Contacting Hamlet Learning Communities

I wasn't quite sure what would be the best way to approach this.  I was hesitant to send out mass messages contacting other learning communities for fear of being construed as a spammer, so I split the work with Justin Thompson (admittedly, it also made the work easier).  Once I had decided on this, I figured Twitter would be a decent place to start.  I searched for the people tweeting things about Hamlet.  Not being exactly sure what I was asking for, I started with a general statement asking for their experiences with Hamlet.  Twitter presented the unique challenge of 140 characters, which may have hindered the effectiveness of communication.  Neither of the people I contacted have replied, but I will update this post if there is a change.  However, I have my doubts that two random people on twitter will care enough to reply,especially if it means extending the conversation.  

"Pre-Will" Questions

What do you know about Hamlet, the "Melancholy Dane"?

I don't know too much about Hamlet, either as a character or a play.  I know that it is a tragedy that centers around revenge and a couple famous quotes ("Alas! Poor Yorick.") but that's really about it.

What do you know about Shakespeare?

Again, my knowledge of Shakespeare is limited.  I've only ever learned about him in school, and probably forgot a majority of what was taught.  I know he was an English playwright who wrote primarily tragedies and comedies, and that he is widely regarded as the founder of "modern English".  Besides that, I can only vaguely recall random tidbits of information (there was something about his theater burning down?).

Why do so many students involuntarily frown when they hear the name "Shakespeare"?

To start with, a lot of it is not voluntary.  Through older siblings or friends, most people begin reading Shakespeare with the expectation that it is going to be an unpleasant experience.  It has become the school norm to dislike Shakespeare.  To some, it may even be somewhat of a social stigma to enjoy his work.  Granted, the fact that it is difficult to read does a lot to back up peoples' expectations.  Students (myself included) tend to dislike what things they do not understand.  While Shakespeare's stories may be appealing to most people, the "archaic" way in which they are written turns many away.

What can we do to make studying this play an amazing experience we'll never forget?

While it may not go as far as making the play amazingly unforgettable, simply explaining some of the more difficult terms used helps a lot.  Having a solid understanding of what Shakespeare is writing about goes a long way towards making his work more enjoyable.  I am also not a huge fan of the ever popular high school Shakespeare role playing.  To me, having people acting out the roles detracts from the story, as it affects my perception of the characters.  It's a bit like watching a book-movie before reading the book--the book will never be quite the same.

Literature Analysis: Brave New World Characterization

1.  There are examples of direct and indirect characterization for both the protagonists in Brave New World.  Bernard is initially directly characterized as being of unimpressive stature and a little bizarre when it came to social norms.  This is indirectly backed up later in the story as Bernard becomes irrationally angry at the fact that he is of similar height to those of lower castes.  A majority of Bernard's characterization comes from the reactions of others.  For example, among Bernard's colleagues there is a reoccurring rumor that alcohol was added to Bernard's vial while decanting, accounting for his diminutive size.  This rumor indirectly characterizes both his physical figure and his interactions (or lack of) with his peers.  John, the Savage, is described directly at first, mostly due to the fact that he stands out from the other Native Americans in his "village".  Later, more is learned about his character during his interactions with Lenina and his own reactions to what Lenina considers normal.

Vocabulary: Fall List #7

aberration: the act of departing from the right, normal, or usual
His extended trips away from civilization made him somewhat of a social aberration.

ad hoc: for the specific purpose or end presently under consideration
The ad hoc council sought to solve the bizarre crisis of grilled cheese shortage.

bane: a person or thing that ruins or spoils; a deadly poison
Procrastination will be the bane of my academic existence.

bathos: a ludicrous descent from the exalted or lofty to the commonplace; anticlimax
After years living the glamorous city life, moving the dull suburbs was more a bathos than reprieve.

