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

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

What gift did Della buy for Jim and why in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which... Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair.  Della is still willing to sell her hair so she can b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...
Post a Comment
Read more