In these short essay questions, develop a thoughtful, analytical, 1-2 paragraph response.

Given plays for following questions:
1. Second Sheperd’s Play by the Wakefield Master
2. Everyman by Anonymous

(1) Discuss the function of the “characters” in Everyman as a morality play. How does this function differ from other “character-driven” plays we have read?
(2) Select one passage from either of these two plays, and do a “close reading” (interpretation-analysis) of it. In other words, first discuss what it means, and then discuss how it is represents the play’s overarching theme(s).

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Given plays for following questions:
1. The Spanish Tragedy by Thomas Kyd
2. The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
3. Hamlet by William Shakespeare

(1) Select two of these three plays and compare or contrast them either stylistically (i.e., how they use scenic, sound, costume and/or language elements), OR thematically (i.e., their overarching message re: revenge, conquest, eternal life/omniscience, etc.) and discuss how do these styles or themes (whichever you select) resonate today?

(2) Select one short exchange or one short passage of text from one of these plays and do a close reading (interpretation-analysis) of either its: (sub-) plot, theme, conflict or ideas. Why is this selection particularly exemplary of the play’s overarching message?

In these short essay questions, develop a thoughtful, analytical, 1-2 paragraph response.

Given plays for following questions:
1. Second Sheperd’s Play by the Wakefield Master
2. Everyman by Anonymous

(1) Discuss the function of the “characters” in Everyman as a morality play. How does this function differ from other “character-driven” plays we have read?
(2) Select one passage from either of these two plays, and do a “close reading” (interpretation-analysis) of it. In other words, first discuss what it means, and then discuss how it is represents the play’s overarching theme(s).

————————————————————

Given plays for following questions:
1. The Spanish Tragedy by Thomas Kyd
2. The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
3. Hamlet by William Shakespeare

(1) Select two of these three plays and compare or contrast them either stylistically (i.e., how they use scenic, sound, costume and/or language elements), OR thematically (i.e., their overarching message re: revenge, conquest, eternal life/omniscience, etc.) and discuss how do these styles or themes (whichever you select) resonate today?

(2) Select one short exchange or one short passage of text from one of these plays and do a close reading (interpretation-analysis) of either its: (sub-) plot, theme, conflict or ideas. Why is this selection particularly exemplary of the play’s overarching message?