In a comment, give me an example of a phrase that you consider a
shibboleth. Then, explain why. In your explanation, please try to use
at least one other vocabulary word.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Thursday, December 6, 2012
To Read or Not to Read the Classics?
Read the following article from the New York Times (link below). The articles is lengthy, but really interesting and relevant to your lives as students of English. And, the central question is one your English teachers struggle with every year. After reading the article, respond in a comment by answering the following questions:
Should students or teachers control reading lists? Should students continue to read the classics (like Greek mythology, the Bible, Shakespeare) or should the lists be modernized to include more popular work like The Hunger Games? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/books/30reading.html?pagewanted=1&sq=students%20get%20new%20reading%20assignment&st=cse&scp=1
Should students or teachers control reading lists? Should students continue to read the classics (like Greek mythology, the Bible, Shakespeare) or should the lists be modernized to include more popular work like The Hunger Games? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/books/30reading.html?pagewanted=1&sq=students%20get%20new%20reading%20assignment&st=cse&scp=1
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
O Brother!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Extra Credit: Wedding Vows
Hey!
Post a few wedding vows in a comment, and if we choose to use yours in our actual vows, I'll give you some extra credit. I need them by Thursday morning.
Remember: they must have something to do with literature, English, school, teachers-student. So use your creative brain--puns, metaphors, and plays on words always please me!
This is a pun, for example:
Post a few wedding vows in a comment, and if we choose to use yours in our actual vows, I'll give you some extra credit. I need them by Thursday morning.
Remember: they must have something to do with literature, English, school, teachers-student. So use your creative brain--puns, metaphors, and plays on words always please me!
This is a pun, for example:
Friday, November 9, 2012
Telemachus' Growth
Jake Lipman, Ben Racusin November 9, 2012
At the beginning of the Odyssey, Telemachus is introduced as a young teenager who is longing for his father to come home. For example, “First by far to see her was Price Telemachus, sitting among the suitors, heart obsessed with grief” (Book 1: 132-133) Homer also illustrates Telemachus as a helpless boy who is surrounded by suitors willing to kill him for his father’s kingdom. Although, Telemachus does show that he is aware of xenia, and is smart enough to offer Mentes a bath and gifts, “But come, stay longer, keen as you are to sail, so you can bathe and rest and lift your spirits, then go back to you ship, delighted with a gift, a prize of honor, something rare and fine as a keepsake from myself” (Book 1: 355-359). When Athena, disguised as Mentes, tells Telemachus to embark on a journey to find his father, he acts very calmly and handles the situation nicely which show that he is maturing. In Book 4, Telemachus has matured slightly but still cries when he hear Odysseus name. As Book 4 continues, Telemachus is trying harder to figure out facts about where his father which shows that he is maturing. Telemachus says, “Son of Atreus, King Menelaus, captain of armies, I came in the hope that you can tell me now some news about my father” (Book 4: 353-355). Homer also begins to call Telemachus “clear-sighted Telemachus” because he is becoming smarter and more persistent in finding details about his father (Book 4: 335). In Book 4, Telemachus shows a different side to his character, and moves from being a weak teenager to a “clear-sighted” individual (see previous quote). In Book 20, when Telemachus reenters the story, he is smart enough to realize that the beggar is Odysseus, and makes sure the maid attended to him. Telemachus, in Book 20, supported his father when he was still in his beggar form. He told him to ignore the suitors mocking words and gave him food and wine. Before Telemachus and Odysseus killed the suitors, he volunteered himself to try to shoot the arrow through the axes. This shows that he has become confident since the beginning of the book and has matured a lot.
