2009 AP English Literature—Sample Essays



2009 AP English Literature—Sample Essays

Question #1: Shakespeare, Henry VIII, Cardinal Wolsey speech

Sample A

Cardinal Wolsey expresses in the soliloquy following his dismissal a sense of indignation, that the king did not appreciate him. After a careful introspection, Wolsey blames his own pride and aspirations. Wolsey develops two strong comparisons in his speech to describe the sense of injustice and the folly of his own pride. In Cardinal Wolsey’s speech, Shakespeare develops the sense of injustice and the recognition of pride by relying on the two comparisons as well as the mood, as developed by the tone and diction of the soliloquy.

The first comparison Shakespeare employs, a metaphor, reveals Wolsey’s indignation at the injustice dealt to him. He has put “forth the tender leaves of hope” (3-4), seen them blossom; however, nature comes in the form of frost to “nip[] his roots” (8). Wolsey compares his fall to being frozen by frost at the climax of potential. To compare the king to a force of nature, Wolsey recognizes that the action was beyond any man’s control, thus ceding a potential argument that the king was at fault and should have been stopped. The impending nature of the forces of nature make it seem that Wolsey’s fall was fate, thus cementing the injustice he feels.

The second comparison Wolsey makes is a simile to air-filled sacs on which “little wanton boys” swim. This simile expresses the Cardinal’s recognition of pride and subsequent contrition in two ways: The first derives its strength from the subject of comparison. That an important cardinal would liken himself to “little wanton boys” (10) shows a level of humility. Second is the meaning of the comparison itself: “My high-blown pride/At length broke under me” (12-13). He compares his pride to the bladder used for swimming, noting that his pride had kept him afloat, but no longer. The Cardinal’s new-found humility expresses itself in the cleverly crafted simile.

Ultimately, Shakespeare’s diction builds Wolsey’s response to his dismissal by contributing to a tone of contrition. While in the second line Wolsey expresses anger for not being recognized for “all my greatness!” (2), Wolsey follows later with apostrophe: “Vain pomp and glory of this world, I hate ye!” (16). This contradiction is given meaning by the word, “this” in describing “world.” This wording is a reference to his religious nature and belief in a humble earthly life leading to a happier afterlife. He also describes himself as “wretched” later, showing the self-criticism in which he engages.

Shakespeare’s use of figurative language and then tone show how Wolsey blames the injustice on his pride.

Sample XX

In Shakespeare’s “Henry VIII,” Cardinal Wolsey expresses great emotion after losing his position as advisor to the king. Shakespeare uses references to nature and allusion to express Wolsey’s anger and remorse after his dismissal from court.

Shakespeare compares Wolsey’s emotions to a flower’s natural progression through life. The “tender leaves of hopes” represent the time before Wolsey becomes advisor. A flower’s new leaves show the beginning of its potential just as Wolsey possesses much potential to be the King’s advisor. When Wolsey becomes advisor, the flower blossoms. Just as the flower begins its life, Wolsey begins his duties for the king; however, good things do not last forever, as the killing frost preys on the unsuspecting flower. Then, the frost nips the flower’s root, ending its life on earth. The frost takes the flower’s life just as the spokesmen take Wolsey’s position by the king. The spokesmen leave him alone just as people leave a flower alone to rot and decompose. Wolsey experience follows nature’s course through life: a beginning teaming with happiness resulting in an ending full of sorrow.

Shakespeare allusion exemplifies the degree of Wolsey’s emotions. In the beginning, Lucifer lives with the other angels in heaven. But one day, God banishes Lucifer from heaven and send him to the depths of hell. Wolsey relates his situation to Lucifer’s banishment. Wolsey sits by the king’s side as his advisor, only to have the king strip him from his position. Wolsey feels that his removal represents the ultimate banishment, just as Lucifer’s removal from heaven represented the ultimate banishment.

By using allusion and references to nature, Shakespeare successfully conveys the complexity and severity of Wolsey’s feelings after his dismissal from the court.

