The Road Not Taken - Jamie

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference

By: Robert Frost 


Thesis: Frost used metaphor, tone and point of view to raise questions about the consequences of our choices.
 
Questions:

1) Explain the significance of the use of the road metaphor in this poem?
2) What is the tone of this poem? Would it make a difference if the opposite tone was used?
3) Was this poem meant to be taken literally or metaphorically?
4) What point of view was used in this poem? Do you think Frost chose this point of view on purpose?
5) What was Frost's purpose for writing this poem?

 
 

Act 2, Scene 2

Because this particular scene is the longest so far, I think it may be beneficial to summarize the more important points rather than take up the entire first page of the blog. One might not get the emotional content that lies within the lengthy speeches, but that's just life now, isn't it?

Scene two begins with Claudius and Gertrude discussing Hamlet's new "transformation" with his old friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Their majesties think it would a good idea for the two of them to spend time with Hamlet and discover the reason for his behaviour so as to resolve the probelm quickly. Polonius now enters with the ambassadors, which were sent to Norway to discuss the possible outbreak of war between the two nations. Voltemand then describes how the events transpired and goes on to explain Fortinbras, the nephew of ol' King Norway, was responsible this tension. He lied to his uncle, using Poland as his excuse to go to war, but in reality, Fortinbras planned to attack Denmark instead. All of this, he confessed to his uncle, who, being so thrilled with his honesty, awarded him 3,000 crowns ($$$), permission to keep his army and go through with his invasion of Poland. The king of Norway also requests permission for this same army to march through Denmark in order to reach Poland, so that may be foreshadowing some fight scenes in the future, we don't really know yet.

After the ambassadors take their leave, Polonius says he may have discovered the reason for Hamlet's newfound madness. He thinks it is because of his request towards Ophelia to end any sort of relationship they might have. At this point, Hamlet enters and they discuss how he is feeling. After some chit-chat, Hamlet is with his two friends Rosencrants and Guildenstern. All three discuss having some actors perform for them. Once these actors arrive, Hamlet welcomes them quite courteously and they talk about acting and so on. Hamlet asks an actor, before he and his group retire for the night, if it would be possible to insert some lines of his own creation into the play they plan to perform and if he could memorize them by tomorrow. The actor states this would be a welcomed act and he'd be happy to do so. After Hamlet is left alone, he describes his plans in regards to his usurper uncle, Claudius. The lines he came up with are similar to the murder committed by said uncle, so Hamlet believes he can use this play as a means of having Claudius accidentally blurt out a confession or "catch his conscience".

Questions
               Why do you think Shakespeare chose to add in all of the extra dialogue and make this scene so long instead of adding in another one?

Raymond's Poetry Seminar

Today's poem will be "The Raven", by Edgar Allan Poe.
Due to the length of the poem, only an excerpt will be read today.

...
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!

Then methought the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee- by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite- respite and nepenthe, from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! -
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted-
On this home by Horror haunted- tell me truly, I implore-
Is there- is there balm in Gilead?- tell me- tell me, I implore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us- by that God we both adore-
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

"Be that word our sign in parting, bird or fiend," I shrieked, upstarting-
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!- quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted- nevermore!


Thesis: Poe's use of poetic structure, ryhming and tone create a dark and foreboding poem

Vocabulary Words
Censer: An incense burner
Seraphim: Angels, celestial beings
Quaff: To drink, drinking
Nepenthe: An ancient Greek medicine, for depressed people
Balm of Gilead: Ancient Middle Eastern medical ingredient, also the name of a balm containing it
Aidenn: Eden, the garden of paradise
Plutonian Shore: The afterlife, the underworld. Derived from Pluto, Roman god of the underworld.
Pallas: Athena, also known as Pallas Athena, is a Greek Goddess

Questions

When the narrator already knows the raven’s only answer, why does he continue to ask questions that he thinks should have another?

What could the raven symbolize? Does it even understand what it is saying?

What do you think happens to the narrator at the end of the poem? Why?

Why do you think Poe chose to use a raven? Would the effect be the same with another bird?

Mike's Poetry Seminar

Genius By: Mark Twain

Act I Scene V

At another part of the platform Hamlet says he will go no further and demands the ghost to speak.

