Following the steps of planning a response, unpack atleast one of the prompts below, including deciding on arguments and evidence-usethe slides to revise if needed. Bring this to class on Monday.Ensure you also work on your quote sheet.-‘Shakespeare’s play shows howdifficult it is to rise above oppression.’ Discuss.●‘In Shakespeare’s play Romeo andJuliet, all characters are limited by gender, class, or both.’ To whatextent is this true?●‘Expectations are shown byShakespeare to shape how lives turn out.’ Do you agree?●“O, bid me leap, rather than marryParis, From off the battlements of yonder tower…” ‘In Romeo and Juliet,characters are more restricted by family expectations than by socialconventions.’ Do you agree?Steps of unpacking a prompt:1. Define key words in the prompt to establish essayparameters2.Do I agree or disagree?3.Identify 3 or 4 key arguments4.Establish a stance guided byyour arguments5.Order you arguments to best supportyour contention6.Recallevidence to support the arguments

Let's unpack the first prompt: ‘Shakespeare’s play shows how difficult it is to rise above oppression.’ Discuss.

1. Define key words in the prompt to establish essay parameters:

   • Shakespeare's play: This refers to any play written by William Shakespeare. For this response, let's consider "The Merchant of Venice".
   • Difficult: This implies a significant challenge or hardship.
   • Rise above: This means to overcome or surpass.
   • Oppression: This refers to prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control.

2. Do I agree or disagree?

   • I agree with the statement. In "The Merchant of Venice", characters face significant oppression, and it is indeed difficult for them to rise above it.

3. Identify 3 or 4 key arguments:

   • Argument 1: Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, is oppressed due to his religion and profession.
   • Argument 2: Jessica, Shylock's daughter, is oppressed by her father's control and the societal expectations of her as a woman.
   • Argument 3: Antonio, a merchant, faces oppression in the form of a potentially fatal bond, highlighting the oppressive nature of the legal system.

4. Establish a stance guided by your arguments:

   • My stance is that Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" indeed shows the difficulty of rising above oppression, as evidenced by the experiences of Shylock, Jessica, and Antonio.

5. Order your arguments to best support your contention:

   • I will present my arguments in the order listed above, as each provides a different perspective on oppression and its challenges.

6. Recall evidence to support the arguments:

   • For Shylock, evidence includes his "Hath not a Jew eyes?" speech, which highlights his awareness of his oppression.
   • For Jessica, evidence includes her elopement with Lorenzo, which shows her desperate attempt to escape her oppressive situation.
   • For Antonio, evidence includes his willingness to enter a dangerous bond with Shylock, showing the oppressive nature of his financial situation.