A. Learning Outcomes:
1. How have I gained Shakespeare Literacy?
Honest confession: when I started to read our first play together, Hamlet, I had to spend significant amounts of time in order to be able to understand simply what was going on. I started from scratch, not knowing what was going to happen, and trying to pick it all out. Since then, I have developed literacy in two ways: (1) utilize better tactics to understand Shakespeare: for the rest of the plays now, I use sites to get a background knowledge on the plot, and I understand the importance of using video renditions (see here too) and the plays themselves to get a better context and comparative analysis. The more times I have repeated this process (with The Winters Tale, Richard II, Love's Labour's Lost, and The Tempest). Doing all the reading for these plays and then bringing in outside productions has helped me learn how to come to understand Shakespeare. (2) Additionally, I am getting a feel for the language, and picking up a working vocabulary of what many of his words mean, like "Marry", "It booteth me not", "prithee", etc.
2. How have I analyzed Shakespeare critically?
I have enjoyed the most working on my Shakespeare translation project (see here (when I started) and here (for meter) as well) which also involves now a correspondence with a prestigious university in Spain. I have been comparing translations, commenting on the style and effectiveness, and seeing the pros and cons of each style of translation.
3. How have I engaged Shakespeare creatively?
This one is a blast, but I should have done it more. I started off ambitiously composing a song for one of Laertes' soliloquies, but have not finished that. The project that I most enjoyed was envisioning my own staging of the Tempest.
4. How have I shared Shakespeare meaningfully?
Although I was hesitant at first, I had such a rewarding time with this. There was a time I started up a conversation about Loves Labour's Lost with a co-worker at the MTC, talking about all the plays with my wife and family, and how it relates to present challenges I face, etc. The coolest ones have been teaching Richard II to my 3 young brother in laws (blog pending), and conversing with a homeless gentleman. Both these past two have surprised me how much people know and understand the old Bard.
Self-directed Learning
I have been take quite a bit off guard, to be honest, by the way I have started to take control of my Shakespeare learning. Starting with Love's Labour's Lost, I have been noticing in all the protagonists of the plays character traits that are not favorable in them that I also possess. This has been both startling and humbling as I notice my own character flaws and try to remedy them. I have chosen not to blog about these, given the sensitive nature that they are to me, but have served as the impetus to get conversations going with my wife and with myself about how things are going. Strange to say, perhaps, but, it seemed like Shakespeare knew the fallacies of humankind so well that he could show me where I falter. One example is here.
Collaborative and Social Learning
In the group that I am working with, all of the students have contributed about equally with their comments. I have tried to comment on two or more a day, and it seems like most all of the other students did the same, Especially Averrill. I enjoyed a comment thread with Martina, which got me thinking. All of the students have fomented discussion in small ways.
Working with the groups has given me more motivation to look for specific criticism when reading, because I know that it is coming up. I will look at possible venues in my mind, comparisons to other works, and the overarching meaning or theme so I don't sound like an idiot when we get discussing. It could be improved, perhaps, if we were to talk as a group what we want to discuss next time so we can delve deeper when we do.
The blogging and commenting in class has helped me contribute and get into the mindset of my group. Outside of class, I have really enjoyed the correspondence I have set up with Spain. When I received the reply Sunday morning, I was ecstatic. With my dad and brothers I have also been talking, and they have engaged my ideas too. Their comments have also caused reflection.
Looking Ahead
I would like to develop a more creative approach to Shakespeare. I feel like I have tried always to be academic, and yet have probably been or sounded deficient there as well. I want to do something artsy for the final... maybe finish that song. I enjoyed thinking about that idea today that we could create a proposal for our own play. I would like to take charge of the music, were that the case.
1. How have I gained Shakespeare Literacy?
Honest confession: when I started to read our first play together, Hamlet, I had to spend significant amounts of time in order to be able to understand simply what was going on. I started from scratch, not knowing what was going to happen, and trying to pick it all out. Since then, I have developed literacy in two ways: (1) utilize better tactics to understand Shakespeare: for the rest of the plays now, I use sites to get a background knowledge on the plot, and I understand the importance of using video renditions (see here too) and the plays themselves to get a better context and comparative analysis. The more times I have repeated this process (with The Winters Tale, Richard II, Love's Labour's Lost, and The Tempest). Doing all the reading for these plays and then bringing in outside productions has helped me learn how to come to understand Shakespeare. (2) Additionally, I am getting a feel for the language, and picking up a working vocabulary of what many of his words mean, like "Marry", "It booteth me not", "prithee", etc.
2. How have I analyzed Shakespeare critically?
I have enjoyed the most working on my Shakespeare translation project (see here (when I started) and here (for meter) as well) which also involves now a correspondence with a prestigious university in Spain. I have been comparing translations, commenting on the style and effectiveness, and seeing the pros and cons of each style of translation.
3. How have I engaged Shakespeare creatively?
This one is a blast, but I should have done it more. I started off ambitiously composing a song for one of Laertes' soliloquies, but have not finished that. The project that I most enjoyed was envisioning my own staging of the Tempest.
4. How have I shared Shakespeare meaningfully?
Although I was hesitant at first, I had such a rewarding time with this. There was a time I started up a conversation about Loves Labour's Lost with a co-worker at the MTC, talking about all the plays with my wife and family, and how it relates to present challenges I face, etc. The coolest ones have been teaching Richard II to my 3 young brother in laws (blog pending), and conversing with a homeless gentleman. Both these past two have surprised me how much people know and understand the old Bard.
Self-directed Learning
I have been take quite a bit off guard, to be honest, by the way I have started to take control of my Shakespeare learning. Starting with Love's Labour's Lost, I have been noticing in all the protagonists of the plays character traits that are not favorable in them that I also possess. This has been both startling and humbling as I notice my own character flaws and try to remedy them. I have chosen not to blog about these, given the sensitive nature that they are to me, but have served as the impetus to get conversations going with my wife and with myself about how things are going. Strange to say, perhaps, but, it seemed like Shakespeare knew the fallacies of humankind so well that he could show me where I falter. One example is here.
Collaborative and Social Learning
In the group that I am working with, all of the students have contributed about equally with their comments. I have tried to comment on two or more a day, and it seems like most all of the other students did the same, Especially Averrill. I enjoyed a comment thread with Martina, which got me thinking. All of the students have fomented discussion in small ways.
Working with the groups has given me more motivation to look for specific criticism when reading, because I know that it is coming up. I will look at possible venues in my mind, comparisons to other works, and the overarching meaning or theme so I don't sound like an idiot when we get discussing. It could be improved, perhaps, if we were to talk as a group what we want to discuss next time so we can delve deeper when we do.
The blogging and commenting in class has helped me contribute and get into the mindset of my group. Outside of class, I have really enjoyed the correspondence I have set up with Spain. When I received the reply Sunday morning, I was ecstatic. With my dad and brothers I have also been talking, and they have engaged my ideas too. Their comments have also caused reflection.
Looking Ahead
I would like to develop a more creative approach to Shakespeare. I feel like I have tried always to be academic, and yet have probably been or sounded deficient there as well. I want to do something artsy for the final... maybe finish that song. I enjoyed thinking about that idea today that we could create a proposal for our own play. I would like to take charge of the music, were that the case.
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