Play Interpretation Essay
Purpose: Focus on a persuasive scene or monologue in your play, and write a 4-5 page essay
to explore how the major characters argue, persuade, change or refuse to change in the course
of the play.
Due Date: Tuesday, April 10
Introduction: Focus on a specific scene or monologue in your play. Provide a thesis and
argument about how the characters seem to argue, persuade, change (or refuse to change)
his/her point if view, attitudes, assumptions or stereotypes about gender roles or other
relationships.
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Background: Research and explain the historical or social setting of this play. What would have
been the author’s or original audience’s expectations or assumptions about gender roles or
relationships? How would these attitudes have influenced the characters? Document
background sources.
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Analyze Scene: Focus on a scene or monologue with your character in the play. What are
his/her goals, relationships, conflicts, attitudes and assumptions about gender roles or other
issues? Provide specific quotes and examples.
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Rhetorical Analysis: Describe the character’s goals, relationships and arguments. How does
he or she try to persuade or influence other characters (or him/herself). Analyze a persuasive
scene or dialogue. Explore the speaker’s claims, evidence, assumptions, values and appeals
(ethos, pathos or logos).
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Challenge or Support: How do the characters in the play (especially the ones you are focusing
on) explore, challenge or support the usual attitudes, assumptions about gender roles or
stereotypes of their society or original audience?
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Conclusion: Is this play or character still relevant or challenging to readers or audiences today/
Why or why not?
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Editing: Use correct spelling, grammar and MLA documentation of both play quotes and
outside research. Provide in-text citations and a Works Cited page.
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Average Score:
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GRADE:
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