From Tragedy to Comedy: November 18, 2019

Focus: How does Shakespeare turn tragedy into comedy?

1. Warming up with three good things

2. Close reading two moon metaphor passages

• What does Theseus compare the moon to? Why?
• What does Hippolyta compare the moon to? Why?
• Does any of this connect to the motif you've chosen to follow?
• So far, the moon might be a metaphor for...

3. Group reading the myth of Pyramus and Thisbe

• What parallels can you find between this myth and A Midsummer Night's Dream?

4. Reading 1.2 with human subtitles

• What do you notice about these characters as a group?
• What do you notice about Bottom in particular?
• How do the mechanicals' linguistic patterns differ from those of the lovers?

HW:
1. By Friday, November 22: Complete the brainstorming phase of your paper/project.

• If you're doing the project, complete the attached plan in your packet.
• If you're doing the paper, complete your thesis and a rough outline. 
• E-mail me, submit hard copies, or stop in for a quick chat.

2. By Wednesday, December 4: Turn in your typed, printed one-pager on the Shakespearean film you have watched (see overview).

Heads-up! December 9-10: Poetry papers and project are due. Because we will be at the end of the semester, please note the following:

1. No extensions will be granted. 
2. You will NOT be able to revise these because you won't get them back until your final.

Please plan ahead and spread this out over the next few weeks. You will have one work day in class, but this is largely designed to be an independent, college-style assignment.