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Sex Scandal: Past and Contemporary

Essay Instructions:

MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

 

Guidelines:

Use the following required format for your critique. Please divide your paper into sections and use the Roman numerals and titles exactly as they appear below. You should use the theatrical vocabulary and concepts we are learning from our text in your answers.

Title (Think of this like a headline):

Give your critique a ten word or less title into which you have put some creative thought. Neither your name nor the name of the play is a title for a report. Center this title at the top of your page, place it in italics and use the rules for capitalization of titles. Do NOT put it in bold, underline it, or place quotation marks around it. If you want to give it greater emphasis, place it in a larger type size. Do not put any other title or heading on your paper.

 

I. Thesis Statement

Begin your report, as all reports, with a compelling thesis statement that gives a sense of what is to come and makes the reader want to find out what you have to say about it. This statement should be exactly one sentence long – no exceptions. Be sure that your thesis is about the production you watched, and not about the play as literature.

III. Plot

The next section of your report should be a brief summary of the plot in five sentences. In the first sentence of this paragraph define the type of plot we saw, using terms from the "Continuity and Linearity" section of your text and associated CourseStream lecture. Place those terms in boldface. In the second sentence, incorporating boldfaced terms into you report, tell us the inciting incident of the play. In the third sentence, incorporating a boldfaced term into you report, describe the major incidents of conflict in the play. In the fourth sentence, incorporating a boldfaced term into you report, describe the climactic incident in the play. In a final sentence, incorporating the boldfaced term into you report, describe the denouement of the play.  This paragraph should precisely five sentences long, no more and no less.

 

IIIa. Following that, in a single, concise, grammatically-correct second paragraph, employing one or more "qualities" (which you will, of course, place in boldface) from the "qualities of a fine play" section of your text, describe at least one strength of the play’s script.

 

IV. Theme

The third section of your report, using a concise and clear single sentence, is a statement of the play's theme, or meaning. Use this precise formula: "The meaning (for which you may substitute moral, or lesson if that is closer to your conception) of the play is xxxxxxxx."  Avoid slipping into naming motifs instead of themes by eliminating "weasel phrases," like deals with, examines, and is about.

 

V. Character, described by function

This section of your report should concentrate on the character functions as agents of the action, not their relationships inside the play. Indicate in this section which character is the protagonist, which (if any) is/are the antagonist(s), and any other characters that play interesting special functions. (Sometimes there is a narrator or chorus figure, sometimes a character whose primary purpose is to serve as a counter-example to the protagonist called a foil, etc.) This should take you less than 200 words total. All terminology for character functions should be boldfaced.

 

VI. Literary Qualities (Aristotle's Diction)

For this report this section should be very brief, one to two sentences only, but give a sense of the boldfaced major literary devices of the script, using at least one example.

 

VII. Music and Musicality (3 points)

If the play is a musical or opera, this section is apt to be extensive, but for most shows you will be discussing such lesser issues as background music, or the musicality of the actor's voices. It is always worth noting music (even background music) that is performed live.

 

VIII. Spectacle

In another 250-500 words discuss the spectacle of the play. This is one of the two most important sections of your report. Spend time and effort to get it right.

Using vocabulary from the Designers and Technician's chapter discussion on staging formats, pg. 97, name in boldface the format employed by this production in a complete, grammatically-correct sentence.

In a second concise and grammatically correct sentence describe the general look of the scenery using boldfaced terminology from the "scenery" section of your textbook (pgs. 101-104.) Be sure to credit the designer by name.

In a single, concise and grammatically correct sentence, employing boldfaced terminology from your textbook's section on "Contemporary Lighting Design" (pg. 112-113), describe the lighting for the play. Make sure your answer credits the designer by name.

 

In a single, concise and grammatically correct paragraph, describe in detail the costuming for the play you saw. Be sure your answer credits the designer by name, discusses all the important costumes, and employs boldfaced concepts from Cohen's discussion of the four functions of modern costume design that begins on page 121 of your text.

