Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair.

This is a play of contrasts, especially appearance versus reality. Tell about one character or event in the play that really helped you to see that things aren't always what they seem. (Deadline to post a reply to this blog is midnight Tuesday, December 14, 2010. Also, please answer the poll question on the right side of the blog.)

Weird Sisters

We know that Shakespeare incorporated the three witches in Macbeth to please King James and other members of his audiences who were enthralled by witchery, but what other ways do the witches of importance in establishing the actions of Macbeth? (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight December 9, 2010.)

Passionate Pairings?

Read the following poem and comment on its theme and imagery. How does the imagery and juxtapositioning of images help create the poem's theme. Enjoy SONNET 30 by Edmund Spenser. (Deadline to comment is midnight, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010)

My love is like to ice, and I to fire;
How comes it then that this her cold so great
Is not dissolved through my so hot desire,
But harder grows the more I her entreat?
Or how comes it that my exceeding heat
Is not delayed by her heart frozen cold,
But that I burn much more in boiling sweat,
And feel my flames augmented manifold?
What more miraculous thing may be told
That fire which all thing melts, should harden ice,
And ice, which is congealed with senseless cold,
Should kindle fire by wonderful device?
Such is the power of love in gentle mind,
That it can alter all the course of kind.

A Man for All Times

Today, you learned many things about William Shakespeare. Did you know that your class quote/motto was written by William Shakespeare? Look at the attached picture and quote by the great "Bard of Avon" and comment on how Shakespeare's life proves this quote. (The deadline to post a response is midnight Friday, December 3, 2010)

Canterbury Parade

Today, you heard the reports about the tales. Which one did you find most interesting? Would you like to read it and why? (The deadline to post to this question is midnight, Friday, November 19, 2010.)

Canterbury Projects

Tale and more Tales

We have read "The Pardoner's Tale" and "The Wife of Bath's Tale." Which of these two did you find more interesting? Give two reasons. (The deadline to post a reply this blog is midnight Tuesday, November 9, 2010.)

The Canterbury Tales

Which in Chaucer's cavalcade of pilgrims is most interesting and why? (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight, Thursday, November 4, 2010.)

Federigo's Falcon

Today,we read from the DECAMARON "Federigo's Falcon," which was told on the day in which the young troupe told stories of love. Love, according to your writing responses, can include DEVOTION, PASSION, SELFLESSNESS, WEAKNESS, SELFISHNESS, and FOOLISHNESS. Select one of these words and explain how "Federigo's Falcon" explores this element. Give at least two examples. ( The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Saturday, October 30, 2010.)

In Le Morte d'Arthur, King Arthur displays many of the chivalric virtues of the Middle Ages: mercy, loyalty, skill, faith, generosity, justice, and nobility. Select one of these virtues and explain how Arthur maintains this virtue in the excerpts we read. (The deadline to post a reply to this topic is midnight, Sunday, October 17, 2010.)

That Pig Means Something...

There are many themes in LORD OF THE FLIES. Among them are good versus evil, the importance of unity, the importance of law and order, survival of the fittest, the evil of mankind, the belief in hope, the loss of innocence, and the process of maturity. Which theme in the novel did you find most interesting? What did you learn through LORD OF THE FLIES about this theme? Explain which scene(s) in the book helped you to fully see this theme and how. (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight Tuesday, September 28, 2010.)

FaLl Of SoCiEtY

In chapter 8 of Lord of the Flies, Ralph asks Piggy, "What causes things to break up like they do?" What are two principle reasons the society on the island has started to break up? How does this reflect real society? What do you think is the main cause of problems in our society? How could this be corrected? (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight Thursday, September 23, 2010.)

Rules! Rules! Rules!

In chapter 5 at the night assembly, Ralph makes the statement that "the rules are all we have." How important are rules? Why? Which rules are most important in life? Why? (The deadline to post a comment to this question is midnight Saturday, September 18, 2010.)

Survival of the Fittest?

Well, the Lord of the Flies Island Survival Contest is up and running. Who will survive? Who will get a 100 unit test grade?

LoRd oF ThE fLiEs

We have just begun reading Lord of the Flies and already we have learned many things about the characters of the novel. Authors use various methods of characterization: direct and indirect to develop their characters. Select either Ralph, Piggy, or Jack and discuss three methods Golding has used to create this character. What do you find most appealing about Golding characterization of this island survivor? Why? (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight Saturday, September 11, 2010)

BEOWULF: The Epic Hero

We have just finished reading Beowulf and discussed the characteristics of the epic hero--the journey/quest, the battle with monsters for the greater good of society, the embodiment of a society's customs, the possession of super strength, the display strong ethics, the glorification by those he saved, and the neverending fight of good vs. evil. Which of the characteristics did you find most believable in the story? Which was hard to accept? Which of the three battles did you feel best conveyed Beowulf as the epic hero? Why? Also, please answer the blog poll about Beowulf on the other side of this post. (You may post a response to this blog until midnight August 29, 2010)

Books That Made a Difference

When I was in the 8th grade, I was extremely bored in my English class. I would finish my work in the first 20 minutes of class and sit there for the next 40 minutes, bored to tears. My teacher, Mr. Bradshaw, noticed that I was bored and he handed me a copy of The Scarlet Letter. "Read this," he said, "I think you will enjoy it and we can talk about it when you are finished." At first I didn't want to read a book I wasn't going to have to write a report on or take a test about, but then I started reading it. It was the most amazing story, filled with inspiration and thought-provoking passages. The book helped me to see the value of being responsible, of being an individual, and of doing good with your life. That book made a difference in my life. What is a book that you have read that taught you something? made you think? or made a lasting impression? How? (The deadline to post a comment on this blog is midnight Thursday, Aug. 12th.)

Decoding the Message

Golding said in his discussion after the book ended that all the matters is not what the author thinks he put in the book, not what a teacher or professor says in the book, but what the reader gets from a book. What did you get from the book The Lord of the Flies? What part of the book really helped you to see this? (This post closes at midnight on Friday, May 7, 2010.)

I am a part of you...

As Simon talks with the The Lord of the Flies, the beast tells him, "I am a part of you..." What is it in mankind that makes us beasts? What can we do to kill the beast inside of us? (This post closes at midnight on Wednesday, May 5, 2010)

LORD OF THE FLIES

Which character are you tracking? What have you learned about your character? Is your character helping or hurting the boys's progress on the island? Explain. (This post closes at midnight on April 23, 2010)

The Canterbury Pilgrims

As we cover the Prologue of The Canterbury Tales, which pilgrim(s) seem most interesting to you? Why? (This post closes at midnight on March 8, 2010.)

HONOR

In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the writer focuses much of the story on honor. In what ways is Gawain honorable? What do you feel was Gawain's most redeeming trait? Why? ( This post closes a midnight on March 1, 2010.)

Songs of the People

We have read and discussed several Medieval folk ballads. Which one did you find most interesting and/or enjoyable? Why? (This post closes at midnight on Tuesday, Feb 9, 2010.)

BEOWULF: The Tradition Begins

Beowulf begins the English literature tradition with the classic theme of good versus evil. Which character or scene from the epic did you find most enjoyable and helpful in understanding the theme of good versus evil? Tell why. (This post closes a midnight on Feb. 2, 2010)

What We Read...

Tell me about the best book or play you have ever read. What specifically made you like it so much? (This post closes at midnight on January 17th).