News Report- Was Hamlet Crazy?

On December 11, a heated debate took place during the ENG4U class at Rockland District High School. The topic: Was Hamlet actually crazy? The affirmative side consisted of Mary Collins, Ilyada Williamson and Michaela Blaser. The negative side consisted of Jessica Barton, Kelsey Campbell and Mellison Watson. The judges consisted of Nick Leblond, Yanick Lee and Jennifer Ross.
The affirmative side opened by claiming that he needed help as he talks to no one and when he does he seems extremeley short tempered. The negative side opened by saying that his actions are typical of anyone who has gone through what he has.
The affirmative side's second argument started by listing off many types of insanity and the symptoms of each. They also claimed Hamlet fit many of these symptoms and is therefore insane. The negative side claimed that grief over such events can last many months and that Gertrude did not think that her son was going insane.
Both teams gave their third and final arguments. The affirmative side claimed although you might be able to defend that he wasn't mentally insane, you cannot defend that he wasn't legally insane. The negative side claimed that he is not insane because he has reason to feel the need for revenge.
The debate was close and even though many of their logical fallacies were noticed by the opposition, the judges ruled that the negative side won because they had much stronger arguments.

News Report- Did Gertrude betray Hamlet

On Monday, December 15, 2008, a class debate took place at Rockland District High School. The topic at hand being whether or not Gertrude betrayed Hamlet. The affirmative side consisted of Adam Young, Matt Brown and Stuart Gendron. The negative side consisted of Tyler Keith, Jon Hughes-Khatib and Alex van der mout. The judges at hand were Stephanis Wilson, Jayme Bedell and Megan Marshall.
The debate started with each group's opening argument. The affirmative side claimed Gertrude had betrayed Hamlet because to betray was to deceit and that was something Gertrude was definatley gulty of. The negative side claimed that Gertrude did not betray hamlet because it only seemed as though she had done so because of her marriage to Claudius. The rebutle from both sides did not finish the time requirements as there was little negative to say about each other's arguments at that point.
The second argument started with the affirmative side claiming that Gertrude was not in love and did not mourn the death of Old Hamlet. The negative side claimed that she only remarried into the family to solidify her spot in royalty, and that she would have known the glass was poisoned if she had in fact betrayed him.
During the thrid and final agrument, the affirmative side claimed that Gertrude was selfish and faught against the needs of both Old Hamlet and Young Hamlet. The negative side claimed that she only remarried so that Hamlet could continue to be the hier to the throne. The final remarks were made and thus the debate ended.
In the end, the debate point totals came out to be quite close and it came down to the judges final desisions and they decided that the negative side had better arguments.

Poetry Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan
Objective
· Students will be able to identify Caribbean poetry.
· Students will be able to identify Caribbean poets.
· Students will be able to understand the imagery associated the Caribbean poetry.
Rescources
Things we will need:
· Projector
· Projector Screen
· Laptop
· A class of intrigued children.
Methodology
1. Start by asking what people think might be Caribbean poetry and then erase the stereotypes.
2. Talk about the characteristics of Caribbean poetry.
3. Talk about the actual poets and their works.
4. Analysis of certain poems.
5. Conclude.
Evaluation
· We will ask our classmates what they have learnt through this experience.

Poetry Anthology

Calypso
Kamau Bratwaite

The stone had skidded arc'd and bloomed into islands:Cuba and San DomingoJamaica and Puerto RicoGrenada Guadeloupe Bonaire
curved stone hissed into reefwave teeth fanged into claywhite splash flashed into sprayBathsheba Montego Bay
bloom of the arcing summers...
The islands roared into green plantationsruled by silver sugar canesweat and profitcutlass profitislands ruled by sugar cane
And of course it was a wonderful timea profitable hospitable well-worth-you-timewhen captains carried receipts for ricesletters spices wigsopera glasses swaggering assesdebtors vices pigs
O it was a wonderful timean elegant benevolent redolent time--and young Mrs. P.'s quick irrelevant crineat four o'clock in the morning...
But what of black Samwith the big splayed toesand the shoe black shiny skin?
He carries bucketfulls of water'cause his Ma's just had another daughter.
And what of John with the European namewho went to school and dreamt of famehis boss one day called him a fooland the boss hadn't even been to school...
Steel drum steel drumhit the hot calypso dancinghot rum hot rumwho goin' stop this bacchanalling?
For we glance the banjoydance the limbogrow our crops by maljo
have loose moralsgather coralsfather out neighbour's quarrels
perhaps when they come with their cameras and strawhats: sacred pink tourists from the frozen Nawth
we should get down to thosewhite beacheswhere if we don't wear breeches
it becomes an island danceSome people doin' wellwhile others are catchin' hell
o the boss gave our Johnny the sackthough we beg him pleaseplease to take 'im back
so now the boy nigratin' overseas...

