Beware the Ides of March!

Shakespeare's Julius Caesar with John Wilkes Booth (l) playing Marc Antony and brothers Edwin (c) and Junius playing Brutus. Maybe Edwin played Cassius.

March 15 used to be the day untenured teachers received noticed they were being let go. The irony was not not lost on anyone.
Here is Marcus Brutus played by Marlon Brando (1953.) There are many excellent film productions of the play; I saw it at the Old Globe in San Diego. As usual, Shakespeare is too cool. 

Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Lend Me Your Ears  

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xsjkfr_friends-romans-countrymen-lend-me-your-ears_creation#.UUNXkzfwXmA

Writing Strategies: Evaluating Film as Literature

Third Quarter Assessment Grade 12

Writing Strategies: Evaluating Film as Literature

English 12 Taylor

This is a two-part assessment. The first part is to choose a film appropriate for school discussion and describe the elements that identifies it as true literature.

The second part of this assessment is to describe the elements of the class-view film “Life Is Beautiful” and describe the elements of that identifies it as true literature.

Three paragraphs for each part will be adequate, a total of six paragraphs. This may be typed or handwritten.

Theme, character, and plot are primary elements of story and narrative that would elevate a film to true literature.

Rubric for assessment for Evaluating Film as Literature

Student Choice; also Rubric for Teacher Choice

Needs improvement                    Satisfactory                                 Superior

1.                                                        Discusses one element

thoroughly

2.                                                         Enhanced vocabulary

3.                                                         Enhanced sentence

                                                    structure and usage.

   This is a Q3 Cumulative Assessment. This is due start of class Thursday, 3/14/19.

Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" Questions Act V

Shakespeare ‘Julius Caesar’ English 10

Questions Act V Ms. Taylor

1.  What lesson did you learn from the play?

2.  What omens does Cassius see before the battle?

3.  What effect do the omens have on him? Why do Cassius and Brutus both plan to kill themselves should they lose the battle? What are some key differences in their deaths? How do these differences reflect the contrast in each man’s character?

4.  What are Brutus’ final word? How do these word reveal his essential nobility?

5.  How has Antony felt toward Brutus throughout most of the play? How and why does Anthony’s attitude toward Brutus change at the end?

6.  Now that Octavius and Antony have triumphed, what do you think will become of the Roman republic? Do you think this will be a good or a bad thing?

Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" Questions Act V

Shakespeare “Romeo and Juliet” Act V

 Grade 9 Ms. Taylor

Questions Act V

1.    Were you in any way surprised by the way in which this play ends? Why or why not?

2.    In Act V, Scene I, what news causes Romeo to exclaim, “Then I defy you, start”? How are Romeo’s word consistent with what you know of his character?

3.    Identify at least three events that cause the Friar’s scheme to fail. Why is it not surprising that the scheme fails?

4.    How do Romeo and Juliet die? Which is most to blame for the lovers’ deaths—chance, the lovers themselves, or their families? Explain.

5.    How do you think events would have turned out if the apothecary had refused to sell poison to Romeo? What other unique actions in the chain of events, if avoided, could have changed the play’s outcome?

6.    How does the relationship of the feuding families change at the end of the play? Were Romeo and Juliet’s deaths necessary for the feus to end? Explain. Do you think tragedies always lead to peace?

7.    In what ways does Shakespeare’s play provide a valuable lesson about the destructive effects of hatred?

Shakespeare ‘Romeo and Juliet’ English 9 Taylor Questions Act IV

Shakespeare ‘Romeo and Juliet’

English 9 Taylor

Questions Act IV

1.    Should Romeo and Juliet have followed Friar Lawrence’s advice: Why or why not?

2.    What event are Paris and Juliet discussing at the beginning of Act IV? How do their feelings about the event differ?

3.    What is Friar Lawrence’s plan for Juliet?

4.    Why do you think Juliet trusts the Friar?

5.    What three fears does Julies reveal in her soliloquy in Scene iii? What does the soliloquy reveal about her personality?

6.    Do you think drinking the potion is a courageous or foolish act? Explain. How has Juliet changed during the play? Explain?

7.    Do you think it is appropriate for a religious person like the Friar to deceive people with the hope of positive outcomes?

