Sept. 26, 2008: Homework

Seniors
Study for your vocab quiz (over list 3) on Monday. Also, read pp. 74-88 and answer the following questions (to be turned in):
1. What is the feudal system? Discuss in detail the levels within this system.
2. What was the purpose of chivalry and courtly love? What effects did these cultural elements have on the view of women and literature?

Sophomores
Read Shoeless Joe up to page 206. You will have a reading quiz on Monday. Also, complete five entries in your theme worksheet for Monday. This was originally due today, so make sure you have it done on Monday. No excuses this time around.

Sept. 25, 2006: Homework

Seniors
Study for your test. Please call me if you have any questions. Remember, this test is weighted 40%.

Sophomores
Study for your vocab quiz (over lists 3 and 4) for tomorrow. Also, you need to bring your theme worksheets with five entries completed for tomorrow (this will be graded for completion). If you missed class today, you missed a reading quiz over pp. 71-153 in Shoeless Joe. You'll need to make that up.

Sept. 24, 2008: Homework

Seniors
If you missed today, make sure you pick up a vocabulary list 4 worksheet when you get back. We've moved the Anglo-Saxon unit test date to this Friday, so please continue to study.

Sophomores
We wrote an in-class SEXI paragraph today. If you missed class, please be sure to respond to the following prompt in a basic 5-6 sentence SEXI paragraph: Is Ray a hero? This needs to be turned in ASAP if you were absent. Also, be sure to pick up a worksheet on colons and semicolons. Other than that, please continue to study for you super vocab quiz on Friday.

Sept. 23, 2008: Homework

Seniors
You should be busy studying for the test on Thursday (Sept. 25). We will work together tomorrow on filling in any blanks and answering any hanging questions. If you missed today, be sure to pick up a study guide tomorrow. Look below at the previous entry for now.

Sophomores
You have plenty to work on: read to pg. 153 in Shoeless Joe by this Thursday and make five entries in your theme worksheet by this Friday. If you missed today, be sure to collect a theme worksheet and a unit four vocabulary worksheet (remember, that double unit vocabulary quiz is this Friday). If any of you have questions about the themes, guiding questions, and/or expectations for the theme worksheet, please talk to me ASAP.

Sept. 12, 2008: Study Guide for Anglo-Saxon Test

English IV

Take a look at the following questions and topics.  This basically represents all the material we have covered up to this point in the quarter.  Answer these questions and come prepared to discuss with your peers on Monday.  Unless the school is destroyed and there is no school on Monday, we will be testing on Tuesday, so prepare accordingly.  Enjoy!

1. Identify the three major periods of development of the English language.

2. From what major branch of the Indo-European language tree does English descend?

3. Identify the five major languages that produced English as we know it.  How was the developing English language exposed to these language influences?

4. Identify one important event in history (there are several you could choose from) that assisted in the development of the English language.  Explain how.

5. Define the following Anglo-Saxon cultural terms: a. kinship, b. lordship, c. scop, d. pagan, and e. mead (or great) hall.

6. Discuss the importance of the scop in Anglo-Saxon culture.  Why did a warrior culture value poets and songwriters?

7. What was the importance of material wealth in Anglo-Saxon culture?

8. Identify the five major characteristics of Old English Poetry as discussed in class?

9. Describe in detail each of Beowulf's battles.  Be sure to include location, Beowulf's method of attack, related characters, surprising and/or important events during the battle, and Beowulf's ke to victory.  What is the cause of each of these battles?

Beowulf vs. Grendel

Beowulf vs. Grendel's mother

Beowulf vs. the Dragon

10. Identify the following important characters.  What is their role in the poem?

Hrothgar

Beowulf

Wiglaf

11. Who or what is Grendel?  To whom is he related?  Why does Grendel attack Herot?

12. What is an epic poem?  What qualities must an epic poem feather?  What characteristics must an epic hero possess?

13. Consider Beowulf as an epic hero.  What are his motivations?  Consider Grendel as a villain.  How is he the antithesis of everything Beowulf stand for (the values of Anglo-Saxon culture and the characteristics of the epic hero)?

14. Where do we see pagan elements in Beowulf?  Christian elements?  How do you know that the narrator of this piece is most likely Christian?

15. Does Beowulf accurately portray the Anglo-Saxon people?  What elements of Anglo-Saxon culture appear in Beowulf?

16. Discuss the characteristics of an elegy.

17. How does "The Seafarer" qualify as an elegy?

18. What is the seafarer mourning?  How do you know?

19.  Why does the seafarer return to the sea and leave the land?  Is this difficult for him?  Why or why not?

20. What does the seafarer value?  What are his beliefs?  How do you know?

21. How are Beowulf and the seafarer (the characters) similar?  Different?