Ms. DeHaan – English II
William Shakespeare lived from 1564 to 1616 during the Elizabethan Age. England was experiencing a renaissance, and many considered it the greatest power in the world. Science and Technology continued to advance as England began to explore North America.
Moreover, the language was growing fast, and the arts and literature were more popular than ever before. These new scientific discoveries quickly changed the world, and commerce was thriving.
The playwright William Shakespeare reaped the benefits of this prosperous time period. His plays were performed as quickly as he could produce them. Yet, rumors started that he was not the author of his plays.
Now 400 years later, his reputation is in your hands. You will be asked to collect and analyze information to determine the legitimacy of his authorship in a court of law. Be careful of your decision; it may change all of history.
During the investigation, you will visit several places to collect information so that you can make an educated decision. Unfortunately, due to the sensitivity of this subject matter, most of your investigation will be restricted. Many of your searches will be conducted via a laptop computer in one of the historical buildings of Stratford-Upon-Avon, England.
Step 1: Because you will be staying at Shakespeare's birth place, Stratford-Upon-Avon, you now must select the building you will occupy during the investigation.
* Print out the picture of the building you have chosen. It will be turned in with your evidence folder at the end of the investigation.
This source may assist you in step 1.
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
(http://www.shakespeare.org.uk)
Information on trust-maintained houses, books, records, museums, and a listing of events, including visitor locations in
Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Step 2: Take a trip through England Online.
* Find two (REGULAR) three (HONORS) Elizabethan/Shakespearian pictures on the internet that appeal to you. Print out those pictures and write a short story or poem about them. Your story/poem must be focused on Shakespeare, his family, friends, or lovers.
* Put the story/poem in your investigation folder.

Step 3: Wow!!! A time machine has just been invented which will transport you back to
Shakespeare's time. But first you must find a costume to wear in order to conceal your identify to the Elizabethans. Fortunately, if you Google “Shakespeare Elizabethan costumes”, you’ll find the style you need for your investigation.
* Go to the site, select a costume, print up the picture of the costume.
* On the back of the picture, write an explanation as to why you chose that costume. (REGULAR – minimum 3-sentence explanation; HONORS – minimum 5-sentence explanation.)
* Place the picture in your evidence folder. When you enter the time machine, you will be wearing the costume you have chosen.
Step 4: You are now transported back in time somewhere between 1558 and 1603. In
England, you will find the answers to the following questions. REGULAR – answer 5 of 8 questions. HONORS – answer all 8.
* Who is the ruler during this time period?
* What is the political mood in the country?
* What kind of food do people eat?
* Do people appear happy with their lives or disgruntled? Why?
* What is William Shakespeare doing?
* Are any of his plays playing?
* What do people do for livings during this time?
* What do people do for entertainment?
Place the facts in your folder.
: The following sources for your investigation can be accessed through the World
Wide Web. (Usually on Google, it’s the first site) http://Shakespeare.mit.edu
: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare : A discussion area, list of Shakespeare resources, famous quotes and complete works, including comedies, poetry, and tragedies.
Shakespeare Oxford Society Home Page This society is involved in the two-century old
Shakespeare authorship debate. A list of resources on the great writer.
Mr. William Shakespeare and the Internet Collection of Internet resources devoted to
Shakespeare. Includes links to a timeline, collected and individual works and teaching tools.
Shakespeare Mystery Ongoing debate of the theory that Shakespeare did not actually author the works attributed to him, including a timeline of the growth of the idea of a conspiracy and selected readings from Shakespearean works.
Shakespeare Magazine Information relating to Shakespeare events worldwide, teaching references, current issues, subscription information, archives and related information and links.
The Works of the Bard In addition to the collected works of Shakespeare, this site features a search engine that supports queries on the text of his plays and poetry. Also, has texts of Shakespeare's plays listed in chronological order.
Shakespeare Authorship Page A site dedicated to the idea that Shakespeare truly wrote

Shakespeare. Includes various links to academic writings about the Shakespeare authorship question.
Bacon, Francis - New Advancement of Learning Explores Bacon's life and works as well as the time in which he lived. Claims that Bacon was, in fact, Shakespeare.
Stratford Shakespeare Festival Information on this annual Ontario, Canada Shakespeare festival, including performance schedules, ticket information, photos, play synopses, area accommodations and related information.
As you complete each step, place the finished product into your evidence folder titled
Shakespeare Webquest. Upon completion of the final step, turn in your evidence folder to
the judge (Ms. DeHaan) on Jan. 6, 2010. Each activity will be graded based on the effort and depth of research, creativity, and accuracy of information. We use the evidence you’ve collected to address questions of authorship and enhance our understanding of the time period as we read Shakespeare’s play.
Step 1: Printout of Stratford-upon-Avon accommodations (25 points)
Step 2: Three pictures with accompanying story/poem (75 points)
Does the story/poem include Shakespeare, his family, friends or lovers?
Is the story/poem relevant to the time, place and event which surrounded Shakespeare?
Does the story/poem have correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation?
Step 3: Printout of costume for time travel and explanation of costume choice (25 points)
Explanation of required length
Step 4: Time Travel Questions (50 points)
Correct spelling, grammar and punctuation
Correct answers
Required number of questions answered
Step 5: Presentation (to be completed in class) (25 points)
200-175 A 174-150 B 149-125 C 124-100 D 99 and below F
*If you do not have access to the Internet or your access is limited, you are expected to use library resources to complete this assignment to the best of your ability. If you still have difficulty performing the tasks, please have your parent(s) contact me directly. Students with printer issues are expected to e-mail all materials (including images) to adehaan@aandm.net
BY DUE DATE or use school resources to print out assignment.