Students who are interested in Shakespearean literature
Grades 8-10
One-on-one and small group (Max. 7 students/class)
Class Introduction
We are now offering two classes:
May Class: Higher Level Literature Class for A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Hamlet
Shakespeare Literature will look at both A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Hamlet in their entirety, alongside their historical and literary contexts. Each week the class will read and discuss an act from one of the plays, focusing first on understanding then analysis and discussion. Students will read the act on their own before each lesson, using a modern translation of the play.
June Class: Shakespeare’s Tragedies: Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth
Shakespeare’s masterful use of language, his ability to create complex characters, and the exploration of timeless themes will be explored through reading, discussion, and analysis in this course. In Romeo and Juliet, students will learn about two young lovers from feuding families in Verona, Italy, who discover love despite obstacles and meet a tragic end. The play deals with love, hate, fate, and the consequences of impulsive behavior. In Macbeth, students will study the story of a Scottish nobleman consumed by ambition and ultimately descending into madness and murder. Macbeth explores corruption, guilt, and supernatural themes. As part of the course, students will also explore the plays’ historical and cultural context through lectures, discussions, and multimedia resources. Assignments include short writing activities, character analysis questionnaires, videos, polls and quizzes, class discussions, and final presentations.
Outcome
May Class:
- Have a firm understanding of the main plot, characters, and themes of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Hamlet
- Be able to take into account historical and literary context when discussing both plays
- Have the ability to analyze the language in key scenes from both plays
June Class:
- Develop a nuanced understanding of the plots, characters, and themes of Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth
- Explore the ways in which Shakespeare uses language, imagery, and symbolism to convey meaning and emotion
- Analyze the historical and cultural context of the plays, including the political, social, and religious factors that influenced their creat
- Evaluate the critical reception and interpretation of the plays over time, including their influence on literature, theater, and popular culture
- Enhance literary analysis, critical thinking, and communication skills through close readings, discussions, and writing assignments
Course Content
May Class: Topics for this course include, but are not limited to: Shakespeare introduction, acts of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Hamlet, etc.
June Class: Topics for this course include, but are not limited to: Introduction to Shakespeare and his works, acts of Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth, etc.
Schedule
10 group classes, 2 hours each, 20 hours in total
Feedback
Students and their parents will receive brief feedback after each class regarding the student’s general participation in class. Students will also receive feedback on graded assignments via email.
