humanities exploration paper

Choose ONE of the following topics :

I). BE A PLAYWRIGHT. Must be 1,000 words minimum. Write a scene, with dialogue between two characters, that explores a conflict/differing viewpoint that has its basis in a topic in the textbook. Choose ONE topic for your scene/act. Some ideas: polytheism vs. monotheism; the uses and abuses of propaganda, comparing its use by ancient Roman emperors to today’s uses by politicians and other groups trying to sell an agenda; the function/aesthetics of Romanesque architecture vs. Gothic architecture; the pros and cons of government/state support of arts and artists, using the emergence of artistic patronage in the Renaissance by wealthy families to discuss whether artists should be funded or supported; absolutist rulers like Louis XIV vs. the ideas of cooperative multi-branch government proposed by John Locke. Create two or more characters and write a scene, in standard theatrical form, in which your characters have a lively “argument” about the chosen issue. (You’ll have to do some research on script forms; you’ll find standard theatrical formats online)

II). BE A POET. Must be 1,000 words minimum. Use Shakespeare’s sonnet form as your basic guideline. You must do some research on this poetic form and learn about how it’s set up, what the rhyme scheme is, etc. (14 lines, iambic pentameter – three quatrains and a final couplet). You will write an original poem, with a title, about any topic in the area of love. It can be “love” in any of its forms – love between parent and child; love of spouse or significant other; love of a favorite pet, love of country, etc. Read and explore several Shakespeare sonnets and model yours after that style. Think about your theme and how you want to express it with emotional impact. Paint a picture and create feeling with your words, phrases, rhymes and descriptions. One page is your sonnet; one page is a copy of the Shakespeare sonnet you choose to explore (no writing is required for this, so it doesn’t count toward the 1,000 words! Make sure you have 1,000 words BEFORE you add the Shakespeare sonnet); and roughly three pages is your response to the Shakespeare sonnet – three pages discussing your thoughts and feelings about what Shakespeare was trying to express in his sonnet. What is the sonnet about? Describe and interpret the language. What does it make you think about, or feel? Also, discuss what poetry of today is similar. Give an example or two. Who writes it?

III) BE AN ART PHILOSOPHER. Must be 1,000 words minimum. Spend some time thinking about the various classical art forms, and read about them in the book (pages 17-25). These include poetry, literature, theater/plays, music (composition and performance), dance, painting, drawing and sculpture. Think about your experience with any or all of these art forms. Then, decide which art form you believe is the most important! Artists throughout history have declared particular art forms to be above all others. Leonardo da Vinci said painting is the noblest art, while Michelangelo said sculpture is the highest art form. Craft a philosophy about ONE art form that expresses your ideas and convictions about why you think that art form is the greatest. Give personal examples of your involvement in this one art form, how this art form has affected your life, and the world. Discuss/explore valid, clear reasons you think this art form should be elevated above all others. (Don’t say, “Because it’s cool.” Or “Because I like it.”) I’m looking for critical thinking, analysis, and insights.

Format must be standard academic style: 12-point Times New Roman typeface, double spaced. Header in upper left corner (first page only): Name of paper, your name, date, word count, HUM2020, my name. Works Cited page, with proper citations, preferably MLA style.