10 Ways to Write the Perfect Shakespeare Essay
William Shakespeare was like most artists, struggling to make a living. "Shakespeare in Love" (1998) deconstructed the myths surrounding the native of Stratford-upon-Avon, the greatest playwright in English literature. The Bad may (or may not) have been inspired to pen "Romeo and Juliet", probably the most unforgettable tragedy of all time. He may (or may not) be too drunk to be a prolific writer. Queen Elizabeth I may (or may not) be his biggest fan. All these reasons could inspire a college student to write an essay on a Shakespeare play. It would also be a romp.
Colleges could have opted to make Shakespeare a study option but chose to make it mandatory to all (BA English) students instead. Not a few have trepidation about it, as the Bard's English is hard to comprehend instantly. Then again, no one says that metaphor is piece of cake to the teenage mind. The enduring popularity of Shakespeare's plays has less to do with the requirement (on studying the Bard's plays) than the familiar themes. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. (Don't tell it the descendants of Elizabeth Barrett Browning.)
Elizabethan English shouldn't be an obstacle to study Shakespeare's plays. It's simple if you really know what to write about.
Be Inspired to Write a William Shakespeare Essay
You may love Shakespeare or consider him outdated, but one thing is certain: you'll have to deal with him throughout college. The good news is that this is one of the easiest essays you'll have to write. You don't trust us on that?
- Shakespeare plays are short and easy to read. They may require full focus to understand them, but you can go through a play in a night.
- If you get stuck, you can always count on PhD dissertation help. At least you could try working on the Shakespeare paper and see what you come up with.
- People love talking about this author. When you write an essay about Shakespeare, it will be a good conversation prompt.
Tips: How to Write Essays on Shakespeare
Most students want to know how to write an essay fast, so they can get the assignment done and start working on other tasks. The first tip is to relax; you'll write good Shakespeare essays only if you give yourself enough time. Here are a few additional tips to help you deal with the project:
Know your history
You're halfway to your completion of your assignment if you know the background to the play. For instance, it won't be good enough to cite the annexation of North Africa to the Roman Empire. Ancient Egypt was the mightiest empire in the African continent, one of four cradles of civilization. Could petty politics among the members of the pharaoh's family play a part in its demise? The answer could be a nice introduction to your assignment on "Antony and Cleopatra". If you choose it to be your argument, then you must know more about the motives of the titular characters. You'll get to that part later.
Put yourself into the Bard's shoes
Shakespeare didn't pen complicated characters in their complicated affairs. The storyline would be simple, but the depth of emotions could overwhelm anyone. How did this brilliant playwright done it? This should be a subject for a debate, where you must make a guess. This one would be better than playing it safe (and look for previous opinion).
Have a drink
It might make you pass out after a long night at a party, but you wouldn't go through a familiar route on this one. There won't be any doubt that alcohol helped Shakespeare loosen up (and think about his next play). The premise of "The Tempest" didn't come to him unexpectedly. He must have known someone who resembled Prospero. His case won't be too different from most novelists. Comparison should be the right thing to do here, as you recall your favorite books.
Watch a play
If you can find a video of an old production, featuring the marquee figures in British theater, then it will be the perfect reference to your paper. A local production will be as good as the early version.
See a movie
Make it movies. Anyone could relate to the familiar themes, so it shouldn't be a surprise that the Bard's plays transcend cultures. Think of "Throne of Blood", which would be "Macbeth" set during the medieval samurai era. It could also be genres. ("Forbidden Planet" would be "The Tempest" in spacesuits.)
Follow the lead (character)
If you're struggling to figure out what the play is really all about, then concentrate on the lead character(s). Why did Romeo and Juliet became popular figures? How could young love withstand the more-pressing issues? There's a chance that most answers are almost identical, which shouldn't be a relief to you. There must be something else. Think harder.
Identify the motive(s)
Emotions could affect good judgment, but it shouldn't be the case here. Power would corrupt anyone, and it had been a frequent theme in Shakespeare's tragedies. If you can contrast one from the other, then you'll likely to get a compliment from your professor. After all, you choose to make your own path.
Relate to the cast
You haven't lost your innocence (like the star-crossed lovers that would be Romeo and Juliet), even your jolly disposition. (You wouldn't be the merry wife of Windsor, though.) On the other hand, it should be a coincidence if you're drawn to the likes of Iago. Then again, everybody has brooding thoughts (or hate for that matter). Recall a particular moment in your (young) life and why would the Bard notice it. Your professor might be impressed at your response.
Be true to yourself
You don't need to try too hard to understand everything that Shakespeare had written in his plays. Pick the one you're familiar with, if not quite familiar with a theme or two. You can always the question if you're still in the dark on certain aspects of the play(s).
Raise your voice
It's a signal that you must abandon your passive stance.
You Can Write the Perfect Shakespeare Essay; Just Focus!
This is the most important recommendation to students: please read the play before you try writing an essay on Shakespeare. Many students read a brief description of the plot and decide they can now write about William Shakespeare. No; this author is all about style. Without reading his actual words, you won't be able to describe the emotions and thoughts that the play evoked in you.
If you don't have enough time to go through all writing stages, you can always count on expert essay writing services. But you'll still benefit from reading Shakespeare. When you present the perfect paper, your professor might invite you for a discussion.
We gave you the initial tips on how to write a Shakespeare essay. Now; all you need to do is start! Don't forget: you're not done when you get it written. The proofreading and editing stages are equally as important as writing.
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