The ghost’s reply is “Mark me” which means listen and pay attention (I, v, 3). Also, before the ghost decides to unfold reveal its story he tell Hamlet that he must be ready to exact revenge after he is done hearing him out.

The ghost’s first words into the story confirm that he is Hamlet’s “fathers spirit” (I, v, 14). Before the ghost reveals his story he says he’s condemned to purgatory by day and to wander the earth “Till the foul crimes done in [his] days of nature/ Are burnt and purged away.” (I, v, 16-17).

But the most important part is when the ghost tells Hamlet to “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” which verifies that something was rotten in Denmark (I, v, 30). The King got murdered.

Later on in the discussion the ghost reveals even more. He explains that “Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, / A serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark / Is by a forged process of my death / Rankly abused: but know, thou noble youth, / The serpent that did sting thy father's life / Now wears his crown.” (I, v, 41-46). Everyone was led onto believe that Hamlet was bitten by a snake but he was murdered by his brother who now happens to be the king.

Hamlet’s response in “O my prophetic soul! My uncle!” which I think he’s basically saying “I knew it!” (I, v, 47).

The ghost then also says that Queen Gertrude was seduced into giving Claudius her “lust”. But as he’s explaining the whole story he believes the sun is about to rise so he decides to be brief. The ghost explains that Claudius poisoned him by pouring poison into his ear while he was sleeping.

The ghost says he was robbed of his crown, life and queen all at once in the midst of his sin filled life which he didn’t get the opportunity to repent for. So he tells Hamlet to exact revenge on those who conspired against him but to leave his mother out of it so that she can succumb to her own guilt.

The ghost leaves and Hamlet is by himself and he basically says that he wants to exact revenge on Claudius and that he will remember his father. Then Horatio and Marcellus arrive happy that he is safe and sane. But after seeing that their friend is safe they’re both curious and they want to know how Hamlet’s discussion with the ghost went. Hesitant to tell, Hamlet gets them to swear that they won’t tell anyone about what they had seen that night and that if someone asked them about it they would say they know nothing.

Hamlet didn’t come out and say what had just happened. He had promised his dead father that he would exact revenge on the new illegitimate king and this would require secrecy so he got Marcellus and Horatio to swear to secrecy and they departed.

Considering that it’d be immensely difficult to assassinate any king. Do you think Hamlet will succeed?

Do you think Hamlet will abide by his father’s request to leave his mother out of the plan considering that she is at fault just as much as Claudius is?

Act I Scene IV

It’s a little past midnight and it’s cold and dark. Hamlet along with Horatio and Marcellus are waiting for the ghost on a platform where guards keep watch.

Below where they stand they hear trumpets and cannon at the King's drinking party. Surprised Horatio inquires if it’s a custom for there to be loud parties where the king is just getting wasted.

Hamlets response is far from positive:

"They clepe us drunkards and with swinish phrase/

Soil our addition. And indeed it takes/

From our achievements, though performed at height, /

The pith and marrow of our attribute. /

So oft it chances in particular men /

That for some vicious mole of nature in them— /

As in their birth (wherein they are not guilty, /

Since nature cannot choose his origin), /

By the o'ergrowth of some complexion, /

Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason, /

Or by some habit that too much o'erleavens /

The form of plausive manners—that these men, /

Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect, /

Being nature’s livery or fortune’s star, /

Their virtues else (be they as pure as grace, /

As infinite as man may undergo) /

Shall in the general censure take corruption /

From that particular fault. The dram of evil /

Doth all the noble substance of a doubt /

To his own scandal. /" (I, iv, 22-41).

On the one hand he may be right as to having other nations insult them due to their partying. On the other hand Hamlet being a prince who is against partying just sounds abnormal. So that rant on his beliefs of what the King is doing may have been just another opportunity for Hamlet to take a shot at Claudius verbally.

Moving on, after Hamlet's speech the ghost appears. Seeing that the ghost looks like his deceased father Hamlet and Hamlet acknowledges him as such by calling him father and King. Hamlet being determined to speak to his deceased father asks what the ghost intentions are and what he wants from the three of them. But the ghost doesn’t answer. Instead it "beckons" for Hamlet to follow.