Telemachus’ Growth
At the beginning of the Odyssey, Telemachus is introduced as a young teenager who is longing for his father to come home. For example, “First by far to see her was Price Telemachus, sitting among the suitors, heart obsessed with grief” (Book 1: 132-133) Homer also illustrates Telemachus as a helpless boy who is surrounded by suitors willing to kill him for his father’s kingdom. Although, Telemachus does show that he is aware of xenia, and is smart enough to offer Mentes a bath and gifts, “But come, stay longer, keen as you are to sail, so you can bathe and rest and lift your spirits, then go back to you ship, delighted with a gift, a prize of honor, something rare and fine as a keepsake from myself” (Book 1: 355-359). When Athena, disguised as Mentes, tells Telemachus to embark on a journey to find his father, he acts very calmly and handles the situation nicely which show that he is maturing. In Book 4, Telemachus has matured slightly but still cries when he hear Odysseus name. As Book 4 continues, Telemachus is trying harder to figure out facts about where his father which shows that he is maturing. Telemachus says, “Son of Atreus, King Menelaus, captain of armies, I came in the hope that you can tell me now some news about my father” (Book 4: 353-355). Homer also begins to call Telemachus “clear-sighted Telemachus” because he is becoming smarter and more persistent in finding details about his father (Book 4: 335). In Book 4, Telemachus shows a different side to his character, and moves from being a weak teenager to a “clear-sighted” individual (see previous quote). In Book 20, when Telemachus reenters the story, he is smart enough to realize that the beggar is Odysseus, and makes sure the maid attended to him. Telemachus, in Book 20, supported his father when he was still in his beggar form. He told him to ignore the suitors mocking words and gave him food and wine. Before Telemachus and Odysseus killed the suitors, he volunteered himself to try to shoot the arrow through the axes. This shows that he has become confident since the beginning of the book and has matured a lot.
By Evan Wind & Rhett Cardwell
Step 1: First he was shy, he had the epithet of “self-possessed Telemachus”. He would give in to the suitors needs and not stick up for himself. Later on in the in Book One, Telemachus talks to grey-eyed Athena and understands that the information that she shared with him is vitally important and he wishes to gain more wit and knowledge from Athena AKA Mentes. The quote that backs this statement would be in Book One, line 354, “I won’t forget a word”. We also feel that Athena thinks that Telemachus is actually very mature for his age and for his position.
Step 2: Now, Telemachus sees his father for the first time and it doesn’t say it out loud that Telemachus now believes that he is the son of Odysseus. Like his father, he becomes becomes a fighter, he begins to stand up for him and his family. An example of this is when all the suitors are in the dining hall and Ctesippus throws a ox hoof at Odysseus but he dodges it and feels resentment. Instead of Odysseus flaring up Telemachus tells Ctesippus he is lucky the man dodged the hoof and that if anything like that happens again to the guest he will kill them. Also another passage which shows the dark side of a warrior is when his dad tells him to stab all the maids to death. Instead, he hangs them to give them a more respectful death. Well respected warriors do not shameless torture others but give them a honorable death.
Step 3: The Telemachus we begin to read about is rather curious to the world but also quite hesitant. He is hesitant in the regard of he hasn’t had a father or a father figure to help teach him the ways to help him grow as a man. Telemachus needs a father figure or a mentor if u will. When Athena comes along in the form of Mentes, Telemachus even me mentions the fact that, “You’ve counseled me with so much kindness now, like a father to a son”. That quote is found fairly early in Book on lines 352-353. At the end of Book Four, Telemachus has pounds of anxiety due to the fact that Mentes has told him information that his father is still alive. But, after all that Mentes has told him, talking to King Nestor and King Menelaus, Telemachus has become very mature and is ready to take on the real world.
In Book 20, Telemachus and Odysseus are planning on how to end the suitors lives. For a young and inexperienced Telemachus, he has to have nerves bothering him all day and night. Suitors wanting to put an end to his life. He has to be very worried. Lucky for him, he and Odysseus are being surveyed by Athena and she mentions in Book Twenty that, “But I am a goddess, look, the very one who guards you in all your trials to the last”. (Quote found on line 50-51). Then, through the next few books he slowly starts to adapt to what his father has been dealing with. Basically, Telemachus starts to be able to grow and become more mature. He witnesses his father’s great cunning aspects and slowly begins to comprehend on how Odysseus does this. In Book Twenty-four, Telemachus has already slain the hundreds of suitors that were dying to wed his mother, Penelope. A changed man, Telemachus has gone through a huge transformation. He is taught things by word and in action. Understanding what the great Mentes has told him, watching his witty father trick and deceive other common folk, and joining in on the massive slaughter-fest that had just occurred in his home. Telemachus has changed from a growing boy, to a matured man.
