Friday, February 28, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Food Explanation
Recipe: Store-bought...but there's a reason!
When I began reading the works of Shakespeare, I had always marveled at the creation of his female characters. When I started researching him, I deciding to ask why? I found out that Shakespeare just might identify with women. In Shakespearean London, women were oppressed and their voices were suppressed. Men had more rights than women. It's that simple. Blue has always been associated with the male gender, and pink has always been associated with the female gender. So on my delicious treats, I decided to put big blue dots on the boy's cupcakes and little pink dots on the girl's. These dots are symbols of the power that each gender held during that time period.
As I was deciding on whether I should bake chocolate or vanilla cupcakes, an idea arose inside of me. Buy them from the store! Though this may be viewed as an act of laziness (it really was not, I promise) the manufactured cupcakes represents the uniform thought of Shakespearean society. Men being better than women was an ideology that was blindly accepted by the public at that time. The uniform make of store-bought cupcakes appeared to me as a perfect parallel to this accepted societal belief.
Presentation Handout
Dramatic Tendencies: A presentation regarding the writing
style of William Shakespeare
Presenter: Addyson Miklos
Learning Objectives:
1) Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly to make logical inferences.
2) Cite specific text evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions
3)Determine central ideas or themes from the text and analyze their development
Introduction:
Raise your hand if…
Color scheme explanation
Shakespeare’s Background:
What we know (not a lot)
Thesis:
Whether it’s in his romantic comedies, such as The Taming
of the Shrew, or his plays that highlight strong father-daughter bonds, such as
King Lear, Shakespeare has used his writing to reflect the gender inequalities
in family and marriage dynamics during the Shakespearean era England.
Mmm…food:
What’s with the cupcakes?
Shakespeare's influences:
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/faq/writingstyle.html
Shakespeare’s sexuality
Poetry explanation
King Lear
&Tragedy activity
The Taming of the
Shrew & Comedy activity
Research Paper
Shakespeare: an Aid in Achieving Gender Equality
Addyson Miklos
Ms. Wilson
AP Literature
12 February 2014
I have read and understand the sections in the Student Handbook regarding Mason High School's Honesty/Cheating Policy. By affixing this statement to the title page of my paper, I am certifying that I have not cheated or plagiarized in the process of completing this assignment. If it is found that cheating and/or plagiarism did take place in the writing of this paper, I understand the possible consequences of the act, which could include a "0" on the paper, as well as an "F" as a final grade in the course.
Miklos 2
Addyson Miklos
Nichole Wilson
AP Literature and Composition
12 February 2014
Shakespeare: an Aid in Achieving Gender Equality
Gender inequality has been a prevalent issue throughout history. There have been nationwide movements in which women have fought and suffered for the equal rights they deserve, and women have come out on top. Although, men have been women’s biggest suppressors, they have also been women’s strongest allies. They used their voice to fight for equality when women could not use theirs.
Poet and playwright William Shakespeare has been a huge advocate in giving women recognition through characterizing his female roles as strong and independent characters. The controversy of Shakespeare’s homosexuality or bisexuality could be a clue as to why he gave women more credit than the rest of the world, specifically England. Whether it’s in his romantic comedies, such as The Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Tempest, or his plays that highlight strong father-daughter bonds, such as King Lear,
Miklos 3
Shakespeare has used his writing to reflect the gender inequalities in family and marriage dynamics during the Shakespearean era England.
There is significant evidence regarding Shakespeare’s questionable sexuality. 1) Most, if not all, of his sonnets dealt with the idea of love and admiration; and all of his sonnets were “dedicated to a mysterious "Mr. W.H." (Greenepan, 1). It is curious that a heterosexual man dedicated sentimental and heartfelt sonnets to another man. This dedication may imply that Shakespeare was not heterosexual, but just the opposite. 2) In Sonnet 20, the poem appears to idolize a specific man, and it asks the subject “Mine be thy love” (line 14). This indicates that Shakespeare was requesting an emotional relationship with a man. 3) In Shakespeare’s will, he leaves his wife his “second best bed” (Greenepan, 1). This could imply that his best bed was reserved for someone else, and judging from the evidence above, that special someone could quite possibly be male. These are just a few speculations of many, but several of these speculations indicate Shakespeare’s possible homosexuality or bisexuality. Since the “Elizabethan attitudes toward homosexuality” were not positive, Shakespeare would have had to conceal his sexuality outside of his writing in order to avoid societal shame. This societal ideal of shaming homosexuality was similar to the societal suppression of women’s rights during the Shakespearean era, which may have inclined Shakespeare to identify with women. Therefore, Shakespeare gave women such strong voices in his plays because they could not express their true voices in reality.
