Text vs. Subtext

Josefino Rivera, Jr.Literature and Personal

ChoiceHamlet 3.1.99-175

29 January 2009

Text and Subtext

» Text: What is explicitly said» Subtext: What is implicitly said

» Text: What is explicitly said» Subtext: What is implicitly said

Text vs Subtext

» A: You’re late.» B: I know. I couldn’t help it.» A: I understand.» B: I thought you would.» A: I have something to give you.» B: Really?» A: Yes, this.

» A: You’re late.» B: I know. I couldn’t help it.» A: I understand.» B: I thought you would.» A: I have something to give you.» B: Really?» A: Yes, this.

Scene 1: Two friends--the late friend has just arrived at what will be a surprise

party for him or her

» A: You’re late. (pretending to be angry)» B: I know. I couldn’t help it. (honestly feels bad)

» A: I understand. (truly understands and is glad because it helps)

» B: I thought you would. (knows friend is understanding)

» A: I have something to give you. (pretending it isn’t a big deal)

» B: Really? (confused)» A: Yes, this. (happy to surprise friend)

» A: You’re late. (pretending to be angry)» B: I know. I couldn’t help it. (honestly feels bad)

» A: I understand. (truly understands and is glad because it helps)

» B: I thought you would. (knows friend is understanding)

» A: I have something to give you. (pretending it isn’t a big deal)

» B: Really? (confused)» A: Yes, this. (happy to surprise friend)

Scene 2: Pizza delivery and customer. The pizza delivery is late.

» A: You’re late. (actually angry)» B: I know. I couldn’t help it. (honestly feels bad)

» A: I understand. (is not really understanding)

» B: I thought you would. (thinks customer is being genuine)

» A: I have something to give you. (pretends to be nice and give tip)

» B: Really? (knows it’s a tip and is surprised A is still giving B one)

» A: Yes, this. (sarcastically--tip is very bad)

» A: You’re late. (actually angry)» B: I know. I couldn’t help it. (honestly feels bad)

» A: I understand. (is not really understanding)

» B: I thought you would. (thinks customer is being genuine)

» A: I have something to give you. (pretends to be nice and give tip)

» B: Really? (knows it’s a tip and is surprised A is still giving B one)

» A: Yes, this. (sarcastically--tip is very bad)

Scene 3: Bride and groom. One has arrived late for the wedding.

» A: You’re late. (very angry)» B: I know. I couldn’t help it. (honestly feels very bad)

» A: I understand. (is not really understanding)

» B: I thought you would. (thinks partner is being genuine)

» A: I have something to give you. (pretends to be nice)

» B: Really? (very surprised that A would give a givf after this incident)

» A: Yes, this. (makes point--returns ring)

» A: You’re late. (very angry)» B: I know. I couldn’t help it. (honestly feels very bad)

» A: I understand. (is not really understanding)

» B: I thought you would. (thinks partner is being genuine)

» A: I have something to give you. (pretends to be nice)

» B: Really? (very surprised that A would give a givf after this incident)

» A: Yes, this. (makes point--returns ring)

Scene 4: Spies--They are meeting secretly to exchange information.

» A: You’re late. (monotone)» B: I know. I couldn’t help it. (matter of fact)

» A: I understand. (is purposefully being understanding because A needs to give B the information)

» B: I thought you would. (rubs power dynamic in A’s face)

» A: I have something to give you. (matter of fact)

» B: Really? (pretending to be surprised but knows what it is)

» A: Yes, this. (matter of fact)

» A: You’re late. (monotone)» B: I know. I couldn’t help it. (matter of fact)

» A: I understand. (is purposefully being understanding because A needs to give B the information)

» B: I thought you would. (rubs power dynamic in A’s face)

» A: I have something to give you. (matter of fact)

» B: Really? (pretending to be surprised but knows what it is)

» A: Yes, this. (matter of fact)

What changed?

» Body language» Props» Behavior» Blocking (movement)» Facial expressions» Vocal inflection

» Body language» Props» Behavior» Blocking (movement)» Facial expressions» Vocal inflection

Subtext

» …affects motivation of character

» …thus, our understanding of that character.

» …affects motivation of character

» …thus, our understanding of that character.

The Nunnery Scene (3.1.99-175)

» Recap 3.1 (read page 122)» Context: Polonius and Claudius are still in the room, listening.

» Directions: In pairs, read and define words/phrases you don’t know

Prepare the scene to reflect your assigned subtext

» Recap 3.1 (read page 122)» Context: Polonius and Claudius are still in the room, listening.

» Directions: In pairs, read and define words/phrases you don’t know

Prepare the scene to reflect your assigned subtext

Subtext Assignments

» Inside Circle: Hamlet knows from the beginning that Polonius and Claudius are watching him

» Middle Circle: Hamlet does not know until later in the scene that he is being watched. The pair decides when, based on the script.

» Outside Circle: Hamlet never knows that he is being watched.

» Inside Circle: Hamlet knows from the beginning that Polonius and Claudius are watching him

» Middle Circle: Hamlet does not know until later in the scene that he is being watched. The pair decides when, based on the script.

» Outside Circle: Hamlet never knows that he is being watched.

Compare and Contrast

» For HOMEWORK (write this down):Write a persuasive log (at least 4 paragraphs) that explains which version of the video clips you think Shakespeare wanted his readers to understand.

Paragraph 1: Intro and thesis (your stance)Paragraph 2: Compare and contrast blocking and

movementParagraph 3: Compare and contrast facial

expressions and gestures

Paragraph 4: Compare and contrast vocal inflectionAlso Kyle B. et al and Zoe et al are performing tomorrow.LOGS 2.2 (last Friday), 3.1 (Monday), and video log

(tonight’s)

» For HOMEWORK (write this down):Write a persuasive log (at least 4 paragraphs) that explains which version of the video clips you think Shakespeare wanted his readers to understand.

Paragraph 1: Intro and thesis (your stance)Paragraph 2: Compare and contrast blocking and

movementParagraph 3: Compare and contrast facial

expressions and gestures

Paragraph 4: Compare and contrast vocal inflectionAlso Kyle B. et al and Zoe et al are performing tomorrow.LOGS 2.2 (last Friday), 3.1 (Monday), and video log

(tonight’s)

Film Clips: Zeffirelli (Mel Gibson) and Kline

(Kevin Kline)

» Inside Circle: Compare and contrast blocking (movement)

» Middle Circle: Compare and contrast facial expression and gestures

» Outside Circle: Compare and contrast vocal inflection

» Inside Circle: Compare and contrast blocking (movement)

» Middle Circle: Compare and contrast facial expression and gestures

» Outside Circle: Compare and contrast vocal inflection