William Shakespeare Webquest

For many of you, this will be your first experience with William Shakespeare! Let’s get acquainted with who this guy was, when and where he lived, and what he did before we read one of his funniest and most famous plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Today’s task for a Class work and Participation Grade:

1. With your partner (or independently) research and answer the questions in the 4 groups/topics below. Use the links and the videos provided to learn and answer the questions about William Shakespeare, his language, and his life in Elizabethan England.
2. Type your answers in complete sentences in a Google Doc and share your document with me at dcastellano@socsd.org before the end of the period for credit! Make sure to put YOUR NAME(S) on your work, your ELA period and WEBQUEST as the title.

Let’s begin, shall we?

Topic 1: William Shakespeare’s Life

Watch an introduction video of William Shakespeare

Use these two links to answer the questions below:

• Shakespeare Resource Center
• William Shakespeare Biography
• Discover Shakespeare

1. When and where was Shakespeare born?
2. Describe his upbringing and education.
3. What were the four types of plays he wrote?
4. Where were his plays performed and by whom?
5. Besides writing plays, what other skills made Shakespeare a “jack of all trades?”
6. When and where did Shakespeare die?
7. Why do you think we still read his works today? (Hint: think of theme)

  Topic 2: The Elizabethan Theater

Watch this Video on the Globe Theater:

Use these links below to help you with the questions:

• Shakespeare’s Globe
• History of the Globe

1. Where were most theaters built? (in or out of the city)? Why? Why is the Globe Theater so famous?
2. What time of day did performances take place? Why? How was the public notified about performances?
3. Who played the female roles and why?
4. What type of scenery and props were used?
5. What were the costumes like?
6. What other skills did actors need besides acting ability?
7. What was the cost of standing room at the Globe?
8. Who was Richard Burbage?
9. Who were the King’s Men or Chamberlain’s Men?

 

Topic 3: Shakespeare’s FAMOUS Language

Begin by watching this video:

William Shakespeare is considered by many to be the greatest English writer to ever have lived. Believe it or not he is famous for inventing some of the words and phrases we are familiar with today! Check out this one minute video on Shakespeare’s language:

1. Research and list some of the 2000 words that Shakespeare invented during his lifetime.
2. Research some of the phrases that Shakespeare made famous or coined during his lifetime.
3. Use Bartlett’s familiar quotations (website below) to find several famous quotes that originated in Shakespeare’s works. Mention the plays from which they come. We are reading A Midsummer Night’s Dream so start by clicking on that choice and finding some quotes. http://www.bartleby.com/100/138.html

Shakespeare may have been extremely eloquent in expressing the most noble ides, but he could also deliver the CRUELEST INSULTS!

Check out the insults at the website below! Memorize your favorite and we will fling them at each other tomorrow!

• http://www.pangloss.com/seidel/Shaker/
• http://www.pangloss.com/seidel/shake_rule.html

Topic 4: Historical and Social Context

Use these links to help you with the questions below:

• http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-timeline.htm
• http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-clothing.htm
• http://www.britainexpress.com/architecture/elizabethan.htm
• http://www.bardweb.net/england.html
• http://www.william-shakespeare.info/william-shakespeare-bubonic-plague-black-death.htm
• http://elizabethan.org/compendium/54.html

1. Who was Queen of England during the time Shakespeare began to write? Who ruled after her?
2. Give the approximate dates of the Elizabethan period.
3. Describe the status of women. How would a young woman respond to a request from her father?
4. What was the Bubonic Plague and how did it affect society during Shakespeare’s time?
5. Describe these aspects of Elizabethan life: food, socialization, city life, hygiene, crime, homes, clothing

Bonus Section for Extra Credit

Topic: Crime and Punishment during the Elizabethan Era

1. What were the two classes in Elizabethan society?
2. Describe some of the differences between the upper class and the lower class.
3. What were some of the common crimes committed by nobility?
4. How were people tortured into confessing their crimes?
5. Explain some of the ways people were punished for the crimes they committed?

• http://www.william-shakespeare.info/elizabethan-crime-punishment.htm