Here are some possible topics for the First Paper. You need not limit yourself to these; they are merely presented to give you an idea of what sort of topics could work for this assignment.
1) Define "foreshadowing." Examine at least three instances of foreshadowing and show how this adds to the dramatic impact of one of these plays.
2) Define "dramatic irony." Examine at least three instances of foreshadowing and show how this adds to the dramatic impact of one of these plays.
3) Compare some aspect of the two Kings--Lear and Oedipus.
4) Examine Oedipus the King according to some of Aristotle's "rules" about good tragedy. (See Aristotle on p. 423 and following)
5) Using more support from Oedipus the King, agree or disagree with the Editor's comment that Freud misinterpreted the play when he coined "The Oedipal Complex."
6) Examine how early drama compensates for the lack of extensive stage directions using Lear or Oedipus.
7) Feel free to grapple with a particular issue in a single play. These might be some general types of topics--
a) Does a certain character "deserve" his or her fate? (Best if you pick a character whose fate seems--at first--particularly unfair.)
b) Analyze a particular scene to explain a character's trait or later behavior.
8) Shakespeare's complex plays often feature parallel situations. These parallel situations are ideal for audience members or students who might wish to compare the behavior of one character under a set of circumstances with the behavior of another character under a very similar set of circumstances. Any one of these comparisons might be the starting point for a good paper topic. Here are some suggestions:
a) Gloucester's treatment by Edmund parallels Lear's treatment by Goneril and Regan. Compare the disaffected parents' behavior. Or compare the motives of the antagonistic children.
b) Two characters disguise themselves. Compare their motives for this deception. Compare their behavior while masquerading. Or compare how these disguised characters are treated by others.
c) Are Regan and Goneril indistinguishable? Compare their professions of love for Lear in Act I. Compare their treatment of their father later on in the play? Or compare their overtures (advances) toward Edmund.
d) Is there a parallel between the Fool and poor Tom (the madman)?
9) Is justice served in King Lear?
10) Discuss the meaning of the storm within King Lear.
11) Even though they are separated by class, Eliza Doolittle is able to verbally challenge Henry Higgins. Describe the particular subjects over which Doolittle shows greater understanding than Higgins. How do these differences affect the impact of the drama?
12) Shaw was concerned particularly with class differences. Does Pygmalion suggest that people can rise above the class into which they were born?
13) Once she has learned an "educated" accent, Eliza Doolittle strategically switches between accents, particularly in dealing with Henry Higgins. What is the effect of this code-switching on the character and/or audience?
14) Pick a minor character in the play such as Miss Eynsford Hill or Mrs. Pearce. Show how Shaw has developed this character. Explain his or her contributions to the dramatic impact of the play.
15) Pygmalion is called a "Romance." Analyze this play to show how Shaw intends us to understand this term.
16) Shaw's work often commented on social problems. In Pygmalion Shaw has used some very comical scenes to dramatize serious social situations. Analyze such a scene and discuss its likely effect on an audience.
17) To what extent is Shaw's play a criticism of the scientist or the scientific method? (Note: "Criticism" can include observations of both strengths and weaknesses.)