"sisters" can be seen. (They can be viewed Questions to ask before viewing merely as "weird sisters" and rather harmless prophets, or as "witches," giving them a more Understand Shakespeare Series: 1. What is each student's idea of a hero? evil overtone.) Shakespearean Tragedy (Answers may vary along the following lines; 7. At the end of Hamlet, discuss two ways someone who is brave, saves lives, etc.) Gertrude's drinking of the poisoned wine can 2. Whose "side" are the students on in each be taken. (She could deliberately drink it, play? Why or why not? (They may answer indicating her sorrowful need for suicide after that for the most part they were on Macbeth's her actions throughout the course of the play, The Study of Shakespeare's Tragedies or Hamlet's side, but that each character has or it can be seen as a tragic accident.) This video is an excellent complement to dark sides that are not particularly appealing.) 8. In each play, at what moment are the main the study of Shakespeare's tragedies. characters most likable? When are they least This program concentrates on two of Questions to ask after viewing likable? (Answers will vary.) Shakespeare's tragedies: Hamlet and Macbeth. The students should read either or both of them 1. What makes a hero a tragic hero? (A tragic before watching this program. hero has external forces pressuring them and Almost immediately they will be struck by forcing them to act throughout the play.) both the richness and the strangeness of 2. Name something in both plays which incites Shakespeare's language, but tell them not to action on the hero's part. (Macbeth meets linger over words they don't understand; it is the Witches, who prophesy about him more important to get the basic idea of what is becoming king; Hamlet is told by a ghost that "going on" in each of the scenes. his father was murdered.) As they read, they should decide two 3. What problem occurs from each hero things about each scene: first, what are the pursuing his course of action? (Revenge and characters in conflict about, and two, whose side violence are results of both characters' are they on and why? Their answers to these actions.) questions may change after they finish reading; 4. How do we distinguish between the main after all, most of the great questions raised by character and the supporting players? (The Shakespeare have no final or "right" answers. audience gets inside into the main characters' When they have finished their first thoughts and feelings.) reading they will already have started to form 5. What purpose do soliloquies serve? opinions about the issues involved. At that point, (Soliloquies are a means by which the reader they should watch this program. gets to know the main characters' thoughts and feelings.) 6. There are different ways scenes can be interpreted, depending on the performance of each play. In Macbeth, discuss two ways the Additional Activity Additional Titles from AIMS AIMS Multimedia Discussion Guide Hamlet is sometimes seen as an "anti-woman" character. Lead a discussion on Hamlet's views 9779 Lilith Summer of women. Why does he treat the two female 9790 The Visitor characters so badly? Do they think his behavior 8700 The Bear Understanding Shakespeare is acceptable or understandable? Have the 8697 Zero Hour Series: Shakespearean Tragedy students explain whether they think it is an innate 9826 The Fall of Freddie the Leaf dislike of women that drives him to act as he does or a result of how the women treat him. Length Objectives ¾ 31 Minutes

When students have finished this course of study Subject areas in Shakespearean Tragedy, they should be able ¾ Literature and Drama Appreciation to:

Audience Levels ¾ Senior High-Adult • Recognize the characteristics of tragedy;

• Distinguished between a hero and a tragic Catalog number hero;

¾ 2536 • Assess the complex relationship between

responsibility and fate;

AIMS Multimedia • Understand how live performance influences

9710 DeSoto Avenue audience interpretation

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