Final Humanities Essay
Exciting and new, or even tedious and worn out, love in all its variations is presented in A Midsummer Night's Dream.But what is love? While love is a seemingly simple yet complex emotion, I will argue that Shakespeare defines the emotion in distinct ways expressed through the different characters and their significant others.
As Lysander tells Hermia, the course of true love never did run smooth. Often swift, short, and brief, love is besieged by class differences, by age differences, by war, by death, and by sickness. However the darling couples love is pressed not by plague, sickness or death, yet by the Egeus’ resentment towards Lysander. In the play, it is not clearly stated why Egeus despises Lysander but it’s implied that he did various tasks to fully woo Hermia, such as serenading her by moonlight, going on horse back rides, and even giving her locks of his hair. “This man hath bewitch'd the bosom of my child. Thou, thou, Lysander, with cunning hast thou filched my daughter’s heart, Turn'd her obedience, which is due to me, To stubborn harshness” (Egeus, page 1) This speech delivered by Egeus portrays his true discontent towards Lysander. Yet, young Lysander and Hermia don’t let this get in the ay of their love, they plan to run away from Athens and start a new. Obviously, these two young adults truly respect and love each other enough to abandon their lives to be together.
Although Hippolyta is marrying Theseus because he defeated her in combat, it doesn't make their love any less true. Shakespeare uses Theseus and Hippolyta, the ruler of Athens and his warrior bride, to represent order and stability of love, to contrast with the uncertainty, and instability exhibited in the Athenian youth’s. This is shown in the play when the duke and his warrior bride start the play. "I wooed thee with my sword, doing thy injuries yet I'll wed thee in another key " ( Theseus, page 1). I believe this statement could symbolize a lovers quarrel, ergo the battle. Yet, by them getting through their rough patch they will live happily ever after. This idea of not abandoning a relationship is foreign with in the athenian youths in the play, this is symbolized through the love potion. By Shakespeare addressing this concept of consistency, I believe that he is defining how younger couples can be blinded by outside forces.
The fairies’ magic, which brings about many of the most bizarre and hilarious situations in the play, is another element central to Shakespeare's definitions of love in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Shakespeare uses magic both to embody the almost supernatural power of love (symbolized by the love potion) and to create a surreal world in which the lovers relationships are threatened. The juice's fast-acting power seems to mimic what often happens in real life. As every hormone-driven teenager knows, love can be unpredictable and inexplicable. Falling in love often happens in an instant, without warning; falling out of love can happen just as fast. “My love for hermia seems as melted as the snow and the only pleasure of mine eye is helena.” (Demetrius, Act 2 scene 4)
In the story of Pyramus and Thisbe two teenagers whom live next door to each other are separated by a massive wall. Yet the neighbors found a miniscule hole in the wall where they talked for days upon days until they fell in love. This love story was chosen by Shakespeare to include in his play because of how they fell in love with each other's minds, contradicting the the believes of, "love at first sight". Yet I believe that shakespeare chose to include the tragic story of Pyramus and Thisbe to mock Lysander and Hermia. Pyramus and Thisbe, alike Lysander and Hermia, have a love that is not accepted by their parents or society at large. Both couples decide to run away to the forest to elope and marry in secret away from society, but of course, with Pyramus and Thisbe, this ends tragically, rather than the comic confusion with eventual happy ending that the main play presents us with.
Though most of the conflict in the play stems from the troubles of romance and authority, and though the play involves a number of romantic elements, it is not truly a love story; it distances the audience from the emotions of the characters in order to poke fun at the torments and afflictions that those in love suffer. The tone of the play is so lighthearted that the audience never doubts that things will end happily, and it is therefore free to enjoy the comedy without being caught up in the tension of an uncertain outcome. Ultimately, By Shakespeare defining love in many ways expressed through the lovers, he is reassuring how there is no true definition of love, that we must write our own love story to live happily ever after.
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Final Humanities Essay Rubric
Structure: (75 points)
The introduction and thesis summarizes your upcoming argument in a clear and
concise manner
(0, 10, 20, or 25 points): ____20___/25
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper): While love is a seemingly simple yet complex emotion, I will argue that Shakespeare defines the emotion in distinct ways expressed through the different characters and their significant others.
Each paragraph begin with clear topic sentences
(0, 10, 20, or 25 points): ____20____/25
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper):Although Hippolyta is marrying Theseus because he defeated her in combat, it doesn't make their love any less true.,As Lysander tells Hermia, the course of true love never did run smooth. Often swift, short, and brief, love is besieged by class differences, by age differences, by war, by death, and by sickness.
