What is Hell?

We are going to start into Dante's THE INFERNO, a story about a man's journey through Hell. For next time, come to class with a 1pg, typed essay regarding the question
What is Hell? If you do not believe in Hell, then explain what you think others believe of Hell. You can include and address what happens in Hell, why does it exist, who goes there, etc., or explain what you think others believe of those matters regarding their belief in Hell.

Also bring a final draft of your essay, along with your response draft and the blue response sheet.

Finish Oedipus

For Monday, you should have the second part of "Oedipus the King" read, which finishes off the play (fast, right?). Hopefully, it is easier this time than the last, since you watched a little of the play to see what is going on.

PS: Don't forget the play for extra credit this weekend if you want to go!

Homework + Extra Credit

You need to start reading Oedipus the King (pronounced Ed-i-pus) in your text book (World Masterpieces) pgs 430-452, Part 1 of Oedipus the King.

I wanted you to look at how Oedipus fits into being a tragedy and what characteristics make Oedipus a tragic hero.

One really great opportunity happening this weekend is Antigone (pronounced An-tig-oh-nee) is playing for FREE Oct 7-9 and 11-12, 5pm at UVU. Sophocles actually wrote 3 plays about the myth of Oedipus, the first of which is Antigone (we are reading the second).

Click here for more info.

I am willing to give you extra credit, if you attend one of the showings, since it will give you great background to the play we are reading, as well as it is being shown in a very authentic environment, outdoors.

To get the extra credit, you must bring some sort of evidence of your attendance (a ticket, a playbill, a photo, etc), and you must write a one-page analysis of one of the major characters (explaining he/she is important and why he/she is the way he/she is meaning what forces, background, or decisions have made the character into the person he/she is in the play).

Sept 23 Homework

Here is a link to all of the instructions about a blog. I wrote a post about it for my other class, so you will find all of the instructions there, so I expect to get an email from you by Monday.

REMEMBER to also read Allegory of the Cave and write at least 3 notes on every page. Seriously, it is an AMAZING piece and is so powerful.

Sept. 09

I hope you are keeping up with the reading. If not, please, please, please take advantage of the weekend. It might seem like you can slide by without completing the full text for now, but it will be nearly impossible to complete the unit with a test and paper, without having the background and understanding you get from actually going through the novel.

Again, if you are struggling with the reading come talk to me, and we'll find resources to make this text come alive for you.

The homework is to read Books 13-16 of The Odyssey, and to study the vocabulary (we will have a quiz on the first 13 words on Wednesday, Sept. 15 (not next class period, but the one after it).

PS: My goals this weekend is to post some YouTube vids of the story to help you out.

Sept. 2/6: Vocab Definitions

Sorry! I am late on this post. Here are your vocab words.

PS: My camera is out for right now, so I am sending you to sparknotes.com for help with your reading due Sept. 9th (Books 9-12 of The Odyssey). The link should take you to a summary of Book 9, then go from there. (I totally suggest reading the "Analysis" section after the summary!)
Best wishes on the reading my friends!

VOCABULARY

epic: long, narrative poem about a nation or national hero

bard: a poet, a minstrel, and a musician, especially one treating epic themes/composer or singer of epic poetry

ethnocentricity: a belief that one culture is superior to others; evaluating other races/cultures by your own criteria

allusion: reference to something that has happened in history, mythology, or literature which is used by way of illustration (often confused with illusion: deception, figment of imagination)

acculturation: transfer of one culture onto another; to adapt to or adopt another culture

myth: a story which explains natural/personal phenomena (people use them to explain what they do not understand)

legend: a story passed down from generation to generation, regarded as historical, however unauthenticated

hero: a man of great strength and courage favored by the gods and often descending from them

patriarchal: a society in which the father is in charge of the family, tribe, etc.

matriarchal: a society in which the mother in in charge of the house, tribe, etc.

animism: belief that there are living souls in trees, stones, stars, etc.

totemism: idolization of a mascot; belief in a kinship and descent from and mystical relationship to a spirit being

reprisal: retaking of belongings after someone has taken them from you (revenge, retaliation)

exogenous: developing from without; originating externally; caused by external factors

lex talionis: law of punishment; retaliation whereby a punishment resembles the offense committed in degree and kind

philosophy: love of wisdom and knowledge; using reason in search of truth

anthropomorphic: relating the human body or characteristics to gods, animals, objects, etc; resembling or made to resemble human form

propitiation: an atoning sacrifice which wins the favor of the gods; appeasement or making amends to (propitiator=peacemaker)

appeasement: bringing a state of peace; appeasing the gods or making them calm or quiet by making concessions)

in medias res: in the middle of things

moira: fate

hubris: arrogant pride or presumption; excessive pride toward or defiance of the gods (leads to nemesis)

nemesis: downfall

symbol: sign or token which appears as a concrete object in a story but also represents something else

archetype: a symbol with meaning across cultures; a recurring symbol in literature, art, etc.

dactylic hexameter: poetic form with 6 feet of dactyls (the poetic beat is long-short-short aka stressed-unstressed-unstressed aka _ u u)

pathos: experiencing or suffering along with the character, person, etc.

xenia: hospitality

nostos: return home; homeward voyage

Aug. 25/27/31

Here is a quick review of what we have completed in class and for homework in class thus far:

Aug. 25: Intro to the Gods (Assigned Mythology pgs. 13-40 and World Masterpieces pgs. 326-330, due Aug. 27)

Aug. 27: Reading Quiz, Greek culture, Disclosure Doc. (Assigned Mythology pgs 178-219, due Aug. 30)

Aug. 30: Grammar pretest, Trojan war, Intro to The Odyssey (Assigned The Odyssey books 1-4 and page on epic in Trojan war packet, Due Sept. 2)