LONG ANSWERS: The following questions are worth 5 points each. Each question must be answered in a paragraph. Each paragraph must be at least five (5) sentences in length. You may use your notes and the play to help you write your answers.
1. Discuss the role that race plays in Shakespeare’s portrayal of Othello. How do the other characters react to Othello’s skin color or to the fact that he is a Moor? How does Othello see himself?
2. Othello undergoes a change as the play progresses. What is he like at the beginning? What is he like at the end? How does he change and why does he change?
3. The play features the strong symbol of Desdemona’s handkerchief. What is the meaning of this symbol and why is it so important to the play?
4. Discuss the importance of the setting of Cyprus in the play. What effect does the isolation of the setting have on the characters?
5. “You can fool some of the people all of the time; you can fool all of the people some of the time; but you can’t fool all the people all the time.” To whom would you apply this quote. Explain fully.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
OTHELLO NOTES
THEMES
THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF
MILITARY HEROISM AND LOVE
Othello is a great warrior who is clumsy when it comes to love. He wins Desdemona’s heart through tales of military heroism. He is happy when she is at his side, but he is lost when the war is called off. He is bereft (empty) of purpose on the island of Cyprus and it begins to wear on his relationship with his wife.
As a general, he is respected and admitted into Venetian society. As a man he is confused by the role he must play as husband and lover.
THE DANGER OF ISOLATION
The action of Othello moves from Venice to the island of Cyprus. Protected by military fortifications as well as by the forces of nature, Cyprus faces little threat from external forces. Once Othello, Iago, Desdemona, Emilia, and Roderigo have come to Cyprus, they have nothing to do but prey upon one another. Isolation enables many of the play’s most important effects: Iago frequently speaks in soliloquies (speech made while alone on stage); Othello stands apart while Iago talks with Cassio in Act IV, scene i, and is left alone onstage with the bodies of Emilia and Desdemona for a few moments in Act V, scene ii; Roderigo seems attached to no one in the play except Iago. And, most prominently, Othello is visibly isolated from the other characters by his physical stature and the color of his skin.
Iago is an expert at manipulating the distance between characters, isolating his victims so that they fall prey to their own obsessions. At the same time, Iago, of necessity always standing apart, falls prey to his own obsession with revenge.
MOTIFS: Recurring devices that inform the story
SIGHT AND BLINDNESS
Othello is obviously different from those around him. Desdemona, however, sees only the man. She has the power to see him for what he is in a way that even Othello himself cannot.
The beginning of Act II consists entirely of people staring out to sea, waiting to see the arrival of ships, friendly or otherwise. Othello, though he demands “ocular proof” (visible proof), is frequently convinced by things he does not see: he strips Cassio of his position as lieutenant based on the story Iago tells; he relies on Iago’s story of seeing Cassio wipe his beard with Desdemona’s handkerchief (III.iii.437–440); and he believes Cassio to be dead simply because he hears him scream.
The action of the play depends heavily on characters not seeing things: Othello accuses his wife although he never sees her infidelity, and Emilia, although she watches Othello erupt into a rage about the missing handkerchief, does not figuratively “see” what her husband
has done.
SYMBOLS
Symbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.
The Handkerchief
The handkerchief symbolizes different things to different characters. Since the handkerchief was the first gift Desdemona received from Othello, she keeps it about her constantly as a symbol of Othello’s love. Iago manipulates the handkerchief so that Othello comes to see it as a symbol of Desdemona herself—her faith and chastity. By taking possession of it, he is able to convert it into evidence of her infidelity. But the handkerchief’s importance to Iago and Desdemona derives from its importance to Othello himself. Othello claims that his mother used it to keep his father faithful to her, so, to him, the handkerchief represents marital fidelity.
