1) Choose a film to research.
The film you choose must be based on a play by Shakespeare that
you have not read already.
2) Read the play and take
notes. What are the major themes, characters, ideas, etc.
in the play? Simply put, what is the play about? What challenges
does it pose to filmmakers trying to adapt it into a movie?
3)
Research criticism of the play. How has the play been
interpreted?
4)
View the film and take notes. How does the film interpret
the play? How have the filmmakers tried to overcome the challenges
the play poses to adaptation?
5)
Research criticism and reviews of the film. What
do film scholars say about the film? What do Shakespeare scholars
say about the film? How do film reviewers assess the film? How
was the film received in general? Do you agree?
6)
Synthesizing your research, film notes, and answers to
the questions above, write a twelve-page paper discussing the film,
explaining how it illuminates or obscures aspects of the original
play.
1) Have a thesis. Remember to condense your
ideas into a single assertion, or statement of purpose.
2) Develop your ideas in a logical pattern.
3) Think and interpret. Do not give me a
twelve-page summary of the film or the play. Discuss the film’s
interpretation of the play.
4) Do not plagiarize. Properly document
all information, paraphrases, and quotations. Failure to do
so will result in failure on the paper.
5) Cite at least 10 sources. Five of these
sources must be scholarly. The other five can be any
worthy sources. Only one of your first 10 sources can originate
from the web. The other nine must have originally appeared
in print. Additional sources beyond the first ten can be any
worthy sources you want to use.
1) The rough draft of your paper is due on February
25. This is a complete draft. You must turn in the draft.
If you turn it in on time, you will get full credit. If you
don’t turn it in, you will be docked a half letter for your final
paper grade. I will not accept late drafts.
2) The final version of your research paper is
due on March 10.
