Act II Questions: Cyrano de Bergerac
1. What is Cyrano’s explanation for the ease with which he writes a love letter to Roxanne?
2. What does this explanation suggest about the nature and duration of his love for Roxane?
3. What do the poets assume about the man who routed a whole band of assassins the night before?
4. What is a bit strange about Cyrano’s feelings as he writes the love letter to Roxane?
5. How does Cyrano’s building excitement at Roxane’s forthcoming declaration create dramatic irony?
6. Why do you think Roxane brings up certain matters to Cyrano before she makes her confession to him?
7. Why might Cyrano’s hand feel feverish?
8. What is the instant when Cyrano realizes that she loves another man?
9. What does his reaction to this word show about his self-image?
10.Why does Cyrano attribute his sudden expression of dismay to physical pain?
11.How does Cyrano’s remark that Christian’ speech might be as crude as his hair is elegant reflect one of the play’s themes?
12.How is Cyrano’s reaction to Roxane’s comment about his courage against a hundred men an example of irony?
13.Describe Cyrano’s suffering as observed by Le Bret.
14.Why is Cyrano’s “triumph” particularly ironic at this time?
15.What does Cyrano’s introduction of the Gascon Cadets suggest about them?
16.Does Cyrano really try to make enemies?
17.How does De Guiche’s allusion to Don Quixote underline Cyrano’s idealism?
18.Explain the metaphor comparing Cyrano to a sleeping tiger.
19.What does Cyrano mean by his reply when Christian claims to be a fool?
20.Why do you think Cyrano makes his agreement with Christian? What might he hope to gain?
30 October 2009
28 October 2009
27 October 2009
QUESTIONS ON ACT 1 OF CYRANO DE BERGERAC
Questions on Cyrano de Bergerac
ACT I
1. What are two themes in Act I ?
2. Identity two-three values that the playwright endorses in this act and discuss whether you agree with these values.
3. Which act sets the tone for Act I ?
4. What is the tone of Act I ?
5. What does the fact that Christian does not even know the name of this lady indicate about the conventions of love in his society ?
6. What can you infer about poets from this ?
7. What does Christian’s self-evaluation reveal about his character ?
8. How does Ragueneau’s presence add a comic note to Act I ?
9. How is one of the main themes, Cyrano’s physical disfigurement, introduced in Act I ?
10.What two figures of speech are used to describe Roxane ?
11.What do the four occupations that Cyrano’s friends attribute to him suggest about his character ?
12.What can you infer about Cyrano’s attitude toward his nose ?
13.What does Lignière help us to understand about the Count de Guiche ?
14.What can you infer about Roxane’s feelings for Christian from her gaze ?
15.Whom do you think ordered the attack on Lignère ?
16.What do Christian’s words and actions suggest about his character when he volunteers to go warn Lignière ?
17.Evaluate Cyrano’s « entrance » in Act I .
18.What do you think Rostand intends us to think of Montfleury ?
19.In what way does Cyrano’s entrance fulfill the audience’s expectations of him ?
20.Locate an example of irony in Act I.
21.Cyrano says he hates Montfleury for two reasons, but he only gives one reason ; what can you infer about his character from his explanation ?
22.Why do you think Cyrano makes the grand gesture of refunding the theatre-goers' money ?
23.When Cyrano says that he doesn’t rely on another person for protection or patronage, what theme does this reveal ?
24.How does Cyrano deal with offenses about his nose ?
25.Is Cyrano a « blusterer » ?
26.Contrast Cyrano’s and Valvert’s attitudes toward poets.
27.What is Cyrano’s motivation for his fight with Valvert, and why does he spontaneously compose a ballad ?
28.How do most people see Cyrano’s behavior ? How about Le Bret ?
29.What reason does Cyrano give for not telling Roxane of his love ?
30.When Cyrano abandons the exaggerated style of his former speeches and uses simple, natural images to tell Le Bret of his love for Roxane, what mood does this create ?
ACT I
1. What are two themes in Act I ?
2. Identity two-three values that the playwright endorses in this act and discuss whether you agree with these values.
3. Which act sets the tone for Act I ?
4. What is the tone of Act I ?
5. What does the fact that Christian does not even know the name of this lady indicate about the conventions of love in his society ?
