I need really good dialogue between two characters in a play?

Question

Alright, I am doing an advisory activity for one of my classes. What I want to do is take a small two person dialogue from an old English play (Romeo and Juliet, etc). Then I want groups of two to translate their own part into common day English. After that is done, They will read their parts to each other and see how close their translation skills mirrored an actually conversation.

Its meant to be fun, but also educational. I am wondering if anyone has any ideas for plays to use and what scenes..specific dialogue because I have probably not read it. I dont want to be generic and go with Romeo or Hamlet, but something that isn't worldly known. Any ideas are welcome...thanks!

Answer 1

I hate to tell you. but Shakespeare's language is Modern English. And "translating" it from blank verse to contemporary prose does not teach appreciation. What will be fun for them, is learning to write blank verse and then learning to read Shakespeare's blank verse to show them it is not to be feared. I might have guessed that you probably have not read Shakespeare. My idea is to forget it. What is an "advisory activity?" Why not teach them to write a Shakespearian Sonnet? There's a good lesson. Probably nothing easier to understand than the opeing scene of Hamlet if you go with a play.