Shakespeare's The Tempest: "O, Brave New World/That Has Such People in ’t!”
Maureen Tobin
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(181)
In this 8-week class, we will do a full reading and discussion of this wild and wizardy play.
Class experience
US Grade 8 - 11
Shakespeare's famous play of magic, treachery, romance, and bad weather has many fans. Some of those fans simply love a love story. Some of them are fascinated by Prospero, master of the arcane and alchemical. And others are drawn to the characters of Caliban and Ariel, the monster and the spirit who serve Prospero, however reluctantly. Students will be expected to participate in discussion and to read aloud, though there are usually small parts for those who are shy about it. Students...
Students will grow their knowledge and understanding of Shakespeare's The Tempest, gaining skills that will carry over to all of Shakespeare's plays. Students will discuss the differences between a comedy and tragedy and why most of Shakespeare's comedies have at least a little darkness lurking. Students will also gain confidence in reading aloud. While this is not an acting class, students will be encouraged to convey character as they become more comfortable with the language. Students will demonstrate learning through classroom participation (reading and discussion) and in the completion of a final project.
Homework Offered
Assessments Offered
There are no formal assessments, but a grade can be provided on request. The final project will be chosen by each individual student (in consultation with the teacher) and might include writing, performance, artwork, parody, music, etc.Grades Offered
It is not necessary to buy (or even download) anything, but a notebook is a good idea. We will be reading the Folger Shakespeare Library text in class. However, there are many formats available for free download. This is the one we will be working from in class: https://shakespeare.folger.edu/shakespeares-works/the-tempest/ If your student is a really avid Shakespeare lover, I recommend the Folger Shakespeare Library text. It costs around $7 new, but is loaded with helpful footnotes. Again, this purchase is not required. To support independent bookstores: https://bookshop.org/books/the-tempest-9780451527127/9780743482837 or Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-tempest-shakespeare-william/1117229423?ean=9780743482837
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
While there are some scary moments for some of the characters, we are always in on it and know that they are not really in danger. There is some drinking by two "fool" characters, but it in no way looks cool. We will be discussing some sensitive issues around race regarding the slave characters, one of whom is described as a man, but more often called a monster. Here is a synopsis, courtesy of the Folger Shakespeare Library: Putting romance onstage, The Tempest gives us a magician, Prospero, a former duke of Milan who was displaced by his treacherous brother, Antonio. Prospero is exiled on an island, where his only companions are his daughter, Miranda, the spirit Ariel, and the monster Caliban. When his enemies are among those caught in a storm near the island, Prospero turns his power upon them through Ariel and other spirits. The characters exceed the roles of villains and heroes. Prospero seems heroic, yet he enslaves Caliban and has an appetite for revenge. Caliban seems to be a monster for attacking Miranda, but appears heroic in resisting Prospero, evoking the period of colonialism during which the play was written. Miranda’s engagement to Ferdinand, the Prince of Naples and a member of the shipwrecked party, helps resolve the drama.
We will be reading the Folger Library text of the play. A free download is available here: https://shakespeare.folger.edu/shakespeares-works/the-tempest/download/ It's not required, some students like to have a hard copy of the play. Again, I recommend the Folger edition because of its excellent footnotes and format, available here: https://bookshop.org/books/the-tempest-9798673718506/9780743482837
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(181)
A retired English teacher, I hold an MFA in Creative Writing and a bachelor's degree in Language Arts Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. I currently work as a reading and writing coach for students of all ages. (Continued below...
Group Class
$25
weekly or $200 for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
75 min
Completed by 17 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
3-9 learners per class
Financial Assistance
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