Mar 25-26
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Feb 25-26
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In 1652, just a few days shy of his forty-fourth birthday, John Milton’s world went black. Struck with glaucoma and lacking a cure, the great writer experienced the gradual loss of his vision that eventually left him permanently blind. |
People of every era, at any age, often face questions like the ones Milton pondered: "Where do I go from here?" and "Now that tragedy has struck, how can I possibly go on?"
First, make a list of four or five critical turning points that a person might face in his or her life. Then, next to each of these turning points, list questions that each of those events might force a person to consider. |
Feb 21-22
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Divide a journal page into two columns. Label them "Defeat" and "Triumph". Under each label, list ways in which you think death can be seen as either a triumph or a defeat. For example, dying to save someone's life may be considered a triumph, while dying in a needless accident may be defeat.
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"Death be not proud" |
Feb 6-7
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"A sonnet is fundamentally a dialectical construct which allows the poet to examine the nature and ramifications of two usually contrasting ideas, emotions, states of mind, beliefs, actions, events, images, etc., by juxtaposing the two against each other, and possibly resolving or just revealing the tensions created and operative between the two."
In your own words, what does this statement mean? Also, in your journal, name the characteristics of a Petrarchan sonnet. |
Feb 4-5
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The "L" Word
What is love? How would you define it?
What does it do to us and for us? Why have so many writers and poets sought to explain it or use it as inspiration? Writing about love is not something confined to Renaissance poetry. Think of a modern lyric (a poem or song) that deals with themes of love. What is the speaker's attitude toward love in your example? |
Jan 30-31 |
What makes a poem a sonnet?Explain, in detail, the characteristics of a sonnet.
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Dec 17-18 |
What does Billy Joel's narrator have in common with Marvell's narrator in To His Coy Mistress?
In what ways do these lyrics express the idea of carpe diem?
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Only the Good Die YoungBilly Joel, 1977
Come out Virginia, don't let me wait. You Catholic girls start much too late. Aw, but sooner or later it comes down to fate. I might as well be the one. Well, they showed you a statue, told you to pray. They built you a temple and locked you away. Aw, but they never told you the price that you pay for things that you might have done. Only the good die young. You might have heard I run with a dangerous crowd. We ain't too pretty, we ain't too proud. We might be laughing a bit too loud, aw, but that never hurt no one. So come on Virginia, show me a sign. Send up a signal, I'll throw you the line. The stained-glass curtain you're hiding behind never lets in the sun. Darlin', only the good die young. |
You got a nice white dress and a party on your confirmation.
You got a brand new soul, and a cross of gold. But Virginia, they didn't give you quite enough information. You didn't count on me when you were counting on your rosary. They say there's a heaven for those who will wait. Some say it's better, but I say it ain't. I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints, the sinners are much more fun. You know that only the good die young. Your mother told you "All that I could give you was a reputation." Aw, she never cared for me, but did she ever say a prayer for me? Come out Virginia, don't let me wait. You Catholic girls start much too late. Sooner or later it comes down to fate. I might as well be the one. You know that only the good die young. Only the good die young. |
Dec 12-13 |
The Nymph's ReplySummarize the young woman's reply in one word.
What reasons does Raleigh provide for this answer? |
Nov 19-20
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Girls, your journal prompt is this:
What is the thing that men most desire?
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Boys, your journal prompt is this:
What is the thing that women most desire?
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Oct 31-Nov 1 |
Expectations
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Oct 11-12, 2012
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The Middle Ages
When most people think of the Middle Ages, they usually think of knights and swords, castles and kings. What do you think of? What do you already know?
Describe anything you know about medieval Europe that you know from a history class or anywhere else you may have learned about the Middle Ages. |
Oct 3-4, 2012
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Of War
The Iliad is primarily a war epic. In your view, is Homer's epic a condemnation of the brutality of war, a celebration of the heroism that war can inspire, or an evenly developed examination of both of these aspects? Justify your answer with examples from the epic and from life.
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Oct 1-2, 2012 |
Honor Homer's The Iliad is essentially a war story, and its heroes are warriors, but men like Achilles and Hector are more than just bloodthirsty killers eager for the next fight. Homer's soldiers strive to achieve arete or personal honor and excellence. In their eyes it is honorable to fight bravely for one's king and comrades and dishonorable to seek safety for oneself when one's friends are threatened. To die at the hands of a more powerful enemy is far preferable to them than living with the dishonor of having fled a fight or failed to give one's all in battle.
What does the concept of honor mean to you? How can an ideal of honor make a better society? (Could it also harm a society?) |
September 26-27, 2012 |
"BFF" Although The Epic of Gilgamesh is thousands of years old, its two main characters experience some of the same desires and yearnings for adventure as people do today. They leave the safety of home together to seek adventure, and they take on challenges that will prove their worth-and perhaps, help them establish a place in the world.
Can you think of a pair of "friends to the end" in a modern book or movie who also share important adventures together? How does the bond of their friendship help or hinder them? Describe what happens to each character and to their friendship as a result of the challenges they face together. |
September 19-20, 2012 |
Beowulf and Christianity The Anglo-Saxons believed in stern gods and little hope after death, while Christians believe in the hope of an afterlife. Beowulf was written during a pre-Christian era, however, many modern readers of the epic see strains of Christian belief in the text.
Which passages reflect the old Anglo-Saxon belief system and which reflect a Christian outlook? |
September 12-13, 2012
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Everyone needs a hero.
Write about a contemporary hero, real or fictional, and the challenges he or she faces. Describe your hero and then analyze him or her using these questions:
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August 28-29, 2012
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What is your story?
Over the next two semesters we will have the privilege of getting to know each other through our work together in this class. Throughout the year we will read works by men and women whom we cannot meet in person. We will get to know these people through their words.
Please write a little bit about yourself. Let me get to know you by your words.
*Journal entries will be read by your teacher only unless you choose to share them. |