Twice, Guildenstern uses a syllogism in an attempt to understand what
is happening concerning the unlikely coin toss and the royal summons.
A syllogism is a system of argument that employs a major and a minor
premise, and a logical conclusion based on the veracity of those premises.
For example: All humans will eventually die (major premise). You are a
human (minor premise). Therefore, you will eventually die (conclusion).
Construct your own syllogism to support your beliefs about a topic rel-
evant to the themes of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Earliest Memory and Identity
The play opens on Rosencrantz and Guildenstern betting on a coin
toss. Guildenstern loses repeatedly, as Rosencrantz always calls heads.
Guildenstern displays his nervousness as he mutters about the laws of
probability. These characters obviously feel confused about who they
are and what they are doing. In a futile attempt to comprehend what is
happening, Guildenstern asks Rosencrantz to tell him the first thing he
remembers. Rosencrantz replies that he cannot remember, because “it was
so long ago.” Thus, Stoppard highlights the fact that much of one’s sense
of self comes from one’s memories.
Free write about your earliest memory. What role does it play in your
identity? Separate the memories suggested to you by relatives and friends
or family photos from events you clearly remember.
toss. Guildenstern loses repeatedly, as Rosencrantz always calls heads.
Guildenstern displays his nervousness as he mutters about the laws of
probability. These characters obviously feel confused about who they
are and what they are doing. In a futile attempt to comprehend what is
happening, Guildenstern asks Rosencrantz to tell him the first thing he
remembers. Rosencrantz replies that he cannot remember, because “it was
so long ago.” Thus, Stoppard highlights the fact that much of one’s sense
of self comes from one’s memories.
Free write about your earliest memory. What role does it play in your
identity? Separate the memories suggested to you by relatives and friends
or family photos from events you clearly remember.
Homework for the week of January 5, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009:
In class: We'll do an introduction to Absurdism.
Read the article on Theatre of the Absurd and answer the following questions:
1) What was the reaction to absurdist theater when it was first introduced and why?
2) What is the complex relationship between Theater of the Absurd and language?
3) What is the relationship between Theater of the Absurd and logic?
4) What are the goals of these plays (the desired impact for the audience?)
Tuesday, January 6, 2009:
In class: We'll start Act One in class to give you a sense of the absurdity. Finish Act One for homework and answer the journal question about early memories.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009:
In class: We'll discuss Act One in class.
Homework: Read Act Two and answer the question about Hamlet's POV
Thursday, January 8, 2009:
In class: We'll discuss Act Two. For homework, finish the play and follow the syllogism assignment
Friday, January 9, 2009:
In class: We'll discuss the end of the play and if there is time, we'll play the question game. For homework, write the short, short fiction piece.
In class: We'll do an introduction to Absurdism.
Read the article on Theatre of the Absurd and answer the following questions:
1) What was the reaction to absurdist theater when it was first introduced and why?
2) What is the complex relationship between Theater of the Absurd and language?
3) What is the relationship between Theater of the Absurd and logic?
4) What are the goals of these plays (the desired impact for the audience?)
Tuesday, January 6, 2009:
In class: We'll start Act One in class to give you a sense of the absurdity. Finish Act One for homework and answer the journal question about early memories.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009:
In class: We'll discuss Act One in class.
Homework: Read Act Two and answer the question about Hamlet's POV
Thursday, January 8, 2009:
In class: We'll discuss Act Two. For homework, finish the play and follow the syllogism assignment
Friday, January 9, 2009:
In class: We'll discuss the end of the play and if there is time, we'll play the question game. For homework, write the short, short fiction piece.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Essay Topic and Winter Break Homework
You will write an in-class essay on one of the following. The outlines will be due in advance. Once your essays are finished, you will revise them over the break. Your final should include your outline, your draft (in-class essay), and your final, typed paper.
TOPIC CHOICES:
1) Hamlet’s madness: faked, real, or situational? So what? Does the text give clear indications, or is the issue left up to the actor and director?--- you will need to trace Hamlet's dialogue from start to finish to determine your pov on this topic. You should analyze and pay particular attention to each soliloquoy
2) Is Hamlet a tragic hero? (See me for a snippet of Aristotle’s Poetics if you choose this topic.) Consider what Ophelia, Claudius, and others say about his character.
