Crossing Borders/Breaking Boundaries
The Arts of the Renaissance
July 14-21, 2003
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Shakespeare and the Concepts of the Renaissance

Monica Cerkez
9th Grade
St. Mary's County Public Schools, Division of Instruction

Content Area: Visual Art I

Lesson Planning Frame



Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

Essential Curriculum
(Reference St. Mary’s County School System’s Essential Curriculum)
  • Outcome I – Perceiving and Responding Aesthetic Education – Expectation A
  • Outcome II – Historical, Cultural and social context – Expectation A, Expectation B, Expectation C, Expectation D
  • Outcome III – Creative Expression and Production – Expectation A, Expectation B, Expectation C
  • Outcome IV – Aesthetics and Criticism – Expectation A

Enduring Understanding

What enduring understandings are addressed?

The Writing of Shakespeare contains many elements that link him with the Italian Renaissance.

Essential Questions

What essential questions will be considered?

Why is Shakespeare considered a Renaissance Period writer? How does his work relate to the social and historical context - music, art and dance of the period?

Key Content Knowledge and Skills

What key content knowledge, skills, and processes will students acquire as a result of this lesson?

  • Students will be familiar the English Renaissance.
  • Students will recognize the symbolism in Act V of The Merchant of Venice and how it relates to Italian Renaissance Themes.


Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence

Assessment

What will students do to develop the desired knowledge/proficiencies?

Students will produce an extended response written reflection on Act V of The Merchant of Venice and how it relate to the themes of classical symbolism and celestial perfection in the Renaissance.


Stage 3: Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction

Lesson Components

(May include Anticipatory Set, review, Presentation of New Concepts, Guided Practice, Independent Practice, and Closure as appropriate.)

  • Opening - Day 1: Why would Shakespeare write about Italian Merchants?
  • Opening - Day 2: Why is Shakespeare considered a Renaissance Period writer?
  • Presentation of New Concept - Lead discussion (Using prints and examples) on the English Renaissance and how it is similar and different from the Italian Renaissance.
  • Guided Practice: Review synoposis of The Merchant of Venice
  • Students will read 100 line text 1st 100 lines of Play - Act V, and then participate in a class reading.
  • Students with assistance of teacher will identify the classical, musical and celestial reference in text.
  • Students will connect references with Classical images and discuss the obsession with perfection and harmony. Students will listen to music of the period and participate in simple dance with the concept of perfection and harmony. This will then be related to architecture.
  • Closing - Students will produce 7-minute quick write on discussion.

Sponsored by
the Center for Renaissance & Baroque Studies
and the Maryland State Department of Education