6 December 2013 English I Honors

1. Objective: SWBAT Assess the aspects of heroism embodied by Demeter and Dionysus by correlating descriptions in the text to qualities reviewed. 6December 2013 English I Honors Do Now: Transcribe the definitions of “Connotation” and “Denotation” from the Glossary of the Adventures in Literature Textbook. Then determine the connotations of the two following descriptions of Persephone – “fairest, Maiden all lovely, I offer Song for your favor” (Hamilton 55) “Of Death and Hell; and thou that hast from men, as Queen of Death, that worship which is Fear, henceforth, as having risen from out the dead, shalt ever send thy life along with mine” (Tennyson)

2. Objective: SWBAT Assess the aspects of heroism embodied by Demeter and Dionysus by correlating descriptions in the text to qualities reviewed. Descriptions of Persephone in the accounts of Hamilton and Tennyson juxtapose one another through connotative discrepancies. In Hamilton’s account, Persephone is referenced as the “fairest, Maiden all lovely, I offer Song for your favor” (Hamilton 55). The term “fair” has a connotation associated with beauty, light, and purity, which is reinforced by the description of Persephone as “all lovely”. Homage towards Persephone is further provided as the speaker offers a song in her honor. Such exultation venerates Persephone’s character and paints her as beautiful, pure, and without flaws. Conversely, Tennyson’s description of Persephone reads “Of Death and Hell; and thou that hast from men, as Queen of Death, that worship which is Fear, henceforth, as having risen from out the dead, shalt ever send thy life along with mine” (Tennyson). Bestowed with the title “Queen of Death” Persephone’s character is rendered as dark and ominous. Further associations with “hell” and “fear” in Tennyson’s portrayal of the goddess contribute to a sinister tone. Even as Persephone rises from the dead, her impending return to the underworld recognized, and carries additional weight as it is inevitably linked to the speaker’s own death in the line, “shalt ever send thy life along with mine” (Tennyson). While Persephone appears to be an object of the speaker’s affection, endowed with feminine grace, in Hamilton's piece, in Tennyson’s she is painted as a dark reminder of looming death. Through connotative suggestions, the portrayals of Persephone by Hamilton and Tennyson offer images of the divine goddess that stand in stark contrast to one another while seemingly relaying the same tale.

3. Objective: Preform accurate and thorough analysis of myth poetry by correctly addressing the connotation and denotation of words. Agenda -Drafting / Conferencing Writing Prompt Week #1: Illustrate how Edith Hamilton’s use of descriptive language serves to characterize a mythological figure from “The Two Great Gods of Earth” (Hamilton 53 – 76). Compare the tone within Hamilton’s work to that within one of the selected poems. HW: Unit 4 Vocabulary Quiz on Wednesday, December 11th.

4. Objective: Preform accurate and thorough analysis of myth poetry by correctly addressing the connotation and denotation of words. Closure: Circle comparisons of the two texts in your draft and underline places in your response where the two texts examined are contrasted.