3) Deception / Appearance and Reality
Hamlet has been called a "claustrophobic" play because of the ways the different characters spy on one another, but "spying" is only one form of deception in the play. There is also Claudius, the incestuous fratricide, playing the part of the good king, and Hamlet himself decides to "put an antic disposition on" (1.5.189). In a way, it is Hamlet's job to see through all of this deception and to discover the truth, although, to discover the truth, Hamlet himself must use deception. What point is Shakespeare trying to make by introducing all of the deception, lying, and false appearances into his play?
4) Melancholy, Madness and Sanity
Hamlet tells his mother that he "essentially [is] not in madness, / But mad in craft" (3.4.204-205) and claims to "put an antic disposition on" (1.5.189), but does he ever cross the line between sanity and insanity in the play? To complicate matters, the world of Hamlet seems insane: the king is a murderer; the queen lusts after her dead husband's brother; friends spy on friends; and one character (Ophelia) really does go insane. Could Hamlet really be sane in an insane world? And what about Hamlet's melancholy? From the beginning of the play, Hamlet is depressed, and he considers suicide several different times. What is the real cause of his melancholy? Does he ever break out of his melancholy?
Theme of Decay and Corruption
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark" (1.4.98). In fact, many things are rotten in the state of Denmark, and images of decay, corruption, and disease are common throughout the play. Following the conventions of tragedy, many of the characters become corrupted in some way, and, by the end of the play, all of the corrupt characters must be eliminated so that Denmark can once again be set right. Many characters in Hamlet die. In what ways is each of these characters "corrupt"? What images in the play suggest decay, corruption, or disease?
TOPIC CHOICES:
1) Hamlet’s madness: faked, real, or situational? So what? Does the text give clear indications, or is the issue left up to the actor and director?--- you will need to trace Hamlet's dialogue from start to finish to determine your pov on this topic. You should analyze and pay particular attention to each soliloquoy
2) Is Hamlet a tragic hero? (See me for a snippet of Aristotle’s Poetics if you choose this topic.) Consider what Ophelia, Claudius, and others say about his character.
3) Deception / Appearance and Reality
Hamlet has been called a "claustrophobic" play because of the ways the different characters spy on one another, but "spying" is only one form of deception in the play. There is also Claudius, the incestuous fratricide, playing the part of the good king, and Hamlet himself decides to "put an antic disposition on" (1.5.189). In a way, it is Hamlet's job to see through all of this deception and to discover the truth, although, to discover the truth, Hamlet himself must use deception. What point is Shakespeare trying to make by introducing all of the deception, lying, and false appearances into his play?
4) Melancholy, Madness and Sanity
Hamlet tells his mother that he "essentially [is] not in madness, / But mad in craft" (3.4.204-205) and claims to "put an antic disposition on" (1.5.189), but does he ever cross the line between sanity and insanity in the play? To complicate matters, the world of Hamlet seems insane: the king is a murderer; the queen lusts after her dead husband's brother; friends spy on friends; and one character (Ophelia) really does go insane. Could Hamlet really be sane in an insane world? And what about Hamlet's melancholy? From the beginning of the play, Hamlet is depressed, and he considers suicide several different times. What is the real cause of his melancholy? Does he ever break out of his melancholy?
Theme of Decay and Corruption
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark" (1.4.98). In fact, many things are rotten in the state of Denmark, and images of decay, corruption, and disease are common throughout the play. Following the conventions of tragedy, many of the characters become corrupted in some way, and, by the end of the play, all of the corrupt characters must be eliminated so that Denmark can once again be set right. Many characters in Hamlet die. In what ways is each of these characters "corrupt"? What images in the play suggest decay, corruption, or disease?
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Homework for the week of December 8, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008 Workshop Personal Statements. Please be sure to review the procedures for the workshop.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 Review Act III. Journal entry: Have you ever been the victim of unrequited love? How did you feel? Have you ever been the recipient of affection from someone whom you did not care about? How did you feel about the situation? Come prepared to discuss Act III.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 Find examples of imagery that reveal decay or corruption. What effect do these images have on the reader? How would you explain Shakespeare's inclusion of these images in the play?
