I. Focus on a character in a particular moment of the play and write a journal
entry or a letter in the voice of this character in this moment. The character
would be expressing his point of view on one of the four themes while writing about
this moment; somewhere within the journal entry or letter must be at least one
significant quote from the play. End with a sense of what the character intends to
do.
What this assignment requires:
 The journal entry/letter must be written in the voice the character—who is
this character and how does he/she use language to express his/her
thoughts?
 The character must describe a specific moment in the play—what has
happened?
 The character must provide a clear, accurate description about his/her
feelings in this moment—how does this moment make the character feel?
 The character must explain the reasons for his/her feelings in this moment—
why does the character feel this way?
 The character must describe how he/she intends to react to this moment—
what does this character plan to do in response to this moment?
 This journal entry/letter must make clear the theme connected to this
moment.
 This journal entry/letter must use a quote from the character found in the
play that is connected to the theme.
 The journal entry/letter must be carefully revised and use interesting
language.
II.
Focus on a particular moment of the play and, using a program like Comic Life,
create a series of panels that presents the beginning, middle, and end of a moment in
the play that comments upon a particular theme. Use the actual words from the play.
The central panel should contain the essential quote that provides the character’s
comment on the theme.
What this assignment requires:
 A thoughtful selection of lines from the play that:
o Clearly connect to one of the themes;
o Has a quote that captures/embodies an important idea about the
theme;
o Provides a sense of a beginning, middle, and end of a scene.
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A series of images/illustrations that are connected to the lines from the
play.
The series of panels that have been carefully arranged so the events of the
scene unfold clearly.
The central quote must given special prominence in the panels—this
quote should in some way be distinguished from the others.
III.
Find a song that comments on a particular theme in a way that is similar to a
particular quote/moment in the play. You could create a document that places the
lyrics alongside the essential corresponding lines. Then, in two paragraphs, link and
connect the song’s lyrics to the words of the play.
What this assignment requires:
 The song selected must have a genuine connection to one of the themes.
 The song selected must have a clear connection to particular lines from the
play.
 The song must have significance and depth in the meaning it expresses.
 The lyrics of the song and the lines of the play need to be presented side-byside, as two columns on a page.
 The writing assignment:
o Paragraph One:
A description of the central idea/theme found in
the song—what is the lyricist expressing with this song? What does
he/she want the listener to understand after hearing the song? What
lines are especially important to this song’s meaning? How so? Be sure
to identify the song’s title and author (lyricist).
o Paragraph Two:
An explanation of how the lyrics of the song
connect to the lines found in the play—in what way are the meanings
similar? What idea does the song and the play share? What do both
say about the theme?
 Both paragraphs have been carefully revised and use interesting language.
IV.
Find a quote from the play that speaks to a theme and perform this quote; the
quote would need to be about 12-20 lines from the play. Memorize the piece, consider
elements of performance involving both voice and movement, and then digitally
capture this performance.
What this assignment requires:
 The selection of a series of lines (12 to 20) that clearly connect to one of the
themes.
 Rehearsal, memorization, preparation, all aimed at drawing the viewer into
the meaning of the lines.
 Connection to one of the themes that is easily recognized with emphasis
placed on the essential lines.
 Consider how you will digitally save this performance; enlist a friend to hold
the camera or use a tripod.
 Performance must reflect time, effort, and memorization of the lines.
V.
With a partner, select a theme and, through the creation of a map, plot the
course of that theme through the words and actions of the play’s characters. This map
could be digital or physical, and would attempt to show how Shakespeare develops this
theme over the play, and would include at least eight quotes from a number of
characters.
What this assignment requires:
 The selection of a series of quotes from across several acts and scenes
that focus on a single theme.
 The creation of some visual (digitally or physically) means to present
these quotes to the viewer.
 The quotes are written in a way that highlights the theme; for example,
the quote might be typed and the lines within the quote that emphasize
the theme are in bold face.
 A title that highlights the theme.
 The pairing of suitable images with the quotes.
VI.
Select a moment from the play where a character is grappling with a
particular theme and have this character write an anonymous letter to an
advice column seeking help with his issue. In the letter, embed a quote from the
play that expresses this character’s view of the issue. Then the columnist would
write a response that provides understanding and advice for the issue confronting
the character.
What this assignment requires:
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The selection of a reasonable moment from the play where the character
could reflect upon events related to a theme.
The writing of a letter in the voice of this character where he/she explains
the situation and obstacles that faces him/her.
The letter would also accurately reflect the character’s feelings about this
situation and how he/she hopes the situation might be resolved.
The letter would contain at least one quote from the play (spoken by this
character) that relates to this theme.
The character would sign the letter with some appropriate pen name.
The columnist would respond to the character’s situation and attempt to
provide some advice.
The columnist should attempt to comment on the theme and might even
include a quote from the character.