Teller Elementary School: Passion Pursuit
Shakespeare
1.
William Shakespeare is probably the world's most famous playwright. He
was also a poet and an actor. He has contributed much to the world of
literature. Where was he born and where did he live? Locate these on a
map of the country of his birth. Where was the Globe Theatre? Label major
cities and bodies of water. How did his environment shape his life, his
writing, and his career?
2.
Shakespeare lived during the period called the Renaissance. Explain what is
meant by this term. When did the Renaissance occur? How did this
historical period compliment the nature and ability of Shakespeare?
3.
Make a Renaissance mask. If you watch
Much Ado About Nothing, you will see
the use of masks at a party.
4.
Shakespeare often wrote in blank verse,
prose, and rhyming verse. Explain what
these styles are and give examples. Try
to pick one style and use it in your original writing.
5.
The Globe Theatre is well known as the home theatre of Shakespeare.
Where is it? Create a model and provide some interesting facts about the
theater.
6.
Shakespeare was the master of insults! Locate a source for a variety of his
insults or search through his works yourself. Then try to create some
masterful insults of your own using Shakespearean English.
7.
The Elizabethan audience expected and got metaphors, puns, asides,
conceits, similes, onomatopoeia, alliterations, assonances, synecdoches,
and soliloquies. Explain and give examples of each of these terms. Create
additional examples of your own.
8.
Shakespeare is credited with at least 36 plays - 13 comedies, 13 historical
plays, 6 tragedies, and 4 tragicomedies. Explore at least one play from each
category. Summarize the plot and the main characters.
9.
Shakespeare said, "The world is a stage and every man is an actor." Explain
what he meant by that statement. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your
views.
10.
Critics have often noted the similarities in A Midsummer Night's Dream and
Romeo and Juliet. Write a comparison essay in which you distinguish at
least five points of resemblance in these two plays.
11.
Discover why we know relatively little about Shakespeare's life - including
the actual date of his birth. Tell the class what you have learned about the
man and the mystery.
12.
Develop a list of terms we use today that Shakespeare created: bandit,
worm hole, manager, for goodness sake, long-legged, birth-place, shudder,
and so on. Can you determine what factors in his time and/or location
might have caused him to invent these terms?
13.
Collect a list of word Shakespeare used in his plays: bootless = useless, sty =
imprison, wherefore = why. Try to explain how these terms came to make
sense to those in Shakespeare’s time.
14.
Make a timeline of Shakespeare's life and
works.
15.
Read Romeo and Juliet: Plainspoken.
Carefully compare the original play with the
modern translation. After reading each act,
pick an activity to complete from pages 231
to 242.
16.
Pick another play and read the
“plainspoken” version. Complete an activity
from those listed in the book.
17.
West Side Story is a modern version of Romeo and Juliet. Read or view
both, and then create a way to compare and contrast these works.
18.
There has always been great controversy about whether Shakespeare
actually wrote those works that are credited to him. Research this
controversy and then tell what you think in an opinion essay. Or invite a
partner to debate this issue with you in front of the class.
19.
Shakespeare rarely invented his own stories or plots. Collect information
about his sources. What do you think of this given that Shakespeare is
considered the world's most famous playwright?
20.
Read The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood and the sequels (if you
enjoy the first book). How accurate is this story given what you now know
about the man and the times?
Pick a play and then choose projects that interest you!
21.
Create Valentines for the characters to send to each other. These must be
related to the story and reflect the plot, conflicts, themes, and symbols.
They need to be written in sonnet form or short ballad form.
22.
Design the set for the play you have chosen. Either build a diorama or draw
a detailed sketch. Build or draw to scale. Choose costume designs for the
characters. Remember the historical time period in your designs. You may
use sketches or models for display. Specify colors and fabrics. See your
teacher before you begin.
23.
If you are reading A Midsummer Night’s Dream, create the potion that Puck
puts into the characters’ eyes. This must be based in the folklore and
science of the times. Develop the recipe and explain each ingredient.
24.
Develop a talk show (think “Ellen” or “Oprah”) where you, as the host,
interviews characters from the play. Discuss Elizabethan issues, the play, or
the theater.
27.
25.
Develop and make an artistic playbill that
describes characters, plot, them, and symbols of
the play. Make it historically accurate for both
the setting of the play and Elizabethan England.
Research the names of famous actors from that
time for your cast.
26.
Create character trading cards for the play. The
cards should list each character’s powers, traits,
and a quote that identifies the character.
Write an advice column (Dear Ann/Dear Abby) that would respond to one
of the character’s problems.
28.
Turn the play into a comic book or graphic novel.
29.
Present a newscast or newspaper that covers the events in the play and
events from that period in Elizabethan history.
30.
Keep a journal as one of the characters, or create a scrapbook. Tell more
about the character than the play reveals.
31.
Design masks for some of the characters. These should be Elizabethan style
half-masks. Decorate them to identify the character symbolically.
32.
Create a memory box for one of the characters. Include props that this
character would use.
33.
Put together music for the play you chose.
How would the music enhance the play?
Explain your choices.
Be specific about where the music would play
in each act.
34.
Compare and contrast two characters from
the play you chose. How are they alike and
how are they different? Use references from the play to support your ideas.
35.
Research the names of the characters in the play you chose. Explain the
meanings and how each character fits his/her name.
36.
Create your own projects or projects.