List of Characters by Scene - so we know which roles to assign. We will also read through scenes using this version
No Fear Shakespeare - presents original text side-by-side with a... more or less accurate modern language version. Read this on your own in advance of our in-class read through.
Shakespeare WebQuest
Adapted from http://mrslux.pbworks.com/w/page/21790825/Shakespeare%20WebQuest
Use this WebQuest as a way to gain precious background knowledge while tackling one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies, Romeo & Juliet.
Follow the directions carefully, visit the chosen websites, read and gather information, and type your findings into a new Google document [Yourname Shakespeare WebQuest]. Make sure you create the document in your English 9 folder!
You may use any other sources you can find, just be sure to cite them at the end of that section.
All About Shakespeare:
Read about William Shakespeare. Create a short biography about the Bard that includes the answers to the following questions. It might be easiest to collect the answers and then organize your paragraph after having them. Your format can be a short essay (2-3 paragraphs max), a flier or brochure, or an obituary.
- What day do we consider to be Shakespeare's day of birth and how do we know it?
- What school and what university did Shakespeare attend?
- Who did Shakespeare marry, and how many children did he have?
- What tragic family event occurred around the same time as his writing of Romeo & Juliet?
- What did Shakespeare's great financial gain in 1605 allow him the time to do?
- What two plays are considered Shakespeare's greatest or most famous?
- How large is the average person's vocabulary, and how does Shakespeare's compare?
Read about the Elizabethan society's norms regarding love and marriage. Answer the following questions. Rephrase the question as part of your answer, or copy the questions into your document. Answer in complete sentences.
- At what age may a boy and girl marry, and at what age is marriage for non-noble families common?
- When a marriage is arranged for a younger couple, what is the usual reason?
- When is it considered “luckiest” to have the marriage?
- How is a wedding engagement announced, and what is thought of an unannounced wedding?
- Marrying for love is generally considered what?
- Why are most noble marriages arranged, and even some common people marriages?
* Note: “wherefore” means “why,” not “where.”
Write a short creative passage (about 100-150 words) using Elizabethan English. Use at least ten of the Elizabethan words correctly; highlight them with bold font. It might be easiest to include dialogue. (Need inspiration? Write an invitation to a party party, or write a well-known fairy tale.) Title this section "My Elizabethan Language Paragraph."
The Elizabethan Household:
Look at the list of services and occupations common in Elizabethan society. Answer the following questions in numbered form and complete sentences in your word document.
1. From whom do you purchase necessary drugs?
2. From whom do you purchase cloth for making clothing?
3. In your own household, what is the title of the person who nurses your baby?
Shakespearean Insults:
Include a heading that says “My Shakespearean insults.” Visit the insult kit link above and create your own FOUR insults using the formula:
“Thou” + Column 1 + Column 2 + Column 3 + “!”
Then, read a few of the actual insults taken from Shakespeare's works (from the second link above) and copy your favorite on your document. Cite its source! If you don't see the name of a play below the insult, it might just be randomly generated. Keep clicking "Insult me again" until you find one you like with the title of a play below it. Explain: why is it your favorite? What do you like about it? In what context might you use the insult today?
ROMEO & JULIET INDEPENDENT PROJECTS:
Choose one of the two options below. You MAY do a normal independent project as usual instead.*Write an essay comparing and contrasting one of the main characters from Romeo & Juliet to another literary (or pop culture) character who would be a perfect match or a perfect foil. You may use our standard lit. analysis essay format, OR you may write a narrative or scripted scene in which the two characters interact (eg. Sampson and Gregory meet C-3PO and R2-D2). Formatted dramatic scripts should be at least two pages long (double-spaced, dialogue indented, etc), and narratives or analysis papers should be at least 700 words.
*Stage a scene from the play in such a way as to draw attention to the theme or literary conventions used. This may be recorded or performed live, using actors or stand-ins (puppets, action figures, animation, etc). You MUST either use Shakespeare's original language, or if rewriting the language for another setting (modern, Dr. Seuss-style, etc) you must be able to explain your word choice for the characters' dialogue. For example, Shakespeare used formal poetry to elevate characters' ideals, emphasize their self-control, or show their authority and power. Scenes performed must be at least three minutes long, and you must provide a script (if original language) or notes (if using Shakespeare's language).
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteSo i found this cool thing its 20 words we owe to Shakespeare...i thought it was cool anyways you can check it out here
ReplyDeletehttp://mentalfloss.com/article.php?id=48657
Thank you to Bailey, who found some factual errors on the old Shakespeare FAQ link in the WebQuest. I have switched the links to more reliable sources, so it might look a little different if you've already started that assignment.
ReplyDelete