Hamlet Comes to Harlem

A WebQuest for 6th-8th Grades
Fine Arts

Designed by

Hermane Eiland
heiland@cuip.net

         

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page


Introduction      

        "Friends, romans, countrymen, lend me your ears..."
        There are several similiarities that have been noted between William Shakespeare and William Kennedy Ellington, including their first names. 
        Shakespeare was an actor and writer;  Ellington was a  performer, as well as a composer.  They both wrote for all levels of society - - from royalty to the very poor.  Ellington and Shakespeare both possessed a keen understanding of human nature.  Both men led fertile, productive, and artistic lives.   Both Shakespeare and Ellington wrote for performance and not publication.  Both men were extremely influential during the renaissance of their times--Ellington's was the Harlem Renaissance.
        Duke Ellington held a great appreciation for Shakespeare's work; and he and his collaborator, Billy Strayhorn, composed a twelve-part suite entitled, "Such Sweet Thunder", based on the plays and sonnets of William Shakespeare.  Poet and jazz critic, A.B. Spellman recommends this musical work, "...because it's one of the most remarkable orchestral pieces in all of American music...Ellington and Strayhorn gave great attention to the material itself of Shakespeare and tried to make pictures that would take you into the mood."

The Task          

        Your assignment, should you choose to accept it (and you will!)    
is to form groups of three.  The members in each group should match three of Shakespeare's literary works to three of Ellington's musical works and find at least three similarities and three differences between the two.   

        Your team must use some type of graphic organizer to display your findings.  The information you collect will help you complete your mission..  Upon completion, you will be placed in front of a door.  In order to open the door, you will need to have received the Key to Success.


 


The Process       


Before you begin, review the evaluation page to see how your group project will be graded.  Read the "Super" column to see how to earn an "A"!

                                                                                                   

Part I: Activate Prior Knowledge      

Write down everything you already know about Shakespeare and Ellington in the "know" column on the class wall chart.  Write a question in the "want to know" column of the chart.  Feel free to add questions to this chart as you progress through the WebQuest.

Part II: Acquire New Knowledge      

Numbers from 1-3 will be drawn from a basket.  This will determine the team of which you will be a part.  (Remember the limit of players on each team is three.)  Your team will eventually choose its own name.  There are the team names from which you may choose:

Part III: Share Your New Knowledge     

Meet with your group and teach them what you have learned from your Internet research.  Discuss your response to the reflection question on your report.  Post at least one thing you learned onto the classroom wall chart in the "learned" column.

Part IV: Prepare Your Project               

As you gather your information, be careful to keep accurate reference notes.  You may also want to include a checklist of questions to help your group to analyze the information, things that they may need to observe and/or even consider as they search the Web.  Use the links to audio excerpts from some of Ellington's Shakespeare-inspired music.  Take into consideration the instrumentation that is used, as well as what feelings you get from listening to it.  What message do you think Ellington was trying to communicate?  How does the mood relate to the overall theme of Shakespeare's play(s)?  These are some of the questions that your group may need to discuss.

In your search for information, feel free to contact professors or musicians with an interest in jazz music--especially Ellington's music.  Another possible source of information would be english or literature teachers with special interests in Shakespearean works.

Part V: Present Your Findings               

Make certain that all of your group members continue to participate as you prepare and present the final project.
Agree on the type of graphic organizer to use for presenting your findings.  Your presentation may include something in the form of a book, poster, Power Point or Excel spreadsheet.  It could even include a performance of some tyhpe--how about involving something using drama or even playing an instrument?

On your mark, get ready, get set, let's roll.




Listen to an audio clip of Sweet Thunder, Sonnet for Caesar, and Lady Mac
Brief summaries of:  "Romeo and Juliet"
"Macbeth"
Summaries of "Twelfth Night":  click here or here. 
Summary of "Julius Caesar"      
Summaries of "A Midsummer Night's Dream:  click here or here.  
Brief summary of Macbeth:  click here or here.
 
 

The Evaluation     

Even though you will be working in groups and will present a combined finished product, each individual must have his/her own worksheet for this WebQuest.  Look at the rubric below to find out how to earn an "A" on this mission.


  Poor
D or F
 Fair
C 
 Good
B
 Super
A 
 Score
CONTENT

Completion of worksheets
that accompany
 the
"Hamlet Goes to Harlem"
 WebQuest.
  Worksheets
are either
lost or
severely incomplete. 
They are lacking
in
appropriate content.
 Worksheets
are no less 
than
halfway complete.  The content
is
somewhat lacking in detail. 
 Worksheets
are no less 
than
three-fourths complete. 
Content
is present
and mostly detailed. 
 Worksheets
are
complete
and
full
of
detailed content. 
SKETCHES

Completion of the sketches required on the "Hamlet Goes to Harlem"
 WebQuest worksheets. 
 No sketches = F

1 sketch = D

No color is necessary.
 		2
Sketches
are complete
and
nicely done.

No color
is
necessary.
 3
Sketches
are complete
and
nicely done.

No color
is
necessary.
 All
 sketches are complete
and
nicely done.

No color
is
necessary.
BEHAVIOR

Behavior
of the individual student
during WebQuest completion
in the
computer lab.
Student is consistently off-task and/or damages computer equipment.
Student is
off-task
and must be reminded
several times before he/she resumes the project.
 Student is
on task
most of the time and
does not distract others
from their work through disruptive behavior.
Student is
completely
on task
and  helps
other students
who are lost
or confused
with the WebQuest.  





Conclusion       

        Congratulations!  You have reached the Key to Success!  Throughout this WebQuest you have explored the differences and similarities in some of the music of Duke Ellington--even learning that he had a great appreciation of William Shakespeare.  You have discovered the wide spectrum of music created by Ellington, who is renowned for primarily his jazz compositions.  You have also gained a knowledge of some of Shakespeare's works, which will benefit you greatly as you move onward and upward into high school!

Think about how you can apply your new knowledge to your previous knowledge in terms of learning to analyze musical works, as well as delve into their origin.  Have you learned that music is inspired, not just written?  Are there works by Shakespeare that you have developed an interest in and would like to read more about them?  As I said earlier, Shakespeare and Ellington's masterpieces were written during times of "renaissance"; that is to say, "rebirth".  Yet they are timeless in their effectiveness and their creativity.

There are many more of Ellington's works that have been inspired by numerous others--including "The Nutcracker Suite".  Why not explore some of these?

Credits and References 

Tales From Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb

http://www.thehoya.com/guide/120100/guide11.htm

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~mcgoni/ella/dukebio.html

http://users.rcn.com/muffitt/jazz/midsumnd.htm

http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/homepage

http://webinstituteforteachers.org/~ceestelle/

http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/lambtales/LTMACB.HTM


To my daughter and my best friend (and mother-to-be), Ellie:  Very special thanks for your unending and unrelenting love and support of me in all of my endeavors.

 
Comparison of Shakespeare and jazz

Brief summary of "A Midsummer's Night Dream".

Midsummer Night's Dream

Link to information about Ellington/Shakespeare

Duke Ellington website

Ellington's adaptation of "Twelfth Night"

http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/harlem/harlemtg.html

Cotton Club

Information on jazz musicians

Teaching Guide

Profile Page

Last updated on July 31, 2003.  Based on a template from The WebQuest Page