Essay Tips and Reminders:
INTRODUCTION:
General opening statement:
Marginalization has been present throughout human history and it is often
explored in many works of literature. (boring….you can do better!)
Harnessing statements:
-introduce texts and authors and connect to topic:
In Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein and William Shakespeare’s Macbeth marginalized
characters are developed by both authors and they have a considerable effect on
the significance of the texts.
-summarize arguments (1 sentence for each argument)
In both storylines, characters experience marginalization when they are
overpowered by others and this brings about pain and suffering. Furthermore,
both authors create marginalized characters when they are forced to endure the
pain of betrayal. And finally, characters become marginalized when they
encounter injustice.
Thesis:(summary of arguments above leads to the thesis)
Thus, the outcome of marginalization in Macbeth and Frankenstein is that the
characters who are ostracized endure pain and suffering.
ARGUMENT #1: paragraph #1--Macbeth
Topic Sentence: (must mention subjects that are being compared, the
topic of the argument and its connection to the thesis)
Macbeth, Victor and the monster become marginalized characters because
they are overpowered and defeated and this brings about the suffering of both
characters.
Example #1 (provide context of the quotation)
As King, Macbeth is seen as a tyrant by many Scottish nobles, particularly Macduff.
Macduff sets out to save Scotland from Macbeth’s tyrannical leadership when he
decides to join Malcolm’s forces. With England’s help, Malcolm, Macduff and
many Scottish troops, who have decided to no longer support Macbeth, band
together to defeat the King. As a result, Macbeth is left with fewer men and those
who remain serve him with fear and “Nothing in love” (5.3.20).
Provide a sentence and proper Punctuation to integrate quotation
and provide the quotation:
Macbeth realizes his isolation as he prepares for battle and hears of the soldiers
approaching: “My way of life/Is fall’n into the sere, the yellow leaf,/And that which
should accompany old age,/As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends,/I must
not look to have; but in their stead,/Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour,
breath” (5.3.22-28).
Explain the quotation (connect to topic and Thesis)
Macbeth’s marginalization is caused by the lack of emotional support he could
receive had he friends and loyal subjects. His marginalization is further
compounded by his impending defeat by Malcolm’s army. Macbeth knows he
cannot rely on men who “curse” him while they serve him and that Malcolm’s
loyal and organized army will certainly defeat him. The marginalization he
experiences bring Macbeth pain and suffering since he realizes that his life is
coming to an end and that which “accompany old age” is replaced with false
appearances and loneliness. Earlier in the play, Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that
he did not want to lose the “golden opinions” (1.3.41) people have of him by killing
Duncan. He is pained to know that all he has left is “mouth-honour” and he has
lost the good reputation he values as well as those who supported him.
Example #2: (provide context of the quotation)
Macbeth marginalization is further developed as the witches overpower him.
Macbeth chooses to believe in the witches and invests his entire life and kingship
on the prophecies they give him. In one of his encounters with the witches,
Macbeth demands to be given more information. His behaviour suggests that he
believes he is in control of these witches, but by the end of the play, he realizes
that the apparitions they provided are riddles meant to trick Macbeth.
Provide a sentence and proper Punctuation to integrate quotation
and provide the quotation:
As Macbeth fights Macduff, he is told that Macduff was not born of a woman and
Macbeth sees that the witches’ prophecies were false and he curses them when he
says, “And be these juggling fiends no more beliv’d/That palter with us in a double
sense,/That keep the promise to out ear/And break our hope” (5.8.19-22).
Explain the quotation (connect to topic and Thesis)
The witches’ prophecies overpower Macbeth’s ability to think and act clearly and
he feels the sting of their deceit. Macbeth chooses to enter the unnatural and evil
world of the witches and his faith in the witches only leads him to act in ways that
marginalize him. The witches tell him he will be king and as a result, Macbeth kills
Duncan. Moreover, the witches tell Macbeth that he cannot be harmed by anyone
born of a woman, giving Macbeth a false sense of security. Killing Duncan and
seeing himself as an indestructible leader allows Macbeth to behave in ways that
turn his country against him until he is alone fighting his own battles. Macbeth
painfully realizes the witches’ prophecies are deceitful and that they have
subsequently caused him to act in ways that marginalize him from the natural and
ordered world.
Concluding sentence:
In the end, Macbeth is overpowered and cannot be part of normal society, and he
loses his title as King, thus demonstrating that his marginalization causes him
distress and agony.
ARGUMENT #2: paragraph #2 –Victor & the monster
Topic Sentence: (must mention subjects that are being compared, the
topic of the argument and its connection to the thesis)
Similar to Macbeth, when Victor and the monster are dominated, they
become marginalized which causes them misery.
Example #1(provide context of the quotation)
...
Provide a sentence and proper Punctuation to integrate quotation
and provide the quotation:
The monster overhears Felix tell his landlord that they can no longer stay in the
cottage. Felix says, “It is utterly useless…we can never again inhabit your
cottage. The life of my father is in the greatest danger, owing to the dreadful
circumstances that I have related. My wife and my sister will never recover from
their horror”(127).
Explain the quotation (connect to topic and Thesis; provide a
comparison)
The connection the monster once had to the DeLacey family is now lost since his
appearance has caused the family great fear. At this point in the monster’s
narrative, he describes himself as a helpless and powerless creature who wishes
to have human companionship. The rejection of the DeLacey’s causes the monster
to be alone and to have no power over the kind of life he wishes to lead and so he
is forced to become a marginalized figure. Similar to the way Macbeth is seen as a
tyrant by the people of Scotland, the monster is seen as something that is evil and
to be feared. Both characters are rejected and defeated by mainstream society
causing them pain. The monster is hurt because he realizes that he will never be
accepted since even the gentle and kind DeLacey family rejected him, while
Macbeth is disturbed by the fact that his life is coming to an end and he is alone
and facing defeat.
Example #2: (provide context of the quotation)
As well as the monster and Macbeth, Victor is eventually dominated by the
monster’s power which causes Victor to feel pain and suffering in his
marginalization.
Provide a sentence and proper Punctuation to integrate quotation
and provide the quotation:
…
Explain the quotation (connect to topic and Thesis)
…
Concluding sentence:
In summary, all three characters are overpowered and marginalized which creates
misery and pain in their lives.