Following are several essay prompts examining the correspondences between William Shakespeare's Macbeth and Ron Rash's Serena.

Comparing Macduff and McDowell

In Macbeth, a Scottish nobleman Macduff serves as a rebuke to Macbeth's character and murderous ways. It is he who dislikes Macbeth's reign from the beginning, and it is he who becomes the de facto leader of the crusade to dethrone Macbeth. Similarly, from the very beginning of Serena, McDowell senses something sinister about the partnership between Serena and Pemberton. When Pemberton kills Harmon at the train station, McDowell is intent upon exacting justice, in spite of the Pemberton's powerful position in the community.

Write a 600 word essay that compares Macduff and McDowell. How do they function similarly in the plots of their respective works? How does McDowell mirror Macduff in name, sentiment, and conquest?

Comparing Lady Macbeth and Serena

Much scholarship surrounding Macbeth has concerned Lady Macbeth's role in her husband's rise to power and downfall. Serena plays a similar role in the Pemberton's rise to power, the expansion of their logging empire, and eventually Pemberton's downfall.

Write a 800 word essay that compares Lady Macbeth and Serena. How are their characters similar? How do both women exert power over their husbands, their 'kingdoms," and their futures? The essay must reference both primary texts and at least two secondary sources.

Comparing Macbeth and Serena

There are many similarities between the Macbeth's and the Pemberton's, the series of murders that take place, and the ideas of power and empire. How do these elements of character, plot, and theme drive each work?

Write a 1000 word essay examining the significance and importance of three parallels between concepts and / or events in both works. You must reference both primary texts and include a reference to at least one secondary source. Do not simply identify correspondences. Instead, examine how these elements of character, plot, and theme develop the meaning and signficance of the work.

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources

Performances of Serena and Macbeth

Do NOT use the performances as source material. The essays must be based on the texts of Serena and Macbeth.