Instructions: Select ONE of the following topics. Before writing your essay, draft answers to the questions in your paper topic. You do not necessarily need to answer every one of the questions in your paper; use these questions to help you think about the topic and formulate a thesis. Then, craft a thesis statement about the topic; remember that a thesis statement should propose an interpretation that can be debated. Support your interpretation with evidence from the two plays and from the introductory materials in The Norton Shakespeare.

Essay Topics (choose one of these topics for your essay preparation):

When Theseus warns Hermia about the consequences of not marrying Demetrius, her father�s choice, he says her only other options would be:
Either to die the death, or to abjure

For ever the society of men.

Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires.

Know of your youth, examine well your blood,

Whether, if you yield not to your father�s choice,

You can endure the livery of a nun,

For aye to be in shady cloister mewed,

To live a barren sister all your life,

Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon. (1.1.65-73)

How would you describe Theseus�s opinion of the celibate life of nuns? What happened to convents and monasteries in England during the sixteenth century? Does Theseus express an anticlerical attitude that was popular during Shakespeare’s lifetime? Consider Measure for Measure; why might Shakespeare have created a play about a woman who wants to become a nun? What alternative is she offered at the conclusion of this play? How do attitudes about nuns in these two plays reveal social expectations about women in early modern English society?
I have written this so far. I am having some pretty severe writer’s block, and I just got lost. If you could expand on this, that would be great.

Shakespeare and Celibacy

Shakespeare and celibacy seem to have a very interesting relationship in Shakespeare�s plays. Both A Midsummer Night�s Dream and Measure for Measure have a common theme: neither play portrays celibacy in a positive light. What are the reasons for this portrayal? Some appear to be personal; others reflect the common attitude towards that lifestyle at the time, or beliefs about the role of women. Regardless of the exact causes of this attitude, it is clear through the actions of his characters Shakespeare does not condone celibacy as a viable way of life.
In the beginning of A Midsummer Night�s Dream, the play opens to a scene in which Theseus gives Hermia a choice; either she marries her father�s chosen groom, she dies, or becomes a nun: �Either to die the death, or to abjure/For ever the society of men� (1.1.65-66). Theseus goes on to paint a rather despairing view of the latter choice: �You can endure the livery of a nun/For aye to be in shady cloister mewed/To live a barren sister all your life/Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon�(1.1.70-73).
It seems as if Shakespeare is equating life as a nun to death, for Theseus frames the two choices in the same breath (Johnston). Furthermore, Theseus uses words like endure, mewed, barren, and fruitless when describing the vocation of religious life. The words suggest that Theseus views the life of a nun to be a suffering that must be undergone rather than a laudable choice. He asserts that such women are not strong or exuberant, but rather cowed and docile while carrying on a wasted life devoid of love and passion.
If we consider the pretty words that Theseus says to Hippolyta before Egeus enters and desires his help, we can see a disparity in his moods between the two moments: �Now fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour/ Draws on apace. Four happy days bring in/Another moon/�but O methinks how slow/This old mood wanes!�(1.1.1-4). In this scene, Theseus is overcome with desire and passion for his bride to be. Clearly Theseus has a preference for married life. However, it is ironic that Theseus should marry whom he desires, while he orders another to do the opposite. Considering that Theseus obtained his bride through conquest, we can see a pattern in the way Theseus views women that gives us a key to understanding his objection to celibacy. In keeping with the times, Theseus sees women as objects with a purpose that is not performed while living in celibacy. While, this does not necessarily reveal Shakespeare�s own sentiments, it is helpful in understanding sixteenth century opinions on women.
In Measure for Measure, we can see a similar attitude towards nuns unfold. The lovely and chaste Isabella is the would-be nun who�s desire for self denial can not be quenched: �I speak not as desiring more/But rather wishing a more strict restraint/Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare�(1.4.3-5). Isabella is so devoted to her chastity and vocation as a nun that she would rather her brother Claudio die, than to give up her virtue and save his life.
Throughout the play, we can get a feel of how Shakespeare himself views his own characters. Anything taken to the extreme seems to be under scrutiny and presented as disordered. When taking a broad look at Shakespeare�s plays overall, we get a good sense of Shakespeare�s celebratory take on life�living it to the fullest, and reveling in love. In Measure for Measure itself, Angelo�s puritanical measures are presented scornfully, while Claudio and Juliet�s fornication is celebrated by their eventual marriage and triumph over their oppressor (Johnston). It is of little surprise then that Shakespeare would look down on life in a convent. That choice denies what Shakespeare values most, and is the antithesis of all he believes life represents. In fact, Shakespeare is so against that choice that he denies Isabella that option, but instead gives her to the Duke in marriage. The play wraps up as all the main characters find themselves healthfully attached in marriage to one another�no perpetual vows of chastity, no guilt ridden charges of fornication.
Shakespeare unquestionably disliked the office of the clergy, and also stood quite opposite of many tenants of the Catholic faith. Where did all the dissonance come from? Certainly Shakespeare can be credited for his own opinions, but the prevailing outlook towards the clergy during Shakespeare�s time is mirrored in his plays. The sixteenth century began with England recognizing the Catholic Church as the official religion, and ended with allegiance to the �Supreme Head of the Church in England�(Greenblatt 13). The early discord between the Catholic Church and the people had been long-standing, but the catalyst who set off the split was the ex monk Martin Luther. In 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of University of Winttenberg�s Church (Greenblatt 13). Contained within these theses were doctrines that directly opposed the teachings of the Catholic Church. What followed was a movement called the �Reformation� which aimed at reforming the Christian faith.
This movement spread far and wide, and quickly new leaders sprang up from the original movement as it progressed. It was not long before monasteries and convents were under direct attack. These places were sacked, their possessions seized and redistributed, and their inhabitants thrown out (Greenblatt). Thus began a power struggle between the two powerful religious figures. For the rest of the century, the Catholic Church and the Protestants would be vying for control of England, and many lives would be lost in the process.
Understandably, this created tension