6. What can you infer about poets from this ?
7. What does Christian’s self-evaluation reveal about his character ?
8. How does Ragueneau’s presence add a comic note to Act I ?
9. How is one of the main themes, Cyrano’s physical disfigurement, introduced in Act I ?
10.What two figures of speech are used to describe Roxane ?
11.What do the four occupations that Cyrano’s friends attribute to him suggest about his character ?
12.What can you infer about Cyrano’s attitude toward his nose ?
13.What does Lignière help us to understand about the Count de Guiche ?
14.What can you infer about Roxane’s feelings for Christian from her gaze ?
15.Whom do you think ordered the attack on Lignère ?
16.What do Christian’s words and actions suggest about his character when he volunteers to go warn Lignière ?
17.Evaluate Cyrano’s « entrance » in Act I .
18.What do you think Rostand intends us to think of Montfleury ?
19.In what way does Cyrano’s entrance fulfill the audience’s expectations of him ?
20.Locate an example of irony in Act I.
21.Cyrano says he hates Montfleury for two reasons, but he only gives one reason ; what can you infer about his character from his explanation ?
22.Why do you think Cyrano makes the grand gesture of refunding the theatre-goers' money ?
23.When Cyrano says that he doesn’t rely on another person for protection or patronage, what theme does this reveal ?
24.How does Cyrano deal with offenses about his nose ?
25.Is Cyrano a « blusterer » ?
26.Contrast Cyrano’s and Valvert’s attitudes toward poets.
27.What is Cyrano’s motivation for his fight with Valvert, and why does he spontaneously compose a ballad ?
28.How do most people see Cyrano’s behavior ? How about Le Bret ?
29.What reason does Cyrano give for not telling Roxane of his love ?
30.When Cyrano abandons the exaggerated style of his former speeches and uses simple, natural images to tell Le Bret of his love for Roxane, what mood does this create ?
15 October 2009
QUOTES PROJECT RUBRIC
Quotes Project
Assignment
While reading, you will collect a minimum of at least six (6) annotated passages/quotes from the play and "The Quote of the Play" (so, this is a minimum total of seven [7] quotes). Then you will write a REFLECTIVE LETTER about the play that you read and your reactions to both it and the annotated passages that you assembled.
Procedure
Use post-its to note/mark passages as you read. Every time you encounter a particularly important, provocative, dramatic, surprising, even disturbing passage, mark it with a post-it note. When you have completed the play, you will look at all those passages and decide which to toss out and which to keep. So, when you are done reading the play, you will select at least ten (10) passages from throughout it. Copy the passages down (including page numbers) and then write about each passage in the following ways:
First, in a well-written paragraph explain how the passage "fits" into the play (does the passage add to the character development, the plot line, the details of setting, and so forth). Discuss the importance of the passage to the play’s message or meaning or theme.
Then, in a well-written paragraph react to the passage as a reader. Make me understand WHY you have selected this passage. To generate responses, you can consider the following as suggested prompts or questions:
-Why does the passage impress, intrigue, horrify, or puzzle you?
- Do you find the playwright’s use of language appealing or powerful? Does the passage jump off the page as a great descriptive passage?
- Does it prompt a strong response from you as you read it? Does it present itself as so well crafted that you just love the sound of it? Is the language beautiful, descriptive, graphic?
- Is it particularly meaningful? Is it a high point in the play?
- Do you find yourself in agreement/disagreement with the ideas expressed?
- Does the passage remind you of a situation you have lived as well?
- Does the passage make you laugh out loud or make you melancholy or make you something else?
- Does the playwright or the character raise intriguing questions or issues?
- Does the passage challenge or expand your thinking?
You get the idea.
You are not limited to the above list, nor do I expect you to answer all of the above. But your responses to the passages should clearly explain to me WHY these passages mean something to you, WHY these passages caught your attention.
Then, select ANOTHER, DIFFERENT passage as "The Quote of the Play": that one passage or quote that captures the essence – the true meaning – of the play for you, the reader. In a well-written paragraph explain exactly HOW this passage is the one perfect quote from the play [Think of this as the one passage that you would absolutely want saved should your play book ever be lost or destroyed.]
