Tuesday 5th & Thursday 7th - English

Tuesday 5th
We read to the end of act one scene two. We discussed with a partner & wrote in our jotters why Portia did not like any of the men from different countries that wanted to marry her, & if she was a racist.

Thursday 7th
We read to the end of act one. We completed questions that we on the board on Shylock & Antonio: the central conflict & discussed as a class the conflict between Shylock & Antonio.

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S2 - Meeting Shylock

Act I scene iii today folks.

Look at how Shylock is presented, and the reasons why he hates Antonio. We know what is going to happen in the play, but how is the character built up from his opening lines?

We'll be answering this in class, plus looking at these questions, for today and tomorrow.

1.Why does Shylock ask if Antonio is “a good man” (12)?

2.Look at lines 38 – 48. What is the first reason Shylock gives for hating Antonio?

3.Why do you think this speech is given as an aside?

4.“I cannot tell, I make it breed as fast” (93) – what technique is this an example of, and what is being compared?

5.Look again at lines 103 – 126.

a)Write a list of the other reasons why Shylock hates Antonio.

b)Of all the reasons Shylock gives in this scene, which do you think he feels is the main reason. Give reasons for your decision

6.How does Antonio ‘sell’ the idea of lending him the money to Shylock. Quote the lines that show this.

7.Think about the bond between Antonio and Shylock:

a)Who comes up with the idea first?
b)Do you think they are serious?
c)Explain your answer with reference to the text.

8.How does Bassanio respond to the bond?

9.Explain the significance of the lines below: what do they mean, and what do they tell us about Shylock?
“A pound of man’s flesh taken from a man
Is not so estimable, profitable neither,
As flesh of muttons, beefs or goats.” (162-164)

10.“The Hebrew will turn Christian, he grows kind” (176)
Where have we heard a similar but contrasting thought before?

S3 - Exam Skills

In class today we looked at how to answer Comprehension Questions.

Comprehension questions ask you to look at the author's attitudes, ideas, opinions and feelings.

We looked at tones, such as sarcastic, angry and conversational.

S2 - Introduction to "Merchant" slideshow

For those who missed the introductory Powerpoint on all things Venicey, the show can be downloaded by clicking the link below.

Answers such questions as: What is Iambic Pentameter? What is the play about? Why is some writing in italics? Who are the main characters, and why do they keep talking when they are on their own?

My only lesson ever to get a spontaneous round of applause!

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S3 - Conduct Unbecoming essay

We looked at a good example of a piece of critical writing which (a) analyses the text/engages with the language - this is in blue to make it stand out, and (b) discusses how character is both established and developed - this is in brown. Look also at how the last sentences in the good example constantly link the ideas back to the question. We also looked at a bad example.

Good example

When Drake is first introduced to the audience, even before his first words, he is established as a man for whom being an officer has been a lifetime ambition:

“Drake looks about as a man finally at peace.” p5

The impression created is that he has found his Shangri-La, somewhere that he has known existed , or perhaps considers that he has arrived in his idea of heaven. It is suggested that his character is one which will blend into the regiment.

This initial characteristic is developed later in the scene. His arrival at the mess has almost over-awed him, and he describes the experience:

“It is like … coming home” p5

The stage direction calls for this to be delivered “quietly”, and the ellipsis suggests Drake is struggling to find the words to describe his feelings. His character is established at this point as having always wanted to be a military man.

Bad Example

Millington is a nightmare. When he turns up, he says “How very uplifting for you.” But he says this in a sarcastic way. This shows that he is a sarcastic character.

Millington is also very disrespectful of military traditions …

S5 - Intermediate 1 & 2 - Exam Skills

Don't worry folks, I've not forgotten about you either!

Close reading help is at hand, with the first two presentations on Close Reading skills downloadable below.

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S3 - Exam Skills

Your end-of-year exams are approaching fast - just 8 more lessons to prepare!

For those who haven't subscribed to my mailling list, you can download the first Exam Skills powerpoints below for your viewing pleasure!

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