The Harbour
Derek Walcott
The fishermen rowing homeward in the dusk,Do not consider the stillness through which they move,So I, since feelings drown should no more askFor the safe twilight which your calm hands gave.And the night, urger of old liesWinked at by stars that sentry the humped hills,Should hear no secret faring-forth; time knowsThat bitter and sly sea, and love raises walls.Yet others who now watch my progress outwardOn a sea which is crueler than any wordOf love, may see in me the calm my passage makes,Braving new water in an antique hoax;And the secure from thinking may climb safe to linersHearing small rumours of paddlers drowned near stars.

Bend-Down Plaza
Lorna Goodison

The whole place is a market placethose inside sellingwhat dem outside higgleringonly outside you might get it for lessif you beat down the money-tillstored in her breasts.
Outside the temples of verygraciousness livingguardy guards with a dobermann's aida dog trained to bite to the bonesguardy well-trash in a pipe-up uniforma sleeping form'Dem shoulda give the dog the uniform'but guardy just a sleep and a dreambout a fine fat girl in a furrwhosee jeans.'So whappen if black people can'tadvertise demNobody no want see them, dem mustonly buy them.'And the dog throttles lowat the sharp-green smell of a passingnegro.
Bend down nice ladybend downbut try not to bend too deepfor Jah inna this plazedistributing diseasesand it look like God a sleep.

Gleanings
Lorna Goodison

Often it's field at darkwhere the hooded bowed outcastsgo, after reapers have passedcollecting then, the gleanings.
Sometimes after the harvest is inand the fields are lying spentthey still move in twilight foragingfor the seeds the birds have missed.
(What a hard time the post-harvest is!)
We glean outside the systemour candidate did not win.We glean outside our father's yardthe stewards are self-serving.
We glean outside the temples of fullnessfor charity dropped carelessfrom full sheaves above.It is time to come into the kingdom.

Get Flat
Jean Breeze

Wen storm comeyuh bawl'get flat'an watch mountainrub a dubtroo de seafrom Brixtonto Elleston Flats yuh can see de wukkin riddimben de people dem back

'haad wuk kean kill yuh, son'but Mansonkar im bosongawn a boneyardim sey a wouldn see imwen a reach back homean Aunt May gi mi a lettato de relative a Englan, seytime harderdan weh did mek yuh leftime hardan yuh people dem a fretde relative replya nuh forget we forgetbut yah so nuh no bettaa me three pickney nah wuk
two side a de oceande laughline sinklike de mercuryprior to de storm
two side a de oceande riddim jus a bawl'get flat, everybady get flat'
an ah see a whole seaa ben back

Revenge
Mutabaruka

i am a angry young man i'm on de run
yesterday i thief mi fada gun
i'm a angry young man
i'm on de run
a shot a police wid mi fada gun
ask me why
a tell u no lie
a pray years hopin dat dis police would die
as a child a can neva feget
dat face so ugly and sweat
yet a knew de day would com
wen a would have to kill im an run
now mi family will neva si mi again
through these years i have felt much pain
a nite mare all these years
so much pain so much tears

now it happen a long time aguh
right down there in de ghetto
mi mada was sittin aroun de shop counta
wen a man com in an start to beat har
mi fada was away dat day
neva knoo who to run to or wat to say
a stan up deh a neva meck a soun
de man push mi mada to de groun
a could'nt se a ting agen
but a knoo mi mada was feelin pain
wen im lef a hear har cry
a hear har seh "LARD LET ME DIE"

time and time a would hear mi fada seh
dat mi sista was not his . . . and a kne right aweh
dat de day would have to com
wen a would be a young man on de run

now a sit behind dis wall
dis wall suh tall
still hearin mi mada cry
still hearin har seh "LARD LET ME DIE"

Debate Argument

Let me start off by just saying a couple of jokes just to lighten the mood:

What does a blonde and a beer bottle have in common?

Their both empty from the neck up

What do smart blondes and ufo’s have in common?

You always hear about them but never see them.

