Friday 11/30

In Act 1, scene 1, Hamlet laments, "Within a month, Ere yet the salt of the most unrighteous tears Had left flushing in her galled eyes, She married.  O, most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets!"

 *Analyze what we can learn about the plot here.  Consider what is revealed about Hamlet's character.

1.  Discuss Journal.  *Note Study Questions posting. 

2.  Read Act 1 scene 2.

--Describe Hamlet's reaction to Horatio's news.

--Evaluate Hamlet's concerns about this apparition.

3. Preview/Collect Hamlet H.W. questions.

4.  Workshop:

Note cards

Outline

Intro to Senior Paper (2 pgs)

H.W.  Act 1

Hamlet Study Questions

**For extra credit, record short answers for each question; turn in all 5 acts completed responses at the end of our literary unit. 

Hamlet  Homework Questions

Act I

1.            Identify Bernardo, Francisco, Marcellus, Horatio, and King Hamlet.

2.         What had Bernardo seen at a prior watch?

3.         Why does Marcellus think Horatio should speak to the ghost?

4.         What does young Fortinbras want to do?

5.         Who do the soldiers/guards want to tell about the ghost?

6.         Identify King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, Laertes, and Polonius.

7.      Where does Claudius send Cornelius and Voltimand?

8.      What does the King tell Hamlet?

9.      Hamlet is upset for two reasons.  What are they?

10.  What news does Horatio bring Hamlet?

11.  What does Hamlet decide to do after he hears Horatio’s news?

12.  What is Laertes’ advice to Ophelia?

13.  What is Polonius’ advice to Laertes?

14.  At the end of Scene III, Ophelia agrees to “obey.”  What will she do?

15.  What does the ghost tell Hamlet?

16.  Hamlet swears Horatio to two things.  What are they?

Act II

17. Where does Polonius send Reynaldo?  Why?

18. Why does Polonius think Hamlet is “mad”?

19. Why have Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come to the castle?

20. What is Polonius’ plan for testing his theory that Hamlet is love-crazy?

21. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern finally meet with Hamlet, and Hamlet discovers

they were sent for by the King.  How does Hamlet describe his personal problems to them?  What does he tell them?

22. What arrangement does Hamlet make with Player 1?

23. After Rosencrantz and Guildenstern leaven Hamlet, what does he basically say in his soliloquy?

Act III

24. What message do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern carry to the King?  What is the King’s response?

25. Hamlet’s famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy is in scene one.  In a sentence or two paraphrase his main points.

26. Describe Hamlet’s tone when he speaks to Ophelia.

27. What do the King and Polonius decide about Hamlet’s condition after eavesdropping on Hamlet and Ophelia?

28. Why does Hamlet give instructions to the players?

29. What was the King’s reaction to the play, and what did Hamlet and Horatio decide his reaction meant?

30. What message does Rosencrantz deliver from the Queen?

31. The King has Rosencrantz and Guildenstern prepare to do what?  Why?

32. Why doesn’t Hamlet kill the King when the King is kneeling?

33. How does Polonius die?

34. What would Hamlet have his mother do?

Act IV

35. What does Hamlet think of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?

36. Why must the King “not put the strong arm on” Hamlet?

37. When the King asks Hamlet where Polonius is, what is Hamlet’s answer?

38. What is the content of the letters the King sends with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to England with Hamlet?

39. What prompts Hamlet to say, “My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth!”?

40. What has happened to Ophelia?

41. Why does Laertes force his way in?  What does he want?

42. What is the content of Hamlet’s letter to Horatio?

43. What plan do the King and Laertes discuss to kill Hamlet?

44. What news does the Queen bring Laertes?

Act V

45. Laertes thinks that Ophelia should have a better funeral service.  What is the priest’s answer?

46. Why does Hamlet jump into Ophelia’s grave?

47. What does the King say to Laertes to console him after Laertes and Hamlet are separated?

48. What did Hamlet do to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?

49. What news does Osric bring Hamlet?

50. What happens to the King, Hamlet, Laertes, and the Queen?

51. Who does Hamlet recommend to the throne?

Thursday 11/29

Journal:  Respond to the following quote below:

The thing about family disasters is that you never have to wait long before the next one puts the previous one into perspective. 


1.  Discuss Journal

2.  Preview Act 1 as Exposition:

--Setting Established:  Denmark

Characters introduced:  Hamlet, Horatio, Claudius, Gertrude

3.  Read Act 1 scenes 1 & 2


4.  View Act 1 scene 1

5.  Work on Pre-Reading questions    Due Friday

Wednesday 11/28

Journal:

Describe a literary character whose qualities and attributes are opposite of yours.  Consider whether or not this character would envy or pity you.  Explain.

1.  Discuss journal.

2.  Group work:  Pre-Reading Hamlet Questions

3.  Whole Class Discussion:  Explore universal themes in Hamlet.

4.  Review:  Tragedy/ Tragic Hero/ Tragic Flaw

5.  View Act 1, scene 1 of Hamlet.

Tuesday 11/27

Journal:  Consider whether a son's relationship with his parents differs from a daughter's relationship with her parents.  Do father and son relationships contrast mother and daughter's?  Examine nuances of these familial complexities.

1.  Discuss Journal

2.  Profile Shakespeare website:  Identify 37 plays by genre.

3.  Activity:  Report out:  Shakespeare / Tragedy/Tragic Hero

Aristotlean Tragedy:
http://www2.cnr.edu/home/bmcmanus/poetics.html

4.  Pre- Reading Hamlet Questions:

Directions:  Discuss each question in small groups.  Everyone participates; gives information, shares responses, and records notes.  Each student is required to turn in individual responses by Friday 11/30.

View Act 1 scene, 1  Hamlet.

Monday 11/26

Journal:

"The mystery of death" is a major theme presented in Hamlet.  Describe your perspective concerning death.  Do you think about it ?  Has it ever impacted your family?  Consider how an individual can develop a "healthy" attitude towards death.

1.  Discuss Journal

2.  Review 5 Act Dramatic Structure

3.  Small Group:  Relate prior knowledge about:  (Make a chart or list details...)

Shakespeare

Tragedy

Notes on Shakespeare:

http://www.bl.uk/treasures/shakespeare/background.html

10 mins:  Share.


4.  Define Shakespearean Tragic Hero

5.   Complete Hamlet Powerpoint.

6.  View Act 1, scene 1.  Relate in terms of exposition.

**Consider possible themes generated.

Wednesday 11/20

Journal:  Respond to the following Thanksgiving quote:

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many--not on your past misfortunes, 
of which all men have some."  
[Charles Dickens]

1.  Discuss Journal.

2.  Consider what you have to give thanks for.  Misfortune?

3.  Writing Workshops:  Introduction of Senior Essay (*See notes)

        Chaucer Essay:  Feminist Views; Social Justice; Relation to Feudalism

2 pgs:  Due Monday  11/26  (50 points for 2nd quarter.)

Tuesday 11/20

**Objectives:  Understand Existential Themes: Analyze Thesis Statements

Journal:

Describe the last time you were absolutely "certain" about something or someone.  Explore to what extent individuals can achieve "certainty" in this world.

1.  Discuss Journal

2.  Hamlet Powerpoint:   www.vusd.k12.ca.us/hs/vhs/jGrainger/Documents/Hamletpp.ppt

3. Review Essential Questions and Thesis Statements.

4.  Small Group Discussion:  Do you ponder your existence?  To what avail?

Monday 11/18

Journal:  Respond to the quote below:

“Seven Deadly Sins

Wealth without work
Pleasure without conscience
Science without humanity
Knowledge without character
Politics without principle
Commerce without morality
Worship without sacrifice.” 
― Mahatma Gandhi

1.  Discuss journal.

2.  Wife of Bath's Tale:  Do you think Chaucer's rich portrayal of the Wife of Bath is an indication that
he had progressive views of women for his time?  Explain.  (5 min. discussion w/ Partner)  Share.

3.  Review Wife of Bath Essay:  Social views; Feminist voice.

4.  Senior Project:  Introduction:

**Give context/background of important isssues related to essential question
**Consider a "narrative" or anecdote that "leads in" to essential question
**Articulate why this study is important to you and explain your choice of essential question
**Relate the importance of you project
**Detail what you would like to accomplish

5.  Workshop:  Write out clearly your essential question.  Craft a thesis statement (answer to the question)  10 mins:  Share.

Friday 11/16

Journal:

Examine the Wife of Bath's perspective on poverty.  Is this naive?
"The poor can dance and sing in the relief of having nothing  that will tempt a thief.  Though it be
hateful, poverty is good..."

1.  Discuss journal.

2.  Finish Reading "Wife of Bath's Tale"

3.  Activity:  10 mins:  Review Thinking Critically Questions w/ partner.  

Essay Quiz:  Examine the female perspective offered in Chaucer's "Wife of Bath's Tale".  Describe how Chaucer incorporates feminist views.  Additionally, address the narrator's views regarding social class.  Consider how this might refute the feudal hierarchy of Chaucer's Medieval Tale.  

50 points:  Due  Wed:  11/21

Thursday 11/15

Journal:  Do you think it is difficult for individuals from different social classes to become romantically involved?  What challenges might they face?  Explain.



1.  Identify at least 5 answers that the Wife of Bath offers as to what women most desire?  Why would
Chaucer include all of these perspectives? 

2.  Pg. 181   In lines 120-126, what criticism does not Wife of Bath offer here?  What do these comments reveal about her character?


3.  Finish Reading Wife of Bath's Tale.  With a partner, consider the following questions:

--Why is it ironic that the knight's answer saves his life?  Explain.
--What does the old woman request as her reward?
--What is your reaction to the knight's reluctance to grant her request?  
--Is he getting what he deserves or bing unduly penalized?  Explain.

4.  On pg. 184, lines 274-279, what is revealed about the knight's character?  Is this direct or indirect characterization?

5.  In lines 282-300 (pg 184) what value system does the old woman reject?  What values does she affirm?  

6.  Pg. 185... How might "temporal things hurt and maim"?  Explain.  

  HW:  Complete "Thinking Critically" Questions on pg. 188 in notebook.

Wednesday 11/14

Journal # 5

Consider what the most important "ingredients" of a marriage are today.  How can a couple ensure they have a successful marriage?  Explain.

1.  Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle
2.  Discuss Journal
3.  pg. 178  "The Wife of Bath's Prologue"    Focus:  Verbal Irony -  What may be ironic about the
Wife of Bath's claim that her views are "only offered to amuse"?

4.  pg. 179  What is the Wife of Bath's opinion of the friar's getting rid of the fairies?

5.  pg.  179  Examine how the chivalric code is presented in lines 65-70

6.  Paraphrase lines 78-82 on pg 180.

7.  pg.  180.  What other stories do you know that involve a riddle?

8.  Identify at least 5 answers that the Wife of Bath offers as to what women most desire?  Why would
Chaucer include all of these perspectives?

9.  Pg. 181   In lines 120-126, what criticism does not Wife of Bath offer here?  What do these comments reveal about her character?

10.  Complete reading story.  HW:  Complete "Thinking Critically" Questions on pg. 188 in notebook.

Tuesday 11/13

Journal:  What do you believe women want most in the 21st Century?  Explain.

1.Vocabulary Ch3.  Antonyms:  Quiz on Thursday

2.  Discuss Journal

3.  Begin "Wife of Bath's Tale"  Read for HW

4.  Quiz:  Pardoner's Tale

Friday 11/9

Journal # 3

What aspects of medieval society (and human nature in general) do you think Chaucer is satirizing in “The Pardoner’s Tale”?

