Writing a Thesis Statement
What is a Thesis Statement?
A thesis statement usually consists of one or two sentences, and normally comes at the very end of the introduction to a paper or essay. Its purpose is to explain in a few words the topic area of your paper, but more than this, it clarifies the stand you are going to take on a particular subject. In other words, it gives your interpretation of the topic. Your thesis statement can thus be viewed as a map (and a promise) for your reader of how the essay will develop. The rest of the essay (main body) will be devoted to arguing for, supporting and proving the claim made in the thesis statement.
What is a thesis statement?
* Usually a single sentence somewhere in your introduction (often at the end.)
*Gives, briefly, the subject to be discussed, and also your interpretation of that subject.
* Makes clear at the start the argument, idea or analysis that you are going to take up: in fact, it is your answer to the question taken up by your paper.
* Is not a simple obvious statement everyone can agree on without discussion.
* Can be viewed as a map (and a promise) for your reader of how the essay will develop.
Good Thesis Statements:
• Make a knowledge claim that purports to offer a new approach or idea in a particular field, and to explain why it is new. The purpose of any academic thesis is to add to the existing pool of knowledge in a particular area, or to “fill in the gaps of knowledge.” As such, your knowledge claim should clearly state why the information/knowledge that you have to offer is new within your field, and should also convince the reader that your claim is likely to be true based on the evidence provided
• Make an argumentative assertion that summarizes the conclusions you have reached about your topic after reviewing the literature. This assertion should be focused and specific enough to be “proven” within the boundaries of your paper. It should also identify the relationships between the pieces of evidence that you are providing.
• Outline the scope, purpose and direction of your paper. After finishing your thesis statement, the reader should clearly know the essence of your intended project, and also the boundaries you intend to place on it. Your thesis statement should not make the reader expect more than you are prepared to present in your final document.
20 August, 2010
Blank Verse In Shakespeare
Almost all of Macbeth is written in blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter).
Iambic Pentmeter—1) has 10 syllables per line, and 2) has 5 pairs of alternating unstressed and stressed syllables.
Ex. Is this / a dag / ger I / see be/ fore me?
Ex. If mu / sic be /the food / of love, / play on
Ex. Good sir, / why do / you start / and seem / to fear …
· Sometimes, Shakespeare added an extra unstressed beat/syllable at the end of a line to emphasize a character’s sense of contemplation. This unstressed syllable is called a FEMININE ENDING. (It’s just a variation of iambic pentameter.)
Ex. To be, / or not / to be: / that is / the ques/ tion.
Iambic Pentmeter—1) has 10 syllables per line, and 2) has 5 pairs of alternating unstressed and stressed syllables.
Ex. Is this / a dag / ger I / see be/ fore me?
Ex. If mu / sic be /the food / of love, / play on
Ex. Good sir, / why do / you start / and seem / to fear …
· Sometimes, Shakespeare added an extra unstressed beat/syllable at the end of a line to emphasize a character’s sense of contemplation. This unstressed syllable is called a FEMININE ENDING. (It’s just a variation of iambic pentameter.)
Ex. To be, / or not / to be: / that is / the ques/ tion.
Structure in Shakespeare...notes
STRUCTURE IN SHAKESPEARE
1. Use of inversion—a) shift from average word arrangement to the strikingly unusual so the line will conform to the desired poetic rhythm; b) uses unusual word order to afford a character his/her own specific style of speaking.
2. Shakespeare purposefully keeps words apart that we keep together to achieve poetic rhythm.
3. Separates words by long, interruptive statements: a) subjects separated from verbs; b) verbs separated from objects. These interruptions: a) give characters dimension, or b) add an element of suspense, or c) provide information to the plot.
4. Use of elliptical sentences where words are omitted but understood.
5. Use of intentionally vague language (doubletalk). Characters sometimes suggest things they would want to say, do , or have done. Sometimes they do this to avoid answering a question. It’s a kind of doubletalk.
6. Use of uncommon words—words we still use today, but now they have a different meaning.
7. Wordplay through use of figurative language. Use of: a) metonymy—a figure of speech using the name of one thing for that of another with which it is associated. Ex. The “crown”—the king; b) synecdoche—a figure of speech using a part for the whole. Ex. “boards”—implies a stage; c) personification; d) allusion—often alludes to heroes and heroines of Ovid’s Metamorphoses; e) puns—puns work through the ambiguity that results when multiple senses of a word are evoked; homophones often cause this kind of ambiguity. Ex. “mettle”/ “metal;” f) simile; g) metaphor.