Modern trajedies are the only ones that differ from aristotles views on tradjedies that they have to happen among the higher powers of governments. Shakespearian tradjedies ionlcude kings queen nobles etc. While modern tradjedies often include middle class families. People can often relate to a modern tradgedy better as they often include many people who are the condition and situations of the audience.

They are also typically much shorter hence the 1996 adaptation of Hamlet (Terrible) a shakespearian tradjedy was 242 minutes compared to the crucible (kick ass) was only 124 minutes long so far people who hate tradgedies in general like our counterparts here they won’t have to endure the pain. The crucible was only half as long as hamlet and as some would say that that Hamlet would take double the class time to watch again like our counterparts we actually value our time in class and want to learn about the wonderful world of English.

Also modern tradjeides do not use iambic pentameter and use a more reconizablr English language to the people of today. For those who hate the language we speak of today like these modern English haters across the table from us. And honestly that iambic crazyiness is a little annoying.

By the way, Colton, Seth and Logan are looking absolutely stunning today, I must say.

Activity 1.4- Advertissment

Activity 1.2

Activity 1.6

Hamlet was motivated by to transform by his suspicion that Claudius did in fact kill Old Hamlet. He decides to pretend to be mad to make sure that the others are scared of him. He is very convincing as many people wonder what has happened to him. It even appears for many instances that he is not acting and that it is actually him. Many of the people close to him accept this as normal actions for someone who has just lost their father and has had their uncle marry their mother. They accept this as a normal course of action for someone who has had many unnerving things happen to them in such a short period of time.

Activity 1.4- Essay Outline

Thesis “Hamlet was insane”
Introduction- The play hamlet...
Reason 1- His strange behaviour throughout the play.
Example - Anger towards Claudius
Example- Everyone seems to notice his behaviour.
Reason 2- He sees the ghost of his father.
Example- At the start.
Example- Later on he sees the ghost as well.
Reason 3- He seems to be obsessed with killing Claudius.
Example- His intricate plan with the play.
Example- It’s all he thinks about.
Conclusion- So as you can see Hamlet was in fact insane.

ISU- Long Essay

This is my long essay entiltled Saramago: Better Poet then Novelist
Click the link Below to see
http://www.freedrive.com/file/597640,the-stone-raft-essay.docx

Rhetorc Device- Trope

A trope is a rhetoric group that consists of rhettoric devices that use a play on words. There are many types of these, many of them we already know, things like:

• Hyperboles-A comparison that is a sort of exaggeration. I tried a thousand times.
• Similies- Comparison using the words like or as. As tall as a tree.
• Metaphors-Comparison without using the words like or as. The man is a ticking time bomb ready to go off at any moment.
• Litotes-The use of two negative words to make a postive expression. I didn't not do it
• Euphamisms- The use of a less offensive word to replace an offensive one. Oops! I passed wind!
• Onamatopeias- Words that also make a sound. Boom!!
• Paradoxes- A statement that appears to condradict itself. Slow and steady wins the race.
• Puns-A phaes that confuses similar words on purpose. The ghost practiced scaring people night after night. He was finally ready for his day boo.
• Oxymoron-The combination of two contradictory terms. Jumbo Shrimp.

Example from The Public

When Janet Jaskson and Justin Timberlake coined the phrase "Wardrobe Malfunction" to deescribe their incedent at the Suberbowl in 2004. This is an example of a Euphamism.

Logical Fallacy- Composition Fallacy

Composition Fallacy

A composition fallacy or Compositio cado in Latin, occurs when a conclusion is drawn when facts are not presented on both sides. There are two types of composition fallacies that are called by the same name because they are so similar. There first type uses the characteristics of a small part of something and makes a conclusion based on those characteristics for the larger thing that it makes up. Some examples of this include:

Cells can only be seen under the microscope.
Living creatures are made up of cells,
Therefore living creatures can only be seen under the microscope.
Or
The air-conditioner on the car doesn’t work, therefore the car doesn’t work.

The second type of composition fallacy uses the characteristics of some individuals of a group and makes conclusion based on those characteristics for the entire group. Examples of this are:

Some people failed the test, therefore everyone failed the test.
Or
The workers from Ontario decided to go on strike, therefore, World Wide, the workers went on strike.

These examples are obviously fallacious because the characteristics of a small part of something don’t necessarily mean those characteristics are portrayed in the larger objects. Also, individuals don’t always have the same characteristics as the whole group.

Syllogism
First Type
Parts of object X have characteristics A, B, C, D...
Therefore object X has characteristics A, B, C, D...