Lastly, you need to write me a REFLECTIVE LETTER about reading this novel and creating your quotes paper. Write to me about the thoughts and feelings and observations and new insights you experienced while reading your novel. Write to me about marking the quotes as you read and then selecting the ones to keep. Some things to think about for your letter may include, but are not exclusive to:
- Tell me what you worked on the hardest or struggled with in doing this assignment
- Share with me what you think you did well: what worked, really worked
- Show me where you were drawn into the play and where you were pulled away from it. Identify in your opinion the playwright’s – or the story’s – greatest strength and weakness.
- Explore what value, besides entertainment, this play has
- Share your overall impressions of the play
- Discuss if you found yourself changing your mind about the play and/or the assignment
- Tell me what you as a reader and as a student need to focus on for the next assignment
Your REFLECTIVE LETTER is your chance to "talk" with me about the play, your project, and your experiences in completing this assignment. With your letter, make me see your work – and your learning – through your eyes.
IMPORTANT STUFF!!!
All aspects of this assignment must be typed.
Passages/quotes must be at least two (2) sentences long. [Many of your passages should – and will be – longer than two sentences.]
Passages/quotes must be from throughout the entire play, not just from a single act.
All passages must be in quotation marks – and be sure to copy the passage exactly as it appears in the play.
All passages must include the page number from which they are taken. Cite page numbers as (235), or (16), or (105).
This assignment is due on the day it is due – late penalties will be given
The Reflective letter is a REQUIRED component of this assignment.
Handwritten Rough Draft DUE FRIDAY BY END OF CLASS! (OCTOBER 16, 2009)
13 October 2009
Questions on Act II of BLOOD WEDDING
Questions on Act III of Blood Wedding
1. Do the Moon and the Beggar Woman give an indication that Leonardo and the Bride will escape ?
2. How is the lullaby of the horse in Act I, Scene 2, a portent of what occurs in the forest ?
3. Who is the Beggar Woman ?
4. Who or what does the Moon symbolize ?
5. How is the relationship between Leonardo and the Bride different from the one between the Bridegroom and the Bride ?
6. a) In what setting does Scene I, Act II, open ? b) What does this setting represent ?
7. Summarize the comments of the three woodcutters in Scene I.
8. In the Moon’s monologue in Scene I, to what does « blood » refer ?
9. Whom is the woodcutter personified as ?
10. Who gives the Bridegroom directions to find his wayward bride and Leonardo ?
11. How do we know that the Bridegroom will not survive the encounter with Leonardo ?
12. What happens when Leonardo and the Bride realize that they are hemmed in ?
13. In Scene I, in the fifth instance from the end, where Leonardo speaks, what kind of imagery is revealed in those lines ?
14. What is the significance of the Beggar Woman opening her cloak at the end of Scene I ?
15. Why does Scene II open in a white room with arches and thick walls ?
16. How does the Beggar Woman invoke images of death in the beginning of Scene II ?
17. How does the Mother rationalize her life now that her remaining son has been killed ?
18. How does the Mother react to the Bride’s arrival in Scene II ?
19. The play begins and ends with which image?
20. Garcia Lorca creates a landscape so rustic and primitive that it virtually stands outside of time. There are no modern objects with which one can place the play in a specific era ; therefore, what object mentioned in the play can be seen as rather anachronistic ?
21. How can the locale of the forest symbolize both life and death ?
22. Why are the woodcutters a natural choice to report and comment on the pursuit and the encounter between the Bridegroom and Leonardo and the Bride ?
23. What are the allusions to Christianity in Scene III ?
24. Explain the fates of the Bridegroom, Leonardo, and the Bride.
25. With what does the playwright equate the passion of the couple ?
26. What is ironic about the Mother and the women chanting : « Sweet nails/ Sweet cross,/ Sweet Name--/ Jesus » ?
27. Give an example of cartharsis in this play.
28. In giving Leonardo Felix the only proper name in the play, how might the playwright be suggesting that social customs and the conformity they require might be a problem ?
29. Blood Wedding is not merely about a wedding but about the wedding in the blood of the antagonistic forces that together compromise the human condition. Explain this war in the blood on many levels.