Hamlet with no regard for his life as proven by him saying this justifies his curiosity by saying "Why, what should be the fear? / I do not set my life in a pin's fee/; and for my soul, what can it do to that, / Being a thing immortal as itself?" (I, iv, 71-74).

The other two people involved to a minor capacity in Marcellus and Horatio have opposite views on what to do. They are both frightened and they both warn Hamlet that he shouldn't follow.

But Horatio thinks the ghost is evil "What if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord,/ Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff/ That beetles o'er his base into the sea,/ And there assume some other horrible form,/ Which might deprive your sovereignty of reason/ And draw you into madness? think of it:" (I, iv, 76-81). Horatio basically to sum it up says the ghost will make Hamlet kill himself or go insane so he shouldn’t go.

So even after the warnings as well as Horatio and Marcellus trying to physically restrain him Hamlet ends up following the ghost.

Horatio believes that the scenario is entirely supernatural and that they shouldn’t interfere because "Heaven will direct it." (I, iv, 101). While Marcellus says "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." and with that he wants to find out what’s going on so he thinks they should follow (I, IV, 100).

In the end Marcellus leaves and Horatio goes as well to follow Prince Hamlet and insure his safety.

Okay so after reading Hamlet's speech short speech on morals (the long thing I copied and pasted… see above) so to speak I kind of thought he was also referring to waiting for the ghost to appear as well. I kind of thought he was saying that a "dram of evil" was referring to his father's murder and how it drastically changed the kingdom because he said how the loud partying which is such a small thing stains their reputation amongst other nations which is a larger issue. In addition to that I kind of also thought that coincided with the “something is rotten in the state of Denmark” quotation because the murder of a king is a complete opposite way that new legitimate ruler should come to the throne. As well as the possibility of the state going awry just because of this new illegitimate ruler. So just one act of wrongdoing can spiral into something much larger and the ghost is just a visual representation that something is wrong in Denmark because of the wrongdoing.

I was just wondering does that makes sense?

Preliminary Marks

Well,

As promised I am posting some very preliminary marks. You can get your code name in class or just email me. The reason I'm suggesting the marks are preliminary is because each of you needs a chance to look at the marks one by one to ensure that all entries are accurate. In many instances, I believe, students didn't pass in their short story work and may still do so.

Keep in mind that the marks are unadjusted at this point. I said I would count the best 2/3 Stone Angel test results for Midterm reports.

If you feel your grade is really low, please don't panic. I think several students may have needed a reality check, but I stand by what I said before: I am looking to assign everyone the highest possible mark I can justify. Please give me some evidence I can use to do so (consider getting more active either in class or on the blogs, nudge nudge).

Keep in mind that there are several items that have yet to be marked and added, namely, the 3rd Stone Angel Test, the 2nd Verbatim Assignment, and the Grammar Bytes Activity.

As always, questions of a general nature may be posted here for the benefit of everyone.

Hamlet (Act 1, Scene 3) - Madison and Mia

At the beginning of the scene, Laertes is about to leave for France. He bids farewell to Ophelia, and warns her about Hamlet's intentions with her. Laertes does not believe that Hamlet takes his relationship with Ophelia in a serious manner. Ophelia was uncomfortable speaking with Laertes about the details of their relationship; however, she told Laertes that Hamlet had written her letters of his love. He brings to Ophelia's attention that he has to marry someone that will assist him in advancing politically. Polonius joined in on Laertes' opinion of Hamlet, stating that he also believed that he does not take his relationship with Ophelia serioiusly. He then forbids Ophelia to see Hamlet; and she promises that she will obey his request. Polonius bids farewell to Ophelia.


Do you think that Ophelia will obey her father, or go against his word and continue to see Hamlet?
Contrary to what Polonius states about Hamlet's intentions with Ophelia, do you think he would want his daughter to marry royalty?

Peer Editing

Your paper will be improved if you can get one or two good peer opinions on it. Remember to take suggestions with a grain of salt. You have the proprietary rights to your paper and may therefore elect not to act on any given suggestion(s). On the other hand, hearing from careful readers how well they were (or were not) able to follow your argument can be very beneficial.

