HW due Tuesday 12/22

Read and annotate the 2 packets I handed out in class. The Trojan War myth should seem familiar because the two stories explore common themes.

Ask yourselves these questions to see for yourself:
- where do we see breaches of fellowship or Brotherhood" ideas in both the play and the myth?
- what promises are made in both plots? How are promises broken in each?
- where do we see characters pretending to be someone else in both the play and the myth? How is it working out for them to "act" like this?
- what parts of the myth focus on betrayal? What parts of the play center on betrayal? What are the stories saying about betrayal?
-how do both plots treat the subject of "figuring out the truth" about things?
-how does ambition break down the values and beliefs of the characters in the myth? In the play?
-what ideas about death are explored in both texts?

Also-- read the modern English version of the "arrival if the players" section and notice how Shakespeare alludes to the myth you read. How does Shakespeare's choice of these characters impact the play?

Indulge in thought!!

Winter Break Assignment

Read and annotate Act 3 of Shakespeare's Hamlet. To help you manage your time, I've broken the reading into 4 sections. Follow this schedule as loosely or as strictly as you like. You should have at least one post-it note on each page. Remember, post-its that simply summarize the text rather than analyze or interpret DO NOT COUNT ANY LONGER!


Reading Schedule
THERE ARE FOUR SECTIONS OF READING
3.1.1. - 3.2.97.........(pgs 123-141)
3.2.98 - 3.2.402........(pgs. 141-159)
3.2.403 - 3.4.156.......(pgs. 159-179)
3.4.157 - 240 (end of act).....(pgs. 179-185)

There will be a reading quiz when we get back from the break.

Vocabulary Monday

BLOCK SCHEDULE IS CANCELLED FOR THIS WEEK!

SPELLING / Vocabulary Test Unit 4
Your study cards are due in class.

Check it out! You can study for the test by following this link:

www.vocabtest.com

Choose Level D (on the left hand side) and then check the box marked unit 4.

HW Due Friday

Read and annotate 2.2.237 all the way to the end of act 2.

Your vocabulary test is Monday, for unit 4. Your study cards for unit 4 and all your annotations in Hamlet will be checked while you are taking the test.

If you are not going to be here next week, you need to let me know A.S.A.P. so that I can give you the winter break assignment!!

HW Due Wednesday / Thursday Block

Read Act 2.1 and act 2.2.1-237. Annotate on post-its! Pay special attention to the ways in which Hamlet puts on "an antic disposition."

HW due 12/11

Read Act I, scenes i and ii of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Take your notes on post-its and place the post its near the passages that inspired the notes.

Bring your independent reading book for tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HW Due 12/7 & 12/8

Your comic books are due in class tomorrow! Review the first sheet of the brainstorm packet for all of the specifics. In class, you will be asked to come to the front of the room and give a brief presentation (1-2 minutes) on an aspect of your comic. I will ask you to talk about one or more of the following:

protagonist
antagonist
conflict
plot
setting
symbols
figurative language

Happy coloring!

Study Guide: Beowulf and Old English Poetry

Test Dates:
*NOTE: THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN EXAM DATES. SEE BELOW:
Period 7: Wednesday, December 2
Period 8: Thursday, December 3

Readings to Review:
Beowulf reading (Modern English version)
Beowulf : Historical Backgound
Beowulf: Appeal and Value
Beowulf: The Germanic Hero
Pagan & Christian Influence Sheet
Passages for close reading (scroll down for list)
Class notes on struggle, strength, and perseverance
Class notes on Introduction to Beowulf and Old English (listening notes)
Class notes on Heorot before, during, and after Beowulf’s battle with Grendel
Class notes on descriptions of Grendel