Shakespeare and Celibacy

Shakespeare and celibacy seem to have a very interesting relationship in Shakespeare�s plays. Both A Midsummer Night�s Dream and Measure for Measure have a common theme: neither play portrays celibacy in a positive light. What are the reasons for this portrayal? Some appear to be personal; others reflect the common attitude towards that lifestyle at the time, or beliefs about the role of women. Regardless of the exact causes of this attitude, it is clear through the actions of his characters Shakespeare does not condone celibacy as a viable way of life.
In the beginning of A Midsummer Night�s Dream, the play opens to a scene in which Theseus gives Hermia a choice; either she marries her father�s chosen groom, she dies, or becomes a nun: �Either to die the death, or to abjure/For ever the society of men� (1.1.65-66). Theseus goes on to paint a rather despairing view of the latter choice: �You can endure the livery of a nun/For aye to be in shady cloister mewed/To live a barren sister all your life/Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon�(1.1.70-73).
It seems as if Shakespeare is equating life as a nun to death, for Theseus frames the two choices in the same breath (Johnston). Furthermore, Theseus uses words like endure, mewed, barren, and fruitless when describing the vocation of religious life. The words suggest that Theseus views the life of a nun to be a suffering that must be undergone rather than a laudable choice. He asserts that such women are not strong or exuberant, but rather cowed and docile while carrying on a wasted life devoid of love and passion.
If we consider the pretty words that Theseus says to Hippolyta before Egeus enters and desires his help, we can see a disparity in his moods between the two moments: �Now fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour/ Draws on apace. Four happy days bring in/Another moon/�but O methinks how slow/This old mood wanes!�(1.1.1-4). In this scene, Theseus is overcome with desire and passion for his bride to be. Clearly Theseus has a preference for married life. However, it is ironic that Theseus should marry whom he desires, while he orders another to do the opposite. Considering that Theseus obtained his bride through conquest, we can see a pattern in the way Theseus views women that gives us a key to understanding his objection to celibacy. In keeping with the times, Theseus sees women as objects with a purpose that is not performed while living in celibacy. While, this does not necessarily reveal Shakespeare�s own sentiments, it is helpful in understanding sixteenth century opinions on women.
In Measure for Measure, we can see a similar attitude towards nuns unfold. The lovely and chaste Isabella is the would-be nun who�s desire for self denial can not be quenched: �I speak not as desiring more/But rather wishing a more strict restraint/Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare�(1.4.3-5). Isabella is so devoted to her chastity and vocation as a nun that she would rather her brother Claudio die, than to give up her virtue and save his life.
Throughout the play, we can get a feel of how Shakespeare himself views his own characters. Anything taken to the extreme seems to be under scrutiny and presented as disordered. When taking a broad look at Shakespeare�s plays overall, we get a good sense of Shakespeare�s celebratory take on life�living it to the fullest, and reveling in love. In Measure for Measure itself, Angelo�s puritanical measures are presented scornfully, while Claudio and Juliet�s fornication is celebrated by their eventual marriage and triumph over their oppressor (Johnston). It is of little surprise then that Shakespeare would look down on life in a convent. That choice denies what Shakespeare values most, and is the antithesis of all he believes life represents. In fact, Shakespeare is so against that choice that he denies Isabella that option, but instead gives her to the Duke in marriage. The play wraps up as all the main characters find themselves healthfully attached in marriage to one another�no perpetual vows of chastity, no guilt ridden charges of fornication.
Shakespeare unquestionably disliked the office of the clergy, and also stood quite opposite of many tenants of the Catholic faith. Where did all the dissonance come from? Certainly Shakespeare can be credited for his own opinions, but the prevailing outlook towards the clergy during Shakespeare�s time is mirrored in his plays. The sixteenth century began with England recognizing the Catholic Church as the official religion, and ended with allegiance to the �Supreme Head of the Church in England�(Greenblatt 13). The early discord between the Catholic Church and the people had been long-standing, but the catalyst who set off the split was the ex monk Martin Luther. In 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of University of Winttenberg�s Church (Greenblatt 13). Contained within these theses were doctrines that directly opposed the teachings of the Catholic Church. What followed was a movement called the �Reformation� which aimed at reforming the Christian faith.
This movement spread far and wide, and quickly new leaders sprang up from the original movement as it progressed. It was not long before monasteries and convents were under direct attack. These places were sacked, their possessions seized and redistributed, and their inhabitants thrown out (Greenblatt). Thus began a power struggle between the two powerful religious figures. For the rest of the century, the Catholic Church and the Protestants would be vying for control of England, and many lives would be lost in the process.
Understandably, this created tension

