In Richard II, we meet one of several prophetic speeches in the play, In Act 2, Scene 1, Lines 31-68 on pages 340-41, we have a highly significant speech by John of Gaunt about England as a location, described as a garden.
The Tragedy of King Richard II Essay (2 pages): Write a two-page (5 paragraph) essay that analyzes and comments on Gaunt’s description of England as a garden AND that discusses at least 2 other passages in the play that specifically relate to the concept of gardens and nature. Finally, conclude your paper with a discussion of what Shakespeare is trying to convey through his use of imagery.
Below are a few helpful tips (in red) for various items in the complete section.
REQUIREMENTS AND DOCUMENTATION: The paper should be double-spaced, one inch margins on all four sides of the page. It should include a heading with student’s name, date, and unit on the top left of first page and a centered title. It should be typed in Times Roman, 12 point font, and all paragraphs should be indented. Must be in APA style only!!! In order to provide support from the play, be sure to cite lines from the play as direct quotes (include in-text citations with Act, Scene, and Line). Include a Reference page with the textbook and additional research listed as your sources. The paper should be written in the third person point of view (avoid the use of the first and second person in all formal writing assignments for this course)
Prefered structure below ………
Organizational Structure of the Essay
Include an Introduction paragraph that introduces the play. Provide background and context for Gaunt’s speech in Act 2, Scene 2. Write a strong, clear thesis (last sentence of the introduction paragraph) that relates to the prompt (John of Gaunt describing England as a garden, the concept of gardens throughout the play, and Shakespeare’s use of imagery)
Body Paragraphs-
1 well-developed paragraph – analyzing this particular speech and John of Gaunt’s description of England as a garden. Incorporate direct quotes/lines from the play to support your point (with parenthetical in-text citations).
2 well-developed paragraphs that relate this speech to AT LEAST TWO other passages (one per paragraph) in the play that relate to gardens or use vivid imagery related to nature. Incorporate direct quotes/lines from the play to support your point (with parenthetical in-text citations).
Conclusion paragraph – that discusses YOUR opinion (your own ideas in your own words) about Shakespeare’s use of imagery. In your mind, what is he trying to convey to the reader by using this type of imagery throughout the play? How does it affect you as a reader? Incorporate direct quotes/lines from the play to support your ideas (with parenthetical in-text citations).
In order to provide support from the play, be sure to cite lines from the play as direct quotes (include in-text citations with Act, Scene, and Line). Include a Reference page with the textbook and additional research listed as your sources. The paper should be written in the third person point of view (avoid the use of the first and second person in all formal writing assignments for this course)
Textbook reference
Bevington, David (2014). The Necessary Shakespeare, Fourth Edition. Published by Longman. Copyright 2014
Thank you and only original work required plagiarism free.