Literature Analysis: Brave New World

1.      Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley, is a dystopian novel.  It details a world in the future where the government (centered in London) has complete control over the willing population, allowing the creation of a “perfect” society.  People are no longer born; they are cloned.  During the decanting process, a variety of chemicals and procedures are applied to the developing clone vials that influence the social role they are “predestined” to have in society.  From most the least intelligent, clones can be Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Deltas, or Epsilons, with a plus or minus further indicating intelligence gradation.  Each of these social classes have different jobs to do, and are conditioned to enjoy it.  The key aspect of the dystopia in Brave New World is that the inhabitants are not oppressed.  They very willingly abide by what they perceive as the social norm.  The core of the plot surrounds Bernard, an Alpha plus who, due to some defect in decanting, has the physique and looks of a lower class.  Eventually, he befriends John, the Savage, while visiting the “savages” (lands deemed useless for development, and so given to Native Americans).  Bringing the Savage back to London, he sparks a craze.  Over time, John’s upbringing in a more traditional family environment as well as Shakespearean education make him disgusted with the abject hedonism of this “brave new world” (used sarcastically).  By the end of the novel, John leaves civilization, living as an ascetic in an abandoned lighthouse.  However, his isolation only serves to pique the public’s interest, and he once again becomes the subject of mass-marketed entertainment.  Sickened after a moment of personal failure, John hangs himself.

Vocabulary: Fall List #6

beatitude: supreme blessedness; exalted happiness
Unfortunately, the beatitude of Christmas morning fades with age.

bete noire: a person or thing strongly detested or avoided
Although the accusations were disproved, he became a bete noire.

bode: to be an omen of; portend
The dark clouds did not bode well for the coming day.

dank: unpleasantly moist or humid; damp and often chilly
As a cough racked his body, he cursed the dank dungeon he inhabited.

Notes: 2011 AP Essay Rubric

In General

• quality of writing is as important as content
• good quality can be bumped up a score
• poor quality cannot receive higher than a 3
• Keep in mind both literary devices used by the author, as well as the complexity of characters and their relationships
• a good essay includes both of these, as well as provides specific support

Scoring Breakdown

• 9-8: persuasive analysis, variety of interpretations, references insight on both literary devices and character relationships
• specific examples with clear writing; a 9 should be especially persuasive
• 7-6: reasonable analysis with an understanding of both literary devices and character relationships, but lacking the precision and clarity of 8-9
• 5: plausible analysis, but superficial; lacking specific support or has mild misinterpretations of the poem
• 4-3: inadequate analysis due to lack of support, ignorance of character complexity, poor control over language, or significant misreading
• 2-1: lacking analysis; the student made an attempt at responding to the prompt, but the essay had no support or contained serious mechanical errors; incoherent or extremely brief
• 0: No analysis, only reference to the task
• --: Left blank or completely off topic

Vocabulary: Fall List #5

acumen: keen insight; shrewdness
During the zombie apocalypse, having acumen is paramount to survival.

adjudicate: to pronounce or decree by judicial sentence
Their opinions colored by bribes, they adjudicated that the freedom of speech should be made illegal.

anachronism: something that is in the wrong time
The adventurers were admiring the lush Jurassic landscape when suddenly a nuclear explosion sounded in the distance.

apocryphal: of doubtful authorship or authenticity
Over the passage of time, the famed story became apocryphal.

Textbook Notes: Epics and the History of English (pg. 64-82)

The Epic

• long narrative poems that celebrated the adventures of legendary heroes
• Heroes: role models of their times, represented the society's ideal values
• provided examples of how to behave properly in a variety of circumstances

Gilgamesh

• Gilgamesh prologue establishes the heroic (or even legendary) history of Gilgamesh and his accomplishments
• the excerpt from the Iliad is very characteristic of an epic
• heroic characters clashing in a realistic scenario, but with the supernatural involvement of the gods
• About Sumerian king who lived between 2700-2500 B.C.
• stories of Gilgamesh handed down by Sumerians for hundreds of years after his death
• pg 66 "two-thirds a god, one-third a man"
• emphasizes building the city of Uruk