As a peer editor, avoid the temptation to withhold your true opinion. Too often students will tell one another "Oh, this is good" even if they see problems or are left confused. The art of constructive criticism requires that you highlight what is good but also draw attention to areas for improvement.

When proofreading any paper (including your own), I advise making at least two passes through the paper. On the first level you will find it easy to pick out all the conspicuous errors, such as spelling, punctuation, grammar and MLA formatting. I call this 'micro-viewing' (see below).

On the second pass through the paper, try to look at the work as a whole. Does the thesis outline a clear direction for the paper? Do the supporting points bear on the thesis? Are the supporting points the most logical ones to use? How smoothly does the writer transition from one paragraph to the next or one point to the next? Does the writer select appropriate quotations to back up the main points? Does the writer include sufficient analysis of quoted and referenced material? Has the writer avoided simply retelling the novel? I call this 'macro-viewing.'

I think the questions listed above will help guide you when macro-viewing formal essays. In order to support your micro-viewing, I'll list a few issues to watch out for.

Micro-viewing

Please Ensure:
-essay is spell checked
-every sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a period or other final punctuation mark
-every sentence is complete, meaning each and every sentence has a subject and a main verb
-language is formal, informal "you" has been eliminated
-no contractions are used (e.g. didn't, don't, they're etc.)
-paper is double spaced, paragraphs are indented, but no extra space occurs between them.
-subjects and verbs agree, pronouns and their referents agree
-references to full length texts are underlined, names of poems appear in quotation marks.
-word 'quotation' is used instead of 'quote' when used as a noun.
-quotations have page or line numbers, parenthetical in-text citations are used
-sentences have been rewritten as necessary so that none ends with a preposition
-'who' or 'whom' has been used to refer to people as opposed to 'that'

When editing each sentence, ask whether it is possible to say the same thing using fewer words. If you can, do it. Your writing will be more concise.

1100+ page views!

You've probably noticed the page view counter already. I was curious to see what kind of traffic the blog was getting because I suspected that only a fraction of visitors were commenting. Looks like I was right.

On that note... I think the class blog has reached the point where it needs to be "by special invitation only." I want students to feel comfortable that their work and ideas are only being published to immediate stakeholders such as classmates, myself, administration and, upon occasion, parents, much the same way as their performance in class would be.

This means you will need to be logged in to your Google Account from now on to access the blog. Please ask any of your classmates who are having difficulty accessing the blog to email ewcwriter@live.ca and ask to be added.

Any thoughts?

Hamlet Act I, Scene II Plot Summary

The scene starts off with Claudius, the king of Denmark, Gertrude, the former wife of Hamlet's father and queen, Hamlet and some other noble men at the castle. The King decides to make a public appearance after months of mourning over the late King Hamlet. He gives his speech to let the people know that he is still there and that he is now the one in power. The King then goes on to say that he has married his sister-in-law (the King's wife) for the sake of the state even though the King passed away not even a month ago.

The King says how Prince Fortinbras of Norway, who is the nephew of the King of Norway, is currently planning an attack against Denmark because he feels that they are now at a disadvantage because of the King's death. Unlike the previous King who would go to battle, Claudius decides to write a letter to the King of Norway to inform him of his nephew's plans and tells Cornelius and Voltemand to deliver it. He adds on that they are to deliver the letter and only that (he seems to be very possessive of his power). By notifying the bedridden King, he will most likely call the attack off. Claudius then turns to Laertes, who wishes to go back to France and although reluctantly, Claudius agrees.

At this point, Hamlet speaks for the first time in the play. Claudius questions why he is still so gloomy and Gertrude, Hamlet's mother also steps in and tells him to stop wearing black clothes and basically to get over it. Hamlet argues back that she doesn't understand how truly sad and upset he is but Claudius tries to reason with him saying that mourning too much is unnatural and that all of it must come to an end eventually. Claudius adds on at the end that Hamlet should think of him as his new father (which creates suspicion about the King's death because Claudius is already trying to replace the King).