30. Explain the ritual of the matador and the bull in a bull fight.
31. Explain the opening of the final scene of the play where the little girls are winding red wool.
32. In the last phase of the play, how is the Bride likened to nature ?
33. What is an irony at the end of the play ?
34. What are the five lyrical passages in the play ?
35. What symbols does Garca Lorca use to indicate the inevitability of fate in the final scene ?
36. How is the climax of Act III similar to action in Oedipus Rex ?
1. Do the Moon and the Beggar Woman give an indication that Leonardo and the Bride will escape ?
2. How is the lullaby of the horse in Act I, Scene 2, a portent of what occurs in the forest ?
3. Who is the Beggar Woman ?
4. Who or what does the Moon symbolize ?
5. How is the relationship between Leonardo and the Bride different from the one between the Bridegroom and the Bride ?
6. a) In what setting does Scene I, Act II, open ? b) What does this setting represent ?
7. Summarize the comments of the three woodcutters in Scene I.
8. In the Moon’s monologue in Scene I, to what does « blood » refer ?
9. Whom is the woodcutter personified as ?
10. Who gives the Bridegroom directions to find his wayward bride and Leonardo ?
11. How do we know that the Bridegroom will not survive the encounter with Leonardo ?
12. What happens when Leonardo and the Bride realize that they are hemmed in ?
13. In Scene I, in the fifth instance from the end, where Leonardo speaks, what kind of imagery is revealed in those lines ?
14. What is the significance of the Beggar Woman opening her cloak at the end of Scene I ?
15. Why does Scene II open in a white room with arches and thick walls ?
16. How does the Beggar Woman invoke images of death in the beginning of Scene II ?
17. How does the Mother rationalize her life now that her remaining son has been killed ?
18. How does the Mother react to the Bride’s arrival in Scene II ?
19. The play begins and ends with which image?
20. Garcia Lorca creates a landscape so rustic and primitive that it virtually stands outside of time. There are no modern objects with which one can place the play in a specific era ; therefore, what object mentioned in the play can be seen as rather anachronistic ?
21. How can the locale of the forest symbolize both life and death ?
22. Why are the woodcutters a natural choice to report and comment on the pursuit and the encounter between the Bridegroom and Leonardo and the Bride ?
23. What are the allusions to Christianity in Scene III ?
24. Explain the fates of the Bridegroom, Leonardo, and the Bride.
25. With what does the playwright equate the passion of the couple ?
26. What is ironic about the Mother and the women chanting : « Sweet nails/ Sweet cross,/ Sweet Name--/ Jesus » ?
27. Give an example of cartharsis in this play.
28. In giving Leonardo Felix the only proper name in the play, how might the playwright be suggesting that social customs and the conformity they require might be a problem ?
29. Blood Wedding is not merely about a wedding but about the wedding in the blood of the antagonistic forces that together compromise the human condition. Explain this war in the blood on many levels.
30. Explain the ritual of the matador and the bull in a bull fight.
31. Explain the opening of the final scene of the play where the little girls are winding red wool.
32. In the last phase of the play, how is the Bride likened to nature ?
33. What is an irony at the end of the play ?
34. What are the five lyrical passages in the play ?
35. What symbols does Garca Lorca use to indicate the inevitability of fate in the final scene ?
36. How is the climax of Act III similar to action in Oedipus Rex ?
Questions on Act II of BLOOD WEDDING
Blood Wedding : Act II Questions
1. What is a major similarity between the end of Act II, Scene 1, of Blood Wedding and the death of Jocasta and the blinding of Oedipus in Oedipus Rex ?
2. Who are the young men and girls in Act II ? What is their purpose ?
3. How does the reader know that the Bride is not a typical happy bride on her wedding day ?
4. What is the argument about between the Bride and Leonardo on her wedding day ?
5. What new information about the reason for the Bride’s acceptance of the Bridegroom’s proposal of marriage do we learn in Act II ?
6. How do the reports of the wedding given by minor characters in Act II contrast with the true attitude of the Bride ?
7. How does Leonardo’s presence at the wedding upset the traditional balance of society ?
8. Name the characters that are unhappy so far in this play and comment on why each one is.
9. What is the setting of Act II ?
10.How can Leonardo’s plight be seen by the reader as a plea for divorce reform in Catholic Spain ?
11.Why do the Bridegroom and a party of men seek out the Bride and Leonardo ?
