Ideas and Questions for Merchant, Act I

In addition to your comments on self-selected text (see below), please feel welcome to comment on any of these questions publicly. You may simply use them as food for thought as well.

1. During Portia's first scene, the content is clear. But since this is a class for actors as well as readers, give some thought to what Portia could be doing physically in this scene. She can't just be standing there. What activity, or series of actions would be a good accompaniment to her thought process and her speech?

2. Does Shylock's language show what it's like to be an outsider? How so?

Merchant Text Comments

I had assigned you all the task of commenting (as you did in Macbeth) on a few lines of Act I of Merchant that caught your attention for whatever reason. I did not however give you a place to do so. Sorry. Here you are. Please consider this an assigned prompt rather than simply an invitation. Maybe by the end of the weekend is fair, since we have projects today.

GaleGroup #2

The username was not as I suggested in class today. It is san92165. It shouldn't be necessary after you've logged in once, as your cookies will be there. But if you need it, there it is. Password I gave you was correct.

Accessing Galegroup Links/Class on 2/17

I experienced the same problem Andrew did with trying to access the links I posted for you from galegroup. The password is "wildcats" as many of you probably know. But they prompt the username as well, which I don't know off hand. I've emailed Derek and Trevor so I should be able to tell you more by class time today.
Speaking of class, we'll be in the Black Box today with David Sinaiko for approximately half the class. Then I'll give you time to work on your projects, which for those of you who are working in teams, I understand is necessary.
Please comment on the BBC article on the blog, which you should be able to access.
See you at 11:05.

Comments on Merchant Links

When you have read the BBC article from the online resources, and if you read either of the other two which are linked to the blog, feel free to comment here. I'm curious to know what you already knew, number one, and what you think about the history here, whether or not it is new to you.

Culminating Experiences: Macbeth

As we bring down the curtain on this, the first of our three plays, we turn to experiences which can deepen our understanding and enrich the play for us. In class today, and in the Essential Documents list, you will hear about/see two ways in which we'll do that. First, we'll do an in-class essay on Monday, Feb 7, where you have a chance to trot out your analytical skills. Then, as we go toward mini-course, the second phase will be a choice of projects employing various other intelligences: your choice. Timetable for the projects will be forthcoming.