In Shakespeare’s King Lear, the characterization of King Lear creates a relationship between him and his favorite daughter, Cordelia. This relationship evolves from having no respect for one another to having equal respect for one another. This balanced relationship
Miklos 4
was developed only after King Lear discarded the gender and patriarchal values that were upheld in his society. At the beginning of the play, Lear treats love as a material object, considering his “largest bounty” (1.1.52) would be received by the daughter who expressed the most love for him. He was, in a sense, using his patriarchal status and bribery to receive love rather than earning it. Critics who have examined this scene believe the way Shakespeare crafted this proposition was influenced by “the ideology of property relations” (Smith, 68). Shakespeare uses this idea of Lear treating love as a business exchange to emphasize how ludicrous Lear’s proposition was. This characterizes King Lear as a superficial patriarch; this was a stereotype that many fathers (especially wealthy fathers) fit into during the Shakespearean era. This personality contrasts with the pureness and wholeness of Cordelia’s personality; she even refers to herself as “true” (1.1.108). Considering this, Cordelia cannot properly express her love due to the superficiality of the situation. Therefore Lear essentially disowns her. King Lear’s other daughters, Cordelia’s complements, crafted superficial yet “satisfactory” admissions of love. However, they created chaos that ultimately destroyed Lear in order to reap his wealthy to fulfill their own selfish desires. After those trials encompassed in this tragedy, Lear realizes the error of his previous behavior and asks his daughter to “forget and forgive” (4.7.85). Shakespeare employs alliteration in this line, which conveys the importance of this apology. Lear, a once prideful patriarch, asking for forgiveness represents that he identifies with Cordelia as his equal, if not his superior.
In Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare utilizes bawdy diction and witty banter to describe the relationship between the characters Beatrice and Benedick. This writing style
Miklos 5
exemplifies these characters as equals, thus allowing them to fall in love. Critics note that in Shakespearean romantic comedies, characters can always achieve ideal happiness. This is because “the reach of human happiness in this world of men and women is richer, deeper, more sustained, and more satisfying” (Smith, 32) in Much Ado About Nothing and several other romantic comedies that Shakespeare has written. The reason as to why Beatrice and Benedick eventually share this happiness is because they see each other as equals. This concept of equality is especially prevalent in the moment when Benedick confesses, “By my troth, it is no addition to her wit—nor no great/argument of her folly, for I will be/horribly in love with her.” Benedick loves Beatrice because she is witty—he sees her as an equal. Equality is what makes love real, and critics have analyzed that true happiness is attained in these Shakespearean comedies in which strong male and female leads fall in love.
Shakespeare’s The Tempest reiterates the idea of Shakespeare giving a voice to the female population through the relationship of Miranda and Ferdinand, thus promoting gender equality. The idea that love is the bond that humanity must always seek is prominent in this comedy, considering that “love in the comedies always turns out well” (Charney, 61). Miranda, daughter of the main character Prospero, marries Ferdinand, a man who respects her and loves her. Miranda breaks the conventions of a man proposing to a woman when she tells Ferdinand, “I am your wife, if you will marry me” (3.1.83) This not only conveys the love she possesses, but it also breaks accepted societal beliefs in regards to what a man should do and what a woman should do. If Miranda can propose to Ferdinand, why should women hesitate to take charge? Well, women eventually received the rights they deserved, which entitled them to being in control of a relationship just as much as their significant.
Miklos 6
Shakespeare’s creation of this relationship between Miranda and Ferdinand is achieved through the character’s dialogue. The evidence of Miranda and Ferdinand having equal amounts of power in their marriage was one of the stronger affirmations of gender equality that Elizabethan England had seen.
