Shakespeare analysis

Order Description Please use one of the paper prompts below as the basis of your essay. There’s no need to “answer” all the questions posed. They are there only to prompt you to focus on a certain dimension of the readings. It would be best to write about one text to maintain a tight focus, but if you choose to write about two, make sure your thesis is focused enough so that discussion of multiple texts doesn’t dilute your argument. For your essays, make sure you have a clear thesis (preferably one sentence that lays out your argument early on), evidence or textual support for your argument based on close reading of the text, and a clear structure to your argument (consult the structural paragraph assignment). You may choose to come up with your own topic not based on these prompts, but only if done so in consultation with me to make sure the topic is sufficiently focused. 1. Consider the role of memory in either Twelfth Night (e.g., Viola’s remembrance of her brother Sebastian and memorial tribute to him by assuming the guise of Cesario), Measure for Measure (e.g., the Duke’s remembrance of Angelo’s past history with Mariana), Othello (e.g., Othello’s memory of his past, the origin(s) of the handkerchief), or The Tempest (e.g., Prospero’s recounting of their past to Miranda). How does memory of the past contrast with the current state of things? In what ways does the past impinge on the present state? How does memory influence the decisions of characters? How does the desire to be remembered in a certain way from posterity influence characters? Who controls the historical narrative (either personal or cultural) that is remembered, and what role does this control play in the work? 2. Consider the role of redemption in either Twelfth Night (e.g., the redemption of Orsino or Olivia through marriage), Measure for Measure (e.g., Angelo’s or Claudio’s redemption), Othello (e.g., Othello at the end wanting to redeem himself for posterity), or The Tempest (e.g., Prospero deciding not to get revenge against those who wronged him). Why is redemption such an important trope in the work? How does it influence the way we perceive a character? Why (if so) do we place more value on a redeemed character than on one who is good all along? How might it relate to the Christian conception of redemption? How might it relate to an economic conception of redemption (“redeem”: to buy back)? For example, what might be “exchanged” for this act of redemption? 3. Consider the role of speaking to power in either Twelfth Night (e.g., Feste the wise fool who is “licensed” to speak to power), Measure for Measure (e.g., Lucio’s critique of the Duke), Othello (e.g., Emilia speaking to the power of husbands), or The Tempest (e.g., Caliban speaking against Prospero’s power). What is the nature or content of the speech to power? What is the source of power granted in order to be able to speak to power? What effect (if any) does this speech to power have on the power structure? In what ways are those who speak to power punished in the play? Why does Shakespeare include these potentially subversive moments of speaking to power? 4. Consider the role of disguise or role-playing in either Twelfth Night (e.g., Viola as Cesario, Feste as Sir Topaz), Measure for Measure (e.g., the Duke disguised as a friar), Othello (e.g., Iago playing the role of “honest” man), or The Tempest (e.g., Antonio’s assumption of Prospero’s dukedom by performing the role of duke). What does the ability to assume a role suggest about the nature of identity? What does disguise or role-playing suggest about the nature of theater and its ability to cross boundaries into the “real” world? What does this transversal of boundaries between the theater and the “real” world suggest about the nature of power and authority? Is disguise or role-playing used to subvert or uphold the social order? What kinds of impacts does it have on the status quo? What (if any) are the limits of role-playing? ?only use one of question and one of book from Measure for Measure ,The Tempest, Othello orTwelfth Night?