A Little Shakespeare: Pericles Activities

Materials Needed:

List of words
Notecards or paper
Writing materials
Dictionaries or online Dictionary

Introduction

Shakespeare had an enormous impact on the English language. Over a thousand words were first recorded in his plays, and he has been credited with first using words such as “elbowroom”, “housekeeping”, “eyeball”, and “puke”!

He also coined a number of phrases that we now think of as common, including:

• All that glitters is not gold (originally All that glisters is not gold)
• Catch a cold
• Heart of gold
• Too much of a good thing

Playing with Definitions

Look at the list of words Shakespeare is credited with introducing to the English language.

Write the word on a notecard or piece of paper, and then write:

• the correct definition
• as well as two false definitions that you think are believable enough to trick your friends or family

See who guesses the correct definition!

Word List—Elementary

• Frugal
• Impede
• Lackluster
• Tranquil
• Auspicious
• Clangor
• Dwindle
• Seamy
• Gust
• Hobnob
• Gnarled
• Grovel
• Ode
• Majestic
• Scuffle
• Rant

Word List—High School

• Auspicious
• Clangor
• Dexterously
• Sanctimonious
• Pedant
• Besmirch
• Castigate
• Metamorphize
• Baseless
• Swagger
• Dauntless
• Obsequious
• Lackluster
• Pageantry
• Scuffle
• Dishearten

Materials Needed:             Insults 1–4

Evocation/Introduction

One of the most fun ways to play with Shakespeare’s language is to play with insults.

The Insult Generator can create striking, impressive insults for any situation!

Create a Shakespearean insult using one word/phrase from each page — 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Examples:     “(1) Swim with leeches, (2) you goatish, (3) mad-brained (4) canker-blossom!”

“(1) Get thee gone, (2) you puking, (3) dizzy-eyed (4) foot-licker!”

It is not important to know the exact meaning of the words; choose words that sound funny or interesting to you.

The insult will be largely in your delivery – the way you say it.

Debrief

• Why is the activity funny? What makes it funny? What is the funniest combination of words/phrases that you can find?
• Do you recognize any insults from the play? How were insults used in that context? How did characters in this play express scorn or anger?