Shakespeare On Stage

e r a e p s e k a Sh On Stage

Debbie B. Woodford

In this series, students will learn to express themselves with confidence through body language, facial expressions, and speech. By taking part in fun and lively activities like discussions, voice exercises, role-play, and stage performances, students will develop strong presentation skills and learn to speak more fluently. They will also learn to be more creative by engaging in improvisation and drama games.

Shakespeare On Stage

Journey into the exciting world of drama and theater with the Lollipop Theater series!

This series aims to develop and nurture students’ appreciation for drama and literature. Students will have ample opportunities to analyze the form and content of different types of texts. They will also be able to improve their writing skills through projects such as script writing.

ISBN

Empowering Minds • Improving Lives

978-981-4321-84-6

9 789814 321846

Debbie B. Woodford

Shakespeare On Stage introduces students to the life and works of the greatest dramatist who ever lived – William Shakespeare. Let’s travel to a magical forest, an enchanted island, a city in Verona, and a gloomy Scottish castle! In Shakespeare On Stage, students will meet fairies, a man with magical powers, star-crossed lovers, and a great general who turns into a murderous king. Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, romances and tragedies: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth are brought to life in this book.

e r a e p s e k a h S On Stage Debbie B. Woodford

e r a e p s e k a h S On Stage Debbie B. Woodford

Published by Alston Publishing House Pte Ltd 6 Battery Road, #29-03, Singapore 049909 Main: (65) 6538 3990 Fax: (65) 6538 3991 Email: enquiry@alstonpublishinghouse.com Website: http://www.alstonpublishinghouse.com Š 2011 Alston Publishing House Pte Ltd All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

First published 2011 Reprinted 2012 ISBN 978-981-4321-84-6 Managing Editor: Ann Teo Editor: Ally Cheah Designer: Constance Lim Illustrator: Choy Printed in Singapore

Contents Chapter Title

Learning Outcomes

Introduction To Shakespeare 1. Shakespeare And His World

2. Shakespeare’s Plays

Learn about the plays by Shakespeare Understand what a plot is Write and act out a short script

7

3. Elizabethan Actors and Theater

Learn about the work of Elizabethan actors Learn about cue acting Learn about Elizabethan theater and costumes Imagine what the lives of Elizabethans were like

13

4. Shakespeare’s Words

Learn about Shakespeare’s use of language Read and understand an extract from Hamlet Learn what a soliloquy is and write your own

19

Learn about William Shakespeare and his life Understand why Shakespeare is so important Learn to create a family tree Learn how to make a scrapbook

1

Shakespeare’s Comedies 5. A Midsummer Night’s Dream I

6. A Midsummer Night’s Dream II

L earn about the background of A Midsummer Night’s Dream Use your imagination to think of magical places and beings Practice miming imaginary scenes Explore the themes of the play

28

Learn about the main characters of the story Understand the story and plot of A Midsummer Night’s Dream Read an extract from the opening scene and act it out Discover the conflicts in the plot

32

Chapter Title

Learning Outcomes

7. A Midsummer Night’s Dream III

L earn more about the story and characters in A Midsummer Night’s Dream Read an extract of the scene where the fairies meet the humans and act it out Try to predict what happens next in the story

39

8. A Midsummer Night’s Dream IV

R ead another extract to find out what happens next and act it out Learn about how mistaken identity affects the story

44

9. A Midsummer Night’s Dream V

L earn what the climax of the story is Read the ending and find out how the problems in the play are resolved Explore the theme of dreams and reality Compare A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the modern tale, Where The Wild Things Are Learn to use your own dreams as inspiration to write a story

51

10. The Tempest I

L earn about the background of The Tempest Use your imagination to think about being caught in a storm at sea Role-play a shipwreck

57

11. The Tempest II

Learn about the main characters of the story Read an extract from the opening scene and act it out Learn how sound effects can 'tell' a story

61

12. The Tempest III

L earn about the father and daughter scene in The Tempest and act it out Imagine what you need to do to survive on a deserted island

