For the discussion, in your personal first post, identify your sea mystery or monster and explain why it is of interest to you. Feel free to select a different Gothic tale or item. There are just places to start for those of you who have always lived in the deserts of Arizona.
Respond to three posts or comments of others.
(45 points - 15 for your original post & 10 for each additional response.
Ghost ships: http://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/Ghost-Ships-10-haunted-tales-of-the-sea-you-may-not-have-heard-of
Mermaids: http://www.livescience.com/39882-mermaid.html
Bermuda Triangle: http://www.history.com/topics/bermuda-triangle
Sea monsers: http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythic-creatures/water-creatures-of-the-deep/sea-monsters
Assignment #2: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge often dabbled in the supernatural and the exotic and wrote in such a way that the unbelievable became believable. Take a look at the life and times of Coleridge.
Look for:
- Location
- Time period
- Society
- World Events
- Personal & home life
- Friends
- Co-workers/writers
- Publications
- Influences
- Fame
List the top 10. Explain each choice in a sentence or two. (40 points)
Possible sources - as always, feel free to venture beyond these! Please provide a Works Cited list.
http://www.biographyonline.net/poets/coleridge.html (Biographical information)
https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/samuel-taylor-coleridge "
Documentary on Romanticism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLwRXlSgiSQ
Assignment #3 - "The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner"
Task: Read/listen to the poem. Listen & read along to the Iron Maiden version. I suggest that you have a printed copy of the original poem in front of you to use to jot down noes as the story moves along in the YouTube presentation.
- Text: http://www.famousliteraryworks.com/coleridge_rime_of_the_ancient_mariner.htm
- Reading by Orson Wells https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRGnoFf2cZQ (The pictures set the scene. Note, the actual poem does not begin until 2:33 into the video.)
- Song by Iron Maiden - this is actually a pretty good summary of the poem! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCHZHCPYmxY
AND
In addition to the essay, write a paragraph or two or three rating the text, reading, and Iron Maiden version. What were the strengths and weaknesses of each? What was your favorite? (30 points)
Assignment #4: Quotations from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Quotations: http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/678243-the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner
Task: "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" was the birth place of many quotations that have found their way into our every-day language. Read through the list. Select your favorite three.
For each, explain:
- List the quotation
- Explain what it has to do with the poem
- Share when it might be appropriate to use the lines in conversation.
- (30 points)
Background information: Do you know the story of King Author, Sir. Lancelott, and Guinevere?
- More than you will need to know about King Author: http://kingarthursknights.com/
- Sir Lancelot: http://www.arthurian-legend.com/sir-lancelot/
- Guinevere: http://www.arthurian-legend.com/queen-guinevere/
Biography of Tennyson: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poets/detail/alfred-tennyson Read this and find out why many of his works contained trance-like elements.
Author and Guinevere are not important in this narrative poem, but Sir Lancelott is. Quickly refresh your memory of Sir Lancelot before reading the poem, "The Lady of Shalott."
Text: http://www.famousliteraryworks.com/tennyson_the_lady_of_shalott.htm
Audio + text: https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_484663&feature=iv&src_vid=bUuZBXNw0O8&v=9stw4vARvlw
Inquiring minds want to know the rest of the story.
1. Read or read and listen to the poem.
2.Figure out the "plot". This is a narrative poem, so it has a story line. Summarize the plot in four parts. Use no more than three sentences per section. (40 points)
Filling in the blanks of the tale:
3. Here are some unanswered questions. Use your own thoughts - no research - I want to know what you think. You will be writing a news story or narrative story that answers these questions, or at least most of them. Use your imagination.
- 1. Why was the Lady of Shalott cursed? What did she do to deserve to be cursed? Who cursed her?
- 2. Why did she look out of the window? What was important enough to risk her life?
- 3. Who is the Lady of Shalott? What was she before being placed in the tower on the island? Did she have friends? Who were her enemies?
- 4. What is Sir Lancelot to the Lady? Explain his last words. Have they ever met before?
- 5. Did the town have anything to fear from her in death?
- What happens next? (60 points)
Task A: Mirrors and artists present a copy of reality.
Mirrors:
http://www.disclose.tv/forum/the-magic-and-myths-of-mirrors-t11700.html
http://www.timelessmyths.co.uk/mirrors.html
A. What other tales, poems, or stories feature mirrors? What makes the mirrors memorable, sinister, lovely, or mysterious? Please share your thoughts about two such tales. (20 points)
Task B. Take a look at how artists portray the Lady of Shalott. Then, select the painting that you feel best captures Tennyson's Lady. Explain your choice in paragraph form. What do you like about the painting? In what ways is it true to the narrative poem? (30 points)
This is a famous paintings:; The lady in the boat: http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/waterhouse-the-lady-of-shalott-n01543
Painting and analysis: http://www.artble.com/artists/john_william_waterhouse/paintings/the_lady_of_shalott/more_information/analysis
Information about more paintings: http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/tennyson/losboat.html
http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/tennyson/losbower.html
I am half sick of shadows: http://www.victorianweb.org/painting/jww/paintings/22.html
and https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=A86.J732ZB5XLmEALWsnnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTByNWU4cGh1BGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?p=I+Am+Half+Sick+of+Shadows+Lady+of+Shalott+Painting&fr=ytff1-tyc&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-006
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Preview of coming attractions:
For week #8, you will be reporting on a contemporary Gothic novel. Please make a selection now and start reading. Novels are available in libraries if you do now own or do not wish to purchase a novel.
Here is someone's list of the top 10. Feel free to select other titles.
https://horrornovelreviews.com/2013/07/07/top-ten-modern-gothic-novels/
and top 10 authors
https://horrornovelreviews.com/2012/09/02/todays-top-10-horror-authors/
You choose! Your favorite may not be on either list, but that does not mean that it is not a good selection. Start reading!
