Reading Shakespeare Socratically (The Winter's Tale Acts 1-3)

We recently finished reading and discussing Julius Caesar -- the first play we read and discussed as a group. New members are always welcome.

Next up: The Winter's Tale Acts 1, 2, & 3

GUIDELINES:

Participants should complete the reading before each session. It's no problem not to have understood everything, but without some familiarity with the text prior to meeting it will be difficult to have a conversation.

Also, it's not necessary that English be your first language in order to join, but your command and understanding of English should be that you're able to participate confidently in discussions about ideas, feelings, and abstract things.

"Reading Shakespeare Socratically?" -- This means we'll put questions to the text and try to make it speak, as though it is a living person and we are its interlocutor. We'll ask it questions about what it has said and then try to find answers. Mostly, this just means having a discussion amongst ourselves but there are a few guidelines that, in my experience, have proven immensely helpful to having a substantial conversation:

#1 Avoid Outside Sources; things you read on the internet about what the text means, academic papers/lectures (unless they are your own), personal stories/anecdotes, biographically-driven analysis of the text, interpolations about Shakespeare's personality, facts about Shakespeare's life.

#2 Try to ground what you say in the text -- it's not necessary to quote something every time you speak, but referencing passages, etc. will create great conversation.

#3 Be conscious of your own speaking time. If there are 10 people and 120 minutes of event time, then people have roughly 12 minutes each to speak. Nobody will keep track, but it' a good reference point to keep in mind.

We also strive to practice the principle of charity when considering another's point of view.

My Role/About Me: I will moderate the discussion and begin each session by asking an opening question that should serve as a point-of-entry into the text. I don't posit myself as an expert or authority. Nor do I claim to have the "right" answers, but I do have a lot of experience participating in such discussions and a strong background in Shakespeare.

This is a free event.