Text vs. Subtext Josefino Rivera, Jr. Literature and Personal Choice Hamlet January 2009 Josefino Rivera, Jr. Literature and Personal Choice Hamlet January 2009

Text and Subtext »Text: What is explicitly said »Subtext: What is implicitly said »Text: What is explicitly said »Subtext: What is implicitly said

Text vs Subtext »A: Youre late. »B: I know. I couldnt help it. »A: I understand. »B: I thought you would. »A: I have something to give you. »B: Really? »A: Yes, this. »A: Youre late. »B: I know. I couldnt help it. »A: I understand. »B: I thought you would. »A: I have something to give you. »B: Really? »A: Yes, this.

Scene 1: Two friends--the late friend has just arrived at what will be a surprise party for him or her »A: Youre late. (pretending to be angry) »B: I know. I couldnt help it. (honestly feels bad) »A: I understand. (truly understands and is glad because it helps) »B: I thought you would. (knows friend is understanding) »A: I have something to give you. (pretending it isnt a big deal) »B: Really? (confused) »A: Yes, this. (happy to surprise friend) »A: Youre late. (pretending to be angry) »B: I know. I couldnt help it. (honestly feels bad) »A: I understand. (truly understands and is glad because it helps) »B: I thought you would. (knows friend is understanding) »A: I have something to give you. (pretending it isnt a big deal) »B: Really? (confused) »A: Yes, this. (happy to surprise friend)

Scene 2: Pizza delivery and customer. The pizza delivery is late. »A: Youre late. (actually angry) »B: I know. I couldnt help it. (honestly feels bad) »A: I understand. (is not really understanding) »B: I thought you would. (thinks customer is being genuine) »A: I have something to give you. (pretends to be nice and give tip) »B: Really? (knows its a tip and is surprised A is still giving B one) »A: Yes, this. (sarcastically--tip is very bad) »A: Youre late. (actually angry) »B: I know. I couldnt help it. (honestly feels bad) »A: I understand. (is not really understanding) »B: I thought you would. (thinks customer is being genuine) »A: I have something to give you. (pretends to be nice and give tip) »B: Really? (knows its a tip and is surprised A is still giving B one) »A: Yes, this. (sarcastically--tip is very bad)

Scene 3: Bride and groom. One has arrived late for the wedding. »A: Youre late. (very angry) »B: I know. I couldnt help it. (honestly feels very bad) »A: I understand. (is not really understanding) »B: I thought you would. (thinks partner is being genuine) »A: I have something to give you. (pretends to be nice) »B: Really? (very surprised that A would give a givf after this incident) »A: Yes, this. (makes point--returns ring) »A: Youre late. (very angry) »B: I know. I couldnt help it. (honestly feels very bad) »A: I understand. (is not really understanding) »B: I thought you would. (thinks partner is being genuine) »A: I have something to give you. (pretends to be nice) »B: Really? (very surprised that A would give a givf after this incident) »A: Yes, this. (makes point--returns ring)

Scene 4: Spies--They are meeting secretly to exchange information. »A: Youre late. (monotone) »B: I know. I couldnt help it. (matter of fact) »A: I understand. (is purposefully being understanding because A needs to give B the information) »B: I thought you would. (rubs power dynamic in As face) »A: I have something to give you. (matter of fact) »B: Really? (pretending to be surprised but knows what it is) »A: Yes, this. (matter of fact) »A: Youre late. (monotone) »B: I know. I couldnt help it. (matter of fact) »A: I understand. (is purposefully being understanding because A needs to give B the information) »B: I thought you would. (rubs power dynamic in As face) »A: I have something to give you. (matter of fact) »B: Really? (pretending to be surprised but knows what it is) »A: Yes, this. (matter of fact)

What changed? »Body language »Props »Behavior »Blocking (movement) »Facial expressions »Vocal inflection »Body language »Props »Behavior »Blocking (movement) »Facial expressions »Vocal inflection

Subtext »…affects motivation of character »…thus, our understanding of that character. »…affects motivation of character »…thus, our understanding of that character.

The Nunnery Scene ( ) »Recap 3.1 (read page 122) »Context: Polonius and Claudius are still in the room, listening. »Directions: In pairs, read and define words/phrases you dont know Prepare the scene to reflect your assigned subtext »Recap 3.1 (read page 122) »Context: Polonius and Claudius are still in the room, listening. »Directions: In pairs, read and define words/phrases you dont know Prepare the scene to reflect your assigned subtext

Subtext Assignments » Inside Circle: Hamlet knows from the beginning that Polonius and Claudius are watching him » Middle Circle: Hamlet does not know until later in the scene that he is being watched. The pair decides when, based on the script. » Outside Circle: Hamlet never knows that he is being watched. » Inside Circle: Hamlet knows from the beginning that Polonius and Claudius are watching him » Middle Circle: Hamlet does not know until later in the scene that he is being watched. The pair decides when, based on the script. » Outside Circle: Hamlet never knows that he is being watched.

Compare and Contrast »For HOMEWORK (write this down): Write a persuasive log (at least 4 paragraphs) that explains which version of the video clips you think Shakespeare wanted his readers to understand. Paragraph 1: Intro and thesis (your stance) Paragraph 2: Compare and contrast blocking and movement Paragraph 3: Compare and contrast facial expressions and gestures Paragraph 4: Compare and contrast vocal inflection Also Kyle B. et al and Zoe et al are performing tomorrow. LOGS 2.2 (last Friday), 3.1 (Monday), and video log (tonights) »For HOMEWORK (write this down): Write a persuasive log (at least 4 paragraphs) that explains which version of the video clips you think Shakespeare wanted his readers to understand. Paragraph 1: Intro and thesis (your stance) Paragraph 2: Compare and contrast blocking and movement Paragraph 3: Compare and contrast facial expressions and gestures Paragraph 4: Compare and contrast vocal inflection Also Kyle B. et al and Zoe et al are performing tomorrow. LOGS 2.2 (last Friday), 3.1 (Monday), and video log (tonights)

Film Clips: Zeffirelli (Mel Gibson) and Kline (Kevin Kline) » Inside Circle: Compare and contrast blocking (movement) » Middle Circle: Compare and contrast facial expression and gestures » Outside Circle: Compare and contrast vocal inflection » Inside Circle: Compare and contrast blocking (movement) » Middle Circle: Compare and contrast facial expression and gestures » Outside Circle: Compare and contrast vocal inflection