Shakespeare Themes - Blog 3

William Shakespeare's plays are notorious for bringing up realistic themes that each of us can relate to in everyday life. Many popular themes include all of the human emotions, but also that of death. Although none of us have experienced our own death, maybe we have attended a funeral at some point in our life. For those who have never attended a funeral, though, it doesn't change the fact that we all know that death will come to us at some point. Does love also visit each of us in our lives? If not, do people not yearn for that feeling of unconditional acceptance? Are taxes more likely to enter our lives than love? Why? Do we have control over who we fall in love with? Or do we have more control over deciding who we will be with when we do fall in love?

Many authors find ways to ask questions like these and answer them through relationships between characters. In A Midsummer Night's Dream and in Romeo and Juliet we find a common theme of relationships between teenagers and their parents. Questions arise like: should children be completely obedient to the desires of parents? Should parents be able to choose friends, classes, and activities for teenagers? In our society, teenagers really don't have much choice over their decisions because our society believes that parents, who have more life experiences and have the wisdom to make the right decisions. Also, teenagers don't have the money to buy a lot of the privileges that teenagers enjoy. Should parents be required to provide food, clothing and shelter only for their children? Many cops think so. Most cops think that if parents give teenagers anything else, the kids are spoiled.

What do you think about all of this? What themes are most impressive in your mind as you read this? Write a full paragraph about what you think about one of these issues and remember to publish it to this post.

Wipeout!

In class on 1/24 and 1/25 we discussed allusions, similes and metaphors. Please give two examples of each from the video we watched and post them in the comments section like this:

Allusions: 1, ___________________ 2,_______________

Similes: 1,_____________________ 2,_______________

Metaphors: 1,___________________ 2,_______________

Then give me the definition for each vocab word so I know that you really understand what they mean!

Happy 2011! What are your New Year's Resolutions?

For your first assignment on the class blog, write down three things you will do differently this year! Or write down three goals that you have for the upcoming year.

Pictures 2009-2010 - Good Job Dancers!

Family Stories

When my father was five years old, my grandfather wanted to help pull his first-born-son’s first loose tooth out of his mouth. Well, my dad wasn’t having it. My grandpa promised him that it wouldn’t hurt. My dad didn’t believe him. Another tactic was used. “If it hurts at all you can hit me on the head with that hammer,” said Grandpa. That little boy was finally interested in the minor surgery.

Grandpa tied a string onto the tooth and pulled, but the tooth didn’t come out. Blood filled my dad’s mouth, mixing with saliva. Grandpa tried to pull the tooth again before the bottom lip released the mixture and spilled onto my dad’s arm resting on the table beneath them. Grandpa tried a second time. This time the tooth was loosened more but it didn’t come out. The intense jerk forced a bit of bloody spittle out of my dad’s mouth and it splattered on his arm. Upon seeing this display for the first time in his life, my father squealed and pulled away from the menacing sport. That is when the tooth came out and dangled on the string in front of him.

After my grandmother cleaned up her first son’s mouth, justice came calling from this future lawyer’s mouth. “My turn, Daddy!” he yelled!

Grandma said, “Oh Ralph! You aren’t really going to let him hit you on the head with a hammer are you?”

“Yes, I am,” he said. “I told him if it hurt, he could hurt me. I stand by my word.”

The tall and strong World War II veteran crouched down in front of his son in that kitchen and handed him a hammer. “Besides,” Grandpa said with a sly smile, “how much damage could a five-year-old do?”

Grandpa was released from the hospital the next day with a minor concussion, but he never made a bargain like that with any of his seven children after that.

What did you think of this story?

Blog #3 - 5 Lines of Free Verse!

Give me 5 lines of Free Verse that shows all that you are grateful for in your life. Think about things that kids around the world do not have that you do. Think about places you've been and experiences that you may have had that are unique.

Or, is there anything that you have experienced in your life that has changed you for the better? Sometimes bad things that happen to us can make life better in the end. Has that ever happened to you? The picture above shows a sprained ankle after the guy slipped playing basketball. How can this bad situation be turned into a good one? Have you ever been hurt like this? Did it make you thankful just to be able to walk normally?

Remember, this is an assignment for a poem, not a story. You need to have rhyme and reason with what you are talking about. Even though it is Free Verse, you still need rhythm and figures of speech.

Heroes!

Heroes come in many shapes and sizes. Not everyone is a hero even if they look like one, though. Super Villains wear tights and capes, too, right? Just because they dress up to look like a Super Hero doesn't mean their intentions are the same. On the same note, some people might look up to other people only to get disappointed, later. How do we figure out who a true hero is? Who do you look up to? Do you look up to someone because they have money or nice clothes?

For this blog, I want you to write a Free Verse Poem with 4 or more lines. If you can't remember what Free Verse is, look on myuen.org/94330 and check out the Poetry Power Point again. Write down some thoughts first before you publish your poem here on the blog. Check spelling, punctuation, and grammar before you publish as well. When you publish something it should be your absolute best work. This blog/poem is worth 25 points, so do your best.

Poetry

Poetry by definition is a literary work in metrical form or patterned language. It is the art of rhythmical composition which is designed to produce pleasure through beautiful, elevated, imaginative, or profound thoughts. Answer the following questions:

1. What are a few thoughts that you have immediately after someone says, "Poetry"?

2. Please write an original poem (one you create) and post it here. Have your poem be an example of what you view poetry to be. What do poems talk about? What do poems look like? What should be in a poem? Answer these questions by producing a poem of your own and post it here.

Oberon

Oberon and Egeus never meet, yet they each have something to do with Demetrius's love life. In Act II, Scene 2, Oberon over-hears Helena tell Demetrius that she would love him even if he kicks her and treats her like his dog! (FYI: This is an unhealthy relationship!) So, Oberon tells Puck to put the magic love potion from the flower on Demetrius's eyes as well as Titania's. What does this say about Oberon's beliefs compared to those of Egeus? What does this tell us about Oberon's character and motivation?

What does this say about how he uses his magic? On one hand, he is helping out Helena, but on the other, he is getting back at Titania for their argument. He's nice to one woman, but not to another? What is the difference?

So, if you didn't get all of those questions, answer these basic ones for your ONE PARAGRAPH response:

1. What are the differences between Oberon and Egeus's beliefs about love? and
2. Considering what Oberon does for Helena and to Titania, what is Oberon's character/personality like?

Helena

Helena wishes in Act I, Scene i, that she could be as beautiful as Hermia so that Demetrius will love her. She also says:

"How happy some people can be in comparison to others.
People all over Athens think I am as beautiful as she.
But what of that? Demetrius doesn't think so."

It seems that Helena thinks that only beautiful people fall in love or deserve love. What do you think? In one paragraph, explain what you think about Helena and your thoughts of who deserves love.

Welcome to the class blog!

This is our class blog. Part of your grade this quarter will be responding to questions on this blog during rotations. The only thing is that you have to have a gmail account in order to participate. Refer to the handout from class to know what to do.

For today, simply click on the comments link at the bottom of this post and leave a simple comment letting me know that you were able to get the gmail and blogspot.com registrations going.

Thanks!

Pine View Middle Dance Team

Pine View Middle Dance Team

To Be Continued

This Blog will be continued in a month or so. . . .