I was mentally tortured this evening at 6:15 p.m. It was not amusing. Shakespeare was involved.

[FaithManor]

At 6:15 this evening, having greased the wheels of their minds and hearts with double, fudge brownies following their favorite taco dinner, we sat down with "Romeo and Juliet".

 

Now, I readily admit that this may not be the best play for three, STEM bound, rocket nerds to have to read, discuss, and digest at a high level. But, since a theater company within driving range of our otherwise "OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOONDOCKS" home is performing it on Valentine's weekend and I was promised that I could indeed pick whatever I wanted to do for Valentines, I chose that we would all go to see the play, dress clothing required.

 

I read a historical context summary, plot summary, and brief descriptions of the characters as our first lesson and attempted to discuss it. Dh, who previously has not indicated evidence of yellow belly, announced he thought it was high time he attend a township meeting and fled like a lily-livered coward and left me to deal with three very, morose male primates to instruct on my own.

 

Apparently, according to the middle boy, he doubts there will be enough sword play involved to merit any real application of his brain cells. The youngest asked if he could applaud their suicides at the end because at least it would herald the impending end of the play. Eldest boy wanted to know what he'd done in the past year that meritted being forced to study for, dress up, and see a "sad, sappy, ridiculous, and most offensive romance."

 

I got mad and announced that they better button their lips and stop whining or I'd plan Enchanted, Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, the Little Mermaid, and other such atrocities for every family movie night between now and then and I'd make them go back stage, meet the actress who plays Juliet, and take roses to her, maybe even kiss her hand. They piped down.

 

I came in here after it was over to hide and sneak a couple of Hershey's Kisses.

 

Sigh....some male mammals are not so easily tamed. Oh, they can discuss the symbolism of "Lord of the Rings" ad nauseum. But, "Romeo and Juliet", yah, sure, right.

 

Faith

[Lara in Colo]

That was good for the laugh that I really needed.

 

Thank you

 

Lara

[Luckymama]

...heads off to thank dh for those two XX donations...

[Julie Smith]

Yesterday Eldest was actually into, "The Goose Girl" and asked to listen to more.

 

Today you would think I was torturing him.

 

I listened to it without them. :sneaky2:

 

I applaud you for trying Romeo and Juliet. Perhaps if you are weak and give up you can always just make them watch Gnome and Juliet.

[GailV]

The youngest asked if he could applaud their suicides at the end because at least it would herald the impending end of the play.

 

 

Okay, this actually sounds like something one of my girls would say, although they'd be referring to a poor performance.

 

Hmm, now that I think of it, dh would say that, too. We're a tough audience.

[Mom-ninja.]

Just think of the bonding they feel with each other having to endure their mother's wishes as a band of brothers.

[Impish]

Bwah hahahhaha!

[Susann]

Just think of the bonding they feel with each other having to endure their mother's wishes as a band of brothers.

My DDs & I have this bond over the Nutcracker much to my Dh's dispair :laugh:

[Halftime Hope]

At 6:15 this evening, having greased the wheels of their minds and hearts with double, fudge brownies following their favorite taco dinner, we sat down with "Romeo and Juliet".

 

Now, I readily admit that this may not be the best play for three, STEM bound, rocket nerds to have to read, discuss, and digest at a high level. But, since a theater company within driving range of our otherwise "OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOONDOCKS" home is performing it on Valentine's weekend and I was promised that I could indeed pick whatever I wanted to do for Valentines, I chose that we would all go to see the play, dress clothing required.

 

I read a historical context summary, plot summary, and brief descriptions of the characters as our first lesson and attempted to discuss it. Dh, who previously has not indicated evidence of yellow belly, announced he thought it was high time he attend a township meeting and fled like a lily-livered coward and left me to deal with three very, morose male primates to instruct on my own.

 

Apparently, according to the middle boy, he doubts there will be enough sword play involved to merit any real application of his brain cells. The youngest asked if he could applaud their suicides at the end because at least it would herald the impending end of the play. Eldest boy wanted to know what he'd done in the past year that meritted being forced to study for, dress up, and see a "sad, sappy, ridiculous, and most offensive romance."

