Shakespeare?

[Grace is Sufficient]

My 10th grade daughter will be doing a half year public speaking class this year, which I've decided to count as half an English credit. For the other half credit, I'd like to do a study of Shakespeare. I'm thinking one or two plays each of comedies and tragedies, plus a few sonnets.

Does anyone have any suggestions of which ones I should choose and why, or any other thoughts on how to do a half credit of Shakespeare?

Thanks so much!

[Michelle in MO]

I would suggest the following:

Henry V, along with a viewing of Branagh's superb movie (note: it is an edited version of the play, so it does present a more "glorious" version of Henry's character). This play is part of a four-part history by Shakespeare, comprised of Richard II; Henry IV, Part I; and Henry IV, Part II. Branagh's film includes some scenes from Henry IV, Part II, which give some background information to the story in Henry V. Along with that I would suggest reading Peter Leithart's Brightest Heaven of Invention (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Brightest-Heaven-of-Invention/Peter-J-Leithart/e/9781885767233/?itm=1), which is a very good guide to the plays. I didn't always agree with Leithart's interpretations, but it is still a very good guide.

I would also recommend Macbeth and Hamlet, because they are both tragedies and the former contains some very carefully edited history by Shakespeare about the real Macbeth. I would also recommend Romeo and Juliet because it is so well-known.

We also read Richard III (another history) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (comedy).

I would assign an essay for each of these plays; you can find some topic suggestions in Peter Leithart's guide. Also, try to watch a version of each play, if possible. Ian McKellan plays Macbeth in a very good Royal Shakespeare Company production of the play; the only movie version of Romeo and Juliet that I've seen is the one by Franco Zeferelli (1968 version).

SparkNotes also provides a good synopsis of the play, along with some very good background and historical information.

One more thought: I would strongly recommend the Oxford School Shakespeare (http://books.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=Oxford+School+Shakespeare+Series&box=Oxford%20School%20Shakespeare%20Series&pos=-1) editions of the plays. I think they are absolutely the best. I believe they should have one available for each of the plays except for Richard III. We used the Cambridge edition for that, which I didn't like as well. Roma Gill is the editor of the Oxford School Shakespeare series, and I have enjoyed reading many of the notes and suggestions which she has put into these books.

Just my .02 worth---hope this helps!

[Julie in MN]

I would also recommend Macbeth and Hamlet, because they are both tragedies and the former contains some very carefully edited history by Shakespeare about the real Macbeth. I would also recommend Romeo and Juliet because it is so well-known.

All 3 of these are very well known & often quoted, so I vote for these. I think Romeo would be my 3rd choice, since most kids get the gist of that plot without reading thru it.

I recommend reading it aloud together with much drama!

[kate in seattle]

My faves:
any play where you can view a live production
this has to be absolutely first on the list, with maybe the exception of Titus Andronicus. If you can find a local live production of a play, study THAT ONE

Henry V - Kenneth Branagh movie

Hamlet

Much Ado About Nothing - Kenneth Branagh movie

12th night - Helena Bonham Carter movie

Peter Leithart's book is good. You could also read about the selected plays in Harold Blooms' "invention of being human".

One of the essays could be a compare/contrast between movie version and written play. what did the director chose to eliminate, highlight, abridge/adapt, etc. critical viewing is important in this day and age.

If you add in Memorizing some sonnets, writing a few sonnets and memorizing a monologue you would have a SOLID 1/2 credit.

[Grace is Sufficient]

I will definitely be searching out performances. I'd thought about doing that, but you all convinced me. It seems the tragedies are more highly recommended than the comedies, so I will probably pick only one comedy.

I know nothing about the sonnets. I know they should be included; I guess I just choose whatever seems most appealing.

Thank you all.

[Kareni]

Another approach would be to do one of Hewitt Homeschooling's Lightning Literature program. They have two one semester Shakespeare programs -- one covers Tragedies and Sonnets, the other covers Comedies and Sonnets.
See here (http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/book/blight.asp) for details.

Regards,
Kareni