What does "The Significance of Context" mean?

Assessment of The Creative Critical Response

Here are the two key assessment objectives again:

AO1: Articulate creative, informed and relevant responses to literary texts, using appropriate terminology and concepts, and coherent, accurate written expression.

AO4: Demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and achieved.

In the first part of today's lesson, we will explore what "context" means in relation to "Hamlet" and the range of meanings we can ascribe to this. Think about:

Political/Social/Scientific/Religious/Literary/Artistic

for example.

For each of these, what might be relevant for Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus"?

How is this different from today's contexts for literary study and dramatic performance?

Many of the links to the left on this site will help you when you apply this to your coursework.

Completing the Director's Notes

I hope by now you have completed you copy of the edited scene with Director's commentary. Please be willing to discuss this a partner and the group.

Writing a Commentary about your adaptation

This needs to be both a description of what you did but also and analysis of how and why. It should include reference to how you considered the contemporary context versus the Renaissance context for your version.

Homework

Begin a draft of your commentary about your adaptation of "Hamlet" explaining carefully the choices you made/would make, their significance in terms of context and of course the drama itself.

Make sure you refer closely to the script and include analysis of meanings you think your adaptation focuses on.

Target length: 600 words.

Image: Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man.

The Critical Creative Response

Creative critical response

Here is the title you will be working with again:

Choose a scene from "Hamlet" that you could adapt for television or film. Rewrite the script including stage-directions then write a commentary on how and why you adapted the scene in the way you did. You should include reference to critical views/sources about the play and how they shaped your decisions.

Approximate word count: 600

In small groups or pairs, compare what scenes you have chosen to adapt for television or film. Also compare your ideas about:

where/when it should be set (e.g. East End of London)
Who you would want for the lead roles and why
lines you would cut and why
stage directions you think necessary

You may decide to work together on one scene and then write your own commentary on how you would adapt it.

Make further notes together about your scene and begin the process of re-writing the scene together.

"Doctor Faustus" Act 2 Scene 1: The Contract scene

We will be reading this scene together. After we have, make notes together about:

How Faustus makes the contract
How Marlowe shows us his uncertainty about it
The role of Mephistophilis and the angels in the scene

Mel Gibson's "Hamlet"

We will watch more of this production which may inspire further ideas for your own production of "Hamlet"!

Homework

1. Complete the re-writing of your chosen scene, making notes about what you have done and why.

2. Include a list of your cast, settings and stage directions.

Don't forget to read the read this essay on "Adapting Shakespeare" on the Masterpiece Theatre website.

The Utmost Magic: Towards the coursework folder

Faustus' early ambitions

Here are two extracts from the 1616 B-text of "Doctor Faustus". In the first, Faustus describes some of the ways in which he wishes to use magic. In the second, he conjures up a demon Mephistophilis to be his 'servant' by using Black Magic in a small wood outisde Wittenberg:

"How am I glutted with conceipt of this?

Shall I make spirits fetch me what I please?

Resolue me of all ambiguities?

Performe what desperate enterprise I will?

I'le haue them flie to Indian for gold;

Ransacke the Ocean for Orient Pearle,

And search all corners of the new-found-world

For pleasant fruites, and Princely delicates." (Act 1, scene 1)

"Now that the gloomy shadow of the night

Longing to view Orions drisling looke,

Leapes from th'Antarticke world vnto the skie,

And dyms the Welkin, with her pitchy breathe:

Faustus, begin thine Incantations,

And try if deuils will obey thy Hest,

Seeing thou hast pray'd and sacrific'd to them." (Act 1, scene 3)

We will read further material from these parts of the play. As we do so, make notes on what we learn about Faustus' ambitions and desires early on in the play.

Mel Gibson's "Hamlet"

We will complete our viewing of this production. Please continue to make notes on differences/similarities with Brannagh's production.

Coursework Tasks

I will be giving you an outline of the coursework tasks and assessment objectives in the lesson. You will be expected to produce a coursework folder of between 2000-2500 words. The maximum word limit must not be exceeded. You will be penalised if it exceeds this limit. Your titles/tasks are:

Creative critical response:

Choose a scene from "Hamlet" that you could adapt for television or film. Rewrite the script including stage-directions then write a commentary on how and why you adapted the scene in the way you did. You should include reference to critical views/sources about the play and how they shaped your decisions.

Approximate word count: 600

Explorative Study:

Compare Shakespeare and Marlowe’s treatment of human desire in "Hamlet" and "Doctor Faustus". This should include reference to performance criticism and critical interpretation as well as the significance and influence of the contexts in which the plays were written.

Approximate word count: 1800

Total marks for this unit: 80/180. Unit 2 is worth 40% of the AS Examination.

Homework

1. Choose a scene from "Hamlet" that you think you could adapt as part of a modern film of television performance of the play. Begin making notes and annotations of how you would do this including:

• where/when it should be set (e.g. East End of London)
• Who you would want for the lead roles and why
• lines you would cut and why
• stage directions you think necessary

At this point, be prepared to bring notes in to discuss with a partner/group.

2. Please also read this essay on "Adapting Shakespeare" on the Masterpiece Theatre website (click on the link to access). Make notes for discussion in class.

Image: The Constellation of Orion