66

13. The Tempest IV

Think about the themes of the play Read an extract from the play to learn how Prospero treats Ariel and Caliban Explore the idea of being a ‘master’ and ‘servant’ Role-play to understand the different perspectives of the master and the servant

72

Chapter Title 14. The Tempest V

Learning Outcomes

Read an extract of the ending of The Tempest and act it out Learn about conflict and resolution Rewrite the ending

77

Shakespeare’s Tragedies 15. Romeo And Juliet I

Learn about the background of Romeo And Juliet Learn about the two main themes – feud and love Read an extract of the scene where the servants of the Capulets and Montagues fight and act it out Learn how to give insults and compliments in ‘old English’

83

16. Romeo And Juliet II

Learn about the main characters in Romeo And Juliet Role-play as characters in the story Read and act out the famous balcony scene Think about the importance of names

90

17. Romeo And Juliet III

Read the scene that leads to Romeo and Juliet’s secret marriage and act it out Take part in a debate about whether Romeo and Juliet should have gotten married in secret Take on character roles and role-play the wedding banquet

96

18. Romeo And Juliet IV

19. Romeo And Juliet V

Read an extract of the fight scene between Romeo, Tybalt, and Mercutio and act it out Learn about the relationships in Romeo And Juliet Write and read out dialogues for characters based on the type of relationship they have Learn about the tragic end of Romeo And Juliet Retell the story first using your body, then using your body and voice Write a speech for a character in the play to express how he or she feels about the ending Act as the character and give the speech

101

108

Chapter Title

Learning Outcomes

20. Macbeth I

Learn about the background of Macbeth Learn about the places where the story takes place Explore the idea of ambition Think about what it takes to be a good king

112

21. Macbeth II

Learn about the characters in Macbeth Read the witches’ scene in Macbeth and act it out Create your own witches’ brew

116

22. Macbeth III

Pretend to be Banquo writing a letter to Lady Banquo Read an extract of the scene where Macbeth kills King Duncan and act it out Role-play and imagine what it would be like to be a detective investigating the murder

122

23. Macbeth IV

Read and act out the scene where Banquo’s ghost appears Explore and discuss the themes of the play Play the trust game to understand its importance to the characters Macbeth and Duncan

128

24. Macbeth V

Read how the play ends Study the scene of Lady Macbeth sleepwalking Think about Macbeth’s point of view and discuss whether Macbeth learned his lesson in the end

135

Glossary

141

Acknowledgements

142

1

Shakespeare And His World

He was not of an age, but for all time! – Ben Jonson

Who Was William Shakespeare?

Hello! My name is William Shakespeare. I am an actor, a director, and a playwright.

When I was a boy, my pa rents brought me to the theater. It was very exciting!

I was born in England in a place called Stratford-Upon-Avon on 23 April 1564.

g Somethin at h t tells me o t be he’s going l successfu . e in lif I left school when I was 13. At age 18, I met a lovely lady named Anne Hathaway. Later, we got married and had three children.

Shakespeare And His World

1

I moved to London to look for work when I was 25. My fellow actors and I built the Globe Theater, which was very popular.

In my lifetime, I wrote 38 plays and 154 sonnets (a sonnet is a type of poem that is 14 lines long). Some of my plays were later published as a book called ‘First Folio’.

This is a famous line from Hamlet , one of the best plays I ever wrote:

“To be, or not to be, that is the question”.

I was buried in the place where I was born. On my tombstone, are the words:

Good friend, for Jesus’ sake forbearer To digg the dust enclosed heare.

Blese be ye man that spares the stones And curst be he that moves my bones.

This means: Anyone who tries to move my bones will be cursed!

2

Shakespeare On Stage

Why Study Shakespeare? world.

He is one of the greatest and most well-known playwrights in the His works have been translated into many different languages.

He wrote great stories with exciting plots and interesting characters.

He had a very special way of using language. Many common English

phrases were invented by Shakespeare.

