Skip to main content

After watching this short 1 minute clip: what is the effect of the actors' movements and how do they use movements to develop their character's...

With any of Shakespeare's plays, it helps to understand them better by seeing the characters come to life with movement. Often, when simply reading a play, students are confused because they can't see the nonverbal body language that assists in the communication and understanding behind characters' motives and behaviors. After viewing this referenced video clip, a student might understand better the hilarity behind Titania showing enthusiastic love towards Bottom because he has the donkey's head...

With any of Shakespeare's plays, it helps to understand them better by seeing the characters come to life with movement. Often, when simply reading a play, students are confused because they can't see the nonverbal body language that assists in the communication and understanding behind characters' motives and behaviors. After viewing this referenced video clip, a student might understand better the hilarity behind Titania showing enthusiastic love towards Bottom because he has the donkey's head on. Bottom is singing because he thinks his friends left him in the forest to scare him; so, he's showing them that he isn't afraid. Neither does he know that he looks like a donkey because he is singing and acting naturally, like himself, without fear of what he looks like. His carefree attitude and movements help to show his mindframe and personality at that point in time. Then, the actress who plays Titania communicates her love for the beast by jumping around, by touching him affectionately, and by using a loving tone of voice. Again, body language helps audience members and students alike to understand what is being communicated other than just through the words, which many find difficult to understand as it is. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Can you analyze the poem "Absolution" by Siegfried Sassoon?

Sure! Siegfried Sassoon fought in World War I and was wounded in battle; he spent much of his life speaking out against war, and these pacifist feelings are easy to see in his poems. This one, "Absolution," was published in 1917, the same year that Sassoon was hospitalized for what we know today as post-traumatic stress disorder. "Absolution" is a short poem that contains three stanzas of four lines each. The word "absolution" means "forgiveness," and... Sure! Siegfried Sassoon fought in World War I and was wounded in battle; he spent much of his life speaking out against war, and these pacifist feelings are easy to see in his poems. This one, "Absolution," was published in 1917, the same year that Sassoon was hospitalized for what we know today as post-traumatic stress disorder. "Absolution" is a short poem that contains three stanzas of four lines each. The word "absolution" means "forgiveness," and the v...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more