Sample essay 3: 'Tragedies portray societies which are caught between conflicting value systems.' Discuss with reference to one or more plays.
In
answering the question, the student writing this essay selects Everyman,
Dr. Faustus and Hamlet.
Q. How could this be improved?
TUTOR'S REPLY
Although Dr. Faustus and Hamlet are appropriate texts to write about in answering this question, the choice of Everyman is problematic as this particular play is not generally classed as a tragedy, but rather as a morality play. Choosing to write about this text alongside the others means that the essay offers a less focused answer to the question. If you are writing on a particular literary genre, you need to make sure that the text(s) you select are associated with that genre. If you are unsure, either read some criticism or ask your tutor.
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Click here to see a different example of a student making a less effective selection of texts to discuss in the essay |