Each paragraph's evidence is relevant and clear. The analysis following the evidence explains how the evidence proves the topic sentence.
(0, 10, 20, or 25 points): _____20____/25
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper):Although Hippolyta is marrying Theseus because he defeated her in combat, it doesn't make their love any less true. Shakespeare uses Theseus and Hippolyta, the ruler of Athens and his warrior bride, to represent order and stability of love, to contrast with the uncertainty, and instability exhibited in the Athenian youth’s.
Craftsmanship: (75 points)
There are no spelling errors or punctuation errors (esp. comma splices, incomplete
sentences, incorrect semicolons)
(0, 10, 20, or 25 points): _____25____/25
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper): Check anywhere
Evidence is cited correctly
(0, 10, 20, or 25 points): _____25____/25
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper): “My love for hermia seems as melted as the snow and the only pleasure of mine eye is helena.” (Demetrius, Act 2 scene 4)
Sentences are dynamic; they vary in length and use multiple structures (especially
concessive sentences or NPA's)
(0, 10, 20, or 25 points): _____20____/25
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper):As Lysander tells Hermia, the course of true love never did run smooth. Often swift, short, and brief, love is besieged by class differences, by age differences, by war, by death, and by sickness. However the darling couples love is pressed not by plague, sickness or death, yet by the Egeus’ resentment towards Lysander.
Creativity: (50 points)
The thesis infers a hidden meaning beneath the obvious facts of the subject
(0, 10, 15 or 20 points): _____15____/20
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper):While love is a seemingly simple yet complex emotion, I will argue that Shakespeare defines the emotion in distinct ways expressed through the different characters and their significant others.
Each paragraph creatively interprets the meaning of the evidence to further prove the thesis
(0, 5, 10, or 15 points): _____10____/15
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper):Although Hippolyta is marrying Theseus because he defeated her in combat, it doesn't make their love any less true. Shakespeare uses Theseus and Hippolyta, the ruler of Athens and his warrior bride, to represent order and stability of love, to contrast with the uncertainty, and instability exhibited in the Athenian youth’s. This is shown in the play when the duke and his warrior bride start the play. "I wooed thee with my sword, doing thy injuries yet I'll wed thee in another key " ( Theseus, page 1). I believe this statement could symbolize a lovers quarrel, ergo the battle.
The conclusion wraps the different layers of meaning into an easily summarized (yet still complex) series of thoughts
(0, 5, 10, or 15 points): _____15____/15
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper):Though most of the conflict in the play stems from the troubles of romance and authority, and though the play involves a number of romantic elements, it is not truly a love story; it distances the audience from the emotions of the characters in order to poke fun at the torments and afflictions that those in love suffer. The tone of the play is so lighthearted that the audience never doubts that things will end happily, and it is therefore free to enjoy the comedy without being caught up in the tension of an uncertain outcome. Ultimately, By Shakespeare defining love in many ways expressed through the lovers, he is reassuring how there is no true definition of love, that we must write our own love story to live happily ever after.
Final grade: ________170__________/200
Or a solid B (85)
Matt’s grade: 170/200
I agree with your self-assessment, it is honest and authentic. This paper uses evidence frequently and makes a strong case for understanding different ways of seeing how love is represented in Shakespeare’s work. The language is lively and dynamic and spurs the reader on to understand more deeply the intentions of Shakespeare.
As Lysander tells Hermia, the course of true love never did run smooth. Often swift, short, and brief, love is besieged by class differences, by age differences, by war, by death, and by sickness. However the darling couples love is pressed not by plague, sickness or death, yet by the Egeus’ resentment towards Lysander. In the play, it is not clearly stated why Egeus despises Lysander but it’s implied that he did various tasks to fully woo Hermia, such as serenading her by moonlight, going on horse back rides, and even giving her locks of his hair. “This man hath bewitch'd the bosom of my child. Thou, thou, Lysander, with cunning hast thou filched my daughter’s heart, Turn'd her obedience, which is due to me, To stubborn harshness” (Egeus, page 1) This speech delivered by Egeus portrays his true discontent towards Lysander. Yet, young Lysander and Hermia don’t let this get in the ay of their love, they plan to run away from Athens and start a new. Obviously, these two young adults truly respect and love each other enough to abandon their lives to be together.
