Saturday, February 11, 2017

British Literature Class Notes -- Week 4 (February 9)

Greetings!

We had another good class this week discussing another classic of British literature -- Much Ado About Nothing.  I think most of the students are enjoying this selection more than Beowulf.  

Much Ado About Nothing is a timeless classic, not only because of its themes of familial conflicts, deception, romantic relationships, and gossip, but for the fact that it's a fun story.

This week we filled the whiteboard with the discussion questions that students had brought to class.  We unpacked Benedict and Beatrice's relationship, connected the ideas of gossip, deceit, and eavesdropping to the plot, and considered the enigmatic character, Don John.  

We also watched two clips from the Kenneth Branagh version of Much Ado.  Youtube has a number of videos from college and community theater performances.  Feel free to check them out.

For next week, students are to finish reading this play and bring 3 discussion to class.  Every week, I would like to find myself talking less and the students talking more.

Assignments for Next Week:
-- Read Acts IV and V
-- Write up 3 discussion questions

Links for this week:
Class Notes

Have a great week!
Mrs. Prichard

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