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SUB-THEMATIC ANALYSIS. UNIT 3 AOS1. LEARNING INTENTION: Identify and develop a variety of themes in the text. Identity Change Revenge, guilt and peace Chance and Fate Gender Roles Commoners VS Royalty Pity and Compassion. TODAY’S ACTIVITY. Assemble in groups of three
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SUB-THEMATIC ANALYSIS UNIT 3 AOS1
LEARNING INTENTION: Identify and develop a variety of themes in the text • Identity • Change • Revenge, guilt and peace • Chance and Fate • Gender Roles • Commoners VS Royalty • Pity and Compassion
TODAY’S ACTIVITY • Assemble in groups of three • You will be given a ‘sub-theme’ • Read about the theme on the PPT on our web page ‘Sub Themes’ (i.e: This PPT) • Create a class presentation that… • Summarise this theme • Uses examples from the text to show how this theme operates • Uses quotes to support your discussion
Identity • Ransom explores who we are and what is means to have an identity • With the death of Hector, Priamfor he realises that he needs to become a ‘father’ rather than the ‘king’: His search for Hector is also a search for himself • Somax’sconfidence and pride in his identity is starkly contrasted with Priam’s pursuit for an identity transformation(e.g: struggles with new title Idaeus, as his name represents his life experience • Achilles identify changes in the eyes of the Myrmidons after the death of Patroclus. It is return anew with Priam’s visit
Change PRIAM • Malouf demonstrates that it is never too late to change one’s ways. • Priam changes from constant and predicatableKing to a man who goes to extroardinary lengths, despite he warning of Hecuba and his family • Priam’s journey with Somax teaches him more than he had anticipated for he learns to appreciate the value of love and other simplicities in life. ACHILLES • Although Achilles is driven by hatred and anger after Patroclus’ death • His transformation from a human who faced grief with revenge to acceptance and forgiveness after Priam’s visit demonstrates the benefits we can gain from amending our ways.
Revenge, guilt and peace • Revenge is a vicious cycle that is never-ending until both parties reach a negotiation or peace. • Achilles hunts down Hector in order to avenge his best friend’s early death. • His additional need to inflict harm on Hector’s body indicates that revenge will not bring closure: He feels empty • Achilles and Priam ultimately find peace in themselves • Neoptolemusmurders Priam bound with the same hatred and pain depicted by Achilles years later • Neoptolemus’ subsequent guilt and regret is carried with him throughout the rest of his life, demonstrating that again revenge is not the answer to any problem.
Gender Roles • Set in a world where political power belongs predominantly to men. • Somaxrepresents an alternative male role: A ‘working man’ providing for his family • Priam, a king, is in a unique position of high authority, making wise decisions that sustain Troy’s civilisation. • The role of women is far more limited. However… • The goddesses Iris and Thetis influence Priam and Achilles respectively. • Priam fears the response of Hecuba: She clearly has an influence over him
Chance and Fate • Through the interventions of Hermes and Iris, the power of the gods in controlling human fate is illustrated. However, it is a problem they alone can not solve • It was always the characters’ decisions that lead them to their fate. • Even when confronted with doubt and hesitance from his family, it is Priam who pushes onwards to fulfil his vision.
Commoners VS Royalty • Royalty is portrayed to be blessed with power and authority, yet commoners in Ransom who appear to be most ‘privileged.’ • Priamis exposed to the different interests and values of the common man and is intrigued by the simplicities of life. • It is Somax, a mere old man from the marketplace who teaches Priam more about life than he had imagined possible
Pity VS Compassion • These enduring human values emerge in the context of war • Priam, appeals to Achille’shumanity and raises the question of what it means to be ‘human’ • Both men show compassion to one another and pity • Questions raised by their actions are… • Does being human mean that there are responsibilities everyone must take on? • Should humans have a basic respect for each other and show compassion? • What is the basis for such values? What beliefs do they imply? • The value of compassion goes beyond social class and political beliefs.
Homework reminder Read Part 4 (pp. 167 - 201) and underline quotes you may use. Write these into a new ‘quotes’ section of your workbook Answer the following questions 1. How is Achilles persuaded to return Hector’s body? Is it only Priam’s words that make him change his mind? 2. ‘[E]venthough Priam and Achilles part with greater respect for each other, the war will still go on’. Does the novel offer only limited hope? Discuss your view. 3. ‘ Power belongs to the strong.’ does it? Does the ‘feminine’ have any power in this predominantly ‘masculine’ realm? How are power and strength represented in Part 4?