Shakespeare Roundtable

One of the greatest compliments parents give me is when they tell me that their kids leave my Shakespeare classes begging to read and watch more of his work. In this course, I will be giving students a chance to do just that, in an entertaining and informative Shakespeare Roundtable discussion format. I bring to the table my own signature style of teaching Shakespeare with images, video, and thought-provoking discussion, and students will join in with their reflections and thoughts on the text, with opportunities to act out selections from the plays if they wish. 

Think of this as a virtual roundtable, where the students and I can learn and discuss these plays and sonnets together. We'll savor lines and speeches together from a curated set of passages and scenes that highlight Shakespeare's genius. We will watch and critique video clips from actual Shakespeare performances. We will work together to understand the language of his plays and sonnets, enjoying the rich variety of amazing poetry and prose that Shakespeare has to offer.

Shakespeare is meant to be enjoyed as a group, whether that be in the theater or reading together with peers, and this exciting, back-and-forth, fully engaged style is what I am creating with this class. This is a class for those who like to jump in and add their thoughts, for those who like to ask questions and those who simply like to enjoy great literature with others. That said, if you have a learner who is reluctant to participate and would like to spend more time listening rather than participating, just send me a note so I am aware of that beforehand. 

I highly recommend students first take the one-session "A Taste of Shakespeare" class that I offer, but it is not a prerequisite. 

Class Overview

These are the modules that this course will cover:

Meter and Meaning: We will take excerpts from plays and examine the meter of the passages. How does Shakespeare use the meter of the verse to indicate shifts in tone and emotion? Why do different characters sometimes use different forms of meter? Along the way, we'll also take a look at some of the rhetorical devices Shakespeare used--such as antithesis, anaphora, and periodic sentences--and how they come together to enrich the text. This discussion will provide foundational skills for appreciating not only Shakespeare, but other poetry and prose.

Comedy Hour--In this session, we will enjoy some of Shakespeare's most hilarious moments. We'll watch and discuss comedic scenes that have funny or insulting banter between the characters. We'll also be hunting down some of Shakespeare's best jokes, and talk about how comedic interludes can help lighten the heavier moments in the tragedies. 

Stunning Soliloquies:  We will cover famous soliloquies and monologues. Usually it is these long speeches  in Shakespeare's work that tend to trip up students, so we will work on understanding a few speeches and breaking down the language. We will examine how skillful actors can take a seemingly boring stretch of text and bring it to life. Once students realize that they can understand and enjoy these speeches, they will feel more confident about tackling whole plays.

Once Upon a Sonnet: Two iconic sonnets--Sonnet 18 and 116 will be examined in a unique way. Using a close, nuanced reading, as well as performances by actors, we will try to dig under the surface of these two iconic love poems to see if there are some darker, more serious themes at play. Through the study of these two sonnets, we will see how Shakespeare's brilliant interplay between the words and meter of his poetry creates a stunningly rich literary experience.

Tragedy Strikes:  What are some of the common features of Shakespearean tragedy? Why do people enjoy reading and watching such heart-wrenching plays?  What do these tragic stories tell us about  the human condition? How have actors portrayed Shakespeare's most tragic moments? We will try our hand at understanding these questions as we examine moments from Shakespeare's tragedies. 

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Parent comments on my teaching style (see profile for full reviews):

"...[Merium's] clear speech, down to earth personality and passion for literature shined through.." -Keisha

"Merium was a great teacher, who readily engaged the kids with her teaching style and the content. She brought Shakespeare alive for them. They had quite an animated discussion!" --Jennifer M.

"The teacher presented interesting ideas, concepts, and information in a gentle and interesting way that was age appropriate while respecting the kids abilities...My son finished the class with a huge smile - said he loved it and that he wants to learn more about Shakespeare." --Dr. K

"Thanks to an inspiring teacher who is clearly passionate about her subject area and teaching young minds, my daughter had a splendid time being introduced to Shakespeare..." --Amy B.

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Special Needs: Please send me a note in advance if your child has special needs I should be aware of, or if he or she would not be comfortable speaking in class and would prefer to listen only. I would love to be able to accommodate your needs.

Content: Please note that Shakespeare's works contain mature content.