Comparing and Contrasting Characters in Drama Lesson 5

Based on the actions of Kukulkán and Ixchel, which of the following best describes how these characters are different?

• A. Kukulkán is reckless, and Ixchel is greedy.

• B. Kukulkán gives gifts, and Ixchel takes them back.

• C. Kukulkán is generous, and Ixchel is selfish.

• D. Kukulkán wants power, and Ixchel does not.

Which of the following describes how Kukulkán’s ideas about the Maya people are different from the Night Jaguar’s ideas about them?

• Kukulkán thinks the Maya people work too hard, but Night Jaguar thinks they are lazy.

• Kukulkán thinks the Maya people should get special things, but Night Jaguar thinks they should not.

• Kukulkán thinks the Maya people cannot take care of themselves, but Night Jaguar thinks they can.

• Kukulkán thinks the Maya people will learn the secrets of the gods, but Night Jaguar thinks they will not.

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then answer Part B. Choose two pieces of evidence from the text that best support the answer in Part A.

• C. “NIGHT JAGUAR: The people do not need gifts. My brother should learn to keep the gods’ treasures in paradise.”

• D. “KUKULKÁN: I have been thinking about the Maya people who deserve a special gift.”

• A. “NARRATOR 1: Each day, the god-king traveled to Earth from his home in paradise.”

• B. “NARRATOR 1: Life was happy for the Maya people by day, when Kukulkán ruled.”

• E. “NIGHT JAGUAR: (hiding in the shadows) Why did my brother go to paradise? What is that beneath his feathered robe?”

In this activity, you will compare the characters of Nicte and Chac. First, select one word that describes Nicte from the following: annoyed, curious, grateful, vengeful. Then copy one quotation from the Evidence column that provides evidence for your chosen description. Fill in the chart for Nicte: Character: Nicte, Description: _______, Evidence: _______. Which of the following best completes the chart for Nicte?

• Description: grateful

  Evidence: "

  How can we thank him?"

• Description: annoyed

  Evidence: 'She rolled her eyes at Chac.'

• Description: vengeful

  Evidence: "Kukulkan, how dare you?"

• Description: curious

  Evidence: 'She wondered what would happen next.'

In this activity, you will compare the characters of Nicte and Chac. First, select one word that describes Chac from the following: annoyed, curious, grateful, vengeful. Then copy one quotation from the Evidence column that provides evidence for your chosen description. Fill in the chart for Chac: Character: Chac, Description: _______, Evidence: _______

• (Example) Description: vengeful, Evidence: 'Kukulkán, how dare you?'

• Description: grateful, Evidence: 'Thank you for your kindness, Nicte.'

• Description: annoyed, Evidence: 'Why must you always question me, Nicte?'

• Description: curious, Evidence: 'I wonder what lies beyond the clouds.'

What does the word banished mean as it is used in the sentence?

• deeply angered

• sent away forever

• lost for a time

• frightened away

Which detail from the drama best supports the answer to Part A?

• 'Thunder boomed and lightning flashed.'

• 'Kukulkán, how dare you?'

• 'So, for the rest of his life, Kukulkán lived on Earth.'

• 'He taught the people how to grow new trees and make chocolate.'

How is Kukulkán different from the other gods in the drama? Use at least two details from the drama that support your response.

Using this skill can help you better understand how dramas tell their stories by:

• Analyzing the structure and elements of the drama

• Ignoring the characters' motivations

• Focusing only on the setting

• Disregarding the plot development