The Song “Willow”
As she prepares for bed in Act V, Desdemona sings a song about a woman who is betrayed by her lover. She was taught the song by her mother’s maid, Barbary, who suffered a misfortune similar to that of the woman in the song; she even died singing “Willow.” The song’s lyrics suggest that both men and women are unfaithful to one another. To Desdemona, the song seems to represent a melancholy and resigned acceptance of her alienation from Othello’s affections, and singing it leads her to question Emilia about the nature and practice of infidelity.
THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF
MILITARY HEROISM AND LOVE
Othello is a great warrior who is clumsy when it comes to love. He wins Desdemona’s heart through tales of military heroism. He is happy when she is at his side, but he is lost when the war is called off. He is bereft (empty) of purpose on the island of Cyprus and it begins to wear on his relationship with his wife.
As a general, he is respected and admitted into Venetian society. As a man he is confused by the role he must play as husband and lover.
THE DANGER OF ISOLATION
The action of Othello moves from Venice to the island of Cyprus. Protected by military fortifications as well as by the forces of nature, Cyprus faces little threat from external forces. Once Othello, Iago, Desdemona, Emilia, and Roderigo have come to Cyprus, they have nothing to do but prey upon one another. Isolation enables many of the play’s most important effects: Iago frequently speaks in soliloquies (speech made while alone on stage); Othello stands apart while Iago talks with Cassio in Act IV, scene i, and is left alone onstage with the bodies of Emilia and Desdemona for a few moments in Act V, scene ii; Roderigo seems attached to no one in the play except Iago. And, most prominently, Othello is visibly isolated from the other characters by his physical stature and the color of his skin.
Iago is an expert at manipulating the distance between characters, isolating his victims so that they fall prey to their own obsessions. At the same time, Iago, of necessity always standing apart, falls prey to his own obsession with revenge.
MOTIFS: Recurring devices that inform the story
SIGHT AND BLINDNESS
Othello is obviously different from those around him. Desdemona, however, sees only the man. She has the power to see him for what he is in a way that even Othello himself cannot.
The beginning of Act II consists entirely of people staring out to sea, waiting to see the arrival of ships, friendly or otherwise. Othello, though he demands “ocular proof” (visible proof), is frequently convinced by things he does not see: he strips Cassio of his position as lieutenant based on the story Iago tells; he relies on Iago’s story of seeing Cassio wipe his beard with Desdemona’s handkerchief (III.iii.437–440); and he believes Cassio to be dead simply because he hears him scream.
The action of the play depends heavily on characters not seeing things: Othello accuses his wife although he never sees her infidelity, and Emilia, although she watches Othello erupt into a rage about the missing handkerchief, does not figuratively “see” what her husband
has done.
SYMBOLS
Symbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.
The Handkerchief
The handkerchief symbolizes different things to different characters. Since the handkerchief was the first gift Desdemona received from Othello, she keeps it about her constantly as a symbol of Othello’s love. Iago manipulates the handkerchief so that Othello comes to see it as a symbol of Desdemona herself—her faith and chastity. By taking possession of it, he is able to convert it into evidence of her infidelity. But the handkerchief’s importance to Iago and Desdemona derives from its importance to Othello himself. Othello claims that his mother used it to keep his father faithful to her, so, to him, the handkerchief represents marital fidelity.
The Song “Willow”
As she prepares for bed in Act V, Desdemona sings a song about a woman who is betrayed by her lover. She was taught the song by her mother’s maid, Barbary, who suffered a misfortune similar to that of the woman in the song; she even died singing “Willow.” The song’s lyrics suggest that both men and women are unfaithful to one another. To Desdemona, the song seems to represent a melancholy and resigned acceptance of her alienation from Othello’s affections, and singing it leads her to question Emilia about the nature and practice of infidelity.
PERIOD 5: ENGLISH 4 HONORS JAN-JUNE 2010
ANTHEM by Ayn Rand
Each response must be at least 50 words long.
J1: Describe the perfect world. Does language affect thought?
HW1: How much freedom would you be willing to give up to live safely?
