Agenda, 12/8, Thursday Do Now: Compare/contrast two sports or two people you know. How are they similar? How are they different? List 3 ways.

Agenda, 12/9, Friday Do Now: Create your own prompt and answer/write about it. Submit Do Now Wksht. Today Essay Test: Finish Intro Finish 1st main point paragraph Write on filler paper 2nd Main point paragraph

Essay Test Choose a prompt Create Venn Diagram Write Intro paragraph Confer with others Solidify three main points (Topics) List examples/details for each main point – how are they similar and different? Write Intro paragraph

Intro Paragraph Example Hook (stating fact & question) Women play an important role in society and in our world. Why then, did Shakespeare minimize the role of women in the play, Julius Caesar?

Intro Paragraph Link/Background info: In the play, only two women are mentioned: Calpurnia and Portia. These women are wives to important men. Calpurnia is Caesar’s wife while Portia is Brutus’ wife. They hold very small roles in the play and take up few scenes and lines.

Intro Paragraph is because (list 3 reasons) Thesis Statement is because (list 3 reasons) OR is similar/different to because (list 3 reasons) Similar: both women devoted, close relationships with husbands (1st reason) Both respected but no say in politics (2nd reason) Different: The other (Calpurnia) adds more suspense to the play (3rd reason)

Thesis Statement These women are similar because they are both (1) supportive wives who have close relationships with their husbands; (2) they are both well-respected by their husbands but have little say in political affairs, which minimizes the role of women in the overall play. However, they are also different because (3) one adds more suspense and drama to the overall play.

Thesis Statement – put it all together These women are similar because (1) they are both supportive wives who have close relationships with their husbands; (2) they are both well-respected by their husbands but have little say in political affairs, which minimizes the role of women in the play. However, (3) they are also different because one adds more suspense and drama to the overall play.

Write all parts together to complete Introduction Paragraph Women play an important role in society and in our world. Why then, did Shakespeare minimize the role of women in the play, Julius Caesar? In the play, only two women are mentioned: Calpurnia and Portia. These women are wives to important men. Calpurnia is Caesar’s wife while Portia is Brutus’ wife. They hold very small roles in the play and take up few scenes and lines. These women are similar because they are both supportive wives who have close relationships with their husbands; they are both well-respected by their husbands but have little say in political affairs, which minimizes the role of women in the play. However, they are also different because one adds more suspense and drama to the overall play.

Body of the Essay - 1st Main point (2nd paragraph of the Essay) Let’s move on to the Body of the Essay. You need a 1st main point Go back to your thesis statement. What was the 1st main reason you listed there? That’s your 1st main point.

Body – 1st Main Point (2nd paragraph of essay) Topic sentence: Both women are caring and devoted wives. Example from Character 1: Portia is shown as a wife who cares about Brutus’ affairs and is concerned about his strange behavior. She even kneels and begs him to tell her. Quote: “You have some sick offense within your mind, which by the right and by virtue of my place I ought to know of;…unfold to me…why you are heavy…” Citation (Act.Scene.lines): (2.1.268 -275) Explanation/Interpretation (How this relates to your thesis or example above): She notices that Brutus is troubled over something and begs him to tell her, and states that she has a right to know as his wife.

Paragraph 2: 1st half Both women are caring and devoted wives. First, Portia is shown as a wife who cares about Brutus’ affairs and is concerned about his strange behavior. In Act 2, Scene 1 she notices that Brutus is troubled over something and kneels and begs him to tell her, “You have some sick offense within your mind, which by the right and virtue of my place I ought to know of;…unfold to me…why you are heavy…” (2.1.268 -275). She states that as his wife she has a right to know and assures him that she “will not disclose ‘em” (2.1.298) as his confidant.

Paragraph 2 cont’d: ‘devoted wives’ Example from Character 2: Calpurnia shares her dream with Caesar and begs him not to go to the Capitol. Quote: “Help, ho! They murder Caesar!” Citation (Act.Scene.lines): (2.2.3) Quote: “Do not go forth today. Call it my fear that keeps you in the house and not your own…Let me upon my knee prevail in this. (2.2.50-54) Explanation: She gets down on her knees and begs him to stay home because of her bad dream and the bad omens, and Caesar agrees.

