3/1-Iliad Assignment

1) What does Patroclus propose to Achilles and what is Achilles’ response? Why does Achilles grant Patroclus’ request?
Patroclus proposes Achilles to send him into battle instead of Achilles, since he refuses to. Achilles agrees with Patroclus and gives him his armor, weapons and horse.

2) On p. 413 line 35 (approximately), Patroclus tells Achilles that Achilles is “cursed in [his] own courage.” What does Patroclus mean by that and do you agree with him?
Patroclus meant that Achilles thinks so highly of himself. He is sure that he is the best warrior and see's himself higher than others. His confidence and courage changes the way thinks also changing his judgment.

3) Either ask questions about the text or write down vocab words from the text with definitions.
Why did Achilles let Patroclus go to battle if he was his best friend and knew he would die? In earlier books Achilles wouldn’t let Patroclus go, why now?

2/27-Iliad Assignment

1. Write a question. It can be an interpretive question that you have an opinion on or something about the text that you don't understand. You do not need to write the answer.
Who was Phoenix?

2. What was your opinion of Achilles before reading Book 9? Does it change after reading Book 9? Explain why or why not.

My opinion doesn't change at all. Achilles is just being stubborn and arrogant like before


3. At various points in the text some characters attempt to persuade other characters to take a course of action. Examples of characters using persuasion include Nestor, Odysseus, and Ajax. Make a list of the persuasive strategy used by these characters, following this format:
Who is speaking?
What does that person say and to whom does he say it? What persuasive strategy is it?
Why is it an example of that strategy?
Do this at least three times with different examples.
Remember the persuasive strategies include:
Appeal to reason (logic - does it “make sense” to do what the speaker says)
Appeal to emotion (does it try to make you happy, sad, angry etc… in an attempt to get you to act or think a certain way)
Appeal to ethics (right and wrong, moral principals - does it get you to think that a particular thought is morally right or wrong to get you to act or think a certain way)

Who is speaking? Ajax

What does that person say and to whom does he say it? He is trying to persuade Achilles to help the Greeks

What persuasive strategy is it? Appeal to Reason

Why is it an example of that strategy? This is a exampleof appeal to reason because Ajax is telling Achilles that he is not handling the situation well, and that he is being un-honorable for unhelpful the Greeks.

2/26-Iliad Assignment

1. Write a question. It can be an interpretive question that you have an opinion on or something about the text that you don't understand. You do not need to write the answer.
I don’t really understand what Agamemnon is saying in the beginning, are they going to stop fighting?

2. What was your opinion of Agamemnon before reading this section? Does your opinion of him change after reading it? Why or why not?
Before reading this section I personally didn't like Agamemnon. I thought he was selfish, egotistical and took advantage of his power. I thought it was so rude and self-centered when Agamemnon couldn't have his own war prize so took someone else’s instead. My opinion really hasn’t changed much, because though he sort of redeemed him self in sending Achilles many great gifts which couldn’t be refused, he is still the same old Agamemnon. “All this- I would extend to him if he will end his anger. Let him submit to me! Only the god of death is so relentless, Death submits to no one-so mortals hate him most of all the gods. Let him bow down to me! I am the greater king, I am the elder-born, I claim- the greater man.”

2/22 Iliad Reflection - Book One

If you were an ancient Greek, which of the following statements would you agree with?

A) Achilles’ rage is justified and I support his decision not to fight, even if it means the Greeks might lose lots of men, or even the war itself.
Or
B) Agamemnon is the commander, as such he is in the right, and I support his decision to ask for Achilles’ war prize Briseis – even if it means that Achilles will sit out the war.

