“He was a man, take him for all in all I shall not look upon his like again…” Hamlet 1.2 " THE LIFE AND TIMES OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE " IntroductionThis unit is designed to acquaint you with information concerning the life of times of William Shakespeare. You assignment is to conduct research about some aspect of William Shakespeare's life or the times he lived in and to share this information in a 4-6 minute oral presentation before your classmates. This information may take the form of a scene, design, timeline, lecture, etc. Unit Requirements
Class ScheduleDay 1 – Find an overview of your topic by using the materials provided in the library. Day 2 - Continue researching your topic. Prepare an outline of talking pts. Day 3 - Complete all research, write presentation and highlight talking points. Day 4-5 Class presentations Questions1. England has a rich history filled with the magnificent deeds of kings and queens and ordinary citizens. Your task is to create a timeline outlining the major events andchanges that took place during the Protestant Reformation and England’s split from the Roman Catholic Church. The Timetables of History (choose appropriate years)
2. Many kings and queens were the subjects of Shakespeare’s plays including Henry VIII. Your task is to write a biographical sketch of Henry VIII. Place particular emphasis on his split with the Roman Catholic Church and the six wives he married. Tell students which wife gave birth to Elizabeth I. Find pictures or illustrations of Henry VIII and his six wives and show them as part of your oral presentation. Henry VIII (Woodward book)
3. Elizabeth I was one of England’s greatest monarchs. Her reign is often called the Golden or Elizabethan Age. You have time traveled and are Elizabeth I. Discuss your life up until 1558 when you became Queen of England. Be sure to mention your imprisonment under Queen Mary Tudor, your education and musical talent, and your appreciation of the dramatic arts. Elizabeth the Great (Jenkins book) pp. 11-60
4. Elizabeth I ascended to the throne of England in 1558 and reigned until 1603. She faced many challenges including war with France and naval invasion by Spain. You have time traveled and are Elizabeth I. How did you stir your nation to greatness in world discoveries, literature, poetry, and drama? Be sure to mention your religious tolerance and oratory skills, particularly with your soldiers at Tilbury. Elizabeth the Great (Jenkins book) pp. 11-60
5. Shakespeare had the uncanny ability to capture the speech, manners, dress, and occupations of people from all walks of life. His inspirations may have come from strolling about Tudor London. Design three walking tours and accompany them with maps. Include the buildings, you would have actually encountered during Shakespeare’s time. Make sure that you put the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and the Globe Theatre in one of your walking tours. London a Social History pp. 34-65
6. Sir Francis Drake was the most famous sea captain who roved the oceans during Elizabeth’s I rule. You are Francis Drake. Don’t be modest in your presentation. Highlight your circumnavigation of the globe, role against the Spanish Armada, piracy (using your ship The Golden Hind). How do you think your efforts fostered Shakespeare’s work? Sir Francis Drake (Benson) refer to the index.
7. Sir Walter Raleigh was one of the most colorful figures in English history. He was a soldier, explorer, writer and businessman. You have traveled back in time and are now Sir Walter Raleigh. Describe your accomplishments regarding exploration, your role in the Spanish Armada victory, and your publishing influence. How did you meet ElizabethI? The Great Lucifer: A Portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh (refer to the index)
8. Considered the greatest dramatist the world has ever known and the finest poet who has written in the English language, William Shakespeare is a colossus in the world of literature. It is sometime after Shakespeare’s death. You are a reporter with the British Broadcasting Co.. Your assignment is to produce a piece about the life of William Shakespeare and touch upon his major accomplishments. What do you think accounts for his great appeal as a playwright? The Bard of Avon: the Story of William Shakespeare
9. A young man from a small town without any college education, family wealth or connections moves to London in the 1580’s and becomes the greatest playwright of all time. Perhaps his unlettered background has spawned the debate about his authorship and even identity. Shakespeare’s work, among others, has been attributed to Christopher Marlowe. Who was Marlowe and why do scholars think that he could have been Shakespeare? Make a short movie that reveals the debate about the authorship of the “Shakespearean” plays? The World of Shakespeare & His Contemporaries (Hussey) pp. 64-78, 118.
10. William Shakespeare prospered financially. You are the executor of his estate and are reading his will to his inheritors. They are wondering how did he earn his money? What were the sources of his income? Be sure to mention Shakespeare’s acting, playwrighting, and ownership of a theatre. What obstacles did he encounter in terms of plagiarism of his work and loss of income? Shakespeare and His Plays ( Burton) pp. 18-19.
