American Literature

This assignment is based on the novel Hamlet: Second Norton Critical Edition by William Shakespeare and edited by Robert S. Miola. Pay close attention to when one scene starts and ends so that you know exactly where you are, and this will make the citing accurate. When it comes to citing… *** Your response must incorporate direct evidence from the text, formatted in MLA style. When citing from Hamlet, list ACT, SCENE, and LINE(s), separated by periods, enclosed in parentheses (page numbers not included), at close of quoted sentence. Example: In stating “Frailty, thy name is woman,” Hamlet emphasizes his anger and disgust with his mother over her hasty marriage to his father’s brother (I. 2.146).**** You must answer all eight questions I have listed below. You don’t have to go crazy answering them, but make sure you include quotes in each answer for each question to support your words. Answer the question well and fully developed, backed up with quotes. Most of the questions are focused on ACT 5 SCENES 1-2, but I also added pdf’s of ACTS 1, 2, 4 – to guide your comprehension of the story. Please answer all aspects of the eight questions, with quotes supported and cited from act 5. 1. Act IV, Scene 7: a. What specifically is Laertes so angry about? (more than one reason); b. Find specific lines in this scene that show Claudius’ manipulation of Laertes; c. What specific plots do Laertes and Claudius decide upon with regards to Hamlet? 2. Act V, Scene 1: a. What do we learn from the gravediggers about Ophelia’s death and burial? What does this reveal about class? b. What do you feel is the point of the gravedigger’s riddles and songs? Are they just comic relief or is there a deeper message? c. Consider Hamlet’s attitude towards the jester, Yorick? Why does he allude to Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar here? 3. Act, V, Scene 1: a. How does the violent argument between Hamlet and Laertes at Ophelia’s gravesite develop their characters and the plot? b. What prompts Laertes to jump into Ophelia’s grave?  c. In this scene, Hamlet talks of his great love for Ophelia. Is his reaction further proof of his love, or a reaction mainly to Laertes’ display of grief?  4. Act V, Scene 2: a. What developments in Hamlet’s character are presented through the story of what happened on the boat? b. How do you explain Hamlet’s lack of guilt when sending Rosencratz and Guildenstern to their deaths? Do you feel Hamlet was justified in forging the king’s orders and dooming R &G? c. Why does Hamlet accept this wager and agree to the fencing match? What does Hamlet mean by his dialogue beginning with “Not a whit. We defy augury…”  (lines 189-193). Do you think he feels confident about the duel? *make sure to read the annotations for help in analyzing lines 189-193. MORE ON BACK>> 5. Act V, Scene 2: a. Why do you feel Hamlet asks for forgiveness/then go on to defend his actions to Laertes as madness in lines 195-212 (beginning (“Give me your parson, sir…”)? How might this reveal a significant shift in his character? b. What does Laertes say is his motive in still resenting Hamlet? How does this contribute to the presentation of revenge in the play? (lines 213-219). c. Do you think Hamlet realizes that he might not come out of this fight alive?  6. a. Do you think Gertrude kills herself knowingly in drinking from the poisoned cup? When Gertrude drinks from the cup, Claudius asks her not to drink and she refuses. Why does she disobey Claudius? Why doesn’t  Claudius do more to stop Gertrude? c. Do you think Gertrude is aware of Claudius’ guilt in killing Old King Hamlet, her former husband?  7. a. Very briefly summarize what happens during the duel between Laertes and Hamlet, then closely analyze the final exchange of dialogue between Hamlet and Laertes. b. How do revenge and forgiveness play out here? (lines 288-305, beginning with “It is here, Hamlet…”).   8. a. Analyze the final exchange between Hamlet and Horatio (lines 306-332) and what is revealed about each character.  b. Describe and analyze the final exchange between Fortinbras, Horatio, and the Ambassador (lines 333-end of play). How has revenge been served and/or not served by the play’s conclusion?

Write a descriptive essay using descriptive and figurative language to describe your favorite season. Your essay will meet these goals: The paper is written in a consistent point of view – first-person, third-person limited, or third-person omniscient. The paper uses descriptive language to creatively help readers experience a specific season. You use at least three of the following senses in your writing: sight, sound, touch, smell, and/or taste. The paper uses unique and creative figurative language to draw connections between ideas/experiences and create larger meaning about the season. The paper uses active voice and avoids present-participle verbs (i.e., instead of the daffodils are lifting their heads, write, the daffodils lift their heads). The paper is organized in a way that makes sense and is easy to follow – chronological (like describing an experience as you take a walk from beginning to end); compare and contrast (like describing a season in the country vs. the city); cause and effect (like showing how a certain season promises specific activities or emotions); spatial (like describing an area from top to bottom, clockwise, or right to left). Your descriptive essay should be 1-2 pages long, typed in 12-point font, and double-spaced

Your thesis statement should answer the following question: What messages or ideas about individuals and their role in society do the texts convey and what specific means each text uses to convey those messages? the essay should have 5 paragraphs, please highlight the thesis statement and topic sentences. they are two poems : “My ex-husband” by Gabriel Spera: http://karaphillips-myex-husband.yolasite.com/ “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning: https://poets.org/poem/my-last-duchess

Historically, many disenfranchised groups have fought for the right to participate in the political process in the United States. However, voter turnout is down and surveys show that many are disillusioned with the current state of the political system in America. Use the information you learned in the Explore learning module this week about political parties, voting, and elections, as well as the articles and websites below to develop an essay answering the question – “Should voting be mandatory for every eligible adult? Why or why not?” Use additional online resources, as needed, to develop your argument. What if everyone had to vote? Here’s the case for mandatory voting in the U.S. The Pros and Cons of Requiring Citizens to Vote Should Voting Be Mandatory? Why Voting Should Be Mandatory in the United States Mandatory Voting Is a Terrible—And Insulting—Idea The Case Against Compulsory Voting Compulsory Voting is Unconstitutional The writing assignment should be a minimum of 500 words and include an introduction with an overview of your essay, ending with a thesis statement answering the question “Should voting be mandatory for every eligible adult? Why or why not?” in your own words.