Step 4: Telemachus grows in his courage and his maturity. His courage grows and a prime example we already used is when he stuck up to the suitors after they threw a hoof at the “stranger”. Since his courage grew his maturity grew without him knowing. Telemachus in the beginning is a young boy who is scared and timid but in the books twenty through twenty-four he begins to act like a man. He acts like a man for defending his family and standing up against the suitors.
Step 5: A passage we selected from Book One is when Telemachus has just about finished talking to Mentes, he acknowledges the fact that he understands what Mentes has told him. But, he also mentions on line 355 that, “But come, stay longer keen as you are to sail,”. As you can notice, Telemachus wants Mentes to stay longer so he can help teach him more lessons and help him understand more aspects. This passage shows that Telemachus is starting to become more matured but also shows that he is quite scared of what the future holds and he is eager to learn more from his new found mentor. Both of the young, child-like Telemachus and the matured, adult Telemachus’ are brought forth in this passage. The product from Mentes little lessons promoted Telemachus to try to learn and become an adult. In the end of the epic, Telemachus finally becomes what he had been searching for which is belief in himself.
Telemachus’s Growth
Step 1: First he was shy, he had the epithet of “self-possessed Telemachus”. He would give in to the suitors needs and not stick up for himself. Later on in the in Book One, Telemachus talks to grey-eyed Athena and understands that the information that she shared with him is vitally important and he wishes to gain more wit and knowledge from Athena AKA Mentes. The quote that backs this statement would be in Book One, line 354, “I won’t forget a word”. We also feel that Athena thinks that Telemachus is actually very mature for his age and for his position.
Step 2: Now, Telemachus sees his father for the first time and it doesn’t say it out loud that Telemachus now believes that he is the son of Odysseus. Like his father, he becomes becomes a fighter, he begins to stand up for him and his family. An example of this is when all the suitors are in the dining hall and Ctesippus throws a ox hoof at Odysseus but he dodges it and feels resentment. Instead of Odysseus flaring up Telemachus tells Ctesippus he is lucky the man dodged the hoof and that if anything like that happens again to the guest he will kill them. Also another passage which shows the dark side of a warrior is when his dad tells him to stab all the maids to death. Instead, he hangs them to give them a more respectful death. Well respected warriors do not shameless torture others but give them a honorable death.
Step 3: The Telemachus we begin to read about is rather curious to the world but also quite hesitant. He is hesitant in the regard of he hasn’t had a father or a father figure to help teach him the ways to help him grow as a man. Telemachus needs a father figure or a mentor if u will. When Athena comes along in the form of Mentes, Telemachus even me mentions the fact that, “You’ve counseled me with so much kindness now, like a father to a son”. That quote is found fairly early in Book on lines 352-353. At the end of Book Four, Telemachus has pounds of anxiety due to the fact that Mentes has told him information that his father is still alive. But, after all that Mentes has told him, talking to King Nestor and King Menelaus, Telemachus has become very mature and is ready to take on the real world.
In Book 20, Telemachus and Odysseus are planning on how to end the suitors lives. For a young and inexperienced Telemachus, he has to have nerves bothering him all day and night. Suitors wanting to put an end to his life. He has to be very worried. Lucky for him, he and Odysseus are being surveyed by Athena and she mentions in Book Twenty that, “But I am a goddess, look, the very one who guards you in all your trials to the last”. (Quote found on line 50-51). Then, through the next few books he slowly starts to adapt to what his father has been dealing with. Basically, Telemachus starts to be able to grow and become more mature. He witnesses his father’s great cunning aspects and slowly begins to comprehend on how Odysseus does this. In Book Twenty-four, Telemachus has already slain the hundreds of suitors that were dying to wed his mother, Penelope. A changed man, Telemachus has gone through a huge transformation. He is taught things by word and in action. Understanding what the great Mentes has told him, watching his witty father trick and deceive other common folk, and joining in on the massive slaughter-fest that had just occurred in his home. Telemachus has changed from a growing boy, to a matured man.