Similar to Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare creates two strong main characters who eventually fall in love in The Taming of the Shrew. Although Kate does succumb to Petruchio through rather unorthodox methods, Petruchio levels with Kate, presenting himself as her equal, which is evident when he says he is a “combless cock” (2.1.225). Since a rooster’s masculinity is defined by its comb, Petruchio is willing to give his machismo for her. This way, Kate keeps her strong, wise voice and marries a man who truly loves her. Critics believe that “comic endings […] are a fantasy of wish-fulfillment" (Smith, 32). At the end of this play, Katherine delivers a long monologue in which she is married to a man who views her as an equal, and her behavior now matches her wit. This is evident when she berates her peers for disobeying their husbands, since she believes “Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, Thy head, thy sovereign, one that cares for thee” (5.2.140-141). Though it may seem that Katherine has transformed from independent to submissive, she is actually stronger than ever. Her wit now shines through her voice in a way that makes people listen, and she is in a marriage in which both parties are viewed as equals. The voice that Katherine is given and the equality shown in her marriage to Petruchio.
It’s true that Shakespeare is a cheerleader for authentic love between people. From family to marriage, true love seems to capture Shakespeare’s writing focus. This could certainly be because Shakespeare could never actually fall in love due to his likely
Miklos 7
homosexuality, but it is certain that without equality, all relationships are doomed. The voice Shakespeare gives to women and the equality shown in his plays has positively influenced the world’s view on gender equality.
Addyson Miklos
Ms. Wilson
AP Literature
12 February 2014
I have read and understand the sections in the Student Handbook regarding Mason High School's Honesty/Cheating Policy. By affixing this statement to the title page of my paper, I am certifying that I have not cheated or plagiarized in the process of completing this assignment. If it is found that cheating and/or plagiarism did take place in the writing of this paper, I understand the possible consequences of the act, which could include a "0" on the paper, as well as an "F" as a final grade in the course.
Miklos 2
Addyson Miklos
Nichole Wilson
AP Literature and Composition
12 February 2014
Shakespeare: an Aid in Achieving Gender Equality
Gender inequality has been a prevalent issue throughout history. There have been nationwide movements in which women have fought and suffered for the equal rights they deserve, and women have come out on top. Although, men have been women’s biggest suppressors, they have also been women’s strongest allies. They used their voice to fight for equality when women could not use theirs.
Poet and playwright William Shakespeare has been a huge advocate in giving women recognition through characterizing his female roles as strong and independent characters. The controversy of Shakespeare’s homosexuality or bisexuality could be a clue as to why he gave women more credit than the rest of the world, specifically England. Whether it’s in his romantic comedies, such as The Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Tempest, or his plays that highlight strong father-daughter bonds, such as King Lear,
Miklos 3
Shakespeare has used his writing to reflect the gender inequalities in family and marriage dynamics during the Shakespearean era England.
There is significant evidence regarding Shakespeare’s questionable sexuality. 1) Most, if not all, of his sonnets dealt with the idea of love and admiration; and all of his sonnets were “dedicated to a mysterious "Mr. W.H." (Greenepan, 1). It is curious that a heterosexual man dedicated sentimental and heartfelt sonnets to another man. This dedication may imply that Shakespeare was not heterosexual, but just the opposite. 2) In Sonnet 20, the poem appears to idolize a specific man, and it asks the subject “Mine be thy love” (line 14). This indicates that Shakespeare was requesting an emotional relationship with a man. 3) In Shakespeare’s will, he leaves his wife his “second best bed” (Greenepan, 1). This could imply that his best bed was reserved for someone else, and judging from the evidence above, that special someone could quite possibly be male. These are just a few speculations of many, but several of these speculations indicate Shakespeare’s possible homosexuality or bisexuality. Since the “Elizabethan attitudes toward homosexuality” were not positive, Shakespeare would have had to conceal his sexuality outside of his writing in order to avoid societal shame. This societal ideal of shaming homosexuality was similar to the societal suppression of women’s rights during the Shakespearean era, which may have inclined Shakespeare to identify with women. Therefore, Shakespeare gave women such strong voices in his plays because they could not express their true voices in reality.