J2: What is more important; the individual or society?
HW2: What makes Equality and International different from the others?
J3: Why is "choice" so important in life?
HW3: How are Equality and Liberty similar?
J4: How do you feel about the Yankees' 2009 Championship?
HW4: Why would baseball not exist in the world of Anthem?
J5: Are there positive features of the life depicted in Anthem?
HW5: Why are expressions of happiness forbidden?
J6: Did Equality's society fail to achieve greatness or did they forget greatness?
HW6: Would Equality call our society great?
J7: What is our most important invention?
HW7: Why does Equality doubt himself?
J8: Why are some products more successful than others?
HW8: What is the role of women in society?
J9: Should inventions improve society?
HW9: What does the light symbolize?
J10: Is the conflict in Anthem internal, external or both?
HW10: Why does Equality escape to Nature?
J11: Why don't you like tests?
HW11: What is a fair way to evaluate people?
J12: Free Write
HW12: Free Write
J13: Are you troubled by Liberty's subservience?
HW13: Is the ending a surprise?
J14: Should we censor speech?
HW14: Free Write
J15: What happens to Equality and Liberty next?
HW15: Which elements of Anthem are like our world?
J16: Do you believe you control your life?
HW16: Which elements of Pleasantville are like Anthem?
J17: Why is Utopia impossible?
HW17: What is wrong in Pleasantville?
J18: Is change always for the better?
HW18: What role does change play in Pleasantville?
J19: Why was the end of Pleasantville so unclear?
HW19: Would you live in Pleasantville?
MACBETH by William Shakespeare
J20: Is power a good or bad thing to have?
HW20: How does power change people?
J21: Do the witches need to be real?
HW21: Is Macbeth a good guy?
J22: What is the difference between a king and a tyrant?
HW22: Why does one evil act often require a second evil act?
J23: How are women viewed in Macbeth?
HW23: Is Lady Macbeth a stronger character than Macbeth?
J24: Why can't Lady Macbeth kill Duncan?
HW24: Why is Banquo a threat to Macbeth?
J25: What does blood symbolize in this play?
HW25: Are the visions real or hallucinatory?
J26: How do morality and ambition interact?
HW26: Free Writing
J27: How do the porter's words mirror the play?
HW27: How have Macbeth and Lady Macbeth traded roles?
J28: PREDICT: Will Macbeth be successful?
HW28: Is Macbeth responsible for his actions?
J29: Do you ever repeat past mistakes?
HW29: How come Horoscopes seem accurate ?
J30: Is Macbeth "power unchecked?"
HW30: What does Macduff mean when he says: “I shall do so, / But I must also feel it as a man”
J31: How do blood and hallucinations haunt the Macbeths?
HW31: What protects Macbeth from death: self-belief or a charm?
J00: How can Macbeth not have seen the end coming?
HW00: Did you enjoy the play?
MEN OF RESPECT
J32: Why does violence fascinate us?
HW32: How does the filmmaker heighten the violence?
J33: If you send someone to do your dirty work, who’s responsible?
HW33: Who is a more powerful character: Mike or his wife (Ruth)?
Each response must be at least 50 words long.
J1: Describe the perfect world. Does language affect thought?
HW1: How much freedom would you be willing to give up to live safely?
J2: What is more important; the individual or society?
HW2: What makes Equality and International different from the others?
J3: Why is "choice" so important in life?
HW3: How are Equality and Liberty similar?
J4: How do you feel about the Yankees' 2009 Championship?
HW4: Why would baseball not exist in the world of Anthem?
J5: Are there positive features of the life depicted in Anthem?
HW5: Why are expressions of happiness forbidden?
J6: Did Equality's society fail to achieve greatness or did they forget greatness?
HW6: Would Equality call our society great?
J7: What is our most important invention?
HW7: Why does Equality doubt himself?
J8: Why are some products more successful than others?