Although Hippolyta is marrying Theseus because he defeated her in combat, it doesn't make their love any less true. Shakespeare uses Theseus and Hippolyta, the ruler of Athens and his warrior bride, to represent order and stability of love, to contrast with the uncertainty, and instability exhibited in the Athenian youth’s. This is shown in the play when the duke and his warrior bride start the play. "I wooed thee with my sword, doing thy injuries yet I'll wed thee in another key " ( Theseus, page 1). I believe this statement could symbolize a lovers quarrel, ergo the battle. Yet, by them getting through their rough patch they will live happily ever after. This idea of not abandoning a relationship is foreign with in the athenian youths in the play, this is symbolized through the love potion. By Shakespeare addressing this concept of consistency, I believe that he is defining how younger couples can be blinded by outside forces.
The fairies’ magic, which brings about many of the most bizarre and hilarious situations in the play, is another element central to Shakespeare's definitions of love in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Shakespeare uses magic both to embody the almost supernatural power of love (symbolized by the love potion) and to create a surreal world in which the lovers relationships are threatened. The juice's fast-acting power seems to mimic what often happens in real life. As every hormone-driven teenager knows, love can be unpredictable and inexplicable. Falling in love often happens in an instant, without warning; falling out of love can happen just as fast. “My love for hermia seems as melted as the snow and the only pleasure of mine eye is helena.” (Demetrius, Act 2 scene 4)
In the story of Pyramus and Thisbe two teenagers whom live next door to each other are separated by a massive wall. Yet the neighbors found a miniscule hole in the wall where they talked for days upon days until they fell in love. This love story was chosen by Shakespeare to include in his play because of how they fell in love with each other's minds, contradicting the the believes of, "love at first sight". Yet I believe that shakespeare chose to include the tragic story of Pyramus and Thisbe to mock Lysander and Hermia. Pyramus and Thisbe, alike Lysander and Hermia, have a love that is not accepted by their parents or society at large. Both couples decide to run away to the forest to elope and marry in secret away from society, but of course, with Pyramus and Thisbe, this ends tragically, rather than the comic confusion with eventual happy ending that the main play presents us with.
Though most of the conflict in the play stems from the troubles of romance and authority, and though the play involves a number of romantic elements, it is not truly a love story; it distances the audience from the emotions of the characters in order to poke fun at the torments and afflictions that those in love suffer. The tone of the play is so lighthearted that the audience never doubts that things will end happily, and it is therefore free to enjoy the comedy without being caught up in the tension of an uncertain outcome. Ultimately, By Shakespeare defining love in many ways expressed through the lovers, he is reassuring how there is no true definition of love, that we must write our own love story to live happily ever after.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Humanities Essay Rubric
Structure: (75 points)
The introduction and thesis summarizes your upcoming argument in a clear and
concise manner
(0, 10, 20, or 25 points): ____20___/25
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper): While love is a seemingly simple yet complex emotion, I will argue that Shakespeare defines the emotion in distinct ways expressed through the different characters and their significant others.
Each paragraph begin with clear topic sentences
(0, 10, 20, or 25 points): ____20____/25
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper):Although Hippolyta is marrying Theseus because he defeated her in combat, it doesn't make their love any less true.,As Lysander tells Hermia, the course of true love never did run smooth. Often swift, short, and brief, love is besieged by class differences, by age differences, by war, by death, and by sickness.
Each paragraph's evidence is relevant and clear. The analysis following the evidence explains how the evidence proves the topic sentence.
(0, 10, 20, or 25 points): _____20____/25
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper):Although Hippolyta is marrying Theseus because he defeated her in combat, it doesn't make their love any less true. Shakespeare uses Theseus and Hippolyta, the ruler of Athens and his warrior bride, to represent order and stability of love, to contrast with the uncertainty, and instability exhibited in the Athenian youth’s.
Craftsmanship: (75 points)
There are no spelling errors or punctuation errors (esp. comma splices, incomplete
sentences, incorrect semicolons)
(0, 10, 20, or 25 points): _____25____/25
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper): Check anywhere
Evidence is cited correctly
(0, 10, 20, or 25 points): _____25____/25
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper): “My love for hermia seems as melted as the snow and the only pleasure of mine eye is helena.” (Demetrius, Act 2 scene 4)
Sentences are dynamic; they vary in length and use multiple structures (especially
concessive sentences or NPA's)
(0, 10, 20, or 25 points): _____20____/25
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper):As Lysander tells Hermia, the course of true love never did run smooth. Often swift, short, and brief, love is besieged by class differences, by age differences, by war, by death, and by sickness. However the darling couples love is pressed not by plague, sickness or death, yet by the Egeus’ resentment towards Lysander.
Creativity: (50 points)
The thesis infers a hidden meaning beneath the obvious facts of the subject
(0, 10, 15 or 20 points): _____15____/20
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper):While love is a seemingly simple yet complex emotion, I will argue that Shakespeare defines the emotion in distinct ways expressed through the different characters and their significant others.