Second Type
Individuals from group X have characteristics A, B, C, D...
Therefore as a whole group X has characteristics A, B, C, D...

Media Example

Although there is no concrete example of a composition fallacy in the text the point the author (Jonah Goldberg) is trying to make is fallacious. He says that given the recent non-conserative policies made by President George W. Bush that President Bush is in fact a liberal.

This is fallaicious because he has been in office for 4 years and has made many policies that favour both sides. And there are many other divisions not only liberal and conserative.

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZWU2NTMzOWUzMzNhMmZjYzU2YmUzY2JmYmYzOTU5Zjg=

Critical Discourse- Test Essay

This is a 4-6 page mythopoeic critique on the Wizard of Oz.
http://www.freedrive.com/file/538435

ISU Essay

Doctor Noyes: Not the right man for the job





Ben Cousins






ENG 4UE-02
Rockland District High School
October 14, 2008

The fictional novel, Not Wanted on the Voyage, by Timothy Findley, is the story of Noah’s Ark but told in a different perspective. For those not familiar with this story, it is about a man named Noah who is told by God (or Yaweh as he is named in this novel) to build an ark and put two of every animal on the planet (one male and one female) for a great flood is approaching. In this novel, Noah is portrayed as an animal hating, single minded man who abuses his power. For these reasons, this is why Mrs. Noyes, who is the opposite, should have been the one to captain the ark.

Doctor Noah Noyes was portrayed as being the quintessential animal hater who often preformed sacrifices of animals, in fact many animals around the family farm fear him for this reason. Mottyl, the family cat, was one of those animals. She is twenty years old and is blind and partially deaf; all of her offspring have been either sacrificed by Noah or killed during some of his experiments.

“Another experiment: excuse me and thank you...” he would say, reaching into Mottyl’s nest and removing one of her kittens. There was nothing she could do to stop him. She had bitten and scratched him and bloodied him in every way a cat could find, but in the end he always won the day, no matter where she hid her nest or what her defences were. She did, of course, have one way to stop him. She could give up having kittens- if only she knew how.
(Findley, 17)

There are many other instances where Dr. Noyes shows his displeasure towards animals. For example, towards the end of the novel, when Mrs. Noyes and Lucy gather the fire breathing demons in order to take over the top of the ship. Mr. Noyes sees the critters in a burlap sack and immediately assumes that there is something bad inside the bag and throws it over the edge of the ark. Although his assumption was correct it could have been anything inside including the Hannah’s newborn baby.

It happened so quickly that none of the conspirators could even protest. And the demons- not at all recognizing what was happening to them- thought they were just being hoisted and slung- so that, as they whirled out over the railed and into the sizzling storm of snow, they cried with delight. Long after they had sunk beneath the waters, Mrs. Noyes came out of her shock and looked at Japeth as if he might be striding towards the demons, and the deed still undone- and she said; “please don’t, they’re our friends.
(Findley, 293)

Someone who takes kittens and other animals to do experiments on them should definitely not be the captain of the ship that carries the only remaining two animals of every species on the planet. One single death would result in the extinction of that species.

Mrs. Noyes is the complete opposite of an animal hater, she is the one often defends the animals and tries desperately to stop Doctor Noyes from taking the lives of the farm animals. She tried desperately to stop the sacrifice of the unicorn. But when she could not stop it, she stayed with the dead unicorn until long after it happened.

She stood up now, and laid the Unicorn aside- very gently- carefully.
Undoing the ribbons that had held her ki-mono about her and releasing the great wide sash at its waist, she stepped from this garment-already clothed in another- her gown of long bronze feathers.
(Findley, 271)

When Doctor Noyes received captaincy from Yaweh, everyone else and only cared about himself. He often made a decision that was better for him than the overall family. When the ark first went afloat, Dr. Noyes divides the family into two groups one that lives on the top of the ark (he was included in this one) and the other live with the rest of the animals. He even says that it would be best to stay away from each other until the storm has subsided, even for dinner.

“Your duties, madam, will predicate a regimen out of kilter with the regimen here on the upper deck. It would be ridiculous to require that you dine at eight, when you will dine at six- or even five”
“But we never dined at eight,” said Mrs. Noyes. “In all our life together- five hundred years! – we have never dined at eight.”
“Till now” said Noah- and shrugged
(Findley, 202)

Dr. Noyes seemed to be notorious for his selfish ways throughout the novel, he even ate many of things that were on ration for everyone as if they had an endless supply of them.

