Shakespearean Letter & Dialogue Writing Activity

Activity Description and Purpose

This activity can be completed independently or in small groups. If students work in small groups, randomly distribute slips of paper with one of the following assignments to each group. If students work independently, either randomly distribute the assignment or allow students to choose. In order to complete this assignment, students must use what they have learned about the characters and their motivation in order to predict how the character would respond to the situation described. When the assignment has been completed, students should share their letters/dialogues with the rest of the class.

Situations

Pretend you are Cassius. Write a letter to Brutus which is designed to convince him to join the conspiracy against Caesar. Don’t forget who signed the letter in the play.

Pretend you are Brutus. You have just received several letters from fellow Romans which praise you highly and beg you to help protect them from Caesar’s tyranny. Write a letter responding to these Romans.

Pretend you are Caesar. Antony has just offered you the crown. Write the conversation that would take place between Caesar and Antony after Caesar refuses the crown three times. (This conversation would be private; no one else would be around to overhear what was said.)

Pretend you are Antony. You are about to offer Caesar the crown. Write the conversation that would take place between Caesar and Antony just before Antony offers the crown and Caesar refuses it three times. (This conversation would be private; no one else would be around to overhear what was said.)

Enrichment & Homeschool Use

This lesson plan was originally designed for use in a classroom setting consisting of approximately 27 to 29 students; however, the assignment can easily be adapted for smaller classrooms and for home school use.

As mentioned above, this assignment can be completed independently or in small groups.

Other Assignment Components

Shakespearean Language Activity
The Soldier's Dilemma
Letter/Dialogue Writing Activity
Performance Adaptation Project

Handouts

Shakespearean Language Activity
The Soldier's Dilemma
 Letter/Dialogue Writing Activity
Performance Adaptation Project