No Name Calling if You don't Check Out the Unit...Meaghan!

See aforementioned partner's blog to understand my title.

For our final project, Meaghan and I put together a unit for a class on Shakespeare. This would be the final unit and culmnating project where students are expected to apply techniques and issues discussed in class to a modern adaptation of a Shakespearean play. These would include, but most likely not limited to, looking at symbolism within several of his plays, using the different critical lenses to understand differing perspectives, and comparing and contrasting traditional film adaptations to its corresponding play.

Some examples of modern adaptations might be Hamlet and The Lion King, or The Taming of the Shrew and 10 Things I Hate About You.

Evaluating criteria would be a 5-6 page paper in which students are required to look at a play discussed in class to a modern adaptation. Obviously they would be graded on grammar and organization. Students will need to discuss three important elements between film and text, like character, setting, plot, scene selection, etc. Students must also address at least one critical lens and how it applies to both the play and adaptation, using specific examples from each.

You can go to our wiki and check out the entire plan if you are so moved:

Maggie's Wiki filled with fun and magic!

Here is an example of my favorite Shakespearean adaptation. It is Scotland, P.A. Mom, cover your ears, because there is some strong language. This is the scene from the original play, MacBeth, in which Lady MacBeth hallucinates still having the blood stain on her hand. In this film, it is a burn. But I love this adaptation because it's so true to the play, yet also true to it's modern setting. It does a good job of addressing issues of power and right, but also incorporates cultural and social aspects of America.