Passages for close reading and interpretation:
*You will be asked questions about these specific passages.
p. 3, paragraph 2, “Hrothgar decided…”
p. 3, right column, 2nd to last paragraph, “As the Geats…”
p. 5, right column, 3rd - 8th paragraph, “Beowulf sprang to his feet…” to “to celebrate Beowulf’s victory
p. 3, paragraphs 3 – 8, “Hrothgar and his noble warriors…” - …”no avenging death…”
p. 5, paragraph 8, “Grendel, the shadow walker…”
p. 4, paragraph 3 - 6, “Standing before Hrothgar…” – “…your purpose and plan”
p. 4, paragraph 3, “From the days of my youth…”
p. 6, paragraph 2 - 5, “Hrothgar gave Beowulf…” – “…woven for them…”

Vocabulary/Unit 4:
abscond (p 7 only)
access (p 7 only)
anarchy
arduous
auspicious
biased
daunt
disentangle
root –auto-
root –bio-
root –chron-
root –cosmo-

Vocabulary / Beowulf & Old English:
epic
manuscript
contemporary
religious
secular
unique
pagan
dialect
solidarity
fellowship
unity
unalterable fate
wyrd (Old English word)
hapax legoma
thane
lord
aristocratic
retributive justice
wergild (Old English word)
feud
faith
mead-house / mead-hall
gable
hero

Characters, Settings, Weaponry:
*Be able to describe each in a sentence or two.
Hrothgar
Unferth
Grendel
Beowulf
Hygelac
Breca
Wiglaf
Wyrd
Grendel
Grendel’s mother
Fire-Dragon
Spear-Danes
Storm-Geats
Geatland
Heorot
Cain
Wulfgar
warrior who hides the gold in the stone wall
slave who discovers hidden gold
slave’s master
Naegling
giant-sword
Hrunting
iron shield

Literary Elements:
epic
theme
setting
action
symbol
synecdoche (p 8 only)

Short-Answer Questions:
You must explain your responses in 2-5 sentences to earn points.

1) Why does the Beowulf epic contain both pagan tradition and obvious Christian influence?

2) Provide specific examples of pagan influences in the epic.

3) Provide specific examples of Christian influences in the epic.

4) What inferences have scholars made about the poet’s identity? How have scholars come to these conclusions?

5) Provide specific examples from the epic to support the following attributes of a hero.
a) hero must create a meaningful life in a world that is often dangerous and uncaring
b) hero must accept the inevitability of death
c) hero takes pride in himself and his accomplishments
d) hero chooses to reject despair
d) hero values human relationships

6) What do the following characters/settings symbolize?
a) Beowulf
b) Grendel
c) Heorot

7) How do the setting changes of Heorot and the battle between Grendel and Beowulf develop a theme of human struggle, strength, and perseverance?

8) What other themes are conveyed through the symbolic representations of Beowulf, Grendel, and Heorot? Discuss 3 separate themes and how those themes are conveyed. (Some starting points include: loyalty, pride, honor, courage, jealousy/envy, experience)


Test Format:
Multiple-Choice
Character Descriptions
Short-Answer
Matching
Quote Identifications

Beowulf

Put the sound up on your computer and check out these links:

To hear a sample of Old English go to: :

To hear the poem in translation visit: http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/nael/noa/audio.htm

To see artwork, google the title and go to images. There are thousands of illustrations, paintings, drawings, ect.

HW:
p7: Read The Wife's Lament and The Wanderer. Write one full page about what you've read. Think of it as a journal entry.

p8: Finish reading the Beowulf passage and then anser the focus questions. Then read The Wife's Lament and The Wanderer

November Vocabulary Due Dates and Test Dates

Monday/Tuesday 11/16 & 11/17 -Vocabulary Cumulative Review PACKET (Units 1-3)

Wednesday/Thursday 11/18 & 11/19- Vocabulary TEST Units 1-3

Monday 11/23 –Vocabulary Unit 4 PACKET and STUDY CARDS

Wednesday 11/25 –Vocabulary Unit 4 TEST

Monday/Tuesday 11/30 & 12/1- Vocabulary Unit 5 PACKET and STUDY CARDS