My artifact is a picture of different scenes from Hamlet being performed by students in Mr. Griffith’s classes. Each group of 3 or 4 students was allowed to pick from a selection of scenes to memorize and present to the class. Our group chose the very first scene in the play. Also, in addition to memorizing our lines, Jeff Watkins came to school about three times to give us stage directions and pointers on how to present the lines. This activity demonstrated adaptively in the way that each student had to take instruction and adapt to the personality of their character, which led to a richer understanding of the text.
My group performed Act 1 Scene 1, and I played the character of Marcellus. At first my goal was to just memorize the lines in order to perform them, but once combined with stage direction the actual meaning of the text came to light. I had to adapt to my character’s situation, which helped me to understand the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty that the characters in Denmark experienced. Before this experience, I could not grasp the emotion of the scenario in which someone experiences contact with a ghost, and seeing the ghost right in front of me adapted my mind to the setting and actions of the play itself.
The final component of our assignment, presented and area of adaptivity as well. Each group presented their scene in the outdoor Chapel. In the Chapel groups adapted to the environment and used the stage to enhance their performances. Overall, this project was a chance for we as students to adapt to the life of the characters and to the environment in which our learning took place.
(picture of class performing their scenes in the outdoor chapel)
maggie borders 