If I were an anciet Greek, I would support Achilles side (side A). Though Agamemnon is the commander, he is just being selfish and taking Achilles war prize because he can't have his own. He's taking advantage of the power he has by taking what doesn't belong to him and embarassing Achilles. "Atreus' son Agamemnon, for all his far-flung kingdoms-the man disgraces me, siezes and keeps my prize, he tears her away himself!"(Pg. 89, lines 420-422)

Achilles worked hard to get his prize just to get it taken away from Agamemnon that didn't even move a muscle. "NOt so quickly, brave as you are, godlike Achilles-trying to cheat me. Oh no, you won't get past me, take me in that way! What do you want? To cling to your own prize while I sit calmly by-empty-handed here? Is that why you order me to giver her back? No-if our generous Argives will give me a prize, a match for my desires, equal to what I've lost, well and good. But if they give me nothing I will take a prize myself- your own, or Ajax' or Odysseus' prize-I'll commandeer her myself and let that man I go to visit choke with rage!"(Pg. 81-82, lines 152-164)

Writing Assignment 2/21-Disagreements and Fights ...

I've gotten into many fights and disagreements with people. One of the worst fights I can remember was when my friend was calling me too much. She was beginning to bugging me. She would call and call and call until I would answer. I told her to ease up on the phone calls, because my minutes were starting to build up and I didn't want parents angry with me. Instead of taking it well and agreeing to not call so much she denied everything. She kept telling me she rarely called and we rarely talked. I was beginning to get frustrated with her. Not only did I see her everday at school, but I talked to her for hours on the phone at home, and most of the time it pointless conversations about nothing. I told her I felt she was being very clingy and it really anoyed me. She kept denying her actions and started to blame me. I called her a hypocrite and that when all hell broke loose. Some pretty mean things were said some I regret and some I don't. But I haven't been friends with here since that day. And if you think about it, it was over something super lame like calling too much.

2/13 Iliad Assignment

1.Reread what we have read so far from The Iliad. That's lines 1-118 pp. 77-80. Ask any questions you have and any other comments or observations.
Why did the Achaean ranks want to accept the gifts, but Agamemnon?
Why didn't the Achaeans realize right away that Apollo sent the plague among the army because they wouldn't give back the daughter?
When Achilles says "Son of Atreus, now we are beaten back, I fear, the long campaign is lost. So home we sail... if we can escape our death-if war and plague are joining forces now to crush the Argives. But wait: let us question a holy man, a prophet, even a man skilled with dreams-dreams as can come our say from Zeus-come, someone to tell us why Apollo rages so, whether he blames us for a vow we failed, or sacrifice. If only the god would share the smoky savor of lambs and full grown goats, Apollo might be willing, still, somehow, to save us form this plague." does this mean the Greeks are going to give back the daughter?

2/3 Iliad Notes

1. Summarize with one or two quick bullet points per stanza - ones that you will be able to understand when you read your notes later.
Chryses, Apollo’s preist leaves in fear from Agamemnon
Chryses talks to Apollo and asks him to punish the Achaeans
“Hear me, Apollo! God of the silver bow who strides the walls of Chryse and Cilla sacrosanct-lord in power of Tenedos-Smintheus, god of the plague! If I ever roofed a shrine to please your heart, ever burned the long rich bones of bulls and goats on your holy altar, now, now bring my prayer to pass. Pay the Danaans back-our arrows for my tears”
Apollo hears Chryses prayer and come down from Olympus’ peaks
Apollo shoots and arrow through the Achaean army, it lasted 10 days
Achilles speaks to all the ranks
“Son of Atreus, now we are beaten back, I fear, the long campaign is lost. So home we sail…if we can escape our death-if war and plague are joining forces now to crush the Argives”

2. Ask questions about the reading from one or more stanzas
What are Argives?
Why does Achilles give up?

3. Predict what will happen next
Apollo will stop sending arrows down and forgive them

My Rage-Cause

Everything was going great. I was at the front of the side stage...I was so excited!...PIERCE THE VEIL. The pit was going to be crrrrraaazzzyyy. I felt my phone ringgg in my pocket..."CRAP!" It was my mom, I had forgot to call her before the show started.
"Bianca, your in trouble"
"What? Why?"
"We got an email from you teacher..."
"I'm sorry mom, really i am"
"I think I should just go and pick you up right now"
"NO! Please don't...please please please, I'll never do it again. I'll be quiet, anti-social in class"
"Okay, but when you get home we are going to have a talk."
"THANKKKKK YOUUUU!!!!"
*10 seconds later*
riiiiinnnngggggg
"Mom?"
"Go outside, I'm getting you in 10 minutes!"
...
"NO!"
"Don't worry Bianca, we'll go to another one."
"Bye, Paige"

