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Analyzing Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night

Lacona Snyder
Eleventh Grade/Language Arts

Common Core Standards:

Key Ideas and Details

- RL.11-12.1
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well
as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
- RL.11-12.2
Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the
course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to produce a complex
account; provide an objective summary of the text.

Craft and Structure

- RL.11-12.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and
connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including
words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful.
- RL.11-12.6
Analyze a case in which grasping a point of view requires distinguishing what is directly stated in a
text from what is really meant (e.g., satire, sarcasm, irony, or understatement).

Text Types and Purposes

- 11-12.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and
information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of
content.

Production and Distribution of Writing

- W.11-12.6
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing
products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.

Lesson Summary:

This lesson is designed to build an understanding between the modern student and Shakespeare, his
language, and the plays valuable insight into relationships, humor, gender and identity exploration, as well
as connecting literature with history. Students will read and analyze the play, paying attention to literary
terms, the use of imagery, figures of speech, and symbolism. An internet scavenger hunt will allow students
to search for critical elements corresponding to the text and their writing assignment, then a film version
will be viewed. Following the introductory activities, the class will begin forming their own literary
analysis on Twelfth Night.

Estimated Duration:

This lesson will require a period of five 50-minute class periods.

Commentary:

I plan to get the students motivated and excited by the lesson with the scavenger hunt to learn interesting
and relevant facts, as well as using the film to further interest and immerse the students. There are a
multitude of facets that are more relatable in Twelfth Night than other Shakespearean play, including the
young protagonists, the lack of suicide, bullying, sarcasm, the brother-sister bond, as well as gender and
identity exploration that many high school students may be dealing with. I expect there will be difficulty in
getting the entire class to read the play on their own time, so the instruction can take place in the classroom.
The scavenger hunt and film are meant to re-engage their memories and inspire them to think more
critically on the work.

Instructional Procedures:

Day 1:
Students will turn on the computers, log in. (10 min.)
I will discuss with the class the expectations for the day, including the directions for the internet scavenger
hunt to refresh the student’s thoughts and ideas on the reading, as well as pass out the questionnaire
worksheet. (10 min.)
For the remainder of the class the students will search the internet using credible research methods to
answer the worksheet questions. I will attend to any questions or issues the students have with the
computers or the worksheet, while also clarifying key points with any students who need the assistance. (25
min.)
To end, students will log out of their computers, and turn in their worksheet to be graded, giving an idea of
who is engaged and understanding, and who is struggling or disengaged (5 min.)

Day 2:

I will pass back graded worksheets to use as reference and prepare the film that the class will be viewing
using the projector (10 min.)
The students will use the remainder of the period to watch the film and take extra notes, while during the
film I will be pausing and actively discussing with the class key points, characters, language, symbolism,
etc. (35 min.)

I will end the film and the students can gather their notes, and ask any further questions (5 min.)

Day 3:

I will begin the class with a summary of what was viewed the day before and clarify any questions to keep
the students on track (10 min.)

Next, the students will finish the film and take notes with pauses for discussion and clarification of key
elements and plot (25 min.)

I will end the class with a class discussion on key elements to the story and characters, then, briefly discuss
the next day’s writing assignment, a literary analysis (15 min.)

Day 4:

The class will begin with a reminder of the writing assignment, a literary analysis of Shakespeare’s Twelfth
Night (5 min.)

I will use the Smartboard to showcase elements of good and bad literary analysis, so the students
understand what the analysis consists of and why it is important, while they take notes and ask any
questions (30 min.)

After, I will hand out the guidelines for the rough draft of their Twelfth Night literary analysis and the
students can begin brainstorming techniques for the remainder of the class. The rough draft will be due the
next day and consist of three pages, not including the title page (15 min.)

Day 5:

I will place the students into small peer editing groups to revise the rough drafts of those in their group (15
min.)
Next, the students will return to the computers with their edited rough drafts to revise and perfect their final
drafts (30 min.)

Last, students will log out of computers and turn in their final drafts (5 min.)

Pre-Assessment:

The students’ internet scavenger hunt worksheet will give me some insight into who understood key points
and concepts by the depth of the answers. The in-class discussion of the film and any questions, or lack of
questions will also provide the instructor with a benchmark towards comprehension levels.

Scoring Guidelines:
Instructor will use his/her judgement to determine the level of comprehension.

The scavenger hunt worksheet will be graded based on a short/extended answer response that will
provide the instructor with any types of misunderstanding of the readings and information on the
play.

Post-Assessment:
The copy of the rough draft and the final essay will provide the instructor with the levels of comprehension
of Twelfth Night, including the students’ understanding of how to apply analysis to literature, and share
those thoughts cohesively in a high-school level essay. This will also allow determination of grammar and
writing skills, providing a guideline of what to refresh on and what no longer needs attention.

Scoring Guidelines:

Students will be graded on their use of literary terms, grammar, essay structure, and their analysis of
the play. If the student scores an 80% or higher they will be considered proficient, if they score
below this supplemental group activities and references towards their areas of weakness can be
addressed in small groups with their peers who are also struggling in the same way, while being
mentored by those who were deemed proficient, providing more opportunity for peer editing
experience that will strengthen their own writing skills.
Differentiated Instructional Support
For students who were struggling with grammatical errors, small groups could be established to work on
these skills, while being tutored by their peers who appear stronger in this area. Those who struggle with the
cohesive structure could also benefit from brainstorming techniques with their peers in small groups.
Afterwards, if there are students still struggling, online tutoring through Khan Academy may be
implemented to strengthen those skills outside of the classroom as a supplemental lesson.

QR codes around the classroom will also provide students with many media resources to various elements
of literature from grammar and comprehension assistance, to how to better structure each type of essay, etc.

Extension
This is a great website to learn more about Shakespeare, his works, and his use of symbolism, metaphor,
imagery, etc.
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/

This is a fantastic site the gives greater insight into the structure and importance of the literary analysis.
https://www.roanestate.edu/owl/elementslit.html

Homework Options and Home Connections

Students are encouraged to use critical thinking and analysis in their independent readings to build those
skills.
Short stories may be assigned, then a required half to one-page analysis of the reading to strengthen analysis
and critical thinking.

Interdisciplinary Connections

This lesson is easily integrated into a history lesson as we learn about works during the Elizabethan period,
including any political or social turmoil that influenced Shakespeare’s work. A lesson of ethics can also be
explored in regard to the taunting and emotional and physical abuse Malvolio went through.

Materials and Resources:

 For teachers Internet-capable computers, printers, Smartboard, projector

For students Internet-capable computers, printers, flash drive

Key Vocabulary

Literary analysis, literary devices, comedy, tragedy

Additional Notes

Prior to this week’s lesson, students will have spent time reading a section of pages in Twelfth Night at
home until finished, and when they returned to school a short discussion would analyze and summarize the
reading. The other portion of the class would be spent studying the literary analysis essay, which would
prepare the students for the next weeks essay.