According to the text, Hamlet was planning on going back to Wittenberg but Gertrude and Claudius convince him to stay. Everyone exits and Hamlet is left alone. He goes on to express how extremely upset he is about his uncle marrying his mother so soon after his father's death (he's saying that his mother is being unfaithful and shows his disgust towards his mother's behaviour) and says how he wouldn't care whether he just melted away or not. Hamlet then says how it is a sin to take away his own life because it is just as bad as taking away someone else's life.

Towards the end of the scene, Horatio, Marcellus and Bernardo join Hamlet and Hamlet is especially happy to see his friend Horatio but asks what brings him in from Wittenberg. Horatio tries to be sympathetic by saying that he came for Hamlet's father's funeral but Hamlet realizes that he came to Elsinore for his mother's wedding. He says that the leftovers from the funeral were perfect for the wedding (once again, he expresses how upset he is over the quick wedding) and that it was the worst day he has ever lived.

Horatio mentions to Hamlet that he saw a ghost at the castle and that it resembled his father and this sparks Hamlet's interest. After listening to the full story, and after asking numerous questions, Hamlet says that he will stand guard with them that night to see if the ghost appears again. After the other two exit, Hamlet speaks alone once again and states confidently that he suspects foul play and that any bad behaviour will be revealed in time, no matter how hard people try to hide it.

*** I think this scene contains a lot of important information that will act as a base for the rest of the story. As I already mentioned, this is where Hamlet begins suspecting Claudius of bad deeds, which to me, is the most important piece of information in this particular scene. As we read on in the play, we will see how this suspicion progresses and whether Hamlet is on the right track. When I listened to the play being read, I also had suspicions about Hamlet's uncle's behaviour because he doesn't seem to be mourning at all, even though he claims he has been mourning. At the very end when Horatio is explaining what the ghost looked like (pale, sad and fully armed), this made me even more suspicious because it seems as though the King's spirit is unable to leave the castle for some reason and that reason may be because he was murdered. Horatio also mentions how the ghost stayed for a while and looked as if he wanted to speak but couldn't. If anything, the King was trying to explain how he died or was trying to warn them of something and possibly someone.

Question: Is there a possibility that Claudius and Gertrude planned the King's death together in order to gain power?

Madison's Poetry Presentation

First Fight. Then Fiddle.

First fight. Then fiddle. Ply the slipping string
With feathery sorcery; muzzle the note
With hurting love; the music that they wrote
Bewitch, bewilder. Qualify to sing
Threadwise. Devise no salt, no hempen thing
For the dear instrument to bear. Devote
The bow to silks and honey. Be remote
A while from malice and from murdering.
But first to arms, to armor. Carry hate
In front of you and harmony behind.
Be deaf to music and to beauty blind.
Win war. Rise bloody, maybe not too late
For having first to civilize a space
Wherein to play your violin with grace.

–Gwendolyn Brooks, 1949

Vocabulary:
Hempen - of, like, or pertaining to hemp.
Malice - desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another, either because of a hostile impulse or out of deep-seated meanness


Thesis:
Brooks’ choice of diction, form, and theme gives the reader an opportunity to explore the contradictory nature of music, and how it has the power to express many different emotions.

Questions:
1. The poem’s title, “First Fight. Then Fiddle.” is very straight and to the point. Do you feel that its nature matches that of the rest of the poem?

2. Comment on the poem’s sudden change in subject from line seven to line eight.

3. Brooks wrote this poem four years after the end of World War Two. Using what knowledge you have of this historical event, do you feel that it accurately represents the common emotions people felt during this time period?

4. Consider the line “Carry hate in front of you and harmony behind”. Do you notice more than one meaning for this particular line?

5. There are a few different ways to interpret this poem. After hearing it once, did you feel the poet meant for readers to take the message literally, or ironically?

Synopsis of Act 1, Scene 1

Outside Kronborg Castle, Francisco is keeping watch at his post at night.
Bernardo has come to relieve him of his shift, but due to some reason, they cannot immediately recognize each other.

As Francisco begins to leave, two more watchmen arrive, sharing their shift with Bernardo. Francisco departs, and the three men begin talking about an apparition that appears in the night, which Horatio insists does not exist, and will not be seen again.

