Each class gathering brings new opportunities to dive further into Shakespeare's shortest play. With discussion posts, speaking Shakespeare as a group, and lots of questions, each day and activity allows for reflection on the play and what we've learned.

When performing some scenes from Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors in a group setting there is a “trance-like” sound and feel that takes over and makes one feel like they are among the witches in Macbeth. With group recitation, you must match the reading speed, volume level, and tone with your groupmates (which is hard on a first read-through), or you otherwise risk butchering a classic Shakespeare play. It is an interesting experience reading a Shakespearean speech with others because you have to find a balance on-the-fly as you’re reading, and in my experience, this usually results in lots of giggles and confused expressions at a word no one knows how to pronounce.

Performing a Shakespearean speech as an individual as many of the same reactions as performing with a group, like having to find the right speed, tone, and having a confused expression at words like “o’erraught.” But, unlike with a group, you are able to find these factors of performing a speech in your own head and tongue without having to worry about messing up any of your groupmates. Performing alone allows for one to experiment and turn that “trance-like” rhythm and sound into a “real” speech, meaning it doesn’t sound like a recitation, but an actual speech that might be found in a performance. In short, performing Shakespeare by yourself allows for one to explore and turn lines on a page into an emotional experience that brings the stage to the classroom or your bedroom.