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Drama

Drama. William Shakespeare. Hamlet , translated. The Animaniacs translate a scene from Hamlet to plain, modern English (just like you’re going to do!).

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Drama

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  1. Drama William Shakespeare

  2. Hamlet, translated • The Animaniacs translate a scene from Hamlet to plain, modern English (just like you’re going to do!). • This scene is when Hamlet finds out that a friend of his has died and is being buried. In the original version, Hamlet typically holds up a skull and speaks to it. In this version, he holds up Mr. Skull Head, a character from the cartoon.

  3. The world’s best known playwright. Shakespeare wrote: 37 plays 154 sonnets 1 longer poem 2 epic poems 1 Eulogy

  4. Objective • On the handout provided, please take notes in the proper boxes. • You are responsible for all drama terms that are underlined. • You will use the information you get today to write and perform your scene. • Mr. Gill and Ms. Paladino will provide further information on the assignment tomorrow.

  5. Stage Directions and Characters Shakespeare’s manuscripts contained very little stage directions (mostly entrances and exits), unlike modern theatre. Only men were allowed to perform, as acting was considered something only the low and common people would do. All female characters were played by men, which created some unintended humor.

  6. Props • Props are essential in helping convey character and plot, but, again, Shakespeare only used what was literally necessary. Modern drama often uses props to represent ideas about characters – in a symbolic way.

  7. Staging / Setting • Staging (setting) in Shakespeare’s time was sparse (minimal). There were no special effects that characterize modern theatre. The audience was expected to imagine the scene rather than having it right there in front of them. Therefore, much of the action (i.e. killing) happened off stage and was talked about when the characters re-entered.

  8. The Poetry of Shakespeare • Not only were Shakespeare’s plays written in verse, but they also relied heavily on poetic devices and figurative language. • (This is why students get so frustrated when reading and trying to understand it!)

  9. The Poetry of Shakespeare • “Fair Helena, who more engilds1 the night • Than all yon2 fiery oes3 and eyes of light.” • What does this simile mean? 1 Engilds = Brightens ornately • Yon = yonder • oes = celestial spheres, such as sun, moon, etc.

  10. Iambic Pentameter • Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets were mostly written in iambic pentameter. • There are some exceptions: sometimes he used blank verse (when the common people were speaking, to show the difference between them and the upper class or royalty). • Iambic pentameter = 10 syllables per line, often in rhyming couplets. • One iamb = one stressed and one unstressed syllable • Penta = five • Meter = one line • There are five iambs per line to create 10 syllables / beats.

  11. Rhyming Couplets Rhyming couplets are two lines of verse that rhyme and have the same meter (number of syllables per line). Modern music (especially rap) has its roots in rhyming couplets. Rhyming conveys a more humorous tone than non-rhyming verse. “Now I perceive they have conjoined all three To fashion this false sport in spite of me!” Count the beats per line!

  12. Making It Fit • Because much of Shakespeare’s works are written in iambic pentameter, some poetic license must take place in order to preserve the meter while keeping the meaning intact. The following are some common changes that poets make to take out a syllable when needed. • O’er = Over • ‘Tis = It is • Ere = Before

  13. Making It Fit • Sometimes syllables need to be added: • Put ‘st on the end of any word and you get an extra syllable. • Seek’st = sounds like SEEK-EST, which simply means seeks • Didst = did • An “O!” is also excellent for this (It is an exclamation like “Oh!”

  14. Your Presentation • Each group of either one, two, or four will re-write one of the Shakespeare scenes in the literature book. • Midsummer Night’s Dream • Much Ado About Nothing • Richard III (soliloquy)

  15. Your Presentation • Using MODERN language, each group will re-create the scene, in rhyming couplets, while maintaining what the original words mean. • Students will use props, costumes, and stagedirections to enhance the meaning in the scene. • Students can also re-create the setting in order to make it modern or new: western, disco, gothic, etc.

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