Download Macbeth/1984 comparative essay

ENG 4U - Comparative Essay:
Nineteen Eighty-Four and Macbeth
Instructions:
This is a process assignment that involves the following stages:
a) A brainstorming sheet of your ideas for the thesis you have selected and
information from the novels that applies to the thesis. This would also
include comparison notes.
b) An outline done in point form (excluding thesis, arguments and closing
sentences which must be written in complete sentences) determining your
three arguments and evidence, as well as quotes you plan to include
c) A typed draft which must be ready for in-class peer editing on Mon., Apr.
28th .
d) A second typed draft must be ready for in-class peer editing on Tues., Apr.
29th
e) All process work will be submitted with a final good copy on Thurs., May
1st.
This essay may be written in pairs, but you are not obligated to work with a
partner. You must be advised, however, that your evaluation will not be
separate from your partner`s if you choose to work collaboratively. You are
required to use the MLA format for your essay, including a Works Cited
page. Any essay submitted without a Work Cited page will be given an
automatic zero. Be sure to follow the guidelines for inserting both long and
short quotations. Include a minimum of six quotations from your primary
source. Do not consult other secondary sources for this essay. I am
interested in your ideas from the reading of the text using the primary
sources only.
TASK:
Using George Orwell’s novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four and William
Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth, write a comparative essay on one of the
following questions listed on the back. Note, even though you have been
given a solid foundation that highlights a major theme or motif in the two
literary works, you must still develop the topic(s) (from the essential
question) into a solid thesis statement, and then build your three
arguments from there. Use the comparative essay organizational pattern
reviewed in class for this assignment.
Essay Questions/Topics:
1. George Orwell’s novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four, and William Shakespeare’s
play, Macbeth, introduce the reader to various characters that use deception
in their respective societies in order to hide their inner desires and thoughts;
although, the reader / audience is aware of the truth. Expand on Orwell’s
and Shakespeare’s purpose for using these aforementioned motifs.
2. George Orwell’s novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four, and William Shakespeare’s
play, Macbeth, offer a vivid picture of how power can gradually and
thoroughly destroy a society. Although set in different contexts, the Inner
Party and Macbeth both demonstrate propagating corruption utilized to
maintain control. Explain.
3. George Orwell once said that, “Happiness can only exist in acceptance.”
Defend or refute the idea as it applies to Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four and
Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
4. Consider the ubiquitous motifs in George Orwell`s Nineteen Eighty-Four
and William Shakespeare’s Macbeth: dreams, hopes, plans. Based on the
incidents of plot in the aforementioned literary texts, is it fair to say that
ambition (of all nature) is essential for the survival of humankind, or should
ambition be looked at with some skepticism? Explain.
5. There is a common saying: “Behind every great man, there stands a great
woman.” Although it may be argued that neither Winston nor Macbeth is a
“great man”, both Julia and Lady Macbeth are very influential in the
thoughts, decisions, and actions made by the protagonist. Explain.
*See attached rubric for specific mark breakdown
K/U x 5; T/I x 20; C x 20; A x 15