Posted: February 12th, 2015

Twelfth Night by Shakespear

Paper, Order, or Assignment Requirements

Introduction:
Shakespeare writes plays in three different genres: comedies, histories, and tragedies. With Toby Belch’s drunkenness, the Fool’s wordplay, Malvolio’s silly smiling, there is no doubt Shakespeare was doing his best to make the audience laugh in his boisterous comedy Twelfth Night.  In addition to the witty dialogue and confusion, there are other elements that are common to comedies: mistaken identities, rule-breaking, lighting-speed love affairs, and the upheaval of social barriers.

YOUR MISSION:
In a 3 page paper, analyze the comedic elements in Twelfth Night, using the following format.

Introduction
• In 2-3 sentences, explain how Twelfth Night fits the category of comedy.  Your final sentence in the introduction should be an assertive thesis statement that ‘sets the agenda’ for the paper as a whole.

Paragraph 1: Love’s Absurdity
• Using at least two examples, analyze the theme of ‘the foolishness of love’ in Twelfth Night.
• You may look at (but are not limited to) Orsino 1.1, Viola 2.2, Olivia 3.1, Malvolio 2.5 and 3.4

Paragraph 2:  Role Reversal
• Using at least two examples, explain how the play uses “role reversals” to make commentary about gender and/or class.
• You may look at (but are not limited to) The Fool 3.1, Malvolio 2.5, Viola 2.4

Paragraph 3:  Rule Breaking
• Using at least two examples, explain how characters break social norms (“proper behavior”)
• You may look at (but are not limited) to Sir Toby 1.5, Andrew 1.3, Malvolio 2.5 and 3.4

Conclusion
• In 2-3 sentences, reinforce how Twelfth Night is a comedy – and tie the play in to modern pop culture – by explaining the similarity between Twelfth Night and a favorite comedic movie or television show.  (Be specific!)

A note on Quote Integration:
You must integrate at least two quotes into each body paragraph.
• Quote citations should follow this format:  (3.1.139) or (2.4.136-139), for example.

RUBRIC
Twelfth Night: Elements of Comedy
Short Essay

60 points possible

Introduction:
Introduction contains an analytical, focused thesis that​​1​2​3​4​5
‘sets the agenda’ for the essay & clearly identifies
comedic elements in Twelfth Night.​

Evidence and Analysis:
Topic sentences connect clearly to argument claims in ​​2​4​6​8​10
thesis statement and introduce relevant supporting evidence.

Each body paragraph contains at least two relevant and ​2​4​6​8​10
effectively integrated quotations. (Quotes cited properly.)

​
​                                ​
Each paragraph contains specific, convincing examples   ​3​6​9​12​15
that links clearly to topic sentence and argument.

Organization:
Overall organization and argumentation is logical and effective.   2​4​6​8​10   ​
​        ​

Attention to Detail:
Writer uses specific and powerful word choice​​​  2        ​   4        ​6           ​8          10