Dante – HW May 24-June 4
Monday 5/24 – Discuss Purgatorio canto 28, 30-33. Explain Purgatorio Take Home essay.
HW: Purgatorio take home test: Choose one of the prompts and write a detailed, analytical response using specific examples from the text. See handout for more details. 3 pages, typed, minimum, due Wednesday.
Tuesday 5/24 – Finish discussion of Purgatory. Introduction to Paradise. Read and discuss Paradiso, canto 1: What types of knowledge do we need to have to understand Paradise? Discuss preconceptions of Heaven as a peaceful place or “good” place; how does Dante’s vision differ?
HW: Finish take home test, due Wednesday.
Wednesday 5/26 – Purgatrio take-home test due. Read and discuss Paradiso cantos 2-3: astronomy, astrology, moon-spots, philosophy. Explain final project.
HW: Read and annotate Paradiso cantos 3, 17, 26. Compare these cantos to their parallel cantos in Inferno and Purgatorio to prepare for group work on Thursday.
Thursday 5/27 – FRIDAY SCHEDULE – CLASS MEETS
Group work: Paradiso cantos 3, 17 and 26. Compare Dante’s encounter with three women: Francesca (Inf. 5), La Pia (Purg. 5), and Piccarda (Par. 3). Compare the geographic and philosophical structure of the afterworld as explained in canto 17 of each book. Compare the use of language and implications about the power of speech/poetry in canto 26 of each book.
HW: Read and annotate Paradiso cantos 32-33.
Friday 5/28 FIELD DAY – NO CLASS
Monday 5/31 – MEMORIAL DAY – SCHOOL CLOSED
Tuesday 6/1 – Discussion of Paradiso 32-33. In-class writing: How does Dante’s journey through the after-world begin and end? Compare the experience of pilgrim, poet, and reader on this journey. Given all this, how will you structure the “journey” of your own after-life in the final project?
HW: Work on final project.
Wednesday 6/2 – Work period. [Julia out]
HW: Complete first draft of final project due Thursday, June 3.
Thursday 6/3 – First draft of Final Project due. Work period/individual conferences.
HW: Work on final project.
Friday 6/4 – READING DAY – Individual conferences, as scheduled.
June 7-9: Exam Week – Final Project due at Final Exam (date, time TBD)