Clarifying how I should interpret a particular question?

Question

Note: Okay, I'm not looking for someone to answer my homework for me. Hence, I've removed the subject of the actual question, below.

My English teacher assigned us homework for the weekend; a question on "the characterization of [fictional Shakespearean character X]". But I don't get what I have to do.

Could someone clarify what exactly I'm being asked? eg. How Shakespeare builds the character as the play advances / Refer to instances in the text from which we can conclude certain character traits / His/her role in the play / How the character's dialogue echoes in his/her actions.

Maybe I'm being too pernickety about the question, but it's a Saturday morning, and I'm stumped.

Answer 1

basically, what characteristics (behaviors, personality traits, values, etc) does the character have, why did shakespeare choose these for the character? how do these traits affect the outcome of the story? what changes and growth does the character have as the story develops?

shakespeare has written many things. my fav quote of all time - "there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so", william shakespeare

Answer 2

In any particular work, a character may be involved in a story that takes place over a short time or a lifetime. The character will evolve over longer periods of time, as you do. It seems as if you are being asked to show the growth, changes, maturing of a specific character. Does the character change for the better or the worse? Are the factors of change environmental or not?

Answer 3

I believe that you are correct in your interpretation. The teacher wants to know how Shakespeare built the character. Take Othello, for example. How does he appear as a character in the beginning of the play. Does he seem to be a nice fellow that everyone likes? Then how does Othello build up to the tragic character that he becomes. What flaws in his life begin to change how he reacts and behaves around people. What is going on his mind and how is he manifesting these changes to the others around him. Does he begin as a happy person and slowly degenerate into an unhappy person. Does his outward appearance change to others or does he remain steady in how he presents to others but his inward character is changing. Discussing outward and inward appearance is often good. Some peope only change in their minds but not their outward appearance. Choose pieces of text which are indicative of the change that is occuring. Point out the passges where it becomes apparent that his tragic flaw is going to be his undoing. You can also cite acts and scenes and how your character has changed within these acts and scenes.