Analyzing Lit: Shakespeare provides students the opportunity to do a close reading and analysis of a Shakespearean play. Students read the whole play, scene by scene, focusing on comprehension and appreciation of Shakespeare’s language. They gain exposure to new language and learn to use context clues to derive meaning.
Analysis of the play allows students to decipher metaphors, themes, and other figurative language. Students also engage in student-to-student response where they gain new insight into the play through discussion with classmates.
Textual analysis allows modern understanding to unfold as students make connections to their lives, current events, and their world.
The play read for this class was ______________________________________
Syllabus
Week One
Class opens with an introduction to the Bard, the Elizabethan theater scene, and background of the play. Discussion and analysis this week focus on Act I. Discussion each week includes student-to-student response as well as direct feedback from our expert instructor.
Week Two
Acts II and III discussion zooms in on character relationships, famous scenes, and a consideration of how the themes in the play land when viewed under a modern lens.
Week Three
This week tackles Acts IV and Act V. Students consider the play as a whole, forming conclusions and preparing for the Week Four writing project.
Week Four
Students bring their four-week exploration to a close with a final project. A range of topics is offered, including creative writing prompts and more traditional essay analysis.
Common Core and Academic Standards Support
What follows is a word bank and set of skills associated with this class. Use them to craft your own learning narrative for use in year-end evaluations, charter school reports, or any other accountability source.
Word Bank
- Alliteration
- Analysis
- Audience
- Close reading
- Metaphor
- Point of view/Perspective
- Repetition
- Research
- Simile
- Subtext
- Symbolism
- Theme
- Vivid detail
- Voice
Core Skills
- Cite textual evidence to support conclusions
- Compare and contrast characters
- Compare and contrast story versions
- Compare theme and content to personal experience
- Compare theme and content to modern readings
- Critique film or theater production
- Determine central ideas and themes
- Embody character perspective in writing
- Explore themes in writing
- Evaluate evolution of thinking across time
- Identify point of view
- Relate text to modern experience
- Write detailed, organized, structured original narratives
- Write from multiple perspectives
