Midsummer
Night's Dream Study Guide
Objectives:
To interest the students in the humor and satire in the play
To practice the use of hyperbole and exaggeration as writing skills
To explore aspects of the play which are relevant today
To have some fun
- To use desktop publishing for an integrated activity. Software might be: AW, Word, Student Writing Center, PageMaker or InDesign, Publisher, Netscape Editor, FrontPage, Claris HomePage (web design).
Details:
: Purchase a copy of the Enquirer, The Star, or other tabloid newspaper. Spend time with the class reading and discussing selected articles.
Why are the headlines effective?
How do the pictures contribute to the impact of the articles?
Identify and describe the characteristics of the writing.
Find quotations - Is it probable that they were said as written?
Look at the advertisements. Identify some which are "ridiculous" and some which have exaggerated content.
:
Assign students to "research" and write the following articles. An illustration (photo, computer graphic, drawing) should accompany each story. Articles and illustrations should be collected digitally.
Local man wakes up with new head.
Baby stolen from Indian priestess.
Duke to marry conquered Amazon.
She heard the fairies sing at night.
Fairy fight freezes flowers.
Woman's soup attacks her.
"My love made me do it" - Helena tells all.
Lover's elope - father furious.
Titania - the true story behind a lovers' quarrel
A flower to die for.
She was left to die in the woods.
Assign each student to create one advertisement for the tabloid. These should be for a product which relates either to the play or to Elizabethan England (see Shakespeare Theme Park for ideas).
: This is a perfect digital project, but it can be done just as well on a poster. If time and budget allow, print up the Enquirer and distribute it to the school community. Otherwise, claim a large wall or board space and arrange the stories and ads for public viewing. This would also make a wonderful web page.
Elizabeth Sky-McIlvain
Least
Tern