Poem

Have we been assigned a poem assignment yet? Break is so long I have forgotten. Thanks

Evan

Canterbury Tales Character Sentences

Hey guys I figured that having everyone write their own character's sentence and posting it on the blog might make it alot easier for everyone to study.


-Tom L

The Canterbury Tales

Why does Chaucer put such an emphasis on the Catholic Church and Christianity?

Lydia P.

The Canterbury Tales

In the prologue line 187 it asks, "As Austin bids?" In relation to the monk. I was wondering, does it continue to talk about the monk or Austin, between lines 187 and 240?

Lydia P.

Coat of Arms and Charges

Today, again we discussed about the coat of arms. For the charge, whether it be an animal or an object, does it always represent something and have a certain meaning?

Samantha Schaeffer

Coat of Arms Discussion

Today in class, we discussed about the coat of arms. I don't know if we ever discussed this today, but do we know how the idea of the coat of arms started or where it started. Was the coat of arms invented by someone?

Samantha Schaeffer

Beowulf Test

What did you guys think about the test? I didn't finish it all, but overall I didn't think it was that hard.
Evan

Beowulf Prologue Review!!

On the Prologue Review Sheet, there is a question about the 3 characteristics of epic poem form. Can anyone help us out?!

Samantha Schaeffer and Danielle Radey

Beowulf's death

Does Beowulf tell Wiglaf he is the new king, or does Wiglaf just say he is because he helped Beowulf and is the strongest?
Evan

Beowulf's retelling of the fight against Grendel.

Was the fight vs. Grendel a practice match for when Beowulf fights the Dragon?

Lydia.

proofreading/editing

Today in class we talked about proofreading and editing. Out of the 5 topics, there was the multi-paragraph and the essay section. I'm kind of confused between the two. Is the multi-paragraph suppose to focus more on transitions, than the essay as a whole?

Samantha Schaeffer

Beowulf vs. Grendel's mother

What do you think about Beowulf beheading Grendel? Is Beowulf's action dishonorable?

Friesland Poem

In the second poem (lines 1069-1158), a true was made between Finn and Hengest. Can someone explain what the second part of the agreement was (line 1087)?

--Laura C

The Queen's Speech

After the recitation of the poem of Finn, the queen gives a speech to Hrothgar(line 1168). In it she tells Hrothgar to give the throne to Hrothulf. Is she saying this because Hrothgar was thinking of leaving the throne to Beowulf?

-Tom L

Grendel

In class we talked about Grendel being a symbol for something. So is Grendel a real monster or just a human that is an outcast and treated as a 'monster'?

The Battle

Grendal wasn't able to be pierced with swords yet Beowulf could rip his arm off...I don't get it. I mean yes Beowulf is strong and at his prime, but isn't it generally harder to rip something apart then it is to cut it?

-Sandra

beowulf's huge ego

is it just me or does anyone else feel that Beowulf is setting himself up for a big fall? i was reading and i just kept thinking of all the times in the last two sections that Beowulf talks himself up to be this god-like warrior. this goes back to what we were talking about in class about the whole "pride as a downfall" thing.

~Joe

In last night's reading ("The Hero Comes to Heorot"), Hrothgar tells Beowulf about how his father killed a Wulfing and was banished. Hrothgar said that he stopped the fued by paying and that Ecgtheow acknowledged him oaths of alligiance. My question is, does Beowulf feel obligated to help Hrothgar get rid of Grendel because Beowulf’s father was helped by Hrothgar?

--Laura C.

Grendel

Who or What does Grendel represent?

Welcome to the 2007 MHS English 4 10 Blog!

Welcome, MHS Class of '08! It's a great pleasure to welcome you to your home on the web--your class blogsite.

Ever since we first began using online bulletin boards as a way to converse about literature and writing (all the way back in the early '90's, and please don't feel the need to comment about how long ago that was, or how old you were then), it was always my intent to do the same in my classroom. Admittedly, it took a little longer than I thought, but here we are.

I have put this space together for the benefit of your academic pursuit--to expand your ability to converse about the texts we will be discussing. This space is essentially yours to post relevant--and presumably intelligent--comments and questions regarding our readings. At the moment, that will shortly consist of Seamus Heaney's translation of the Old English epic poem "Beowulf." No doubt you have many question to pose--you can be certain that I did, when I first read it.

Please note the following rules:

1. ONLY students enrolled in MHS English IV Pd. 10 may post comments here. This is not a discussion board intended for the world--or any other MHS students.

2. Anyone who posts must do so with their REAL first name. Any posts found to be made using names other than real (for example, posting using another student's name) will be dealt with according to school disciplinary policy. And what's more, you won't receive due credit if your name isn't linked with your post.

3. All discussion will proceed in respectful, scholarly manner.

4. To ensure that #3 is obeyed, I will personally monitor all discussions on this blog. It's not that I don't trust teenagers to behave in responsible ways. . .oh, wait--yes, it is. I don't. Don't take it personally.

5. Do not expect me to comment on every posting, even if a question has been directly asked of me by one of you. I am much more interested to see whether your fellow scholars are capable of suggesting viable answers and explanations. I reserve the right to comment when and if I deem it necessary. Frequently, I will allow a discussion thread to continue unabated, in order to bring that thread into class for further investigation.

6. From time to time, if the mood strikes me, I may make a comment or pose a question, or refer you to some additional reading I've discovered. Just because I've done that does not make you obligated to respond. . .at least, not yet.

7. Just in case you haven't been told this yet--or you have, but forgot--please remember: this course is designed to prepare you for the traditional Composition class required of all college freshmen. Reconcile yourself to the gravity of that reality right now, and be prepared to handle the work that will reasonably emerge for you this year--if you must, remind yourself that the work you do now will pay larger dividends wherever you find yourself next year. Conduct yourself with that level of academic responsibility in mind.

8. Oh--and, yes, the blog will be a required element of your grade each marking period, so make it a part of your daily online ritual. Check it frequently, and post or comment consistently. The concept of "participation" is now no longer restricted to the classroom walls!

That's all I can think of at the moment, but I also reserve the right to change/adjust/modify/ invent as we go along. Because I can, that's why.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts, and seeing you all in in class each day.

MR. LAZ