Don Quixote (Day Three / Chapters 19- 27)

As we did for Tuesday's class, please bring in your own analysis of two episodes which you find reflect either (1) themes we have already discussed in class or (2) new themes that you deem important / revolutionary.

Depeche Mode's "Walking in My Shoes"

As Aaron mentioned in his presentation in class, here is Depeche Mode's video to "Walking in My Shoes"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKgQNvK4D8Y

Don Quixote (Day Two / Chapters 10 - 18)

For Tuesday, please write about two episodes in these chapters that you feel reflect the themes we discussed last Thursday (the ideals of chivalry in the "modern world," the constant play between truth and fiction, trickery and reality, the role of myth, the novel as a meta-fiction, the play with authorship, etc.).

Discuss how the novel expands / comments upon these themes in your own analysis of the episodes.

Specifically reference the episodes (meaning please give chapter numbers) in your posting.

Don Quixote (Day One / Chapters 1 - 9)

For this post, I'd like you to pick two scenes in which you see Don Quixote as a radical character within the novel thus far. What do you find radical about Don Quixote? Why? What do you think the text states about him as a character?

As always, I'm looking for your own ideas and analyses.

(On a related note, you may want to look up the term "quixotic" and see to which people it has been applied).

Dante's Inferno (Canti 28-34)

For this last day of the Inferno, I'd like you to pick two quotations from these final Canti that you feel in some way comment upon the work as a whole or address main themes within the work. It would also be great if the quotes connected back to our theme of myth (as we discussed the first day -- this latter part may be a bit harder though).

I'd like to see your own ideas, analyses, etc. on the quotations in your blog posting.

Please be ready to discuss your thoughts in class Tuesday.

Dante's Inferno (Day Four / Canti 21 - 27)

Please (1) take one of the questions below into consideration as you write for your blog and then (2) choose your own quotation from the text for commentary and analysis:

1. Given that we have now almost completed the Inferno, do you feel the text is "character driven"? (Meaning, are Dante and Virgil propelling the story along?) If not, then what? Why do you think Dante chooses to write the epic in this manner?

2. We have a reference (Canto 21, vv. 110-112) to the fact that Dante is following in Christ's path when he had his own descent into hell. What do you make of the fact that Dante puts himself here in the place where Christ once walked? (Don't forget that this journey takes place over Easter weekend, with the descent into Hell occurring on Good Friday). What can we tease out from all this?

3. We discover in Canto 22 that the demons make mistakes and can be tricked by the condemned souls. What does this have to say about the power of the demons here? Who is in charge and why? How might this play into Dante's world view?

4. What do you make of the fact that Dante places Ulysses in hell (Canto 26)? If you have ready the Odyssey, might this seem at odds (perhaps?) with the Ulysses we find there? What do you make of Dante's decision?

Dante's Inferno (Day Three / Canti 14 - 20)

I am listing below some possible topics of discussion. Please do not allow your comments to extend simply to "Oh, I found this interesting" or to a retelling of the plot. I know Dante is not the easiest author, but I'm looking for some evidence of thought and reflection in your posting.

Possible topics of discussion (please choose two):

Include quotations in your responses to support your discussion. Be prepared to speak in class about your answers (this means knowing what you wrote about in your blog).

1. The description of the Old Man of Crete in Canto 14. How do you "read" this Old Man? You might use the note on pp. 555 - 7 of the Durling edition as a source of inspiration.

2. Dante's views on homosexuality (especially concerning his conversation Brunetto Latino in Canto 15 and his reaction to the three souls who resemble "naked and oiled" wrestlers in Canto 16). How might his reaction to these souls contrast / resemble his interaction with previous souls? Why do you feel this to be the case?

3. The description of the Geryon in Canto 17. How do you interpret this fantastical creature that signifies fraud? Why do you think the notion of fraud is important for Dante (especially given the fact that he is a writer -- what do writers do? What is the nature of fictional literature?) Do you see any other meanings in this creature?

4. The emergence of "low-brow comedy" in the text. Why do you think this might be the case? (I'm especially thinking of the punishment for those in Canto 18, lines 109 - 114). What other medieval texts have similar comedic leanings? Can we make comparisons here?

5. In Canto 19 we see a complete inversion of the church (this is where the majority of the popes in hell are located). What do you find so radical about this canto, especially given Dante's devout Christian faith? Do you see any reconciliation or conflicts between religious beliefs and condemnation of the churchmen found here? How and where?

IN-CLASS PRESENTATIONS

Please let me know, either in class or via email, when you would like to do your 10-minute in-class presentation.

Thus far I have the following people:

The Inferno

Feb 11 (or Feb 16) - Aaron

Feb 16 - Jessica Sandretto

Don Quixote

Mar 4 - Rachel (which Rachel I don't remember)

100 Years of Solitude

Apr 8 - Jamie and Jordan

Dante's Inferno - The Video Game

Right as we're reading the Inferno, a video game about the poem is coming out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdBE8UIz1BA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdqY2a9iRXw&feature=related

Dante's Inferno (Day Two / Canti 7 - 13)

I would like you to choose two quotes that interest you and do a "close reading" of them. This means that you should (1) put the quotes into context within the larger narrative, (2) write about the themes you see in these quotes and why they are important, and (3) try to find meaning within the symbolism. Please try to stay away from plot summaries -- I'm pushing you to come up with your own ideas concerning the text.

Please have in your responses the canto and verses for your quote.

Be prepared to discuss your ideas in class on Thursday.

Princeton Dante Project

Here is a link to the Princeton Dante Project, an amazing website for all things related to the poet (including an audio version of the Commedia with extensive notes).

http://etcweb.princeton.edu/dante/pdp/

Dante's Inferno (Day One / Canti 1 - 6)

Please answer both questions.

1. Canto 1: How does Dante 'set up' the journey here? What themes / ideas does he bring forth to accomplish this? What kind of journey is this? What is the pilgrim's state of mind at this time? Why?

2. In the other canti that you read for this day, choose one canto which particularly strikes / interests you. What reading / interpretation of this canto can you bring to the discussion on Tuesday?