Othello Creative Response

MacBeth– Creative Response

Choose ONE from either A or B. Alternatively, consult about own idea by Friday, May 9

A. Creative Writing Use a format and style that is appropriate for the type of writing chosen 1. Imagine that you must write a 500-600 word profile for a major magazine on the multiple murders in Scotland. Your editor is pushing for a slice of life story that gives readers insight into the circumstances leading up to the recent deaths in MacBeth’s castle, and elsewhere. From the cast of surviving characters, including ones from the first Act, choose one person to focus on. Write a 500 word newspaper story that attempts to explain the murders and the motivations for each of the characters from that minor character’s perspective. For example, the MacDuff or Malcolm would have to make a public statement about the event to calm the people of Scotland, and to explain the events for all the citizens in Italy. Lady MacBeth’s Serving Lady might interpret things completely differently, reverting to theories of black magic and incantation, or perhaps she has an insider’s view and heard a confession. Use fictional quotations, as if you had conducted an interview, and incorporate THREE quotations from the play, as well. 2. Put yourself in the shoes of Desdemona and Othello and write the ‘lost love letters’ that may have been sent between them before they were married. Write two letters in total. Each one must also contain a sonnet and each sonnet must contain foreshadowing of their eventual tragic end. Review the sonnet form, first. Only the sonnets need to be in blank verse, the rest of the letter can be in prose. 3. Write a series of journal entries (three) from either MacBeth or Lady MacBeth’s Book of Hours (their diary) . Each entry must express their ambition or goals, their motives, and show the reasoning s/he uses to rationalize the decisions they make. Later entries will show how s/he handles her/his conscience. In other words, what are they thinking????!!!!! What kinds of things must they have told themselves to proceed with their plans, and then try to save themselves? Track the entire emotional journey from the moment they hear of the witches predictions to the moment of their respective deaths. Date each one so that the dates match the amount of time that elapses over the course of the play, and traces the events in order. Because they are so guilty of such serious crimes, they would never want their journals found. Subsequently, you must include plans for destroying the diary in the last entry. (750 wds) B. Visual Response 1. Create a detailed visual rendering of one important theme from the play (at least 18in.x 24in.) This can take the form of a collage, a drawing, a painting, a sculpture, an illustrated passage that conveys theme, a single-panel cartoon (such as one would see on an editorial page). You must incorporate significant visual symbols or motifs and quotations from the play into the artwork. Also, include a 500-600 word typed explanation of the ideas represented in the artwork. 2. Create a visual rendering of at least TWO key characters from the play (MacBeth and Lady MacBeth, the Three Witches, Malcolm and Donalbain, MacDuff and his family,). You could create masks, portraits, a set of collages, or sculptures, etc. In your artwork, find a way to render both the internal (motivations, personal desires, humours) and external aspects of the character (background, status, gender, race, influencing events or people). For each character, find a quotation that expresses who they are and use it as a caption, or as the title of the work. Include a 500-600 word paragraph of explanation. 3. Create a simple set design for the play. Pretend you have been hired by a small, outdoor summer theatre company that cannot afford or accommodate a complicated set. It is your job to create either, 1. a coloured pencil (or coloured marker) detailed drawing and floor plan of your vision for the set, including two different locales

2. a small (shoebox size) model of your set.

For your choice, do the following:

a) Give your set or drawing a creative title, and write a key quotation that captures the atmosphere for this locale. Explain how the diction in the quotation contributes to the atmosphere your design will convey (150-200 wds). b) Symbol(s): Include ONE detailed drawing of an important set piece or prop that has symbolic meaning appropriate to either the characters, events, and/or dramatic significance of your design. Include a written explanation of what the symbol represents and how it connects to both the significance of your vision for the set and to the play as a whole (150 – 200 wds). c) Explain how your design reflects the central issues and themes of the play (150 – 200 wds).

DUE: Monday, June 9, 2014