EN353 Early Modern Drama Essay Questions 2012-13
In addition to the set plays, you may write about any play written in the period 1558-1659. For
question 4, you may also write about the precursors to early modern drama.
1. How did early modern playwrights use the physical resources of the stage to create
meaning? EITHER write mainly about the physical resources used in ONE or TWO
plays, OR choose a specific physical resource (e.g., but not confined to, the trap, the
discovery space, a particular prop) and use the plays to investigate its uses and
significances.
2. How does the political, social or religious context of a particular play help us to
understand it? You should choose ONE or TWO plays on which to focus.
3. Write an essay about the creation of, adherence to, and/or breaking of, generic
conventions in the drama of the period. You should write about at least TWO plays and
are advised to confine yourself to one genre.
4. How is your understanding of non-Shakespearean early modern drama affected by
considering it in the context of Shakespeare’s plays or plays by medieval or classical
authors? You should write about TWO plays (one of which should be Shakespearean or
medieval or classical).
5. How useful to understanding the plays you have read is critical writing on drama in the
period? You should focus on ONE piece of critical writing and no more than TWO
plays.
6. Write your own question. Choose ONE or TWO plays and an aspect of them which
particularly interests you and write about it in an interesting way. (You are strongly
advised to consult the course convenor for help before you settle on your final topic.)