Shakespeare

//**__Shakespeare Final Assignment__ -- Updated 14 December**

You've read about the man. You've discussed his life. You've eased some fears. And you've seen the play.

Now it's time to let your opinion be heard. I would like you to write a movie review of Baz Luhrmann's interpretation of Romeo and Juliet, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.

The first thing I would like you to do is brainstorm your ideas about this film, keeping the following things in mind:


 * ITEMS IN BOLD __MUST__ BE INCLUDED IN YOUR REVIEW**

Your original feelings toward Shakespeare Your previous knowledge of Shakespeare The use of lighting, and scenery to create an image Technical effects like close ups, film speed, etc To whom would you suggest this film? Include ideas you discovered while writing your own notes.** ...and anything else you wish to add.
 * Your first impression of the actual movie**
 * The use of music and / or special effects in the film**
 * How you feel about Shakespeare AFTER watching the movie and learning a bit more about him

Then I would like you to read this sheet for a breakdown of the major points in writing one of these.



-- in case you REALLY have no idea what to do.

The overall format of this review is up to you. For a taste of this writing style, please read a couple of the movie reviews below:

[|Fred Claus -- LA Times] [|Spiderman 3 -- Movies.com] [|Charlotte's Web -- Hollywood Reporter] [|Simpson's Movie -- Chicago Tribune]


 * Some of these sites invite reader reviews. I think it would be great if some of YOUR reviews ended up in the R+J section. You could have your opinion online for all the world to see! MAKE YOUR WRITING MATTER!*//

//**By popular demand, I have decided to add the option of a video version of this project. Instead of a written assignment, you may team up with a partner to do a 2-3 minute [|video movie review] of Romeo and Juliet. Before you take this on, you MUST keep the following things in mind:**

1. I am NOT allowing line ups for cameras or special permissions to miss class for this option. I'll give you what I can but if it doesn't work out, you are responsible to take care of things. Having your own equipment and working after hours will help in this case.

2. All the critical aspects of the written project (listed above) MUST be covered in the video.

3. See points one and two.//


 * //Good luck. Use the skills you've learned this term and impress everybody.//**


 * //DUE DATE: Before you leave for [|Christmas].//**


 * Welcome...I never really thought I would end up with an entire page devoted to this unit but, well....here it is. Time flies when you're having fun with Shakespeare, right?**


 * //This page will be a work-in-progress for the next few days as I re-organize this unit. For now, feel free to scope it out. I expect to use it all in the next couple of weeks.//**

//[|A bio of the man] -- this is well-written. You'll get it.//

[|//Shakespearean Insult generator//] //-- a great way to befuddle the idle-headed wagtails that glower in your countenance.

[|Another insult maker], but this one gives you a bit more control.

[|Romeo and Juliet for kids] -- a quick, rhyming version of the classic love tragedy.

[|Romeo and Juliet Cheat Notes] -- Not an easy read, but will certainly help you understand the play.\

-- a Podcast for you to listen to. Ignore the plea for money. The free preview will set you up for the opening of R+J.

[|Romeo and Juliet in five long paragraphs] -- You MUST read this before we watch the movie.

[|Or you could just read this one]...it's just as good.

Did Shakespeare REALLY exist? -- There is a growing [|argument] of people (myself included) that believe William Shakespeare may not have actually written the plays he is credited for. Many feel that they were written by a nobleman, Edward de Vere the 17 the Earl of Oxford, and the credit was simply given to a man named Wiliam Shakespeare who lived in the area at the time. I couldn't find a quick list of reasons on line, but this is what I have learned on my own -- it all came down to the English class system of the time:

-- in the Elizabethan era, middle-class citizens such as Shakespeare would not have had the money to go to school. Reading and Writing were reserved for the wealthy. There is no school record for a William Shakespeare, nor was there a tax record of that name. All people who attended school were required to pay a tax.

-- In an age where eulogies for important people were very fashionable, there was no eulogy written for a man named William Shakespeare.

-- Many of the subjects in Shakespeares plays have to do with royalty (MacBeth, King Lear, Richard III, etc). Given his lifestyle, the man known as William Shakespeare would have had no opportunity to know about such details.

-- There are direct references to deVere's family members in a number of plays (Hamlet, Coriolanus, Twelfth Night).

-- Many elements of plot from some important plays are direct incidents from deVere's life. For example, in Henry IV Shakespeare writes about a stretch of English road where Falstaff plays jokes on travellers. It is reported that deVere and his friends were notorious for doing this.

-- The life of Hamlet, Shakespeare's greatest character, are so close to the life of Edward deVere, that it could be autobiographical.

-- Prince Hal (Henry IV) hung out at the Boar's Head Inn. The deVere family crest featured a boar.

...anyway, just a bit of my geeky sounding off. Back to work.

//