Thursday, December 11, 2008 Read Act IV and be sure to pay attention to your flags.
Friday, December 12, 2008 Finish reading the play and bring at least three moments or lines or speeches that you'd like to discuss in class on Monday.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 Review Act III. Journal entry: Have you ever been the victim of unrequited love? How did you feel? Have you ever been the recipient of affection from someone whom you did not care about? How did you feel about the situation? Come prepared to discuss Act III.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 Find examples of imagery that reveal decay or corruption. What effect do these images have on the reader? How would you explain Shakespeare's inclusion of these images in the play?
Thursday, December 11, 2008 Read Act IV and be sure to pay attention to your flags.
Friday, December 12, 2008 Finish reading the play and bring at least three moments or lines or speeches that you'd like to discuss in class on Monday.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Journal Entry Plotting Against You
Write about a time when you discovered that someone was purposefully plotting against you for some reason. Explain the situation. How you felt, how it turned out.
Parents and Kids
To what extent do parents have the right to "spy" on their children? What circumstances might allow or prevent this?
Thinker or Doer Journal Entry
Characterize yourself as a "thinker" or a "doer." In this respect what character in the play are you most like? How would you like to be different, or would you like to be different?
Homework for the week of 12/1/2008
Monday, December 1, 2008:
Journal Entries:Characterize yourself as a "thinker" or a "doer." In this respect what character in the play are you most like? How would you like to be different, or would you like to be different?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Journal Entry: To what extent do parents have the right to "spy" on their children? What circumstances might allow or prevent this?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Write about a time when you discovered that someone was purposefully plotting against you for some reason. Explain the situation. How you felt, how it turned out.
Complete reading Act III.
Thursday, December 4, 2008:
Find 5 citations from the text to support the following idea: Hamlet searches contiusously for the answer to the question of whether or not he should avenge his father's death. His concern with right and wrong in religious, moral, and political terms causes him much inner turmoil.
Friday, December 5, 2008:
Find 5 citations to support the following idea: Hamlet's sanity or insanity has baffled critics for years. Even the characters in the play discuss in consistencies in Hamlet's behavior, sometimes assuming he is really insane, at other times amazed by the clarity of his thought. Read Act IV by Monday.
Journal Entries:Characterize yourself as a "thinker" or a "doer." In this respect what character in the play are you most like? How would you like to be different, or would you like to be different?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Journal Entry: To what extent do parents have the right to "spy" on their children? What circumstances might allow or prevent this?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Write about a time when you discovered that someone was purposefully plotting against you for some reason. Explain the situation. How you felt, how it turned out.
Complete reading Act III.
Thursday, December 4, 2008:
Find 5 citations from the text to support the following idea: Hamlet searches contiusously for the answer to the question of whether or not he should avenge his father's death. His concern with right and wrong in religious, moral, and political terms causes him much inner turmoil.
Friday, December 5, 2008:
Find 5 citations to support the following idea: Hamlet's sanity or insanity has baffled critics for years. Even the characters in the play discuss in consistencies in Hamlet's behavior, sometimes assuming he is really insane, at other times amazed by the clarity of his thought. Read Act IV by Monday.
Monday, November 24, 2008
What's Not to be Thankful For Holiday Homework?
Find 5-10 pieces of writing with typos. Circle the typos. Write one page to include in your collection which considers the following: (these are guidelines, you are welcome to go your own way) Are people becoming more and more illiterate or is language simply evolving? What role do pictures play in literacy? Do people need a common set of writing rules to agree upon or is it ok if our individual styles guide our writing? Are people who care about grammar just being old fashioned?
Also, read Act 11 in Hamlet
Also, read Act 11 in Hamlet
Monday, November 10, 2008
Homework Week of November 10-14, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008: Please write the one page self-reflection about the work you did as a member of the theater company. Please be sure to be specific about how you contributed to the group as a whole. Compare yourself to the other members of the group. Did you feel the work was distributed evenly or did one or two people take a heavier load? Be as honest as you can.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008: Be sure to have finished reading the first part of Mythology by Edith Hamilton.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008: In class today, we will be talking about the "So, What?" portion of an essay. For homework, please re-write your essay introduction to include some so what sentences.
