Analysis of a work focusing on drama in the Renaissance : King Lear or Dr. Faustus

Choice #1, Dr. Faustus In Scene 5 of Christopher Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus, Lucifer himself introduces Faustus to the Seven Deadly Sins (l. 272), which begin to arrive on the stage in line 282. Read through his introduction and the presentation of the sins carefully. Choose one of the sins and write a paper on it. The final paper should be cohesive; sub-topics are broken down here and enumerated, but this numeric presentation is done solely to highlight the various sub-topics you need to address in the paper. See the information on “Development of the Paper” below to help you organize and develop this paper. 1. An overview of how your chosen sin is understood in the medieval and/or Renaissance periods. You can look outside of England, for example, the Italian Renaissance. Or you may want to look at how the concept of sin was personified in English morality plays. Your research should set up a clear understanding of the sin so that when you get to the next point, you can provide some elements of comparison and contrast. 2. A definition of the word sin as it is presented in Scene 5 of Faustus. This definition should be entirely in your own words. At this point, you should include some comparison/contrast connections between the research you have done and the dramatic presentation of your particular sin in this scene. 3. The role, if any, of the sin in the rest of the play. Namely, is Faust covetous? Is Wagner prideful? Think about how Marlow considers or understands the sin and some connection between the presentation scene in Scene 5 and your assertion about the sin in the rest of the play. Present at least one analysis of another scene where the sin is depicted. 4. Finally, draw some conclusions or reflections on the dramatic presentation of sin in the play, the literature, and/or the period. See “Development of the Paper” below for additional information to help you organize and develop this paper. Choice #2, King Lear Shakespeare’s King Lear was produced during the period when King James was pursuing the union of Scotland and England into the kingdom of Great Britain. How does Shakespeare’s tragedy appear to comment or reflect upon this political project? Research: Do some historical research into the period, but don’t be overly distracted by it. Use the research to support the presentation of the idea in the play itself, so you will also have to analyze particular scenes from the play to demonstrate your findings