Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to identify and experiment with poetic devices such as alliteration and imagery, drawing inspiration from Shakespearean verse to create their own unique poetry. They will also gain a deeper understanding of the historical context of Cleopatra and how it influenced literary portrayals.

Materials and Prep

• Notebook and pen or pencil
• Selected excerpts from Shakespeare's works (e.g., "Antony and Cleopatra")
• Access to a computer or tablet for research
• Art supplies (colored pencils, markers, etc.) for creative activities
• Printed biography of Cleopatra
• List of poetic devices and their definitions

Activities

1. Shakespearean Scavenger Hunt: The student will read selected excerpts from Shakespeare's works and identify examples of alliteration and imagery. They can highlight or underline these examples and discuss how they contribute to the overall tone of the writing.

2. Poetry Creation: Using the examples gathered from the scavenger hunt, the student will write their own poem incorporating at least three poetic devices. Encourage them to use vivid imagery and alliteration to enhance their writing.

3. Creative Presentation: The student will create an artistic representation of their poem using art supplies. They can illustrate key images or create a visual poem that complements their written work.

4. Historical Context Discussion: The student will read a biography of Cleopatra and discuss how her life and the historical context influenced Shakespeare's portrayal of her in his works. They can make connections between history and literature.

Talking Points

• "What do you think alliteration does to a poem? How does it make it sound different?"
• "Can you find an example of imagery in Shakespeare's writing? What picture does it create in your mind?"
• "Why do you think Shakespeare chose to write about Cleopatra? What was interesting about her life?"
• "How does using poetic devices like alliteration change the way we read a poem?"
• "What emotions do you feel when reading Shakespeare's descriptions? Can you express those emotions in your own poetry?"
• "How can we connect the themes in Shakespeare's work to the historical events of Cleopatra's time?"
• "What are some other poetic devices we can use besides alliteration? Can you think of examples?"
• "How does creating art help you understand your poetry better?"
• "What did you learn about the relationship between history and literature today?"
• "How can we use our own experiences to write poetry that feels real and relatable?"
• "What do you think is the most important thing to remember when writing poetry?"
• "How can we make our poems sound musical, like Shakespeare’s?"