Sample Q

Cardinal Wolsey’s sudden discharge is marked with anger and defeat. He interprets “the dream” what everyone wants as being a graceful descent form glory with a shattered hope to bear.

It is Cardinal Wolsey who says “…today he puts forth the tender leaves of hopes,” he makes people seem like trees; growing and then being cut down to make room for something else. Wolsey use figurative language to his advantage by using a comparison to trees as an extended metaphor.

He also see hisself as being broken (“My high. . . under me,”). He claims that losing his pride has left him old & weary therefore making him the “tree” that he alludes in the beginning.

Throughout the speech Wolsey’s tone varies. It seems to be sad when he is saying his farewells but goes into a neutral state when describes the state of man. His sadness returns as he remembers the past which instantly turns into a red-hot hate for the world’s attitude.

Sample L

In Henry VIII, Shakespeare uses allusion, figurative language, and tone to enhance Cardinal Wosley’s anger in losing his position of the king’s advisor.

Wolsey’s response includes an allusion to the first demon, Lucifer. The Cardinal compares himself to Lucifer by stating that both have fallen, “he falls like Lucifer.” The allusion is appropriate as both acted as their master’s right hand men, only to fall disgracefully afterward. Shakespeare’s use of this particular allusion displays the Cardinal’s inward intentions to seize the throne like Lucifer wished; however. . Wosley complains that he will live “never to hope again” due to his disgrace before the king. Essentially, the allusion serves to compare Wosley to Lucifer and elucidate Wosley’s dark intentions.

The figurative language creates images which heighten Wosley’s reasons for anger. The metaphor in lines 4-9 compare the Cardinal’s actions to the growth of a plant. His hopes “blossom” only to die to “a killing frost” and find his works “a-ripening” only to have the king nip “his root.” The metaphor depicts the Cardinal as a positive addition to the King’s court, as a strong aid for the king, who has been struck down wrongfully. The contrast of healthy nature and the quick death enhances the notion of wrong doing.

Lastly, Shakespeare uses a sarcastic tone to build upon Wosley’s anger. The sarcastic tone is most prevailent at the beginning and en of the passage. The initial “farewell” to his greatness compiled with the metaphor serves to denote his anger of being wronged. His fake realization of his wrongs at the feel of his “heart new open’d” mocks the king’s decision. Together, the two ends of the passage mock the king’s decision and shows his lack of dignity and lack of respect for the king.

Overall, the passage depicts Wosley’s anger at his loss through allusion, figurative language, and tone. His sharp remarks fail to respect the king’s decision and ultimately prove the ruling as wise.

Sample KKK

In the speech from Shakespere’s play Henry VIII, he uses figurative language. For example, in lines nine through ten, “I have ventur’d, Like little wanton boys that swim on bladders,”. Another example is in line twenty-two,” And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer.”

A line that is very interesting is “Never to hope again” (Line 23), which is an example of allusion. Those words are very powerful and help me, the reader see the image much better. This speech was very deep and had a great amount of detail.

Sample UU

King Henry’s VIII’s reign was a turbulent time for England. Spurned by his desire for an heir, the King of Catholic England asked the Pope to annul the marriages he had entered into when they did not bring him a male heir. The Pope’s refusal sparked the separation of England from catholic doctrine and gave rise to the Church of England. Virtually overnight, those in positions of religious authority in England were no better than the commoner. This sort of downfall is depicted by the character of Cardinal Wolsey in Shakespeare’s “Henry VIII.” As the spokesman for the King exit from the scene, leaving Wolsey to contemplate his downfall, the Cardinal reacts to his dismissal from the court in a speech that use figurative language and biblical allusions to convey the regret Wolsey feels in this lamenting response to his dismissal.

