Lesson+5+-+Contemporary+Connections


 * Objective:** Students will evaluate the relevance and universality of various quotations from Shakespearean plays in order to explain connections to contemporary situations.

Shakespearean quotes (Note: Locate quotes that focus on particular themes: betrayal, love, loyalty, courage, reputation, etc.
 * Lesson Materials:**

- Display the line: "Whoa! It is not easy being in charge" and the question: Under what circumstances might someone make that statement? Take answers from the class.
 * Mindjog/Drill:**

1) Display the quote: "Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown." Ask students to connect this statement with the mindjog/drill. They should determine that it's a Shakespearean way of saying something we might say in modern terms. Explain that Shakespeare's themes and ideas are still read about and studied because they still have as much purpose in our lives as they did then. This is what makes them "universal."
 * Lesson Procedure:**

2) Share with students the following two passages from //Romeo & Juliet -// one about Rosaline for whom Romeo has just a passing crush and the other about Juliet, the true love of his life.

Passage #1: Love is a smoke made with a fume of sighs; Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes; Being vexed, a sea nourished with lovers' tears. What is it else? A madness most discreet, A choking gall and preserving sweet.

Passage #2: The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars As daylight doth a lamp. Her eyes in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright That birds would sing and think it were not night. See how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O that I were a glove upon that hand, That I might touch that cheek.

3) In a group, students should identify language from each that identifies that one is about a girl he "thinks he likes" and that the other is about the girl he is truly in love with.

4) After a few minutes, discuss as a class. Students should reach that Passage #1 is about Rosaline because the imagery suggests fleeting feelings (smoke, fume, purged) and that he makes no specific compliments to her. In Passage #2 he has noticed very discreet details of her appearance and uses heavy hyperbole in describing them.

5) Assign each group of students to prepare a modern day skit that incorporates and effectively uses three Shakespearean quotes. Distribute a list of Shakespearean quotes with universal themes. The assignmnet should: a) Take place in a modern setting. b) The characters must be real, modern human characters. c) The quotations must be used exactly as written. d) All other dialogue should be written in modern English. e) All other narratives choices are open-ended.

6) Give students time to work on their scripts. Circle the room to monitor teamwork and comprehension, asking questions to provoke thought.

7) Have students perform their skits for the class while the audience makes notes of how well the scene demonstrated the relevancy of the Shakespearean quotations. AFter each performance, ask the audience to comment on the use of the quotations - how they were effective or ways they might have been improved.

Each group's completed play and effective use of Shakespearean quotations will indicate that they understand Shakespeare's purpose, language, and universal applicability as a closure to this mini unit.
 * Assessment:**