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Drama. William Shakespeare. Hamlet , translated. The Animaniacs translate a scene from Hamlet to plain, modern English (just like you’re going to do!).
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Drama William Shakespeare
Hamlet, translated • The Animaniacs translate a scene from Hamlet to plain, modern English (just like you’re going to do!). • This scene is when Hamlet finds out that a friend of his has died and is being buried. In the original version, Hamlet typically holds up a skull and speaks to it. In this version, he holds up Mr. Skull Head, a character from the cartoon.
The world’s best known playwright. Shakespeare wrote: 37 plays 154 sonnets 1 longer poem 2 epic poems 1 Eulogy
Stage Directions Stage directions are directions in the script of where and how a character should move and what they should be doing while delivering their lines or while others are speaking. Shakespeare’s manuscripts contained very little stage directions (mostly entrances and exits), unlike modern theatre, therefore, you must add your own.
Characters • Characters are the people who participate in the plot. Their personalities, beliefs, and motivations can be conveyed not only by the way they act, but by the props they use and the costumes they wear.
Props • Props are anything the characters hold, use, or give away, and they are essential in helping convey character and plot, but, again, Shakespeare only used what was literally necessary. • Modern drama often uses props to represent ideas about characters – in a symbolic way.
Costumes • Costumes are anything the characters wear. (Costumes should not be confused with props, as props are things the characters hold.)
Staging / Setting • Staging (setting) in Shakespeare’s time was sparse (minimal). There were no special effects that characterize modern theatre. The audience was expected to imagine the scene rather than having it right there in front of them. Therefore, much of the action (i.e. killing) happened off stage and was talked about when the characters re-entered.
The Poetry of Shakespeare • Not only were Shakespeare’s plays written in verse, but they also relied heavily on poetic devices and figurative language. • (This is why students get so frustrated when reading and trying to understand it!)
The Poetry of Shakespeare • “Fair Helena, who more engilds1 the night • Than all yon2 fiery oes3 and eyes of light.” • What does this simile mean? 1 Engilds = Brightens ornately • Yon = yonder • oes = celestial spheres, such as sun, moon, etc.
Iambic Pentameter • Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets were mostly written in iambic pentameter. • There are some exceptions: sometimes he used blank verse (when the common people were speaking, to show the difference between them and the upper class or royalty). • Iambic pentameter = 10 syllables per line, often in rhyming couplets. • One iamb = one stressed and one unstressed syllable • Penta = five • Meter = one line • There are five iambs per line to create 10 syllables / beats.
Rhyming Couplets Rhyming couplets are two lines of verse that rhyme and have the same meter (number of syllables per line). Modern music (especially rap) has its roots in rhyming couplets. Rhyming conveys a more humorous tone than non-rhyming verse. “Now I perceive they have conjoined all three To fashion this false sport in spite of me!” Count the beats per line!
Making It Fit • Because much of Shakespeare’s works are written in iambic pentameter, some poetic license must take place in order to preserve the meter while keeping the meaning intact. The following are some common changes that poets make to take out a syllable when needed. • O’er = Over • ‘Tis = It is • Ere = Before
Making It Fit • Sometimes syllables need to be added: • Put ‘st on the end of any word and you get an extra syllable. • Seek’st = sounds like SEEK-EST, which simply means seeks • Didst = did • An “O!” is also excellent for this (It is an exclamation like “Oh!”
Your Presentation • Using MODERN language, each group will re-create the scene, in rhyming couplets, while maintaining the overall meaning. • Students will use props, costumes, and stagedirections to enhance the meaning in the scene.
Step One: Summarize the dialogue HERMIASUMMARY Dark night, that from the eye his function takes, It’s so dark that I cannot see but having The ear more quick of apprehension makes; no sight makes my hearing stronger. I Wherein it doth impair the seeing sense, couldn’t see you Lysander, but I found It pays the hearing double recompense. you by following your voice. But why did Thou art not by mine eye, Lysander, found; you leave without telling me? Mine ear, I thank it, brought me to thy sound But why unkindly didst thou leave me so? LYSANDER Why should he stay, whom love doth press to go? Dang, woman! Why stay when my love isn’t even there?
Step Two: Make the summary a couplet Modern Language Summary It’s so dark I had to follow your voice to find you, Lysander. Why did you leave me alone, you jerk?! Rhyming Couplet
[Chicken is thrown from off-stage; Helena yells in frustration, then enters.] Helena: Look how I suffer when they are happy; They kiss and they hug and act all sappy. But I am just as pretty as she is; [Use inhaler.] I should be swimming in cute dudes, fo’ shiz! D loves Hermia while I’m all alone; [Pick up chicken.] She has two who love her calling her phone! But even though D treats me like a dog, I still have his pic posted on my blog! Love is too dumb and blind his faults to see; [Drop chicken and clean glasses.] I just follow him wherever he be! But now I intend to fix this all up; [Bend down to get chicken and whisper to audience.] And get his love once and for all. . . hey, ‘sup? I’ve got this chicken and I don’t know why; It is rubber and cannot even fly! Stupid chicken. I’m out. [Toss chicken over shoulder and exit.]
One more Animaniacs Clip! • Midsummer Night’s Dream • Puck’s final speech
