Shakespearean Tragedy: Hamlet
Missing your book? You can read the entire text of Hamlet here.
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Vocabulary
Act Iportentous
invulnerable malicious filial prodigal vow pernicious ambiguous |
Act IIafflict
discretion entreat beseech contrive paragon appurtenance epitaph |
Act IIIcommingled
knavish contagion sinews visage piteous scourge |
Act IVdivulging
discord replication convocation imminent superfluous abatements |
Act Vbase
churlish conjuration perdition extolment aloof felicity carnal |
Paraphrasing a Speech from Paradise Lost
Paraphrasing is one way to clarify a text that you are having trouble understanding. Choose one of the following speeches from Paradise Lost and paraphrase it:
· Satan's speech in lines 84-124 · Beelzebub's speech in lines 128-155 · Satan's speech in lines 157-191 · Satan's speech in lines 242-270 In your paraphrase, make the text very clear by following these guidelines: · Put Milton's sentences in subject-verb-compliment order. · Provide words missing from the text. · Rephrase figures of speech to be sure you understand them. · Replace archaic or old fashioned words with modern words. |
A Literary Epic: Milton's Paradise Lost
1. John Milton was a man who decided at an early age that he wanted to be a ___________________________.
2. During and after his time at Cambridge University, Milton studied disciplines that he considered necessary to a person of learning. Name at least two of these disciplines:
______________________________ ______________________________
3. Paradise Lost is Milton’s masterwork. It is considered one of the most intricate and inspired works of English poetry. In writing Paradise Lost, Milton was inspired by a range of other works, these other works included Greek and Roman mythology and ________________________________.
4. A literary reference to people, places, events or things known from literature, history, religion, mythology, politics, sports, science or popular culture is known as an ________________________________.
5. What is the difference between an oral epic and a literary epic? Please provide one example of each:
6. In medias res is a technique used by many poets, novelists, playwrights and screenwriters. It is a Latin phrase that means what? How does Milton use the technique of in medias res?
7. Milton’s work is usually reserved for university-level literature courses. Name three reasons Milton is challenging for literature students:
8. Paradise Lost is written in unrhymed iambic pentameter. This type of meter is known as _______________________________________.
9. Most classical epics, as well as Milton’s epic, begin with what's called an invocation. Use your resources to determine the purpose of an invocation.
Whom does Milton call upon at the beginning of his epic (lines 6-16)? What question does he ask about Adam and Eve?
10. In Milton’s view, did God put evil into the world? What is the Christian origin of the world’s evil, according to Milton? Explain.
11. What is Milton's purpose in writing this epic poem (lines 24-26)?
12. Why was Satan cast out of Heaven (lines 41-43)?
13. In his first speech, what does Satan tell Beelzebub that he will never do (line 96)? What course of action does he favor instead?
14. According to lines 210-220, who allows Satan the freedom to pursue his evil intentions? Why is he allowed to do so?
15. In his last speech (lines 258-263), what does Satan claim are the advantages of life in Hell?
2. During and after his time at Cambridge University, Milton studied disciplines that he considered necessary to a person of learning. Name at least two of these disciplines:
______________________________ ______________________________
3. Paradise Lost is Milton’s masterwork. It is considered one of the most intricate and inspired works of English poetry. In writing Paradise Lost, Milton was inspired by a range of other works, these other works included Greek and Roman mythology and ________________________________.
4. A literary reference to people, places, events or things known from literature, history, religion, mythology, politics, sports, science or popular culture is known as an ________________________________.
5. What is the difference between an oral epic and a literary epic? Please provide one example of each:
6. In medias res is a technique used by many poets, novelists, playwrights and screenwriters. It is a Latin phrase that means what? How does Milton use the technique of in medias res?
7. Milton’s work is usually reserved for university-level literature courses. Name three reasons Milton is challenging for literature students:
8. Paradise Lost is written in unrhymed iambic pentameter. This type of meter is known as _______________________________________.
9. Most classical epics, as well as Milton’s epic, begin with what's called an invocation. Use your resources to determine the purpose of an invocation.
Whom does Milton call upon at the beginning of his epic (lines 6-16)? What question does he ask about Adam and Eve?
10. In Milton’s view, did God put evil into the world? What is the Christian origin of the world’s evil, according to Milton? Explain.
11. What is Milton's purpose in writing this epic poem (lines 24-26)?
12. Why was Satan cast out of Heaven (lines 41-43)?
13. In his first speech, what does Satan tell Beelzebub that he will never do (line 96)? What course of action does he favor instead?
14. According to lines 210-220, who allows Satan the freedom to pursue his evil intentions? Why is he allowed to do so?
15. In his last speech (lines 258-263), what does Satan claim are the advantages of life in Hell?
John Milton's Style
Milton's writing style is challenging for students for a few reasons. Use the slides below to familiarize yourself with Milton's style. If the slides do not load below, download the file here:
miltons_style.pptx | |
File Size: | 808 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
A Selection of Shakespeare's Sonnets Read by Famous Actors
Sonnets
sonnets.pptx | |
File Size: | 540 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
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one of the greatest icons of English literature.
one of the greatest icons of English literature.
What is tone?
Can you spot the tone shift in this poem?
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Pastoral Poetry
Pastor comes from the Latin word for shepherd. Pastoral poetry was a genre popular in Renaissance Europe. Pastoral poems depicted scenes from country life in idyllic, idealized terms. The characters in pastoral poems are naive and innocent yet express themselves with poetic sophistication.
Carpe DiemLatin. “Seize the day”: Make the most of your time. Enjoy the present.
The Roman poet Horace said "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." What do you think he meant by that? What does this sentiment mean to you? What ramifications does this have for your life? |
Entreaty
en·treat·y
noun, plural: entreaties.
earnest request or petition; supplication.
noun, plural: entreaties.
earnest request or petition; supplication.
"Only the Good Die Young"
Billy Joel (1977)
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