Middlemarch Essay

January 9, 2012 - January 13, 2012 Weekly Schedule for A.P. English Literature

Monday, January 9th:
Act 3 test and Act 3 reading logs are due today.

Go over Act 3 in class today:
Break into groups of three; look at the famous soliloquy "To be or not to be", Act 3, Scene 1, lines 64 through 96; the soliloquy will be divided into three parts (lines 64 - 76; lines 76 - 84; lines 84 - 96.) You and your partner will illustrate your section of the soliloquy and write the passage under the illustrations(s). There should be one illustration per imagery. This will be due at the end of the period. You and your partner will share your work with the class.

For homework:

Please write a compare and contrast essay on Act 1, Scene 3, the scene with Ophelia, Laertes and Polonius. Compare and contrast the way Laertes and Polonius speak to Ophelia regarding her relationship with Hamlet. Discuss the difference in tone and how diction (word choice) and figurative language (imagery, metaphor, personification, etc.) are used to illustrate the difference in attitude between the two men regarding Ophelia and her relationship with Hamlet. This will be due on Wednesday, January 11th.

Tuesday, January 10th:
Continue going over Act 3

Gallery Walk of the "To Be or Not to Be" soliloquy
Students discuss their illustrations of the soliloquy

Wednesday, January 11th:
The compare and contrast essay is due today.
Act out the Hamlet and Ophelia scene in Act 3, Scene 1

Discussion of the scene

Discussion of Ophelia's "O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!"

Discussion of Claudius' and Polonius' reactions to the scene they have just witnessed between Ophelia and Hamlet.

For tonight:
Please read Act 4, Scene 1
Find at least five examples of figurative language which should include but not be limited to: metaphor, simile, personification, imagery, allusion, apostrophe, irony, etc.
You must:
Identify who is speaking
Identify to whom the person is speaking
The circumstances which give rise to the passage
Contemporary translation of the passage.

Thursday, January 12th:

Act 3, Scene 2

What are the words of advice Hamlet gives to the actors? Is this advice still relevant today?

Again there is a reference to fortune in lines 71 and in line 75 when Hamlet tells Horatio why he loves and respects him so much. What are the reasons Hamlet gives to explain his love for Horatio?

Go over the handout on the Player King and Queen speeches.

Act out in pantomime the play within the play: pages 145 (the italicized part) and 151 (Gonzago's lines).

Discussion of Hamlet's scene with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: the extended metaphor and pun using recorder and the double entendre of playing.

For homework: read Act 4, Scene 2
Find at least five examples of figurative language which should include but not be limited to: metaphor, simile, personification, imagery, allusion, apostrophe, irony, etc.
You must:
Identify who is speaking
Identify to whom the person is speaking
The circumstances which give rise to the passage
Contemporary translation of the passage.

Friday, January 13th:

Act 3, Scene 3: Claudius' speech (lines 40 - 76): Break into groups of three and interpret through music, dance, movement and/or spoken word.

Act 3, Scene 4: Break into groups of four, choose one of the following sections:

Section 1: Lines 1 - 62

Section 2: Lines 63 - 117

Section 3: Lines 117 - 159

Section 4: Lines 159 - 202

Section 5: Lines 202 - 240

Summarize your section and find all examples of all the literary devices used. Conclude with a tableau. Present to class.

For homework: read Act 4, Scene 2

Find at least five examples of figurative language which should include but not be limited to: metaphor, simile, personification, imagery, allusion, apostrophe, irony, etc.
You must:
Identify who is speaking
Identify to whom the person is speaking
The circumstances which give rise to the passage
Contemporary translation of the passage.