8. Use of different kinds of language. Use of prose vs rhymed verse vs blank verse. a) Shakespeare usually has lovers speak in language of love poetry using rhymed couplets; b) when characters joke or are engaged in bawdy conversation, lines are given in prose—it’s a way of letting the reader know if the character is jesting or serious; c) the majority of lines are in blank verse—does not use rhyme but uses iambic pentameter ( every second syllable in a line of ten syllables receives stress).
9. Shakespeare uses prose for the common people and blank verse for characters of noble birth.
10. Some action is presented through stage directions; other action is presented through the dialogue itself.
1. Use of inversion—a) shift from average word arrangement to the strikingly unusual so the line will conform to the desired poetic rhythm; b) uses unusual word order to afford a character his/her own specific style of speaking.
2. Shakespeare purposefully keeps words apart that we keep together to achieve poetic rhythm.
3. Separates words by long, interruptive statements: a) subjects separated from verbs; b) verbs separated from objects. These interruptions: a) give characters dimension, or b) add an element of suspense, or c) provide information to the plot.
4. Use of elliptical sentences where words are omitted but understood.
5. Use of intentionally vague language (doubletalk). Characters sometimes suggest things they would want to say, do , or have done. Sometimes they do this to avoid answering a question. It’s a kind of doubletalk.
6. Use of uncommon words—words we still use today, but now they have a different meaning.
7. Wordplay through use of figurative language. Use of: a) metonymy—a figure of speech using the name of one thing for that of another with which it is associated. Ex. The “crown”—the king; b) synecdoche—a figure of speech using a part for the whole. Ex. “boards”—implies a stage; c) personification; d) allusion—often alludes to heroes and heroines of Ovid’s Metamorphoses; e) puns—puns work through the ambiguity that results when multiple senses of a word are evoked; homophones often cause this kind of ambiguity. Ex. “mettle”/ “metal;” f) simile; g) metaphor.
8. Use of different kinds of language. Use of prose vs rhymed verse vs blank verse. a) Shakespeare usually has lovers speak in language of love poetry using rhymed couplets; b) when characters joke or are engaged in bawdy conversation, lines are given in prose—it’s a way of letting the reader know if the character is jesting or serious; c) the majority of lines are in blank verse—does not use rhyme but uses iambic pentameter ( every second syllable in a line of ten syllables receives stress).
9. Shakespeare uses prose for the common people and blank verse for characters of noble birth.
10. Some action is presented through stage directions; other action is presented through the dialogue itself.
Act 5, Macbeth, Questions
Macbeth
Act 5
1. What is the point of showing Lady Macbeth's insanity--her repetitive handwashing and other symptoms of distraction--in a play with supernatural events and "causes" that are so obviously meant to be taken seriously? Why is it Lady Macbeth who suffers this fate while Macbeth does not? And how does Macbeth take the death of his beloved wife?
2. As it happens, Malcolm brings "Great Birnam Wood to High Dunsinane Hill" and Macduff reveals that he was "not of woman born" but was instead "from ...[his] mother's womb untimely ripped. But how is the manner of these fulfilments ironic, considering the significance Macbeth attached to them when he heard them during his second meeting with the Weird Sisters?
3. Macbeth waxes rather philosophical when it comes time to face death. Do we have here a traditional "recognition" scene where the protagonist learns the nature of his mistake and is able to accept the consequences? Does Macbeth's understanding rise to that quality? Explain.
Act 5
1. What is the point of showing Lady Macbeth's insanity--her repetitive handwashing and other symptoms of distraction--in a play with supernatural events and "causes" that are so obviously meant to be taken seriously? Why is it Lady Macbeth who suffers this fate while Macbeth does not? And how does Macbeth take the death of his beloved wife?
2. As it happens, Malcolm brings "Great Birnam Wood to High Dunsinane Hill" and Macduff reveals that he was "not of woman born" but was instead "from ...[his] mother's womb untimely ripped. But how is the manner of these fulfilments ironic, considering the significance Macbeth attached to them when he heard them during his second meeting with the Weird Sisters?
3. Macbeth waxes rather philosophical when it comes time to face death. Do we have here a traditional "recognition" scene where the protagonist learns the nature of his mistake and is able to accept the consequences? Does Macbeth's understanding rise to that quality? Explain.
Act 4, Macbeth, Questions
Hots Questions on Act IV of Macbeth
1. The number three keeps cropping up in this play. Elaborate on this phenomenon.
2. The third witch’s attendant, Harpier, cries out that « ‘tis time. » What is it time for ?
3. Whatis the second apparition’s warning, and how does Macbeth misconstrue it ?
4. What is the third prophecy ?
5. Why won’t the spirits reveal Banquo’s destiny ?
6. How do the apparitions that Macbeth sees in Scene 1 connect with the patterns of impagery of the play ?
7. What does Macbeth learn from the appearance of the kings and Banquo ? What should he learn about the prophecies but does not ?
