Things Rank and Gross

Make-Up Work for Marking Period 2
Due Friday, December 2.


Shakespeare uses an extended metaphor about nature throughout Hamlet.  We hear different characters talking about nature.  Answer the questions below to discover what role nature plays in Hamlet.


1.  First, make a list of everything you think of when you think of the word "nature."


2.  Translate two to four of the quotes below (more translations will be worth more points.)  


From Act I, scene ii, said by Hamlet:

(Life!) - 'Tis an unweeded garden

That grows to seed. Things rank and gross in nature

Possess it merely. That it should come to this.

Act I, sc iii, said by Laertes to Ophelia:

A violet in the youth of primy nature,

Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting...

\

Act I, sc iii, said by Laertes to Ophelia:

The canker galls the infants of the spring

Too oft before their buttons be disclosed.

And in the morn and liquid dew of youth,

Contagious blastments are most imminent.

Act I, sc iv, said by Hamlet to Horatio:

So oft it chances in particular men

That for some vicious mole of nature in them—

As in their birth (wherein they are not guilty,

Since nature cannot choose his origin),

By the o'ergrowth of some complexion,

Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason,

Or by some habit that too much o'erleavens

The form of plausive manners—that these men,

Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect,

Being nature’s livery or fortune’s star,

Their virtues else (be they as pure as grace,

As infinite as man may undergo)

Shall in the general censure take corruption

From that particular fault.

3.  What pattern do you notice?  When nature is brought up, is it in a positive or a negative light?  Explain your answer.  

BONUS:  Make a prediction.  Now that you have uncovered a theme about nature, make a prediction.  What might this theme foreshadow about the play?  Explain.

Writing Your College Essay

Have you ever impressed yourself with your own witty remark, kind act, or wise insight on life?  What qualities do your friends and families love about you?  Colleges need to know these things about you, and, if written well, the college essay is a place to show off these secret talents and strong abilities in your own words.  Ah, but there's the rub: words.  If you do not have a command of language and your essay is confusing, muddled, or - worst of all - boring, it becomes a liability instead of a strength.

This week we will be working on crafting compelling college essays that show you in your best light.  To prepare for this work, please browse the following website and begin thinking about which topics you might like to write about.

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/

Government and Architecture

This is an optional extra credit project.

One way governments communicate with citizens is through architecture.  Are our buildings welcoming or imposing?  Do they make people feel important or small?  Is the inside visible or private?  All of these features tell us something about the building's government.

For each of the buildings below, write a short paragraph answering these questions:  What type of government do you think built this building?  How do they want people to feel walking up to the building?  What about the building makes you say that?

Do You Have to be Cruel to be Kind?

We talked today about whether good leaders should ever use cruelty.  This article is an honest exploration of the question:  Is it ever right to slap your child?

Is it ever right to hit a child?

For extra credit, read the article and fill out an Informational Text Graphic Organizer about it, like we do on Tuesdays.  Here are the questions:

What is the author saying?
What is he using to support what he is saying?
Why is this important?  To whom is it important?
Key Terms/New Vocabulary