Reformation, 16th Century, Renaissance
ESSAY QUESTIONS
GENERAL PROMPTS:
1.
The literature of the Renaissance is important because of what it reveals about the
lives and history of the people. Write an essay in which you discuss how the literature of
the Renaissance reveals the attitudes, values, customs, or beliefs of the people.
Prewriting.
Writing.
Revising.
2.
Review the selections studied, and note what they reveal about the life of the
people. Prepare a thesis statement; organize your information into an outline.
When you write your essay, use evidence from more than one selection to
support your thesis.
When you revise, make sure your argument is clear and coherent and is
organized in a logical manner. After you have finished revising, proofread
your essay and prepare a final copy.
Write an essay discussing a sonnet from this time period. Analyze the subject of the
sonnet, the poet’s attitude toward the subject, and the passages in the poem where this
attitude is revealed most clearly.
Prewriting.
Writing.
Revising.
Reread the poem and try to grasp the author’s tone, particularly note what
passages the tone is made most clear.
In the introduction, identify the subject and attitude. Use the body paragraphs to
discuss the specific lines in detail.
When you revise, make sure your words are clear and coherent and are
organized in a logical manner. After you have finished revising, proofread
your essay and prepare a final copy.
3.
The theme of a literary work is the central idea or insight the work presents. Choose a
poem from this time period and write an essay discussing the theme. Enhance the
analysis of the theme by identifying and discussing lines, images, figures of speech, and
other important literary elements that contribute to the analysis of theme.
Prewriting.
Writing.
Revising.
Reread the poem and try to grasp the theme or message, particularly note the
passages where the theme is made most clear.
In the introduction, identify both the theme and the author’s literary techniques
that enhance it. Use the body paragraphs to discuss specific examples in detail.
When you revise, make sure your words are clear and coherent and are
organized in a logical manner. After you have finished revising, proofread
your essay and prepare a final copy.
MACBETH PROMPTS:
4.
Macbeth is a tragic hero, a person of high rank who is brought to eventual ruin by a flaw
in his character. In a tragedy, the theme is generally based on the actions of this tragic
hero. Write a composition that names both Macbeth’s flaw and a universal theme that
stems from it. Discuss the theme and flaw using specific details from the play.
5.
Write an essay describing the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Discuss
how the relationship changes throughout the story. Use specific details from the play to
support your findings
6.
Using the Porter’s speech in Act II as a specific example, write an essay discussing
Shakespeare’s use of comic relief within the play.
7.
Shakespeare never reveals the identity of the third murderer in Act III. Write an essay
identifying your theory about the third murderer and support your ideas with specific
examples from the play.
8.
Many critics believe that another author wrote and added Scene V to Act III after
Shakespeare’s death. Write an essay that defends or challenges this theory. Use evidence
form the play to support your ideas.
9.
Discuss the purpose of the witches in the play. In what way and to what extent, if at all,
are they involved in the moral decay of the tragic hero, Macbeth. Use evidence from the
play to support your answer.