Paragraph 2: 2nd half (omg, we’re still on paragraph 2!?!) Similarly, Calpurnia is a devoted wife. She tries to warn Caesar of a bad dream she had in which she calls out three times, “Help, ho! They murder Caesar!” (2.2.3). She then goes down on her knees and begs him to stay home. In Scene 2 she pleads, “Do not go forth today. Call it my fear that keeps you in the house and not your own…Let me upon my knee prevail in this (2.2.50-54). Seeing her fears and urgency, Caesar at first relents and decides to stay home to humor her.

Paragraph 2: Closing Sent. Both wives show they are devoted, to the point of kneeling, begging, and pleading with their husbands in attempts to steer them away from danger.

Are you ready? Let’s put both characters together to complete Paragraph 2, 1st Main Point Both women are caring and devoted wives. First, Portia is shown as a wife who cares about Brutus’ affairs and is concerned about his strange behavior. In Act 2, Scene 1 she notices that Brutus is troubled over something and begs him to tell her, “You have some sick offense within your mind, which by the right and virtue of my place I ought to know of;…unfold to me…why you are heavy…” (2.1.268 -275). She states that as his wife she has a right to know and assures him that she “will not disclose ‘em” (2.1.298) as his confidant. Similarly, Calpurnia is a devoted wife. She tries to warn Caesar of a bad dream she had in which she called out three times, “Help, ho! They murder Caesar!” (2.2.3). She then goes down on her knees and begs him to stay home. In Scene 2 she pleads, “Do not go forth today. Call it my fear that keeps you in the house and not your own…Let me upon my knee prevail in this (2.2.50-54). Seeing her fears and urgency, Caesar at first relents and decides to stay home to humor her. Both wives show they are devoted, to the point of kneeling, begging, and pleading with their husbands in attempts to steer them away from danger.

Whoa! That was nutz! Congrats…You are 2/5 of the way done!  Let’s move on to Paragraph 3, 2nd main point of your essay. Go back to your thesis. What was the 2nd reason you listed there? That’s your 2nd main point.

Body - 2nd Main Point (3rd Paragraph of essay) Topic sentence: Both women are respected by their husbands but have little say in their political affairs, which minimizes the role of women in the play. Example from Character 1: Even though Portia begs Brutus to confide in her, he makes excuses not to and tries to dismiss her. Quote: “I am not well in health, and that is all…Good Portia, go to bed.” Citation: (2.1.257-260) Quote: “You are my true and honorable wife…Render me worthy of this noble wife!” (2.1.286, 303) Explanation/Interpretation: He would rather not share with her the political conspiracy brewing in his mind. However, he respects and appreciates her enough to relent and says he will tell her later, but is interrupted by a visitor.

Paragraph 2 cont’d: ‘respected but ignored wives’ Example from Character 2: Calpurnia shares her dream with Caesar and begs him not to go to the Capitol. Caesar agrees but later changes his mind and criticizes Calpurnia. Quote: “How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia! I am ashamed I did yield to them. Give me my robe, for I will go.” Citation: (2.2.105-108) Explanation: Upon hearing Decius’ reinterpretation of the dream, Caesar’s pride and arrogance causes him to choose politics over his wife’s pleading.

Paragraph 3: Closing Sent. These examples show that as much as the two women want to be a part of the political plot of the play, they are ignored or dismissed. The fact that these are the only two women in the play further minimizes the significance of women in the play, and perhaps, of that time.

Ready? Let’s put it all together and complete Paragraph 3 Both women are respected by their husbands but have little say in their political affairs, which minimizes the role of women in the play. For example, even though Portia begs Brutus to confide in her, he makes excuses not to and tries to dismiss her. “I am not well in health, and that is all…Good Portia, go to bed” (2.1.257-260). However, eventually, he gives in to her pleading and says, “You are my true and honorable wife…Render me worthy of this noble wife!” (2.1.286, 303). He would rather not share with her the political conspiracy brewing in his mind. However, he respects and appreciates her enough to relent and says he will tell her later, but he is then interrupted by a visitor. Similarly, Caesar listens to Calpurnia’s dream and at first agrees to stay home. However, he later changes his mind after Decius cleverly reinterprets the dream. He then chastizes Calpurnia by saying, “How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia! I am ashamed I did yield to them. Give me my robe, for I will go” (2.2.105-108). Caesar’s pride and arrogance causes him to choose politics over his wife’s advice. These examples show that as much as the two women want to be a part of the political plot of the play, they are ignored or dismissed. The fact that these are the only two women in the play further minimizes the significance of women in the play, and perhaps, of that time.

