fandomhigh | Modern Shakespeare, Wednesday, Period 1 & 2

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Modern Shakespeare, Wednesday, Period 1 & 2

"We briefly touched on feminism in our last class," Karla said, handing out summaries of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew as well as a very basic introduction to the concept of feminism. "This play has vexed feminists and feminist scholars for years with its depiction of the relationship between the two main characters and the change in Kate from the beginning of the play-within-a-play to the end of it. While you're watching today's movie, I want you to keep that in mind. Is the relationship in the movie better than the one in the play? Do you believe in Kate's transformation--and what do you think of it? How do you feel about her father's rules?"

as always, there was popcorn to be had while the movie played, and comfortable chairs and beanbags for the students to sprawl out on. Karla, of course, had very strong feelings about both the movie and the play that inspired it, but then, she was from a matriarchy. She looked forward to hearing what her students had to say about it.

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Shrewishly!

Peridot

Steven Universe

Gratuity Tucci

Kaylin Neya

Lucille Sharpe

Hanna Heller

Or read the handouts, since the lecture is very short today.

Look how tiny most of these now-famous actors are!

This was one of Tip's mom's favorite movies, which meant Tip was really familiar with it, herself. Hopefully no one minded that she was mouthing along with some of the lines.

How do you feel about Kate's father's rules? How would you react if your parents or guardians declared something similar?

"Um." Tip said. "My mom kind of . . . forgot to do rules? For most of my life. So when she finally got around to it, it didn't really go well." If you could call running away to Saturn 'not going well'. "So I know I would just kinda -- not listen. But it's probably different for someone who's used to having parents set their boundaries."

"That's the trouble with any position of power," Karla said wryly, Queen and mother both. "You're only in power for as long as everyone else agrees you're in power. Once they stop agreeing, you either lose it or find another way to hold onto it. And those ways are generally unpleasant."

"Yeah, I kinda always mostly pretended she was in power," Tip agreed. She'd done a lot of humoring her mother's whims in her early years, and then cleaning up the messes in the background.

It was entirely possible Tip had done her mother's taxes at least once.

"So you grew up independent and now resent your mother's attempts to act like she's in charge," Karla said. "Why should she bother now when she didn't do so before?"

"Exactly. And I've more than proved by now that I can take care of myself." They had this argument back home all the time. It was a big part of why Tip was now here. "I mean, don't get me wrong. My mom's really great. Just not, you know, at the life management stuff."

Tip's mom had actually proven herself to be very capable of handling the life management stuff over the last couple years. Tip just hadn't gotten past the first 11, when she was terrible at it.

What do you think about how Kate changed over the course of the movie? Did it feel real? Do you like the changes she undergoes?

"I don't know if she really changes that much. She more just kinda . . . calms down? I mean, she's really, really angry at the beginning and doesn't like or trust anybody but then Patrick gets her to start opening up." Tip paused, tilting her head thoughtfully. "I mean, the part where she actually forgives him at the end might be a bit of a change. He betrayed her pretty big and that could have just made her more angry at the world. But instead she lets him back in."

"How do you feel about the scene where she flashes the teacher in detention?" Karla asked. "In keeping with her character?"

Tip shrugged. "I didn't notice it being particularly weird. But -- I've kind of seen this movie a million times. So nothing really stands out as weird."

"Ah," Karla said, nodding. "That will change things. Though, as a warning, if you ever need to distract any of your teachers here, please find another way to do it. That way will just..." She shook her head. "All kinds of trouble. Just all kinds."

"Um, okay. I kinda wouldn't do that anyway." Tip had plenty of other weapons in her distraction arsenal. "But I'll keep that in mind."

"Fandom High's faculty and staff thank you," Karla said wry. "But now that you're thinking about it, would you say that this kind of action is in keeping with the feminist ideals as she spouts at the beginning of the movie?"

"I don't know. I mean, it's kind of knee-jerk to say 'no', but no one's making her do it. She's using her body, and specifically men's reactions to it, for her own gain. Patrick doesn't tell her to do it."

"You could look at it the other way, too, though," Karla said, grinning a bit. Gratuity had a quick mind and she enjoyed watching her think. "Relying on her body, rather than trying to come up with an excuse or something more cerebral. Isn't she supposed to be above using her body for advantage?"

What do you think of the romantic relationship in the movie? Is it better than the one in the play? Is it healthy? How would you respond if you found out someone was dating you because they were getting paid to do so?

"I mean, it's not hard to do better than the relationship in the play," Tip said. "Like -- really not hard. And I don't think they're gonna be together forever and always after the movie ends, or anything. But I guess it works okay. It's great that it seems to get everyone to relax a little. Though -- I mean, does that really happen? People making bets and paying each other to date? It's such a big trope in old teen movies, you'd think it's how teenagers always hooked up."

"It's not anything I ever saw in Fandom, but I'm not overall an expert on Earth culture," Karla said wryly. "Would you forgive a boyfriend or girlfriend if you found out they'd been paid to date you at least initially?"

"Probably not," Tip said. "I don't think. I mean, I've never had one, but that seems pretty big." On the other hand -- "But, um. My best friend was originally involved in a hostile takeover of my planet, so. If they really apologized, and we could talk it out, and -- um. I'd gotten past the 'beat them up' part of my reaction. Maybe?"

"Is there a difference, you think, over something big that affected you personally, but wasn't targeted at you, and something small that absolutely was targeted at you?" Karla asked. "The difference between, say, hostility and betrayal, we'll call it?"

"Of course there is," Tip said. "But I've only had one of them actually happen to me, so . . . it's the closest model I've got."

"You'd be surprised the answers to that question," Karla said. "I have a friend who would find personal betrayal easier to forgive than hostilities to others, especially on the grand scale of a planet. Or you might be the type who tends towards forgiveness no matter what."

Karla sounded like she was skeptical of that kind of behavior, but was far too polite to call someone else out on it.

Go on. Ask her her opinion of the play.

If you want to watch the whole movie via the link, don't forget to speed it up to 1.25x under the settings options.

...Aw man, I haven't actually ever seen this movie so I gotta wait to actually have Steven react! :D

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Modern Shakespeare, Wednesday, Period 1 & 2

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Listen to the Lecture

Watch the Movie

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Discussion Question 1

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Talk to the Teacher

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