Students should be able to allow this to be personal and really delve into the way words matter. Understanding that mockery can turn into a sign or form of bullying should be key as well.
Boars- Head Tavern (Act. II, Sc. IV- Henry IV Part I) Discussion and Scenework
Student will answer the following questions in an open discussion.
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Do you ever want to talk to a person about something serious but he/she doesn’t listen to you? They don’t take you seriously? Or maybe they take something too seriously?
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Do you ever feel unheard when you have good advice? How do you feel when people aren’t listening? Do you feel mocked or do you feel as though you mock others during times you are given the best advice?
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Do you feel like you have a lot to teach but because of your age or your gender or ethnicity, people won’t listen to what you have to say? How does that make you feel?
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Do you ever feel like you have to be the parent sometimes? Why? Does you parent value your opinion or do they overlook what you have to say because you’re the child? Is that right? Why do we do that?
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SPARK QUESTION: What do you think Falstaff is teaching Hal? Can he be joking but also teaching him something important? Can we learn something from someone less educated? Can we learn something serious from a moment played as funny?
Students will use the Boars-head Tavern scene to recreate a modern version. Students are welcome to recreate the content beforehand that leads Falstaff to the line, “Depose Me?” What does depose me? How could this line prove offense? If you could comfort Falstaff what would you tell him? If you could give Hal some advice during this scene, what might be best to tell him? Can you identify the transgressive behavior? If you are playing the king or prince how would you verbalize the transgressive behavior? Students will also act out their new scenes in groups.
Examples for Modern rewrites:
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Asking an older/wiser friend/family member for advice
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Talking to a sibling
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Talking to a teacher
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Debating at an election
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Talking to your doctor
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Giving an eye witness statement to the police
