Monday, October 27, 2014

Do Now: "Shakespeare's art endures...his words continue to give us back the experience of our own lives." Explain the quote.What does it mean "to give us back the experience of our lives"?
Classwork : Welcome William Shakespeare!
1. Read pages 1534 - 36. Summarize the key points of Shakespeare's life that might help you understand his work.
2. Read Shakespeare's Theater 1537-4. Create a time line that traces the theater from 400 - 900 AD through the Elizabethan theater. Focus on the changes that occurred.
Be sure to include theatrical conventions: (asides and soliloquies) and stage settings.
3. The range of Shakespeare's Drama:  Pages 1541-1544
Define comedy focusing on 
comic relief,
romantic comedies
satire
high and low comedy
Define tragedy focusing on the differences between comedy and tragedy.
Homework: Edit your college essay based on my comments. Correct run-on sentences and subject/verb agreement errors.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Do Now: P. 63: The Chorus tells Oedipus it would have been  better to die than live in blindness. Why does Oedipus say he blinded himself as the best course of action? ( 63-64)
Classwork: The final episode.
Oedipus asks a favor of Creon.
Notice his tone.
What effect does blindness have on Oedipus' wisdom? Is this irony?
How does Creon respond? Why?
          Is retribution a part of his decision?
Homework: Study for Multiple Choice and Short Answer Test tomorrow. Use your handouts, the blog, and class notes
          

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Do Now: Paraphrase the Chorus' speech on Page 59. Is this the moment in the play when Oedipus recognizes the truth and loses everything? Why?
Classwork:
 The Chorus helps the audience react to information provided by The Shepherd and The Attendant.
1. Oedipus recognizes who he is and what he has done on Page 58.
2. How does he react? What is his purpose in going to Jocasta?
3. How does he react to her death? Why?
4. Analyze Creon at the end of the play,
Homework: Finish the reading questions on your handout. Begin studying for the test by reading the Literary Terms and Themes sections of your handout.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Do Now: Summarize Oedipus' conversation with Jocasta. What have you learned about each character in this dialogue? ( Pp. 45-49)
Classwork: The focus is on Jocasta!

1. Has she defied fate and the gods?
2. "Forget what he has told you...it makes no difference"
3. "Have I not suffered enough?"
4. "I implore you, do not do it!"
5. "I am warning you for your own good."
6. "Doomed man!"
Homework: Finish the play.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Do Now: Re-read the dialogue on p.43. Sophocles explains the right of a king to rule. When is a king's rule questioned?
Classwork:
Meet Jocasta. She seems to have all the right answers.
1. Examples of dramatic irony
2. Examples of Oedipus' misgivings
3. Role of the chorus
4. The role of fate.
Homework: Enjoy the weekend

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Do Now: Having too much pride is seen as a tragic flaw in Greek drama.  Do you agree that pride can be a problem? Why? Why not?
Classwork:  Oedipus Rex: pages 25-43
Today we will concentrate on three characters: Oedipus, Teiresias, and Creon.
Character analysis of Oedipus at the outset of the play:
His strenths:
1. concerned for his people
2. keeps no secrets from his subjects
3. capable of swift action and thinking
His weaknesses:
1. considers himself as capable as the gods.
2. conceited.
Analyze Oedipus during the conflicts of this scene:
1. The conflict with Teiresias:
Oedipus:  Annoyance leads to anger; anger leads to fury; fury leads to wild accusations.
Teiresias: Delivery of information he never intended to give leads to involving Creon in Oedipus' "fantasies".
2. The conflict with Creon:
Oedipus' role - Assumptions turn to accusations turn to threats turn to banishment.
Creon's role: - Questioning whether Oedipus is a just ruler.
Homework: College Essay due tomorrow on Google Docs. You must share it with me!

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Do Now: Who is Teiresias? What is the basis of the argument he has with Oedipus?
Classwork: 

1. The Tragic Hero - definition and explanation
2. The play: Murder Mystery section/ The Prologue
Review Oedipus' reaction to the problems. How would you characterize him based on  this section of the play?
What role does the Chorus play in this section?
Meet Teiresias and analyze the conflict that  results. Now what do you think of Oedipus?
Homework: Final rough draft and writers' workshop tomorrow. Your essay should be just about ready to be put on Google Docs. Do not show me a previous draft!

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Do Now: Summarize the legend that opens Oedipus the King. Hint: Oedipus is Greek for swollen foot. Why does Oedipus limp?

Classwork:
1. Google Docs instructions for College Essay
2. Oedipus the King
Introduction to the play:
http://www.shmoop.com/oedipus-the-king/summary.html
3. Theatrical Conventions of Greek Drama: Bedford Introduction to Literature pp.1437 - 1441.
Reading notes and questions center on the setting, the actors, the orchestra, and the role of the chorus.
Homework: Read pages 25-39 of the play.
1. What is the problem in Thebes? Why?
2. What has Oedipus promised to do about it?
3. Who is Teiresias? What is the basis of the argument he has with Oedipus?
College Essay due Friday!

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Do Now: Put your college essay on your desk. Re-read it for subject/verb agreement problems: Example: If you was in the room... My family and I am going...
Classwork: Peer editing
You will answer the questions below on sticky notes and attach them to the essay.
1. What specific paragraph did you like?
2. What part wasn't clear?
3. Were you able to imagine how the writer felt? If not, what  might have helped you to empathize?
4. What is the writer's thesis?
5. Is the introduction powerful and attention-grabbing?
6. Suggestions?
Homework: Timed write tomorrow on The Metamorphosis. Review your notes.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Do Now: Take out the Popular Mechanics handout and read "The Fly" by Shapiro. Do you see any connection to The Metamorphosis? Why?
Classwork "The Fly"

Today's focus is on rhyme scheme, tone, and point of view.
1. This poem is written from the point of view of annoyed people rather than the fly. How does this differ from The Metamorphosis? With what effect?
2. How does the author use figurative language to set the tone?
See analysis following the poem.
3. Is there a point in the poem where your attitude toward the fly changes? Why?
4. What similarities differences can you draw between this poem and the novel?
Homework: Analyze the poem using the five literary strategies on your handout.
College essay draft dur tomorrow.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Do Now: The final section opens with the family allowing Gregor to watch them at the dinner table. List changes in the family and their working status. (pp 38-41)
Classwork: The final section
1. What changes have ocurred in the condition of Gregor's room? Why? (pp 41-43)
2. What changes do the lodgers cause? ( 43-44)
3. And what's up with the violin concert? What is the reality versus Gregor's distorted view of Grete's ability. How do you know?
4. Grete's total metamorphosis: "It's got to go!" ( pp 47-49) Analyze her transformation and compare it to Gregor's.
5. Gregor dies and change occurs in each member of the family. How?
6. Why this last line?
Homework: College easy second draft due Monday. Be prepared to share! (100 points)  Metamorphosis test on Tuesday.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Do Now: How does the fact that Gregor is no longer able to support the family affect relationships? What is Kafka's deeper message about life?
Classwork: The Metamorphosis
Continue with building evidence that supports change in the key elements of the novella.
Introduction to Themes:
Economic effects on human relationships
Family duty
Alienation from self, others, and society
Freedom and Escapism
Internal Guilt
Personal Identity
Homework: Part 3 is due tomorrow.