Macbeth Scarey and Violent

My own knowledge of Macbeth is more limited in terms of what I know of other Shakespeare plays.  This one is confusing with lots of manipulative characters whose main goal is: Power.  Along with this search and need for Power, comes Greed and Corruption and vicious violence that is shocking even in today's age.

The redemption of this project is certainly the eagerness of the students to create a mural that depicts so much decay of character without all the blood and gore that it could have represented.  Instead, we chose to see the witches as ambiguous forms surrounding a boiling brew of green while Lady Macbeth's hands silently twirl a snake in her hands.  Where the lightning strikes it literally rains blood, a prolific symbol of the violence that guts this play.

I am most impressed by the work ethic these students have exhibited.  Even after a near disaster of red paint spilled on the floor, there is a pallatable pride when they come to peer at the progress of the piece.  My sincere hope is these paintings will inspire any reader of Shakespeare to envision these plays in their imaginations.  Hopefully these images will help upcoming students to gain a greater understanding of the Shakespeare vision.

Hamlet is complete

And so our Hamlet mural created and designed by 10th grade is complete as of today.  The imagery, composition and overall effect of this piece done in such a short time is really amazing.....if I do say so myself....and I do:)  Now I am beginning to sound a bit like Hamlet himself....you know having intricate conversations with me.

The final piece will hang proudly in Mrs. Hetrick's room and already has a space slated for the installation.  I am so thrilled to have been able to get caught up on my much forgotten Hamlet knowledge in the process.  The symbolism and imagery that students depicted in this piece really does speak well for their own knowledge of the play.  I am so happy to have been able to be a small part of this creative process.

Sophmore class Hamlet Based Poems

I am already working with the 10th graders and the play we are basing our mural on is Hamlet.  With some brief brainstorming we have selected the images and symbols we think best epitomize what will then become our painting.  Such good cooperation and ideas have emerged quickly so our drawing on the canvas is started.  One nice aspect about this class is they have already created their own book jackets so some of our ideas have been based on these ideas also.  I also did a quick writing assignment to help with the concepts we are working on conveying.

Ophelia

Young, Naïve
Singing, Dancing, Loving
Always obeys her father
Young Lover

 

Elsinore

Gloomy, Grey
Invigorating, Mourning, Devastating
It’s a death palace
Corruption

 

Horatio

Loyal, Trustworthy
Helping, Watching, Telling
Always aware of what’s happening
Friend

 

Hamlet

Smart, Popular
Mourning, Planning, Murdering
To be or not to be
Vengeful son

Violets

Purple, Sweet
Growing, Waving, Changing
Withered when my father died
Faithfulness

 Crown

Valuable, Power
Worshipping, Leading,, Corrupting
The king of nothing
Leader

 Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

Snakes, Sponges
Serving, Lying, Traveling
Trust as adders fanged
Hamlet’s old friends

 Hamlet

Intelligent, Angry
Loving, Mourning, Cunning
Revenge his father’s death
Son

Othello based poems Senior Class Rockwood

Desdemona
Innocence, fragile
Pleasing, disobeying, baffling
She always remains faithful
Innocent

Iago
Wicked, destructive
Lying, sneaking, deceiving
Desroying lives without remorse
Villain

Iago
Ascetic, manipulative
Lying, dying, sneaking
Does what he wants
Robber

Othello
Oblivious, innocent
Listening, believing, murdering
Got caught in Iago's lies
Fool

Love
Carefree, blind
Wanting, trusting, betraying
Love should always be bling
Passion

Jealousy
Underlying, deceitful
Hurting, lying, killing
The snake lies beneath
Envy

Senior English Class Rockwood High School 2013

Brainstorming and 1 day with each class and then onto a 6 foot by 5 foot canvas.  Students came extra, students came during class and yes, in a miraculous 3 days our piece is completed.  From rough draft on butcher paper to the final product.  I am ticked pink....wonder where that silly expression came from!

The design for this Othello inspired piece is really strong and the efforts and enthusiasm of the student body really great to see.  Onwards and upwards with only 3 more murals based on Shakespeare to come.

Rockwood High School 2013

My year 2013 has started out with a busy Wholesale Show in Florida and upon our return, a 20 day residency at Rockwood High School.  I will be working with 9-12th grade English classes who are all currently studying a Shakespeare play.  My current three classes are Seniors and our theme is of "Othello".  My personal goals in this 20 day residency are in working with these students to encourage personal growth as well as a reiteration of the material they have been studying.  Each class will then complete a 6 foot by 5 foot mural on canvas .....in less then 5 days each!

So, we are on our second day and the design and painting is already looking awesome.  Students chose all the imagery and quotes to be included in this transportable mural/banner.  It is literally a non-stop day from 8 am- 2pm with students coming during study hall and even extra time because they actually want to do that.  Hurray for enthusiasm and bright minds.  I am already pleased with the progress and am not even super tired when I get home to do my own work.