Cardinal Wolsey uses figurative language pertaining to the gardens and the sea to illustrate the fickleness of greatness & influence. In lines 3-9, Cardinal Wolsey uses a sequence of events with reference to gardening to illustrate how the favor and honor he has culled from the King over the span of years has now come to nothing. When he was first developing his relationship with the King, he put “forth the tender leaves of hopes,” and as he began to gain favor with the King, he allowed these hopes to “blossom.” Ostensibly, the rest of the Cardinal’s relationship with the King was comprised of the blossoms “bearing his blushing honors thick upon” him. At this point in time, the Cardinal is experiencing “the killing frost” that, just when the Cardinal had become secure of his sense at “greatness,” nipped the plant of hope at the root, resulting in his downfall.

Shakespeare also uses the sea, the age-old archetype of instability, in Wolsey’s speech. This reference occurs from lines 10-15. By comparing himself to the “boys that swim on bladders” in the glory of youth and the calm summer sea, Shakespeare draws a contrast between these young boys and the Cardinal. Wolsey admits that he behaved like this, resting on his laurels and glory until he was carried “far beyond [his] depth.” The winds of his pride carried him farther on a wave of influence that, “at length broke under [him].” Wolsey seeks to convey through the use of these metaphors that “greatness” is a fickle and transient thing, sensitive only to the slightest of shocks adversely, but also to the over-reliance of an individual upon it.

In this time of religious upheaval, Shakespeare utilizes biblical allusion in Cardinal Wolsey’s response to being dismissed in order to demonstrate the dangers of power and pride, as well as to convey a sense of regret and a lamenting tone in the Cardinal’s speech. This largely occurs in the second half of the speech, which begins by the Cardinal’s epiphany about life and position. In line 16, Wosley exclaims, “Vain pomp and glory of this world, I hate ye!” Thus showing that the Cardinal believes himself to be deluded by the vagaries of his elevated position and standing. In lines17-18, the Cardinal exclaims “O how wretched/Is that poor man that hangs on prince’s favors!” This statement expresses the regret the Cardinal feels for becoming a figurehead, someone who power, influence, and greatness were solely derived from the power, influence, and perceived greatness of another, in this case, King Henry VIII. These epiphanies set the stage for the main biblical allusion in the speech, where the Cardinal states, in line 22, “And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer,/Never to hope again.” The Cardinal regards himself as Lucifer, the fallen angel of heaven, who only derived his own power form that of God, yet had the gall to question God, instead of simply being content with “that smile, we would aspire to.” Lucifer’s fall is seen as analogous to his own situation because there is no hope for redemption for him in any way. Unlike Lucifer however, the Cardinal’s harsh opinion of himself shows that he experiences profound regret and is lamenting his situation.

Thus, we can see that Shakespeare utilizes a lamenting tone, metaphors to the sea and to gardens, as well as biblical allusions in Cardinal Wolsey’s response in order to convey the emotional upheaval the character is experiencing in this time of turmoil. The overall effect achieved by these elements is a stern warning to the audience that pride and the pursuit of glory are vain exercises, and that it is important for an individual to strive for a more substantial existence than to pursue such a transient and fickle concept.

Sample W

In William Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, Shakespeare uses figurative language and tone to portray Cardinal Wolsey’s feelings—of sorrow, anger and even disgust—following his sudden dismissal as advisor to the king.

The use of figurative language, through metaphors especially, assists in depicting Wolsey’s displeasure at such a sudden fall from power. In lines 3 to 9 the metaphor of a blossoming flower is used to describe the flowering of Wolsey’s career with “leaves of hope,” “blossoms,” and “greatness. . .a-ripening.” Wolsey had hope and success and, like the blossoming flower, was at his prime when the “killing frost”—the King’s displeasure—causes the blossom to shrivel and die. Wolsey also compares his time in power to “wanton boys” swimming on bladders (ll 10). Like the boys, Wolsey spent his time on a “sea of glory” until his “pride. . . broke under [him]”. In both of these metaphors the action of a sudden and harmful change is depicted. Through this comparison the King’s anger appears sudden and maybe even completely unpredictable to Wolsey. Both images are completely innocent; the boys are wanton and the flower is tender and blushing. Through this, Wolsey depicts himself as an innocent victim, undeserving of the Kings punishment.

