Love 2 Learn.net

Grade / Age level:

High School

Review:

We studied this Shakespeare comedy in 9th grade using an "interleaved" edition featuring the original text on one side and notes to clarify the meanings of archaic terms on the facing pages. Looking at the text on the pages was a little daunting, but it is amazing what a difference reading it aloud in class made. Suddenly the words were not so strange or difficult to follow any more, and as it is a play -- not a novel -- reading aloud really helped bring it to life. Our class was also able to attend a live outdoor performance, which further enhanced our study of the play. As for the play itself, it is a light comedy that revolves around two young men (Demetrius and Lysander) and two young women (Hermia and Helena) and their adventures. Their fathers want Demetrius and Hermia to wed, but Hermia prefers Lysander. Meanwhile, Helena is still in love with Demetrius even though he has jilted her for Hermia. Hoping to elope, Hermia and Lysander enter a wood, but are pursued by Demetrius and Helena. There they get mixed up in the doings of the fairies, whose King and Queen have themselves had a bit of a falling out. Throw in the mischievous Puck and a group of simple craftsmen, and you have a recipe for much hilarity. Shakespeare uses the situations to explore our human capacity for caprice and wilfulness through the sometimes ridiculous events in his play. Other themes you might want to discuss are: is it appropriate for a father to insist that his daughter marry a particular man? To what extent have the people Shakespeare portrays been influenced by the return of classical thought and Roman law in this regard? What of Oberon's attitude toward his wife Titania? And what about the magic? It's supposed to fix everything, but does it? Or does it just create more chaos? But A Midsummer Night's Dream is a lot of fun, so don't let too much dissection spoil it for you or your students.

Additional notes:

Written approximately 1595.

Many editions available, including several online.

Reviewed by:

Suchi Myjak

First reviewed:

1-8-2009

A Storyteller's Version of Shakespeare for Kids

A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Taming of the Shrew

Author(s):

Shakespeare as told by Jim Weiss

2000

ISBN / ID:

1882513401

Publisher:

Greathall Productions

Grade / Age level:

Elementary

Resource Type:

CD Audio

Review:

I love Melissa Wiley's quote on Jim Weiss' website: "Suddenly I understand. My four-year-old is narrating Shakespeare...Thank you, Jim Weiss!" (www.melissawiley.net) My teenagers have fond memories of doing just that-- listening and quoting Shakespeare in early elementary school. I asked my 16 year old before I wrote this review and his opinion was that this CD offers the usual Jim Weiss traits: high quality adaptations, great storytelling voice, well done character voices. The stories in this CD--A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Taming of the Shrew-- are neither over simplified or obscure for younger children. Jim Weiss is successful at opening up the world of Shakespeare at an early age and gives them the cultural references that will aid children in their studies until they are ready to tackle Shakespeare!

Additional notes:

Jim Weiss also has produced a version of Romeo and Juliet.

Reviewed by:

Ana Braga-Henebry

First reviewed:

1-21-2009

In Search of Shakespeare

Author(s):

Michael Wood

2004

Publisher:

BBC

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

DVD

Review:

This is a fascinating documentary, but not suitable for children. Although it leans secular to a certain extent, it provides a very helpful (and detailed) background of the nature of the political and religious conflicts going on in Shakespeare’s world. It also makes a pretty strong case that Shakespeare grew up in a Catholic household and had some Catholic sympathies throughout his life, that at least seem to reflect the basic morals found in his plays. There is plenty of ugliness too, but I think it’s worth sorting through the muck to get a better understanding of the Bard. Available from Netflix or your local library.

Because of mature content and a slight secular bias, this series is recommended for parents (who can, of course, share the content with their children at their own discretion).

Reviewed by:

First reviewed:

2-11-2009

King Lear

Author(s):

William Shakespeare

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

High School

Review:

King Lear is the heart-wrenching tragedy of a king with three daughters who decides to test their love for him as a condition for inheriting a part of his kingdom. Naturally the two who are most interested in the prize are the most willing to tell him what he wants to hear. The youngest, Cordelia, in her honesty and simplicity, refuses to flatter him and is disinherited. Over time, Lear realizes his mistake, as his two other daughters are only “nice” when they have something to gain from it. This is a tragedy about deception and superficiality – particularly within the family, but with many political implications. It illustrates Shakespeare’s incredible capacity to understand human nature and there are thus multitudinous themes to reflect on, such as love and loyalty and the superficiality of flattery. Questions to consider might include: How do we recognize true devotion? Is anyone really as demanding as Lear is? Does loyalty to something other than the state, (what some might consider a divided loyalty), such as the Church, make one a better or worse citizen in the eyes of the state? I found Ignatius Press’ Ignatius Critical Edition: King Lear (edited by Joseph Pearce) to be quite helpful in studying King Lear with our teen discussion group. This book includes detailed definitions, explanations and commentary in footnotes on each page of the play as well as “Classic” and “Contemporary” essays on the play. While I didn’t read all of the essays in the book, I did particularly enjoy James Bemis “King Lear on Film”, which led us to Laurence Olivier’s 1984 portrayal of King Lear. We watched this as a group (following our discussion) and enjoyed it very much, in spite of a few gory spots.