In Shakespeare’s King Lear, the characterization of King Lear creates a relationship between him and his favorite daughter, Cordelia. This relationship evolves from having no respect for one another to having equal respect for one another. This balanced relationship
Miklos 4
was developed only after King Lear discarded the gender and patriarchal values that were upheld in his society. At the beginning of the play, Lear treats love as a material object, considering his “largest bounty” (1.1.52) would be received by the daughter who expressed the most love for him. He was, in a sense, using his patriarchal status and bribery to receive love rather than earning it. Critics who have examined this scene believe the way Shakespeare crafted this proposition was influenced by “the ideology of property relations” (Smith, 68). Shakespeare uses this idea of Lear treating love as a business exchange to emphasize how ludicrous Lear’s proposition was. This characterizes King Lear as a superficial patriarch; this was a stereotype that many fathers (especially wealthy fathers) fit into during the Shakespearean era. This personality contrasts with the pureness and wholeness of Cordelia’s personality; she even refers to herself as “true” (1.1.108). Considering this, Cordelia cannot properly express her love due to the superficiality of the situation. Therefore Lear essentially disowns her. King Lear’s other daughters, Cordelia’s complements, crafted superficial yet “satisfactory” admissions of love. However, they created chaos that ultimately destroyed Lear in order to reap his wealthy to fulfill their own selfish desires. After those trials encompassed in this tragedy, Lear realizes the error of his previous behavior and asks his daughter to “forget and forgive” (4.7.85). Shakespeare employs alliteration in this line, which conveys the importance of this apology. Lear, a once prideful patriarch, asking for forgiveness represents that he identifies with Cordelia as his equal, if not his superior.
In Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare utilizes bawdy diction and witty banter to describe the relationship between the characters Beatrice and Benedick. This writing style
Miklos 5
exemplifies these characters as equals, thus allowing them to fall in love. Critics note that in Shakespearean romantic comedies, characters can always achieve ideal happiness. This is because “the reach of human happiness in this world of men and women is richer, deeper, more sustained, and more satisfying” (Smith, 32) in Much Ado About Nothing and several other romantic comedies that Shakespeare has written. The reason as to why Beatrice and Benedick eventually share this happiness is because they see each other as equals. This concept of equality is especially prevalent in the moment when Benedick confesses, “By my troth, it is no addition to her wit—nor no great/argument of her folly, for I will be/horribly in love with her.” Benedick loves Beatrice because she is witty—he sees her as an equal. Equality is what makes love real, and critics have analyzed that true happiness is attained in these Shakespearean comedies in which strong male and female leads fall in love.
Shakespeare’s The Tempest reiterates the idea of Shakespeare giving a voice to the female population through the relationship of Miranda and Ferdinand, thus promoting gender equality. The idea that love is the bond that humanity must always seek is prominent in this comedy, considering that “love in the comedies always turns out well” (Charney, 61). Miranda, daughter of the main character Prospero, marries Ferdinand, a man who respects her and loves her. Miranda breaks the conventions of a man proposing to a woman when she tells Ferdinand, “I am your wife, if you will marry me” (3.1.83) This not only conveys the love she possesses, but it also breaks accepted societal beliefs in regards to what a man should do and what a woman should do. If Miranda can propose to Ferdinand, why should women hesitate to take charge? Well, women eventually received the rights they deserved, which entitled them to being in control of a relationship just as much as their significant.
Miklos 6
Shakespeare’s creation of this relationship between Miranda and Ferdinand is achieved through the character’s dialogue. The evidence of Miranda and Ferdinand having equal amounts of power in their marriage was one of the stronger affirmations of gender equality that Elizabethan England had seen.
Similar to Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare creates two strong main characters who eventually fall in love in The Taming of the Shrew. Although Kate does succumb to Petruchio through rather unorthodox methods, Petruchio levels with Kate, presenting himself as her equal, which is evident when he says he is a “combless cock” (2.1.225). Since a rooster’s masculinity is defined by its comb, Petruchio is willing to give his machismo for her. This way, Kate keeps her strong, wise voice and marries a man who truly loves her. Critics believe that “comic endings […] are a fantasy of wish-fulfillment" (Smith, 32). At the end of this play, Katherine delivers a long monologue in which she is married to a man who views her as an equal, and her behavior now matches her wit. This is evident when she berates her peers for disobeying their husbands, since she believes “Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, Thy head, thy sovereign, one that cares for thee” (5.2.140-141). Though it may seem that Katherine has transformed from independent to submissive, she is actually stronger than ever. Her wit now shines through her voice in a way that makes people listen, and she is in a marriage in which both parties are viewed as equals. The voice that Katherine is given and the equality shown in her marriage to Petruchio.
