MLA style is a citation style developed by the Modern Language Association (MLA). It is commonly used in the humanities, especially in English literature and language, cultural studies, and other related fields. The main purpose of MLA style is to provide a uniform way of citing sources in academic papers, so that readers can easily locate and verify the sources that have been used.
An MLA style essay follows a specific format that includes the use of in-text citations and a Works Cited page at the end of the document. The in-text citations are used to acknowledge the sources that have been used in the essay, and the Works Cited page lists all of the sources in full at the end of the document.
Here is an example of an MLA style essay:
Title: The Role of Women in Shakespeare's Tragedies
Introduction:
In Shakespeare's tragedies, women often play a significant role in the story and the actions of the male characters. However, their portrayal is often limited and stereotypical, with women being depicted as passive, submissive, and manipulative. This essay will examine the role of women in three of Shakespeare's tragedies – "Hamlet," "Othello," and "Macbeth" – and analyze how their characters are developed and how they influence the actions of the male characters.
Body:
In "Hamlet," the character of Ophelia is presented as a victim of male manipulation and control. Her father, Polonius, and brother, Laertes, both seek to use her as a pawn in their own schemes. When Hamlet rejects her, she becomes insane and eventually takes her own life (Shakespeare 2.2.141-142). This portrayal of Ophelia as a victim of male manipulation is a common theme in Shakespeare's tragedies, as seen in the character of Desdemona in "Othello" and Lady Macbeth in "Macbeth."
Desdemona, the wife of the titular character in "Othello," is also depicted as a victim of male manipulation and control. Othello's jealousy and insecurities lead him to believe that Desdemona has been unfaithful, and he ultimately kills her (Shakespeare 5.2.115-116). In "Macbeth," Lady Macbeth is initially presented as a strong and ambitious woman who encourages her husband to kill the king in order to seize the throne. However, as the play progresses, she becomes consumed by guilt and eventually takes her own life (Shakespeare 5.1.36-37).
Conclusion:
In Shakespeare's tragedies, the portrayal of women is often limited and stereotypical, with women being depicted as passive, submissive, and manipulative. While they may play a significant role in the story and the actions of the male characters, their characters are often not fully developed and they are ultimately victims of male manipulation and control.
Works Cited:
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Washington Square Press, 1992.
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Othello, the Moorish of Venice. Ed. E. A. J. Honigmann. New York: Washington Square Press, 1997.
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. Ed. Alistair McCallum. New York: Washington Square Press, 1998.
In this essay, the in-text citations are used to provide the page numbers for the quotes from the plays, and the Works Cited page lists the full citations for the three plays that
