Supernatural Shakespeare

• Introduction
• Task
• Process
• Evaluation
• Conclusion
• Credits


• Teacher Page

by Marie Dasteel
Sophia Jacoub, Westview High School

Modified by Rhonda Beach, LeMars Community High School

Several of William Shakespear's plays including "A Midsummer Night's Dream", "Macbeth", and "Hamlet" deal with the supernatural. In order to achieve better understanding of Shakespear's influences, it is important to take a look at the history and events taking place in the 16th century. Students will work in groups to research these various apsects.

Introduction

      Do you believe in ghosts?  Do you believe that a spirit can remain on Earth to settle unfinished business?  During the Elizabethan Period there was an increased interest in ghosts and the supernatural.  The play Hamlet features Shakespeare’s famous literary ghost.  Yet these spirits did not only exist in plays and stories.  Increased scientific curiosity and the Renaissance sparked an interest in the supernatural including ghosts, witchcraft, and superstitions.  It was believed that a ghost was a person’s soul who died of terrible circumstances and therefore returned to the place associated with his/her life.  Often times, this was a castle.  England and other sites in Europe are famous for ghostly castles.  You will discover these castles and lead us on a haunted journey into the past.