The Aeneid - Blog # 2

Please respond to the following prompts in complete sentences.  Use quotes when stipulated.

1.  What do you reckon, should one love only once?  If your spouse / partner dies should you remarry or find a new one?  What are arguments for and against?  Who does Dido speak to for advice?

2.  Paraphrase the extended simile dealing with Cupid and hunting.  Use a quote as support.

3.  What were the ill effects of Dido's affections for Aeneas?  Is this true?  Does love overpower people and make them not do important things?  If so, is it as important as society says it is?

4.  We learn of two gods we hear in common, everyday English.  Who are they and what do they represent?

5.  Is this the typical, boy meets girl, boy love girl & girl loves boy, boy leaves girl story?  Cliche or romantic?  Use a quote as support.

6.  Agree or disagree. Aeneas sacrifices his personal life for his future country.

7.  Paraphrase the extended simile of the Trojans and ants.

8.  Describe Dido's funeral pyre.  Use a quote as support.

9.  What future does Dido envisage for the future of Rome?

Due: Wednesday, 11.21 (before class)

Blog # 1 - The Aeneid

Please respond to the following prompts in complete sentences.  Use quotes when stipulated.

1.  What is the context of Chapter 2?  What is happening?  Where is it happening?

2.  Why is the following quote so loaded?  What is its tone?  "Being unable to conquer Troy through the skills of war in nine years of fighting, the Greek leaders decide to follow Minerva's instruction and build a horse of mountainous bulk from the wood of the fir tree" (123).

3.  Where is Tenedos located?

4.  Who is Sinon?  Paraphrase his story as to why he was left behind.

5.  How was Minerva insulted?  Use a quote as support.  (Must be incorporated).

6.  Why do the Greeks allegedly sail for Mycenae?  Use a quote as support.  (Must be incorporated).

7.  What was Laocoon's sin?  Use a quote as support.  (Must be incorporated).

8.  How does Apollo's gift to Cassandra speak to the fate of Troy?

9.  Bottom line, did the Greeks win an honorable victory?  Why or why not?

10.  How is King Priam depicted in this selection.  Use a quote as support.

Due: Tuesday, 11.13 - before class

Blog # 3 - The Iliad

Please read chapters 4 & 5 and  respond to the following prompts.  Write in complete sentences.  Give specific examples from the text.  Incorporate quotes when stipulated.

Chapter 4
1.  Which literary term is at work in the following quote?  "As a waterfall pours down the face of a cliff into the dark stream below, so Agamemnon stood weeping before the gathering" (58).

2.  What are some of the gifts Agamemnon bestows upon Achilles?  Use a quote as support.  What would the gifts be equivalents of today?  What do we call them?

3.  I've already posed this question, but what is Achilles's biggest character flaw?  What is he unable to do?

4.  What would you choose?  A long life or everlasting fame?  Which does Achilles choose?

5.  What is Achille's rationale for not joining in the fighting?  Use a quote as support.

Chapter 5
1.  Many words and phrases are continually repeated, as we discussed in the introduction to The Iliad.  Please cite 3.

2.  What is the equivalent of Achilles's and Patroclus's relationship in Japan?  What might we call it in other words?

3.  Explain the following quote.  Achilles is speaking to Patroclus.  "Win enough glory that the Greeks will return Briseis to me along with many impressive gifts, but not so much glory that your success will less my own honor" (62).

4.  We see a lot of interference of the gods in this section.  Does this lessen or increase the mortals' free will?  How much free will do you have in your life right now?  Who or what restricts it?  When will you get more free will?

5.  To me this story deals extensively with leadership.  Choose Agamemnon or Achilles and argue why he is the better leader.  One paragraph.  Use at least one quote. 

Blog # 2 - "The Labors and Death of Heracles"

Respond to the following prompts in complete sentences.  Incorporate quotes when required.
Your responses must be between 2 - 4 sentences.

1.  We have many students of mixed nationalities here at HIS, but what's unique about Heracles's parentage?  Use a quote as support.  Make sure you incorporate your quote.

2.  What was the first feat Heracles accomplished?  How old was he?

3.  We've discussed a lot about punishment.  What does Heracles get away with?  Does this teach us a lesson?  Should we forgive?

4.  What's the one feat Heracles accomplishes that actually helps the mortals instead of simply pleasing the whims of Eurystheus? Use a quote as support.

5.  Is it a noble trait to trick Atlas?  Is this respectable behavior?

6.  How does this myth depict women?  In a positive or negative light?  Use a quote as support.

7.  Explain where three locales (places) mentioned in the text are in the modern world.  

Blog # 1 - "The Ages of Man"

Respond to the following prompts in complete sentences.  2 - 5 sentences should suffice for each one.  Use quotes when stipulated.

1.  True or false?  Hesiod wrote myths based on other myths?  Does this make him more "academic"?

2.  What were three reversals in values with the Bronze Race of mortals?  Use quotes.  Cite in MLA format.

3.  Based on this section of reading, does good behavior get rewarded?  Is this true in our era?

4.  To which race do we belong?  Do you agree with what Hesiod wrote about us?  Is he accurate?  Give two examples.  Use quotes and cite in MLA format.

5.  OK, who cares about good or bad?  Which race would you liked to have belonged?  Why?  Give me the goods folks!

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