Blog English/Drama
March 22, 2012
This month’s book “Daughters of Jerusalem” by Charlotte Mendelson is about an academic family in Oxford. “Victor Lux is an Oxford academic specializing in the history of the Dark Ages. Preoccupied with the hope of being asked to give the prestigious Spenser Memorial Lecture, he is blind to the needs of his frustrated wife, Jean, and his teenage daughters Eve and Phoebe. As Jean's relationship with her best friend Helena escapes its safe confines to become something altogether more unsettling, Eve and Phoebe are drawn into more destructive pursuits. Wrapped up in self-obsession, they fail to notice what is happening to each other until events reach a sudden, shocking climax.”
The next Book Club meeting is at lunchtime in the Library on Wednesday, 25th April.
[Image and text : www.copac.ac.uk]
Categories: English/Drama, Library.
Tags: 2011-2012, Book Club, Charlotte Mendelson, Daughters of Jerusalem.
March 22, 2012
Michael Lysaght (6th Year) has written compelling arguments about the theme of revenge in Hamlet. Read the PDF file to consider his viewpoint.
Ms. Reynolds
[Image: stargrads.net]
Categories: English/Drama.
Tags: 2011-2012, Hamlet, revenge.
March 22, 2012
Sean Lysaght (3rd Year) wrote a fantastic poem called "James and the Fairy-tale" which will make you smile. Sean says "he just wrote it really quickly and it was easy". To enjoy Sean's poem click on the PDF link.
Ms. Reynolds
[Image: www.sxc.hu]
Categories: English/Drama.
Tags: 2011-2012, James and the Fairy-tale, Poetry.
March 22, 2012
As part of our revision of, 'Hamlet', each sixth year student gave a presentation on an aspect of the play ranging from the theme of revenge to the language and imagery in the play. This student as teacher model really focuses their attention and ensures a thorough revision: if they can teach it is a clear demonstration of their understanding and retention. Well done to all my sixth years who provided such professional presentations!
Peer teaching has many advantages. It is fun and students enjoy taking on the role of teacher. It prompts students to think about their own understanding of a topic and how they can help their peers understand. It encourages students to take more responsibility for their learning. In addition, it helps learners develop skills in communicating, information processing and working with others.
Ms. Reynolds
Presentation by Lucy Murphy:
Categories: English/Drama.
Tags: 2011-2012, Hamlet, peer teaching, presentations, Slidesnack.
March 22, 2012
Watching Second Age's modern retelling of Shakespeare's best-known tragedy, I was simultaneously entertained and disappointed.
Entertained because of some great acting (Will Irvine as Macbeth), some nice touches like music from Radiohead and a really impressive slow-motion technique shot helped bring the action home to the audience.
Disappointed due to some bad acting (Lady Macbeth was more confused than devious), failure to use lighting properly and the failure to bring home the tragedy of Macbeth to the audience.
To sum up I do recommend this play for all the positives mentioned. However, don't be surprised if you do walk out of the theatre feeling they could have done something more.
John Nolan (5th Year)
[Photo: Ms. Reynolds]
Categories: English/Drama.
Tags: 2011-2012, drama, Helix, Macbeth, Second Age.
