Culminating Writing Assignment Macbeth Essay Culminating Writing Assignment

Macbeth Themes: Fate or Freewill? (Macbeth’s excuse) Ambition (Macbeth’s downfall) Power (Absolute power corrupts absolutely) Versions of Reality (Things aren’t how they appear) Gender (“manhood” and “femininity”) Nature and Supernatural (Guilty conscience or truly the “unnatural”?) Violence (Every violent act seems to lead inevitably to the next) Time (Without a rightful ruler, the country has not future)

Essay Topic: Shakespeare wrote plays and poems worthy of our—and countless others’—attention. And many claim that even though Shakespeare’s works, such as Macbeth, take place in another time (and language), they are still representative of a common human experience. In other words, Shakespeare’s literature is considered timeless. Your task is to either confirm or deny this argument, and, of course, to support your claim with evidence from Macbeth. The Question: Does Macbeth relate to our society? If so, how? If not, why? (It is very difficult to argue that the text does not—in any way—relate to our society.) The Thesis: Macbeth does/does not relate to our society, as demonstrated by the theme of ____________. Do not hesitate to make this your own, and certainly expand upon it. Select ONE THEME and focus your entire paper/argument around this theme.

Outline: The body should be at least two paragraphs long, and it should include the meat of your paper (the discussion of the text and the connections to our society). Again, you should make the paper your own, but below please find a possible outline: Introduction Grab the reader’s attention! Introduce Macbeth Thesis Body Paragraph One Explain the theme Use at least one quote to support the theme Interpret the quote Connect it to our current society/your thesis Body Paragraph Two Explain how the theme either connects or does not connect to our own society. Use specific examples from today. Consider current events, pop-culture, government, etc. Then link your examples directly to the quote that you used in the previous paragraph. Should have at least TWO examples. Conclusion Return to your thesis Explore possible reasons for why Shakespeare is either timeless or not Leave your reader dazzled by your rhetorical brilliance!

Requirements and Dates MLA format There is no sentence count, but your paper need to be 2-3 pages typed. Two pages means TWO FULL pages, not 1 ½ pages. Due dates: Monday: Brainstorming/ Outlining (10 pts participation grade) Tuesday: Outlining/ Rough draft (10 pts participation grade) Wednesday: Outline/Rough draft due at the end of class (10 pts participation grade and 20 pts rough draft) Thursday: Peer Edit/ Corrections and start typing ( 10 pts peer edit and 10 pts working in the library) Friday: Finish typing/ Paper due at the end of class (10 pts working in the library and 100 pts for the final draft) Total: 180 pts **Late papers will not be accepted. No exceptions**

What if I finish early? You may turn your essay in early for 7 bonus points. I know this doesn’t sound like much, but that is a letter grade. You will have an assignment to do over the three day weekend, so you may work on that. I will discuss that assignments on Wednesday.