Beowulf ond Godsylla Translation

Beowulf ond Godsylla

Meanehwæl, baccat meaddehæle, monstær lurccen;
Fulle few too many drincce, hie luccen for fyht.
Ðen Hreorfneorhtðhwr, son of Hrwærowþheororthwl,
Æsccen æwful jeork to steop outsyd. Þhud! Bashe! Crasch! Beoom! Ðe bigge gye
Eallum his bon brak, byt his nose offe;
Wicced Godsylla wæld on his asse.
Monstær moppe fleor wyþ eallum men in hælle.
Beowulf in bacceroome fonecall bamaccen wæs;
Hearen sond of ruccus sæd, "Hwæt ðe helle?"
Graben sheold strang ond swich-blæd scharp
Stond feorth to fyht ðe grimlic foe. "Me," Godsylla sæd, "mac ðe minsemete."
Heoro cwyc geten heold wiþ fæmed half-nelson
Ond flyng him lic frisbe bac to fen
Beowulf belly up to meaddehæle bar,
Sæd, "Ne foe beaten mie færsom cung-fu."
Eorderen cocca-cohla yce-coeld, ðe reol þyng.

Translation:
Meanwhile, back at the mead-hall, the monster lurks;
Full of a few too many drinks, he's lookin' for a fight.
Then Hreorfneorhtðhwr, son of Hrwærowþheororthwl,

Hero Deconstruction: Frodo

I couldn't rightfully decide on an overall favorite hero to write about, so instead I chose one that fits the "Hero's Journey" model closely (Frodo actually isn't even my favorite Lord of the Rings character).  By nature, Tolkien's hobbits dislike change and excitement.  Because of this, even though Frodo had a somewhat more adventurous background than many of the other Shire denizens, he was hardly going out looking for what he got.  The receiving of the Ring and subsequent realization of its power (and perils) is what ultimately calls Frodo to his adventure.

Along the way, he acquires a plethora of companions who act as mentors, Gandalf being the most iconic.  Gandalf himself embodies many themes of the Hero's Journey, particularly his apparent death then return as a more powerful character.  Nearly every opponent Frodo and the Fellowship face down seems to be insurmountable.  However, every time it seems Middle Earth is coming to an end, some unexpected help appears from any number of the land's ancient races.  After the grueling trials at Mount Doom, he returns to the Shire alive, but utterly changed.  Further evidence of Frodo's post adventure transcendence is in his departure to Valinor at the story's end.

Vocabulary: Fall List #4

apostate: a person who forsakes his religion, cause, party, etc.
The apostate was forever shunned.

effusive: unduly demonstrative; lacking reserve; pouring out
For such a trivial matter, the effusion of emotion was quite off putting.

impasse: a position or situation from which there is no escape
"Ah, it seems we have reached an impasse," said the conniving evil mastermind.

euphoria: a state of intense happiness and self-confidence
Victory flooded him with euphoria.

lugubrious: mournful, dismal, or gloomy
The dreary Monday morning was lugubrious at best.

Literary Analysis Choice: Brave New World

For the first literary analysis, I've chosen to reader Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley.  Interestingly, I had this book in mind since my first blog post, before I knew we would be selecting from AP readings.  1984 was my favorite book read for school, and the dystopian ties between them are obvious.  I really enjoy  dystopian settings.  There is an inherent tension in them that seems to be unique to the genre.  It's not quite the same as horror (although Room 101 was rather horrifying), and it's not "ordinary" science fiction.  The frightening parts of a dystopia are what lies beneath the surface--whispered inferences and veiled threats.  The structure of creating a precariously ordered environment, then usurping it in a single character's rebellion (all while building towards a theme of humanity, normality, and individualism) makes for a compelling story.  I'm hoping for a similar experience in Brave New World.  If not, I'll at least have a broader sampling of the genre.