 

IX. Convention

As discussed in our text and in the video, in addition to the usual six elements of a play, we also want to note how the conventions of the play work. Some conventions we want to be aware of: Plays that use mime, dance or movement to convey a sense of objects that are not physically present, actors that play more than one character – especially if they change character in front of us instead of just re-entering as someone else, characters played by puppets – especially if the puppeteers are visible, visual elements that are metaphorical instead of realistic – for example the use of scaffolding in place of buildings, mixtures of presentational and representational performances, etc.

 

X. Acting and Directing

This is the other most important part of your report. Spend time and energy on this section of the report above all others.

 

In a single, concise and grammatically-correct paragraph, describe the specific performance of an actor applying terms and concepts, which you place in boldface, from the "Acting from the Inside" section of your text's acting chapter.

 

In a single, concise and grammatically-correct paragraph, describe the specific performance of a different actor applying boldfaced terms and concepts from the "Acting from the Outside" section of your text's acting chapter.

 

Direction can be both difficult to "see" in a finished performance, and hard to write about. Cohen suggests that one way to articulate the outcome of a director's central task of conceptualizing a play is to state the concept of the play as a tagline. Using this approach, in a single, concise and grammatically-correct sentence, which in some manner identifies the director by name, state the concept of the play as a tagline. (See page 164 of your book for details about taglines.)

 

XI. Outstanding Moment

In a paragraph or less, describe the most outstanding moment of the production to you. Say specifically what happened in sufficient detail that someone who did not see the production would understand what occurred. Is this moment memorable because it produced a sense of pleasure or a sense of discomfort?

 

XII. The Event as Theater

In a section one paragraph in length, apply the "official class definition of theater" from the video in Unit One to the event you saw, and using the concepts from the discussion in Chapter One defend the proposition that this event was a piece of theater, as opposed to some other art form. Make sure you cover all aspects of the definition. In particular spend time on concrete examples of impersonation in the play, citing specific moments in the play and how the actor accomplished them.

 

XIII. Summary

In a final paragraph, summarize the major ideas in your paper and provide any closing detail that relates to your thesis statement.

 

XIV. Works Cited

At the end of your report, attach a Works Cited page in MLA format. At minimum it will have the citation for the production program (Playbill) from which you draw your information about cast and crew names. (Always save it so that you have the information needed to discuss the creators and participants by name.) It should have citations for any other sources you used in constructing your paper as well. Be sure that all citations have the two parts: the MLA intext citation, as well as the citation of the Works Cited page.

 

One of the major objectives of the class is to learn to use MLA citation correctly. There are guides in the top center block of our class homepage on iLearn if you need help or reminders.

 

 