Shakespeare’s Family Tree Look at Shakespeare’s family tree. It shows you who his family members were.

Grandpa Richard Shakespeare Dad John Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

Daughter Susanna Shakespeare

Mom Mary Arden Wife Anne Hathaway

Son Hamnet Shakespeare

Sister Joan Shakespeare

Brother-in-law William Hart

Shakespeare’s family coat of arms

Daughter Judith Shakespeare

m Willia e‘s ear p s e k Sha Tr e e Family

Shakespeare And His World

3

Le t's do I t!

My Family Tree

Now it is your turn to create your own family tree!

How To Create Your Family Tree Write the names of your family members on a piece of paper.

Use this list to plan your family tree.

Collect photographs of your relatives or sketch pictures of them.

On a large sheet of paper, draw a tree that will be big enough for your entire family.

Paste photographs or drawings of your family on your family tree.

Write their names below their photographs, for example, Uncle Kim. Share your family tree with your class.

Le t's do I t!

Create A Scrapbook

Get into your groups to create a scrapbook about Shakespeare and his life.

What is a scrapbook? A scrapbook is a book or an album that has pictures, photographs, and information about a subject.

4

Shakespeare On Stage

Look at the example below, then create your own scrapbook about Shakespeare!

William Shakespeare’s Life Dra win gs or pho tog rap hs

Schoo l Days

Sha kes pea re we nt to sch ool her e.

Ho me Sh ak es pe ar e liv ed he re his w ho le lif e.

Stratford-Upon-Avon

Teacher’s Note

Help students to bind the scrapbook.

Shakespeare And His World

5

What You Need construction paper

pens, pencils, or markers scissors

glue hole puncher string (to bind the book)

Scrapbooking Tips Use construction paper to create your scrapbook.

Use different materials (such as magazines, print outs, colored paper, and other decorations) to make your scrapbook look interesting.

Use colored markers, crayons, and color pencils to make the pages look fun and colorful.

Create an attractive cover and give your scrapbook a title, for example, ‘Shakespeare’s Life’.

How To Start Start by creating a page about Stratford-Upon-Avon — the place where Shakespeare was born.

Look for photos of the place on the Internet. When you find a photo you like, print it out and paste it on a piece of construction paper.

You can also draw or print out a map of England and paste it on the same piece of paper. Then circle Stratford-Upon-Avon on the map so that people will know where it is.

Remember to write a description or interesting facts, for example, ‘Stratford-Upon-Avon’ or ‘This is where Shakespeare was born’.

Present your page to your class. Next, think of what other pages you can add to your scrapbook and discuss it with your friends.

Here are more ideas: Shakespeare’s family Shakespeare’s plays The Globe Theatre

Fun facts about Shakespeare Do some research in the library or on the Internet about your topic.

6

Shakespeare On Stage

S tu de nt Dialog ue

In Shakespeare’s tim e, there were fewer writers th an there are today. Why do yo u think this is so? Discuss th is with your classmates.

2

Shakespeare’s Plays

d i Yo u K no w ?

Shakespeare wrote many plays that were famous and popular during his time.

In those days, there were no television programs or movies so people watched plays! Shakespeare wrote comedy, tragedy, and history plays. In this book, you will learn about four plays – A Midsummer’s Night Dream, The Tempest, Romeo And Juliet, and Macbeth.

But first, let’s learn more about some of the other plays he wrote!

Le t's do I t!

Guess The Plot

Shakespeare’s plays have very interesting plots. A plot refers to how the events in a story are arranged and how such events affect the characters.

On the next page are some titles of Shakespeare’s plays. Read the titles and imagine what the story might be about. Think of fun and creative ideas and write them down! Sketch a drawing of your story on a piece of paper!

Teacher’s Note

Encourage students to be creative (rather than accurate) with this activity.

Shakespeare’s Plays

7

Two Gentlemen of Verona Example: Two gentlemen from Verona want to travel around the world in a boat. Unfortunately, they don't know how to row a boat so they keep going round in circles. They feel very tired and dizzy after one hour so they decide to go home instead.