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
https://americanliterature.com/author/ambrose-bierce/short-story/an-occurrence-at-owl-creek-bridge

Shakespeare ‘Julius Caesar’ English 10 Taylor Act IV Questions

Shakespeare ‘Julius Caesar’

English 10 Taylor

Act IV Questions

1.   With whom do you sympathize in Act IV—Brutus, Cassius, or neither? Why?

2.   Why do Octavius and Antony argue in Scene 1? How is their argument different from the one between Brutus and Cassius in Scene 11?

3.   How does Portia die? Why do you think Brutus delays in telling Cassius of her death? Compare and contrast the reactions of Brutus and Cassius to Portia’s death.

4.   Whose ghost appears to Brutus? What does the ghost mean when he says to Brutus, ‘thou shalt see me at Philippi’?

5.   Why have Brutus and Cassius decided to attack Anthony and Octavius at Philippi rather than wait for them to attack? Who do you think will be the victor in the upcoming battle? Explain.

6.   Which character in this act do you feel would make the best leader for Rome? Explain.

God's Grandeur

Oh, Man, Romeo! Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet Act III

With thanks to Prentice Hall now out of print text, 'Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes.'

Shakespeare ‘Romeo and Juliet’

English 9 Ms. Taylor

Questions Act III

1.   What would you do if you were in Romeo or Juliet’s situation?

2.    Why do Mercutio and Tybalt fight in Act III, Scene i? What does Mercutio mean by his dying exclamation, ‘A plague on both your houses!”? How do these lines echo the ideas set forth in the play’s prologue?

3.    How and why does Romeo kill Tybalt? What does Romeo mean when he says, after killing Tybalt, ‘I am fortune’s foo!’?

4.   What punishment does the prince order for Romeo? Why does the Prince decide not to sentence Romeo to death, despite his threat in Act I?

5.    Describe the clashing emotions Juliet feels when Nurse reports Tybalt’s death and Romeo’s punishment. What reactions—both similar and different—do Juliet and Romeo have to Romeo’s punishment?

6.   Do you think Romeo’s punishment is fair? Support your answer.

Et Tu, Brute? Questions for Act III Julius Caesar

With thanks to the Prentice Hall Lit books 'Timeless Voice, Timeless Themes.'

Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”

English 10 Ms. Taylor

Questions Act III

1.   If you had been in the crowd at Caesar’s funeral in Scene ii, how would you have responded to Anthony’s speech?

2.   (a) Artemidorus implores Caesar to read a paper he has. How does Caesar react to this plea? (b) Why might Shakespeare include this brief scene with Artemidorus?

3.   How does Antony respond to the conspirators after the assissination?

4.   What are the motives behind his actions?

5.   How does Cassius feel about allowing Antony to speak at the funeral? Why? Why does Brutus allow Antony to speak?

6.  How do the funeral monologues delivered by Brutus and Antony compare in style and purpose? What effect does the reading of the will have on the people?

7.   How does Shakespeare build emotion into this act of the play? What effect do you think the buildup of emotion will have on what happens next?

8.   Do you think that Caesar has any responsibility for his own death? Why or why not?

Shakespeare Memes

Need A G-Rated Insult? 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/06/need-g-rated-insult.html?spref=bl 

I find Shakespeare animal memes hilarious. I just can't help it. So here's the game--I'll give you a hint which plays these come from-- you guess. To be sure, you can always google the quote.

Which of these first four are from Richard III, Hamlet, Two Gentleman of Verona or a sonnet?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of the next three, which are from Richard II, Romeo and Juliet?

Of the three memes above, which are from Romeo and Juliet or Richard III?

Of these four memes below, which are from MacBeth, Midsummer Night's Dream,  and Romeo and Juliet?

This last group:

Two from MacBeth, one from Midsummer's Night's Dream.

 

 

 

 

 

 My own meme--from a play we study in grade ten in the USA.

Celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday with some of his best insults and pickup lines

http://blog.ed.ted.com/2014/04/23/celebrate-shakespeares-birthday-with-some-of-his-best-insults-and-pickup-lines/

Welcome to the official Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebrations website.

 http://www.shakespearesbirthday.org.uk/

Julius, Look Out! From Behind!

I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud

This poem is about the opposite of PTSD.

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud 

BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed—and gazed—but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.