watch the show \"Measure for Measure\" by William Shakespeare and then write a critique for this show. I will upload a instruction. You MUST follow the instruction to write this paper. MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Guidelines: Use the following required format for your critique. Please divide your paper into sections and use the Roman numerals and titles exactly as they appear below. You should use the theatrical vocabulary and concepts we are learning from our text in your answers. Title (Think of this like a headline): Give your critique a ten word or less title into which you have put some creative thought. Neither your name nor the name of the play is a title for a report. Center this title at the top of your page, place it in italics and use the rules for capitalization of titles. Do NOT put it in bold, underline it, or place quotation marks around it. If you want to give it greater emphasis, place it in a larger type size. Do not put any other title or heading on your paper. I. Thesis Statement Begin your report, as all reports, with a compelling thesis statement that gives a sense of what is to come and makes the reader want to find out what you have to say about it. This statement should be exactly one sentence long – no exceptions. Be sure that your thesis is about the production you watched, and not about the play as literature. III. Plot The next section of your report should be a brief summary of the plot in five sentences. In the first sentence of this paragraph define the type of plot we saw, using terms from the \"Continuity and Linearity\" section of your text and associated CourseStream lecture. Place those terms in boldface. In the second sentence, incorporating boldfaced terms into you report, tell us the inciting incident of the play. In the third sentence, incorporating a boldfaced term into you report, describe the major incidents of conflict in the play. In the fourth sentence, incorporating a boldfaced term into you report, describe the climactic incident in the play. In a final sentence, incorporating the boldfaced term into you report, describe the denouement of the play. This paragraph should precisely five sentences long, no more and no less. IIIa. Following that, in a single, concise, grammatically-correct second paragraph, employing one or more \"qualities\" (which you will, of course, place in boldface) from the \"qualities of a fine play\" section of your text, describe at least one strength of the play’s script. IV. Theme The third section of your report, using a concise and clear single sentence, is a statement of the play\'s theme, or meaning. Use this precise formula: \"The meaning (for which you may substitute moral, or lesson if that is closer to your conception) of the play is xxxxxxxx.\" Avoid slipping into naming motifs instead of themes by eliminating \"weasel phrases,\" like deals with, examines, and is about. V. Character, described by function This section of your report should concentrate on the character functions as agents of the action, not their relationships inside the play. Indicate in this section which character is the protagonist, which (if any) is/are the antagonist(s), and any other characters that play interesting special functions. (Sometimes there is a narrator or chorus figure, sometimes a character whose primary purpose is to serve as a counter-example to the protagonist called a foil, etc.) This should take you less than 200 words total. All terminology for character functions should be boldfaced. VI. Literary Qualities (Aristotle\'s Diction) For this report this section should be very brief, one to two sentences only, but give a sense of the boldfaced major literary devices of the script, using at least one example. VII. Music and Musicality (3 points) If the play is a musical or opera, this section is apt to be extensive, but for most shows you will be discussing such lesser issues as background music, or the musicality of the actor\'s voices. It is always worth noting music (even background music) that is performed live. VIII. Spectacle In another 250-500 words discuss the spectacle of the play. This is one of the two most important sections of your report. Spend time and effort to get it right. Using vocabulary from the Designers and Technician\'s chapter discussion on staging formats, pg. 97, name in boldface the format employed by this production in a complete, grammatically-correct sentence. In a second concise and grammatically correct sentence describe the general look of the scenery using boldfaced terminology from the \"scenery\" section of your textbook (pgs. 101-104.) Be sure to credit the designer by name. In a single, concise and grammatically correct sentence, employing boldfaced terminology from your textbook\'s section on \"Contemporary Lighting Design\" (pg. 112-113), describe the lighting for the play. Make sure your answer credits the designer by name. In a single, concise and grammatically correct paragraph, describe in detail the costuming for the play you saw. Be sure your answer credits the designer by name, discusses all the important costumes, and employs boldfaced concepts from Cohen\'s discussion of the four functions of modern costume design that begins on page 121 of your text. IX. Convention As discussed in our text and in the video, in addition to the usual six elements of a play, we also want to note how the conventions of the play work. Some conventions we want to be aware of: Plays that use mime, dance or movement to convey a sense of objects that are not physically present, actors that play more than one character – especially if they change character in front of us instead of just re-entering as someone else, characters played by puppets – especially if the puppeteers are visible, visual elements that are metaphorical instead of realistic – for example the use of scaffolding in place of buildings, mixtures of presentational and representational performances, etc. X. Acting and Directing This is the other most important part of your report. Spend time and energy on this section of the report above all others. In a single, concise and grammatically-correct paragraph, describe the specific performance of an actor applying terms and concepts, which you place in boldface, from the \"Acting from the Inside\" section of your text\'s acting chapter. In a single, concise and grammatically-correct paragraph, describe the specific performance of a different actor applying boldfaced terms and concepts from the \"Acting from the Outside\" section of your text\'s acting chapter. Direction can be both difficult to \"see\" in a finished performance, and hard to write about. Cohen suggests that one way to articulate the outcome of a director\'s central task of conceptualizing a play is to state the concept of the play as a tagline. Using this approach, in a single, concise and grammatically-correct sentence, which in some manner identifies the director by name, state the concept of the play as a tagline. (See page 164 of your book for details about taglines.) XI. Outstanding Moment In a paragraph or less, describe the most outstanding moment of the production to you. Say specifically what happened in sufficient detail that someone who did not see the production would understand what occurred. Is this moment memorable because it produced a sense of pleasure or a sense of discomfort? XII. The Event as Theater In a section one paragraph in length, apply the \"official class definition of theater\" from the video in Unit One to the event you saw, and using the concepts from the discussion in Chapter One defend the proposition that this event was a piece of theater, as opposed to some other art form. Make sure you cover all aspects of the definition. In particular spend time on concrete examples of impersonation in the play, citing specific moments in the play and how the actor accomplished them. XIII. Summary In a final paragraph, summarize the major ideas in your paper and provide any closing detail that relates to your thesis statement. XIV. Works Cited At the end of your report, attach a Works Cited page in MLA format. At minimum it will have the citation for the production program (Playbill) from which you draw your information about cast and crew names. (Always save it so that you have the information needed to discuss the creators and participants by name.) It should have citations for any other sources you used in constructing your paper as well. Be sure that all citations have the two parts: the MLA intext citation, as well as the citation of the Works Cited page. One of the major objectives of the class is to learn to use MLA citation correctly. There are guides in the top center block of our class homepage on iLearn if you need help or reminders.

