View a production of a play this week and write a reflection to explain your viewing experience. Discuss setting, time period, characters, plot, language, etc.

Play Analysis

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

Textbook: Chapter 8
Play from the Internet, YouTube, DVD, iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, etc.

1 primary source (written version of selected play)

View a production of a play this week and write a reflection to explain your viewing experience. Choose a play that you would like to view and find a version online, YouTube, DVD or iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, etc.

You can also choose to see a play live if you prefer.
Play Suggestions:

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Romeo and Juliet

As You Like It

Taming of the Shrew

The Tempest

Much Ado About Nothing

The Comedy of Errors

Macbeth

King Lear

Then, select and address one of the following options:

Option 1: Write an analysis of the play that you viewed. Include at least one quote from the play in your essay. In your essay, address the following:

Identify the performance that you have selected.
Describe the staging, lighting, costumes, and characters of the performance. How do these match or revise the written version of the play? You do not need to read the entire play, but you should skim the text.

What type of mood and tone does the performance create? How?

What parts of the play are easier to understand through performance? What are some details that stood out through performance?

What are your feelings about this performance? What did you take away from viewing it?

Option 2: Find an adaptation or transformation of a play. Choose an adaptation with some significant differences from the original, such as transposed plots and characters into a variety of different settings and historical contexts.

Watch the original version and the adapted version. In your essay, address the following:
How is the adaptation the same as the original? Discuss plot, characters, theme, conflict, language, etc.

How does the adaptation differ from the original? Discuss setting, time period, characters, plot, language, etc.

Does the original story translate well in the adaptation? Why or why not? Did the adaptation work in a different setting, time period, etc. Why or why not?

Why do you think Shakespeare’s plays are adapted so often?

View a production of a play this week and write a reflection to explain your viewing experience. Discuss setting, time period, characters, plot, language, etc.
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