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