“Pyramus and Thisbe” Assessment
Name__________________________________________________________________________Period______
DIRECTIONS: Independently write a well-formed mini-essay explaining how the plot and the symbols support
the theme. Include at least a one-sentence introduction, two body paragraphs, and a one sentence
conclusion. Be sure to use transitions when appropriate. You will be graded with the scale below. Add loose
leaf paper for extra space.
SUMMATIVE QUESTION: What is the theme of “Pyramus and Thisbe” and how do the plot and
symbols support that theme?
4
Has a claim directly
answering the
question, apt textual
evidence supporting
answer, and a clear
explanation tying the
examples the claim. No
grammatical errors.
3
Has a weakness in the
claim, evidence, or the
explanation. Has one
or two grammatical
errors.
2
Has weaknesses in two
of the three categories:
claim, evidence, or
explanation. Has quite
a few grammatical
errors.
1
Has weaknesses in all
categories and many
serious grammatical
errors.
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SAMPLE ESSAY
“Pyramus and Thisbe” is a classic, endearing, yet tragic love story that has been repeated by
many authors over many years. The theme of Ovid’s story “Pyramus and Thisbe” is that true
love conquers all, and the plot and symbols combine together to develop that message.
When the story begins, the young couple communicate secretly through the wall that
separates their rooms because their parents have forbidden their relationship. The rising
action begins when they plan to meet and run away together to the country. When Thisbe
arrives first, she sees a lioness and runs away, terrified, and drops her cloak. The lioness rips
up the cloak. The climax occurs when Pyramus arrives and kills himself thinking that the
lioness killed Thisbe when he saw the cloak destroyed. He wanted to join his great love. Even
more sadly as well as ironically, when Thisbe returns to see Pyramus dying, she takes her life
to be with him. The plot expresses the idea that although their love was not meant to be
during their lifetimes, their love was so great that they were fated be joined together in
heaven.
The symbols seem to parallel the plot and support the theme that true love transcends death.
Although the wall separates the young couple, there is a chink or a fault in the wall that allows
them to communicate. The wall symbolizes the obstacle that their parents will not let them be
together, even though the small opening represents their ability to overcome that obstacle.
The lioness who destroys Thisbe’s cloak represents another obstacle that keeps them apart
when Pyramus takes his own life thinking the oxen blood on the cloak was Thisbe’s. When
Thisbe returns and discovers Pyramus, she does the same. The sword each uses symbolizes
their power to control their own fates. The darkened berries of the Mulberry tree symbolize
the power of their love to change nature and to change their parents who allow them to be
together, finally.
This classic story is meant to be a lesson that forbidding true love is futile. If love is meant to
be, it will overcome obstacles and find a way to live on.