Play Expert Paper - Macbeth

Write and submit a paper of 3,000-4,500 words about the play for which the Annotated Bibliography was completed. The paper will be a critical study of a theme, character, or development of the play, and will include a discussion of the play's textual background and source material.

Textual Background: Using Norton Shakespeare: Based on the Oxford Edition and other sources (if necessary), summarize in your own words where we got the modern text of the play you are writing about. Pay special attention to any differences between different original versions from which we get our modern text. Be sure to cite whatever sources you summarize.

Sources: Shakespeare got parts of most of his plays from other people's writings. What are the main outside sources he used to write this play? (Start from the information in the Norton Shakespeare: Based on the Oxford Edition, and examine the sources yourself, if you can). Summarize the information about where the play came from, unless you have a chance to examine some of the sources in detail. If you examine a source in detail, talk about your own conclusions.

Analysis: Develop an argument you will present about a particular interpretation of the play by analyzing a theme, a character, a plot development, etc. Make certain that your analysis is focused on one aspect of the play, craft an argument that you will then prove with your writing by drawing on primary and secondary texts, and avoid unnecessary summary.

Works Cited: Works cited should be annotated, but should not be included in the final word count. The final works cited should include at least 10 secondary sources that deal with aspects of the play.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the MLA Style Guide,