It’s true that Shakespeare is a cheerleader for authentic love between people. From family to marriage, true love seems to capture Shakespeare’s writing focus. This could certainly be because Shakespeare could never actually fall in love due to his likely
Miklos 7
homosexuality, but it is certain that without equality, all relationships are doomed. The voice Shakespeare gives to women and the equality shown in his plays has positively influenced the world’s view on gender equality.
Research Paper Final Outline
I. Introduction:
Gender inequality has been a prevalent issue throughout history. There have been nationwide movements in which women have fought and suffered for the equal rights they deserve, and women came out on top. Though men have been women’s biggest suppressors, men have also been women’s strongest allies. They used their voice to fight for equality when women when they could not use theirs.
Poet and playwright William Shakespeare has been a huge advocate in giving women recognition through characterizing his female roles as strong and independent characters. The controversy of Shakespeare’s homosexuality or bisexuality could be a clue as to why he gave women more credit than the rest of the world, specifically England. Whether it’s in his romantic comedies, such as The Taming of the Shrew and Much Ado About Nothing, or his plays that highlight strong father-daughter bonds, such as King Lear and The Tempest, Shakespeare has used his writing to reflect the gender inequalities in Shakespearean England.
II. Body Paragraph 1 Shakespearean background.
Relate background information w/ quotes to convey the idea of Shakespeare identifying and defending women.
III. Body Paragraph 2 King Lear.
a. Topic Sentence (State your Main Point): The characterization of both King Lear and his daughter Cordelia create a relationship of equal respect of one another, regardless of both the gender and patriarchal values that were upheld in London.
b. Commentary (to set up your Concrete Detail): At the beginning of the play, Lear treats love as a material object. He asks for his daughters love as if he deserved it solely because of his patriarchal status. Critics go so far as to define kinship in King Lear as
c. Concrete Detail (to defend your Topic Sentence): “in-formed by the ideology of property relations.”
d. Commentary (to analyze your previous Concrete Detail and introduce your next one): However, after all of the trials of the play, Lear returns to Earth and asks his daughter to
e. Concrete Detail (to further defend your Topic Sentence and Commentary): “forget and forgive” (4.7.85).
f. Commentary (to make sense of your entire paragraph and come back to your Main Point and Thesis): This apology is evidence of Lear identifying his daughter as his equal, if not his superior.
IV. Body Paragraph 3 Much Ado.
a. Topic Sentence (State your Main Point): In this comedy, Shakespeare uses witty banter to characterize both Beatrice and Benedick. This writing style exemplifies these characters as equals, thus allowing them to fall in love.
b. Commentary (to set up your Concrete Detail): Critics note that in Shakespearean romantic comedies, characters can always achieve ideal happiness.
c. Concrete Detail (to defend your Topic Sentence): “the reach of human happiness in this world of men and women is richer, deeper, more sustained, and more satisfying” in Much Ado About Nothing.
d. Commentary (to analyze your previous Concrete Detail and introduce your next one): This, I believe, is because Beatrice and Benedick see each other as equals. This concept of equality is especially prevalent in the moment when Benedick confesses
e. Concrete Detail (to further defend your Topic Sentence and Commentary): “By my troth, it is no addition to her wit—nor no great argument of her folly, for I will be horribly in love with her.” (2.3.207-208)
f. Commentary (to make sense of your entire paragraph and come back to your Main Point and Thesis): Benedick loves Beatrice because she is witty—he sees her as an equal. Equality is what makes love real, and critics have analyzed that true happiness is attained in these Shakespearean comedies in which strong male and female leads fall in actual love.
