The Process
Step 1: Because you will be staying at Shakespeare's birth place, Stratford-Upon-Avon, you now must select the building you will occupy during the investigation.* Print out the picture of the building you have chosen. It will be turned in with your evidence folder at the end of the investigation.
This source may assist you in step 1.
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (http://www.shakespeare.org.uk)
Information on
trust-maintained houses, books, records, museums, and a listing of events,
including visitor locations in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Step 2: Take a trip through England Online.
* Find three Elizabethan/Shakespearian pictures on the
internet that appeal to you. Print out those pictures and write a short story about them.
Your story must be focused on Shakespeare, his family, friends or lovers.
* Put the story in your investigation folder.
Step 3: Elizabethan laws
*Find two Elizabethan laws or practices dealing with plagiarism, copyright dates or ownership that you find silly or strange and revise them. Include six to eleven sentences explaining why these laws or practices should be revised.
*Place findings in investigation folder.
Step 4: William Shakespeare's authorship information
* Find at least 25 facts (type them) about Shakespeare's life which relate to
the authorship issue.
* Make a T-Chart of your information. On one side place the information which
proves he is the author of his works; on the other side place the information
which proves he is not the author of his works.
Step 5: Wow!!! A time machine has just been invented which will transport you
back to Shakespeare's time. But first you must find a costume to wear in order
to conceal your identify to the Elizabethans. Fortunately, the Illinois Theatre Company
has donated their costumes to your investigation.
* Go to the site, select a costume, print up the picture of the costume.
* On the back of the picture, write an explanation as to why you chose that costume.
* Place the picture in your evidence folder. When you enter the time machine, you will be
wearing the costume you have chosen.
Step 6: You are now transported back in time somewhere between 1558 and 1603. In
England, you will find the answers to the following questions.
* Who is the ruler during this time period?
* What is the political mood in the country?
* What kind of food do people eat?
* Do people appear happy with their lives or disgruntled? Why?
* What is William Shakespeare doing?
* Are any of his plays playing?
* What do people do for livings during this time?
* What do people do for entertainment?
* List 20 more additional facts about the Elizabethans.
*Place the facts in your folder.
Step 7: Find Shakespeare's famous Globe Theatre. If a play is playing, buy at
ticket to go to a play. If a play is not playing, go on a tour of the theatre.
* Use the following addresses as your access passes to the theatre. http://www.rdg.ac.uk/globe/Globe/Performances.html
http://www.rdg.ac.uk/AcaDepts/ln/Globe/Globe.html
* In a descriptive paragraph, paint a word picture of the Globe theatre
* Print out three of your favorite pictures of the theatre to be included with your paragraph.
*Place in folder.
Step 8: Compile your information and objectively decide whether or not you
believe William Shakespeare is the author of his works. Write a three to four
page persuasive argument in Modern Language Association format supporting your opinion. Be ready to present your
findings to the judge and jury.
To
investigate other sources
To
check evaluation criteria