Eggs, milk and butter were at a premium and the supply of cheese was also depleted. All of these things were essentials in the preferred diet of Doctor Noyes. [...] Mrs Noyes would say; “but you’ve only just had two dozen eggs yesterday...” and “... we’re on a milk ration, too, you know. And- as for butter- I haven’t had the time to do any churning [...] The feeding of all these animals? Every day and twice a day! And you have the gall to come down here and ask for milk and butter! Shame on you! Shame!” (Parentheses mine)
(Findley, 276)

It is impossible for the captain of a ship to be selfish and effective.

If Mrs. Noyes were to be captain of the ark, her unselfish ways would not be comparable to that of Doctor Noyes’ captaincy. She put the wellness of the others in front that of her own. She risked her life in order to save Lotte and then again to bury her. She even gave the last bits of Brussels sprouts and cabbage to the members of the upper deck, even though they seemed to be rivals.

Shem could not find an answer to this that he dared speak aloud, since the unspeakable answer was yes- that, when all was said and done, he had come down to steal the last morsel from anyone’s mouth, if that morsel happened to be cabbage. [...] “Very well,” she said. “You may have one cabbage and twelve Brussels sprouts- but only on the express condition that they pass directly into Hannah’s hands.”
(Findley, 278)

So as you can see, Mrs. Noyes had many of the good qualities that are required for a good captain. These same qualities Doctor Noyes did not have the qualities that lacked on the ark and ultimately resulted in the chaos towards the end. Doctor Noyes was an animal hating selfish man, things that should not be evident in the leader of an important ship, especially the ark.


Bibliography
Findley, Timothy. Not Wanted on the Voyage. Toronto: Penguin Canada, 1984.
Wikipedia. Wikipedia. 26 May 2008. 13 October 2008 .

Little One ISU Essay Outline

Introduction(Description of storyline, characters, etc.)

Thesis(Mrs. Noyes would have made a better Captain of the ark then Noah)

Reason (He didn't care about the animals he was carrying in the ark)

Example( His animal killing rituals)

Example( Mottyl's fear of him for past experiances)

Reason (His paranoia of pirates.)

Example(When he kills the whales)

Example(When he missidentifies his own family as pirates)

Reason( His abuse of power)

Example( The killing of Lotte)

Example( TBD)

Conclusion( So as you can see..., sum it all up)

ISU "Little One" Essay Thesis

My essay thesis is only rough at the moment but it is that Mrs. Noyes would have made a better than Noah the main character.

The long Awaited Second Post

I had trouble getting back into my blog for some reason so thats why I haven't posted in a while. Lately in class we haven't done much except work on our critisim presentation and our ISU. My book is Not Wanted on the Voyage by Timothy Findley, it's sort of like Evan Almighty as its a sort of modern version of Noah's Ark. I like it even though I haven't got as far in it as I would like to be.

Accountibility Agreement

Ben’s Accountability Agreement
Focus: What do you want to accomplish in this class or during this year?
Þ I would like to learn more about multiple aspects of English literature.
Þ I want to be considered a good writer.
Þ I want to learn how to write an essay with a guaranteed 75% or better
Contributions: What contributions will you make to this class or to the school this year?
Þ I will contribute in most group discussions.
Þ I will contribute my sense of humour to the class.

Accountabilities: For what will you be held responsible?
Þ I will be held accountable for my immaturity .
Þ I will be held accountable for my incomplete assignments, lates, etc.

Supports: What help, and from whom, will you need in order to achieve your accountabilities?
Þ I need help from my parents to proofread my work
Þ I need help from Mr. Murray when I have questions about homework, essays,etc.

Measurements: How will you know what success looks like?
Þ Success would be a pass with an 80% or better.
Þ Success would be a great essay using the format Mr. Murray gave us.

Consequences: How should you be rewarded if you succeed? How should you be punished?
Þ If I succeed, I will be allowed to go outside and play sports over the summer.
Þ If I do not succeed, I will be punished by not being able to play sports over the summer.

First Week and a Half of School

In the first week and a half of this, my final year of high school, I have found out truly how hard this final year will be. There are none of the classes that "boost" the average so to speak. This week in english we basically just went through an overview of the course and what to expect. We had to choose our first ISU book, mine's called not alone on the voyage, by Timothy Findley. This novel retells the story of Noah's Ark with a bit more modern twist.