8. Compare Macbeth’s attitude toward murdering Macduff and his family with his attitude about murdering King Duncan.
9. How are the murders he is planning worse than the others ?
10.What kind of imagery do we see Lady Maduff use in Scene 1, and how does this imagery function ?
11.Unlikely characters are often clever and wise in Shakespeare’s plays. Why is it significant that Macduff’s son makes an observation about liars and swearers, when just eight lines earlier he had to ask what a traitor was ?
12.Who sent the messenger who tried to warn Lady Macduff ? Why did Shakespeare include this brief warning in the form of a messenger ?
13.In her speech which begins, « Whither should I fly ? I have done no harm…, » how do Lady Macduff’s ideas about herself compare with Lady Macbeth’s ?
14.How do Malcolm’s and Macduff’s attitudes differ ?
15.In what ways is Malcolm’s comment in line 16 ironic ?
16.What evidence in this passage displays Malcolm’s wisdom ?
17.Explain the imagery in Malcolm’s speech which begins, « Be not offended… »
18.What is Malcolm’s purpose in describing his own vices ?
19.Do Malcolm’s claims about himself seem believable ?
20.How does Macduff compare this failing with Malcolm’s first when he says, « This avarice/Sticks deeper, grows… » ?
21.How does the image in Act IV, Scene 3, line 110, echo those in Act 1, Scene 5, lines 48 and 49 ?
22.In Macduff’s speech which begins, « Fit to govern ! No, not to live…, » was this the reaction Malcolm was hoping for ? Explain.
23.What is happening in this passage, and what good news does Malcolm give Macduff ?
24.To which senses does Ross’s description of Scotland in lines 184-196 appeal ? How does the description help you envision the state of Scotland ?
25.What opinion of Malcolm does Ross have ? Explain.
26.Whom is Malcolm addressing when he begins, « Merciful heaven ! » ? What is his advice ?
27.What does Macduff mean by, « He has no children » ? What kind of imagery do we see in Macduff’s speech ?
28.Whom does Macduff blame for the deaths of his family members ? Why ?
29. What does the murder of Macduff’s family suggest about Macbeth’s state of mind ?
30.How would characterize Macduff based on his reaction to the murder of his wife and son ?
31.Find two passages in Act IV with images of sickness. How do these images relate to the conflict between Macbeth and Malcolm ?
1. The number three keeps cropping up in this play. Elaborate on this phenomenon.
2. The third witch’s attendant, Harpier, cries out that « ‘tis time. » What is it time for ?
3. Whatis the second apparition’s warning, and how does Macbeth misconstrue it ?
4. What is the third prophecy ?
5. Why won’t the spirits reveal Banquo’s destiny ?
6. How do the apparitions that Macbeth sees in Scene 1 connect with the patterns of impagery of the play ?
7. What does Macbeth learn from the appearance of the kings and Banquo ? What should he learn about the prophecies but does not ?
8. Compare Macbeth’s attitude toward murdering Macduff and his family with his attitude about murdering King Duncan.
9. How are the murders he is planning worse than the others ?
10.What kind of imagery do we see Lady Maduff use in Scene 1, and how does this imagery function ?
11.Unlikely characters are often clever and wise in Shakespeare’s plays. Why is it significant that Macduff’s son makes an observation about liars and swearers, when just eight lines earlier he had to ask what a traitor was ?
12.Who sent the messenger who tried to warn Lady Macduff ? Why did Shakespeare include this brief warning in the form of a messenger ?
13.In her speech which begins, « Whither should I fly ? I have done no harm…, » how do Lady Macduff’s ideas about herself compare with Lady Macbeth’s ?
14.How do Malcolm’s and Macduff’s attitudes differ ?
15.In what ways is Malcolm’s comment in line 16 ironic ?
16.What evidence in this passage displays Malcolm’s wisdom ?
17.Explain the imagery in Malcolm’s speech which begins, « Be not offended… »
18.What is Malcolm’s purpose in describing his own vices ?
19.Do Malcolm’s claims about himself seem believable ?
20.How does Macduff compare this failing with Malcolm’s first when he says, « This avarice/Sticks deeper, grows… » ?
21.How does the image in Act IV, Scene 3, line 110, echo those in Act 1, Scene 5, lines 48 and 49 ?
22.In Macduff’s speech which begins, « Fit to govern ! No, not to live…, » was this the reaction Malcolm was hoping for ? Explain.