V. Body Paragraph 4 The Tempest.
a. Topic Sentence (State your Main Point): Though The Tempest has a much light tone than King Lear, the daughter-father bond is just as significant and the evidence of Shakespeare’s defensive of the female population is still visible.
b. Commentary (to set up your Concrete Detail): The idea that love is the bond that humanity must always seek is prominent in the Tempest, after all
c. Concrete Detail (to defend your Topic Sentence): “love in the comedies always turns out well”
d. Commentary (to analyze your previous Concrete Detail and introduce your next one): Miranda, daughter of the main character Prospero, marries Ferdinand, a man who respects her and loves her. Miranda breaks the conventions of a man proposing to a woman when she tells Ferdinand
e. Concrete Detail (to further defend your Topic Sentence and Commentary): “I am your wife, if you will marry me” (3.1.83)
f. Commentary (to make sense of your entire paragraph and come back to your Main Point and Thesis): This not only conveys the love she possesses, but it also breaks accepted societal beliefs in regards to what a man should do and what a woman should do. If Miranda can propose to Ferdinand, why can’t women always take charge? Well, women eventually realized that they can absolutely take charge if they have the courage to do so.
VI. Body Paragraph 5
a. Topic Sentence (State your Main Point): Similar to Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare creates two strong main characters who eventually fall in love in The Taming of the Shrew. Although Kate does succumb to Petruchio through rather unorthodox methods, Petruchio levels with Kate, presenting himself as her equal, and Kate keeps her strong, wise voice.
b. Commentary (to set up your Concrete Detail):
c. Concrete Detail (to defend your Topic Sentence): “comic endings […] are a fantasy of wish-fulfillment”
d. Commentary (to analyze your previous Concrete Detail and introduce your next one): In the end of this play, Katherine delivers a long monologue in which she is married to a man who views her as an equal, and her behavior now matches her wit. This is evident when she berates her peers for disobeying their husbands, for husbands are
e. Concrete Detail (to further defend your Topic Sentence and Commentary): “Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, Thy head, thy sovereign, one that cares for thee” (5.2.140-141)
f. Commentary (to make sense of your entire paragraph and come back to your Main Point and Thesis): Though it may seem that Katherine has transformed from independent to submissive, she is actually stronger than ever. Her wit now shines through her voice in a way that makes people listen, and she is in a marriage in which both parties are viewed as equals.
VII. Conclusion—you may briefly summarize for your reader, but be sure to extend your analysis and leave your reader with an intriguing concept that will leave him or her thinking about your topic.
Love and equality play a major role in various Shakespearean plays. It is evident from this paper that happiness is derived by true love, and true love is derived through gender equality.
Gender inequality has been a prevalent issue throughout history. There have been nationwide movements in which women have fought and suffered for the equal rights they deserve, and women came out on top. Though men have been women’s biggest suppressors, men have also been women’s strongest allies. They used their voice to fight for equality when women when they could not use theirs.
Poet and playwright William Shakespeare has been a huge advocate in giving women recognition through characterizing his female roles as strong and independent characters. The controversy of Shakespeare’s homosexuality or bisexuality could be a clue as to why he gave women more credit than the rest of the world, specifically England. Whether it’s in his romantic comedies, such as The Taming of the Shrew and Much Ado About Nothing, or his plays that highlight strong father-daughter bonds, such as King Lear and The Tempest, Shakespeare has used his writing to reflect the gender inequalities in Shakespearean England.
II. Body Paragraph 1 Shakespearean background.
Relate background information w/ quotes to convey the idea of Shakespeare identifying and defending women.
III. Body Paragraph 2 King Lear.
a. Topic Sentence (State your Main Point): The characterization of both King Lear and his daughter Cordelia create a relationship of equal respect of one another, regardless of both the gender and patriarchal values that were upheld in London.
b. Commentary (to set up your Concrete Detail): At the beginning of the play, Lear treats love as a material object. He asks for his daughters love as if he deserved it solely because of his patriarchal status. Critics go so far as to define kinship in King Lear as
c. Concrete Detail (to defend your Topic Sentence): “in-formed by the ideology of property relations.”
d. Commentary (to analyze your previous Concrete Detail and introduce your next one): However, after all of the trials of the play, Lear returns to Earth and asks his daughter to
e. Concrete Detail (to further defend your Topic Sentence and Commentary): “forget and forgive” (4.7.85).
f. Commentary (to make sense of your entire paragraph and come back to your Main Point and Thesis): This apology is evidence of Lear identifying his daughter as his equal, if not his superior.
