Twelfth Night

1/16: We watched the end of Twelfth Night. You can watch the Lincoln Center version here (start at 2:15 and watch until the end).

1/14 & 1/15: Finishing Twelfth Night. See the handout below.

1/9: In class: The set up for the duel and the duel itself: Lots going on here We’ll watch twice – the first time just take it all in, try to follow the action (watch it here - 1:47:30- 2:01:50). During the second viewing, pay attention to Andrew (mostly the physical comedy). Make lists on the front of the notecard of what is funny as it relates to his actions. After we’ve watched write a few lines about how what you noticed adds to Andrew’s character. Then, on the back of the notecard reflect on the scene as a whole – there is lots of deception and mistaken identity. Some is played for comedy but some has real consequences. Think about the humor and whether it is innocent fun or something else. How are you viewing Toby’s character at this point? Is he a lovable rogue or is there something darker here and why does that matter? Fill the back of the notecard.

1/8: We worked on Twelfth Night Act 3 (see handout below). You can find the Malvolio scene here (1:40-1:47: 30).

1/7: We are going to watch the scene now to see how the comedy works. We’re watching a taped version of a live performance so you can hear the audience’s reaction in addition to watching the actors (you can find it here start at 1:11 and watch through the end of the scene at 1:23:44). As you watch, in your blue book, jot down things that strike you as funny: these can be lines, references, physical actions interactions, etc. Strive for at least 7. After we’ve watched, take a few minutes to reflect on what you noticed in the scene and why it matters. THINK first about Malvolio’s character: how is he being portrayed? How does that portrayal fit with what you were thinking about when you read the letter portion of the scene? How does it differ and why might that matter? What strikes you as particularly funny in the scene and why does that matter? In what ways do you see Shakespeare crafting the comedy in the scene (what makes it funny to us, what kind of funny and what does that suggest to you)? Strive for at least a page.

1/6: We worked on the laying of the trap for Malvolio (2.5), specifically the letter. It is attached below.

1/5: Twelfth Night 2.4 – male versus female in love. In groups of 3 today, read 2.4. This is an interesting discussion about love and about the ways each gender acts/perceives love and it’s funny because of the situational irony (the situation – Viola’s true identity – creates the irony). Read through the scene, each of you taking on a role. After you’ve finished, spend some time in your blue book reflecting on your character’s arguments and what they say about the way the character views love (and what these arguments say about the character). Choose at least 3 specific ideas from what the character says to support your ideas (if you read the Clown, spend time on his song – why that song? What does that say about love, given that it is the song that the duke wants to hear). Write at least a page. Then, talk together about what you wrote about. THINK about the Duke’s continued obsession with Olivia and his continued insistence that she will love him. How does that strike you? What about Viola’s view of the situation and her use of personal experience? Does that shed any light? Finally, talk about places where the irony is most potent. Make notes of your best ideas about all of this to hand in to me for a participation grade (make sure to pinpoint specific ideas about the irony and what makes it funny).

12/23: We watched a stage version of the first 3 scenes of Act 2. You can watch it here (start at 39:30 - 102:00). Complete the worksheet attached below and paraphrase the two speeches of Viola's (attached "Twelfth Night - Viola"). What we want to do here is understand her point of view as well as gain a deeper understanding of her character strengths.

12/19: We finished reading 1.5. First, read the handout guiding you through the scene (attached below). After you've read the scene: on the back of the notecard from the beginning of the play, 1) tell me your DEEP THINKING understanding of at least one of the main characters (Olivia, Orsino or Viola) - think in terms of traits and why they matter and 2) tell me about the comedy in 1.5 Write about the aspect of the humor - Malvolio, the Clown or the gender-bending - that you understood best and tell me why.

12/16: Small group warm up for performance today. We read 1.3 and 1.4. See "Twelfth Night 1.3 - 1.4" below.

12/15: We read 1.1 and 1.2 today. Please see the background materials below.