Drama

Before attempting to write this paper, read the following:

--Read the section titled "Analysis" on page 1957 of the Kennedy & Gioia textbook

--Read about how to cite a verse play at the bottom of page 1963 of the Kennedy & Gioia textbook, then turn to page 1531. Look at the citation under the photograph of Demetrius and Helena. It's in Roman numeral form, an alternative way of writing the citation. So now you know two ways to write the citation: With regular numbers, or with Roman numerals. Notice the differences between the two forms.

Write a persuasive paper using no fewer than 1300 words in the interior of the paper. Use MLA formatting and conventions. Here is your prompt:

Identify a theme in the play (it has several) and discuss the significance of the theme to the overall story and the characters. You will want to focus only on the significance of ONE theme in the play.

Here are some of the possible themes: the status of the females in the play; the setting of the forest as a place of transformation; dream imagery that suggests all of the chaotic events have only been a dream; the mechanicals (blue-collar workers--class/status in contrast) audition to entertain the royalty at the wedding reception; the turbulent relationship between the Fairy King and Queen; the treatment of women in the play (Oberon's use of the love potion); and the theme that love (at least in this play) is controlled by the supernatural.  These are only themes; you will need to construct a thesis statement that makes an assertion about the theme you choose.

Use textual evidence from the play only. Do not consult secondary sources.

 Do not use first person point of view.

Use your best grammar and punctuation.

Organize your paper around the thesis, not a summary of the play.

It will be helpful to you to review the handout "Model Essays" which is located under the Writing About Lit tab and under the Paper 3 tab.  Notice how the author of the paper makes an assertion/thesis about Poe's story. In the sample, the thesis is italicized to emphasize that this is what it is. In your own paper, you won't italicize your thesis statement.

 Use only lines from the play as evidence, and cite each time you use specific evidence, paraphrase something, or quote. You will also have a Work Cited page at the end. Remember that this play is a verse play, and the citations are going to be different than a prose play.

Make sure you include the word count in the header or at the end of the paper.