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Shakespeare and August Wilson

Learn how to put August Wilson and William Shakespeare in conversation.

Overview

The works of August Wilson and William Shakespeare have a lot to say to each other. Explore lessons that pair texts in surprising–and surprisingly powerful–ways.

Most Popular Resources

Choral Reading: Hamlet and August Wilson’s King Hedley II

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Choral Reading: Hamlet and August Wilson’s King Hedley II

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Choral Reading: Fences and King Lear

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Choral Reading: Fences and King Lear

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Choral Reading: Rena from August Wilson’s Jitney and Lady Macbeth from Macbeth

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Choral Reading: Rena from August Wilson’s Jitney and Lady Macbeth from Macbeth

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Choral Reading: Hamlet and August Wilson’s King Hedley II

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Choral Reading: Hamlet and August Wilson’s King Hedley II

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Tossing Lines: Fences by August Wilson

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Tossing Lines: Fences by August Wilson

Starting with a single line is the least intimidating way to get students grappling with the language of a complex text. These juicy lines from Fences will have students owning Wilson's language in no time at all.
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Paired Texts: Ma Rainey from Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Beatrice of Much Ado About Nothing

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Paired Texts: Ma Rainey from Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Beatrice of Much Ado About Nothing

What new understandings about race, gender (and so much more) will be unearthed when students pair soliloquies from Beatrice and Ma Rainey?
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Paired Texts: Boy Willie from The Piano Lesson and Othello 1.3

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Paired Texts: Boy Willie from The Piano Lesson and Othello 1.3

What interesting ideas might students unearth when they have two characters speak across time and region?
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Pairing Texts Across Time, Place, and Experience

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Pairing Texts Across Time, Place, and Experience

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Juicy Lesson! Paired Texts: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing 2.1

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Juicy Lesson! Paired Texts: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing 2.1

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