2/8 Descriptive Writing Assignment

We were picking up speed, going faster and faster. An object appears in the road. It was a man. His innocent face shining in the car headlights, moving closer and closer. There was no warning of the terrible fate coming to him. We were gaining even more speed; we must have been going at 130mph at least. My heart was racing, almost as fast as the beetle. Adrenaline pumping through me. The man realized the beetle speeding towards him and began to sprint towards safety. He stumbled in the streets trying to avoid death. My eyes began to grow as the man was hit and lay flat in the streets like road kill. It was a hit and run. We didn't know if he had a wife, children, anything. We just ran him over and that was that.

2/7 Descriptive Writing Assignment

1. Make a list of the descriptive words in that scene – minimum of 3, but you should be able to find a lot
roar
whined
rushing
high thunder
skimming
whistling trajectory
racing
jittered
sour
plunged
flailing
jerked
flashing glare
swallowed
hurtling
blare
stumbled

2. Write a short paragraph of why you think that scene and the words Bradbury used were effective in representing fear. This is like the assignment from last night expect with Bradbury.
I think the words Bradbury used helped represent fear becuase it helps you invision the scene. When he useds "flashing glare" you can imagine the silver beetle rushing toward you about to run you over and leave you flat like a pancake. Also when Bradbury uses "roar" and "stumbles" you can imagine Montag running and falling into the street way more clearly.

2/6 Hesiod Writing Assignment

1.What do you think this myth tells about the ancient Greeks? What values did they have? Why would a story like this develop?
Well, according to the ancient Greeks, women once ruled over men (matriarchy). For example, Gaea (Mother Earth) gave birth to all the first gods. Though after Gaea married her son, Uranus(Father Sky), ancient Greece became a Patriarchy. Uranus then became the ruler of everything that came into being.

2. What universal needs or desires are represented in this story? What needs/desires might be particular to the Greeks? If you have a hard time determining whether it is particular or universal that is okay, write about why it is difficult to choose.
Desires:
POWER-universal
(Women want) stop eating babies-particular

Necessities:
I can't really think of any necessities for the ancient Greeks, in the story it's mostly about wanting power.

3. Explain how Zeus came to power. Write about these following issues: How is he similar/different to Uranus or Cronos? Is his grip on power secure or fragile? Explain why or why not.
Zeus's mother (Rhea) saved his from his father, who would eat all his children so none of them would over through him. Once Zeus was old enough he came back and defeated Cronos and took power. Zeus is similar to Uranus and Cronos because they all defeated their fathers in order to gain power and control. When Zeus began to rule it became a new era "The rule of the Titans had ended. The rule of the gods had begun." I think is secure, because he ruled differently than his fathers, and learned from their mistakes. He ruled with peace and kindness. "In addition to maintaining peace and order among all of the immortal beings in the world, Zeus taught human beings to be just in their treatment of one another."

Descriptive Writing Assignment

Gleefully- When I think of the world gleefully I think of bright happy things, fun and skipping. I could have just used the word happy, but I feel it just doesn't cover it. It wouldn't have been as strong.

Putrid- The word putrid makes me think of rotten milk or something to that effect. I can just imagine gagging at the horrible smell, when the word is used. I don't think there is any stronger word than putrid when it comes to smell.

Shriek- When I think of a shriek i don't think of a full on scream. To me it's more of a quick, high pitch scream, almost like a dog yelping except more intense.


MY GROUPP!!!

(Google reader shuts down my internet so I only got a chance to see Jessi's cause I know her url by heart<3)

JESSI:
Glacial- I really liked this word, when Jessi used it I could imagine bitter, cold eyes locking in eye contact and staring at you
Piercing Shreik- this word really appealed to my sence of hearing as well as sight. I could hear Jessi screammmm so high pitched and loud that it was painful to hear.