Exploring status
Exploring status: master and slave
Status is about a character’s position relative to other characters or to a broader society. A character’s status may change over the course of a play as a result of his or her actions. Status can be shown physically through use of body, movement, gesture, and facial expression. It can also be reflected in how the character speaks and by what he or she says.
Ask the students to pair up. One student can play the high-status role of master, and one student will play the low-status role of slave.
- Round 1: The students begin walking around the room. The slave must stay behind and below the master at all times and may not speak unless spoken to. Then reverse roles.
- Round 2: The slave stays behind and below the master at all times but flatters the master, attempting to win favour. Reverse roles again.
- In pairs or as a class, discuss how the status of master and slave were shown and how it felt to hold each position.
Alternatively, have half the class watch while the other half perform round 2, then swap halves, and repeat the exercise. As a class, discuss how the status of master and slave were shown and how it felt to hold each position.
Exploring status: walk, stand, look, sit
- Write these verbs on the board: walk, stand, look, sit. Have the class decide on their status: high or low. As a whole class, practise carrying out the listed actions in a way that expresses the chosen status. Students might find it useful to visualise their character and the setting before they begin.
- Divide the class into two, seating one half as an audience. Have the remaining half walk, stand, look, and sit.
- The observers then discuss the status of the other students and how they knew what this might be.
- Swap halves so that the other class members have a turn as observers.