Christmas Break stuff

Three things:

1.) OPTIONAL: post a "monologue" (one might say, a soliloquy) of your "This is your life" character on your blog, justifying that particular character's actions and decisions throughout the play.  You should write in first person.  Make sure you've emailed me the link to your blog at greta.weisman@gmail.com after posting it.

2.) REQUIRED: at some point over break, take a reflective walk with your camera, and post your reflection on your blog at some point before January 3rd.  The assignment description is on Edline.

3.) REQUIRED: The Critical Lenses project is due Thursday, January 5th after we get back.  I would recommend working on that over break.  The assignment description is also on Edline. 

HAVE A WONDERFUL BREAK!!!

Ophelia's mad scene

Poor Ophelia. :(

Here's part 1, which Catie and Tyler did such a nice job reading in tandem. :)  Warning: if you want to skip the R-rated part, skip the 15 seconds between 3:30 and 3:45.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KafCj0iiQM0&feature=related&noredirect=1

Part 2, which we started watching in class:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMwkCrZ9BiY&feature=related

Due Monday:
2 journal entries, "This is your life" completed through Act 4, and have finished reading Act 4.

Have a good, RESTFUL weekend!

Get Thee to a Nunnery!

Hi AP class!  I'm sorry I can't be here today, but here are two videos of the scene you just read, so you can see this play in live action!

The scene linked below is from the Kenneth Branagh version, and it's a pretty classic interpretation of the scene.  Just click on the link:
Get thee to a nunnery scene

Kenneth Branagh is not at all how I picture Hamlet-- forgive him the mustache, blond hair, and 40-some years of age. It's still a well-played scene-- and I like that they show the tenderness of their relationship before it all blows to bits.  Also, Kate Winslet is a heart-breaking Ophelia. It's so good. Great, classic interpretation.

Aaand... viewer discretion advised, this next one is pretty trippy; it was made in the 70's when EVERYTHING was trippy-- but this link will show you a completely different interpretation of the same scene. Helen Mirren plays Ophelia and characterizes her as very coy and seductive-- not at all the innocent Ophelia we see from Kate Winslet. This scene also presents a fascinating depiction of Hamlet's mental switch from nice guy to meanie... almost worth watching just to see how that's illustrated. Then it gets weird, and Hamlet pulls a knife on Ophelia, and rips her dress (don't worry; she's wearing a bodice underneath). Don't say I didn't warn you. Here's the link:

Trippy Get Thee to a Nunnery scene

Incidentally, Helen Mirren plays both Ophelia AND Gertrude in the trippy interpretation. Now THAT'S injecting some serious directorial commentary! (Can I get an 'Oedipus Complex' shout out, what what?)

See all the cool stuff you can do with Shakespeare?? ENJOY!

Antigone Blog

Hey crew!

So, similar deal with the Mere Christianity blog-- you're going to want to:
1.) Pick a quote in Antigone that grabbed your attention
2.) Explain why that quote is significant to the text in terms of "deeper meaning" (i.e. theme, character development, etc.)
3.) Comment on this quote's personal meaning to you: explain why it got your attention, and what you think about the sentiment or idea it expresses.  Provide personal examples from your own life to shed light on your comments, as relevant.

Shoot for two meaty paragraphs; due Sunday by 11:59pm.  Please bring in a printed version on Monday.  Also, keep in mind that your Antigone reading card is due Mon, and you've got one other journal entry due, besides the Antigone blog.

Cheez-its to you!! :)

Pastor Richard's blog

... can be found here:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/richarddahlstrom/

And the specific blog I mentioned earlier about absolute truth is here:

Individual Morality= an oxymoronic half truth

Also, here's next week's schedule:

AP Lit 10/17 to 10/21

Mon 10/17 Tone

·         Discuss tone, basic meaning, total meaning: “Since there’s no help”; “The Flea”

·         DUE: one journal entry; 2^nd draft of personal statement

·         HW: LTs—cadence, caricature, catharsis, chorus (NOTE: we are skipping “canto”) due WED; finish analyzing “The Flea” for tone for TUES.

Tues 10/18

·         Discuss “The Flea”; ambiguous dialogues

·         DUE: analysis of “The Flea”

·         HW: LTs due WED.

Wed 10/19

·         Finish ambiguous dialogues; brainstorm ideas for Crime and Punishment/Mere Christianity essay

·         DUE: LTs

·       HW: Thesis statement due THURS

Thurs 10/20

·         Work day: (bring a laptop if you have one!) 12 CDs due by the end of the period (three from MC, nine from C&P)

·         DUE: Thesis statement

·         HW: Outline due FRI. (Intro hook, thesis statement, topic sentences, CDs designated into different paragraphs.)  Double-space your outline. (We’re going to fill in CM notes on Fri.)

Fri 10/21

·         CM work; filling in the blanks on outline. (OR, alternately, multiple choice work)

·         DUE: Outline

·         HW: Rough draft due MON.

Myers-Briggs test

Hi folks. The Myers-Briggs is considered the most objective personality test currently in circulation, and is used by countless organizations to assess the various strengths of their members. I think you'll be surprised by how accurate it is! Click on this link to take it:

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

The Myers-Briggs assess you in four categories:
Introvert (I) vs. Extrovert (E)
Intuitive (N) vs. Sensing (S)
Feeling (F) vs. Thinking (T)
Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)

Click here for an explanation of these different categories.

Your results will come with percentages which indicate where you're at on the spectrum between each category's poles. For example, my type is an ENFJ. I am around "60%" E, which means I fall strongly into the Extrovert category. However, I am only "1%" J, which means I'm just baaaaarely more "J" than I am "P."

Once you've taken the test and have identified your type, click on the various links to learn more about the common strengths and behavior patterns of people with your same type description. You might be especially interested in the "ideal professions for your type" link.

The goal of this test is to help you learn more about yourself and your natural strengths; I also help this test is able to give you some guidance for the future as you consider potential colleges, majors, and careers.

Print out your results and plan to bring them in on Friday, Sept. 30th.

Test blog and Mere Christianity thought piece

Hi folks!

Your first blog can be anything; post a quote, a picture, a link to something funny, whatever.  Just familiarize yourself with blogger.

Then-- this is important-- EMAIL me your blog address so that I can create a link to your blog on a sidebar.  The goal is that you will be able to link to one another's blogs from this class blog.

Your second blog, due by midnight Friday 9/16 (the time will show up when you publish your blog), should be a more in depth analysis on a quote from Mere Christianity.  Write a paragraph that unpacks the quote itself and explains in depth what you understand Lewis' meaning to be, and how you see this concept illustrated in other areas of the world (i.e. make some connections).  Then, write a second paragraph stating your own opinion about this idea.  Explain whether you agree or disagree with this concept and how this concept is relevant to your life.

Over the weekend, comment on two other classmates' blogs.  Make sure you do this before midnight on Sunday.

On Monday 9/19, please print out your blog with the comments and bring it in.