Shakespeare and Celibacy

Shakespeare and celibacy seem to have a very interesting relationship in Shakespeare�s plays. Both A Midsummer Night�s Dream and Measure for Measure have a common theme: neither play portrays celibacy in a positive light. What are the reasons for this portrayal? Some appear to be personal; others reflect the common attitude towards that lifestyle at the time, or beliefs about the role of women. Regardless of the exact causes of this attitude, it is clear through the actions of his characters Shakespeare does not condone celibacy as a viable way of life.
In the beginning of A Midsummer Night�s Dream, the play opens to a scene in which Theseus gives Hermia a choice; either she marries her father�s chosen groom, she dies, or becomes a nun: �Either to die the death, or to abjure/For ever the society of men� (1.1.65-66). Theseus goes on to paint a rather despairing view of the latter choice: �You can endure the livery of a nun/For aye to be in shady cloister mewed/To live a barren sister all your life/Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon�(1.1.70-73).
It seems as if Shakespeare is equating life as a nun to death, for Theseus frames the two choices in the same breath (Johnston). Furthermore, Theseus uses words like endure, mewed, barren, and fruitless when describing the vocation of religious life. The words suggest that Theseus views the life of a nun to be a suffering that must be undergone rather than a laudable choice. He asserts that such women are not strong or exuberant, but rather cowed and docile while carrying on a wasted life devoid of love and passion.
If we consider the pretty words that Theseus says to Hippolyta before Egeus enters and desires his help, we can see a disparity in his moods between the two moments: �Now fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour/ Draws on apace. Four happy days bring in/Another moon/�but O methinks how slow/This old mood wanes!�(1.1.1-4). In this scene, Theseus is overcome with desire and passion for his bride to be. Clearly Theseus has a preference for married life. However, it is ironic that Theseus should marry whom he desires, while he orders another to do the opposite. Considering that Theseus obtained his bride through conquest, we can see a pattern in the way Theseus views women that gives us a key to understanding his objection to celibacy. In keeping with the times, Theseus sees women as objects with a purpose that is not performed while living in celibacy. While, this does not necessarily reveal Shakespeare�s own sentiments, it is helpful in understanding sixteenth century opinions on women.
In Measure for Measure, we can see a similar attitude towards nuns unfold. The lovely and chaste Isabella is the would-be nun who�s desire for self denial can not be quenched: �I speak not as desiring more/But rather wishing a more strict restraint/Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare�(1.4.3-5). Isabella is so devoted to her chastity and vocation as a nun that she would rather her brother Claudio die, than to give up her virtue and save his life.
Throughout the play, we can get a feel of how Shakespeare himself views his own characters. Anything taken to the extreme seems to be under scrutiny and presented as disordered. When taking a broad look at Shakespeare�s plays overall, we get a good sense of Shakespeare�s celebratory take on life�living it to the fullest, and reveling in love. In Measure for Measure itself, Angelo�s puritanical measures are presented scornfully, while Claudio and Juliet�s fornication is celebrated by their eventual marriage and triumph over their oppressor (Johnston). It is of little surprise then that Shakespeare would look down on life in a convent. That choice denies what Shakespeare values most, and is the antithesis of all he believes life represents. In fact, Shakespeare is so against that choice that he denies Isabella that option, but instead gives her to the Duke in marriage. The play wraps up as all the main characters find themselves healthfully attached in marriage to one another�no perpetual vows of chastity, no guilt ridden charges of fornication.
Shakespeare unquestionably disliked the office of the clergy, and also stood quite opposite of many tenants of the Catholic faith. Where did all the dissonance come from? Certainly Shakespeare can be credited for his own opinions, but the prevailing outlook towards the clergy during Shakespeare�s time is mirrored in his plays. The sixteenth century began with England recognizing the Catholic Church as the official religion, and ended with allegiance to the �Supreme Head of the Church in England�(Greenblatt 13). The early discord between the Catholic Church and the people had been long-standing, but the catalyst who set off the split was the ex monk Martin Luther. In 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of University of Winttenberg�s Church (Greenblatt 13). Contained within these theses were doctrines that directly opposed the teachings of the Catholic Church. What followed was a movement called the �Reformation� which aimed at reforming the Christian faith.
This movement spread far and wide, and quickly new leaders sprang up from the original movement as it progressed. It was not long before monasteries and convents were under direct attack. These places were sacked, their possessions seized and redistributed, and their inhabitants thrown out (Greenblatt). Thus began a power struggle between the two powerful religious figures. For the rest of the century, the Catholic Church and the Protestants would be vying for control of England, and many lives would be lost in the process.
Understandably, this created tension
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