Perspective:

Catholic

Reviewed by:

First reviewed:

2-11-2009

Much Ado About Nothing

Directors / Actors:

Kenneth Branagh

Michael Keaton

Keanu Reeves

Emma Thompson

Runtime:

111 minutes

1993

Publisher:

MGM

Subject(s):

Setting:

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

Review:

This is an admirable portrayal of one of Shakespeare's great comedies beautifully filmed on location in Italy. It is a love story that also laughs at love and a drama that ends up being "Much Ado About Nothing." It is so refreshing to see that Kenneth Branagh (director, adapter and co-leading man) appreciates Shakespeare as Shakespeare rather than trying to add on modern nonsense to make it more accessible. Instead, Branagh assists in making Shakespeare's timeless story accessible through good acting, beautiful scenery and an amazingly faithful script. I like this film very much, and I think it can be a good place for introducing teens to Shakespeare. However, there are a few short scenes of a sensual nature that parents might want to edit for their children. I recommend that parents preview the movie before watching it with their children, but in a nutshell, here some scenes that parents may wish to edit, particularly the third one:

During the credits, the men and women (who are in separate places) are shown bathing and dressing up while preparing to meet each other after the men had been away at war. While this is done in a fairly innocent manner, there are plenty of naked "backsides" in this scene.

There is a small scene during the costumed party involving a couple who are not behaving themselves very well. It does help establish their characters which play an essential role in the story. Although it is not terribly graphic (and might go unnoticed by small children), it is probably not suitable for younger viewers.

The balcony scene in which Margaret is "courted" by her boyfriend (same couple as above) by the name of another is a pivotal point in the story. It is done without nudity and is consistent with the story, but is still quite graphic and unsuitable for young viewers.

Additional notes:

Directed by Kenneth Branagh, PG-13, 1 hr. 51 min., Color

Starring: Kennegth Branagh, Michael Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Emma Thompson and Denzel Washington

Reviewed by:

First reviewed:

6-24-03

Much Ado About Nothing

Author(s):

William Shakespeare

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Review:

Much Ado About Nothing is an uproarious comedy (with plenty of dramatic elements) about love and hate. While awaiting the marriage of Hero and Claudio, several plots unfold. One is an incredibly funny conspiracy to set up Beatrice and Benedick, two swift-tongued sworn enemies, to fall in love with each other. The other is nefarious, a plan to ruin Hero by convincing Claudio and company that she has been unfaithful. You’ll find lots of great fodder for discussion here, including the wisdom of the foolish and the foolishness of the wise and, of course, Shakespeare’s often-present cautions about deception and flattery.

Reviewed by:

First reviewed:

2-11-2009

Othello

the Moor of Venice

Author(s):

William Shakespeare

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

High School

Review:

Othello, which we studied in tenth grade, is a dark play, a tragedy brought about by Othello's surrender to Iago's campaign of deceit. Although this is the main idea of the play, quite a few characters and twists and turns maintain the suspense. The title character Othello is a general and Iago's commander. Iago is angered at Othello's promotion of a less-experienced soldier (Cassio) over him; moreover he is in the pay of Roderigo, a rich man who wishes to marry the beautiful Desdemona. However, Othello has already won over Desdemona and married her. In his hatred, Iago plots to ruin Othello's life by convincing him that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, thereby exacting revenge on Cassio as well. In this, he succeeds, with tragic results. I found it easy, even at that age, to relate to the characters in this play. They are drawn with depth and are believable. In particular, Othello's inner struggle is very realistic -- we in the audience want to shout at him that Iago is lying, that he should trust Desdemona. Major themes in this play are love, trust, jealousy, and free will. Pride and insecurity also play important parts in the drama. The consequences of wrong choices are all too clear, as are the consequences of putting one's trust in the wrong person. Questions to consider might include: Why does Othello believe Iago? What could he have done differently? Othello doesn't go in one quick step from newlywed in love with his bride to murderous jealousy. What are the "little steps" by which he allows himself to be led on this road?

Additional notes:

Written c. 1601-1604

Many editions available. "Interleaved" editions (original text with notes on facing page) are helpful.

Reviewed by:

Suchi Myjak

First reviewed:

1-24-2009

Shakespeare for Kids

His Life and Times

Author(s):

Colleen Aagesen

Margie Blumberg

Number of pages:

149 pages

1999

Publisher:

Chicago Review Press

Binding:

Softcover

Subject(s):

Setting:

Grade / Age level:

Review:

Additional notes:

This book was donated for review by Chicago Review Press.

Reviewed by: