Macbeth

ACT 1
1.11 The effect of beginning the play with the witches is to present the dark mood of the novel. The witches and the storm help present this dark mood. The witches are going to meet Macbeth upon the heath.

1.21 The bloody captain was trying to help Malcolm, who is Duncan’s son escape captivity from the Irish. The bloody captain also informs that Macbeth and Banquo fought against Macdonwald who is the leader of the Irish. He specifically describes Macbeth as the bravest and how he was the one who beat Macdonwald. No this did not end the problem with the rebels.

2. We learn from Ross and Angus that the Thane of Cawdor was defeated. The traitor in this different revolt was the Thane of Cawdor and King Duncan says that he will lose his title and he will be killed, his title will go to Macbeth.

1.31 The effect of the witches’ dialogue to one another is to demonstrate the dangers the witches posses and their powers. The effect of the specifics they describe is to show what the witches are capable of. These details are important to the plot of the play because these witches know and are capable of many things. By line nine the first with is implying that she will get revenge. The witches dance around in a circle when they know of Macbeth’s arrival. They say that they know what the future prepares.
2. Macbeth’s first line reminds me of ….. The witches do not look mortal and they are dressed in a wild manner. The witches imply to Macbeth that he will become Thane of Cawdor, and “king hereafter” (17). Macbeth wants to know more, he asks the witches to tell him more, anything else that they know. Banquo notices that the witches are letting Macbeth know many things, but he wants to know if they know anything about him. They tell him that he is “lesser than Macbeth but greater” and that he is “not so happy, yet much happier.” We know that Macbeth is going to become Thane of Cawdor.

3. Banquo asks himself if the witches were truly there, he notices how they vanished, but asks himself where to. Ross and Angus inform Macbeth that he will become the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is praising himself and showing happiness in becoming Thane of Cawdor. When Macbeth is talking to everyone he sounds thankful, when he is talking to Banquo he implies that he too can accomplish something similar, and when he is having an aside he sounds ambitious as if what he had were not enough. Macbeth hopes that what the witches have said will become true, and he is delighted to become Thane of Cawdor, but hopes for more. Macbeth is saying that he hopes what the witches said will become true. He is beginning to think about him becoming king and how he will achieve this. Macbeth explains his behavior by saying that he is happy to be honored such a title. He does not plan to share all of his thoughts with Banquo. The Thane of Cawdor was executed. The king replies that he did trust him, but he had to die.

2. The king receives Banquo and Macbeth with gratitude and praise. King Duncan announces his intentions in making his son Malcolm the heir of his throne. The King intends to dine at Macbeth’s place that night. Macbeth lets the audience know in his aside that Malcolm now stands in his way of becoming king. Macbeth is now thinking of what is standing in his way of becoming king.
1.51 Macbeth has reportedly accurately to his wife as we have read in the letter. She wants Macbeth to become King no matter what she has to go through or what he has to do. She describes Macbeth as being ambitious, but not too ambitious how he should be. This does match what we have seen of him, and it seems that she is more ambitious than Macbeth.
2. Lady Macbeth plans something against the king in order for it to be easier for Macbeth to become King. She plans to give her virginity in order for Macbeth to become King. To let that happen she intends to put her femininity aside.
3. When Macbeth arrives Lady Macbeth is in charge. Lady Macbeth has decided what to do, but Macbeth is yet to decide. She tells Macbeth to leave it up to her. She says that the king is not destined to see a ‘tomorrow.’
4. Macbeth’s name is Grouch.

1.61 Macbeth’s welcome to the King is very hypocritical, but she is trying to appear as honest as possible.

1.71 Macbeth is not ready to kill the king, he begins to think of reasons why he should not kill the king, he finds no motivation to go through with the assassination. Macbeth is worried about the consequences that might follow after killing the king. Macbeth is violating rules of hostility, when someone is the host they should treat their guest with great respect and hospitality. Macbeth attributes to himself the motivation of ambition.
2. Lady Macbeth is complaining about Macbeth’s disappearance from the dinning room and tells him that the king has been asking for him. Macbeth says that he is not sure if he is going to go through with killing the King. Lady Macbeth questions Macbeth and whether he is man enough to go through with killing the king. Macbeth wants to kill the king but is afraid of the consequences and of failing, Lady Macbeth is very ambitious and wants Macbeth to hold the crown as soon as possible. Lady Macbeth promises that her plan will work. The one who is shown to be stronger out of the two is Lady Macbeth.

ACT 2:

2.11 The purpose of the opening of 2.1 is to show how Banquo has thought of the witches, but only in his dreams, and does not wish to dream about it anymore. This shows how Banquo is less ambitious than Macbeth. The function of the discussion of the witches is to show how Banquo does tell the truth when he says he has thought of them in his dreams, and Macbeth lied when he says he has not thought about them much. The witches have left an impact on both Macbeth and Banquo, but only Banquo speaks the truth.
2. Macbeth sees a dagger coming toward him, but aiming toward Duncan, he is unsure if this is a sign or if it is false. He does not know how to explain it, but in the end he decides that it all has to do with his doubts about killing Duncan, he decides to go through with it.
2.21 Lady Macbeth’s state of mind in her soliloquy is she is drunk. She has come up with a bold plan to kill the king and now hopes everything turns out good. She assumes that Macbeth is now killing the King. Lady Macbeth could not kill the King because the King resembled her father.
2. Macbeth has murdered the King. Macbeth is worried that the servants had woken up and seen him. Lady Macbeth says not to put too much attention to that and that they probably did not notice anything. In line 46 Lady Macbeth realizes that Macbeth forgot to leave the daggers in the room how she had planned for Macbeth to do so. Lady Macbeth goes and returns the daggers.
2.31 The porter pretends to be a devil porter. He pretends to be answering a door in hell.
2. The thematic function of Lennox’s conversation with Macbeth about the unruly night is the same night that Macbeth murdered the King was a night in which horrible things occurred, as Lennox explains. The theatrical function of the night is to show the foreshadowing of something that occurred. Macduff reports that the king is dead. Macbeth responds with anger and Lady Macbeth acts surprised as well . Macbeth reports that he has killed the chamberlains. Malcolm and Donalbain decide they will escape because they are afraid they will be killed next. Malcolm will go to England and Donalbain will go to Ireland.
2.41 They talk about what has happened the past few days, which are strange happenings. What we learn from Macduff about Malcolm and Donalbain is that they could be suspects since they seem to have escaped. Macbeth has become King. Macbeth has gone to Scone. Macduff will go to his home in Fife.

ACT 3:
3.11 Banquo thinks of the witches when he thinks of Macbeth becoming King. He feels that if the witches were right about him becoming King, why wouldn’t they be right about his sons becoming King one day. He suspects that Duncan was killed by Macbeth.
2. Macbeth learns that Banquo will show up to his dinner. He wants to know it because he wants Banquo to be present. Macbeth says that Donalbain and Malcolm could be planning his assassination now that he is King.
3. Macbeth is now worried that Banquo might be planning something against him, since he heard what the witches had told him about his son one day becoming King. Since their prophecy became true, so might Banquo’s so he is afraid in order to gain that Banquo might be planning something against him.
4. Macbeth gets the two murderers to agree to kill Banquo by reminding them of the harm Banquo has caused them in the past. He asks them if they are man enough to take revenge and reminds them that his son must be killed too.
3.21 Macbeth does not tell Lady Macbeth all the detail regarding his fears. He also fails to tell her in detail what he plans to do. She knows that Banquo will be murdered but she does not know as much as we know at this point.
3.31 They let him join in the murder. He says that Macbeth has send him. Their mission is successful.
3.4 The murderer tells Macbeth about Banquo’s death and how Fleance had escaped. Banquo’s ghost, only Macbeth can see it. Banquo sits in Macbeth’s seat. Macbeth is horrified, Lady Macbeth dismisses his expression. Macbeth is going to meet with the three witches again. All the guests from the banquet leave. A baby girl. He is going to go see the three witches. He wants to find out how he can overcome the ghost. She says because he lacks sleep.
3.5 Her complaint is about the witch’s involvement in helping out Macbeth. To meet her at Acheron where Macbeth will meet the three witches, and with their help she will kill Macbeth.
3.6 Lennox comments sarcastically on the official versions of the violents deaths that have occurred under Macbeth. Lennox might be trying to tell him that Malcolm might be next. Macduff has gone to England to help overthrow Macbeth. To show Macbeth’s fall.

ACT 4

4.1 Three. They instruct him to beware of Macduff, that no man born from a woman can harm him, and that he will not be overthrown until Birman Wood moves. After the fourth his confidence in the future is shaken. That Macduff has fled to England. He is going to kill Macduff’s family.
4.2She tries to justify his flight to England. The function is to see what the son would do without a father. They get killed by Macbeth’s men.
4.3 That his family is dead. Macduff wants to attack Macbeth. Malcolm believes that Macduff might be working for Macbeth. However after he tests him, he informs him that they are going to attack Scotland. 6. He tells him that his wife and his son have been killed. It takes him a while to tell Macduff, Macduff wants to go after Macbeth and kill him. It could mean Malcolm but it most means Macbeth because Macduff has so much hatred over Macbeth. A man could be one who fights and doesn’t commit cowardly acts.
7. They are ready to go to war.

ACT 5
5.1 She has seen her walking in her sleep. She has no witnesses. All the horrible things she and Macbeth have done. She has a burdened heart. She needs spiritual aid.
5.2 They are headed to Birman Woods to join the English army. They reminds us that Macbeth would get overthrown by Birman Woods.
5.3 That Scottish and English forces have massed against him. He isn’t scared because of the apparitions. He is sick of heart, he has done horrible things. That her disease has no cure. He wishes that the doctor find a cure and help his wife out.
5.4 He tells them to cut a bough and carry it to conceal themselves from Macbeth.
5.5 Lady Macbeth has died. That people live to die. He doesn’t care no more as he knows that he will die eventually. The messenger says moving wood is coming to the castle. Macbeth remembers the apparitions and wood coming to the castle to overthrow him. He decides to abandon the castle and fight in the field.
5.6 Malcolm arrives with his troops at Dunsinane Castle. He will lead the first battle with his son.
5.7He isn’t scared because young Siward was born from a woman. He kills him.
5.8He is looking for Macbeth, to kill him.
5.9 Dunsinane Castle surrendered.
5.10 That he is not a man born from a woman as he was prematurely pulled from his mother’s womb. He is afraid to fight. Macduff will capture him and show him to public as a coward.
5.11 He is really upset because that was his only son. He promises titles to his loyal supporters. Lady Macbeth took her own life violently. We should believe Malcolm because he didn’t lie to anyone and Lady Macbeth was a violent person.

Things Fall Apart

Chapter One:
A: What are Okonkwo's main characteristics as he is depicted in the first few chapters? What were the characteristics of his father which affect him so powerfully?

Note how the ritual for sharing kola is described without being explained. Why do you think Achebe does this?

What do you think are the social functions of such a system?

One of the most famous lines in the novel is "proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten." What does this mean?

I: Okonkwo’s main characteristics, are depicted in the first few chapters of the novel. He is depicted as strong, influential as a leader within his family, hard working, and manly. He has control of his family and of his work. He is well known throughout Umuofia. The characteristics of his father are opposite to that of Okonkwo. His father was portrayed as weak and useless. He did not have control of his family and his crops did not nourish very well. He did not leave anything for Okonkwo to inherit. I think that Okonkwo described the ritual of sharing Kola without explaining it because he wants people to get a sense of the Ibo culture without him having to explain it, and since there are many rituals he does not want to explain them all.ySocial functions this system include being known in the village and earning the people’s respect and admiration. This means that it is important to know what people are talking about or what they are saying the meaning of the words they say are important.

Chapter Two:
A: What effect does night have on the people? What do they fear? How do they deal with their fear of snakes at night? What is the cause and nature of the conflict with Mbaino? What is the purpose of the taking of Ikemefuna?

In what ways does Okonkwo overcompensate for his father's weaknesses? In what ways is he presented as unusual for his culture? What is his attitude toward women? Why does he dislike his son Nwoye so much?

What do you think the advantages and disadvantages of this form of social structure are?

What seems to be Achebe's attitude toward this culture so far? Is his depicting it as an ideal one? Can you cite any passages which imply a critical attitude?

I: The night brings fear to people, even those who are consider strong and courageous. Dangerous animals became more noticeable during the night and the people were afraid of evil spirits. A snake was never called by its name at night because it would hear, instead it was called a string. One of the women of Umuofia was killed at Mbaino. Since they killed one of their women, the people of Umuofia proposed to take Ikemufa and one of their women in order to avoid war. Okonkwo overcompensates his father’s for his father’s weaknesses by being strong and making his way up without any inheritance. He is presented as unusual for his culture because he did not inherit anything from anyone, which people who are important in the village usually do. Okonkwo had to work his way up through hard work, his own hard work not from inheritance. Okonkwo views women as subjects, that need to be controlled. He dislikes his son Nwoye because he sees him as week. The advantages of this social culture are being able to see every wife, the disadvantages are having more than one wife. He is not depicting this culture as an ideal one, but he is not depicting it as an unusual one either. “ ‘Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. His wife especially the youngest lived in perpetual fear’” (13).



Chapter Three:

A: What effect does her status have on your judgment of the roles played by women in the culture?

How is awareness of rank observed in the drinking of the palm wine? How does share-cropping work? What is the relationship of women to agriculture? How does Okonkwo react to "the worst year in living memory?"

I: Agbala is trusted because she can tell people when they are having misfortunes or she can help people through those misfortunes. The fact that she is respected, even though she is a women makes me think that women can be respected as long as they have a certain gift or they hold an important role in the village. The awareness of rank is observed in the drinking of palm wine by knowing who gets to drink first. Share cropping was a slow way of building up a barn of one’s own. It was a different way. The relationship between women and agriculture is that this is what the men have to control in order to avoid weakness. Okonkwo did not shrink in despair while experiencing the bad harvest, but he does shiver up every time he remembers.

Chapter Four:

A: What are Okonkwo's virtues? What are his faults? What does this proverb mean, "When a man says yes his chi says yes also"? What is Okonkwo's relationship with Ikemefuna like? What is the crime that causes Okonkwo's to be reprimanded? What does it tell you about the values of the culture? What evidence is there in this chapter that customs have changed over time? That customs differ among contemporary cultures? What are the limits of the power of the village rain-maker?

I: Okonkwo’s virtues are being a hard working man, who had to work harder than others because he did not have any inheritance from his father. Now he is at the top of the clan and is admired and feared by many. He is not considered weak he is considered strong. Okonkwo’s faults came when dealing with less successful people, he held a certain amount of pride. A man’s word is important and when he says something his God agrees with him, and so does his clan usually. Okonkwo’s relationship with Ikemufa is a good one. He is like his son. Okonkwo admires him because he is not weak like his own son. The crime that causes Okonkwo to be reprimanded is beating up his wife during the weak of peace. This tells me that they hold certain rituals that can not be broken and are very important to them. The limits of the power of the village rain-maker are a resting period in the month of harvest.


Chapter Five:

A: What is Okonkwo's attitude toward feasts? Briefly summarize the story of Ikwefi. What kind of a woman is she? What do you think is the significance of women having to sit with their legs together?

I: Okonkwo never becomes enthusiastic during feasts. Ikwefi just got beaten and she runs away from her husvand and is a little bit of a rebel. She loves wresting and thinks it is sexy. She runs away after being beaten. I think that the significance of women having to sit with their legs together is their intimacy and their way to show respect.


Chapter Six:

A: This chapter introduces a much-discussed aspect of Ibo belief. As in most pre-modern cultures, the majority of children died in early childhood. If a series of such deaths took place in a family it was believed that the same wicked spirit was being born and dying over and over again, spitefully grieving its parents. They tended to be apprehensive about new children until they seemed to be likely to survive, thus proving themselves not to be feared ogbanje. What roles does Chielo play in the village?

I: Chielo was the priestess of Agbala, the oracle of the Hills and the caves. Chielo in a way is the protector of Ekwefi and her daughter which helps Okonkwo treat them with respect. Chielo cares a lot for Ekwefi’s daughter and as long as she is alive Okonkwo will treat both his daughter and Ekwefi better other than if it was just Ekwefi.

Chapter Seven:

A: How has Nwoye begun to "act like a man"? What values does Okonkwo associate with manliness? How does Nwoye relate to these values? "Foo-foo" is pounded yam, the traditional staple of the Ibo diet. How does the village react to the coming of the locusts? Achebe is doubtless stressing the contrast with other cultures here, familiar to African readers from the Bible, in which locusts are invariably a terrible plague. Why is Okonkwo asked not to take part in the killing of Ikemefuna? Why do you suppose they have decided to kill the boy? Why do you think Achebe does not translate the song that Ikemefuna remembers as he walks along? A matchet is a large knife (Spanish machete). Why does Okonkwo act as he does?
Most traditional cultures have considered twins magical or cursed. Twins are in fact unusually common among the Ibo, and some subgroups value them highly. However, the people of Umuofia do not. Note how the introduction of this bit of knowledge is introduced on the heels of Ikemefuna's death. Nwoye serves as a point of view character to criticize some of the more negative aspects of Umuofia culture. This incident will have a powerful influence on his reaction to changes in the culture later.

I: Nwoye began to “act like a man” by spending more time with Okwonko and being sent to do masculine jobs. According to Okonkwo a man must be able to control his women and his children. The village hopes that the locusts stay for the night because they are good to eat. They think that Okonkwo is going to be too weak to kill him, since Ikemefuna calls him “father”. They decide to kill the boy because he belonged to a different clan. Achebe does not translate the song that Ikemefuna remembers as he walks along so the song has more meaning since it is in his native language. Okonkwo acts the way he does because he does not want to be seen as a weak soul. He wants everyone to think he is strong.

Chapter Eight:

A: What is Okonkwo's attitude toward his daughter Ezinma?" Bride-price is the converse of dowry. Common in many African cultures, it involves the bridegroom's family paying substantial wealth in cash or goods for the privilege of marrying a young woman. Do you think such a custom would tend to make women more valuable than a dowry system where the woman's family must offer the gifts to the bridegroom's family? How do you think such a system would affect the women themselves? Note again the emphasis on differing customs, this time as it applies to palm-wine tapping.

Young women were considered marriageable in their mid-teens. Why do you think this attitude arose? It is worth noting that European women commonly married between 15 and 18 in earlier times. There is nothing uniquely African about these attitudes.

Note the continued treatment of the theme of the variability of values. How is the notion of white men first introduced into the story? Why might Africans suppose that they have no toes? What sorts of attitudes are associated with white men in this passage?

I: Okonkwo’s attitude toward his daughter Enzinma is that he wanted her to be a boy, but he favors her. He believes more in her than in his son. I think it does make a woman more valuable if the groom has to pay because he has to pay more in order to marry her. I think it would make the woman feel more important because someone is paying for them to get married or someone is paying to marry them. At this stage is when women begin to develop, so they need to be in control by a man. The notion of white men is introduced in the story by introducing them as an outcast. Africans may suppose that they have no toes because they do not wear sandals instead they wear shoes. The attitudes associated with white men are to treat them as outcasts.

Chapter Nine:

A: The story of the mosquito is one of several West African tales which explain why these insects buzz irritatingly in people's ears. Why does Ekwefi prize her daughter Ezinma so highly? In this chapter the notion of the ogbanje is treated at length. What attitudes toward children does it reflect? Note how it balances against the "throwing away" of twins. Does Achebe seem to validate the belief in ogbanje?

I: Ekwefi prizes her daughter Ezinma so highly because it is her only child and cares for her very much, from experience she is afraid of losing Ezinma Ogbanje effects certain attitudes towards children, the attitudes towards children that it effects are many sicknesses while the children are alive. It reflects that children are to be taken care of, and that children are perhaps difficult to maintain. Achebe does not seem to validate the belief in ogbanje.

Chapter 10:
A: The egwugwu ceremony of the Ibo has been much studied. The women clearly know on some level that these mysterious beings are their men folk in disguise, yet they are terrified of them. What do you think their attitude toward the egwugwu is? What seem to be the main functions of the ceremony? How does Evil Forest refute the argument of Uzowulu that he beat his wife because she was unfaithful to him? How are problems like this affected by the fact that whole families are involved in marriage, unlike in American culture where a man and woman may wed quite independently of their families and even against their families' wishes? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each system?

I: I think that their attitude toward the egwugwu is fear of them, because they know what they symbolize, and in a way they know that they are supposed to be feared. The main functions of the ceremony seem to be to solve problems that the village has been experiencing. Evil Forest refutes the argument of Uzowulu that he beat his wife because she was unfaithful to him by responding that a man would sleep with a pregnant woman, therefore she could not have been with her lover. Problems like this are affected by the fact that the whole family may be involved in marriage because they can intervene in a marriage, even if it is none of their business. The advantages of the system where families are involved in marriages are protection of the wife from an abusive husband such as in this case, more involvement of the family. Some of the disadvantages include too much involvement and very little privacy for the husband and the wife. The advantages of the independent system include being able to have privacy to solve personal problems such as financial problems, some of the disadvantages include the family may not intervene or is less likely to intervene when a husband is abusive, and families may be separated if the husband of wife marries against their families’ wishes.

Chapter 11:
A: What is the moral of the fable of the tortoise? What values does it reflect? What does the incident involving the priestess of Agbala reflect about the values of the culture?

I: The moral of the fable of the tortoise is not to have too much trust in someone who looks or is an outcast, in this case such as the locusts or the white men. It reflects the values of working together with the people of ones own kind, in other words the people of their race. The values of the culture include believing in gods such as Agbala the oracle of the hills. Although Ekwefi did not want to let Ezinma go, she had to because it was Agbala.

Chapter 12:
A: Notice the traditional attitudes of all small villagers toward large marketplaces like Umuike. How is the importance of family emphasized in the uri ceremony? Notice that the song sung at the end of the chapter is a new one. Achebe often reminds us that this is not a frozen, timeless culture, but a constantly changing one.

I: The importance of family is emphasized in the uri ceremony by bringing whole families together, due to a future marriage, and by showing how families protect each other and how they are there for each other.


Chapter 13:
A: Having shown us an engagement ceremony, Achebe now depicts a funeral. We are being systematically introduced to the major rituals of Ibo life. How does the one-handed egwugwu praise the dead man? Okonkwo has killed people before this. What makes this incident so serious, though it would be treated as a mere accident under our law?

I: The one-handed egwugwu praise the dead man by asking him to come back to life the way he had been, without changing anything, because he was courageous, was rich, and lived long. This incident is emphasized seriously because the one handed man had just praised Ezeudu by telling him to come back and get revenge if his death was not caused by nature. Okonkwo’s incident seems more than a coincidence. It may be inferring that Ezeudu was truly hurt when Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna, whom Ezeudu considered Okonkwo’s son. Some even think that Okonkwo is responsible for Ezeudu’s death, and his exile is his punishment.

Chapter 14:

A: What is the significance of comparing Okonkwo to a fish out of water?

How does Okonkwo's lack of understanding of the importance of women reflect on him?

I: The significance of comparing Okonkwo to a fish out of water is to show how Okonkwo does not fit in Mbanta. He has been removed from his home village which is hard for him to adapt to. When one compares it to the life he had in his village, it is really difficult to see him in this new village. Okonkwo’s lack of understanding of the importance of women reflects on him by showing how he is not happy to be with his mother’s kinsmen, and he does not show any gratitude towards him. Okonkwo believes that he is being forced to spend time in a womanly place, which is the place of his exile, Okonkwo feels uncomfortable towards this.


Chapter Fifteen

A: How does the story of the destruction of Abame summarize the experience of colonization? Movie Indians call a train engine an "iron horse," but the term here refers to a bicycle. Note that although the people of Abame acted rashly, they had a good deal of insight into the significance of the arrival of the whites. Note how the Africans treat the white man's language as mere noise; a mirror of how white colonizers treated African languages. What sorts of stories had Okonkwo heard about white men before? In the final exchange with Okonkwo Obierika is good-naturedly refusing to accept Okonkwo's thanks by joking with him.

I: The story of the destruction of Abame summarizes the experience of colonization by demonstrating how the natives did not trust the colonists. Abame killed the white man who had said nothing in his instinct to listen to the oracle, this might have seemed foolish to Uchendu, but it seemed the safest thing to do. Okonkwo had heard many stories about the white men, he heard stories about them making powerful guns and strong drinks and that they took slaves away across the seas.


Chapter Sixteen

A: The British followed a policy in their colonizing efforts of designating local "leaders" to administer the lower levels of their empire. In Africa these were known as "warrant chiefs." But the men they chose were often not the real leaders, and the British often assumed the existence of a centralized chieftainship where none existed. Thus the new power structures meshed badly with the old. Similarly the missionaries have designated as their contact man an individual who lacks the status to make him respected by his people.
Why do you think Nwoye has become a Christian? Note how Achebe inverts the traditional dialect humor of Europeans which satirizes the inability of natives to speak proper English by having the missionary mangle Ibo. What is the first act of the missionaries which evokes a positive response in some of the Ibo? Achebe focuses on the doctrine of the Trinity, the notoriously least logical and most paradoxical basic belief in Christianity. How does this belief undermine the missionaries' attempts to discredit the traditional religion? Why does the new religion appeal to Nwoye?

I: I think that Nwoye has become a Christian because he is confused about the village he has grown up in. Achebe portrays Nwoye as someone who does not fit in, or at least in his father’s eyes, is not a real man. Converting himself to Christianity answers many of his question and is soothing for him. The first act of the missionaries which evokes a positive response in some of the Igbo is that the white man will live among them. The belief of Trinity undermines the missionaries’ attempts to discredit the traditional religion because it is hard for them to believe that God had a son, but did not have a wife. The new religion appeals to Nwoye because he has found an answer and it seemed relieving and soothing to his soul.

Chapter Seventeen

A: What mutual misunderstandings are evident in this chapter between the missionaries and the people of the village? How does the granting to the missionaries of a plot in the Evil Forest backfire? What does the metaphor in the next to the last sentence of the chapter mean?

I: The mutual misunderstandings that are evident in this chapter between the missionaries and the people of the village are a place for the missionaries to build their church and the fact that many people have been converting to Christianity. The missionaries were granted the plot in the Evil Forest because the natives hoped they would refuse to build their church in that setting, to their surprise the missionaries agree, and they have shown to be successful and nothing wrong has occurred to them how it was believe to happen. The metaphor in the next to the last sentence of the chapter means the relationship between him and his son. He does not understand how he had a strong character and his son was so weak.

Chapter Eighteen

A: The outcaste osu are introduced in this chapter. Why do you suppose Achebe has not mentioned them earlier? Their plight was indeed a difficult one, and is treated by Achebe elsewhere. In India the lowest castes were among the first to convert to faiths which challenged traditional
Hinduism; and something similar seems to happen here.

I: I think that Achebe did not mention the outcasts earlier because he wanted to introduce them at a certain moment. He chose to introduce them now because he wanted to show how the missionaries react to the native beliefs that they should not be converted in to Christianity. The missionaries refuse to deny them the choice of conversion.

Chapter Nineteen

A: Note how traditional Umuofian custom can welcome back an erring member once he has paid for his crime. In many cultures Okonkwo would be treated as a pariah, but this culture has ways of accommodating such a person without destroying him, and in fact encouraging him to give of his best. What does the final speaker say is the main threat posed by Christianity?

I: The final speaker says that the main threat posed by Christianity is that it is breaking families apart. People are forgetting the “kinship” of their traditions and their cultures, and Christianity is bringing people apart. It is separating not only families, but the people of the village as well.

Chapter Twenty
A: Okonkwo's relationship to the newcomers is exacerbated by the fact that he has a very great deal at stake in maintaining the old ways. All his hopes and dreams are rooted in the continuance of the traditional culture. The fact that he has not been able gradually to accustom himself to the new ways helps to explain his extreme reaction. The missionaries have brought British colonial government with them. Missionaries were often viewed as agents of imperialism. There is a saying common to Native Americans and Africans alike which goes like this: "Before the white man came, we had the land and they had the Bible. Now we have the Bible and they have the land."
What clashes in values are created by the functioning of the British courts? Note the final phrase of Obierika's last speech, alluding to the title of the novel.

I: The clashes in values that are created by the functioning of the British courts are the clans lose of kinship, which does not allow them to work together. The new British courts ignore the customs of the clan and the clan can not seem to do anything about it.


Chapter Twenty-One
A: Why do some of the villagers--even those who are not converts to Christianity—welcome the British? The missionaries try to refute what they consider idolatry with the simplistic argument that the animist gods are only wooden idols; however the villagers are perfectly aware that the idol is not the god in a literal sense, any more than the sculpture of Christ on the cross in a Christian church is God. This sort of oversimplification was a constant theme of Christian arguments against traditional faiths throughout the world as the British assumed that the natives were fools pursuing childish beliefs who needed only a little enlightenment to be converted. Mr. Brown here learns better. It is worth noting that Achebe, like his fellow Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka, was raised a Christian; but both rejected the faith and have preferred to affirm certain aspects of traditional beliefs in their own lives. Note how Akunna shrewdly senses that the head of the Church is in England rather than in heaven. Note the recurrence of the phrase "falling apart" in the last sentence of the chapter.

I: Some of the villagers welcome the British even though they are not converts because they believe they have brought money to the village. They have also set up trading posts which makes the people of the village satisfied.



Chapter Twenty-Two
A: How is Rev. Smith different from Brown?

What is the result of his black and white thinking?

I: Reverend Smith is different from Brown because he is not tolerant like Rev. Brown was. Reverend Smith is forceful and strict. The result of his black and white thinking is that he makes most of the villagers angry. Smith’s stereotypical thinking of “black and white” makes Enoch go insult traditional Igbo beliefs.

Chapter Twenty-Three
A: What does the District Commissioner say is the motive of the British in colonizing the Africans?

I: The district Commissioner says the motive of the British colonizing the Africans is to make them happy. He states that if the Africans are mistreated, the British will come to their rescue, but they will not be aloud to mistreat others, therefore they should be punished.

Chapter Twenty-Four
A: Once again Okonkwo uses his matchet rashly, bringing disaster on his head. But he could be viewed as a defiant hero defending his people's way of life. What do you think of his act?

I: I think that Okonkwo was hoping his people to rise against the white men once he did this to the messenger, but instead the clan gives another response, a response he did not expect. People of the clan are confused as to why Okonkwo did this. I think this can be seen as a hero act on Okonkwo’s part and the villagers could be seen as being blinded or accepting the white men and the falling apart of their own customs.

Chapter Twenty-Five
A: Why do you think Okonkwo kills himself?

What is your reaction to the final paragraph of the book? Analyze it.

I: I think Okonkwo kills himself because he did not want to be part of a village who does not stand up for their beliefs. He had been depressed and disappointed in the villagers for accepting the new religion and beliefs. I think he killed himself as an act of depression and desperation. Since Okonkwo hoped to become something more within his clan, something he was part of, he is upset that everything has fallen apart and not only can he not gain a title, but he can not represent his clan, his beliefs, or his customs. My reaction to the ending of the book is that it serves as a contrast to the author of the novel, Achebe. The Commissioner thinks Okonkwo’s story would be a good to be part of the book he is writing. He thinks he could include him in one or two paragraphs or maybe even a whole chapter, whereas Achebe was able to write a whole novel on Okonkwo. Achebe included Okonkwo’s life, whereas the Commissioner only plans to write about a man who kills a messenger and then commits suicide. It was kind of stereotypical of the Commissioner. I also could predict what he would write about the African people.

AI For Heart of Darkness

Carolina Ruiz

Ms. Bosch

AP English Literature

17 October 2007

pgs. 3-11

A: “followed the sea” ‘with reverence and affection than, to evoke the great spirit of the past upon the lower reaches of the Thames.’ (5)

I: The men are all looking out at the on the deck of the ship sea and they wait for something to happen. They all seem to be amazed. While doing this they remember early explorers and the Thames. They show a special interest in the British and while remembering the Thames they remember British explorers in particular. The men are probably remembering and admiring how difficult it was and it is to be an explorer.

A: “The grabbed what they could get for the sake of what was to be got. It was just robbery with violence, aggravated murder on a great scale, and men going at it blind-as is very proper for those who tackle a darkness” (9)

I: The captain is talking about his experiences and what he went through. He also talks about what the conquerors are like. He describes them as being savage. He says they usually used force to get what they want. They got what they wanted by “brute force” (9). He describes what he thought of the conquerors and what he saw them do.

October 18 2007

Pgs. 11-18

A: “And as I looked at the map of it in a shop window, it fascinated me as a snake would a bird-a silly little bird” (11).

I: As the captain is telling his story he describes a big river that looked like an “uncoiled” snake. That snake perhaps resembles the cruelty of the sea. He remembered that the company had a concern for trading on that river. He sounds optimistic when he says that he wanted to overcome that concern. The shape of the river as a snake amazes him though, it is something else than just a sea.

A: “Ever any madness in your family?” why does the doctor make him this question. Why is it truly important?

I: The doctor was asking him if insanity ran in his family. He says that he is amazed to see how much people can change in such a little time. The captain got truly disturbed by this question, and did not know why he asked it. I think the doctor has a bad image of sailors or conquerors. He says that their dependency bothers him.

October 19 2007
pgs. 18-26

A: “ ‘a queer feeling came to me that I was an impostor’” (19).

I: He did not feel like himself after leaving his aunt. After this he felt different, he did not feel like he was going to the center of the earth, but as he was going somewhere else, somewhere more important like to the center of the world. This perhaps symbolizes the importance traveling was to him. She said she made him feel uncomfortable.

A: “There was a camp of natives, he called them enemies” (21).

I: The explorers regarded the natives as enemies. In the novel they depict them as savage people who have no morality. Part of their moral values is their search for freedom. Explorers were truly cruel to the natives, whom they encountered.

October 20 2007
Pgs. 26-33

A: “Black shadows of disease and starvation” (26).

I: The author depicts the color black as a symbol of dreadfulness. Disease and starvation is what lead many of the explorers to death, a black death as described by the narrator. Black is sad and dreadful.

A: “The man seemed young- almost a boy- but you know with them its hard to tell”

I: The author refers to the natives, as if they were worthless. By using the term “them” he is suggesting that they do not matter and they all look the same. They are not truly worth anything or have a true identity. To them they are all the same, this is depiciting them as not true individuals.

October 22 2007
Pgs. 32-40

A: “It looked startling around his black neck, this bit of white thread from beyond the seas”

I: The author emphasizes the native’s color, and how the white color stood out on his skin. He emphasizes how you could see the white thread from far away, meaning their skin color was dark. Before he described the natives, he emphasizes the color black to be dreadful, then he describes the natives as enemies, just how the captain saw them.

A: “The flies buzzed in great peace”

I: The flies buzzing in great peace is ironic in a way because usually flies are known to be disgusting creatures which can be annoying. Right before this he was describing the deaths of men and that afterwards flies would come around and “fly in great peace.” This was probably the only thing that could be heard after men would die.

October 23 2007
Pgs. 40-48

A: “He never gave the secret away, perhaps there was nothing within him”

I: The manager is a curious man, who holds a secret, but no one knows about. This made him mysterious and suspicious. No one knew what he was hiding and many people wondered why he was like this.

A: “Then he began again, assuring me Mr. Kurtz was the best agent he had, an exceptional man, of the greatest importance to the company”

I: Mr. Kurtz is a man that is well known and well talked about. He is made to seem like he is a leader, and a man to look up to. He has a good influence on the others and he influences not only their work, but their thoughts as well.

October 24 2007
Pgs. 48-56

A: “I was getting savage”

I: Since he was hungry he became savage. This kind of reminds me of the lord of the flies because they were so desperate they eventually become savages, these people have a different interest and they actually seem to have a civilization, but they could still become savage because they really want to get somewhere and they depict the natives as savage.

AI

Carolina Ruiz

Ms. Bosch

English Literature AP

A- Why does Jane stay for Georgina, even though she has shown pride towards Jane? Georgina and Eliza do not get along even though they are sisters and when they were younger they both hated Jane. Jane wants to see Mr. Rochester, even though she is aware that he may be married soon and is afraid of this thought. Mr. Rochester is getting a carriage for his marriage with Ingram. Why does Mr. Rochester continue to ask of Jane’s opinion of his marriage? Does he truly wish to make her jealous or is he just saying it to truly gain her opinion? Why does Jane answer so calmly when Mr. Rochester asks her about the carriage. Jane did not want to accept Rochester’s invitation to take a walk around the garden, but she does, she can not contain herself in being with Mr. Rochester. Why does Mr. Rochester want to send Jane far away from Thornfield? He says he has found her a new position and earlier in the novel he asked her to please him and let him find a place where she could go. Mr. Rochester is sad because Jane will never sit by his side again, this may be the last time.

I- Jane wants to commit good deeds and even though Georgina has been rude to her at times Eliza had been worst to her. It is irony that Georgina and Eliza do not get along now and that Jane is the one in between them where as before both Eliza and Georgina got along to be cruel to Jane. Jane wants to see Mr. Rochester simply because she is in love with him. She knows that he might be married soon and is sad of that thought, but she can not help feeling the way that she does for him. Mr. Rochester perhaps continues to ask for Jane’s opinions to make her confess her love for him, perhaps Mr. Rochester wants to hear it, because he knows how she feels. Jane can not say no to Mr. Rochester, this shows her true love for Mr. Rochester. Mr. Rochester perhaps wants Jane to say that she wishes to stay close to Thornfield, which she does. Mr. Rochester does have feelings for Jane and he shows it through his sadness of it may being the last time he may sit next to Jane.

A- Jane can not take it anymore and she confesses her love for Mr. Rochester. It seemed as if Mr. Rochester had planned this because to her surprise he asks Jane to marry him. He confesses that he only brought up Ingram to bring out the jealously in Jane. He wanted her to confess her love to him, so he wanted to make Jane jealous. Jane accepts Rochester’s proposal. Why does a storm arouse right after the proposal does it symbolize anything? What does Mrs. Fairfax think of Jane’s and Rochester’s engagement? The tree that Jane and Rochester were kissing under is hit and split by a lightning bolt? Perhaps this symbolizes something? Mrs. Fairfax continues to treat Jane coldly after finding out about the engagement. Mr. Rochester emphasizes on Jane’s social standing and says how she will have a new social standing when they get married. This seems to bother Jane and she becomes disturbed. She writes a letter to her uncle and wants to inherit him. Why does Jane wish to inherit her uncle? Does she really care about what other think that she is only marrying Rochester for his money.

I- Mr. Rochester did plan it, he says how he wished to get Jane jealous and eventually she would confess her feelings. This shows a way of Mr. Rochester’s values as a man, how he was not willing to confess his feelings for Jane, but he wanted her to say it. He does this by getting her jealous. The storm arousing is a symbol of bad luck, perhaps a wedding between Jane and Rochester will not take place, perhaps this is foreshadowing an unfortunate event. The tree is also a symbol of an unfortunate event occurring. Mrs. Fairfax is an example of the society and how she thinks it is immoral for a governess and her master to get married. Jane does not want other to think that she is simply marrying Rochester because of his money. Jane also becomes offended because Rochester says that her social standing will change. She does not want Rochester to continue to emphasize this. Jane wishes to inherit her uncle so she will have something too and she will not live off Rochester.

A- Jane’s Wedding dress arrives, and Mr. Rochester buys her and expensive veil. Jane has a strange dream about a child and she remembers that Bessie told her that dreaming about children is bad luck and it emphasizes that something bad is going to occur. Jane has an even stranger dream where someone messes up her wedding dress, she thinks that this lady is Grace Poole. Mr. Rochester thinks that this dream is insignificant and that Jane should just forget about it. Why does Rochester say that he will explain to Jane everything when they are married a year and one day? Does he know what is going on. Grace Poole continues to haunt Jane and she is also worried for Mr. Rochester and that Grace Poole is a danger to him. Jane is comfortable with Adele and becomes really sad just of the thought that she will be leaving her soon.

I- The expensive veil represents money, the money that Mr. Rochester has. Jane’s dream is a symbol of the wedding and that something bad will happen. Jane thinks that the lady is Grace Poole and she thinks that she is insane, she does not understand why Mr. Rochester does not fire her and still keeps her. The dream could also signify how Jane is afraid to marry Rochester. She has wanted to be free and her own person and she is afraid that being married to Rochester she will no longer be so free due to women and victorian society when they are married. Mr. Rochester knows something about Grace that Jane does not know and he says that he will explain everything after a year and a day of being married. He is afraid that if he tells her now Jane will not marry him. Adele represents comfort to Jane, and she is sad that she will have to leave that comfort soon.

A- Who are the strangers that Jane notices, and why does Jane notice them? Jane says that she had a bad feeling, maybe these strangers are the bad feeling. The stranger says that Mr. Rochester can not married because he is already married. Rochester agrees and says that his wife Bertha Mason is insane and that is why he has kept her locked away. The only other person who knows about Bertha is Grace Poole. Richard Mason is Bertha’s brother who is the one that reveals Rochester’s marriage to her. The entire crowd is shocked. Why do a number of people go verify Rochester’s revelations. Bertha is pacing back and forth and she is growling, when she sees Rochester she attempts to strangle him. Why does she do this? She is acting like a beast. Jane’s uncle wanted Mason to stop the wedding because he too knew that Rochester was married because Mason had told him. Her uncle is dying. Jane prays to God.

A- Who are the strangers that Jane notices, and why does Jane notice them? Jane ys that she had a bad feeling, maybe these strangers are the bad feeling. The stranger says that Mr. Rochester can not married because he is already married. Rochester agrees and says that his wife Bertha Mason is insane and that is why he has kept her locked away. The only other person who knows about Bertha is Grace Poole. Richard Mason is Bertha’s brother who is the one that reveals Rochester’s marriage to her. The entire crowd is shocked. Why do a number of people go verify Rochester’s revelations. Bertha is pacing back and forth and she is growling, when she sees Rochester she attempts to strangle him. Why does she do this? She is acting like a beast. Jane’s uncle wanted Mason to stop the wedding because he too knew that Rochester was married because Mason had told him. Her uncle is dying. Jane prays to God.

I- The two strangers are Mr. Biggs and Mr. Mason who reveal the truth about Mr. Rochester. Mr. Rochester kept his wife locked up because she is insane and she represents a threat to all of those who surround her. The victorian society shows how people care of what others think and people are so critical of other, this is why all of them go see if Rochester tell that truth about Bertha. Bertha is indeed a threat since she appears to be insane and acts like a beast. Grace Poole watching after her explains why she is getting paid more that the others and why she is kept after Jane thinks she has committed wrongdoings. Jane’s uncle was worried about her. Jane will perhaps go away after this, I doubt that she will marry Rochester. Rochester having Bertha locked up could symbolize the nature of victorian women, and how they are imprisoned. This is what Jane was afraid of. It could be that Bertha became insane from being locked up.

A- Mr. Rochester insists that Jane should leave with him away from England. Jane refuses. When Mr. R apologizes Jane confesses that she did forgive him right away. This is a way of Dramatic irony. She does not accept his proposal because he is still married to Bertha which will make it immoral. Rochester explains why he had to marry Bertha and why he does not consider himself married to her. He thinks that they are not married because he had to marry her even though he did think he was in love with her, he later found some disturbing facts about her.

I- Mr. Rochester insisting Jane escape with him shows how he truly feels for Jane, he does love her. Jane does love him too because she confesses to the reader that she forgives him right away. She forgives him for not even knowing his reasons of his misdoings. Jane represents honesty when she refuses to marry him, because he continues to be marry to Bertha she gives up her emotional feelings for her integrity. Bertha had already confessed to be insane even before Rochester locked her up. Jane shows her strength in deciding to leave Thornfield.

A-Rochester continued to look for love after he found out Bertha’s insanity. He was always disappointed in the mistresses until he met Jane whom he fell in love with. Jane is sad to have to leave Thornfield and leave Mr. R she wonders if she will ever find someone else who will care for her as Mr. R did. Jane has a dream where the moon is her mother and she gives her advice she tells her not to fall into temptation. Jane has to sleep outside because she does not have any money. No one helps Jane except for a farmer. Jane is very sad but she spends the night in prayer.

I. Rochester’s traveling explains how he planned to look for a new love. After finding out Bertha’s insanity, he becomes very depressed, and wishes to find someone else. He does not find someone until he meets Jane. The dream where the moon is her mother could be a representation of someone who cared for Jane, she is afraid that she will find no one to care for her. She wants to find comfort so she look up at the moon and thinks of her mother. She seeks advice and it is given to her. Jane not having money is a bad start for her.

A- Jane is attracted by the light that comes from the moor. She asks the two ladies who are in there by the name of Diana and Mary if she could enter, she says that she does believe in God. They refuse to let her in. St. John comes and he lets her in. They give her shelter and food. Why doesn’t Jane tell them her real name?

I- Jane says that she is religious because the people that she has met are. Jane is religious in her own way. Diana and Mary refuse to let her in because they do not trust her. St. John lets her in and gives her food and shelter. St. John could come to represent a religious character in the novel and emphasize more on religion. Perhaps Jane does not want to be known since Mr. Rochester is known around.

A- Jane was sick and is now getting better. Is it a coincidence that Diana, Mary and Jane were once governess? Jane begins to get more trust from Hannah, and she tells her, her real name. The River family had a bad ending due to business. Why does the author emphasize business? Why does St. John remain distant from Jane? Does he not like her? Is she not appealing to him? Jane seems to impress a lot of people with her art, as she has done with Diana and Mary.

I- Perhaps the fact that Diana, Mary and Jane were all governess implies their role in society. Jane does not really have much and neither did them because their father failed to business. The author may emphasize business for example Mr. Rochester and his misdoings and now Mr. Rivers because this what the wealthy were made from good business. St. John may want to get to know Jane better, but he is afraid. Jane’s intelligence and talents are emphasizes to show what she is known for not for her beauty like Ingram or other wealthy ladies, but for her talents.

A- How come John does not believe in Jane? He does not think her capable of much, because he thinks that even though he found her a job as a teacher, she will soon quit. Diana and Mary are upset to know that their uncle John who just passed away did not inherit them any money. Could this be Jane’s uncle John? He says that he left all his money to some other person. He was the uncle that made their Dad conduct a failure. Why does Jane find teaching so disappointing? I thought she wanted to teach.

I- John does not believe Jane was meant for teaching as it is later found out. He tells her how he too was upset with the career he had chosen. I think that John may be Jane’s uncle John because he was going to inherit everything to Jane and he was also ill. Jane finds teaching disappointing because she thinks that the students are unsophisticated. Perhaps this is why St. John thought that she would quit soon.

A- Is St. John beginning to feels something for Jane? Rosamond is in love with St. John. Why does Jane keep paying attention to Rosamond’s and St. John’s relationship? Why does she suggest St. John to be with her because it seems that they love each other? St. John says that Rosamond is not good for his appearance. He says that she is beautiful and that he is attracted to her, but he is perhaps looking for something more, something else. Why does St. John tear off a little piece of paper from Jane’s painting? St. John suspects that Jane is Jane Eyre of whom Mr. Briggs told him. Why does Jane reveal herself after she has found out that she was inherited by her uncle John Eyre?

I- St. John is beginning to have some interest in Jane. Rosamond is not a good example because she is not as intelligent as Jane. It is weird how beautiful ladies show to have little intelligence, yet Jane who is said to be ungraceful is very smart. Jane knows that St. John has interest in Rosamond, but inside she hopes that he says he doesn’t, she does appear to have some interest for St. John. St. John tears a little piece of paper off Jane’s drawing to see her initials he does not truly trust Jane. Jane does have some interest in money because she wishes to be independent.

Carolina Ruiz
Ms. Bosch
English Lit Ap

A- Why does Mr. Rochester say he expected Jane not to have parents? Who are the green men that Jane was suppossibly waiting for according to Mr. Rochester? Jane says she does not have any aunts or uncles when Mr. Rochester asks her if she does. What does eulogiums mean? Mr. Rochester becomes mad because Jane does not appreciate Mr. Brocklehurst. Mr. Rochester is used to saying commands. Mr. Rochester contradicts himself at first it seems like he wants Jane to ask for a present or to be expecting one, and then he says that Jane has a little pride when she says her drawings are good. P.128 descriptions of Jane’s drawings. Jane’s feelings are interpreted in her drawings. Who is Latmos? Mr. Rochester says that Jane has put Latmos in her drawings? Mr. Rochester does not seem to keep in contact with his family anymore; had problems with them; is not very fond of Thornfield (where they live). P.133 Jane sees Mr. Rochester differently. Mr. Rochester asks Jane if she finds him handsome, she says no. Why does Mr. Rochester care if Jane finds him handsome or not?

I- Mr. Rochester seems to make inferences about people that may not hold any truth. He states that Jane seems like the kind of person who would not have parents. He also says how he expected Jane to be waiting for the green people. Jane says she does not have any family because truly she does not, not that she knows of. Eulogiums is language used to praise someone. Mr. Rochester thought it was immoral for someone not to appreciate their own priest. Mr. Rochester is a very contradicting person. He just wants to make Jane feel bad. At first he wants her to expect a present and is very surprised by her reply. Jane’s feelings are interpreted in her drawings. Latmos is a biblical allusion. Her first drawing includes biblical allusion. Her second painting includes Greek allusions. Mr. Rochester does not like to spend much time in Thornfield. Jane is developing different feelings for Mr. Rochester.



A- p.137-138 Mr. Rochester wants to talk to more to Jane, Jane simply does not wish to speak to him simply to entertain him. Mr. Rochester says he envies Jane because of her state of being; right now she has a clear conscious according to him. P.139 Mr. Rochester was involved in some kind of scheme with another person; or he knew that someone else was doing something wrong. He wants to have repentance, but not really because he wants pleasure in life. P.140-141 Fallen Seraph of the abyss? Mr. Rochester now thinks that what he did was not remorse, but inspirational. Mr. Rochester is imagining things while he speaks to Jane and is saying that what he did was right and does not repent. Sphynx? Austere? Lowood setting having to do with Jane’s personality. Mr. Rochester says how Jane has still some of Lowood in her. Celine Varens? Expiating? P.143 Mr. Rochester thinks that Adele is becoming coquet meaning she wants to draw attention by the way she looks. She is wearing a short robe. Mr. Rochester is right Adele is becoming coquet. Sanctity? P.144 Celine Varens was Adele’s mother; she was a dancer; Mr. Rochester gave Celine many things such as a hotel, jewelry and many other luxuries. P.145-148 Mr. Rochester tells Jane the entire story of him and Celine Varens and how he felt when she had been with another guy, and how he shot him in the arm. Celine had told him that they had a daughter (Adele) together, which Mr. Rochester denies. Mr. Rochester does not like to spend time in Thornfield. Adele likes to dance and she knows about her mom. Mr. Rochester will provide for Adele, but he will not claim her as his daughter. Celine ran away with another guy.

I- Mr. Rochester is a contradictory character. He knows he committed wrong doings, but he does not want to repent. He says he wants to get pleasure out of life. At first he warns Jane that what he did was remorse, he wants for Jane to have a good life not one that he fell into. Jane thinks he need to change himself, he need to repent in order to be forgiven. The fallen Seraph of the abyss is the adobe of Satan, and the fallen angels who is guided by the obedient Seraph; Biblical allusions. Mr. Rochester is annoyed by the fact that Adele is becoming coquet and likes to dance. It reminds him of her mother Celine, a woman he was in love with. Mr. Rochester does not want to believe that Adele is his daughter, but does show some affection for her by taking her in.



A- p.148-150 Jane does not want to leave Adele as Mr. Rochester supposed because she eels that Adele can use a friend. When they come back inside Jane stops to think of the story that Mr. Rochester had told her with Celine. She believes that it is not an unusual story because it could happen to anyone, but it is interesting the way Mr. Rochester refers to it when he talks about it. Now Jane finds Mr. Rochester appealing and is a happy to be with him when she is, she thinks of him as a companionship now. She thinks that his faults were lead by circumstances or education, she believes she is a good man deep inside. Jane believes Mr. Rochester likes to talk with relish. p.150-153 Just the thought of Mr. Rochester leaving again makes Jane worry she does not want him to leave Thornfield. Jane can not sleep and hears footsteps and a laugh, a laugh she had heard once before. It is the laugh of a servant that she remember hearing. She gets up because she smells fire and can not stop hearing footsteps. When she gets up she sees that Mr. Rochester’s room is on fire and he is also starting to burn. When he awakens he sees Jane and demands to know what occurred, after she tells him he goes upstairs to the third floor. He asks her what laugh she heard and he knows it is Grace Poole’s laugh the servant. He asks her to keep quiet about the incident. P.154- 158 when they wake up the servants speak of the incident and how Mr. Rochester had left a candle burning. Grace questions Jane of the laugh she heard and tells her that perhaps it was her imagination or she was dreaming it. Grace shows hypocrisy when the cook walks in. Jane wonders why Mr. Rochester asked her to keep quiet about the incident, perhaps he has something or had something with Grace, even though she is not graceful at all. She wonders why Mr. Rochester has not accused her yet. She remember how he told her she was not beautiful, but how she felt that he felt something for her. P.159-162 Jane does not want to compare herself to Grace. Mr. Rochester seems to have feelings for Jane and Jane seems to have feelings for Mr. Rochester. Jane wants to speak to Mr. Rochester through out the whole day but is scared to do so. When she finally wants to in the afternoon, Mrs. Fairfax tells her that he is gone and she believes he will not be returning until a week or so. Jane becomes upset with the thought of not having him there. She also become jealous just thinking who he might be with where he is at.