Bernardo then begins to recount a previous run-in with the ghost when it coincidentally interrupts him by appearing before them. When Bernardo recognizes the ghost's resemblance to the late king, Bernardo and Marcellus pester Horatio into trying to converse with the spirit, since he is a scholar. Speaking in iambic pentameter like a noble, he addresses the ghost of the supposed king, which ignores him and stalks away.

The three men continue to describe how greatly the ghost resembles the late king, wearing both his armour and his frown. Horatio, thinking the ghost must be some kind of omen for the country, is interrupted by Marcellus, who asks why all the labourers have been working non-stop on weapons and boats. He is told by Horatio of a still standing dispute of land with the Norwegians, whose current king does not accept the agreements settled by the former, and refuses to relinquish the land, instead preparing for war.

Continuing to speak of the seemingly imminent war, Horatio is interrupted when the ghost appears once more. Increasingly desperate Horatio cries out to the ghost, demanding it give him some kind of answer, but the only responses or the caws of nearby crows. He continues to urge the ghost to stop and speak, whether of the country's fate, or why he still walks the Earth, but the ghost continues to ignore him. The three men chase the ghost until they eventually lose sight of it, and Marcellus laments their treatment of the ghost, feeling they have done the ghost wrong.

The three of them, noticing the ghost vanished as roosters began crowing, believe they should tell Prince Hamlet of the events that have unfolded that night, in hopes that the ghost would at least speak with him, since he is the prince.

Jason's Poetry seminar

Life by Charlotte Bronte

LIFE, believe, is not a dream
So dark as sages say;
Oft a little morning rain
Foretells a pleasant day.
Sometimes there are clouds of gloom,
But these are transient all;
If the shower will make the roses bloom,
O why lament its fall ?

Rapidly, merrily,
Life's sunny hours flit by,
Gratefully, cheerily,
Enjoy them as they fly !

What though Death at times steps in
And calls our Best away ?
What though sorrow seems to win,
O'er hope, a heavy sway ?
Yet hope again elastic springs,
Unconquered, though she fell;
Still buoyant are her golden wings,
Still strong to bear us well.
Manfully, fearlessly,
The day of trial bear,
For gloriously, victoriously,
Can courage quell despair !

Thesis: Charlotte Bronte uses personification, metaphor, and tone which works together in order to demonstrate the relationship between life and death.

1. How does Charlotte Bronte use metaphors in this poem?

2. How do the lines that use metaphors describe life?

3. How does the author use personification?

4. How does the tone change in line 21 and 22?

5. What is the overall message of this poem?

some facts about the author

- her most famous work, Jane Eyre(1847).

- When she was removed from school, Charlotte and her sister spent five years at home and wrote stories about imaginary worlds.

Hamlet Act I Scene I

I was bored and I didn't see any Hamlet stuff so...

Here's a run down of today's events:

Setting: It's night time outside Elsinore Castle in Denmark.

Francisco is on guard duty and Bernado comes to relieve him. Shortly after Bernardo is then joined by Marcellus, another watchman, as well as Horatio who happens to be a friend of Prince Hamlet.

Horatio is there because Marcellus and Bernado have been trying to convince him in joining them on guard duty, so that he can see the supposed ghost that appears. Horatio is skeptical over the whole idea of there being a ghost.

MARCELLUS	Horatio says 'tis but our fantasy,
	And will not let belief take hold of him
	Touching this dreaded sight, twice seen of us:
	Therefore I have entreated him along
	With us to watch the minutes of this night;	35
	That if again this apparition come,
	He may approve our eyes and speak to it.
HORATIO	Tush, tush, 'twill not appear.

(I,i,31-38)

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/hamlet_1_1.html

With Horatio being a skeptic he decides to wait and the the ghost does appear and but then vanishes. Horatio the skeptic then agrees that the ghost does resemble the recently deceased King even citing that the ghost was wearing the king's armour.

The ghost then materializes again and doesn't respond to Horatio talking to it and then it disappears as the "cock" (its a bird) crew signalling morning. Horatio then says they should tell Prince Hamlet because he believes that the ghost is indeed the deceased king and that it would definitely speak with to his son.

