The Tempest: Act 2, Sc 1

1. Sentence fun

2. Check vocab & books & journal

3. Let's get playing & discussing

Discussion Questions
1. What type of person is Gonzalo? What was his role in the plot against Prospero? Does his behavior seem consistent with how he acts now?

2. Sebastian and Antonio ridicule Gonzalo. What does this tell us about their characters?

3. Antonio incites Sebastian to kill his brother and take the crown of Naples. Why? What does this tell us about Antonio’s motives? What does Sebastian’s response tell us about him? What could Shakespeare be saying about human nature?

4. Gonzalo's idea of a nation: the Utopia.

The Tempest: Act 1, Sc 2

1. Sentence fun
2. Check books & vocab
3. Discussion

Scene 2
1.What’s the history between Prospero & Antonio? How does Prospero assert his authority & his own truth? In what ways does this relationship express the theme of usurpation? (lines 36-168)

2.What’s the history between Prospero & Ariel? How does Prospero assert his authority? In what ways does this relationship express the theme of servant/master? (lines 189-299)

3. What’s the history between Prospero & Caliban? In what ways does Prospero assert his authority? How does this relationship express the idea of colonialism? (lines 307-373)

The Tempest: Act 1, Sc 1

1. Sentence fun
2. Check props
3. Introduce vocab
4. Let's get playing

Discussion Questions
Scene 1
In two groups, act out scene one. Note that the opening scene takes place on a ship at sea during a terrible storm. (Why is it significant that the play begins with a storm at sea?) How can the fury of the waves and wind be shown on stage? Be sure to address the following:
a. How do you perform the first stage direction?
b. How can actors' movements suggest a ship caught in a storm?
c. How might you convey the sense of fear & crisis? These are people who are desperately concerned to save their lives. Do they panic or are they well disciplined?
d. What simple props do you need to convey the scene.

As time permits:
Scene 2
1. This scene opens with Miranda's compassion for the people caught in the tempest. Some productions show Prospero as a powerful magician; others, a quiet man. How would you stage the first sight of Prospero and Miranda to greatest dramatic effect?

The Frankenstein Research Project!

Our final piece of work on our favorite novel.

Remember to check the syllabus for the time-line and due date of this project. We will be working in the library all this week, so please meet there for class.

Frankenstein: The end =-(

1. Finish up debate!
2. Review sentence patterns thus far.

Discussion questions
1. What's the difference between regret & remorse?
2. In chapter 7, find ways in which Victor & the creature have become identical.
3. Who are we the reader meant to sympathize with?