English Graded Assignment: Semester Test Part 2 - Literary Analysis

This document contains the answers to an English Semester Test, Part 2. The test assesses understanding of literary analysis. Question 1 examines Chaucer's portrayal of characters in The Canterbury Tales, asking for examples of positive and negative representations from different social estates. Question 2 focuses on William Shakespeare's Sonnet 73, requiring a description of its poetic elements, imagery, symbolism, and central theme. Question 3 involves a comparison and contrast of Hamlet and Fortinbras in Shakespeare's Hamlet, exploring their similarities, differences, and the insights gained from their contrasting characters. The student's responses demonstrate an understanding of literary concepts and the ability to analyze and interpret literary works.

English | Graded Assignment | Semester Test, Part 2
Name: Date:
Graded Assignment
Semester Test, Part 2
The semester test has two parts. Part 1 has online, computer-scored questions. Part 2 has offline, teacher-scored
questions. Complete the offline portion of the Semester Test now. Read each question carefully. Answer in the
space provided.
When you finish, submit it to the teacher. Remember: You need to complete both parts of the test by the due
date to receive full credit.
Total score: ____ of 45 points
(Score for Question 1: ___ of 10 points)
1. Why does Chaucer include both positive and negative representations of people from different estates in The
Canterbury Tales? Give one example of a positive representation and one example of a negative
representation. Explain how each character shows either positive or negative traits. Your answer should be at
least one paragraph.
Answer:
In the Canterbury tales, Chaucer has presented both the positive and negative sides of the people. Here
the Knight has been presented as the positive example of people in the second estate because it
represents the nobility (Olson 2014). The Knight is shown as a humble personality than the clergymen
and others. On the other hand, Miller is the example of negative people that belong to the third estate.
People belonging to this estate are merchants, peasants and traders. It has been shown in the narrative
that miller is both bawdy and drunken in their natures. They are corrupted in their activities as well
(Olson 2014).
(Score for Question 2: ___ of 10 points)
2. Reread Sonnet 73 by William Shakespeare now. It is located on page 69 of your Journeys anthology.
Describe the poetic elements of this sonnet. What imagery and symbolism does Shakespeare use? What is
the central theme of the work? Your answer should be at least one paragraph.
Answer:
The sonnet no 73 is one of the most famous and notable works in the list of Shakespearean sonnets. This
sonnet is a typical English sonnet different from the Petrarchan ones. It contains three quatrains and one
couplet (Brandt 2017). The human aging has been discussed in this sonnet. The comparisons have been
shown in regards to the seasons like autumn and winter. The fleeting nature of the human beings has
been shown in this sonnet by the poet. Several similes and metaphors have been used to portray the
fading life of human (Brandt 2017).. Readers also find out the fact that his beloved his younger than
narrator himself.
(Score for Question 3: ___ of 25 points)
3. Compare and contrast Hamlet and Fortinbras in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. How are the two figures
alike? How are they different? What do readers and audience members come to understand as a result of the
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English | Graded Assignment | Semester Test, Part 2
similarities and differences that exist between these characters? Your answer should be two or more
paragraphs.
Answer: In the tragic play named Hamlet, William Shakespeare has portrayed both the characters of
Hamlet and Fortinbras to showcase some differences and similarities (Rotstein 2018). The similarity that
lies between them is both of them do not have the ability to act in a decisive manner. However,
Fortinbras acted without delay after the first four half acts and goes out to avenge the death of his father
against Denmark. Fortinbras showed the determination to take decisions actively but it was hard for
Hamlet to do so (Rotstein 2018). This shows the audience on the importance of being decisive in critical
situations.
Type your answer here.
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