11. During Shakespeare’s time a scribe rewrote William’s work from dirty papers, but a printer set type or prepared the printing press from one of three (or perhaps all three versions of the play) Example: 1. the dirty papers. 2. the scribe’s version. 3. the printer’s book of the play. You are a Shakespearean archivist with a Ph.D. Discuss the problems with this method of copying. How do we know if these are really Shakespeare’s plays as he wrote them? What is a quarto? What is a folio? Produce your own folio presentation by following the instructions in Shakespeare for Kids pp. 122-123. Shakespeare the Globe and the World pp. 172-179
12. William Shakespeare coined many words and used familiar words in new ways. It is one of his finest legacies. Refer to the book, Shakespeare for Kids pages 36-37. List and define (if necessary)4 nouns, 3 verbs, 3 adjectives, and 3 adverbs that are attributed to Shakespeare. Refer to the “Index and Concordance” p. 1763 in the back of The Homebook of Shakespearean Quotations p. 1763 and cite the play or plays where Shakespeare used them. Now follow the directions on page 37 of Shakespeare for Kids and coin 7 new words. Read the word and its definition to the class and tell your classmates how you created it. Shakespeare for Kids p. 36-37
13. Shakespeare’s works have been filmed using a variety of styles that sometimes reflected contemporary times or remained true to Shakespeare’s time. You are a film critic whose assignment is to review 2 film versions of Act One, Scene 1 from Twelfth Night from the following perspectives: (1) costumes, (2) expression and communication of words, (3 adherence to your text version, and (4) creative expression. Cambridge Guide to Shakespeare in Film
14. Attending the theatre was an enormous popular pastime during Shakespeare’s time. Two of the most famous places to watch plays were The Theatre constructed by James Burbage and The Globe associated with Shakespeare. You have just gotten home from your annual London theatre vacation. Tell your family, in an animated way, what the two theatres look like. Also mention several other indoor and outdoor theatres where you saw plays on past trips. The Essential Shakespeare Handbook pp. 25-30.
15. England experienced a “Golden Age of Drama” under Elizabeth I. You are a History professor at a large, state university who has been asked to prepare a short lecture about Elizabethan theatre or drama. Be sure to include the following: (1) chief characteristics of Elizabethan theatre or drama in terms of subjects and themes and (2) major Elizabethan playwrights with brief summaries of their works. The Essential Shakespeare Handbook p. 28-30.
16. What was the actual theatre like in Shakespeare’s time? Provide a detailed architectural diagram with dimensions so that your peers can picture Shakespeare’s plays being performed. Show them images or pictures of the new Globe Theatre in London and the Blackfriars Theatre in Staunton, Virginia. If you feel comfortable working with PowerPoint, you may wish to give your presentation using it. Shakespeare for Kids p. 82.
17. Elizabethan and Jacobean (under James I ) England were very different historical periods. You are a citizen who has lived through both periods. Describe some good and bad events that you personally witnessed under each ruler. You definitely need to mention the influence of the Puritans and the influence they had on drama. Essential Shakespeare pp. 17-23.
18. Tucked away behind the U.S. Capital is a living monument to the memory of William Shakespeare – the Folger Shakespeare Library. You are a library docent charged with giving a potential donor a tour of the Folger. You need to tell her: (1) who founded it and why it was founded; (2) how it serves the public; (3) about some outstanding parts of the collection, and (4) about some past and/or upcoming events. The Folger Library pp. vii-21.
19. The title of Shakespeare’s play, “Twelfth Night” is derived from one of England’s most popular holidays and festivals. Your British-based company has decided to throw a “Twelfth Night” party to showcase its new online game by the same name. You need to find the following: (1) the origin of Twelfth Night; (2) traditional disguises or costumes for Twelfth Night; (3) decorations appropriate to celebrating Twelfth Night and (4) suitable refreshments. Medieval Holidays and Festivals pp. 16-29
20. The character Feste in Twelfth Night is a jester or court fool. Where did the tradition come from? What purpose did jesters serve at court and in society? Was there a traditional form of dress? How were court jesters selected? Provide two examples of jokes or pranks that were typical during Shakespeare’s time. Make one Shakespearean joke (in absolute good taste) about your English teacher. The King’s Fool (all pages)
21. Dance and music were highly valued in Elizabethan times. Elizabeth I herself was an enthusiastic participant and patron of the arts. You are the dance master for Elizabeth I and she has asked that you teach her courtiers (your classmates) a new dance for a May Day festival. Choreograph a historically accurate dance to Elizabethan music using steps described in the resources below. Then teach it to your class. You can also view footage of recreated period dance from excerpts of Elizabeth I to get an idea of how Elizabethan dance might have looked. CD of Elizabethan music
Prepared by K. Craver 1/2005 |
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