December 9-12: Merlin

Watch Merlin. Identify characteristics of medieval romance and aspects of Arthur's life.

Test Review.

Medieval Times Project.

Dec 5: 1st period

•List of the characteristics of medieval romance found in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and give examples for each. Turn in when finished. (Class work grade: due today) Title this assignment “SGGK”
•Watch animated version of the story. Use this to help answer questions. Take notes over parts that weren’t in the reading; you might see extra credit questions on the quiz and test over this.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t855W1rFYEo
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgyTl9siqTE
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZuyWGr4stg

Dec 3 & 4: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Students turned in Outside Reading. 1st period's works cited was due.
Journal: "Chivalry"
•Write about the following quote. If you are “stuck” and don’t know what to write, copy the quote, then brainstorm.
•“Some say that the spirit of chivalry is past, that the spirit of romance is dead. The age of chivalry is never past, so long as there is a wrong left unredressed on earth.”

Students took notes on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. These are in the y-drive "Arthur" folder

Students read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, starting on page 170. We read the first part. Students are to finish it and answer questions 1-30 below to prepare for a quiz.
1. Describe the setting as the story begins.
2. Describe the Green Knight.
3. What is suspicious about the Green Knight’s request to King Arthur?
4. What challenge does the Green Knight offer to King Arthur’s knights?
5. What angers King Arthur, and what decision does he make?
6. Who steps in, and how does his speech reflect a knight’s code of chivalry?
7. Describe the events that follow Sir Gawain swinging the gisarme. (battle-ax)
8. Why do you think King Arthur and Sir Gawain laugh as the Green Knight leaves?
9. Despite almost certain death, why do you think that Sir Gawain seeks the Knight of the Green Chapel in a year and a day?
10. What “game” does the lord of the castle propose?
11. What gifts do Sir Gawain and the lord of the castle exchange on day one? Day two? Day three?
12. How does Sir Gawain react after the first time the Green Knight lowers the ax? The second time? The third time?
13. How does the Green Knight explain the three strikes?
14. What is the Green Knight’s true identity?
15. Sir Gawain thought that his courage was being tested, but he had been tricked. What was the actual test?
16. Why doe the Green Knight forgive Sir Gawain for keeping the green girdle?
17. How does Sir Gawain feel about himself after he realizes his failure to live up to the code of chivalry?
18. According to the Green Knight, how has Sir Gawain paid for his transgressions.
19. Why does the Green Knight return the girdle to Sir Gawain?
20. Evaluate Sir Gawain’s actions. In what ways (provide at least three)does and doesn’t he follow the code of chivalry.
21. Is Sir Gawain a coward, or is the code of chivalry unrealistic to follow?
22. Was the Green Knight’s challenge a fair test of Gawain’s character? Why or Why not?
23. What do you think was the main lesson Gawain learned? Provide textual support for you answer.
24. Will Gawain be more likely to live by the rules of chivalry in the future? Provide textual support for your answer.
25. Why do you think that Gwain requests to take up the Green Knight’s challenge? Provide two places of textual support.
26. Who is more honorable Beowulf or Gwain? Provide two places of textual support and page numbers from both stories.
27. What might have happened if Gawain had refused to accept the sash? Provide textual support and page numbers for your answer.
28. List 5 components that you think make up a modern code of conduct or chivalry for today’s leaders.
29. List 10 components that you think make up the modern code of relationships and love.
30. Think of five components you would add to the list in # 28 and to the list in #29. (These would be components that you think do not exist in modern times but should be part of the codes)

1 & 2 December: Courtly Love, Arthurian Literature

1. Journal: "King Arthur" Write all you know (or think you know) about King Arthur.
2. Students took notes on courtly love and medieval romance.
3. Students read a basic version of the story of King Arthur and identified characteristics of the medieval romance.
4. Students read about Sir Thomas Malory (page 100) and a passage from Morte d'Arthur in the textbook. (page 90). Identify characteristics of medival romance in the story. Questions to answer about this story are the previous entry in this blog. 1st period read through page 96 aloud and was to finish silently.

Questions to answer about Sir Thomas Malory:

• Who is he?
• Who is William Caxton?
• Where did he write Morte d’Arthur?
• Why was he imprisoned?
  

HOMEWORK 1st period:

• Statement song writing assignment is due to turnitin.com by 11:59pm tonight.
• Statement song works cited is due December 3.
• Outside Reading is due December 3.

HOMEWORK 4th period:

• Outside Reading is due December 4.
• Prepare for quiz over today's notes and reading.

Le Morte d’Arthur Text Excerpt Questions

1. What dream does Arthur have? What might this dream mean?
2. Who speaks to Arthur the night before his battle with Mordred? In what context do his visitors appear?
3. What warning does Gawain give? What reason does he give for postponing the battle?
4. What treaty does Arthur propose to Mordred? Is the treaty honored? Why or why not?
5. What innocent action starts the battle?
6. How is Arthur again warned of his fate and about Mordred? Why does Arthur pursue his vengeance on Mordred despite all the warnings he has been given?
7. What happens to Arthur’s soldiers during the battle? What advice does Sir Lucan give Arthur about the battle?
8. After lying to Arthur twice, how does Bedevere finally fulfill Arthur’s wish? What does he see?
9. In what ways is loyalty, or the lack of loyalty, demonstrated in the story of Arthur?
10. Why might loyalty have been so highly valued for the people who first told this story?
11. What is the cause of Arthur’s death? What condition is he in when he is last seen? What indications are there that Arthur may not, in fact, have died after the battle?
12. Why do you think the legend is written to suggest that Arthur will return as king one day? Why might this idea be appealing to readers?

20/21 November: A Knight's Tale

NOTES:
Allusion - a writer or speaker refers to something from history or literature and expects the audience to understand the reference. .
Anachronism: something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time. Examples: 1) In Julius Caesar, a clock strikes though there were no clocks in Caesar’s day. 2) In the movie Ben-Hur, Charlton Heston anachronistically wears a wristwatch during the chariot race.
Etymology: Greek
from ana- "against"
from chrono "time"

Chivalry: Code of behavior followed by medieval knights.
All of the Knights of the Round Table are required to maintain:
1. Faith
2. Honor
3. Courtesy
4. Loyalty
5. Bravery
6. Modesty

Feudalism: organization of medieval society.

We began watching A Knight's Tale, identifying the above concepts found in the movie.

4th period, November 18

Journal: Write about an embarrassing moment (for you or someone else, or make it up) 75 word minimum

“The Miller’s Tale”

• Finish reading
• Quiz

Students received Social Commentary writing assignment. Due dates: Writing is due to turnitin.com on November 26 by 11:59 pm. A hardcopy of the works cites page is due Tuesday, December 2.