A Midsummer’s Nights Dream / Hamlet Discussion Board Assignments

Description

Discussion #1 ( Must be 8-10 sentences) – You’ve now read A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and now I want you to think about issues that are, interestingly enough, current hot topics for this week’s discussion post: Consider the idea of “choice” and/or “consent” as it applies to the relationships and connections between the characters in Shakespeare’s play. Consider, too, the idea of patriarchy (a system of society or government in which men hold the power, and women are largely excluded from it) as it applies to this story. More specifically, consider how Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream conveys a sense of male-dominated control and oppression found within a patriarchal society. Be thorough in your response, and provide specific examples from the play Discussion # 2 (Must be 8-10 sentences) – In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the approach that Hamlet takes to resolving his situation (grieving his father and then seeking justice for him by seeking revenge against those who played a role in Hamlet’s father’s death) is obviously a colossal failure. Write up an alternative plan of action; this plan should be written to convince the prince that the action it recommends is preferable (that is, it should thoroughly explain why it is a better plan for Hamlet to follow!). This is a creative writing exercise, so treat it as such. Write from the point of view of someone who knows Hamlet personally. How will you get through to him? Be thorough in your response, and provide specific examples from the play to support your reasoning.