Thursday, November 13, 2008: In class today, we will continue discussing the "So What" part of an essay question. For homework, please work on the revision handout you received on Wednesday. Please complete the work on looseleaf.
Friday, November 14, 2008: Complete your outlines for an in-class Essay on Oedipus Rex next Monday.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008: Be sure to have finished reading the first part of Mythology by Edith Hamilton.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008: In class today, we will be talking about the "So, What?" portion of an essay. For homework, please re-write your essay introduction to include some so what sentences.
Thursday, November 13, 2008: In class today, we will continue discussing the "So What" part of an essay question. For homework, please work on the revision handout you received on Wednesday. Please complete the work on looseleaf.
Friday, November 14, 2008: Complete your outlines for an in-class Essay on Oedipus Rex next Monday.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Paper Revision Policy
When it comes to writing, nothing is perfect and I want to encourage you to look back at your work and see it with fresh eyes. There is nothing like time to allow us to see mistakes and chicanery in our writing.
I have added a category to your overall grades for revision work. This will be an area where you are allowed to earn as much extra credit as you are willing to work for. I can't think of a better way to encourage you to re-visit your writing again and again and again and again and again and...well, you get the idea I hope.
All revisions must be typed, spell-checked, and submitted with the original(s) and/or additional copies of revisions. I would also appreciate a title page. I do not mind if you do the same paper 100 times! I will add additional ways to earn points as your papers continue to teach me the types of errors you are making and as I see how often and who decides to take advantage of this extra credit opportunity in AP.
Here are ways to earn points on revision work:
1) correcting MLA citation errors and grammatical errors (10 points).
2) revise/enhance/rethink order of paragraphs to enhance flow (10 points)
3) revise thesis statement and body paragraphs to reflect the new proof (10 points)
4) explain on a separate page what the overall focus of your changes consisted of and why you made them. (10 points)
5) a one-on-one conference with me about your paper (10 points--must be arranged in advance and is your responsibility)
6) revising for errors in logic (10 points)
7) revising to enhance flow, vary sentence length, include transitions (10 points)
8) revising to avoid repetition, misinterpretation, or inappropriate tone (10 points)
9) revising to incorporate voice (10 points)
10) revising introduction, conclusion and topic sentences--this will likely mean re-visiting the text to try to answer the "so what" (10 points)
I have added a category to your overall grades for revision work. This will be an area where you are allowed to earn as much extra credit as you are willing to work for. I can't think of a better way to encourage you to re-visit your writing again and again and again and again and again and...well, you get the idea I hope.
All revisions must be typed, spell-checked, and submitted with the original(s) and/or additional copies of revisions. I would also appreciate a title page. I do not mind if you do the same paper 100 times! I will add additional ways to earn points as your papers continue to teach me the types of errors you are making and as I see how often and who decides to take advantage of this extra credit opportunity in AP.
Here are ways to earn points on revision work:
1) correcting MLA citation errors and grammatical errors (10 points).
2) revise/enhance/rethink order of paragraphs to enhance flow (10 points)
3) revise thesis statement and body paragraphs to reflect the new proof (10 points)
4) explain on a separate page what the overall focus of your changes consisted of and why you made them. (10 points)
5) a one-on-one conference with me about your paper (10 points--must be arranged in advance and is your responsibility)
6) revising for errors in logic (10 points)
7) revising to enhance flow, vary sentence length, include transitions (10 points)
8) revising to avoid repetition, misinterpretation, or inappropriate tone (10 points)
9) revising to incorporate voice (10 points)
10) revising introduction, conclusion and topic sentences--this will likely mean re-visiting the text to try to answer the "so what" (10 points)
Monday, October 27, 2008
Homework for the week of October 27, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008: In class, you will be taking your final poetry exam. For homework, read pages 211-215. What is a tragedy? Mark the introduction. Pink= words you do not know. Be sure to look them up and bring in index cards with these new words on them to show me on Tuesday.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008: In class, you will be working on your poetry final exam. For homework, read pages 215-230. Use the green flags to mark the foreshadowing of the tragedy. Use pink for unfamiliar words.
Wednesday, October 30, 2008: In class, depending on the time needed, you will be finishing your exam. For homework, read pages 230-245.
Use the blue flags, to mark images, sensory details or examples of personification.
