"Macbeth" Unit Final

Blogger is not always reliable, so I would type my response in word first and then copy and paste to the blog site.  It is 100% YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to have your blog submitted by the beginning of class on Tuesday, December 23.

Item 1:  Identify and EXPLAIN two themes in Macbeth, and use two examples from text to support the presence of the themes in the tragedy.

Item 2:  Using two elements of Greek Tragedy, and two elements of Shakespearean tragedy, explain how Macbeth is both.  Be sure to use examples from the TEXT (not the movie) for support.

Item 3:  Who is the tragic hero in Macbeth?  Defend your response.

"Macbeth" Act III Reaction

There is NO POINT VALUE for the first item, I am just curious:

- - -  What is your favorite snack?

- - - Who is more affected by the events of the play, Macbeth or Lady Macbeth?  Explain.

- - -  If Macbeth's fate is predetermined, do you feel sorry for him because he is only an instrument of fate?  Explain.

"Macbeth" Act II Reaction

- - -  Explain the progression of the tragic hero cycle for both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth through Act II.

- - -  Explain how Macbeth is like a Greek Tragedy through Act II.  Use evidence from TEXT to explain.

"Macbeth" Act I Reaction

- - -  Who or what is in control in the play?  Are the witches in control, are the characters in control of their own actions or is everything predetermined by fate?  Please defend your response.

- - -  Explain the significance of Shakespeare drawing distinctions between masculinity and femininity in the play, and of his use of contrast.  Support your response.

"The Pardoner's Prologue and Tale" Reaction

- - -  Explain who or what Chaucer satarizes in the prologue and tale.  Support with evidence from text.

- - -  Identify four of the Seven Deadly Sins as they are used in the prologue or the tale and explain how Chaucer is using them (to satarize, to criticize, to do whatever . . . you tell me.)

"The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale" Reaction

- - -  Look up the term, "feminist," and defend the Wife of Bath as a feminist.  Be sure to include evidence from text to support.

- - -  What is the theme of the Tale?  Explain.

"The Prioress's Tale" Reaction

- - -  Explain the satire in The Prioress's Tale.  Who or what is Chaucer satirizing, and how does he accomplish this?  Use evidence from text to support.

- - -  Based on item 1, and thinking back on how the Prioress was introduced during The General Prologue, does the Prioress tell a tale that you would have expected?  Why or why not?

- - -  Express what you learned by reading the tale and explain what that looks like in the world at-large.  The best responses to this item will directly connect what you learned to a current issue.

"The Knight's Tale" Part II Reaction

- - -  Explain two things on this blog:  1.  Exactly how Chaucer uses satire to create a social commentary about knighthood, and what exactly that commentary suggests.  2.  What institution or segment of society is like the knighthood in Canterbury Tales?  In other words, if Chaucer were alive today, instead of knighthood, what would he target with his satire.

"The Knight's Tale, Part I" Reaction

- - -  Explain what role courtly love plays in Part I (You may have to learn something about courtly love to sufficiently answer this item).

- - -  Explain how Chaucer uses elements of satire and allegory in Part I.

"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" Part III Reaction

- - -  Learn something about courtly love and explain how it is played out in Part III.  Also, explain the significance of courtly love in the poem.

- - -  The green sash the host's wife gives Gawain - explain its significance.  Why doesn't Gawain exchange it with the host as originally agreed upon?

Reaction to Part II of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"

- - -  Explain the development of Sir Gawain's character in Part II.  What changes occur and how Sir Gawain is developed?

- - -  Explain the role of religion in Part II.

- - -  Sir Gawain is challenged again in Part II - explain the significance of this challenge.

Reaction to Part I of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"

- - -  How is the beginning of Gawain different than the beginning of Beowulf?  How is it similar?  Explain.

- - -  Why does Gawain describe himself as the, "weakest," of all of the Knights?

- - -  What is the significance of how the Green Knight is introduced and what he says about those gathered for the feast.

Reaction to "The Lady of Shalott"

- - -  Explain any archetypes you were able to notice.

- - -  Explain how Tennyson treats the concept of love in the poem.

"Beowulf" Chapters XXXIV - XL Reaction

- - -  Explain the conflict between materialism and greed versus selfless, noble protection of those unable to protect themselves.

- - -  Is Beowulf's death honorable?  Explain.

"Beowulf" Chapters XVIII - XXXIII Reaction

- - -  What warning does Hrothgar issue to Beowulf in Chapter XXIV?  Does Hrothgar know something Beowulf does not?  Explain this.

- - -  Despite the fact that he is too old, too weak, and completely lacks confidence in his ability, why does Beowulf take on the dragon?

- - -  Have any new themes emerged in the poem?  Explain.

"Beowulf" Chapters V - XVII Reaction

- - -  I am pretty smart, but I just don't get why Beowulf - leader of the Geats, would care at all about risking his life to fight a semmingly unwinnable battle against a beast terrorizing OTHER PEOPLE, namely the Scylds.  Perhaps you all could shed some light.

- - -  Do the Scyldings overdo it with the celebration of Beowulf's achievement?  Why do they go to such lengths?  Support your responses.

No Blog Tonight

- - -  Technical issues with the blog site delayed my ability to post, so I am postponing tonight's blog until tomorrow.

"Beowulf" Prelude and Chapters I - IV Reaction

- - -  What have you observed about what the Saxons value?  Explain how you know this.

- - -  Why is Beowulf introduced in such a coy manner?