1. What is a major similarity between the end of Act II, Scene 1, of Blood Wedding and the death of Jocasta and the blinding of Oedipus in Oedipus Rex ?
2. Who are the young men and girls in Act II ? What is their purpose ?
3. How does the reader know that the Bride is not a typical happy bride on her wedding day ?
4. What is the argument about between the Bride and Leonardo on her wedding day ?
5. What new information about the reason for the Bride’s acceptance of the Bridegroom’s proposal of marriage do we learn in Act II ?
6. How do the reports of the wedding given by minor characters in Act II contrast with the true attitude of the Bride ?
7. How does Leonardo’s presence at the wedding upset the traditional balance of society ?
8. Name the characters that are unhappy so far in this play and comment on why each one is.
9. What is the setting of Act II ?
10.How can Leonardo’s plight be seen by the reader as a plea for divorce reform in Catholic Spain ?
11.Why do the Bridegroom and a party of men seek out the Bride and Leonardo ?
QUESTIONS ON ACT III OF BLOOD WEDDING
Here are the questions on BLOOD WEDDING:
Questions on Act I of Blood Wedding
1. The lullaby that the Mother-in-Law and the Wife sing to the baby seems to be an omen. Why?
2. Why are the Mother-in-Law and Wife impressed by the news of the girl?
3. Why is it a bad omen when the Father says of his daughter, “She’s like my wife, in every way”?
4. What is the significance of the color of the room at the Bridegroom’s house in which the play opens?
5. Leonardo’s and the Bride’s homes are characterized by the color pink. What is the significance here?
6. Describe the Bride’s demeanor in Act I.
7. Lack of what characteristic(s) makes the Bridegroom the least compelling major character in the play?
8. Who makes up the chorus in Act I?
9. How does the motif of renewal apply to the Bride’s Father and to the Bridegroom’s Mother?
10.How does the position of Scenes 1 and 3 in Act I relate to the motif of renewal?
11.Who represents the “horse”?
12.What does marriage with the Bridegroom promise for the Bride?
13.Comment on the “lullaby” that the Mother-in-Law and the Wife sing to the baby.
14.Comment on the Mother’s role in the play.
15.Find evidence in the play to support the statement that the Mother is suspicious of the Bride.
16.Of what is “blood” symbolic?
17. What is significant about the position of the scene with the lullaby of “the big horse who didn’t like water”?
18.What does the “bull” symbolize?
19.Explain the following line: “Men, men; wheat, wheat…”
20.What do you think is implied in the Bride’s sullenness and depression in Act I?
Questions on Act I of Blood Wedding
1. The lullaby that the Mother-in-Law and the Wife sing to the baby seems to be an omen. Why?
2. Why are the Mother-in-Law and Wife impressed by the news of the girl?
3. Why is it a bad omen when the Father says of his daughter, “She’s like my wife, in every way”?
4. What is the significance of the color of the room at the Bridegroom’s house in which the play opens?
5. Leonardo’s and the Bride’s homes are characterized by the color pink. What is the significance here?
6. Describe the Bride’s demeanor in Act I.
7. Lack of what characteristic(s) makes the Bridegroom the least compelling major character in the play?
8. Who makes up the chorus in Act I?
9. How does the motif of renewal apply to the Bride’s Father and to the Bridegroom’s Mother?
10.How does the position of Scenes 1 and 3 in Act I relate to the motif of renewal?
11.Who represents the “horse”?
12.What does marriage with the Bridegroom promise for the Bride?
13.Comment on the “lullaby” that the Mother-in-Law and the Wife sing to the baby.
14.Comment on the Mother’s role in the play.
15.Find evidence in the play to support the statement that the Mother is suspicious of the Bride.
16.Of what is “blood” symbolic?
17. What is significant about the position of the scene with the lullaby of “the big horse who didn’t like water”?
18.What does the “bull” symbolize?
19.Explain the following line: “Men, men; wheat, wheat…”
20.What do you think is implied in the Bride’s sullenness and depression in Act I?
06 October 2009
RRJ on Act 1, Scenes 1-3 of BLOOD WEDDING
Students,
Please post your RRJ's on Act 1 of BLOOD WEDDING here...
Please post your RRJ's on Act 1 of BLOOD WEDDING here...
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