Essay Sample Content Preview:
Student
Professor
Literature
21/03/2014
Sex Scandal: Past and Contemporary
Thesis Statement
The play Measure by Measure deals with a controversial topic during the Victorian era. Sex was a taboo topic especially in public. Shakespeare uses comedy to pass across a subtle criticism of the moral hypocrisy especially within leadership and political circles. The theatre production of the play is a lucid, yet faithful caricature of the moral decadency and hypocrisy that pervaded the Victorian era and still permeates the contemporary society. This paper will delve into different facets of the production; highlight key aspects and their significance in delivering thematic concerns.
Plot
The duke delegates authority to his aide, Angelo, and departs for solitude. The play has continuity and linearity as one incidence leads to another. Angelo sentences Claudio to death for engaging in sexual intercourse against the law. This is the main conflict. Isabella, Claudio sister, intervenes to save his brother’s life. This marks the rising action as Isabella puts across a moral argument for her brother against Angelo’s recalcitrance. The climax is when the duke returns and the tide turns against Angelo. In a twist of events, the duke tricks Angelo and found him untruthful. The falling action sets in and as the conflict is resolved. The denouement is when the Duke proposes to Isabella, the nun.
Strength of the play’s script
The play’s script begins by introducing the conflict, namely the clash between morality and state law. Angelo’s obstinacies and hypocrisy, and Isabella’s rectitude and moral argument provide contrasting qualities that sustain the conflict. The resolution happens when Angelo’s hypocrisy becomes known, in the public, and Isabella is vindicated when the state decides to spare her brother’s life.
Theme
The major theme in the play production is the moral hypocrisy that bedeviled the Victorian Era. Angelo is using his position as caretaker, in the absence of the duke, to enforce laws that he neither believes in nor upholds (Pavlas 316). He seems to favor sexual purity but contradicts his stance when he solicits for sex from Isabella as condition to save her brother’s life. Ironically, he has also not paid dowry for his wife, thus rendering his marriage illegitimate. The play production juxtaposes old-fashioned Victorian era handling of sexual matters to the one in contemporary world where sex scandals are common.
Characters as described by function
The protagonist is this play production is Isabella, a nun, who takes on the authority, represented by Angelo, who is the antagonist. Claudio and his pregnant wife, though the play is about them, play a rudimental role in the play. Instead, their predicament forms the main conflict upon which the play unfolds. Even in their absence, the play is about them and Isabella is merely an agent who brings out the hypocrisy in the overzealous antagonist. The duke is a foil who acts as a voice of reason and arbiter in a conflict that is quintessentially about the clash between power and morality.
Literary qualities
The literary qualities in the production are typical of any Shakespeare’s works. The use of powerful and poetic words to deliver tranquil and subtle message is not lost to the reader. The work is poetic, yet humorous in an amorous way.
Music and musicality
The play employs musicality to lend credence to certain scenes. As the audiences sit, they are serenaded by twenty minutes of German cabaret songs. The stage resembles a club because of the erotic and suggestive dancing. This sets the atmosphere of a certain licentiousness that bedeviled the Victorian era. The musicals of David Friedman provide the necessary background mood in different scenes.
Spectacle
The spectacle in the play production captures the f...
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