Comic Relief

def.---a humorous scene, incident, or speech that is included in serious drama to provide a break from emotional intensity. Because it breaks the tension, it allows the audience to think about the plot events before, and prepare for emotional events after. The sharp contrasts provided by comic relief intensify the themes of the work.

With a partner......we will do some script writing---each person needs a script!

1. Decide between the two of you--who will be Macbeth, who will play Lady Macbeth.
2. Rewrite Act I, Scene 7 in modern English: Macbeth's soliloquy and the argument between the two of them that follows.
3. Make sure you hit all the main points of each passage
*In the soliloquy--Macbeth's pros and cons
*In the argument--what are Lady Macbeth's arguments for him to do it, what are his to not

Hw #2: Macbeth's Soliloquy

"I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps(overleaps) itself and fall on the other."--Macbeth (Act I, Scene 7, lines 25-28)

1)Put this sentence into your own words.(What is he trying to say?)
2)Why is it important for the audience to know this is a soliloquy? What if it were not?
3)Based on this quote, what can you predict MAY happen in Act II and WHY?

Characterization/Homework #1 Monday 11/21--- 20 pts.

In plays, characters are defined by their appearance, actions, and words. Examine Lady Macbeth:
1. What seems to motivate her?
2. Does Shakespeare describe her with a traditional feminine role/ideas/behavior?
3. How would the play be different if she did not exist or know about her husband's plans?
4. Do you think her way of pushing Macbeth to do something he may not have done otherwise is something that is common or uncommon of husbands and wives?

Notes for soliloquy and aside---please copy!

soliloquy--a speech in which a character speaks his/her thoughts aloud. Usually the character is on the stage alone, but others may be there (ignored temporarily). The purpose is to reveal his/her inner thoughts, feelings, emotions, plans, etc..to the audience NOT the other characters.

aside- a remark spoken in an undertone by a character either to the audience or another character--traditional convention is only heard by the audience. They can be used to express characters' feelings, opinions, and reactions so they function as a method of characterization.---CAN CAUSE DRAMATIC IRONY (we know things the other characters do not!)

Tragedy Notes for Macbeth

This is a link to the character map from the board.

tragedy--presents the downfall of a dignified character who is involved in historically or socially significant events. This fall is usually caused by a flaw in his character.

tragic hero--the main character, dignified who has a downfall based mainly on a poor character trait. He/she evokes both pity and fear in readers because the audience realizes the struggles faced by him are necessary parts of human life.

tragic flaw--whatever is wrong with his character that causes his destruction--usually leads to an error in judgment.

MacBeth Notes--Please Copy in your Notes

The title character is based on a historical Macbeth, a king of 11th century Scotland who seized the monarchy after killing his predecessor, Duncan I. The play was written to please King James I, Of Scotland, who was a chief sponsor of Shakespeare's acting company. The desire to please the king may be why Shakespeare adds the prominence of witchcraft in the play, as the king was quite interested in it, as it was a popular belief at the time.

Final Movie Questions--things to think about for the movie review

1. Why does the FBI want to meet with Jacob and Hank?
2. What does the FBI agent want them to do the next day?
3. Why is Sarah suspicious of FBI agent Baxter? Who does she think he is?
4. What is Sarah's plan for meeting the FBI agent? (what does she want Hank to do?)
5. What is Sarah's speech to Hank about? How does she reveal her inner feelings about their life?
6. Do you think she felt this way before the $, or only after?
7. Why does Sarah call the FBI and ask for agent Neil Baxter?
8. What is ironic about the fact that the man says, "You're not the cold-blooded type, are you Mr. Mitchell?"
9. Why does Jacob want Hank to kill him?
10. The couple thought the money was "unmarked" and untraceable. What really happened?
10. What is the symbolic about the burning of the money?
11. What does the final scene of their childhood home symbolize?
12. What do you think happens after the movie ends? To the Mitchell's marriage? To the town? Hank?
13. How could the moral of "The Pardoner's Tale"--"radix malorum est cupiditas" or "money is the root of all evil apply to this film?

Simple Plan Questions #2

1. How does Jacob attempt to break the initial agreement?
2. What discovery does Sarah make at the library?
3. How does Lou attempt to break the initial agreement?
4. How does Lou attempt to blackmail Hank?
5. What is the new agreement that Hank and Lou come to regarding the money?
6. What does Sarah want Hank to do regarding Lou and the blackmail?
7. Do you think Hank is being truthful when he tells Jacob he will help him get the farm back? Why or why not?
8. What change do you notice in the character of Sarah?
9. How does Hank's plan of setting up Lou go terribly wrong? What does he do to solve his new problem with the law?
10. How does the title a "Simple Plan" take on a new meaning at this point?

A Simple Plan Movie Review--Notes to Take Day #1

A Simple Plan (1998), Director Sam Raimi
Hank--Bill Paxton
Lou--Brent Briscoe
Sarah--Bridget Fonda
Jacob--Billy Bob Thornton

1. Describe the main character Hank. Does his life seem happy?
2. What is the relationship like between he and his wife? His brother Jacob? Lou?
3. What discovery is made in the field? Why may Jacob and Lou feel it is their discovery?
4. What is the plan that they make? What promise?
5. How does Hank's wife initially react to this discovery? Later?
6. What shocking action does Jacob perform? Hank?

How to write a critical review--for a film--25 pts. Due by Friday 11/18

1. Watch the movie--take notes as you watch
2. Give your opinion- This is important as the reviewer can express the elements of the movie they enjoyed or disliked. However, as in all good journalism, the reviewer should also give impartial details, and allow the reader to make their own mind over an issue the reader liked or disliked.
3. Who is your audience?
Ensure you report on the factors that matter to your likely audience
4. Give an outline
Basic facts-- don't give away essential details such as the end or any surprises.
5. Actors
If the movie contains actors, as most do, detail who is starring in the movie and how well you think they acted.
6. Structure
Did the movie follow a regular predictable story line?
7. Compare/Contrast to the text--how does it compare to Chaucer's Pardoner's Tale