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Text analysis of a passage from The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

Purpose:  You will study the nuances of language and practice critical thinking and writing skills

Process: You will create a 3-5 paragraph essay on the nuances of a piece of text

Why do it?  Roughly 50% of assignments in a freshmen composition class involve some form of text analysis. Text analysis is important for developing critical thinking skills

Drama- Text Analysis     Choose a piece of text-

  • Monologue or Soliloquy
  • Minimum 10 lines of unbroken text
  • Examine the entire block of text

 

Analysis:

  • Mention title of play and playwright. Identify the Act, scene, and line numbers. Example:            ii.92-104
  • Identify the speaker and the situation. Example: Caesar tells Decius why he won’t go to the Senate (because Calpurnia had a bad dream).
  • Identify and explain any two Examples:

Metaphor, simile, personification, verbal irony, pun, aside, anachronism, alliteration, internal rhyme, etc.  (see poetry AND drama notes)

  • Identify and explain curious diction (word use)
  • Identify and explain curious syntax (word order)
  • Comment on the overall effectiveness of the passage on the part of the character or Shakespeare

Introductory Paragraph

Act: CAPITAL ROMAN NUMERALS  

Scene: small roman numerals,  

Line Numbers: Arabic Numerals                            __________________________________

(Example: II.ii.135-160 = Act Two, Scene Two, lines 135-160)

Speaker and Summary of Situation:

Body Paragraph(s)

Poetic/ Rhetorical Devices used:     

Words I need to define:     Line(s):

Conclusion

How does this passage effectively convey theme, develop a character, advance the plot, etc.?

Additional notes:

 Each student will choose a diferent block of text.  Here is the list of choices:

Act

Scene

Lines

Summary

I

i

29-52

Marrullus re: Roman disloyalty

I

i

56-65

Flavius calling Romans out

I

ii

37-47

Brutus to Cassius re: troubles of Rome

I

ii

66-78

Cassius assuring Brutus of his confidence

I

ii

135-160

Cassius: What's so great about Caesar?

I

ii

162-175

Brutus's noble intentions

I

ii

198-214

Caesar fears Cassius

I

ii

232-250

Casca re: Caesar refusing crown

I

iii

89-99

Cassius: I would rather die

I

iii

103-115

Cassius w/ Casca re: vile JC

II

i

 10-34

Brutus' no personal cause to spurn at him

II

i

60-69

Brutus between act and motion

II

i

237-256

Portia- "you stole from my bed"

II

i

291-302

Portia: "I grant that I am a woman"

II

ii

13-26

Calpurnia's dream

II

ii

92-104

Decius persuades Caesar

III

i

58-73

Caesar is fixed and immovable

III

i

148-164

Antony sees JC's corpse so low

III

i

164-176

Brutus reassures Antony he's safe

III

ii

12-35

Brutus's speech part 1

III

ii

37-48

Brutus’s speech part 2

III

ii

75-109

Antony's speech part 1

III

ii

120-139

Antony's speech part 2

III

ii

171-199

Antony's speech part 3

III

ii

212-232

Antony's speech part 4

IV

iii

92-106

Cassius pleading w/ Brutus

IV

iii

263-281

Brutus sees Caesar’s ghost

V

i

71-89

Cassius before battle

V

iii

78-90

Titinius to Cassius' corpse

V

iii

98-110

Brutus last of Romans

V

iv

68-81

Antony & Octavius praise Brutus

Rubric:

Poor

Satisfactory

Good

Excellent

Meaning

Confused understanding of text

Basic understanding of text

Thorough understanding of text

Insightful explication of text

Development

No devices identified

One device identified

Two devices identified, but explanation brief

All devices thoroughly explained

Language

Simple

Below grade level vocabulary

Satisfactory

Simple sentences

Elaborate

Good use of vocabulary

Sophisticated vocabulary and sentence structure

Organization

Jumbled discussion

No paragraph division

Basic organization, but no transitions from point to point

Logical organization, good intro, topic sentences, conclusion

Effective transitions, topic sentences, and opening and closing

Mechanics

Frequent errors that make comprehension difficult

Some errors hinder comprehension -

Occasional errors that do not hinder comprehension

Infrequent minor errors

If you need help with the meaning of the text, try: http://nfs.sparknotes.com/juliuscaesar/