Macbeth: Witches? Really?

The three witches, otherwise known as the three Weird Sisters, play a very significant role in the play. What do you think about that? How does that impact your ability to take the play seriously? Do you or did you ever believe in ghosts? witches? Have you ever been affected by something you can't explain?

Antigone: Why does this story seem so familiar?

Antigone, Ismene, Uncle Creon, and Cousin Haimon combine for a lot of drama in just a few short scenes. The story takes place 2500 years ago, but lots of it seems like it's straight out of reality TV or Gossip Girls. They fight about love of family rather than love of rules; a leader is convinced someone has sold him out; a younger sister desperately wants her sister's approval; a parent is willing to sacrifice his son's love for his fiance in order to prove a point; someone doesn't want to share the glory, and so on. Think about these themes and pick one to write about: which one resonates with you? Why? How is it still relevant today, to you? Why? Be specific, and feel free to reference movies or TV or books that play with your theme.

Your response should be two 8-10 sentence paragraphs. Be sure to copy your answer before you hit 'Publish' -- remember that these disappear sometimes!

Antigone, Ismene, and Uncle Creon

You've started reading Antigone, and already it's clear that the story is different than Oedipus Rex, yet similarities exist, too. What interests you about these characters? What stands out? What seems similar? How do Ismene and Antigone resemble typical siblings? How are they different? In what ways are they similar or different than Oedipus? What do you think of Creon as a leader? USE TEXTUAL EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT YOUR RESPONSE.

And despite all of that, he's a hero?

So, after reading the end of Oedipus Rex, we wonder about the king. According to Aristotle, Oedipus is a tragic hero. Is he heroic? Why or why not? What specifically does he do in Exodus (identify three different actions) and is that enough to make him heroic? What do you think? Your answer should be one 8-10 sentence paragraph.

There's a Flaw in the System

The more we get to know someone, the more we find that we might not like. Sort of like Donkey in "Shrek" explaining about the layers of an onion. As you've read the bulk of the play, Oedipus's character clarifies, and some of the pieces aren't so wonderful. Consider his actions and choices, and determine his flaw. What is it, and what is the evidence that supports it? What mistake in judgment is caused by his flaw? What does the mistake ultimately lead to? Be clear about the flaw, the mistake in judgment, and the consequences.

Introducing Oedipus

In one 8-10 sentence paragraph, respond to the questions below.

We meet Oedipus when he appears at the very beginning of the play, in the Prologue. What do the priest and the other Thebans think of him? Use specific pieces of evidence to support your thinking. If he were your leader, what would you think of him? What do you think he was like as a person? Finally, in the last couple of sentences, think about a main character in a movie or book you really like: does he or she start off a good person? Describe what he or she is like at the beginning and then BRIEFLY explain how he or she ends the story.

Poetry: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

Take about 10 minutes and write down your thoughts about poetry. What do you think it is? What makes something a poem? What do you think of poetry? What makes a poem good? What makes a poem bad? Go to poets.org and find a poem you like; copy and paste it here.