Wolsey reiterates his anger and innocence through his word choice and this creates the overall tone. He always describes himself as an innocent bystander, even a simple man, using words such “weary,” “old,” poor” and “good easy man.” He depicts himself as dependent on the favors of princes; as the prince and only the prince can decide his ruin or success. He claims to be a “poor man that hangs on prince’s favors” using the double meaning of “hang” to further illustrate his dependence, since in the prince’s anger death is not a joking matter, and since his position was his life, his loss of power can be assumed to mean a loss of life.

Through imagery, metaphor, word choice and tone Shakespeare crafts a disheartened, angry and sorrowful Wolsey; lamenting his innocence and hardship.

Sample WW

In Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, Cardinal Woolsey’s unexpected relegation to a position of negligible importance forces a reconsidering of whether his life holds significant any longer. The Cardinal’s response is complex: though he initially blames times beyond his control for his current predicament, he must eventually confront his failure and its accompanying implications.

The Cardinal expresses his outrage at being dismissed through figurative language hiding a larger truth—that his own complacency may have been the true cause of his downfall. He begins by generalizing the state of man in an attempt to universalize the experience of failure, and compares his early work to “tender leaves of hope.” (4) This symbol of springtime and rebirth bears hopeful connotations; yet Wolsey goes on to say that “the third day comes a frost, a killing frost” (6) to suggest his cold and merciless casting from heights. His claim that his pattern is the inevitable “state of man”, in essence, that his removal was indubitably doomed to occur, places the blame for his unfortunate position on a different party. Unable to come to terms with the present, the speaker uses a form of psychological rationalization and symbolism to excuse his circumstances and detach himself from the truth—his claim that it is the unfortunate and inevitable truth that man “falls as I do” (9) holds little weight and reveals the cardinal’s distraught persona.

The monologue then takes a dramatic turn when the Cardinal grapples with the idea that his own ability to trust may have facilitated his fall from power. Through a metaphor, Wolsey explains that his inflated ego may have been a liability. He speaks of himself as “little wanton boy” afloat on “bladders” (10)—imagery that suggests his self-exaggerated importance, and hence vulnerability. He then recognizes his “high blown pride” (12) as contributing to his feelings of failure. As the speaker confronts how his self-aggrandizing in the past may have yielded his unfortunate situation, the Cardinal nevertheless makes a significant turnaround—no longer casting blame on outside forces but shedding light on his own faults.

This enlightenment, however, only exacerbates the difficulty Wolsey has in coming to terms with his dismissal. Last, Wolsey attempts to understand the implications of what has transpired, ultimately suffering from feelings of ignobility and impotence. The Cardinal bemoans his vulnerability to the “pomp and glory of this world” (16), which he realizes caused him to “hang” for a time successfully, albeit precariously, on “princes’ favors”. Suffering from crushing feelings of impotence at his predicament, he realizes that he must “for ever hide”. Moreover, these themes of impotence and the ignobility of his demise—omnipresent within the soliloquy—are the unfortunate ultimate consequence that the Cardinal undergoes.

Wolsey’s response runs the gamut from self-righteous justification to ignoble helplessness—through psychological detachment, symbolism, metaphor, and theme, the Cardinal eventually reaches the nadir of his experience, “falling”, as he claims, “like Lucifer, never to hope again”.

Sample T

In Shakespeare’s play Henry VIII, Cardinal Wolsey reacts with a melancholy and crushed response after his dismissal as a advisor to the king. Shakespeare illuminates Wolsey’s spiritless and broken response with the use of allusion, symbolism, and a tone of agony.

Wolsey uses the life span of a plant to represent his rise and downfall. As the seed is planted there is much hope and optimism. There is a similar feeling when a man is first given his position in a court and is filled with a marvelous spirit. As the plan blossoms so does the man’s greatness and success. Unfortunately an unexpected winter comes and kills the plant. This was Wolsey’s downfall and his pride was cut just like a root when his position was taken. The symbol of the plant to Wolsey’s situation shows how broken and hopeless Wolsey feels.

