Wos:

Today we reviewed act 4 and I tried to answer any lingering questions that you may have had. We will finish watching the Gibson version Thursday, and begin to review for a test on Tuesday...

Brit Lit:

Today in class we started Macbeth. We acted out Act 1, sc 1-3. I put on a 10 min clip from the film Braveheart to illustrate what it was like to be in battle 400 years ago. That is what Macbeth feels like as we meet him... Like two spent swimmers clinging....
No HW as long as the sox are still in the playoff.

Wos:

Today in class we read Hamlet's speech on Pg 169, pairing it with a musical score that matched the mood of the scene. After lunch, I broke you into rows and asked you to look at all 7 scenes in act 4 and design a rotating set that could have been used in all 7 scenes with no major set changes. As most of you proved in your discussions, Shakespeare could not have used elaborate sets. The fact that sc 6 is a letter reveals the limitations that he would have faced depicting a pirate scene.

HW- Please finish Act 4. We need a Nemesis for Hamlet to fight- and these scenes provide one. Also be thinking as we head into act 5 what would work for a live performance. I would like to stage one of the final scenes for our performance for the Ted Grant recognition brunch next month. I will be interested in hearing your suggestions.

Reading to a Musical Score

The Macbeth Curse...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scottish_play

Brit Lit:

This morning we had a quick quiz on the intro reading that I assigned last night in Macbeth. I also gave notes on "that Scottish" play, and told you the story of Shakespeare and his times. During our study of Macbeth, I have two main objectives:

That you will understand Macbeth and do well academically. There is no reason that you all should not have A's during Macbeth. You may use your notes on every test and quiz.

That you will enjoy Shakespeare and have fun. This is entertainment. Granted it is 400 year old entertainment- but it, more than any other writing, holds up extremely well. We will actively perform the play and have fun with it. I am not doing my job if you are not enjoying my class. Please come to class with an open mind. If you think that you will hate it, you will. Leave your bad experience with reading his plays at the door...

Wos:

Today I asked you to write what you thought the moment of final suspense will be in Act 4. I then assigned each row a scene in act 4 to "perform" in front of the class.

Hw:
Make sure you passed in your Hamlet vs. The Lion King writing prompt.

For tonight, please select a musical score that could be placed behind Hamlet's speech on pg 169 Act 4, sc 4. Please pick music that matches the mood and intensity of what is being said. Remember, musical scores are meant to add intensity.

Word O' the Week:

Batie: A useless bungler. An obsolete Scottish dialect word.

Brit Lit:

Good to be back, even at 80%. Thank you for being polite and respectful while I was out. Today we started our look at the life and times of the greatest writer of all time, William Shakespeare.

HW: Please read the section in Macbeth on:
Shakespeare's Macbeth, Reading Shakespeare's Language (pgs xiii-xxiv)