Thursday, October 30, 2008: In class, we will do an introduction to theater terms, classic drama and poetics. For homework, please finish the play (245-263). Use the green flags to illustrate examples of characterization (where we learn something about who Oedipus is as a person).
Friday, October 31, 2008: Happy Halloween! There will be a separate hand-out for the weekend's homework as it pertains to a project you'll be working on next week.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008: In class, you will be working on your poetry final exam. For homework, read pages 215-230. Use the green flags to mark the foreshadowing of the tragedy. Use pink for unfamiliar words.
Wednesday, October 30, 2008: In class, depending on the time needed, you will be finishing your exam. For homework, read pages 230-245.
Use the blue flags, to mark images, sensory details or examples of personification.
Thursday, October 30, 2008: In class, we will do an introduction to theater terms, classic drama and poetics. For homework, please finish the play (245-263). Use the green flags to illustrate examples of characterization (where we learn something about who Oedipus is as a person).
Friday, October 31, 2008: Happy Halloween! There will be a separate hand-out for the weekend's homework as it pertains to a project you'll be working on next week.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Homework for the week of October 20-25, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008:
Bring your copies of "Hollow Man," to class on Tuesday for discussion. Please write a journal entry on the poem if you have not already. There is an online post ALREADY on the blog for your entry but not everyone has completed the work.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008:
Choose one of your essays to revise and type for a final. Be sure to use the rubric to make sure that you're using MLA guidelines for the final, typed paper.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008:
Same as Tuesday.
Thursday, October 23,2008:
Journal entry on ballad. Requires a little research. Find a ballad, read it, and respond in journal format.
Friday, October 24, 2008: Read the first 30 pages of the Independent Reading book about Mythology.
Bring your copies of "Hollow Man," to class on Tuesday for discussion. Please write a journal entry on the poem if you have not already. There is an online post ALREADY on the blog for your entry but not everyone has completed the work.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008:
Choose one of your essays to revise and type for a final. Be sure to use the rubric to make sure that you're using MLA guidelines for the final, typed paper.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008:
Same as Tuesday.
Thursday, October 23,2008:
Journal entry on ballad. Requires a little research. Find a ballad, read it, and respond in journal format.
Friday, October 24, 2008: Read the first 30 pages of the Independent Reading book about Mythology.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Homework for the week of 10/14/2008
Hi All,
Poetry projects are due this week and the marking period ends Friday. With that in mind, your only assignments are:
1) finish your outline for an in class essay this week
2) Choose one of your journal entries to clean up and revise to turn in for a grade.
3) Finish that project and make sure you have ALL the pieces!
Best of luck!
Lauren
Poetry projects are due this week and the marking period ends Friday. With that in mind, your only assignments are:
1) finish your outline for an in class essay this week
2) Choose one of your journal entries to clean up and revise to turn in for a grade.
3) Finish that project and make sure you have ALL the pieces!
Best of luck!
Lauren
Monday, October 06, 2008
Homework for the week of October 6, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008: Complete your outline for the Spring sonnets that we worked on in class today. You must have a completed outline in order to take the in class essay test tomorrow. No outline, no credit.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008: Read Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess." Annotate and respond to the poem in a journal (there is a post online for you to do this).
Wednesday, October 8, 2008: Read "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," by Maya Angelou. Annotate your poem and write a journal. (there is a post online for you to do this).
Thursday, October 9, 2008: No school today. For homework, complete an outline of the "Henry IV, Part Two," excerpt you have for your in class essay test on Friday.
Friday, October 10, 2008: Read "The Hollowmen," by T.S. Elliot. Annotate and write a journal entry. Be sure to have this poem with you in class on Monday, flags and all.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008: Read Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess." Annotate and respond to the poem in a journal (there is a post online for you to do this).
Wednesday, October 8, 2008: Read "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," by Maya Angelou. Annotate your poem and write a journal. (there is a post online for you to do this).
Thursday, October 9, 2008: No school today. For homework, complete an outline of the "Henry IV, Part Two," excerpt you have for your in class essay test on Friday.
Friday, October 10, 2008: Read "The Hollowmen," by T.S. Elliot. Annotate and write a journal entry. Be sure to have this poem with you in class on Monday, flags and all.
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