Each paragraph creatively interprets the meaning of the evidence to further prove the thesis
(0, 5, 10, or 15 points): _____10____/15
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper):Although Hippolyta is marrying Theseus because he defeated her in combat, it doesn't make their love any less true. Shakespeare uses Theseus and Hippolyta, the ruler of Athens and his warrior bride, to represent order and stability of love, to contrast with the uncertainty, and instability exhibited in the Athenian youth’s. This is shown in the play when the duke and his warrior bride start the play. "I wooed thee with my sword, doing thy injuries yet I'll wed thee in another key " ( Theseus, page 1). I believe this statement could symbolize a lovers quarrel, ergo the battle.
The conclusion wraps the different layers of meaning into an easily summarized (yet still complex) series of thoughts
(0, 5, 10, or 15 points): _____15____/15
Evidence for your score (use a quote from your paper):Though most of the conflict in the play stems from the troubles of romance and authority, and though the play involves a number of romantic elements, it is not truly a love story; it distances the audience from the emotions of the characters in order to poke fun at the torments and afflictions that those in love suffer. The tone of the play is so lighthearted that the audience never doubts that things will end happily, and it is therefore free to enjoy the comedy without being caught up in the tension of an uncertain outcome. Ultimately, By Shakespeare defining love in many ways expressed through the lovers, he is reassuring how there is no true definition of love, that we must write our own love story to live happily ever after.
Final grade: ________170__________/200
Or a solid B (85)
Matt’s grade: 170/200
I agree with your self-assessment, it is honest and authentic. This paper uses evidence frequently and makes a strong case for understanding different ways of seeing how love is represented in Shakespeare’s work. The language is lively and dynamic and spurs the reader on to understand more deeply the intentions of Shakespeare.
1. Write an introductory paragraph that includes a brief description of the project and your role in it. For the Midsummer Night’s Dream project our objective was to be able to interpret Shakespeare’s plays, reenact them, and be able to apply the themes to past projects shown in an essay. My role in the play, Lysander, is a young nobleman who desired to marry a woman yet her father got in the way of their love.
2. How did you connect to this project? What did you like the most? The project's academic components included Romeo and Juliet compare/contrast, Dana Gioia poem and close reading of Theseus, Iambic pentameter, the Pyramus and Thisbe seminar, and the Greenwood Reading. The part of this project that I was able to connect to the most was when we did the close reading. I really got into the close reading because of the whole idea of analyzing something extremely deep. I did my close reading of Romeo and Juliet's sonnet, a truly beautiful piece of literature.
3. How was this project difficult? What was most challenging? Describe a moment when you had to persevere through something difficult.
This project was difficult in the sense that this project wasn't as academic as other projects I have done in the past. The most challenging part of this project would be collaborating with others. One time that I had to persevere through something difficult would be when Matt workshopped my speech in the beginning of the play. This was really difficult for me because I had to recite 12 lines 4 times.
4. What did you learn about yourself during this project? (as a learner, collaborator, leader, actor, etc.) Be specific.
Throughout this project I learned a lot about myself, yet one of the most important things that I learned would be my ability to memorize lines with ease. Before this project the only play experience that I experienced was brodway, I had no concept of being in a play.Yet,. through the whole of this project I realized I have a natural talent for memorizing lines.
2. How did you connect to this project? What did you like the most? The project's academic components included Romeo and Juliet compare/contrast, Dana Gioia poem and close reading of Theseus, Iambic pentameter, the Pyramus and Thisbe seminar, and the Greenwood Reading. The part of this project that I was able to connect to the most was when we did the close reading. I really got into the close reading because of the whole idea of analyzing something extremely deep. I did my close reading of Romeo and Juliet's sonnet, a truly beautiful piece of literature.
3. How was this project difficult? What was most challenging? Describe a moment when you had to persevere through something difficult.
This project was difficult in the sense that this project wasn't as academic as other projects I have done in the past. The most challenging part of this project would be collaborating with others. One time that I had to persevere through something difficult would be when Matt workshopped my speech in the beginning of the play. This was really difficult for me because I had to recite 12 lines 4 times.
4. What did you learn about yourself during this project? (as a learner, collaborator, leader, actor, etc.) Be specific.
Throughout this project I learned a lot about myself, yet one of the most important things that I learned would be my ability to memorize lines with ease. Before this project the only play experience that I experienced was brodway, I had no concept of being in a play.Yet,. through the whole of this project I realized I have a natural talent for memorizing lines.