Fri. Nov. 29 Merchant of Vencie Act 3

Today, we finished reading up to Act 3, scene 11, (page 149, line 297). You also had to hand in your Act II questions today.

Wed. Nov. 27 Act III Merchant of Venice

Today, we finished reading Act II of The Merchant of Venice. Act II answers are due on Friday. We then started reading Act III of The Merchant of Venice. The questions for Act III were also handed out so you can work on them as we read. We read All of Act III, scene I (end of page 127).

Mon. Nov. 25 Merchant of Venice

Today, we discussed the answers to Act I of The Merchant of Venice. If you didn't get these questions in, you were provided with alternative questions as I had to hand these back. Get these done and I will remove the NHI. We then read Up to the end of Act 2, Scene 8 (page 105). You were then give class time to work on your Act II questions.

Thurs. Nov. 21 Merchant of Venice

Today, you handed in your answers for the first act of The Merchant of Venice. We then read up to the end of Act I, scene 6.  We will start Act I, scene 7 on Monday. I also want you to finish answering the correcponding questions in the booklet I gave you.

Tues. Nov. 19 Merchant of Venice

Today, we discussed Act I of the play (and completed it). You are to have the Act I questions completed and submitted for Thursday (you can always hand in early if you will be missing on Thursday). We then read Act II, scene i and part of scene ii up to when the servant leaves after speaking to Bassanio (page 63, line 113).
I then handed out the vocabulary and questions for Act II.

If you are absent, one trick that works is to go to "no fear shakespeare merchant of venice" This site will show you the act on one side and a modern translation on the other. It will make the task of reading alone much easier. I still insist you read the Shakespeare version first in order to become familiar with the language.

Fri. Nov. 15 Merchant Act I

Today, were finished reading Act I, scene I, Act I, scene II and part of Act I scene three up to page 39, line 94.
For this weekend, you are to define all terms on the sheet given and then answer the questions for Act I scene I and Act I, scene II. These are due on Tuesday.

Wed. Nov. 13 Merchant Act I

Today, you handed in your Sonnet 130 analysis and exercise.
I then instructed you to take out the playscript for The Merchant of Venice.
I explained that the text is set up so that there is a summary at the beginning of every act and scene, that there are explanations of terms and hard to understand words on the left hand side of each page of script, and that there are questions to start us off in discussion about the text we have read.
I then assigned roles for Act I and we began to read it (in a circle format).
As part of this reading, I focused on examples of personification, allusion and the importance of reading with punctuation in mind (stop at semi-colons and periods, chang direction at periods; keep reading at the end of one line if there is no punctuation present to stop you.
We were able to read up to Act I, scene I, line 120 (page 15).

Fri. Nov. 8: Shakespeare Analysis

Today. we reviewed your answers from last class on determining rhyme scheme (iambic pentameter). You then handed these in.
I then gave you a sonnet to read. We reviewed active reading and analysis, and then you had time to work on this. I also gave you multiple choice questions to answer after the analysis portion is complete (don't just jump into the questions, as you must know the poem in order to really "get" the questions).
These are due for Wednesday. If you were not here today, the readings and questions are in your portfolio.

I am pasting the sonnet here as it is available online. However, you will have to come in on Tuesday and get the questions from the portfolio.

Sonnet CXXX

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damask'd, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.

Wed. Nov. 6: Iambic Pentametre

Today, we discussed iambic pentametre. If you weren't here, the abridged notes are in your portfolio. I tehn gave you an assignment to complete for Friday. If you weren't here, it is in your portfolio. If absent, be sure to check your portfolio on the day you return, regardless of whether it is a scheduled class day or not. This way, you will stay caught up and still have time to talk to me if you are confused.

Mon. Nov. 4 Merchant Intro

Today, I gave you notes and presented a Powerpoint on The Merchant of Venice. If you were not here, a copy of he Powerpoint (in note form) is in your portfolio. Be sure to come in and get it tomorrow so you can review it for Wednesday.