 Today we will be able to identify elements of

Soliloquy

RL.1 Cite Textual evidence RL.2 Determine a central idea

RL.4 Determine meaning of words and phrases

RL.5 Analyze how a soliloquy's form or structure contributes to its meaning SL.1 Engage in collaborative discussions.

SL.6 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks

Objective

 Today we will be able to identify elements of

Shakespearean language, interpret meaning, and

analyze a soliloquy

Rationale

 We need to be able to

interpret Shakespearean vocabulary, grammar,

sentence structure, and

allusions.

Soliloquy

 A speech given by a character alone on a stage as if

voicing his or her

thoughts

Monologue

 A speech directed

to an audience or

other characters

The Language of Shakespeare

Modern English

 You

 Yourself

 Your

 Yours

 My eyes

Shakespeare's English

 Thou

 Thee

 Thy

 Thine

 Mine eyes

Syntax –word order/Vocabulary

Shakespeare’s English

The strong-based promontory have I made shake and by the spurs plucked up

The pine and cedar

Modern English

 I have made the strong- based promontory shake and plucked up the pine and cedar by the spurs

 I’ve shaken up the sturdy cliffs and uprooted pines and cedars

Blank Verse

 In blank verse the final lines of the line do not rhyme and each line consist of 10 syllables with

alternating stressed and unstressed

(iambic pentameter)

Mercutio's Queen Mab Monologue in Romeo and Juliet

O, then, I see Queen Mab hath been with you.

She is the fairies' midwife, and she comes

In shape no bigger than an agate-stone On the fore-finger of an alderman,

Drawn with a team of little atomies

Athwart men's noses as they lie asleep;

Tricks to reading Shakespeare

 Understand the context of what you are reading.

What has happened? Who is speaking?

 What is the subject? What is the verb? –Remember, Shakespeare didn’t follow the grammar rules you

and I have to follow.

 Pay attention to Shakespeare’s punctuation

 If a pronoun is used, what is the antecedent?

 Always read the footnotes that explain the allusions.

(Allusions are very

important to Shakespeare, they will always give

valuable insight.)

 Look up any words you don’t know.

 Paraphrase what you read a couple of lines at a time.

Shakespeare’s Punctuation

 Period – full stop with extra emphasis; the sentence and thought comes to a complete halt

 Comma – indicates a shift in thought, but also a place to take a breath

 Colon – an indication of a new thought arising; the

character is taking a new direction with their intention

 Semicolon – an indication that the next line will be an

explanation of the thought that precedes the semicolon

 Collections

 Page 145

 Excerpt from The

Tempest Act 5, Scene

1