School Bag

The stage play, "School Bag", was a play that was set entirely in a school room setting, whether the events took place before class started, after class or during free periods and recess. Its main idea was to examine the lives of young teenagers in terms of their secret lives which involves their challenges, temptations, trials, social issues as well as their own personal issues.

I believe that this staged play was a really good, and well put together play, in terms of the story line and the idea that was trying to be brought across to the viewers of the play. In addition, I thought that the costumes used throughout the play were quite creative when it comes to the uniforms, for example, when they showed us how the "goody-two-shoes"students use to wear their uniforms, as opposed to how the rude and uncouth students did.

Furthermore, the lights that were used on and off during the play could have been used better when they kept turning them on and off after specific scenes because at some points the person controlling the lights did not seem to know when to turn them off and turn them back on. The sound effects as well could have been utilized a lot better because the music that continued to play on and off during the breaks between the various scenes seemed to have been playing at certain times when music was not suppose to be playing, and when the music was suppose to be playing, it could not be heard until the sound person realized that it was suppose to be playing. In addition to sound effects, the mics that were used appeared to not have been set up properly since at various parts of the play, some persons voices could not be heard.

The use of the back drops, as well as the different props such as the picture of the door, the fake cigarettes and weed, as well as the alcohol bottles and the diary all came together to really bring out the main idea of the play in a more artistic and creative way for the viewing audience. The classroom setting with the chairs and desks were utilized really well by the way in which they flung around the chairs and desks all over the room when there were fights between the various characters. as well as when only one person was in the classroom for a short period of time doign some sort of action. This helped to really show the reader how the characters felt about certain events within the play, what was going on in their lives, how they would try to deal with situations, as well as showing the audience how alone and isolated some teenagers feel at times based on what situations they go through in life.

Overall, the staged play was excellent in terms of story line and concept, a really funny, exciting and educational play that seemed to really helped adults to see how some of the teenagers act at school and how much teenagers really do go through in life. In addition it also helped teens to realise that they can stand up for tehmselves and choose not to follow the "bad crowd" at school and that they should be confident, positive and smart at all times when making decisions. But there were also some minor glitches that could have been cemented in order for the play to have been just a little bit better. But then again, nothing and no one is perfect, and sometimes mistakes can turn into something good, so the play truly was an excellent play despite some of the little problems that occured during the show.

Shakespeare's time

The society of women in Shakespeare:

The society of women in Shakespeare seems to be one of a lower level than that of a man. This is implied by the way in which, Hero, for example did not speak much in the company of men, since in Shakespeare's time, women did not have much say in the conversations of men. They appeared to only be allowed to be seen and not heard. Just like some adults say that children are suppose to be seen and not heard when they're in the presence of an adult conversation due to them not having any say in the conversation. Furthermore, it is made evident by the way in which Leonato's wife had no lines within the play. She was only seen andf had very little or no say in what was going on with her daughter or Messina.

The importance of being a man:

When it comes to being a man in Shakespeare's time, a man is suppose tyo be respected by women and no woman should try to make herself feel higher than any man. In addition to that, men were also expected to protest their country and go to war. Men were alsdo the one's who would become to King's and GOvernors of different countries and opposed to the female children, they would be family hier.

How illegitamate children were looked at:

When it comes to illegitamate children, Don John is given this role within Much ado about Nothing. The illegitamate, in Shakespeare's period, seem to be looked at as those who were looked down upon and rejected by society since they were born out of wedlock. Therefore, despite whether or not the illigetimate child is the oldest in the family, the child who was born within the marriage of the two parents is the one who inherits the family's possesstions. This is made evident by the fact that Don Pedro was the Prince instead of Don John.

The characters that go against their social class:

The character in the play that goes against their social class would have to be Beatrice. This very different woman, is very outspoken and has a mind of her own when it comes to speaking what' s on her mind despite what she was suppose to say, and how she suppose to act in Shakespeare's time. As opposed to only speaking when she's spoken to, Beatrice speaks whenever she has something to say. Especially when it comes to her insulting and arguing with Benedick.

Quotes from 'Much ado about Nothing'

Who is the speaker of these quotes and what dramatic significance do they have, as well as what do they mean?

1) "The savage bull may, but if ever the sensible Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull's horns and set them in my forehead, and let me be vilely painted, and in such great letters as they write, here is good horse to hire: let them signify under my sign, here you may see Benedick the married man."
This quote was spoken by Benedick and seems to mean that Benedick is trying to say that is he is ever domesticated it is best that you put the bull's horns on his forehead and instead of putting a sign on his neck saying "Horse for hire" it will say, " Take a look at Benedick, the married man."
The significance of this quote seems to be the fact that it is making the plot clearer and adding interest to the play. This interest to the play is made by the way in which Benedick is convinced that he will NOT get married to anyone and finds that if he was ever to do such a thing it would be best if someone just put a sign on him and made it known to the world.


2) " What should I do with him- dress him in my apparel and make him my waiting gentlewoman? He that hath a beard,is more than a youth : and he that hath no beard, is less than a man: and he that is more than a youth, is not for me, and he that is less than a man, I am not for him, therefore I will even take sixpence in earnest of the Berrord, and lead his apes into hell."
This quote was spoken by none other than Beatrice, and seems to mean that Beatrice doesn't want a man who does not have a beard for he will seem like a lady, and is he has a beard he would be more than a boy which means that he is not for her. If he does not have a beard on the other hand, then he would be less than a man, making her not for him. The rest of the quote means that people say that women who do not marry will go to hell, and Beatrice understands this and believes that it will be her fate to be destined to hell since she will not marry.
The dramatic significance of this quote is to further enhance the plot of the play by showing the audience that Beatrice, like Benedick, is skeptical and refuses to get married, or well seems to believe that they will not get married. As far as Beatrice is concerned, she is not for any man and no man is for her.

Much Ado about Nothing

Much Ado about Nothing, is a romantic comedy drama written by William Shakespeare. The title of the play simply means, a lot of fuss or a lot of bother about nothing, where the people within the play are making a fuss about issues that do not matter or have much point in fussing about. This title seems to be quite appropriate for the play, based on the different scenarios that occur in this romantic comedy. For example, the on going arguments between Beatrice and Bendick that seem to be pointless since they are only doing it so that their feelings for one another are not made obvious. In addition to that, the fact that Don John wants to try to get back at his brother , Don Pedro due to his jealousy for Pedro's power.

It seems as though many of the characters within this play happen to be worrying or bothering with issues that they should not be too concerned with, but interfere and do what they want to nevertheless.