essay and put both your name and my name on the first page of text. Please number your pages. A works cited page is not strictly necessary unless you use a source other than Shakespeare’s plays. For more detailed guidelines on handling quotations, I urge you to look closely at the “formatting quotations” handouts posted in the Modules area (see Essay Grading and Tips) and ask me if you have further questions.