Step 4: Telemachus grows in his courage and his maturity. His courage grows and a prime example we already used is when he stuck up to the suitors after they threw a hoof at the “stranger”. Since his courage grew his maturity grew without him knowing. Telemachus in the beginning is a young boy who is scared and timid but in the books twenty through twenty-four he begins to act like a man. He acts like a man for defending his family and standing up against the suitors.
Step 5: A passage we selected from Book One is when Telemachus has just about finished talking to Mentes, he acknowledges the fact that he understands what Mentes has told him. But, he also mentions on line 355 that, “But come, stay longer keen as you are to sail,”. As you can notice, Telemachus wants Mentes to stay longer so he can help teach him more lessons and help him understand more aspects. This passage shows that Telemachus is starting to become more matured but also shows that he is quite scared of what the future holds and he is eager to learn more from his new found mentor. Both of the young, child-like Telemachus and the matured, adult Telemachus’ are brought forth in this passage. The product from Mentes little lessons promoted Telemachus to try to learn and become an adult. In the end of the epic, Telemachus finally becomes what he had been searching for which is belief in himself.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Telemachus' Tests and Trials into Maturity
Sydney Krantz and Lily Fitzpatrick
Telemachus' Tests and Trials into Maturity
1. Book 1: Line 238 - 241
But come, please, tell me about yourself now point by point.
You’re truly Odysseus’s son? You’ve sprung up so!
Uncanny resemblance... The head, and the fine eyes-
I see him now.
2. Book 1: Line 409-414
So, mother,
go back to your quarters. Tend to your own tasks,
the distaff and the loom, and keep the women
working hard as well. As for giving orders,
men will see to that, but i most of all:
I hold the reins of power in this house.
3. Book 3: Line 274-276
My fathers return?
Its inconceivable now. Long ago the undying gods
have sealed his death, his black doom.
4. Book 22: Line 162-164
“My fault, father,” the cool clear prince replied,
“the blame’s all mine. The snug door to the vault,
I left it ajar- they’ve kept a better watch than I.
5. Book 22: Line 374- 379
The inspired Prince Telemachus heard his pleas
and quickly said to his father close behind him,
“Stop, don’t cut him down! This one’s innocent.
So is the herald Medon- the one who always
tended me in the house when I was little-
spare him too.
6. Book 23: Line 111-117
“Oh mother,” Telemachus reproached her,
“cruel mother, you with your hard heart!
Why do you spurn my father so - why don’t you
sit beside him, engage him, ask him questions?
What other wife could have a spirit so unbending?
Holding back from her husband home at last for her
after bearing twenty years of brutal struggle -
your heart was always harder than a rock!”
In The Odyssey Telemachus goes through an odyssey of his own as he enters manhood.We can see that by looking at Book 1: Line 238-241 (see quote #1 above) even as a young man, Telemachus resembles his father physically and by looking at Book 1: Line 409-414 (see quote #2 above) it is clear that he feels entitled to Odysseus’s power and plans on ruling Ithaca. However, in the beginning books of the Odyssey, Telemachus isn’t yet emotionally mature enough to take over, and so the suitors still reside comfortably in his palace. By the later books of the Odyssey we can observe Telemachus’s obvious emotional growth. He begins to take charge of his situation and tries to make things better by killing all of the suitors with his father. However, even though Telemachus has grown up throughout the book, it is apparent that he is not yet completely mature, because when Penelope cleverly tries to test Odysseus after the slaughter of all of the suitors, he becomes angry and lashes out (quote #6). This moment demonstrates the fact that Telemachus is not yet mature or clever like his parents.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)