Enlightenment/Restoration ?'s- Due February 12th

Answer the following questions from page 566-5701.
1. What was the Restoration in British History?

2. How did the political system change through the Restoration and 17th Century?

3. Why is this time also called the Age of Reason/Enlightenment? Give examples of people from this time who contributed to this label.
4. Define what Neoclassicism is how it was incorporates into the literature during the time. What was this age also called that relates to this concept?

5. The Enlightenment/Restoration is divided up into three areas based on people's names. What are they? What characteristics/authors/literary genres is associated with each age?

Modest Proposal ?'s-Due February 13th

Read "A Modest Proposal" in it's entirety. Then, I want you post your reaction using
these questions as a guide.

1.
What tone does the speaker of this this pamphlet use? In other words, if this guy
were alive, what would he be like to be around? Is this tone effective/appropriate for
the subject manner?
2.
What structure does he use to shape is argument? What the main arguments/point
that he brings up?
3.
What are examples of 'logic' that he uses? From an objective stand point(not gut
reaction, do they have logical merit?
4.
Go to www.logicalfallacies.info. What's a fallacy? What's an
example of a fallacy found in "A Modest Prosal"? What type of fallacy is it?
5.
What is your gut reaction to this piece of writing? Did your reaction/perception
change after you 'digested' the material and thought deeper?
6. Is this to be taken literally? If not, what is Swift's true purpose in writing this?
7.
Can you think of real life examples when people literally used twisted logic not in a
satirical fashion, but in a complete serious fashion to justify their actions?
8.
Should all decisions be based on logic/reason(as the Enlightenment suggests) or do
gut instincts come into play?

Puritan/Cavalier Comparison/Contrast- February 10

We read literature from two opposing forces, the Puritans and the Cavaliers represented by Milton/Bunyan and Lovelace/Marvel respectively.

1. Describe the worldviews of these groups.

2. How do these worldviews contrast with each other?

3. Give specific examples from selections we read that represent these worldviews?

4. Which worldview do you align yourself with more?

Pastoral Blog/Rural Living

Marlowe and Raleigh both write in the genre of pastoral poems dealing with the beauty of the agrarian lifestyle. Marlowe takes a positive idealistic view while Raleigh's response is more cynical. You live in a rural community area. What do you think about living here? What are the benefits? What are the drawbacks? Do you plan to live in a rural area once you've established a career? Why or why not? Feel free to respond to each other in constructive manner.

Hamlet/Macbeth Comparison/Contrast Essay-Pre-Writing Blog

Think about Hamlet and Macbeth in a broad sense looking for themes, motifs, plot devices, and archetypes. List three of them a give examples from each play of how you could compare and contrast them in an essay. Be thorough with your explanations since these could serve as springboards to your own and others' essays

Example

1. Stolen Kingship

Hamlet- Claudius kills his brother in order to gain power to the throne. It seems like he has no legitimate claim to the thrown and is shown to be inept through Hamlet's description and the mob's dissatisfaction. Claudius realized that there is a ton of pressure put on him with his power. He seems to abuse it with all of his partying. He wants to repent of his sins; however, he's willing to give up power. Eventually, Claudius is punished for his crime through Hamlet's revenge

Macbeth- Macbeth kills his cousin in order to gain power. It seems as though Macbeth has more natural potential to be king compared to Hamlet as he is praised highly. Initially, he doesn't even want the role, but Lady Macbeth pressures him onward. Macbeth's guilt is immediately shown in the play as opposed to Claudius's delayed repentence. Just like Claudius, Macbeth soon is overcome with the pressures of being king psychologically as he seems not to be able to sleep. Macbeth's desire for blood increases via a reign of terror. Macduff steps in to right the wrongs and restore Malcolm to the throne

1.

Hamlet-


Macbeth-


2.

Hamlet-


Macbeth-


3.


Hamlet-


Macbeth-

Macbeth Prediscussion Questions

Crossfire


Circle either agree or disagree for each statement. There are no right or wrong answers, and you will not be graded on which one you choose.

Agree/Disagree 1. Our fate is predetermined.

Agree/Disagree 2. It is natural for humans to strive for power.

Agree/Disagree 3. When in power, humans will do anything to maintain it.

Agree/Disagree 4. An accomplice is just as guilty as the person who commits a crime.

Agree/Disagree 5. If you kill, you should be killed in return (“an eye for an eye”).


Choose two of the above questions to discuss in writing. Explain why you chose the answer you did in 3-4 sentences. Please include examples to support your viewpoint. You will be using your explanations in small group and class discussions, so be specific!

Hamlet Act IV and V Journal- Due December 23rd

1. What common event takes place in the lives of Hamelt, Fortinbras, and Laertes? How are the reactions of three similar? How does each cope differently in the the event?

2. How do Hamlet's views of death develop from the "To Be or Not To Be" soliloquy in Act III to his answers about the whereabouts of Polonius's body in Act IV to the graveyard in Act V sc i to his finals words in the last scene? What questions about the nature of life and death did the play make you think about?

3. Is Hamlet right to admire Fortinbras's actions in Act IV sc iv? Why or why?

4. What role do literal poisons have throughout the play? In a more abstract and metaphorical way, what and who else is 'poisoned' throughout the play?

5. Does Hamlet redeem himself at the end of the play? Does he deserve a soldier's funeral that Fortinbras gives him?

6. A lot of characters die in the play. Which characters bring their deaths upon themselves and which ones are mere victims of fate? Explain your answers.

7. Overall, did you like this play? Why or why not?