Wow, I’m smart. And I thought this play was boring Wow, I’m smart! And I thought this play was boring! I love all this character analysis! We are almost at the end! Let’s move on to Paragraph 4, 3rd main point of your essay. Go back to your thesis statement. What was the 3rd reason you listed there? That’s your 3rd and final main point.

Body – 3rd Main Point (4th Paragraph of essay) Topic sentence: While both females contribute little to the overall play, Calpurnia’s role does add a bit of drama in Act 2 compared to Portia’s. Example from Character 1: She serves merely as a confidant for Brutus. Brutus does not appear too moved upon hearing that she killed herself by swallowing hot coals; he reacts with little emotion. Quote: “Speak no more of her” (4.3.158) and “Well, to our work alive” (4.3.196) Explanation: In Act 4, the reader sees how stoic Brutus is compared to the political events surrounding him. Even Cassius seems more upset by her death than Brutus.

Paragraph 4 cont’d: ‘female roles and suspense’ Example from Character 1: Calpurnia has the dream, sees the omens, and begs Caesar not to go to the Capitol. Quote: none Explanation: This adds some dramatic suspense because the reader is expecting Caesar to go to the Capitol and can foresee the outcome awaiting him. The reader is given some hope that perhaps Caesar will not go if he listens to Calpurnia.

4th Paragraph: Closing Sentence While Portia’s role adds little suspense to the play, Calpurnia’s role adds some dramatic tension before Act 3 in which Caesar is killed.

Put both characters, topic and closing sentences together… While both females contribute little to the overall play, Calpurnia’s role does add a bit of drama in Act 2 compared to Portia’s. Portia’s role does not really add suspense to the overall play, but she serves merely as a confidant for Brutus. In fact, upon her death, Brutus reacts with little emotion. In Act 4, Brutus is told that Portia killed herself by swallowing hot coals out of grief. Rather than break down and cry as any normal person would, again the reader sees how stoic Brutus is compared to the political events surrounding him. He says to Cassius, “Speak no more of her” (4.3.158) and “Well, to our work alive” (4.3.196) and switches to matters of war. Even Cassius seems more upset by her death than Brutus. On the other hand, Calpurnia has the dream, sees the omens, and begs Caesar not to go to the Capitol. This adds some dramatic suspense because the reader is expecting Caesar to go to the Capitol and can foresee the outcome awaiting him. The reader is given some hope that perhaps Caesar will not go if he listens to Calpurnia. While Portia’s role adds little suspense to the play, Calpurnia’s role adds some dramatic tension before Act 3 in which Caesar is killed.

Whew! We are just about done! Look back at your thesis statement. Think of how you can restate it in a different way. End with a powerful thought that leaves the reader thinking

5th Paragraph: Concluding Paragraph Transition to closing: In the end, the roles of Portia and Calpurnia are similar and different in a few ways. Restate Thesis in a new way!: Both are dedicated wives who try to steer their husbands away from trouble, and both are well-respected but have little say in political affairs. However, they are different in that Calpurnia’s near-success of swaying Caesar away from his tragic fate adds more suspense to the play. Leave audience with a closing thought/ power thought: For that reason, Calpurnia’s role is a bit more effective and significant though Portia’s death stands as one of the most unusual and harshest of many deaths in the play. Perhaps adding more interesting, high-powered female roles in the play would make it a more popular read for students.

Concluding Paragraph In the end, the roles of Portia and Calpurnia are similar and different in a few ways. Both are dedicated wives who try to steer their husbands away from trouble, and both are well-respected but have little say in political affairs. However, they are different in that Calpurnia’s near-success of swaying Caesar away from his tragic fate adds more suspense to the play. For that reason, Calpurnia’s role is a bit more effective and significant though Portia’s death stands as one of the most unusual and harshest of many deaths in the play. Perhaps adding more interesting, high-powered female roles in the play would make it a more popular read for students.

Done! Pau! Yay!  Ok, now type it out and make it look nice! Self-Evaluate on the Rubric (Beige sheet) Submit writing packet and final draft by end of day Wed. 12/14 at the latest; earlier if can. Awesome! 