Rapunzel Script

Included in the Rapunzel Reader’s Theatre Unit:

*3 versions of Rapunzel:

The first version is based on the original text.

13 pages.

Features 5 characters in need of voices + the narrator.

I included a picture of rampion and rampion salad within the story.

The second version is a simplified re-telling for a general audience. It predominantly features has the narrator telling the story with each character only speaking a few lines each.

6 pages.

Features 5 characters in need of voices + the narrator.

The third version is the original Grimm Brothers text which the first version was based on.

4 pages.

*13 Comprehension Questions such as: “How does Rapunzel get her name?”

*9 Discussion Questions such as: “Do you think the husband made the right decision in making a deal with the Enchantress?”

*1 Creative Writing task asking students to re-write the ending. I added this task since I have had some classes who were disappointed with the conclusion of Rapunzel. So I ask those classes (and subsequent classes) to re-write the ending of Rapunzel. Some students write endings with minor changes because they do not see a problem with the original ending, while others vastly change the ending.

The contention started when a few students said the original text did not bring up Rapunzel’s twins again and they wondered why the prince never addressed them when he found Rapunzel again. It is a valid point, hence why this creative writing task was included.

*1 Research Question about investigating a castle.

*6 Elements of a Fairy Tale Questions such as: What fantasy or magical elements are featured in Rapunzel?

These questions can be answered by the whole class (I have the questions in chart form on the whiteboard and the students discuss each answer as I write it their answers) or the students can answer the questions in groups or individually.

These questions are intended for a wide range of grades. If you think some questions are too simple or too difficult for you class, then pick and choose the questions that are most appropriate for your students.

Please read the preview dialogue.

Rapunzel Synopsis:

The story begins with a young man and his wife who desperately wish to be parents. Unfortunately, due to some poor choices, they need to give their first child to a witch/enchantress who will raise the child as her own. She names the child Rapunzel (because the husband was stealing rampion/rapunzel from the witch’s garden) and hides her away in a tower as she grows into a beautiful young woman. A prince hears the voice of Rapunzel and commits to finding her. He finds Rapunzel and then loses her when he discovers the witch has sent her away. Jumping from the tower, and landing in a thicket of thorny buses, the Prince must wander around blindly until he reunites with the woman he loves.

I hope your class has fun reading and analyzing Rapunzel.

Excelsior!

Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre