Monday, January 9 ~ Hello Shakespeare!

Welcome back from break! Any highlights?

To start our conversation about Shakespeare....

• What do you already know about our friend, Willie? 
• Why do you think he continues to fascinate people?
• What has his name and legacy come to mean to modern folks? 
• Let's check out what John Bolton thinks on his TED talk. 
• Journal 1: Create at least five open-ended, essential questions that you would like to learn about Shakespeare. (These should be deeper thinking ideas that you find interesting and wouldn't mind researching.)

Homework: Spend 1/2 an hour researching. Find out as much as you can about Shakespeare and bring your notes to class tomorrow as Journal 2. The person with the most unknown facts may win a bit of extra credit to help on the first journal check. 

*If you would like a hard copy of our next play, I recommend the Folger's paperbacks. Julius Ceasar is up this week. 

Block Day, December 8 ~ No grace for catty teenage girls! Poor Agave.

First, tell Mr. Davis the truth about me...here.

Thank you Billie for today's dank meme winner!
Happy last day of second quarter.

Bacchae Finito!

• Finish reading the play and work through journals.
• Read Leithart's ending and add it as J37. 

Finals Review

• Create game questions from Sophocles, Euripides and tragedy in general.

Greece...here are the two trips I ended up sending in. 

• First Choice: The Ancient Mediterranean 10 days
• Second Choice: Italy and Greece 10 days

HW: Get ready for journal check on Monday

Wednesday, December 7 ~ Leithart on Euripides

Discuss Leithart (J35).

Continue reading Bacchae as far as we can get in class.

Journal 36 ~ Questions for  Bacchae pages 20-29

1. Annotate as you read: Mark lines that continue the conversation of what it means to be wise as well as places that show how Dionysus has turned things backwards or upside down.
2. Is catharsis achieved by this play? Who do you pity most?
3. How does Euripides characterize Pentheus? What is his "fatal flaw"? Why does he want to spy on the Maenads? What is the significance of Dionysus dressing him up as a woman?
4. What sort of god is Dionysus? How is he depicted? What are his attributes? How does he look? Why is it appropriate that he is the god of theater (i.e. are there any connections between wine, madness, ecstasy, sex, dismemberment and theater)?
5. Consider that Bacchus was the god of theater. Literally, his alter is in the middle of the stage. How does this play speak to that concept and what Dionysus/Bacchus means to the Greek/Roman society? 

HW: Nah. We'll finish in class tomorrow. 

Tuesday, Dec. 6 ~ Pentheus the Bacchant?

Discuss Bacchae pages 10-19

• What questions and thoughts did you have while reading?
• How does Dionysus constantly turn everything upside down? (his arrest scene? his conversation with Pentheus? their plan?)
• When the messenger smarts off to Pentheus and claims he is very moody (sort of rude to be talking to a king) and "excessively kinglike" how is that a social commentary on the government?
• What is upside down according to the messenger's report? 
• Track the digression of Pentheus' character from civilized to animal.
• How do you see Pentheus clutching at his power even when it is lost?
• Do you think Pentheus is really this dumb? What can account for his change of heart in his conversation with Dionysus?

HW: Leithart's input

Journal 35: Leithart pages 342-357. Please complete the Review Questions for both sections. 

Block Day, December 1 ~ A block of Bacchae

Go over Heroes J23

Here is a page from my book. It helps to have the family tree and the background.
What a trip about the Spartoi eh? Also, notice the relationship between Dionysus and Pentheus.

A Thyrsus

HW: Read through page 9 in the printed copy.

Journal 34 

• As you read through Bacchae, highlight lines that allude to the dichotomy (divide) between social/moral order (Zeno thinking) and wild natured chaos (Heraclitus thinking). 
• Why is Dionysus so "salted"?
• What purpose is the chorus (aka Voices 1,2 & 3) serving? 
• Consider, what point are Cadmus and Tiresius making about the concept of wisdom and what makes a person wise?
• How would you cast and direct the scene with Tiresius and Cadmus? (Keep in mind he was the king of Thebes until just recently.)
• What values does Pentheus represent? 

Wednesday, November 30 ~ Bacchae Begins!

EQ: What is Aristotle's definition of Tragedy?



Journal 32: Aristotle's Tragedy
First a few vocab words...

• Mimesis--"imitation"- Contrary to Plato, Aristotle asserts that the artist does not just copy the shifting appearances of the world, but rather imitates or represents Reality itself, and gives form and meaning to that Reality. In so doing, the artist gives shape to the universal, not the accidental. Poetry, Aristotle says, is "a more philosophical and serious business than history; for poetry speaks more of universals, history of particulars."
• Catharsis--"purification"-tragedy first raises (it does not create) the emotions of pity and fear, then purifies or purges them. Whether Aristotle means to say that this purification takes place only within the action of the play, or whether he thinks that the audience also undergoes a cathartic experience, is still hotly debated. One scholar, Gerald Else, says that tragedy purifies "whatever is 'filthy' or 'polluted' in the pathos, the tragic act" (98). Others say that the play arouses emotions of pity and fear in the spectator and then purifies them (reduces them to beneficent order and proportion) or purges them (expels them from his/her emotional system).
• Tragic Hero - The hero is neither a villain nor a model of perfection but is basically good and decent.
• Hamartia - "mistake" or tragic flaw. The great man falls through--though not entirely because of--some weakness of character, some moral blindness, or error. We should note that the gods also are in some sense responsible for the hero's fall.
• Peripeteia or "reversal" - occurs when a situation seems to developing in one direction, then suddenly "reverses" to another. For example, when Oedipus first hears of the death of Polybus (his supposed father), the news at first seems good, but then is revealed to be disastrous.
• Anagnorisis aka Recognition--"knowing again" or "knowing back" or "knowing throughout" ) about human fate, destiny, and the will of the gods. Aristotle quite nicely terms this sort of recognition "a change from ignorance to awareness of a bond of love or hate." For example, Oedipus kills his father in ignorance and then learns of his true relationship to the King of Thebes.
• Recognition scenes in tragedy are of some horrible event or secret, while those in comedy usually reunite long-lost relatives or friends. A plot with tragic reversals and recognitions best arouses pity and fear.
• Pathos or "suffering": Also translated as "a calamity," the third element of plot is "a destructive or painful act." The English words "sympathy," "empathy," and "apathy" (literally, absence of suffering) all stem from this Greek word.

Now click here and create your own working definition of Aristotle's tragedy.

Today we begin the prep work for Bacchae by Euripides.
HW: Journal 33 ~ Leithart Questions p.341(The Contest of  Fetters and Thyrsus)

•  Read the Leithart intro on pages 335-342 and answer the questions on 341-2.

Monday, November 28 ~ Swollen Foot Finished!

Discuss Oedipus questions.

• What purpose did you think the Chorus served? How was Sophocles using them to feed truth to the audience? 
• What do you think made Oedipus a character able to invoke both pity and fear for a true catharsis? 
• What do you think about the last chorus lines? 
• How did Creon serve as a foil character? Find the lines that reveal his opposing traits.

Block Day, November 17 ~ Oedipus begins!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

To start, I will check your movie reflection. Penny for your thoughts?

Today let's go over Leithart and begin working on Oedipus.

When we return from break, you will need to have read all of Oedipus and answered all questions on your bookmark page should be answered as Journal 31. Questions are linked here just in case you lose it.

Wednesday, November 16 ~ Oedipus' Key Concepts

Lecture: Intro to Greek Drama

• Preview Discussion Questions
• What is it about theater that makes us love it so much? 
• What do you already know about Early Greek Theater?
• How would you guess the theater evolved from a bard telling a story?
• What would theater be like if you only had one actor and the chorus? 
• Click here for the power point slides.

HW: Journal 31 ~Read Heroes "City of Confusion" (pgs. 315-324) and be ready to discuss review questions.     

*Please bring your copies of Oedipus the King tomorrow!

Tuesday, November 15 ~ Intro to Grek Tragedy & Oedipus

Finish watching The Odyssey.

HW: Complete your movie reflection journals. Does the movie do justice to the story?

Monday, November 14 ~ Finish this Odyssey of a movie

Odyssey Movie

Journal 30: Write a 1/2-1 page reflection on the movie. Did it do justice to the original story? Did it do justice to the characters? Keep to the text boys...it's too easy to be a critic without grit.

Week of November 7

Monday

• Work on your presentations.

Tuesday

• Reader's Theater of Book 22 (Shoghi, Grace & Kaylee)
• Possibly start Book 23? (Brianna & Isabella)

Wednesday

• Finish Book 23 (Brianna & Isabella)
• Book 24 (Mattie, Zoe & Sarah)

Block Day

• Finish up Readers' Theater
• Watch The Odyssey & Discuss

Block Day, November 3 ~ Make it EPIC!!!

Review Book 21

For the last three books, let's complete them in class without homework AND gain some creative credit!

You will create a reader's theater script for us to enjoy your assigned book.

• The goal is to rewrite the script into simpler language while still capturing the attitudes, tones, and story details of the original. You will understand it better as well as you dissect the text for your own translation. Feel free to add your own twist. 
• You must include:
• at least two or more props
• at least three or more key quotes from the original (you may work them into your script or use them in the processing questions at the end.)
• at least three processing questions to ensure that the audience/actors comprehend the events and deeper themes of the text.
• an emailed script(s) due by the end of the period on Monday, November 7. 

Groups:

• Book 22 (16 pgs.) Grace, Kaylee & Shoghi
• Book 23 (11 pgs.) Bri & Isabella
• Book 24 (16 pgs.) Mattie, Sarah & Zoe

Journal checks will happen while you are working in groups.

HW: Make a plan before you leave today so that you are set to finish on Monday. You really should have no homework this weekend.

Wednesday, November 2 ~ Happy Dia De Los Muertos!

Review Book 19

Fast Forward for Book 20 - click here

HW: Read Book 21
Journal 29
1. Who, other than Odysseus, has the strength and power to string the bow?
2. To what men does Odysseus reveal his identity?
3. What is Odysseus's plan?

Journal Checks tomorrow!

Tuesday, November 1 ~ A Match of Wisdom

Go over Chapters 15 & 16

Fast Forward of Books 17-18. Click here to listen to it. Thanks Memetree!

HW: Read Book 19

Journal 28:
1.  What action does Odysseus take now?
2. How does Eurycleia discover the identity of Odysseus?
3. What contest does Penelope devise to test the suitors?

Monday, Oct.31 ~ Happy Halloween!

Tele! I am your fathah.

Essays/Quizzes back

Review Book XV

Read Book XVI

Journal 27: Book XVI (16)
1. In this book Odysseus reveals his identity to Telemachus. What does the reaction of the two characters tell us about the Greeks' attitude towards the expression of emotion? How do their attitudes differ from ours?
2. What instructions does O give to Telemachus?
3. Compare Antinous and Amphinomous. How does this difference complicate O's plan for justice?
4. In what ways does Telemachus show in this book that he has matured?

Block Day, October 27 ~ Odysseus Quizze on Books 9-12

Discuss Book 12


Take Quizze


Fast forward button...Take notes on Books 13-14 (Journal 23)

• Thanks Brianna for the audio clip.

HW: Read Book 15 (I know I changed my mind, but this one is worth reading.)

Journal 26: Book XV

1.  Telemachus receives an omen as he is about to depart. What is it, and what does it mean? 
2. Who journeys to Ithaca with Telemachus and his companions? 
3. Odysseus has a plan that he shares with Eumaeus. What is it? 
4. What is Eumaeus's reaction to Odysseus's idea? 
5. How did Eumaeus come to be swineherd for Odysseus? 
6. Which are the two signs that the gods send to Telemachus and Odysseus? 

Wednesday, October 26 ~ Odysseus and the Sirens

Review Books IX-XI

Journal 25: Book XII
1. How do the Sirens destroy men, and how do Odysseus and his men avoid destruction?
2. What are Scylla and Charybdis?
3. What happens to Odysseus' companions?
4. What happens to Odysseus?


Quiz tomorrow on books IX-XII

Tuesday, October 25 ~ Catch up day!

Be ready to review books 9-11 tomorrow.

Book 12 questions due block day.

Monday, October 24 ~ The Odyssey, Book 11

Go over J23

• Describe the categories of temptation that Odysseus must overcome to get home.
• New vocab word: hubris - pride
• How has O's hubris interfered with his metis? 
• More analysis of O's attitude toward women? Guesses on Homer's?
• Why do you think there are so many prophesies about O? 
• Why aren't O's crew as loyal as his reputation at home?

Begin J24: Book XI

1. How does Odysseus gain access to the underworld? 
2. What does Odysseus promise Elpenor? 
3. Why does Odysseus not let his mother come near the blood? 
4. What does Teiresias tell Odysseus? 
5. Who comes to speak to Odysseus after all the souls of the women have departed? 
6. What does this person tell Odysseus? 
7. Many other heroes speak to Odysseus, and he learns of their fates. What happens to Tantalus
8. What punishment is Sisyphus enduring?  

Odyssey Books 8-10

Any last essays lingering?

Athena is the best work out

The Odyssey continues...

• Review Journal 22 (Book VIII)
• What's up with the delayed identity? 
• How would you describe the nature of this temptation?
• What kind of hero would you describe him as? (Compared to Achilles?)
• Why is the story about Aphrodite & Ares mentioned? 

• Add the vocab: 
• Name Meanings
• Odysseus - "son of pain"
• Telemachus - "war from afar"
• Antinous - "not mindful"
• Terms
• metis - cunning
• menis - demonic rage
• dolos (dolon) - craft(s) or deceptions
• nous - mind
• aristeia - prowess

Journal 23 (Book IX & X)

Book IX

1. Note exactly how Odysseus identifies himself, and how and where he begins his story (Compare it to Menelaus' account of their departure from Troy). Don't assume he's always telling the truth. Pay attention to what he says about his behavior and his awareness of his audience. 
2. Note the attack on the Cicones: what happens? What is the nature of the conflict among Odysseus’s men? 
3. 214: A storm takes them to the land of the Lotus Eaters. What is the specific danger here? 
4. 215: The Cyclops Polyphemus. This is the key episode. Note the description of the island and the nature of Cyclopean society. Pay attention to Odysseus's behavior. Is it commendable? Is he a good guest? Is Polyphemus a good host? 
5. As you read the cyclops episode, where can you see examples of metis, menis, dolos, nous & aristeia? 
6. What vices get Odysseus into trouble? What virtue gets him out of it? What types of behavior are approved and condemned by this story? 
7. What do you think of this Polyphemus? 

Book X

1. 230: Aeolus, king of the winds, receives O., and sends him off with a bag of winds, which his crew opens when he sleeps. Who is to blame here? Pay attention to the description of Aeolus' family. 
2. 231: Odysseus loses 11 ships in an attack on the Laestrygonians. What are his tactics in this encounter? 
3. The remaining ship arrives at the island of Circe. The crew begins to rebel: why? 
4. Pay close attention to the description of her house and Circe herself. What details do you feel are significant? Why? How is O's metis exemplified here?
5. Compare Circe, Nausicaa, and Calypso; which does Odysseus prefer and why? Are there any indications that Homer is aware of a 'double standard'? 
6. You've earned a clip!

Tuesday, October 18 - Can you identify the owner of the epithet?

Telemachy essays due please!
Housekeeping: Will you be here in class tomorrow? 

Just for kicks and review...who is the epithet naming?

      SEE IF NOW YOU CAN IDENTIFY THESE: 

         far seeing__________

         breaker of horses____________

         rose-red fingered_____________

         quick-witted___________ 

         wary and reserved_________

         bright-eyed___________

         Icarus' daughter _____________

         warlord dear to Zeus____________  

         earth shaker___________

         bard of Ithaca ______________

         red-haired____________

         flashing steel grey-eyed___________

         Menelaus’ wife__________

         Laertes' son____________

         Agamemnon’s son____________

         Clytemnestra’s lover ___________

         Agisthesis’ murderer ____________

        Agamemnon’s brother___________

   .           visits Ithaca and advises Telemachus__________

   2          accompanies Telemachus to Sparta___________

               Odysseus’ nursemaid ____________

               glancing eyed_______________    

Review Book V
Fast Forward Notes on Books VI-VII

HW: Book VIII ~ You will see O's character through his interactions with the Phaeacians.
Journal 22: Book VIII

1. Odysseus is insulted by Broadsea. What does he accuse Odysseus of being? Why? 
2. With Athena's help, what athletic feat does Odysseus accomplish? 
3. Odysseus brags that he is an accomplished athlete but allows one test where the Phaeacians would likely win. To which test does he refer? Why? 
4. Why do you think Homer interrupts the narrative to have Demodocus sing about the love of Ares and Aphrodite?  
5. What do we learn about Odysseus through the contrast between his behavior and that of the young Phaeacians?  

         

Lwt

Monday, October 17 ~ Tat (or should I say, THET) me up!

For starters...you people are pretty precious. Check out your Epithets.

How's the paper coming? Telemachy Essays due tomorrow!

• Please print these out in MLA format. 
• Don't forget to cite all of your evidence! (line numbers are awesome, but page numbers will do.)

Today we review Books I-IV and continue with Book V in The Odyssey!

HW: Telmachy essays due tomorrow

Journal 21
As you read, mark epithets, epic similes, examples of kleos (glory reputation), xenia (hopsitality) & nostos (return).

Book V
1. What is Zeus' command to Calypso?
2. Which god or goddess brings Zeus' command to Calypso?
3. What happens to Odysseus on the eighteenth day, just as he sights the shores of Scheria?
4. What help does Ino give to Odysseus?
5. What happens to Odysseus at the end of Book V?

Playing around with Epithets...

Disclaimer...if you don't like your name, toss it! This is just for fun and I don't know you well enough to know your entire identity! However, I did try to appreciate what I do know...Enjoy!

Wisdom laced, winsome Grace

Spark same, steady flame Sarah

Wild-eyed, dabber defender Kaylee

Brave Saint Penquinella Isabella

Screaming hand, humble heart Shoghi

Silently stands true Zoe

Meme tree, sweet and salty Brie

Rally 'n Ravin' "Get Wrecked" Mattie Lagan

My heart means the best Mrs. West

Block day, October 12 ~ Telemachy and Epithets

Here's a quick run down of class today...

• First, let me read you a couple of paragraphs out of Leithart...I will be your fast forward button on that reading.
• Review the assignment...Chapters 1-4 and an essay by Monday.
• Just for kicks...let's write some epithets for each other. Click here to share them!
• Get some tea
• Disperse to get it done!

What is an Epithet? (Add this definition to your journals)
Sometimes called an Homeric epitaph, it is a recurring feature in both epics. Epithet comes form the Greek for putting (something) on (something). It is a tag or descriptive quality that can be used on its own or together with the real name. They add descriptive flavor as well as complete the needed syllables to create the iambic hexameter. They can also serve as a mneumonic device to help the listeners remember what they have already heard about this character. They are usually compound adjectives full of memorable imagery.

Telemachus has epithets such as poised thoughtful and discrete (depending on your translation).
Athena is often paired with the phrase pallas (which refers to her youthful strength) and grey-eyed.

Tuesday, October 11 ~ The Telemachy begins!

The Telemachy is the nickname for the first four books of The Odyssey because they are 

about O's son, Telemachus. 

A scholar's model of an Ancient Greek boat.

New Assignment Due Monday 10/17 Telemachy Essay (2-3 pages)

Based on your reading of the first four books (cantos) of The Odyssey, write an essay about the character, Telemachus. Here are some suggestions: 

1. Read through the four cantos with a pencil handy.

2. Note passages you may want to use or return to.

3. Carefully read everything Telemachus says. 

4. How does Telemachus respond to what he is told?

5. How would you describe Telemachus as a son? 

6. What does Telemachus' behavior in Ithaca and elsewhere reveal about him?

7. How has Telemachus been affected by his father's twenty-year absence?

8. What does Telemachus react to the things he learns about his father? 

9. How are these first four cantos a coming-of-age story about Telemachus? 

10. Why do you think Homer started the story with Telemachus? 

11. Write descriptive statements about Telemachus that you believe to be true.

12. Where in the text, by book and line number, is there evidence supporting who you believe Telemachus is? For example: ...." (IV, 290-307).

13. Don't write about anything you can't back up with textual evidence. 

14. Select, use, and carefully position meaningful quotes in your essay to support what you write about Telemachus. Use citations after every quotation. 

Monday, October 10 ~ Let's get into The Odyssey!

Review J19 and begin Book 1 of The Odyssey.


J20 - Odyssey Book 1

• Start a character list
• Track the Epic Conventions
• invocation of muses, en medias res, epithets, supernatural interference, epic setting, etc...
• Why can't Telemachus and Mom get rid of the suitors? 

Block Day, October 6 ~ The Iliad ate my soul...

Today we finish our examination of The Iliad!


Let's play a review game!

Iliad Quiz

HW: Begin the reading of the background of The Odyssey with Leithart pages 147-157. Please do the review questions on pg.157 as Journal 19.

Journals

J1 - Leithart

J2 - Leithart Our Stories and the Story of God

J3 - Leithart Hesiod, Homer and Moses + Conclusions

J3b? - Leithart - Intro to Ancient Epic

J4 - Vocab and Reasearh

J5 - Theogony first journal

J6 - Hesiod Vocab

J7 - Hesiod Reading

J8 - Hesiod's World Picture

J9 - Hesiod - Intertextual Criticism Exercise

J10 - Hesiod Mini-titles

J11 - Leithart "Fighters Fighting, Fighters Killed" 

J12 - Read The Iliad book 1 and create a characters chart

J13 - Trojan War Brainstorm (from Brie)

J14 - Notes on Homer's Influence - Definitions of "Homer" & Main Greek Eras?  (from Grace)

J15 - Record a reference to The Iliad from pop culture (from Sarah)

J16 - Reading Quiz about Traits of an Epic (from Shoghi)

J17 - Personal Philosophy? (from Zoe)

J18 - Epic Vocabulary & Iliad Movie Questions

Monday, October 3 ~ Finish the Iliad

Let's finish this beast of a movie and the journals too!

Block Day, Sept. 30 ~ Troy continues!

Some Vocab for Epics and the rest of The Iliad:

1. philos - love for fellow warriors
2. menis - rage (almost a demonic, god-like rage)
3. kleos - a glorious reputation AND its poetic propagation
4. arete - virtue (manliness)
5. aidos - shame
6. aristeia - prowess

Journal 18: The Iliad via Troy
*BTW, Journals 12-17 were the various learning activities from student presentations. 

1. Give at least five examples from the movie when the concept of kleos is shown.
2. Compare the arete of Hector and Paris. 
3. How does Achilles project his aristeia. Why doesn't Menaleus discipline him? 
4. How are Achilles and Paris at opposite extremes of the spectrum when it comes to heroic identity/values? 
5. What is wrong with Agamemnon’s gift, his offer of reconciliation, to Achilles? In other words, how is his huge offer an assertion of superiority?

Monday, Sept.26 ~ Go Shoghi!

Shoghi will tell us about the traits of an Epic.

Friday, Sept. 23 ~ Zoe will tell us more about the influence and significance of our story.

EQ: How has our text influenced Western culture?

Shoghi, you will present on Monday!

Thursday, Sept. 22 ~ Isabella will tell us about the structure of the text.

EQ: How does the way Homer wrote the Iliad affect the meaning of it?

Zoe, you're up tomorrow!

Tuesday, Sept.20 ~ Grace will tell us about Homer.

EQ: Who was Homer and what was Greece like at the time of the Iliad?






Sarah, you are up tomorrow. No block day this week!