We are reading Romeo & Juliet in freshman English. As I was casting the play today, I was calling out for parts: “Who will read the quick-witted Mercutio?" "How about the hotheaded Tybalt?” “Now, I need a Peter; it’s a small part; you just come in and out.” My freshman tried to be merciful. As soon I was aware of what I said, I threw up my hands and hung my head. After the laughter, and believe me, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been, we acted out two scenes without incident.
The mishap reminded me of the time I tried to tell the story of the Trojan Horse to a group of seniors who had somehow missed the tale earlier in their education. At every turn, it seemed, I made the worst possible double entendre that one could think of related to a Trojan condom. Nevertheless, I muddled through. The class regained its composure. I had Troy in ruins when I made this last gaffe, “So to put this thing in a nutshell. . .”
The mishap reminded me of the time I tried to tell the story of the Trojan Horse to a group of seniors who had somehow missed the tale earlier in their education. At every turn, it seemed, I made the worst possible double entendre that one could think of related to a Trojan condom. Nevertheless, I muddled through. The class regained its composure. I had Troy in ruins when I made this last gaffe, “So to put this thing in a nutshell. . .”
I suppose we have all had those moments. Were your students merciful or unrelenting ?
