The rough edges in Christopher Marlowe's intellectual life serve as a foil to the mainstream Christianity in "Doctor Faustus": the playwright had a reputation for atheism or at least for unorthodox opinions; papers allegedly found in a writing room that he shared with Thomas Kyd denied the deity of Christ; and twelve days before he was…

One of the most fruitful ways of introducing students to the Shakespearean drama is by comparing its techniques with those of a movie. (Author)

Shakespeare's lifetime coincided with the consolidation of modern capitalism, and his plays reveal his interest in economics--defined as a rational system for calculating and comparing the value of commodities--and especially the economics of time. Shakespeare's plays offer a critique of the new capitalism by showing the extent to which it can and…

THIS TEST--"THE MERCHANT OF VENICE"--WAS DESIGNED BY THE OREGON CURRICULUM STUDY CENTER FOR A NINTH-GRADE LITERATURE CURRICULUM. IT IS INTENDED TO ACCOMPANY CURRICULUM UNITS AVAILABLE AS ED 010 815 AND ED 010 816. (MM)

THESE TWO TESTS--"JULIUS CAESAR" AND "AUTOBIOGRAPHY"--WERE DESIGNED BY THE OREGON CURRICULUM STUDY CENTER FOR A 10TH-GRADE LITERATURE CURRICULUM. THEY ARE INTENDED TO ACCOMPANY CURRICULUM UNITS AVAILABLE AS ED 010 817 AND ED 010 818. (MM)

Films of Shakespeare's plays can demonstrate to students not only that Shakespearean drama is as "alive" today as it was 400 years ago, but also that directors, actors, settings, and costumes can assist in formulating interpretations of plays. In addition by comparing stage and film, students learn to distinguish between the conventions…

Shakespeare's plays are the apex of western achievement in the humanities and as such afford a highly fertile mechanism for teaching gifted elementary and secondary students. Studying Shakespeare facilitates the understanding of an earlier form of the English language and illustrates the evolutionary nature of language. Aside from a sense of…

Franco Zeffirelli's film "Romeo and Juliet" is appropriate for classroom study because of its relevance to today's youthful rebellion, to current social pressures, and to the generation gap. After viewing the film and seeing the images and moods of the performers, the students are better prepared to read the play imaginatively. (Numerous…

Australian Literature, in spite of the cultural and creative handicaps imposed on a developing country, is becoming accepted on the international literary scene. Contemporary novels and drama have imaginatively combined characteristic Australian themes and myths with European artistic traditions, while poetry has shown a concern with universal…

In his plays, Shakespeare reveals a double view of life by repeatedly juxtaposing a representation of the comic spirit with the tragic protagonist. In the idiom of Shakespeare's world, heroic characters often embarrass or destroy themselves by confusing appearance with reality. Then, the comic characters or "mad men," functioning as…

The approximately 500 recordings in this selective annotated list are classified by subject matter and educational level. A section for elementary school lists recordings of poetry, folksongs, fairy tales, well-known children's stories from American and world literature, and selections from American history and social studies. The recordings for…

O'Neill's "Fog" is recommended as a discussion-stimulating work for English (as a second language) classes in grades 11-13. The content is discussed from an instructional point of view. Teaching goals are considered. Experiences with the play in grade 11 are described, and methodological hints are given. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

This study was concerned with the attitudes and practices of high school English teachers regarding the use of contemporary literature in their classrooms. Data were obtained from the completed questionnaires of 58 randomly selected New Jersey English teachers. It was determined that 95% of the teachers favor using contemporary works, that the…

Based on the assumption that English should be central to the school curriculum, this book indicates that the main purpose of the English teacher is not to instruct, but to provide a relaxed, friendly atmosphere in which children can use and improve their language skills. The discussion covers current teaching practices in reading, literature,…

THIS CULMINATING UNIT OF THE 12TH-GRADE OREGON LITERATURE CURRICULUM IS BASED UPON ONE WORK, "HAMLET." THE TEACHER VERSION INCLUDES DISCUSSIONS OF (1) THE RELEVANCE OF HAMLET'S CHARACTER TO MODERN TIMES, (2) THE PROBLEMS IN THE CHARACTERIZATIONS OF THE GHOST, CLAUDIUS, AND HAMLET, (3) THE PLAY'S THREE-PHASE STRUCTURE, (4) THE PLAY'S…