Exploring genre: Dramatic comedy

Learning objectives
1. What is comedy as a dramatic genre?
    -Looking at production photos.
2. Comparing comic extracts as examples of the genre.
3. Understand the script as a playscript.

Please hand in your homework today.
  
Activity 1
We will look at a number of photographs of comedies on stage. You will need:

Comedy stage photos
Notes on comedy as a genre and types of comedy

For each photo, discuss what you can tell about comedy as a dramatic genre

Feedback your ideas to the group.

Activity 2
Comparing extracts from dramatic comedies

1. Read one extract and discuss what it might suggest about the play including elements of comedy as a genre and themes.

2. Read the second extract and compare it to the first. Do you notice any connections?

3.Compare a third extract.

What do you notice about:

-subject matter
-common themes
-Typical plot conventions and structures
-Typical characters
-comic motifs and patterns
-genres and types of comedy

Feedback to the group

Activity 3
Reading the script: Act 2 scene 1
We will read this scene in the light of our discussions today.
What elements of dramatic comedy do you notice in this scene?

Plenary
What have you learned about dramatic comedy as a genre?

Homework
Research types of comedy such as 'Burlesque'.

Image: Scene from A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare.

A merry war: Benedick and Beatrice in Act 1 Scene 1

We will focus on AO1 and AO2.

In today's lesson we will be considering what we mean by 'drama' and by 'comedy'. We will also be studying the opening of "Much Ado About Nothing" to try to understand how Shakespeare presents Benedick and Beatrice to us.

The meaning of comedy as drama
In small groups, brainstorm what you understand by the words 'drama' and 'comedy'. Think about:

Drama

• What distinguishes drama from, for example prose?
• What resources does a dramatist have at his or her disposal to tell their story that a prose writer does not have (e.g. costume)
• What are some of the ingredients we should expect to find in a successful drama?
• What drama is popular today on television/in film?
• What features of Shakespeare's drama are you familiar with?
• How many of Shakespeare's plays can you name?

 Comedy

• What ingredients might we expect in a comedy?
• What kinds of comedy can you think of?
• What is the appeal of comedy over tragedy?
• What kinds of comedy are popular today on television?
• Can you name any?
• Can you think of any special features of Shakespeare's comedies?
•  How many of Shakespeare's comedies can you name?

Be prepared to share your ideas.

The presentation of Benedick and Beatrice in Act 1 Scene 1 of "Much Ado About Nothing"

In pairs:
What famous couples or lovers from films or literature can you think of?
What characterises their relationships?

 We will be reading scene 1.

The "merry war": In two groups, collect ideas from the scene about Benedick and Beatrice.

What are each like?
What kinds of things do they say to each other when they meet?
What kind of relationship do they seem to have at the start of the play?
How does Shakespeare want us to see them here?
How evenly matched are they in fact in terms of verbal wit?

Select at least 5 quotations by each that you think are interesting and reveal something about their characters. Use A4 paper to collect your ideas.

Now feedback to the class.

We meet Beatrice first and are told about Benedick by her before he enters.
What difference does this make?

Shakespeare's Language

Make notes on Shakespeare's Language:

• The use of animal imagery
• Images of friendship and love

Homework

Summarise what we learn about Beatrice and Benedick in Act 1 Scene 1 in about 500 words using quotations from the script.

Research Shakespeare's Theatre and make notes on what you find out.

Image: Beatrice and Benedick argue in Branagh's production.

Unit 2 Drama: The Game of Love

You will be writing two pieces of coursework (2400-3000 words combined) about two plays:

“Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare and “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde.

You must complete this coursework by Christmas.

“Much Ado About Nothing”: The game of love

Today we will work on introductory ideas about one of the key themes you will focus on: Love.
Much of the play “Much Ado About Nothing” is about ‘the game of love’ between men and women.
What are your views about the following statements? Discuss them with a partner/small group.

1. Men and women should marry persons of a similar social and economic status as themselves.
2. People choose with whom they will fall in love.
3. It is better not to marry than to marry and risk being cheated on by your spouse.
4. Most people can be trusted to be faithful in marriage.
5. Men are attracted to women who are assertive and bold.
6. Jealousy in a romantic relationship is usually a sign the relationship has problems.
7. Because parents usually know what is best for their children when it comes to choosing a mate, children should go along with their parents' wishes in this regard

Sayings about love
There are many sayings about love such as “love is blind”. Brainstorm as many as you can think of. Be prepared to share with the group.

What is the basis for these?
What is special about love that cause people to be “blind” or “fall”?

Love in popular songs

Now list as many popular songs about love that you can think of.
What kinds of love are they about?
Can you list different aspects of love from them – jealousy, breaking up, falling in love, missing a partner etc.

Songs about love in “Much Ado”: “Sigh no more” (2.3.)

After reading one of Balthasar’s song from the play, work in pairs to make notes on/annotate the song about these questions:

1. To whom is the song addressed?
2. What does it say about men?
3. What about women?
4. What advice does the song give to women?
5. Why do you think Shakespeare chose this song for this moment in the play?

There are several other songs in this play – in Act 5 scene 2 and Act 5 scene 3.
Can you find them?
Discuss what they are about together.

What aspects of love might we come across in this Shakespeare comedy?

Homework

Research customs for courtship and marriage in Shakespeare’s time in England (around 1600).
Make notes on at least one side of A4 paper to hand in on Wednesday 12th September.
DO NOT JUST PLAGIARISE from the INTERNET.

Image: Benedick and Beatrice in Kenneth Brannagh's production