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fandomhigh2006-10-03 06:21 pm
no-toast-thanks.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2006-10-03 06:21 pm
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Heroism, Humanism & Hijinks: Literature in Action - Week 5, Period 5 (Danger Shop)
There was a note on the door of the main classroom informing the students to head to the Danger Shop instead.
The Danger Shop was set up like a Scottish moor, foggy with thunder rumbling in the distance. Some distance behind Thursday were three old hags around a cauldron.
Thursday gathered the students in front of her.
"Good afternoon," Thursday greeted in a way that was quite chipper for her. She might just be a little excited. Perhaps. "This week is all about Shakespeare. William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright during the late 1500s and early 1600s. He's considered by most to be the greatest master of words in the English language. While his poetry, in the form of sonnets, are quite beautiful and complex, he is best known for his many plays. He wrote both comedies and tragedies. I believe the school play last year was A Midsummer Night's Dream, which is one of Shakespeare's comedies.
Reading Shakespeare is not the easiest task. His language is complex and poetic. He created many words we consider commonplace today. The most important thing to remember about Shakespearean plays is that they were intended for performance, not for dry reading. I asked you to read Scottish Play to become familiar with the story of Macscot and his rise and fall. If I had the chance, I would take you all to a performance, but I'm afraid that will have to wait for another day.
This week's class will be short. I want you to understand Shakespeare's works the way they were intended, as an experience. So your task for this week is this: have your fortune told by the three witches over there, write it down if necessary, and then you can leave. Next week I want you to report back with what, if anything, you did with the knowledge that the witches gave you. Please keep in mind that these are not the real fictional witches. They were unavailable. However, they are designed to be exactly like them, so please ignore any attempts by them to sell you health insurance."
The Danger Shop was set up like a Scottish moor, foggy with thunder rumbling in the distance. Some distance behind Thursday were three old hags around a cauldron.
Thursday gathered the students in front of her.
"Good afternoon," Thursday greeted in a way that was quite chipper for her. She might just be a little excited. Perhaps. "This week is all about Shakespeare. William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright during the late 1500s and early 1600s. He's considered by most to be the greatest master of words in the English language. While his poetry, in the form of sonnets, are quite beautiful and complex, he is best known for his many plays. He wrote both comedies and tragedies. I believe the school play last year was A Midsummer Night's Dream, which is one of Shakespeare's comedies.
Reading Shakespeare is not the easiest task. His language is complex and poetic. He created many words we consider commonplace today. The most important thing to remember about Shakespearean plays is that they were intended for performance, not for dry reading. I asked you to read Scottish Play to become familiar with the story of Macscot and his rise and fall. If I had the chance, I would take you all to a performance, but I'm afraid that will have to wait for another day.
This week's class will be short. I want you to understand Shakespeare's works the way they were intended, as an experience. So your task for this week is this: have your fortune told by the three witches over there, write it down if necessary, and then you can leave. Next week I want you to report back with what, if anything, you did with the knowledge that the witches gave you. Please keep in mind that these are not the real fictional witches. They were unavailable. However, they are designed to be exactly like them, so please ignore any attempts by them to sell you health insurance."