Soliloquy Activity

Soliloquy Activity

Note: It is vital do all the steps, in sequence, for the best results.

1. Read the soliloquy around in a circle, stopping and changing readers at every

punctuation mark.

Question: What do you notice about the pattern of the lines?

2. Rock 'em, Sock 'em Shakespeare: Read the lines aloud while moving in a straight

line, changing directions with an abrupt, full-body turn at every punctuation mark.

Questions: How does the piece "move"? Is there a pattern emerging?

3. Stand in two equal lines, facing each other. Alternate speaking the lines,

as two groups, switching sides each time you come to a punctuation mark.

Questions: Does the soliloquy work as a dialogue? How does this exercise make you feel about his feelings?

4. Repeat step four, but this time, start out by speaking the lines very softly,

gradually increasing the volume until you are almost shouting the last line.

Question: Now, how do you feel?

At this point, pause and review what the group has discovered about the soliloquy by going through steps 1-4.

5. Break into small groups of five. Identify as many figures of speech as

possible, paying particular attention to imagery.

Questions: How do they work in the soliloquy? How do they add meaning?

6. Still in small groups, cut the soliloquy to half its original length. Tell them

that they can cut half a line or phrase: the key is to cut the piece in half. Circulate

around the room, checking in with each group periodically. This could take up

to 10 minutes, but don't let them drag the process out.

7. Then decide how to turn your cut soliloquy into a script for all five members

of the group. The rules for this performance: everybody participates; everybody

has lines. Present each group's soliloquy-scene for the entire class, 2 or 3 at a time.

Questions: Comment on the staging and performance: what was particularly

inventive or creative about each performance? Then compare cuttings.

Compare what the groups left in or cut out of the soliloquy.

Are some lines vital to an understanding of the soliloquy-scene?

Are some lines dispensable?

The Taming of the Shrew

CONTEXT: Kate is a shrew with a violent tongue and absolutely no want to find a potential lover. Petruchio is trying to woo her with his strong and assertive personality. He plans to court her, and devises his plan to the audience before she arrives. Here it is…

Petruchio:

I will attend her here,
And woo her with some spirit when she comes.
Say that she rail; why then I'll tell her plain
She sings as sweetly as a nightingale:
Say that she frown, I'll say she looks as clear
As morning roses newly wash'd with dew:
Say she be mute and will not speak a word;
Then I'll commend her volubility,
And say she uttereth piercing eloquence:
If she do bid me pack, I'll give her thanks,
As though she bid me stay by her a week:
If she deny to wed, I'll crave the day
When I shall ask the banns and when be married.
But here she comes; and now, Petruchio, speak.
Taming of the Shrew (Act 2, Scene 1, line 162)

The Taming of the Shrew

Petruchio:

I’ll wait for her here and when she comes I’ll take a novel approach with her. If she rants, I’ll tell her that she sings as sweetly as a nightingale. If she glares, I’ll say her brow is as clear as roses newly washed with morning dew. If she is silent and won’t speak at all, I’ll praise her chattiness and say she speaks with piercing eloquence. If she orders me to go, I’ll thank her warmly as if she’d just offered to put me up for a week. If she refuses my proposal, I’ll tell her how much I’m looking forward to the announcement and the wedding. But here she comes. Here goes!