As You Like It

The Merchant of Venice

8

Shakespeare On Stage

Comedy of Errors

Twelfth Night

A Winter’s Tale

Take turns to read your ideas to your classmates. Vote for the most creative story!

Shakespeare’s Plays

9

Le t's do I t!

One-Minute Skits

In groups of four, choose the most creative story that your group members wrote from ‘Guess The Plot’ and act it out!

Decide who will play which role.

Write down the title and draft the script.

Title:

Act it out!

Teacher’s Note

Give students five to ten minutes to draft the script, depending on the classroom situation. Remind students that the skit should only last for one minute.

10

Shakespeare On Stage

The Actual Plots Now read the actual plots to see if you were more creative than Shakespeare!

Two Gentlemen of Verona Valentine and Proteus are two men who live in Verona. They were best friends until they fell in love with the same woman. In the end, they each find their own true love and become friends again!

As You Like It

The Merchant of Venice

Rosalind’s evil uncle cheats her father, who is the Duke. He forces the whole family to leave their home. Rosalind dresses as a boy and escapes with her cousin. In the end, Rosalind’s uncle changes his ways and the Duke returns home.

Rosalind and her cousin then marry the men they love.

Antonio borrows money from Shylock, a greedy money-lender.

Even though Shylock hates Antonio, he lends him money anyway. When Antonio is not able to return the money, Shylock asks Antonio to pay him with a pound of flesh from his body.

Ouch! In the end, a beautiful and intelligent woman named Portia saves Antonio by pretending to be a lawyer. Her clever arguments in court get him out of trouble.

Shakespeare’s Plays

11

Comedy of Errors Dromio of Ephesus and Dromio of Syracuse are twins with exactly the same name. They are both servants of Antipholus of Ephesus and Antipholus of Syracuse, who also have the exact same name. Very confusing things happen when the twins meet!

Twelfth Night

A Winter’s Tale

Viola dresses like a man so that she can be close to Duke Orsino. She calls herself Cesario and becomes Duke Orsino’s servant. Viola loves Orsino but he loves a noblewoman, Olivia instead. Unfortunately, Olivia meets 'Cesario' and falls in love with 'him' without knowing that it is actually Viola! In the end, when Duke Orsino realizes that Viola is a woman, he falls in love with her.

The King of Bohemia visits King Leontes of Sicilia and becomes good friends with King Leontes’ wife, Queen Hermione. Jealous, King Leontes chases her away.

Sixteen years later, King Leontes realizes that he was wrong. He is then reunited with his family.

S t u de nt Dialog ue

Do any of the plots from Shakespeare’s plays seem familiar?

Think of a television show or movie you have watched th at have the same or a similar pl ot. Talk about the similarities with your friends.

12

Shakespeare On Stage

e r a e p s e k a Sh On Stage

Debbie B. Woodford

In this series, students will learn to express themselves with confidence through body language, facial expressions, and speech. By taking part in fun and lively activities like discussions, voice exercises, role-play, and stage performances, students will develop strong presentation skills and learn to speak more fluently. They will also learn to be more creative by engaging in improvisation and drama games.

Shakespeare On Stage

Journey into the exciting world of drama and theater with the Lollipop Theater series!

This series aims to develop and nurture students’ appreciation for drama and literature. Students will have ample opportunities to analyze the form and content of different types of texts. They will also be able to improve their writing skills through projects such as script writing.

ISBN

Empowering Minds • Improving Lives

978-981-4321-84-6

9 789814 321846

Debbie B. Woodford

Shakespeare On Stage introduces students to the life and works of the greatest dramatist who ever lived – William Shakespeare. Let’s travel to a magical forest, an enchanted island, a city in Verona, and a gloomy Scottish castle! In Shakespeare On Stage, students will meet fairies, a man with magical powers, star-crossed lovers, and a great general who turns into a murderous king. Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, romances and tragedies: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth are brought to life in this book.

e r a e p s e k a h S On Stage Debbie B. Woodford