HW8: What is the role of women in society?
J9: Should inventions improve society?
HW9: What does the light symbolize?
J10: Is the conflict in Anthem internal, external or both?
HW10: Why does Equality escape to Nature?
J11: Why don't you like tests?
HW11: What is a fair way to evaluate people?
J12: Free Write
HW12: Free Write
J13: Are you troubled by Liberty's subservience?
HW13: Is the ending a surprise?
J14: Should we censor speech?
HW14: Free Write
J15: What happens to Equality and Liberty next?
HW15: Which elements of Anthem are like our world?
J16: Do you believe you control your life?
HW16: Which elements of Pleasantville are like Anthem?
J17: Why is Utopia impossible?
HW17: What is wrong in Pleasantville?
J18: Is change always for the better?
HW18: What role does change play in Pleasantville?
J19: Why was the end of Pleasantville so unclear?
HW19: Would you live in Pleasantville?
MACBETH by William Shakespeare
J20: Is power a good or bad thing to have?
HW20: How does power change people?
J21: Do the witches need to be real?
HW21: Is Macbeth a good guy?
J22: What is the difference between a king and a tyrant?
HW22: Why does one evil act often require a second evil act?
J23: How are women viewed in Macbeth?
HW23: Is Lady Macbeth a stronger character than Macbeth?
J24: Why can't Lady Macbeth kill Duncan?
HW24: Why is Banquo a threat to Macbeth?
J25: What does blood symbolize in this play?
HW25: Are the visions real or hallucinatory?
J26: How do morality and ambition interact?
HW26: Free Writing
J27: How do the porter's words mirror the play?
HW27: How have Macbeth and Lady Macbeth traded roles?
J28: PREDICT: Will Macbeth be successful?
HW28: Is Macbeth responsible for his actions?
J29: Do you ever repeat past mistakes?
HW29: How come Horoscopes seem accurate ?
J30: Is Macbeth "power unchecked?"
HW30: What does Macduff mean when he says: “I shall do so, / But I must also feel it as a man”
J31: How do blood and hallucinations haunt the Macbeths?
HW31: What protects Macbeth from death: self-belief or a charm?
J00: How can Macbeth not have seen the end coming?
HW00: Did you enjoy the play?
MEN OF RESPECT
J32: Why does violence fascinate us?
HW32: How does the filmmaker heighten the violence?
J33: If you send someone to do your dirty work, who’s responsible?
HW33: Who is a more powerful character: Mike or his wife (Ruth)?
J34: Who are the good guys?
HW34: Describe the strange behavior of Mike and his wife.
J35: Do you believe in visions?
HW35: Is Mike insane or just feeling guilty?
J36: Can the truth hurt as well as help?
HW36: Discuss: Mike is more to blame than Ruth.
J37: Do you believe in charms and amulets?
HW37: How do the predictions come true?
=
=
SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson
J38: Describe your first day of high school.
HW38:Can you keep a secret? Are there clues that Melinda is keeping a secret?
J39: How does your room express who you are?
HW39: Does your family communicate? How does Melinda's family communicate?
J40: Do you have school spirit?
HW40: Would Melinda be your friend?
J41: How do you express yourself?
HW41: Why do we sometimes not like people who are good at things?
J42: Why are some people "joiners" and others are not?
HW42: Are we the same on the outside as we are on the inside? Is Melinda?
J43: Free Writing
HW43: What is a real American? Is Mr. Neck a real American?
J44: Are the Marthas good friends to Heather or not?
HW44: What qualities are important in a person?
J45: Was being a child better than being a teenager?
HW45: Do you know anyone like Melinda?
J46: Have you ever felt used by others?
HW46: Is Melinda using Heather or is Heather using Melinda?
J47: Can you learn about love from a book?
HW47: Do guidance counselors really help?
J48: How closely do you notice your teachers' lives?
HW48: Are teachers always right?
