Leontes Shadow Shadows is an activity we used to introduce students to The Winters Tale.

It can be used for any play in which a character has ambivalent or conflicting emotions. In The Winters Tale a key event is when King Leontes becomes suddenly jealous and suspects a romance between his best friend and his wife. His speeches and asides are in sharp contrast. Put students in pairs. One student I Leontes, another student is Leontes shadow. Tell the students that the shadow represents a characters secret and evil emotions. One student will be Leontes and wear a white mask (or paper crown) Another student will be Leontes Shadow and wear a black mask (or paper crown) Students will move around in the classroom in pairs making gestures apprroate to their lines. Leontes will lead and Leontes shadow will follow, saying his line.

Shadows: Handout If you are Leontes, walk around the room saying you lines. You must include an emotion and a gesture with each line. If you are Leontes Shadow, you must follow your Leontes. After Leontes says a line, you must say one of yours. Add an emotion and a gesture to your line. Leontes Leontes Shadow

Stay your thanks a while Well said, Hermione Is he won yet? My dearest, thou never spokest to better purpose Open thy white hand and clap thyself my love Then didst thou utter 'I am yours for ever.' How thou lovest us

Too hot, too hot! I am angling now I am much deceived Physic for't there is none Didst note it? Deceived in that which seems so. You lie, you lie.

Christopher Shamburg

cshamburg@njcu.edu