Reading Period 9: October 27 - November 2: The Iliad

Long Read:

The Iliad of Homer, books 21-24

Midterm: NOVEMBER 9
Final: DECEMBER 14

Creative Assignments:

We are going to create a "monster manual" for a role-playing game involving heroes of the Trojan war. Choose ten characters from the war, and then choose whether you want to illustrate them graphically, or figure out their character stats. Don't limit yourself to just mortals. Remember, the river Skamandros becomes a character in book 21, and then there are the gods.

If you choose graphic illustrations, create square drawings or paintings of the sort you might find on card games like Magic: The Gathering. Heroic pose, action shot, or portrait. No stick figures, please.

OR

If you choose to write the stats, consider the following elements: size, alignment, stats (STR, DEX, INT, WIS, CON, CHR) hit points, skills, special senses, languages, special attacks, what weapons/armor/money/items they drop when killed, and a useful description of how they would behave in battle or negotiations. Don't get TOO wordy, but give whatever info would be needed. If you're stumped, here's an example of a Monster Manual entry from D&D. If you aren't familiar with RPG gaming, do the best you can. :)

Writing Assignments:

The Iliad is a popular subject for adaptations, such as the poem by Alice Oswald. Consider this list of novels and plays that have been written using The Iliad as source material. If you were to create a novel about some aspect of the story, for any audience, what would you choose to write about? You could pitch a children's book based on Xanthos, Achilles' horse. You could pitch a novel that focuses on the relationship between Zeus and Hera, with the Trojan war as a backdrop. Write a 300 word "pitch" in which you tell what your story would be about, what audience it would appeal to, who the main characters would be, any key scenes you can imagine, and your title. Make it sound great, as if you are trying to convince a publisher to buy it.

OR

Achilles' behavior throughout the Iliad is pretty questionable, but nothing is more questionable than his treatment of Hektor before, during, and especially after his death. Choose a side and argue persuasively whether Achilles is an arrogant jerk for mocking Hektor in death and defiling Hektor's body, or whether his actions are justified either by revenge or the emotions surrounding losing Patroklos. If you had to stand up in court and either defend or accuse Achilles, what would you say? Write a 300 word persuasive essay in which you definitively choose a side, and argue with recognizable rhetorical strategies.

Paper:

Your first draft is due next Tuesday, October 31. Bring two copies printed out to class. If you do not bring two copies printed out to class, you will not only lose points for not having a first draft, but you will also lose points for not being able to do peer editing. Partners will be assigned based on who shows up with a paper in their hand. If you're concerned that your printer might break on Tuesday morning, finish it and print it on Monday, or even Sunday.

AP Lang:

Read "Civil Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau and come ready to discuss. Also do "Drill 2" that was passed out in class, giving yourself 12 minutes to complete it.

Quiz: 

1. Why does Patroklos say 3 people killed him?
2. How does Achilles react to Patroklos' death? Give two specific things he does.
3. Even though Achilles wants to fight Trojans after Patroklos dies, what problem does he have that means he can't fight?
4. Achilles' horse Xanthos gets to talk briefly. What does he say?
5. Why does the river Skamandros get ticked off at Achilles?
6. Hektor has been boasting about what he'll do to Achilles, but what does he actually do when they finally face off?
7. How does Achilles defile Hektor's body, and what is the reaction of his family members?
8. What does the ghost of Patroklos want to happen to his ashes?
9. Who goes to retrieve Hektor's corpse?
10. Which book of the Iliad contains the story of the Trojan horse?