Short Paper #1 assignment

Short Paper #1: All the Men and Women Players

For your first paper, I want you to examine ONE of Shakespeare’s characters (from the two comedies) from a ‘global’ perspective.  That is, what makes this character universal in some sense, able to translate from late 16^th/early 17^th century England into playhouses from England to America and beyond?  Where do we see this character in a ‘modern’ light, or in a way that translates easily to a modern context?  In the same sense, how might this character lend themselves to modern ideas—feminism, existentialism, modernism, etc.—even if this wasn’t exactly what Shakespeare intended?  If we were adapting this play into a modern production, which character gives us the best “in” to our 21^st century sensibilities? 

You can choose ANY character from the first two plays to examine; obvious examples might be Rosalind, Jacques, Portia, Bassanio, and Shylock.  However, don’t forget seemingly minor characters that have major roles in their plays such as Orlando, Touchstone, Jessica, Lancelot, and Antonio.  Imagine that you are helping an actor prepare for his/her role in seeing the ‘global’ perspective of this character—rather than a staid, Elizabethan museum piece.  Use a close reading of short, specific passages to help us ‘see’ the character: where do we see him/her speaking, acting, becoming, or hinting at global ideas?  Be sure to focus on the character’s LANGUAGE since this is how Shakespeare clothes his characters.  Don’t summarize what they say and do—show us. 

ALSO: To help you discuss the global aspect/issues of this character, use at least 2 secondary sources, which includes essays in the Norton edition of both plays and/or Branagh and Radford’s films of each play.  How do the films capture these modern aspects of the character?  Or, how do the essays highlight critical historical/theoretical ideas that can be embodied/illustrated in this character?  You must quote from the articles and reference specific moments in the films for this to count—don’t just write, “Portia acts with great confidence in Radford’s film.”  Show us where—and how. 

REQUIREMENTS:

• 4-5 pages double spaced
• Quotation: you must quote from the play in the form of close reading to establish the character’s global characteristics
• At least 2 secondary sources: from the articles and the films (you can use
• Cite all primary and secondary sources according to MLA format; you can find the citation information for both films online
• DUE Friday, February 21^st by 5pm (hard copy, not e-mail)