 

I got mad and announced that they better button their lips and stop whining or I'd plan Enchanted, Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, the Little Mermaid, and other such atrocities for every family movie night between now and then and I'd make them go back stage, meet the actress who plays Juliet, and take roses to her, maybe even kiss her hand. They piped down.

 

I came in here after it was over to hide and sneak a couple of Hershey's Kisses.

 

Sigh....some male mammals are not so easily tamed. Oh, they can discuss the symbolism of "Lord of the Rings" ad nauseum. But, "Romeo and Juliet", yah, sure, right.

 

Faith

 

I think you should make them do Shakespeare repeatedly, Macbeth is next. (Did you see my fruitcake post?) The only things is that since they're being so rediculous about it, you get to come up with a name for the Bard Sessions, and you get to pick a theme song for them, too. I vote for "Stronger," but only the chorus. (My guys would rather die than listen to that song--they switch the car radio every time.)

[Mrs Mungo]

Here are some ideas:

 

Who do they think is the best character?

 

Who is the protagonist? Who is really driving the action? It isn't Romeo, that is for sure, make them give 3 examples of how Romeo avoids taking any action and/or responsibility.

 

There are glimmers in the play that the tragic outcome could have been prevented if everyone had come clean but it requires picking apart a lot of motives. Why did the nurse and friar agree to the secret marriage? What was in it for them? Juliet's father is fine with her staying a baby and not marrying. He suddenly changes his mind to the point of threatening to disown her? Why? What happens in between? If the nurse had helped the lovers come out with the truth, could that have also solved Juliet's dad's problem?

 

My dd's essay involved arguing that Romeo was an "emo." LOL But, it isn't strictly a romance; it is a political problem. Pretty much *all* of Shakespeare's plays involve a political problem.

[Unicorn.]

 

 

I got mad and announced that they better button their lips and stop whining or I'd plan Enchanted, Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, the Little Mermaid, and other such atrocities for every family movie night between now and then and I'd make them go back stage, meet the actress who plays Juliet, and take roses to her, maybe even kiss her hand. They piped down.

 

I came in here after it was over to hide and sneak a couple of Hershey's Kisses.

 

Sigh....some male mammals are not so easily tamed. Oh, they can discuss the symbolism of "Lord of the Rings" ad nauseum. But, "Romeo and Juliet", yah, sure, right.

 

Faith

 

 

My ds would have voted for the disney movies. :( He studied it last year, and moans about it every chance he gets. He keeps asking to see the "newer" version w/ DeCaprio ( I think). He thinks that would be funny. I have forbidden it. Boys stink!

[Shawna in Texas]

The film Romeo + Juliet might help them enjoy it a bit. It's the only way my dd enjoyed it.

[Lizzie in Ma]

Call me a cretin, but neither my girls nor I can abide Romeo and Juliet. "Too much stupid teen drama", in the words of my 12 year old.

That having been said, we are huge Shakespeare fans and they have read the plays for fun for years, studied and acted in many.

We love Midsummer and Much Ado, Hamlet and Lear, Twelfth Night, A Winter's Tale and the Scottish Play.

By far our favorite film adaptation, probably because we are huge Dr. Who fans, is David Tennant's Much Ado.

[unsinkable]

Call me a curmudgeon but I don't think this is a "boy" or "male" issue.

 

It sounds like a respect issue. If this is for school or for mom, they should be decent enough to you while you're teaching or sharing that you don't get mad and run for chocolate when you're done.

 

Maybe I'm missing something and they didn't really bother you and you are joking?

[Down_the_Rabbit_Hole]

Understanding your pain...4 males here and all I can think is Y, Y, Y :banghead:

[mazakaal]

 

I got mad and announced that they better button their lips and stop whining or I'd plan Enchanted, Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, the Little Mermaid, and other such atrocities for every family movie night between now and then and I'd make them go back stage, meet the actress who plays Juliet, and take roses to her, maybe even kiss her hand. They piped down.

 

 

 

 

:lol:

[Kareni]

oops.

[Kareni]

Thanks for the chuckles! When you publish your homeschooling memoirs, I think you'll have a ready audience of purchasers.

 

Regards,

Kareni