The authors use of allusion makes a reference to Lucifer. Lucifer is never to rise again for he is the fallen angel in the depth of underworld. Wolsey’s feels like Lucifer as he is stomped on and falls down to the ground.

Sample SS

In Henry VIII, Shakespeare employs heavy imagery, shifting tone, and a self-alluding perspective to illustrate Wolsey’s coming to terms with his job loss and the illuminating reflection that follows. Wolsey becomes self-critical of his old position and the characteristics he embodied, but at the same time is even more distraught over his current situation, that he is no longer priviledged and favored.

Heavy imagery contribute to Wolsey’s sense of his impending doom as it develops throughout the speech. At first, Wolsey feels self pity, and compares himself to a bud, with “tender leaves of hope” only to be destroyed by “a killing frost”. The destruction of the blossom demonstrates how Wolsey feels upon receiving the news of his dismissal: completely crushed. His feeling of hopelessness is further illustrated by the image of “boys swimming on bladders”, floating on balloons that “at length broke”. His dreams have vanished, revealed to be containers of empty air.

Wolsey’s tone shifts throughout the speech, ranging from indignation, melancholy, self-condemnation, and finally resignation. Shakespeare uses this technique to show the developing conclusion that Wolsey, making him more human and thus more sympathetic, as he is more identifiable to human emotions. The speech starts indignantly, with Wolsey declaring his dismissal “a long farewell to [his] greatness”. However, shock settles in and Wolsey conjures the image of a blossom, crushed by “a killing frost”. His tone shifts to self-condemnation next, Wolsey calling out his “high-blown pride”, and finally develops into regret and resignation, as he has “[fallen] like Lucifer”.

By alluding to the Biblical devil, Lucifer, Wolsey shows the depth of his agony. He has shown regret of his past behavior, but the consequence and his feeling of melancholy are ultimately realized in the final lines of his speech. The allusion to Lucifer, for example, illustrates how Wolsey can never again return to the figurative heaven—the king’s kingdom, under his service. The melancholy is further shown by Wolsey’s self-alluding descriptions, of the “poor man that hangs on princes’ favors”, of the “little wanton boys that swim on bladders.” Here Shakespeare uses the two allusions, imbued with imagery, to evoke the sense of poverty and begging (the man that can only depend on the will of the prince for survival) and innocence (the reckless little boys that know not what is coming). Shakespeare directs these self-referring images back onto Wolsey, lending more insight onto Wolsey’s agony over his current situation.

While Wolsey shows regret for having held such “high-blown pride”, Shakespeare uses various devices to demonstrate that beyond self-criticism, Wolsey is truly chastising himself only for having fallen from the ranks of his favored prince.

Sample E

Through imagery, allusion, and diction does Shakespeare convey Cardinal Wolsey’s reaction to being dismissed from court in the play Henry VIII.

“Tender leaves of hope”, “tomorrow blossoms” and “killing frost” conveys how Wolsey saw his downfall come to be. When he was advisor to the King there were “tender leaves of hope” until that “killing frost” took him of his power. The reverence to nature through imagery conveys how Wolsey was coming into his own “greatness is a ripening, nips his root, and then he falls as I do”; but then falls short when he is dismissed as advisor to the king.

Although there was only one allusion it still had a major part in conveying Wolsey’s reaction. Shakespeare alludes to Lucifer a fallen angel and compares him to Wolsey “When he falls like Lucifer, ever to hope again”, the comparison emphasizes the Despair Wolsey feels and the loss of his hope; Wolsey has been dismissed from the court just as Lucifer has been dismissed from the heavens. Lucifer is a symbol of evil and hate and the mention of Lucifer foreshadows how Wolseys reaction may turn more and more into hate.

Diction like “weary”, “hate”, and ruin” only emphasized Lord Wolsey’s growing resentment and hated towards being dismissed from the court. In the begining of the passage diction like “greatness”, “hopes”, and “honors” creates an image of a promising future that is soon shattered when dismissed and taken of all his power.

