A Long Adventure

The epic BEOWULF covers 50 years in life of the hero Beowulf. During these years, Beowulf encounters 3 major battles. Which battle--Grendel, mother monster, or dragon--did you enjoy most and why? (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight Saturday, January 29, 2011)

Beowulf: Epic Hero

We have discussed the characteristics of the epic hero and we finished the first battle in BEOWULF. What traits of the epic hero have you seen thus far in the story? In what ways have these traits been exaggerated? What do these traits reveal the Anglo-Saxon values and ethics? (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight Thursday, January 20, 2011.)

The Anglo-Saxons

We have covered a great deal about the Anglo-Saxons and the historical period in which they ruled and changed England and developed our language. They were an interesting society. What are two things you found to be interesting about the Anglo-Saxons? Explain why. (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight Friday, January 14, 2011).

WeLcOme!

Welcome to your last high school English course! I am very happy to have each of you in my class. We have only 86 days together this semester, but in these days, I hope that you will enjoy the literature and writing experiences as well as improve some language skills before you head to college, the world of work, or the military. Comment below on what you are looking forward to learning this semester or something you would like for us to talk about or write about. (Deadline to post for extra credit is midnight, January 8, 2010)

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.