Wed. Dec. 21, 2016: In-Class Essay

Today, you wrote an in-class essay. Your cheat sheets and the instructions were returned to those who submitted them yesterday. This is a one hour activity. Please remember that you have an independent novel study DEADLINED for Friday, January 6.

Tues. Dec. 20, 2016: Cheat Sheet

You will be writing your in-class essay tomorrow so you will get today's class to create a cheat sheet. It must be handed in to me by the end of class (it will be returned tomorrow).

Thurs. Dec. 15, 2016 to Mon. Dec 19, 2016: Hamlet Film

For the next three days, you will be watching the feature film Hamlet, starring Mel Gibson. If you weren't in class, check to see if it is online or on Netflix.

Wed. Dec. 14, 2016: Hamlet Exam

Today, you wrote your Hamlet exam.

Tues. Dec. 13, 2016 to Wed. Dec. 21, 2016: Hamlet tests and essays (READ ALL)

Today, we finished reading Hamlet. I have put a test prep. sheet in your portfolios.
The rest of the classes before the holidays will proceed as follows:

You will write a comprehension exam tomorrow (Wednesday)
You will view the feature film Hamlet, with Mel Gibson (Thurs., Fri., and Mon.)
You will get a day to work on your essay cheat sheet (Tues.)
You will write an in-class essay on Wed (the 21st).

The questions for the essay were provided yesterday (see blog or portfolio).
The test prep. information is posted below:

Hamlet

Test Prep: 2016

Questions 1-35            True/False statements that tie to the plot of the play. If you know it, you

                                    will do fine (Trivia).

Questions 36-88          Multiple choice: complete the sentence provided. These also are

                                    examining how well you know the play (Trivia).

Questions 89-92          Matching characters to quotes: You will have to actively examine four       

quotes and then determine which character (provided) stated each one. Process of elimination works for this.

Questions 93-97          Matching WHO IS BEING DESCRIBED to quotes. Students mess this

                                    one up because they don’t read the instructions. It is NOT who is saying it

                                    but who is being described that matters. Process of elimination works for

                                    this.

Questions 37-44          Active reading of an excerpt from a play and multiple choice questions to

(98-105)                      examine understanding. You will get a dictionary. Read as actively as time

allows. Use process of elimination on these questions.

Mon. Dec. 12, 2016: Hamlet

Today, we began reading Hamlet on Act IV, Scene 5 and ended on Act V, scene 1, at the top of page 131.
I also gave you your in-class essay question early so you could start preparing for your in-class essay on Wed. December 21. I have posted this below.

If you were not here, read the section and complete the following questions:

7. How does Claudius propose to satisfy Laertes’ suspicions?

8. What reasons does Claudius give Laertes for not taking action against Hamlet, who, Claudius says, “Pursued [his] life”?

9. Why does Claudius plan to poison the drink, in addition to poisoning the rapier tip which Laertes will wield?

     10.      How does Ophelia drown?

ELA B30

Shakespearean Timed Formal Essay

Time Allowed: sixty minutes

Instructions: Using the Shakespearean play we studied in class, answer either a. b. c. or d.

a.       When it comes to the main character, determine if he is cunning or crazy. Defend your position. OR b.      Is the main character a person who could be defended as basically good or one who could be seen as basically bad? Defend your position. OR c.       Examine the actions of the main character. Based on our earlier unit, could he be defined as brave (heroic) or cowardly? Defend your position                                                              OR d.      Examine the differences between the text version of the Shakespearean play read in class and the film version viewed in class. Why did the director or script writer choose to make differences to the film? Defend your position.

I am allowing you to have the question early so you can prepare; I am also allowing you to bring in a cheat sheet of no more than 50 words. If the cheat sheet has more than 50, then it will not be allowed. Your planning should involve gathering your evidence, studying essay format, and honing up on any areas of mechanics or punctuation where you have deficits.

Further considerations:

·         You must write in dark blue or black ball-point pen (not felt tip as they bleed through).

·         You must double-space (this allows you room to cross out errors and fix in the line above).

