Lesson Overview

In this lesson, students will explore how the main characters are interpreted and portrayed in Julie Taymor’s 2010 film adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. 

Films have some advantages over stage plays in characterization. Movie cameras can view the actors at very close range, allowing the audience to see minute changes in facial expression. Camera shots from different angles allow viewers to interpret the actors’ body language. Other film crafts, such as music, sound effects, visual design, special effects, costumes, and makeup, also contribute to the portrayal of characters.

For this assignment, students will first describe the major characters of The Tempest based on their reading of the play. Then they will watch Julie Taymor’s 2010 film, The Tempest. While viewing the film, students will look closely for different ways Taymor uses script editing and film techniques to present the characters, and they will also watch for how the actors portray the characters through speech and body language. Finally, students will compare Taymor’s characterizations to those found in Shakespeare’s play.

Materials

  • The Tempest by William Shakespeare
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  • The Tempest directed by Julie Taymor, Touchstone Pictures, 2010

Lesson Objectives

1. Students will identify and briefly discuss the main characters in Shakespeare’s The Tempest. 

2. Students will identify the different ways the director and actors interpret and portray the characters in Julie Taymor’s 2010 film, The Tempest. 

3. Students will compare Taymor’s characterizations to those found in Shakespeare’s play.

Instructional Sequence

This activity is designed to be completed after students have finished reading The Tempest by William Shakespeare. 

1. As a class, review the five major characters of the play: Prospero, Ariel, Caliban, Miranda, and Ferdinand. Ask students to recall key scenes in which the characters appear. Have students record details in their notebooks about each character. Remind them to include facts such as the characters’ ages, appearances, and their relationships to other characters. 

2. Have students watch the film. 

3. After students watch the film, pass out the worksheet Characterization in Julie Taymor’s The Tempest. Have students choose one of the major characters from the play and fill out the chart accordingly. Remind students to review their notes from the class discussion for details about characters in the text. If students want to explore characterization of more than one character, have them copy the blank chart in their notebooks. 

4. As a class or in small groups, have students share their findings and interpretations.

Differentiated Instruction

This activity can be modified to help all students access learning.
Decrease difficulty

During the opening discussion in step 1, display a list of the main characters on the board and remind students of basic information. For example, Prospero, the protagonist, is a sorcerer who can cast spells, and Ariel is a spirit who carries out Prospero’s orders. Draw students’ attention to the key scenes for the characters. 

Alternatively, have students work in pairs to complete the worksheet.

Increase difficulty

Have students watch another film adaptation of The Tempest, such as the 1960 made-for-TV movie directed by George Schaefer and starring Maurice Evans as Prospero, Richard Burton as Caliban, Roddy McDowall as Ariel, and Lee Remick as Miranda. Then have students write an essay comparing and contrasting how each film uses acting skills and film techniques to portray the characters.

Downloads

  • Characterization in Julie Taymor's The Tempest