Richard 3

10/29: Assessment materials attached below. Bring notes tomorrow.

10/19: We are working our way through Act 4. See "Richard 3 4.2-4.4 below." HOMEWORK: assessment grade - "Richard 3 4.3 Tyrell"

10/15: Act 4.1: Use the abbreviated version of this act (attached below "Richard 4.1. women"). Make sure to read my notes at the top and THINK about context (remember back to the last time we saw Anne in 1.2 and the last time we saw the women together in 2.2). Paraphrase the scene, paying careful attention to Anne's long speech. Make note of difficulties you are having when paraphrasing - try to be specific about what is holding you up.) Homework: reflect on the two questions I ask at the end of the abbreviated scene. Do this work in the blue book. Strive for a page each.

10/13: Finishing the performances. On the back of the notecard, reflect on your performance group, on what went well, on what changes you would make if you were doing it again, on what you learned about the characters, the plot, the motivations, about yourself from performance. Fill the back of the card (that will be part of the assessment). In class, we watched the rest of the scene (from Ian McKellen's Richard III). On the back of the notecard: describe what you saw and heard (plot points, relationships, motivations, etc.) Ask questions here too.

10/8: Performance today. See "Richard 3 3.6-7 performance" attached below. Homework (due Tuesday): I’d like for you to apply a psychoanalytic lens to Buckingham and Richard. First, read and mark up the article “How to Tell a Sociopath from a Psychopath.” You are looking for the common traits between these disorders AND the differences that mark each disorder. Then, apply the traits to the character(s). If you are taking the class for CPA credit, on the front of the notecard, make me a list of the traits for each disorder. On the back, choose either Richard or Buckingham and using the traits, evaluate whether the character has more sociopathic tendencies or more psychopathic tendencies. Use specific evidence from the play to back it up. Fill the back of the card.

If you are taking the class for honors credit: on the front of the notecard: use the traits to make the case for Richard as sociopath or psychopath. Make sure that you back up your arguments with evidence. On the back of the notecard: use the traits to make the case for Buckingham as sociopath or psychopath. Make sure that you back up your arguments with evidence. Fill both sides of the card.

10/7: We worked on understanding the biggest threats to Richard and what he needs to do to mitigate them. Confirmed these when listening to 3.5. Now we are working in groups aiming for performance of speeches in 3.5 and 3.7.

HOMEWORK: Paraphrase those speeches, finish the definitions.

10/6: see Richard 3 3.4 below.

10/5: Into Act 3 (see "Richard 3 starting Act 3 below).

10/1: Tonight, you are either reading the end of Richard 3 2.2 (from where Richard enters to the end) or 2.3 again. On the front of the notecard: for each character, summarize the main points s/he makes in the scene (THINK about the questions we asked before the paraphrasing first so that you can best evaluate what they are saying and the subtext). On the back: tell me what parts of the scene you would keep (like: I think it's important when Citizen 3 says__________ in lines _____) and tell me why you think that. If you would cut the scene, tell me why as well and use arguments that will touch on some of those paraphrasing questions (on the worksheet) and make connections back to the play as a whole. Fil the back of the card.

9/30: Working in small groups, read through 2.2 and 2.3 with an eye to what you would cut and why

9/28: Reading 2.1 our first (and last) look at King Edward . This scene is an echo of the earlier group scene (1.3) and it's a scene where we can once again look at how sincerity works in the play (see the handout below).

9/24-25: In class, we are staging the murder (this is our first death…)

HOMEWORK: Assessment (attached below). Here's the link to the film.

9/23: The executioners are here and we are ready for some killing, The problem is that Clarence will not shut up…so maybe we can do some cutting. See the script below ("Richard 3 1.4 Cutting Clarence). Instructions are on the 2nd page.

9/22: We worked on 1.3 and character analysis today. Tonight's homework is attached below (Richard 1.3. curses)

9/18: We read much of 1.3 today: For Tuesday, read the book review “I Mean It” about Jay Magill’s book about the history of sincerity. When I read this review, I immediately thought of the play and of Richard. On one side of the index card (everyone), write me a summary of the points you took away from the review about the history of sincerity – how the view of it has changed over time, why it’s seen as good, as bad, how it functions in our society today AND tell me about any problems you had reading (only a few lines should be about this). On the back (ONLY if you are taking this class for honors credit): , make three strong connections from the review to the play. You can take a quote from the review and apply it to action in the play, you can take an idea and show me evidence in the play that it’s true, you can write about a character and his/her use of sincerity (or misuse of it) using specific evidence from the text. Be specific and clear. Fill both sides. Prove to me that you read the review and the play. process grd

Also look back over 1.3 with a focus on Margaret’s character and his motivations. For character, THINK about traits she possesses (like – demanding, clever, careful, impulsive, stubborn, etc.) In your blue book: write down at least 4 traits you can identify for your character and bullet at least two examples from the text that proves it (the examples can be paraphrased or quoted – in either case, write a brief note about HOW it supports the trait and cite a page number). Then: write about what you think motivates the actions of the character in this scene: what does the character want and how do you know that (what actions and/or words lead you to that conclusion)? What is the character willing to do to get what s/he wants and how do you know that. Write at least a page of reflection on motivation.

9/15: Tone exercise. Starting Richard III - finished scene 1. HOMEWORK: Paraphrase Anne’s monologue. Make sure to look for shifts (when she changes subject, when she addresses someone directly, etc.) On the back, write about what this speech tells you about Anne – her character, her concerns about the world (were we right about her as a class, when we put ourselves in her shoes), what she thinks about Richard, and what that might mean about his plan. Write me a meaty paragraph.

9/14: Looking over performance and Richard's opening.

9/11: This weekend, let Ian McKellan help you paraphrase Richard III's first soliloquy. You'll find McKellan's help here. Work on your own first to paraphrase the speech, then turn to the webpage for help. Click on Enter, then choose "What does the opening speech of Richard mean?" McKellan will walk you through the speech (use his help to finish the paraphrase as needed). Then - tool around the site some (it's very fun). At a minimum, you must watch two of the three performances (make sure that you label the entries with the actor's name). In your journals (for each performance), jot down notes of what you notice while you are watching, then, reflect on what you saw and heard (fill at least 3/4 of a page for each reflection). Bring both your completed paraphrase and the journal to class on Monday.

9/9 (homework for 9/11): Between now and Friday: 1) Make your first attempt at paraphrasing the opening speech of Richard III. I have bolded some words that I hope will help you find “anchor” in the lines. Work your way through the speech as best you can, writing down the paraphrase.

2) go to the website and read the abbreviated Wikipedia entry that will give you some background in the War of the Roses. On one side of the notecard, make a list of people, their positions and their relationships (make sure to note whether they are Lancasters or Yorks)

Forgot your book? You can find the complete text of Richard III here.