English Lit Essay
Caligirl
16th-18thCenturyEssay.docx16th – 18th Century Essay
Basic Info:
For this essay, you will need to write an essay response that is 2-3 pages long to one of the prompts below. Each of the prompts was written to get you to examine the connections between 16th-18th Century literature and the time period/cultural contexts in which it was written. To make a passing grade on this essay, you need to use direct quotes from the piece or pieces of literature you are writing about to prove your points.
Prompts:
· Based on how certain characters are treated in Othello, what do you think life was like for women and/or people of color during the English Renaissance? Provide specific evidence from Othello to prove your claims.
· Compare and contrast John Donne’s “Holy Sonnet 10” and George Herbert’s “Time.” What overall message is each poet trying to convey to his reader through the poem? How are these messages similar and different? What do these poems tell you about how people in the 17th century felt about death and time?
· One common theme in 17th Century poetry is carpe diem (seize the day). Examine how that theme is used in John Donne’s “The Sun’s Rising” and Andrew Marvell’s “To His Coy Mistress.”
Format:
Your essay response should have a standard introduction, body, and conclusion. It should be typed in 12 point Times New Roman font, double-spaced with one inch margins. You should include a heading and a title on your page. Also, you must properly cite any quotations, paraphrases, or summaries you use in your paper with in-text parenthetical citations AND a works cited page at the end of your paper.
Note on Plagiarism:
You are allowed to consult outside sources to answer these questions. In fact, I would recommend that you use your textbook, PowerPoint notes, and video note guides to help answer your prompt. However, you MUST properly cite any words or ideas that are not your own. If you plagiarize, you will receive a zero for this assignment. If you need information about how to cite sources, consult the “Using Sources without Plagiarizing” notes on Blackboard.
