Julius Caesar • 2013 - Chicago Shakespeare Theater

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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
33 Choices
Lines in scripts such as Shakespeare’s can be interpreted in different ways to convey different meanings. The
thought that accompanies the spoken line is called the “subtext.” In playing a role, and actor must constantly be
making decisions about what he thinks his subtext is in order to bring a certain mood, tone, inflection, and pace
to the line. In small groups, practice saying “good morning” to one another to express the context of:
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✪ I can’t possibly talk to you right now. I’m in a hurry.
✪ I’m so glad to see you.
✪ You’re the 200th person my job has required me to say “good morning” to already.
✪ I’m not pleased to see you after the fight we had last night.
✪ I’m very pleased to see you after the romantic evening we spent together…
Now go back to Antony’s funeral speech in 3.2 and practice saying “Brutus is an honorable man” to express the
context of:
✪ He is my best friend.
✪ He broke my heart.
✪ I aspire to be him.
✪ I hate this guy more than the wrath of a thousand suns.
✪ He has done something wrong, and I love him for it.
✪ He has just murdered my best friend.
CONSIDER COMMON CORE ANCHOR STANDARDS L5, R4
Stormy Weather
Shakespeare often uses effects of light and weather to suggest the mood of a scene. In today’s theater, light and
sound are used as special effects to help create the mood. You are in charge of the sound and lighting boards.
Both are calibrated on a scale of 0-10. Your task is to plot the sound and light effects to reflect changes in the
characters and action, as well as the weather and time of day. In pairs, plot the lights and sound from the beginning
of Act 1, scene 3 to Portia’s entrance in Act 2, scene 1. What sounds might you use? Remember that the
speed with which sound and lights are brought up or down is as important as how intense they are. CONSIDER
COMMON CORE ANCHOR STANDARDS R1, R4, SL1
Julius Caesar • 2013