2008. In a literary work, a minor character, often known as a foil, possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast or comparison, the distinctive characteristics and qualities of the main character. For example, the ideas or behavior of a minor character might be used to highlight the weaknesses or strengths of the main character. Choose a novel or play in which a minor character serves as a foil for the main character. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the relation between the minor character and the major character illuminates the meaning of the work.
Shakespeare often employs foils to prove a point. In Much Ado About Nothing Claudio and Don Jon are foils. Claudio is almost naïve while Don Jon is sneaky. Shakespeare uses the relationship between Claudio and Don Jon to show that young people should think critically about their situation.
First Don Jon and Claudio are foils. We know this because of several things. The first is that Claudio is young and Don Jon is not. Claudio is merry and Don Jon is gloomy. Claudio is Naïve and Don Jon is manipulative. Shakespeare uses these traits in Claudio to make him easily manipulate able.
Next Shakespeare uses the fact that Claudio is easily manipulated to show that young people should think for themselves. First Claudio falls deeply in love with Hero. When Don Jon begins spreading rumors about Hero he rejects her. This shows that young people should use common sense because Claudio loves Hero but rejects her to easily. He does not think about his sources or reflect about the situation. He allows others to make decisions for him and this ultimately leads to his unhappiness. Shakespeare uses Claudio as an example for other young people.
In conclusion Shakespeare uses the relationship between Don Jon and Claudio to show that young people should think for themselves. Claudio is easily manipulated and this ultimately leads to his destruction.
I find a lot of controversy already in your first sentence: "Shakespeare often employs foils to prove a point." Foils are prevalent not only in Shakespeare, but writing in general. That's sort of like saying that he often employs a setting to prove a point. Foils are settings aren't really specific to just Shakespeare.
ReplyDeleteYou do a lot of just stating things and then leaving them there. You don't expand upon them and then draw the connections to themes, effects, etc that the AP board is really looking for. Anyone can retell the story and characters; AP students should be able to see how certain things fit together and work in a novel.
You need to really work on staying focused on what you are trying to prove so that your essay works to support it. Your paragraphs are filled with statements that are never really backed up. Many of them do not serve a purpose at all and do not further your opinion. In your first body paragraph you choose to use the topic sentence "First Don Jon and Claudio are foils." You already stated the exact same thing in you intro "In Much Ado About Nothing Claudio and Don Jon are foils" and it is silly to state that as your topic sentence because the people that you chose better by foils because that is what the prompt is about. Also, all of your essays use forms or "first", "next", and "in conclusion". AP readers are smart people, at least I hope, and they know your conclusion is your conclusion. You don't need to tell them.
ReplyDeleteMost of your essay consists of plot summary. Giving background information is good, but when the majority of your essay is summary is just looks like you don't have a lot to say on your actual opinions or you don't have much evidence to support it. Plot summary is not support. Support comes from the details and the connects you should have made when you read the work.