The post said to add my own comments:

Well I wasn't very engaged in the reading considering that I lacked a book so I found this to be useful:

http://nfs.sparknotes.com/hamlet

"Normal" people English right next to the stuff we have to read.

Also, my 2 part question is really to Mr. Pierce or to someone who remembers.

What were the characters who aren't main characters that just serve one purpose called and are Bernardo, Francisco and Marcellus part of that group?

"As always, participation here will count toward your oral language grade."

Duly Noted.

Poetry Assignment-Mia

"Alone”- Edgar Allan Poe

From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were; I have not seen
As others saw; I could not bring
My passions from a common spring.
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow; I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone;
And all I loved, I loved alone.
Then- in my childhood, in the dawn
Of a most stormy life- was drawn
From every depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still
From the torrent, or the fountain,
From the red cliff of the mountain,
From the sun that round me rolled
In its autumn tint of gold,
From the lightning in the sky
As it passed me flying by,
From the thunder and the storm,
And the cloud that took the form
(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view.


Thesis:Poe uses imagery, tone and a first person point of view to communicate to his audience an emotional understanding of the bitterness of his past experiences.

Questions:

1) What do you think Poe is speaking of when he references "a demon" at the end of the poem?

2) In the second last line, Poe writes "when the rest of Heaven was blue". Why do you think the author chose the colour blue? What kind of tone does it set? Would it set a different mood if another colour was chosen?
3) Do you notice a change in tone throughout the piece?
4) What line stands out to you most or conveys a different tone than the rest of the poem?
5) How else could this piece be interpreted?
6) According to the poem, Poe experiences a feeling of being alone. What type of events does Edgar Allan Poe express difficulty with experiencing throughout his upbringing?

Hamlet Pairings

Each and evey day we read Hamlet, you will have the chance to ask questions about the play here. Questions can range from fairly straight forward, like "who is Bernardo?" up to more profound questions like "Is it possible that King Hamlet wasn't such a great ruler?"

Each day I would like 2 students to take responsibility for outlining the main points of what we read (no cut and paste summaries please). Additionally, I'd like you to add your own thoughts, comments and questions about what we read. The students in charge will initiate a new post and everyone else in class can add comments in the comment section.

As always, participation here will count toward your oral language grade.

The pairings will be:

Day:

1-Julian, Ray
2-Eric, Linda
3-Mia, Madison
4-Keenan, Mark
5-Sean, Sarah, Will
6-Emily, Alan
7-Bill, Evan
8-Kim, Kelly
9-Shelby, Jason
10-Cassi, Brandon
11-Mike, Matt
12-Jamie, Ali
13-Alysha, Cam
14-David, Marcel
15-Blake, Sam

Roman Numeral Refresher

1- I
2- II
3- III
4- IV
5- V
6- VI
7- VII
8- VIII
9- IX
10- X
11- XI
12- XII
13- XIII
14- XIV
15- XV

Grammar Bytes!

One of the easiest ways to let professors know that you are not expecting a B or better grade on your formal essays is to turn in a paper that is (even moderately) plagued with typos, spelling mistakes and grammar errors. Even if the content is brilliant, the presentation suggests a lack of care.


Take this period to work through some of the exercises at Grammar Bytes in order to try to improve on some of your common slips (We all have them!). There are far too many exercises to complete in one class, so try to focus on 2 or 3 that you know have been troublesome for you in the past.


The site is set up so that you can click on some interactive exercises. The exercises look like a quiz, but the site will explain why your answer is right or wrong as you complete the exercise. Take your time and pay very close attention to the explanations that are given with corrections.


REFLECTION:


Once you have tried 2 or 3 of the exercises, spend the last 15 minutes of class blogging about the experience.


In your post, you should cover:


Which activities did you attempt?
How did you score?
How helpful was the exercise in helping you to avoid making the same mistake(s) in the future?
Please, use as many details as possible.
Do you have questions that aren't addressed by the site, that I could answer for you?


If you are one of the few Luddites who has not started a blog, you may email your reflection to ewcwriter@live.ca


DUE TODAY - just do what you can manage in a period.

chapter 6

who is Charlie Bean?

Chapter 4 stone angel

Is Lucifer a devil in the stone angel?