Three steps to an “informed personal response”: Encountering the play A ‘return to Shakespeare’ First reactions to the text as a whole ‘Beyond liking or understanding’ – an objective look at your shared reactions Working through the text using the AOs as a framework for detailed analysis AO2 – looking at language, action and structure AO3 – issues of the time; reflections of the age (then/now); how the play works for an audience/ AO4 – links across the text informed by this knowledge AO5 – views of the action within the text, by critics, and in performance Focusing on the exam/possible questions (exam practice) AO1 – core issues (the play’s central concerns) AO2/4 – dramatic structure, setting, characterisation and register AO3/5 – historic criticism and reception; modern criticism; significant/effective productions AO3 – sources

A ‘return to Shakespeare’ Encountering the play A ‘return to Shakespeare’ What do you know about a) Shakespeare’s Life? b) Shakespeare’s work? c) Shakespeare’s theatre? d) Elizabethan England? e) The Globe? On your table is a sheet of paper. Write your given heading on the paper and note down as much information as you can about your subject. After five minutes you will stop, move to the next table, and add your ideas to that piece of paper too. Make sure you read what’s there already and don’t repeat any ideas! This will continue until you return to your original piece of paper. What new information have you gained?

A ‘return to Shakespeare’ Encountering the play A ‘return to Shakespeare’ What do you now know about a) Shakespeare’s Life? b) Shakespeare’s work? c) Shakespeare’s theatre? d) Elizabethan England? e) The Globe? What do you still need to know? Your first independent homework of the year is to add to your given topic and produce a handout to share with the rest of the class. It needs to be thorough, useful, and neatly produced. You can work in your groups or individually – it’s up to you – but everyone needs to submit something.