READ HAMLET

That is your homework, READ IT. I said this in class but for those who weren't there....

Study the lines, the words, and have something to say about it when we get to class.

****** THERE MAY BE A QUIZ, come prepared, KNOW the story, at the very least

This is fun:

Hamlet in Cartoons
http://www.angelfire.com/oh/Pretzel/dogsummary.html

HAMLET - Words, WORDS, words

We watched half of Hamlet today in class, the Franco Zeffirelli version, starring Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, Alan Bates and Helena Bonham-Carter. It is a brilliant dramatization of the play but many lines are missing in it. I encourage to read the play over the weekend, line for line.

Homework
1, Write one page, journal-like, about the experience of watching Hamlet and seeing the performance, the accessibility of the language, the hearbreak in the story, whatever you want to say about the experience. What it means to you.

2, Poetry explications are DUE on Tuesday!


3, read * “Writing About a Play” (2126-2137) in your books.
I will keep posting helpful links and resources about Hamlet, in the left column.

Please email me if you still can't access the Hamlet essay questions.

Thanks and have a great weekend!

POETRY EXPLICATION Deadline Extended - HAMLET begins

1, Due to popular request, I am going to extend the deadline for the poetry explications, now due Tuesday, November 24th. To that end, I will add explication examples to the list at left. Also, I will add a few more poems to the list to choose from. There will be no excuses then for poor papers.

2, COME TO CLASS ON THURSDAY KNOWING THE STORY OF HAMLET. WHAT IS THE PLOT?

3, THE HAMLET ESSAY QUESTIONS ARE ALSO AT LEFT. DUE: December 8, 2009.

WRAPPING UP POETRY

1, The deadline for Poetry Explications has been extended to Thursday, November 19,2009. There are no exceptions to this. Please bring A PRINTED version to class.

2, Tuesday's poems listed at left and in your book:
-"Do Not Go Gently Into That Good NIght", Dylan Thomas pg 867
-"Love Calls Us To The Things of this World," Richard Wilbur, pg 739
-"Spring and All," William Carlos Williams, pg 1183
- (One other that will be linked at left

3, By POPULAR request, I will give the essay assignment for Hamlet on Tuesday. We should begin our Drama portion of the course on Thursday

AS ALWAYS, PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO MEET WITH ME ABOUT YOUR ESSAYS OR ANY OTHER QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE

POEMS FOR THURSDAY AND POETRY EXPLICATION

1, Please find the poems for Thursday's class at left. Please read the poems carefully and come prepared to talk about the poems! I have your journal so don't worry about recording, but please come to class with something to say.

2, I've listed the Poems along with the Poetry Explication Assignment below.

See you Thursday!

POETRY ASSIGNMENT: DUE Tuesday, November 17, 2009

ENGLISH 2201
Lisa Cupolo

Poetry Explication Essay Assignment
Value: 10%

Due: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, in class

Format: Times New Roman font in 12-point type; 1” margins all around.
Please include a works cited page as well.
____________________________________________________________________

**
A poetry explication is defined as a relatively short analysis which describes the possible meanings and relationships of the words, images, and other literary devices that make up a poem. Writing an explication is an effective way for a reader to connect a poem's plot and conflicts with its structural features. Select any one (1) of the poems listed below that we have discussed over the course of the semester. In an essay of two to three (2-3) pages, double-spaced, discuss some interesting features of the poem you have chosen; for instance, consider the ways in which vocabulary, syntax and imagery work to develop and reinforce the poem’s tone and discuss the poet’s meter and arrangement and the effect of it.

**
The critical component I am looking for is not only an indication that you understand the basics of the poetic devices and how they reveal and/or contribute to the poem’s meaning BUT ALSO your thoughts on what the poet’s intent in writing the poem might be and/or what theme(s) might be present.
Please remember to quote directly from the poem, minimum five references to the poem.

POEMS TO CHOOSE FROM FOR EXPLICATION (all found in your text):

1, UNKNOWN CITIZEN, by W.H. Auden, pg 690
2, BATTER MY HEART, THREE-PERSONED GOD,FOR YOU pg.709
3, PIED BEAUTY, Gerald Manley Hopkins, pg. 750
4, BRIGHT STAR! WOULD I WERE STEADFAST AS THOU ART, John Keats,pg. 754
5, SHALL I COMPARE THEE TO A SUMMER'S DAY? Shakespeare pg. 767
6, RICHARD CORY, by Edwin Arlington Robinson & Paul Simon, compare these two poems, pg, 792
7, COUNTING THE BEATS, BY Robert Graves, pg. 853
8, UNHOLY SONNET, by Mark Jarman, pg 860
9, UPHILL, by Christina Rossetti, pg 902
10, AFTER GREAT PAIN, A FORMAL FEELING COMES, by Emily Dickinson, pg 1017
11, BECAUSE i COULD NOT STOP FOR DEATH, by Emily Dickinson, pg. 1019
12, O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN! by Walt Whitman, pg. 1002

That was the best class, ever, in terms of discussion!

Thanks, Summer, for bringing us "Imagine" by John Lennon and in turn, a very lively discussion about racism, cultural division and the education system in Memphis. I'm so glad that this discussion began and many of you spoke passionately about your own experiences. I'm sorry for those in the class who weren't there.

Homework for Tuesday, November 11, 2009

1, JOURNALS will be collected (Including a 1-2 page continuation of the class discussion. Many of you didn't get a chance to talk and wanted to, please tell me more of what you think about the subject.

2, Read the poems at left and make entries into your journals. Keep thinking about the poems that light a fire under you. You'll have to choose one other poem (different from the one you present) and write a 2-3 page poetry explication. Details to arrive on Tuesday.

TO MY WONDERFUL POETS!

I am reading your poems now and really enjoying them. Good work!

It was great fun in class today.

**Remember to read the poems at left, make your comments about them in your journals in terms of meaning, style, meter, historical significance, etc.

**Come to class on Thursday prepared to ask a question about the poems or contribute to the discussion by adding a comment or two. It's so much more fun when you participate and it's not just me and a few others talking. I know it's hard but we have a great group and I know everyone has opinions because I've read your work.

Enjoy the sunshine!