BARNACLE BOYS, POWER RANGERS, HANCOCK: What's so hard about poetry???

Congratulations, friends! You have just mastered 12 short poems from the Romantic era. The Romantics are still considered by many to be the most popular British poets of all time. Of course, it takes some work to conquer the style, and I have been impressed at how hard you have all worked to see what I see in "Ode to the West Wind" or "Endymion." Using the mystery sheet to practice using your poetry tools helped, I hope. What was your favorite poem? Which of the Romantics "spoke" to you? Was it the subject or the message? Which of the poet's tools was your ticket into understanding the poem? (Did you recognize the metaphor and identify with it? Or did the meter sound like a song and you found yourself remembering the phrases? etc etc)
Your mission for this blog is to decide on your favorite Romantic poem, rate it on a five-star scale, and then write 250 words explaining to your classmates why it was your favorite. The more specific your reasons, the stronger your comment.  My favorite?  Byron's "She Walks in Beauty,"of course. (see the sidebar at right)
You need to post a comment by 24 April 2010. Grammar and  mechanics count. Proofread, please.

http://bit.ly/99KBxl source of Anne Beatrix Horton image: She walked in beauty

SURVIVOR: SCOTLAND! Barnacle Boys, Hancock, Power Rangers ONLY

We have finished reading Macbeth! Would it surprise you to know that all Elizabethans loved the gory battles and the REAL sheep's blood used on the stage? In fact, there is some evidence that even Queen Elizabeth herself enjoyed a good hanging in the public square or bloody battle on stage as much as anyone--a trait which endeared her to the English people. My question is this: would Shakespeare think our love of slasher movies and explicit war films was tame? What customs of ours would seem strange to the Elizabethans? Think about our movies, books, TV, and music, and Shakespeare's reaction to them. Would he love it or hate it? Would Jersey Shore or Die Hard, for example, shock him or delight him? How would you script Macbeth as a Survivor: Scotland? I want to hear your ideas on how Shakespeare would operate in a digital world. The more specific your plans, the better. Your post is due January 8, 2010. Watch your mechanics!

The Wife of Bath---Wise or Wacky??

For Power Rangers,  Hancock, and BB: The Wife of Bath is one of my favorite Chaucer characters because she is so much bigger than life. She is funny and domineering,loud and opinionated. She is past her prime, yet her experience gives her an edge. Much of what she says is true. She may not seem that exaggerated to you, since loud, bossy women are not such an anomaly today. But in 1400, she must have shocked and delighted her companions (and husbands?). Her story of chivalric love is modern too--kind of a medieval "men are from Mars, women are from Venus" perspective on relationships. Will we ever understand each other?
Some think that her answer to 'what women want' is contemporary too, at least if you listen to hip-hop, country or pop music radio. Women want to be in charge! Think of Carrie Underwood keying her boyfriend's SUV or Mary J. Blige's 411. I am sure you can think of many more that express similar thoughts. Ladies, is this who you are? Gentlemen, are you really all that cynical? Your mission: post a response of 200 words on what your gender really wants in a strong, lasting relationship. Make sure you list specific attributes, just as the Wife did. You may look at the issue from more than one angle, but you may only write about your own gender. When you are finished, we will tally your replies for a class discussion. Yes, this means that I am trusting you to censor any inappropriate words or thoughts. Remember, this will be on the web. Due11.9.09.  Begin.

MULAN, HANCOCK: Stereotypes and High School UPDATE!! Scroll down!!

How does this dancing football sequence from the TV show GLEE overcome high school stereotypes? Is there a high school stereotype that applies to you? How are you different from that stereotype? Give me 200 words with your answers to these questions by next Tuesday, October 13. Use standard written English and PROOFREAD!!

THE VIDEO IS NOT LONGER AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE, SO IF YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED THIS BY NOW (OCTOBER 25),  IT IS TOO LATE.

UPDATE: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE STEREOTYPES BEING SMASHED HERE????