·         You will be allowed to use a dictionary.

·         You will be given a planning page (you cannot bring one in with you).

·         All electrical devices must be off your person (if you bring them in the room, put the item(s) in the day care).

·         You will write on Wednesday, December 21.

    

Fri. Dec. 9, 2016: Hamlet

Today, we read from Act III, scene 2 (p. 95) of Hamlet up to Act IV, scene 5 (we will start on this act on Monday).

Below are questions you need to answer to show you were active in this reading (if you were not here). Hand these in on Monday.

The end of Act III:

1.      What is the apparent purpose of the Ghost’s appearance in the Queen’s bedroom while Hamlet speaks with his mother?

Act IV, scenes 1-3

    1.      What is Claudius’ response when Gertrude tells him that Hamlet has murdered Polonius?

2.      What does Claudius direct Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to do?

3. Why does Hamlet hide Polonius’ corpse and then dash away when Rosencrantz and Guildenstern question him about it?

4. Why does Hamlet call Claudius “dear Mother”?

Wed. Dec. 7, 2016: Hamlet Act III

Today, we assigned new roles and began reading Act III of Hamlet. We got to Act III, Scene 2, line 195 (page 81).

If you were not here, read this section and answer the following questions:

1.      What do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report to Claudius regarding their conversation with Hamlet?

2.      What do the pair fail to reveal to Claudius?

3.      What favor does Hamlet ask of Horatio?

4.      What is the plot of the Dumb Show the Players present?

Tues. Dec. 6, 2016: Hamlet: Act II

Today, we read the rest of Act II of Hamlet. If you were not here, you will need to answer the following questions after you read it and submit it for the next class.

7. What does Polonius mean in an aside, as he speaks with Hamlet, “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t”?

8. What does Hamlet make Rosencrantz and Guildenstern confess?

9. Why have Hamlet’s two friends arranged for the theatrical troupe to perform at the palace?

10. What is the significance of the speech which Hamlet requests from the actor, taken from the story of the Trojan War?

Mon. Dec. 5, 2016: Hamlet Act II

Today, we read Act II of Hamlet. If you were not here, you will need to read the Act, answer the questions pasted below, and submit at the start of the next class.

Act II: Study Questions

1. What task does Polonius assign Reynaldo in Paris?

 2. Why is Ophelia so upset when she speaks with her father?

3. In what respect does Polonius change his mind about Hamlet and the prince’s relationship to Ophelia?

 4. What task does Claudius assign to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?

 5. What news do Voltemand and Cornelius bring back from Norway?

 6. What do Claudius and Gertrude conclude after hearing Polonius read the letter from Hamlet to Ophelia?

Fri. Dec. 2, 2016: Hamlet Reading: Act I

Today, we continued to read Hamlet. If you were not here, there are questions pasted below. You need to read all of Act 1. If you were not here, you will need to do the reading questions below. Submit these questions when you return.
I

1.      In his soliloquy, what are Hamlet’s reasons for objecting to his mother’s remarriage?

  

2.      What advice does Laertes give to Ophelia as he says farewell to her prior to his departure for Paris?

3.      What advice does she give Laertes in return?

4.      What is the thrust of the advice Polonius gives Laertes as his son prepares to leave?

5.      What does Polonius instruct Ophelia to do regarding Hamlet?

6.      What does the apparition tell Hamlet?

7.      What two-part oath does Hamlet extract from his companions following the encounter with the Ghost?

Thurs. Dec. 1, 2016: Hamlet

Today, we began to read Hamlet. If you were not here, there are questions pasted below. You need to read Act 1, scene 1 and Act 1, scene 2 (up to the end of page 12). Submit these questions when you return.

Hamlet: Study Questions: Act I

1.      Why does the Ghost of Hamlet’s father appear but not speak to the officers on sentinel duty?

2.      What do Ghostly apparitions usually portend, according to these witnesses?

3.      What is the content of the dispatches Claudius has sent with Voltemand and Cornelius to the King of Norway?