IV. Body Paragraph 3 Much Ado.
a. Topic Sentence (State your Main Point): In this comedy, Shakespeare uses witty banter to characterize both Beatrice and Benedick. This writing style exemplifies these characters as equals, thus allowing them to fall in love.
b. Commentary (to set up your Concrete Detail): Critics note that in Shakespearean romantic comedies, characters can always achieve ideal happiness.
c. Concrete Detail (to defend your Topic Sentence): “the reach of human happiness in this world of men and women is richer, deeper, more sustained, and more satisfying” in Much Ado About Nothing.
d. Commentary (to analyze your previous Concrete Detail and introduce your next one): This, I believe, is because Beatrice and Benedick see each other as equals. This concept of equality is especially prevalent in the moment when Benedick confesses
e. Concrete Detail (to further defend your Topic Sentence and Commentary): “By my troth, it is no addition to her wit—nor no great argument of her folly, for I will be horribly in love with her.” (2.3.207-208)
f. Commentary (to make sense of your entire paragraph and come back to your Main Point and Thesis): Benedick loves Beatrice because she is witty—he sees her as an equal. Equality is what makes love real, and critics have analyzed that true happiness is attained in these Shakespearean comedies in which strong male and female leads fall in actual love.
V. Body Paragraph 4 The Tempest.
a. Topic Sentence (State your Main Point): Though The Tempest has a much light tone than King Lear, the daughter-father bond is just as significant and the evidence of Shakespeare’s defensive of the female population is still visible.
b. Commentary (to set up your Concrete Detail): The idea that love is the bond that humanity must always seek is prominent in the Tempest, after all
c. Concrete Detail (to defend your Topic Sentence): “love in the comedies always turns out well”
d. Commentary (to analyze your previous Concrete Detail and introduce your next one): Miranda, daughter of the main character Prospero, marries Ferdinand, a man who respects her and loves her. Miranda breaks the conventions of a man proposing to a woman when she tells Ferdinand
e. Concrete Detail (to further defend your Topic Sentence and Commentary): “I am your wife, if you will marry me” (3.1.83)
f. Commentary (to make sense of your entire paragraph and come back to your Main Point and Thesis): This not only conveys the love she possesses, but it also breaks accepted societal beliefs in regards to what a man should do and what a woman should do. If Miranda can propose to Ferdinand, why can’t women always take charge? Well, women eventually realized that they can absolutely take charge if they have the courage to do so.
VI. Body Paragraph 5
a. Topic Sentence (State your Main Point): Similar to Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare creates two strong main characters who eventually fall in love in The Taming of the Shrew. Although Kate does succumb to Petruchio through rather unorthodox methods, Petruchio levels with Kate, presenting himself as her equal, and Kate keeps her strong, wise voice.
b. Commentary (to set up your Concrete Detail):
c. Concrete Detail (to defend your Topic Sentence): “comic endings […] are a fantasy of wish-fulfillment”
d. Commentary (to analyze your previous Concrete Detail and introduce your next one): In the end of this play, Katherine delivers a long monologue in which she is married to a man who views her as an equal, and her behavior now matches her wit. This is evident when she berates her peers for disobeying their husbands, for husbands are
e. Concrete Detail (to further defend your Topic Sentence and Commentary): “Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, Thy head, thy sovereign, one that cares for thee” (5.2.140-141)
f. Commentary (to make sense of your entire paragraph and come back to your Main Point and Thesis): Though it may seem that Katherine has transformed from independent to submissive, she is actually stronger than ever. Her wit now shines through her voice in a way that makes people listen, and she is in a marriage in which both parties are viewed as equals.
VII. Conclusion—you may briefly summarize for your reader, but be sure to extend your analysis and leave your reader with an intriguing concept that will leave him or her thinking about your topic.
Love and equality play a major role in various Shakespearean plays. It is evident from this paper that happiness is derived by true love, and true love is derived through gender equality.
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