J49: Free Writing
HW49: Free Writing
J50: Have you ever been dumped or dumped another?
HW50: Do suspensions really help?
J51:"Art is about making mistakes." What else is like that?
HW51: Do you ever cut school?
J52: What is a "total loser"?
HW52: Do you have a safe haven?
J53: Use the same categories Melinda uses and grade yourselves.
HW53: Were you caught by surprise by Melinda's revelation?
J54: What lies were you told in school?
HW54: Have you or your friends ever been in major trouble?
J55: Free Writing
HW55: Free Writing
J56: Which did you prefer: book or movie
HW56: What are your favorite movies?
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
NIGHT: The Project
DIRECTIONS: Choose one of the topics below and write only the body of an essay (at least two paragraphs).
1. One of the most tragic themes in Night is Eliezer’s discovery of the way that atrocities and cruel treatment can turn good people into brutes. Does he himself escape this fate?
2. In the midst of the dying men in Gleiwitz, the violinist Juliek plays a fragment of music written by the German composer Beethoven. Before and after the Holocaust, many people wondered how the Germans, cultured Europeans, could commit such barbaric acts. Does Wiesel suggest any rationale behind the Holocaust in Night? Does he speculate as to the motives of the perpetrators? What, for Wiesel, are those motives, if they exist?
3. It is possible to look at Night as the story of Eliezer’s loss of innocence. It might be argued, too, that innocence is impossible after the Holocaust. Is this true?
Important Quotation
DIRECTIONS: Interpret the quote below. In one paragraph, explain why Elie Wiesel chooses to end the memoir here.Why doesn’t Wiesel tell us what happens after his liberation?
In a second paragraph, explain how this quote applies to Elie himself. How has Elie changed from the beginning until now? How does he view himself? The world?
“One day I was able to get up, after gathering all my strength. I wanted to see myself in the mirror hanging on the opposite wall. I had not seen myself since the ghetto.From the depths of the mirror, a corpse gazed back at me.The look in his eyes, as they stared into mine, has never left me.”
The Interview
DIRECTIONS: Imagine you can interview Elie Wiesel today. You get to ask him ten questions. What are your questions and what are his answers. His answers must be based on information from the novel.
INTERVIEWER: I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Wiesel.
ELIE WIESEL: Thank you.
I:_________________________________________
E:_________________________________________
1. One of the most tragic themes in Night is Eliezer’s discovery of the way that atrocities and cruel treatment can turn good people into brutes. Does he himself escape this fate?
2. In the midst of the dying men in Gleiwitz, the violinist Juliek plays a fragment of music written by the German composer Beethoven. Before and after the Holocaust, many people wondered how the Germans, cultured Europeans, could commit such barbaric acts. Does Wiesel suggest any rationale behind the Holocaust in Night? Does he speculate as to the motives of the perpetrators? What, for Wiesel, are those motives, if they exist?
3. It is possible to look at Night as the story of Eliezer’s loss of innocence. It might be argued, too, that innocence is impossible after the Holocaust. Is this true?
Important Quotation
DIRECTIONS: Interpret the quote below. In one paragraph, explain why Elie Wiesel chooses to end the memoir here.Why doesn’t Wiesel tell us what happens after his liberation?
In a second paragraph, explain how this quote applies to Elie himself. How has Elie changed from the beginning until now? How does he view himself? The world?
“One day I was able to get up, after gathering all my strength. I wanted to see myself in the mirror hanging on the opposite wall. I had not seen myself since the ghetto.From the depths of the mirror, a corpse gazed back at me.The look in his eyes, as they stared into mine, has never left me.”
The Interview
DIRECTIONS: Imagine you can interview Elie Wiesel today. You get to ask him ten questions. What are your questions and what are his answers. His answers must be based on information from the novel.
INTERVIEWER: I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Wiesel.
ELIE WIESEL: Thank you.
I:_________________________________________
E:_________________________________________
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