ENGL 78

Prof. A. Eastwood

Essay 1 SCENE ANALYSIS 

Write an essay of 750-1,000 words (1-2 pages, single spaced, 1 inch margins) in which you perform each of the following steps:

STEP 1: Identify a scene in The Taming of the Shrew that you feel is a pivotal one in understanding the play as a whole. 

STEP 2: Explain in some detail why this scene is important.  Does it contribute something thematically?  Does it represent a significant turning point?  Or does it provide a clue as to how audiences should interpret the main characters or their relationship to one another? 

STEP 3: Discuss the corresponding scene in 10 Things I Hate About You (dir. Gil Junger).   Your essay should outline the choices made by the director, and then make a concluding claim evaluating whether or not the updated version represents a solid interpretation of Shakespeare’s play.

SOME TIPS: 

1.                  Give your paper a title.  This will help you focus your essay.

2.                  Refer to the films by the name of the director: e.g. “In Junger’s film…”.

3.                  Make sure to discuss the details (and possibly the language, if indicated) of the play.

4.                  Part of this assignment involves analyzing the film. Discuss the film’s details (costume, music, close ups, props, etc.), but keep summary to a minimum.

5.                  Underline or italicize the titles of plays and movies.