23.What is happening in this passage, and what good news does Malcolm give Macduff ?
24.To which senses does Ross’s description of Scotland in lines 184-196 appeal ? How does the description help you envision the state of Scotland ?
25.What opinion of Malcolm does Ross have ? Explain.
26.Whom is Malcolm addressing when he begins, « Merciful heaven ! » ? What is his advice ?
27.What does Macduff mean by, « He has no children » ? What kind of imagery do we see in Macduff’s speech ?
28.Whom does Macduff blame for the deaths of his family members ? Why ?
29. What does the murder of Macduff’s family suggest about Macbeth’s state of mind ?
30.How would characterize Macduff based on his reaction to the murder of his wife and son ?
31.Find two passages in Act IV with images of sickness. How do these images relate to the conflict between Macbeth and Malcolm ?
Act 3, Macbeth, Questions
Macbeth : Questions on Act III
1. What threat does Banquo pose to Macbeth ? Why might Banquo have kept the information he learned from the witches to himself ?
2. Divide Macbeth’s soliloquy in Scene 1 into two parts and explain the division.
3. What can you infer from lines 75-84 that Macbeth told the murderers about Banquo ? Why might he have told them this ?
4. Why is Macbeth so successful at convincing the murderers of Banquo’s blame, despite his lack of evidence ?
5. Do you believe the reasons Macbeth gives for not killing Banquo himself ? What reasons might he really have for not wanting to kill Banquo himself ?
6. Interpret Lady Macbeth’s words in Scene 2, lines 4-7. What has she realized about her actions ?
7. In assuring Lady Macbeth that he will strike the proper mood at the party, what does Macbeth reveal about himself and his relationship with his wife ?
8. Why is Fleance’s escape important to the drama ?
9. How might you connect Macbeth’s agitation with his knowledge that Fleance has escaped ?
10.What does Macbeth’s discussion with Lady Macbeth in lines 76-84 of Scene 4 indicate about his view of murder ? Does hs seem concerned with the immorality of murder, or with someting else ?
11.What causes the ghost to reappear at the banquet ?
12.How might you react if your dinner host acted as Macbeth does at the feast ?
13.What might be the signifiance of the other guests’ ihnability to see the ghost ?
14.In Scene 6 what is Lennox really saying in lines 1-23 ?
15.How do you know that Lennox thinks that Macbeth is really a tyrant ?
16.Where and why has Macduff gone ?
17.Compare and contrast Macbeth’s feelings about murdering Duncan with his feelings about murdering Banquo.
18.How has the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth changed ?
19.Support the idea that Macbeth will not be satisfied with Banquo’s death, but will go further into evil.
20.By reading between the lines, figure out what the presence of the third murderer suggests about Macbeth.
1. What threat does Banquo pose to Macbeth ? Why might Banquo have kept the information he learned from the witches to himself ?
2. Divide Macbeth’s soliloquy in Scene 1 into two parts and explain the division.
3. What can you infer from lines 75-84 that Macbeth told the murderers about Banquo ? Why might he have told them this ?
4. Why is Macbeth so successful at convincing the murderers of Banquo’s blame, despite his lack of evidence ?
5. Do you believe the reasons Macbeth gives for not killing Banquo himself ? What reasons might he really have for not wanting to kill Banquo himself ?
6. Interpret Lady Macbeth’s words in Scene 2, lines 4-7. What has she realized about her actions ?
7. In assuring Lady Macbeth that he will strike the proper mood at the party, what does Macbeth reveal about himself and his relationship with his wife ?
8. Why is Fleance’s escape important to the drama ?
9. How might you connect Macbeth’s agitation with his knowledge that Fleance has escaped ?
10.What does Macbeth’s discussion with Lady Macbeth in lines 76-84 of Scene 4 indicate about his view of murder ? Does hs seem concerned with the immorality of murder, or with someting else ?
11.What causes the ghost to reappear at the banquet ?
12.How might you react if your dinner host acted as Macbeth does at the feast ?
13.What might be the signifiance of the other guests’ ihnability to see the ghost ?
14.In Scene 6 what is Lennox really saying in lines 1-23 ?
15.How do you know that Lennox thinks that Macbeth is really a tyrant ?
16.Where and why has Macduff gone ?
17.Compare and contrast Macbeth’s feelings about murdering Duncan with his feelings about murdering Banquo.
18.How has the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth changed ?
19.Support the idea that Macbeth will not be satisfied with Banquo’s death, but will go further into evil.
20.By reading between the lines, figure out what the presence of the third murderer suggests about Macbeth.
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