Twelfth Night

1/10: We talked through the end of Twelfth Night and through the exam

1/9: We worked with the madhouse scene and finished the play. Discussion about mirrors, abotu who is to blame for Malvolio, about the "comedy" and the marriages.

1/7: We watched the duel performance and read through Sebastian's scenes.

1/4: HOMEWORK: Get the permission slip signed.

In class, perfomances for 3.4 and reflection.

1/3: Moving through Act 3 - we reviewed the threads of "plot" as they are going to begin to come together. Small groups assigned 3.4 to perform for tomorrow.

1/2: HOMEWORK: Read and respond to Forsyth's chapter "Diacope."

In class, we started work on Act 3.

12/20: We worked on Maria's letter and the prank it constructs against Malvolio. We talked about the "plot" of the prank (what Malvolio believes, how he is instructed to act, etc.), about what the prank tells us about Maria's character, her powers of perception, her wit, etc and what it tells us about Malvolio's character, his powers of perception, his wit, etc. AND we discussed what the prank might mean for Olivia, who is NOT party to it, but who will be involved.

12/18: HOMEWORK: On the back (after 2.4): What is your impression of the Duke, of his worldview (including his view of love, of women, etc.) and your view of Viola and her worldview? Do these two seem suited for each other at this point? Why or why not? What troubles you? What makes you think this is a match, etc.? Fill both side of the card.

On the front of the notecard: tell me the three most important insights into Viola’s character from these two speeches and tell me how you know them (what in the speeches gave you that insight)? Also tell me threethings about your experience working with this text that helps you to measure your ability with Shakespeare’s language, with the characters/relationships in the play, your own weaknesses and/or growth, etc.

Reading 2.4 in pairs today.

On the back (after 2.4): What is your impression of the Duke, of his worldview (including his view of love, of women, etc.) and your view of Viola and her worldview? Do these two seem suited for each other at this point? Why or why not? What troubles you? What makes you think this is a match, etc.? Fill both side of the card.

12/17: Small groups for 1.5 then we watched and discussed the beginning of act 2.

12/14: In small groups, we read 1.4 and the beginning of 1.5 (pages 13-17). Each group then pulled together 4 things we know (plot), 2 examples of dramatic irony, 4 examples of word play and ideas about whether or not the women (Olivia and Maria) can keep up with the Fool.

12/13: We started the play - talked about the role of a Fool, about Puritans in Shakespeare's time and read 1.1-1.3.