Shakespeare’s Politics: Midterm ProjectName:___________________ Date:_____________________The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, The View, Katie Lee and Hota, and SNL, serve as entertainment and a voice of political commentary. Shakespeare wrote his plays to accomplish these as well. For your midterm exam, you will recreate a sketch comedy or variety show listed using Shakespeare’s characters, plot lines, imagery, themes and political viewpoints.

Project Political Choices:1. Role of the Fool in The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Hamlet.2. Role of Status in The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Hamlet.3. Role of Religion in The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Hamlet.4. Role of Women in The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Hamlet.

Your project should include:

2—3 page research essay, citing specific political viewpoints Shakespeare communicated in The Tempest, Twelfth Night and Hamlet. This essay should be written in MLA format with research documented with in-text citations and a Works Cited. ________out of 48 Points.

A detailed script, combining 3—5 sketches, commercials and/or interviews to depict Shakespeare’s politics. Characters, themes, plot lines, and imagery from the plays should be evident throughout the script. ______out of 48 points.

A performance of the variety/ comedy show in the Little Theater or video, during the exam slot. Appropriate and thoughtfully selected costumes and props should be used. _______out of 64 Points.

_________out of 160 points

Performance Superior Excellent Good Fair Unsatisfactory

Criteria 8 Points 7 points 6 Points 5 Points 0 PointsText & Preparation Completely

memorized lines, props and costumes used. Language is clear and natural. Ideas and focus are sharp.

Struggles temporarily with lines. Some props pantomimed. Costume not complete. Language mostly natural

Occasionally forgets lines or cues. Set-up is not thoughtful and language is forced.

Lines are halting and slow. Pacing is slow. Set-up is incomplete. Some natural dialogue

No preparation, no memorization, no set-up, no natural dialogue/ no costumes/props used.

Body Thoughtfully developed. Motivated blocking, physicalization appropriate and consistent

Uses blocking though some is unmotivated, physicalization is present.

Has blocking most of the time, unmotivated at times, little phyicalization.

Little blocking is used. Physically the actor is on stage and not the character.

No movement occurs on the stag. Actors just stand there, there are no physical changes

Character Clear character choices. Understands the lines, emotional levels shown, believable and honest.

Character is mostly clear. Some emotional levels shown. Some understanding shown.

Character slips in and out. Attempts some emotional levels.

Shows glimpse of character. One emotional level. Sounds memorized and rehearsed

Simply reciting lines, no character is shown on the stage

Voice Diction is articulate. Volume, tone, pitch, and rate are used well.

Diction is mostly articulate. Volume, tone, pitch, and rate varied.

Diction is sometimes articulate. Volume, tone, pitch, and rate not shown with variety.

Diction is not articulate. Volume, tone, pitch, and rate are not shown with any variety.

Diction is unintelligible.

Research Essay Criteria

Superior8 Points

Excellent7 points

Good6 Points

Fair5 Points

Unsatisfactory0 Points

Research 3—5 impressive sources cited properly in the text and in the Works Cited. A variety of Shakespeare’s political viewpoints investigated and discussed.

3—5 strong sources cited properly in the text and in the Works Cited. A variety of Shakespeare’s political viewpoints investigated and discussed.

3—5 sound sources cited properly in the text and in the Works Cited. A variety of Shakespeare’s political viewpoints investigated and discussed.

Fewer than 3 sources cited properly in the text and in the Works Cited. Some of Shakespeare’s political viewpoints investigated and discussed.

No evidence.

Body Thoughtfully developed. Each topic smoothly linked. Flawlessly composed.

Thoroughly developed. Each topic is linked. The essay is impressively composed.

Soundly developed. Each topic is linked to the next.

Logically developed. Each topic is introduced with some linking.

Poorly developed.

Usage, Punctuation and Formatting

Perfect! Few errors. Some errors. Several errors.

Too many errors.

Script Criteria Superior8 Points

Excellent7 points

Good6 Points

Fair5 Points

Unsatisfactory0 Points

Text & Preparation Significant evidence from the plays is incorporated and artfully integrated with purposeful and original lines.

Thorough evidence from the plays is incorporated and integrated with purposeful and original lines.

Some evidence from the plays is incorporated and integrated with original lines.

Little evidence from the plays is incorporated and integrated with lines.

No evidence.

Skits, Commercials and Interviews

3—5 Brilliant and creative skits, commercials and interviews maintain the integrity of the plays while illuminating Shakespeare’s commentary. Each component is masterfully integrated within the script.

3—5 creative skits, commercials and interviews maintain the integrity of the plays while illuminating Shakespeare’s commentary. Each component is integrated within the script.

3—5 skits, commercials and interviews connect to the plays while depicting Shakespeare’s commentary. Each component transitions to the next.

Fewer than 3—5 skits, commercials and interviews. Some connections to Shakespeare’s commentary.

No evidence.

Character, Themes, Imagery

Relevant and insightful connections between Shakespeare’s characters in the three plays. Themes and imagery enhance the script narrative.

Relevant connections between Shakespeare’s characters in the three plays. Themes and imagery enhance the script narrative.

Connections between Shakespeare’s characters in the three plays. Themes and imagery are present in the script narrative.

Some connections between Shakespeare’s characters in the three plays. Some themes and imagery are present in the script narrative.

No evidence.