The Tragedy of King Richard II Essay (2 pgs)

In Richard II, we meet one of several prophetic speeches in the play, In Act 2, Scene 1, Lines 31-68 on pages 340-41, we have a highly significant speech by John of Gaunt about England as a location, described as a garden.

Write a two-page (5 paragraph) essay which analyzes and comments on Gaunt’s description of England as a garden AND which discusses at least 2 other passages in the play that specifically relate to the concept of gardens and nature. Finally, conclude your paper with a discussion of what Shakespeare is trying to convey through his use of imagery.

Organizational Structure of the Essay

Include an Introduction paragraph that introduces the play (in a 2-3 sentences). Provide background and context for Gaunt’s speech in Act 2, Scene 2. Write a strong, clear thesis (last sentence of the introduction paragraph) that relates to the prompt (John of Gaunt describing England as a garden, the concept of gardens throughout the play, and Shakespeare’s use of imagery)

Body Paragraphs- 

1 well-developed paragraph – analyzing this particular speech and John of Gaunt’s description of England as a garden. Incorporate direct quotes/lines from the play to support your point (with parenthetical in-text citations).

2 well-developed paragraphs that relate this speech to AT LEAST TWO other passages (one per paragraph) in the play that relate to gardens or use vivid imagery related to nature. Incorporate direct quotes/lines from the play to support your point (with parenthetical in-text citations).

Conclusion paragraph – that discusses YOUR opinion (your own ideas in your own words) about Shakespeare’s use of imagery. In your mind, what is he trying to convey to the reader by using this type of imagery throughout the play? How does it affect you as a reader? Incorporate direct quotes/lines from the play to support your ideas (with parenthetical in-text citations).

REQUIREMENTS AND DOCUMENTATION: The paper should be 5 paragraphs (two-pages), double-spaced, one inch margins on all four sides of the page. It should include a heading with student’s name, date, and unit on the top left of first page and a centered title. It should be typed in Times Roman, 12 point font, and all paragraphs should be indented.

In order to provide support from the play, be sure to cite lines from the play as direct quotes (include in-text citations with Act, Scene, and Line). Include a Reference page with the textbook listed as your source. The paper should be written in the third person point of view (avoid the use of the first and second person in all formal writing assignments for this course)

REMINDER: Do NOT cite outside websites or sources- this is a REFELCTION paper and should be written in your own words. Be sure to make reference to particular scenes and cite particular lines from the play. When you do so (even if you are only referring to our textbook), you must cite them using APA in-text citations and a reference page at the end.

For this assignment, you will review the final research paper topics, expectations, and grading rubric (See Week/Unit 5 instructions and handouts in Course Materials). During this week, you will choose your topic for the final paper and write a 1/2 page topic proposal for your instructor’s approval.

PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS: Please write a 1/2 page, double spaced, topic proposal that includes the following:

– topic choice selection (from the choices provided) and discussion of why you chose that particular topic and why that topic interests you

– how you have already researched this topic for your rough draft (what databases in the Bethel Library did you use? What were your search terms, etc…)

(NOTE- WEBSITES MAY NOT BE USED FOR THIS PAPER- YOUR SOURCES MUST BE ACADEMIC SOURCES FROM THE LIBRARY ELECTRONIC DATABASES).

Final Research Paper Topic Proposal

student presents a ½ page topic proposal that includes a discussion of why this topic

was chosen and why it interests the student

student includes a brief discussion of how they have begun to research the topic i.e.,

which library databases have been used? What kinds of sources/articles have been

located? What search terms did the student employ?

the assignment is properly formatted i.e., double-­spaced, 12-­point font and includes

the student’s name, date, instructor and appropriate title

Possible Topic Choices:

• A father/daughter relationship in one Shakespeare play
• A father/son or mother/son relationship in one Shakespeare play
• The role of magic in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• The making of a good leader in one Shakespearean play
• The failure of leadership in one Shakespearean play
• The roles that a particular character serves in a play (e.g, Kent, Bottom, Puck)
• The treatment of women in one or two plays (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Richard II vs. Othello)
• A character study on ONE character (Othello, King Lear, Edmund, Hermia, Helena, Richard II, Henry Bolingbroke, Miranda, Prospero)
• Importance of setting to meaning (A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Othello)