Through Allusion, diction, and imagery does Shakespeare capture the character Wolsey’s reaction to being dismissed from the court.

Sample M

Cardinal Wosley’s monologue is empowered by Shakespeare’s syntax structure, metaphorical language as well as other discrete rhetorical devices.

It is important to realize that Wosley’s dismissal was sudden; this suprise affects his reaction to the dismissal. The repetition of farewell in the begining of the stanza paired with the syntax offers two reactions to this dismissal. The first rhetorical question “Farewell?” offers shock to what has occured. The second exclamatory “farewell to all my greatness!” offers anger. Wosley then compares the “state of man” to that of a tree. The tree is hopeful for the future (leaves of hope. . . tomorrow blossoms) but as he was dismissed from the kings entourage, “comes a frost, a killing frost”. The choice of diction begins the tone of despair with the word killing. The trees roots are nipped and the tree falls. This extended metaphor is compared to the state of man, however the underlying truth is that it applies directly to Wosley. This complexity shows how Wosley thinks all men are destined to become hopeless and fall as he did. Shakespeare’s diction is also very ironic. In line 7-8 he writes “full surely, his greatness is a-ripening. . .” however instead of full surely one could interpret his words to mean “fool surely” this is because Wosley was overconfident of his own success. There is an intermediate shift in the focus of the monologue where Wosley comes to a realization that serving the King is a wasted life. “O how wretched is that poor man that hangs on prince’s favors!” After this shift Wosley resumes his ideas of hopelessness. It is ironic that in the second to last line that Cardinal Wosley [Cardinal being a higher catholic religious leader] comparing his own fall to that of Lucifer, “never to hope again”.

The voice of Wosley empowered by Shakespeare’s rhetoric devices make for a complex but powerful monologue.

Sample X

Cardinal Wolsey is clearly upset by the loss of his job. Along with the job, he loses all of his power and greatness. The result is an understandable feeling of despair and regret. However, instead of straightforwardly declaring sorrow, Shakespeare uses an elaborate series of images and metaphors and allusions to explain the situation. These techniques emphasize Wolsey’s despair at his present state of affairs and the change it has caused in his view of the world.

In the first 15 lines, Wolsey uses two extended metaphors/similes to describe his situation. The first describes him as a plant, shooting up leaves and blossoming before being killed in his prime by a frost. The language in the first part of the metaphor features positive, hopeful diction, such as “blossoms” (4) and “blushing honors” (line 5), reflecting the state of the man at that time. When the frost comes, it is not merely a frost, but a “killing frost” that immediately wipes out all the hope of growth. And in the end the plant falls, just as Wosley does. The next piece of figurative language is a simile in which, in which he compares himself to small children that swim out too far. The boys ride on bladders, but Wosley rides on his pride. When it bursts, he is stranded. As before, the language quickly switches from positive to negative; with the “sea of glory” (line 11) he was becoming a “rude stream” (line 15) that he is at the mercy of. The visual imagery of a dead flower and a drowning man clearly represent Wolsey’s current state, and the rapid transitions in language reflect the shock that he is feeing immediately after losing his job. Together, these passages offer a vivid image of Wolsey’s state of mind.

Line 16 marks a shift. Wolsey is no longer describing his own situation but lamenting it and the system that he relied upon. The “pomp and glory” that he was not long ago a part of have become objects of his hate. The language is again negative, with words like “vain” (line 16) “wretched” (17) and “ruin” (20) that convey Wolsey’s newfound anger at his situation. The allusion to Lucifer and the fallen princes who can never hope again casts doubt on his future prospects for a return to glory. He is dependent on a prince or king to give him a job, and if they are as fallen as Lucifer he will be unlikely to ever get one again.

Shakespeare’s language provides a vivid insight into Wolsey’s mind. The imagery and figurative language gives the reader a sense of the tragedy that has befallen Wosley. The last third of the speech is a decleration of anger. Together, they form a beautiful picture of a troubled state of mind.

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