Thursday, November 15, 2018

Hamilton: Act 1; Play Project: Day 2

Period 1:

Hamilton, an American Musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda; Hamilton (Tony awards)

As we read/listen to Hamilton, notice theatrical conventions. Also, look for some of these Greek Tragedy elements in the libretto:
  • A story based on history or historical legends
  • Hubris (a tragic flaw or hamartia of a character who feels he/she is too great, powerful, or perfect to make a mistake...this is usually taking the gods or fate for granted, or ignoring the natural reality of life, etc.)
  • A good (or powerful) character comes to a bad end (usually as a result of the character's hubris or hamartia)
  • peripety (turning point or change of fortune)
  • An anagnorisis (a discovery) (enlightenment)
  • A chorus representing the populus (the people)
  • Aristotle's 6 elements of a play: Character, Plot, Idea, Language, Music, Spectacle
  • Stasimon (choral singing together)
  • Stichomythia (alternating short lines of dialogue between 2 or more characters)
  • Parados/exodus (the entrance of the chorus (parados) and the exit of the chorus (exodus))
  • Deus Ex Machina (a contrived ending)
Find examples in your notes of theatrical conventions used in the musical. Also, find at least 1 example of each of the Greek Tragedy elements as we read/listen to Acts 1 & 2 of the play. You will turn in your notes at the end of the reading. (See handout).

Schuyler Sisters (live clip)
Hamilton, Act 1 (staged)

Period 2ish:

Use the time remaining in class to work on your play projects. 

HOMEWORK: Work on your play project. 

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