2. SHAKESPEARE: TO READ OR NOT TO READ… THAT IS THE QUESTION Picture from: vanishingshakespeare.org Sharon Thurman

3. SHAKESPEARE: TO READ OR NOT TO READ…? William Shakespeare : Born – 1564, Died – 1616 So WHY do we have to read something written over 400 years ago? What does Shakespeare have to do with today? That is what we want you to decide. (Full discloser – you don’t actually get to choose whether or not to read any Shakespeare. After all, how can you decide if Shakespeare is still relevant without reading any of it?)

4. We will be reading - A Midsummer Night’s Dream SHAKESPEARE: TO READ OR NOT TO READ…?

5. But first – we want to find out a little bit about this man who wrote 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and added thousands of words and phrases to our language.

6. HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT SHAKESPEARE? Can you complete these quotations?

7. SHAKESPEARE: TO READ OR NOT TO READ…? Proceed thusly, swiftly and truly, And duly submit thy work timely and fully At the close of class on assignment day To the Mistress of ye Classe. Text From: http://www.leasttern.com/Shakespeare/Midsummer/themepark.html

8. SHAKESPEARE: TO READ OR NOT TO READ…? i.e.…. To begin answering the question about whether or not Shakespeare is still relevant today, we will begin with some exploration of Shakespeare’s life and the impact of his writing. Some groups will also explore information to prepare us to read A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  You will be divided into small groups.  Each group will be assigned a topic with guiding questions to answer.  Conduct research to answer the questions.  Then design a creative way to present your information to the class.  We will read A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  We will answer the question…Shakespeare: to read or not to read?

9. SHAKESPEARE: TO READ OR NOT TO READ…? “Parting is such sweet sorrow…” but proceed thusly forth to complete ye tasks. We won’t “sleep a wink” until the question can be contemplated and answered. “The course of true love” may not run smoothly, but with work - the tasks you create shall.