Tempest: Act 2, Sc 1

1. Sentence fun

2. Check vocab & books & journal

3. Let's get playing & discussing

Discussion Questions

1. What type of person is Gonzalo? What was his role in the plot against Prospero? Does his behavior seem consistent with how he acts now?

2. Sebastian and Antonio ridicule Gonzalo. What does this tell us about their characters?

3. Antonio incites Sebastian to kill his brother and take the crown of Naples. Why? What does this tell us about Antonio’s motives? What does Sebastian’s response tell us about him? What could Shakespeare be saying about human nature?

4. Gonzalo's idea of a nation: the Utopia.

Homework questions to be answered on this blog:

1. Is it surprising that Caliban willingly worships Stephano and desires to give him control of the island when he resents Prospero for usurping what he considers his rightful claim? What does this show the audience about Caliban? (think literal and big picture)

I would suggest your answer your questions in a word/text document and then paste into the blog. And make sure you put your name either at the top or bottom of your post.

Tempest Act 1, Sc 2

1. This scene opens with Miranda's compassion for the people caught in the tempest. Some productions show Prospero as a powerful magician; others, a quiet man. How would you stage the first sight of Prospero and Miranda for greatest dramatic effect?

Let's check out RSC.

2.What’s the history between Prospero & Antonio? How does Prospero assert his authority & his own truth? In what ways does this relationship express the theme of usurpation? (lines 36-168)

3.What’s the history between Prospero & Ariel? How does Prospero assert his authority? In what ways does this relationship express the theme of servant/master? (lines 189-299)

4. What’s the history between Prospero & Caliban? In what ways does Prospero assert his authority? How does this relationship express the idea of colonialism? (lines 307-373)

Tempest Act 1, Sc 1

1. Sentence fun

2. Introduce vocab

3. Let's get playing/reading

Discussion Questions

Scene 1

In two groups, act out scene one. Note that the opening scene takes place on a ship at sea during a terrible storm. (Why is it significant that the play begins with a storm at sea?) How can the fury of the waves and wind be shown on stage? Be sure to address the following:

a. How do you perform the first stage direction?

b. How can actors' movements suggest a ship caught in a storm?

c. How might you convey the sense of fear & crisis? These are people who are desperately concerned to save their lives. Do they panic or are they well disciplined?

d. What simple props do you need to convey the scene.

Frank Project: Part 3

The final part ...

Frank Project: Part 2

Before we move onto the second part, let's review a few important SPA related items:

1. Context: Where is the quote from? Who said it? Why said it? And surely don't have floating quotes! Oh no! Work the evidence into the context using a comma or a colon.

2. Analysis: DO NOT! I repeat DO NOT! summarize the evidence. You're writing to an informed reader. And, of course, make sure you connect your analysis to the thesis.

3. Big Picture: What the heck does that mean? It means connecting your thesis and analysis and ideas to larger themes and ideas present in the novel and out. It's the So What? Sure the creature's identity is influenced by his appearance, so what? What are the larger implications of this idea?

4. Citation: (Shelley 215).

5. Speculation is the devil: Avoid using If ... then phrasing. If the monster had not been abandoned, then he wouldn't have killed William. Well, you know what? He was abandoned and he did kill William. Crazy but true. Turn that idea around and omit the speculation: The monster's abandonment caused him to kill William.

And now we move to the next step: Part 2.

Frank Project: Part 1

Part 1: The Collage

Frank comes to a close

1. Let's learn a new sentence!
2. Check books & Annotations

Discussion questions

1. What's the difference between regret & remorse? How do Victor and/or the creature show either? neither?

2. In chapter 7, find specific ways in which Victor & the creature have become identical. Look specifically a the text when answering this question.

3. Who are we the reader meant to sympathize with?
4. Major themes

5. What are your thoughts on this book? What did you love, not love, really really love?