Viewing Guide, The Crucible



Opening/Costume Ball

1. What mood is established in the opening scene? How do the audio/visual elements of the opening scene (the costumes, the music, the lighting, the scenery) create this mood and establish audience expectations for the rest of the film?

2. How does the film establish expectations for gender roles? What are the social expectations for the male characters vs. the female characters? (Think about things like costumes, body language, physical appearance, character details – for example, the men are soldiers returning from a war. Give specific examples from the film to justify your answer).

3. How does the film convey social expectations about marriage? What seem to be the accepted norms about marriage, asking someone to marry you, choosing whom to marry, etc.? (Give specific examples from the film to justify your answer).

4. Compare/contrast the characters of Beatrice and Benedick vs. Hero and Claudio as they are set up in the first few scenes of the film. What are the personality characteristics of each? (Be specific, give examples from the film).

5. What makes Beatrice an unusual woman for her time? Give specific examples of things she says and does in the opening scene and at the costume ball that violate accepted gender roles of the period.

6. Beatrice and Benedick seem to hate each other – but do you spot any early signs in the opening and/or at the ball that might suggest a hidden attraction? What might these signs be?

The Plot to Trick Beatrice and Benedick

7. Do the plotters make use of gender expectations at all in their schemes to trick Beatrice and Benedick? Explain.

8. Why are Beatrice and Benedick so easily tricked by their friends? What does this ease suggest about their true feelings for each other?

9. Given what you know about both characters, what do you think is the basis for Benedick and Beatrice’s attraction? What do you think they like about each other? (Justify your answer with specific evidence). Are they an unusual couple for the time? Does their relationship challenge accepted gender roles in any way? Explain.

The Plot to “frame” Hero and Ruin the Wedding

10. No one likes to think that his/her loved one is unfaithful. But Claudio’s response to Hero’s supposed betrayal seems pretty extreme. (As does her father’s initial response after Claudio “exposes” her at the wedding). What do these men’s actions reveal about social expectations placed on women’s behavior? Why is Hero only valued as a potential wife if she can be proven to be “innocent”?

11. Why is Beatrice so frustrated and angry after the failed wedding? (She’s sad for her cousin, but it’s more than that). What does her anger and frustration reveal about the oppressive and limiting nature of gender stereotypes during this period?

12. Does Benedick’s willingness to challenge Claudio suggest that he is less bound to gender stereotypes than his friends, or is it just evidence of his love for Beatrice? (Have specific examples and evidence to back up whatever answer you give here).

The Comic Relief

13. Dogberry and the night watchmen are introduced into the play to heighten the comedy. They are ridiculous characters. In what ways might they also be parodies of male gender roles of the period? What qualities do Dogberry and his crew aspire to possess? Are these qualities typically “male” in any way?

The Happy Ending

14. Does it surprise you that Leonato would suggest that Claudio should marry Hero’s cousin in order to make up for his part in Hero’s death? Does it surprise you that Claudio would agree? What does this arrangement suggest about women’s value and/or the role of marriage in this society?

15. Why do Benedick and Beatrice back-track at the end and try to pretend that they don’t have feelings for each other?

16. Whose marriage do you predict will be happier – Benedick’s and Beatrice’s or Claudio’s and Hero’s? Why? (Give specific justification for your answer).

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English II/Honors English II

Viewing Guide, Much Ado About Nothing

Read the questions BEFORE you watch the film. Use the questions as prompts to make short notes on the film as you watch. At the end of each day’s viewing, review the questions and add notes as needed.

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