Understanding Shakespeare :: essays research papers

Understanding ShakespeareThe Power of Footnotes and ParaphraseObjectivesThe students will1.Compare Shakespeares language to a moderately familiar foreign language.2.Apply the techniques of reading a foreign language to reading Shakespeare.3.Translate Shakespeares English into modern English by means of class discussion, teamwork and individual study. MethodsThe teacher begins by presenting an identifiable school text to the students in a foreign language. The students are to identify this text through the use of prior knowledge and footnotes. The teacher then guides the students to summarize the text in modern English. The teacher connects this exercise to how students should approach Shakespeares language. The students then work on a worksheet with a partner where they apply foot notes and careful reading to decipher the Shakespearean Insults handout. The students share their work with the rest of the class. If not all of the quotes were covered during class, the students will translate the quotes at home as homework. MaterialsOverhead projectorTransparency sheet of foreign languages Overhead pen (optional)Copies of Shakespearean Insults handoutOutlineTranslation of identifiable text3 minutesLecture comparing foreign text to Shakespeare4 minutesPair translation2 minutesWrap up and summary of material2 minutesEvaluationThe teacher will evaluate the students comprehension of the lesson through the participation of the students in the class discussion, the quality of student responses to the paired translation exercise, and from the homework of the remaining passages to translate which were not discussed in class. Shakespearean Insults1.Make thy sepulcher*,And creep into it remote before thy time.* Sepulcher tomb2. Polonius I will most humbly take my leave of you. HamletYou cannot, sir, take from me anything that I will not more willingly part withal.3.What fool hath added water to the sea, Or brought a faggot* to bright-burning Troy?* Faggot a bundle of s ticks used for kindling4. Do you quicken thy face, and Ill amend my life.5.Thou wilt be as valiant as the wrathful dove, Or most magnanimous mouse.* Magnanimous brave, courageous6.Her viewer and her brains go not together.7. Do notShow me the steep and thorny way to heaven, Whiles like a puffd and reckless libertine*Thyself the primula path** of dalliance*** treads.* Libertine an immoral person** Primrose path easy and care-free*** Dalliance to waste time, dawdle8. Thou wast* not wont** to be so dull.* Wast was or were** Wont habit, used to9.