Kiefers World Lit Spring 2018

Tonight we Took a quiz on  Antigone Discussed the elements of Greek drama and the plot of the play. Worked in self-selected groups based on themes from  Antigone Explored the background information of The Odyssey . Themes for  Antigone 1.         Humans are faced with basic conflicts in loyalties; therefore suffering is inevitable. 2.         Any excess, even an excessive devotion to a state or religion, is a fault and leads to misfortune. 3.         Pride and stubbornness give rise to tyranny and are flaws in character that cause suffering and, inevitably, tragedy. 4.         In a conflict between the laws of the gods and man-made laws, the divine laws take precedence. 5.         Man is personally responsible for his suffering, but from suffering comes wisdom. Homework due ...

The Odyssey Major Characters Odysseus:  Odysseus is the main character of the Odyssey, a tale which chronicles his homecoming and his journeys since his departure from Troy. Odysseus was present in the Iliad but not with the same focus as this poem. The story focus on his trials at sea and on land and how, once he gets home, he must avenge his family's honor from the suitors who have been besieging his house waiting for his wife to choose a new husband. He is aided by Athena in his journeys but thwarted by Poseidon. Telemachus (Telemakhos):  Son of Odysseus and Penelope, this poem is nearly as much about him as it is about his father. The story begins with his anger at the suitors who are wasting away his estate. At the encouragement of Athena, he begins a journey to search for news of his father. When he returns to Ithaca, he helps his father overcome the suitors and regain his power. Zeus:  Father of Athena and King of the gods, Zeus appears frequently in this po...

World Lit. 2403/36 Spring 2017 An Introduction to  The Odyssey A Primer of Greek gods Zeus —King of the gods, father of many. Ruled the sky. Athena —favorite child of Zeus. Wisdom, war, the arts, industry, justice and skill. Poseidon —uncle of Athena, brother of Zeus and Hera. Ruled the sea. Symbols: dolphins, trident, three-pronged fish spears. Relied upon by sailors for a safe journey on the sea. Hermes —son of Zeus and Maia (daughter of Atlas and one of the Pleiades.) Apollo —son of Zeus and Leto. (Hera was unhappy) God of music (often depicted with lyre), colonization, medicaine, poetry, dance, intellectual pursuits, herds and flocks and often called “the god of light.” Zeus—a bit of a “player” Married to Hera, Queen of Olympus. Very jealous  (for a lot of good reasons. ) Wanted to have children with Leda wife of Tyndareus a king of Sparta. Leda was shy and liked birds. Zeus impregnates Leda in the form of a swan. Leda hatches Helen, the heroine ...

Antigone STUDY GUIDE Prologue: 1. What new suffering must Antigone and Ismene endure? 2. Contrast Ismene and Antigone in terms of their character traits. 3. What does Antigone plan to do? Why? What consequences will she face? 4. What background information does the chorus provide as they express gratitude for the peace in Thebes? Scene I: 1. What is Creon’s attitude toward the chorus? 2. Explain the elaborate metaphor Creon uses to describe the country and the King’s role as its Leader. How could this image be an example of foreshadowing? 3. Why does Creon order that Eteocles be buried with great honors but that Polynices’ body be left to rot on the battlefield where it lay? 4. How does Creon justify his order not to bury Polynices? 5. What is Antigone’s most notable characteristic in this scene? 6. Why is it so important to Antigone that she give Polynices a burial? 7. Describe Ismene’s personality. 8. How does Ismene feel about Antigone? 9. For ...

1/22/18 Last night we Discussed the syllabus and course material Introductions Homework Consider starting the  Antigone  reading for next week. We will have a quiz on   Antigone  next Monday, 1/29.  If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me at kikiefer@kean.edu  **Please remember to check this blog or the syllabus prior to emailing me for your homework assignment.

The Greeks and Literature The human and the divine—religious celebrations Dionysian celebrations became an annual festival held in Athens at a large outdoor amphitheater. Eventually, the dancing choruses of worshipers began competing for prizes (a bull or a goat). Then Thespis added another innovation: One chorus member would step away from the others to play the part of that hero or god. This actor wore a mask (like the one on the right) and entered into a dialogue with the chorus. Three types of Plays The  tragedies,  which had heroic characters and unhappy endings, were serious treatments of religious and mythic questions. The  satyr plays  were comic and even lewd treatments of the same themes. The  comedies  differed from the tragedies in having ordinary people as characters and happy endings. A Tragic Myth: The House of Thebes The basic plot of  Antigone  is part of a long myth that was as familiar to Athenian audiences as...