When Rosaura falls from her horse, she hears sounds from a tower and enters to find a man dressed in animal skins and secured with chains. The man acts insane and frightens Rosaura until he calms and they talk. Since you do not know any other information about who the man is at this point, it might occur to you that this person is insane. Choose one of the following to write a cohesive, detailed essay:

1. Research how insane persons were handled in the 1600s and write an essay describing what you learn.

2. Compare and contrast the way mentally ill people were handled in the 1600s versus in the United States or Europe in the 21st century.

3. Research and write an essay outlining the changes in how insane people were treated from the 1600s through the 1900s.

4. There are various differences among cultures as to their attitudes about insane people. Choose three diverse cultures and learn about and write an essay on the similarities and differences as to how an insane person was accepted/not accepted.

Essay Topic 2

In Act 2, Scene 1, Segismundo has been transported to the palace while unconscious from the administration of a narcotic. When Estrella arrives, Segismundo attempts to get close enough to her to rape her. In the process, Segismundo flings a servant who is protecting Estrella to his death. Write an essay answering the following questions:

1. Should Segismundo be held accountable for killing the servant? Why or why not?

2. In centuries past, servants were considered less important, and hence less valuable than nobles. Is this an acceptable attitude? Why or why not?

3. Segismundo is only verbally admonished for killing another human being. What would you have ordered to have happened to Segismundo for killing another human being?

4. What would be fair compensation to the servant's family for his death? Explain your answer.

5. Along this same lines, at the end of the play, Segismundo orders a soldier who assisted Segismundo's victory on the battlefield to be cast into prison for the rest of his life for speaking up to his "betters," i.e., the king. History is replete with examples of commoners (and very often nobles) being killed at the whim of the sovereign ruler. Discuss the idea of one person being able to legally decide without trial or any kind of legal recourse, the fate of another. Is this fair?

Essay Topic 3

In Act 3, Scene 1, Soldiers arrive at the prison tower and ask Segismundo to lead them in a rebellion against the king and his declaration of Asolfo and Estrella as joint heirs to the throne. Answer one of the following in a well-written essay using detailed examples from the book or other sources.

1. How often do you think a king or queen is overthrown by one is his/her children? What do you think are some of the reasons that a child overthrows his/her parent off a throne?

2. Would you be willing to depose your parent from the throne? Under what circumstances?

3. If you were the younger son/daughter and the older child was to inherit the throne but you knew he or she would be a murderous, tyrannous ruler, what would you do? Would you go so far as to have that sibling murdered?

4. Do you think the throne should be passed to the oldest child or to the child most able to rule? How would a parent decide who is most able?

(see the answer keys)

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