What Was Christmas Like for William Shakespeare?
In this one-hour course, students will learn and play games that will explore the history behind Christmas traditions. We will also discuss the themes, characters, and famous quotes from Shakespeare's play "Twelfth Night."
Paul H. The Shakespearean Student
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(52)
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursHomework
NAAssessment
NAClass Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
The goal of this class is to learn about both Shakespeare and the Elizabethan period through the lens of Christmas. I will begin by asking the class "What traditions do you think of when you think of Christmas? We will then contrast the traditions of Christmas from the 17th century and now, including a brief period when Christmas itself was illegal. Once I have contextualized this period, we will then go through the plot, characters, and themes of Shakespeare's most famous Christmas play- "Twelfth Night." The class will include videos, multimedia presentations, virtual tours, interactive quizzes, and online activities. The students will play games inspired by real Elizabethan Christmas traditions, get some festive recipes, and learn what it was like to be an actor in Shakespeare's company, when they performed "Twelfth Night" and other plays before Queen Elizabeth and King James.
Learning Goals
1. Students will learn popular Elizabethan Christmas traditions in the country and the court such as wassailing, caroling, local plays, feasting, and games.
2. We will touch on the turbulent history of the Protestant restoration, and how the Puritan radicals briefly succeeded in banning Christmas.
3. We will learn about the famous Christmas celebrations at Hampton Court Palace, where Shakespeare's company frequently performed before the king and queen. Students will take a virtual tour of the palace, and imagine themselves as actors in Shakespeare's company performing before Queen Elizabeth herself!
4. I will delve into how all these Christmas traditions factor into Shakespeare's play that is literally named after a Christmas celebration, "Twelfth Night," including the games played in the play, and analyizing the song "O Mistress Mine, (which appears in Act II, Scene iii), and the play's general theme of learning to slow down and enjoy life for a little while.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This class will approach the traditions of Christmas strictly from a secular perspective. I will not endorse, criticize, or even examine the religious aspects of Christmas. None of the games and songs I mention actually mention the story of Jesus. I will briefly make a reference to the story of Herod because Shakespeare references it frequently in his plays. I use these traditions as a backdrop to explain how they might have inspired Shakespeare's play. For instance, the song I reference "O Mistress Mine," is not at all a Christmas song. As you can see here, the lyrics mention nothing of the biblical Christmas story:
"O Mistress mine, where are you roaming?
O stay and hear! your true-love’s coming
That can sing both high and low;
Trip no further, pretty sweeting,
Journeys end in lovers’ meeting—
Every wise man’s son doth know.
What is love? ’tis not hereafter;
Present mirth hath present laughter;
What’s to come is still unsure:
In delay there lies no plenty,—
Then come kiss me, Sweet-and twenty,
Youth’s a stuff will not endure."
In short, the class is not concerned with the history of Christmas as a religious holiday, but mainly its status as a time of merriment and riotous fun, which directly ties in to the themes and characters of "Twelfth Night."
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2021
4.8
52reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Mary Baldwin College
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Ashland University
I specialize in Shakespeare and Astronomy, having worked in theater for over 10 years, and for two years as a professional astronomy assistant. I teach courses in Shakespeare Appreciation and Shakespearean acting, as well as basic astronomy for kids.
My strongest belief about teaching is that students need instruction that will stimulate their minds through multimedia and hands-on exercises. I believe that no subject is out of a student’s reach as long as the instructor presents it in a way that is sufficiently engaging. To this end, whenever I teach workshops or classes, I make use of my training in acting, videography, and dramaturgy in order to make whatever I teach come alive.
Summary of Experience:
- Currently working as a special education paraprofessional for the York School District
- Two years experience as Astronomy Assistant for Primland Resort (2012-2014)
-Two years experience teaching at college level Shakespeare courses
-Education Outreach director for two theatrical companies
-Proven effective Shakespeare workshops for elementary school, high school, and university-level students (2008- present)
-Master Of Fine Arts, in Shakespeare and Elizabethan Literature in Performance, Mary Baldwin College (2010)
Research/ Creative Accomplishments:
-Research paper peer-reviewed and accepted at Blackfriars academic conference (2013)
-Published articles on Blogging Shakespeare (2013- present)
-Honored at Kennedy Center for dramaturgy (2007)
Something fun about me: One summer I got to meet Maggie Smith and Alan Rickman and saw Richard Griffiths and Daniel Radcliffe onstage. I got Harry Potter bingo!Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$12
per classMeets once
55 min
Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
3-6 learners per class