1.  Vocabulary:   Complete The Sentence  11-20
-- Review Quizlet link:  HW -  Synonyms and Antonyms.

2.  Discuss Journal/ **** Review and Collect Research Cards.  

3.  Read end:  Pg 174  Audio of Pardoner's Tale

4.  Analyze Pardoner's comments that proceed his tale.

5.  Activity (pg. 176)  Make a character chart of Pardoner based on his:
appearance
 words and story
thoughts
actions... and the narrator's direct comments

Creative Project:  Select a picture (or creatively illustrate) that signifies/relates one of the seven deadly sins.  Due:  Tuesday  11/13

Thursday 11/8

Journal:  In Medieval times, people were keenly concerned about the seven deadly sins: pride, avarice,
lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth.  According to the Church, these sins brought eternal damnation unless the sinner confesses and obtained a pardon.  Consider how this "medieval" belief and the seven deadly sins are viewed in today's society.  Do you think people still believe?  Have more or less faith?  Explain.

1.  Vocabulary: Ch. 3  Review Completing The Sentence

Preview link below:

http://quizlet.com/16115315/dunphy-vocab-3-flash-cards/

2.  Discuss Journal.

3.  Pg. 171.  What does personification of Death as a mother suggest?

4.  Pg. 171:  Read lines 135-144.  Consider what biblical Allusion is present?






Allusion:
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them"  (Matthew 7:12)

5.  Complete reading "Pardoner's Tale"

6.  pg. 176  Thinking Critically Questions:  5-10.    HW  Answer in notebook.

Wednesday 11/7

In "The Pardoner's Tale", the Pardoner explains why he preaches:

“But let me briefly make my purpose plain;
I preach for nothing but for greed of gain
And use the same old text, as bold as brass,
Radix malorum est cupiditas.<sup>°  (The root of evil is desire)

Examine what these words reveal about the pardoner's character.

1.  Vocabulary:  Crossword Puzzle; Ch. 3 Handout.  
2.  Discuss Journal:  Consider latin quote.
3.  Read Pardoner's Tale.  
4.  Focus:  -- Personification of Death
                --  Foreshadowing
                --  Thematic relevance</sup>

Monday 11/5

Journal :  With just one day to go before election day, speculate which candidate will win and why.

1. Discuss Journal
2.  Vocabulary:  Ch. 3 Synonyms
3.  With a partner, answer "Thinking Critically" questions in your notebook.  (Journal Check)
4.  Creative Writing Assignment:  Craft a Frame Story.  Due Friday.


Thinking Critically Questions  pg. 165:

Chaucer is a master at using physical details—eyes, hair, complexion, body type, clothing—to revealcharacter. Describe at least three pilgrims whose inner natures are revealed by their appearance. Refer to your reading notes for help. 

Clearly Chaucer satirizes the Church of his time. Show how this is true by analyzing two characters connected with the Church. What “good,” or honorable, Church people does Chaucer include to balance his satire?

What aspects of medieval society does Chaucer satirize in his portrayals of the Merchant? of the Franklin? of the Doctor? of the Miller?
Which pilgrims do you think Chaucer idealizes?

 In describing the pilgrims, what has Chaucer as the pilgrim-narrator revealed about his own personality, biases, and values?

 Which of the pilgrims’ professions or trades have survived and exist in society today? Which of Chaucer’s character types can be seen today in airports, on pulpits, on farms, in classrooms, on city streets, or in small towns?

WRITING

A Frame Story

Write your own prologue to a modern frame story. Set your frame story in an airport or a bus station where people are waiting or on a tour or a pilgrimage like the ones described in the Closer Look on page 150. Or you might choose to establish your frame by using people stranded by a storm or waiting for rescue from an accident. You will have to decide who your narrator will be and who the travelers will be and what their professions are. Model your prologue on Chaucer’s, and describe your travelers in such a way that their inner natures are revealed.

Friday. 11/2

Journal:  11/2

If you were a satirist like Chaucer, which aspect of society would you criticize?  Why?

Ch. 3.  Review Definitions.  


Quiz:  The Prologue

1.  Examine the narrator's allusion to Austin.  Who is being described?  How is this depiction ironic?


2.  Define Frame Narrative.  Explain how The Canterbury Tales fits this description. 


3.  Read/Analyze "The Pardoner's Tale".