Introduction to Shakespeare:

The Task

2007-02-21T08:28:00.000-08:00

William Shakespeare lived from 1564 to 1616 during the Elizabethan Age. England was experiencing a renaissance, and many considered it the greatest power in the world. Science and Technology continued to advance as England began to explore North America. Moreover, the language was growing fast, and the arts and literature were more popular than ever before. These new scientific discoveries quickly changed the world and commerce was thriving.

The playwright William Shakespeare reaped the benefits of this prosperous time period. His plays were performed as quickly as he could produce them. Yet, rumors stated that he was not the author of his plays.

Now 400 years later, his reputation is in your hands. You and your team will be asked to collect and analyze information to determine the legitimacy of his authorship in a legal brief. Be careful of your decision; it may change all of history.

During the investigation, you will visit several places to collect information so that you can make an educated decision. Unfortunately, due to the sensitivity of this subject matter, most of your investigation will be restricted. Many of your searches will be conducted via a laptop computer in one of the historical buildings of Stratford-Upon-Avon, England.

Divide up the work in an effective manner so that all portions of the project are complete by the end of today's period.

Please compile all of your findings in a legal brief and hand it in to Mr. Kreft during class time upon completion of all the investigation.

Proceed to the Process Link

Process

2007-02-21T08:21:00.000-08:00

Step 1: Because you will be staying at Shakespeare's birth place, Stratford-Upon-Avon, you now must select the building you will occupy during the
investigation.

Print out the picture of the building you have chosen to reside in during your investigation. It will be turned in with your evidence folder at the end of the investigation.
This source may assist you in step 1. Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (http://www.shakespeare.org.uk) Information on trust-maintained houses, books, records, museums, and a listing of events, including visitor locations in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Place Findings in Investigation Folder

Step 2: Elizabethan laws

Were there any Elizabethan laws or practices dealing with plagiarism, copyright dates or ownership. See: http://www.southernct.edu/~watts/eliz_eng.html
Include six to eleven sentences explaining why these laws or practices should or shouldn't be revised: is there something wrong with not having copyright laws?
Place findings in investigation folder.

Step 3: William Shakespeare's authorship information

Find at least 9 facts (type them) about Shakespeare's life which relate to the authorship issue. Did he even exist? (In other words, who wrote Shakespeare's plays. Check out the sources page for good starting places).
Make a T-Chart of your information. On one side place the information which proves he is the author of his works; on the other side place the information which proves he is not the author of his works.

Step 4: Wow!!! A time machine has just been invented which will transport you back to Shakespeare's time. But first you must find a costume to wear in order
to conceal your identify to the Elizabethans. Find authentic Shakespearian costumes for you to wear when you travel.

Select a costume, print up the picture of the costume.
On the back of the picture, write an explanation as to why you chose that costume.
Place the picture in your evidence folder. When you enter the time machine, you will be wearing the costume you have chosen.

Step 5: You are now transported back in time somewhere between 1558 and 1603. In
England, you will find the answers to the following questions.

Who is the ruler during this time period?
What is the political mood in the country?
What kind of food do people eat?
Do people appear happy with their lives or disgruntled? Why?
What is William Shakespeare doing?
Are any of his plays playing?
What do people do for livings during this time?
What do people do for entertainment?
List 10 more additional facts about the Elizabethans & Elizabethan England.

Place the facts in your folder.

Step 6: Compile your information and objectively decide whether or not you believe William Shakespeare is the author of his works.

As a group, write a one page persuasive argument your group's opinion on the legal ownership of Shakespeare's works. Enclose this information in your findings.

Sources

2007-02-21T08:17:00.000-08:00

The following sources for your investigation can be accessed through the World Wide Web.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: A discussion area, list of Shakespeare resources, famous quotes and complete works, including comedies, poetry and tragedies.

Shakespeare Oxford Society Home Page This society is involved in the two-century old Shakespeare authorship debate. A list of resources on the great writer.

Mr. William Shakespeare and the Internet Collection of Internet resources devoted to Shakespeare. Includes links to a timeline, collected and individual works and teaching tools.

Shakespeare Mystery Ongoing debate of the theory that Shakespeare did not actually author the works attributed to him, including a timeline of the growth of the idea of a conspiracy and selected readings from Shakespearean works.

Shakespeare Magazine Information relating to Shakespeare events worldwide, teaching references, current issues, subscription information, archives and related information and links.

The Works of the Bard In addition to the collected works of Shakespeare, this site features a search engine that supports queries on the text of his plays and poetry. Also, has texts of Shakespeare's plays listed in chronological order.

Bacon, Francis - New Advancement of Learning Explores Bacon's life and works as well as the time in which he lived. Claims that Bacon was, in fact, Shakespeare.

Stratford Shakespeare Festival Information on this annual Ontario, Canada Shakespeare festival, including performance schedules, ticket information, photos, play synopses, area accommodations and related information.

Illinois Shakespeare Festival Online resource for information on this annual Festival and articles for research. Visit their virtual museum exhibit and get travel recommendations.

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Information on trust-maintained houses, books, records, museums, and a listing of events, including visitor locations in Stratford-On-Avon.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

Explore Shakespeare's famous Globe Theatre

Evaluation

2007-02-21T08:13:00.000-08:00

Evaluation

As you complete each step, place the finished product into your evidence folder titled Shakespeare Webquest. Upon completion of the final step, turn in your evidence folder to the judge. Each activity will be graded based on the effort and depth of research, creativity, and accuracy of information. The depth of your research will be reflected in how objective your final product and concluding decision is on Shakespeare's authorship.

Rubric:

Total Points Possible: 20 product points 20 process points

Step 1: Printout of Stratford-upon-Avon accommodations

Step 2: Revised laws

Correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Six to eleven sentences of explanation.

Step 3: T-chart of Shakespeare's authorship

Are the facts related to Shakespeare's authorship.
Are there at least 20 relevant facts in the chart.

Step 4: Printout of costume for time travel and explanation of costume choice.

Step 5: Time Travel Questions

Correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Correct answers.
10 additional facts on Elizabethans.

Step 6: One Page Final Persuasive Argument Essay

One Page
Presents position on who wrote Shakespeare's plays
Correct sentence structure
Correct spelling, grammar and punctuation
Typed, double spaced, 12 font