I- Jane does not want to leave Adele, because in a way she feels that she connects with her. Just like Adele, she has no real family in the world, none that she knew of. Adele does not know that Mr. Rochester is her father, therefore Jane understands how she feels. She wants to be of comfort to her. The story takes a shift as Jane finds Mr. Rochester appealing now. His looks do not matter to her anymore. He thinks that Mr. Rochester was mislead by certain circumstances. Grace Poole has something else to do with Mr. Rochester since he tried to murder him, but Jane does not seem to point out what it is. She begins to believe that Grace had something to do with Grace, but does not wish to compare herself to her because she believes that Mr. Rochester has feelings for her. The plot of the story has taken a shift now, it is more about Mr. Rochester and Jane other than just the life of an orphan girl. Lowood symbolizes Jane and her personality, which was femimin because there she lived with all girls.

A- p.163- 164 Jane is very upset to have found out that Mr. Rochester has gone away to a party and will be with another lady by the name of Blanche Ingram. She has an aside and tells herself not to think of Mr. Rochester any longer. She is dissapointed in herself that she led her self to believe that someone like Mr. Rochester would want anything to do with her. She forces and makes a promise to herself that she will never think like that of Mr. Rochester again and that she will erase those feelings she had for him. P165- 176 Jane is upset and thinks that Mr. Rochester might be away for a long time about a year. Mrs. Fairfax receives a letter saying he will be back in 3 days. Jane wonders why Grace Poole acts like nothing happened and why she gets a high pay. Why does Blanch Ingram treat Jane very poorly? Jane is uncomfortable with the other guests. Why does Mr. Rochester want Jane to be with the guests if he knows that she is not comfortable? What was Mr. Rochester going to say when he stopped at “my”?

I- The author shows the uncomfortable position of governess Jane posses by making her stay with the guests she is uncomfortable with. Her aside helps her demonstrate her feelings for Mr. Rochester and how dissapointed she is in herself to have made illusions that someday she will be more than his governess. Grace might get a high pay because as Mrs. Fairfax said she has been in Thornfield for a long time. Still there is a mystery to Grace Poole. Blanche is part of society that thinks very greatly of her own class and very poorly of others therefore she makes fun of Jane’s position. Mr. Rochester perhaps wants to make Jane has feelings for him by making her jealous. Mr. Rochester was going to say my love but then he stopped this demonstrates that he does have feelings for Jane.

A- p.177-184 Is Mr. Rochester still interested in Jane he seems he wants to say something to her but stops, yet is seems that he wants to make her jealous with Ingram. Jane thinks that they will get married soon. P.185-189 If Jane sometimes stands up for what she wants or for what she believes in, why doesn’t she stand up to get Mr. Rochester back? Jane knows that Mr. Rochester and Ingram do not love one another then why doesn’t she ask him what is the situation if he is sending her mixed signals? P. 190-191 Jane thinks that Mr. Rochester would only marry Ingram because of her beauty and that she would only marry her because of her money.

I- The author adds Ingram to the story as a foil to Jane, she is in competition with her. Jane does not stand up for what she wants or for what she believes in because she knows that Ingram is beautiful and believes she can not compare herself to her. Mr. Rochester does have feelings for Jane, but Ingram is an obstacle. The question is not whether he loves Jane, but whether he is willing to admit his feelings for her. Beauty is something that Jane is aware she does not have and it is something she wished she had, now that Ingram is shown to be more beautiful than she is.

A- Why is Blanche Ingram dissapointed after she came back from the gypsy woman? How come the gypsy told Blanche that Mr. Rochester is not as wealthy as he seems? Is all that he has not his? Does it belong to someone else? Jane will soon reach happiness according to the gypsy. Why would Mr. Rochester dress as a gypsy? Jane continues to think that Grace Poole is a strange character, and at first thought it was she who was pretending to be the Gypsy. Why has Mr. Mason been stabbed? And how come Mr. Rochester does not want Jane and Mr. Mason to speak? Biblical allusion = crucifixion Jane stare at the picture of Jesus’ crucifixion. Is the story that Mr. Rochester is telling Jane about the capital error have to do with him? Is he really the man that Mr. Rochester is speaking to Jane about? Blanche represents salvation for Mr. Rochester, he wishes to redeem himself by getting married. How come Mr. Rochester contacts Jane regarding this subject of marrying Blanche?

I- Ingram is shown to be very ambitious, just the fact that the gypsy who was truly Mr. Rochester told her that he did not have any money just as he seemed he had Ingram becomes upset. Mr. Rochester shows that he wants Ingram to become dissapointed from what she has heard. Mr. Rochester apparently knows that Ingram is after his money if he did lie to her to make her upset. Mr. Rochester does not want Jane to know about his many secrets. This is another obstacle for their love the secrets that he holds. There has been a biblical allusion which is Jesus’ Crucifixion, might symbolize something I am still not sure about. Mr. Rochester tells Jane many of his secrets, but not all of them. He is perhaps trying to find console with her. His inability to become a different person is also perhaps an obstacle between them.

A- Babies signify something new. Why does Jane think that dreaming of babies signifies something bad will happen? After all these years Mrs. Reed continues to be indifferent to Jane, even though Jane tries to reconcile with her Mrs. Reed refuses to treat Jane any different than what she used to. One of Jane’s uncles wanted to adopt her when she was fifteen years of and age, but Mrs. Reed did not give this letter to Jane therefore she never found out. John Reed committed suicide and Eliza will become a nun. Georgina is very beautiful. How come Mrs. Reed continues to wish malice to Jane if she claims to be religious? Jane demonstrates what she learned when she was away, by trying to reconcile with Mrs. Reed, but Mrs. Reed refuses to do so. She kept the letter away from Jane.

I- Although Mrs. Reed is about to pass away she refuses to reconcile with Jane. She does not want her to think that she has become friends with her. Mrs. Reed claimed to be religious, but now she is demonstrating that she is not. She shows that she never wanted Jane to be happy as she hides a letter from one of Jane’s uncles saying he wishes to adopt her. John Reed killed himself, it is true that those who have committed wrong will not be rewarded. Mrs. Reed was perhaps jealous of Jane since his husband payed much attention to her. Jane’s dream had signified Mrs. Reed’s death. The Reed family is slowly falling apart.


Carolina Ruiz

Ms. Bosch

English Lit AP

28 August 2007

A- p.82: how come at first when everyone is dying and is very ill Jane does not really seem to put much attention to the situation? She simply enjoys being out late and her liberty. On page 82 it shows how Jane all of a sudden had a weird instinct towards those who are losing their lives, when the Mr. Bates (the doctor) leaves, Jane asks the nurse how Helen is doing she says that she might not live longer. P.84: Helen is happy that she is going to a better place, she feels that she has nothing to lose and that no one will miss her greatly, she feels happy that she will not have to suffer anymore in the world. P.85: “Resurgam” A “marble tablet covered her grave with her name engraved and the word Resugam” (85). What does the word Resurgam mean? There is a shift in the novel now 10 years have past (85). Jane was recording her life in the past ten years. P.87: Jane is sad because Ms. Temple married and left, Jane had been at the institution for 8 years now, six years as a student and 2 as a teacher. The institution drew public attention when people started dying, why then and not before? Why is Jane so upset over Ms. Temple’s departure? Jane wants a new life, she posts a flier saying she is willing to tutor children under 14 years of age p.89. Why does Jane wish to move on? She is still very young, she is 18 years of age, but feels the need to move on, to make a change in her life.

I- Jane perhaps, did not know how serious it was to lose ones life, she did not have anyone to lose, since she was not so close to the girls that were passing away. She thought and hoped that Helen would become better soon she did not think she was going to die, until that day she got an instinct she had never felt before, “ ‘when it entered my mind as it had never done before’ ‘How sad to be lying now in a sick bed, and to be in danger of dying’” (82). Helen tells Jane that when she dies she should not hold grief, for she is going to a better place. Helen has faith that there is a God, and eternal life. Jane is quite confused at this she does not truly know if there is a God or an after life. Resurgam is a word engraved on Helen’s grave, a Latin word for “I shall rise again.” There are many Biblical allusions that connect to this part of the story. There is a shift in the novel, the author may do this to foreshadow changes in Jane’s life. Jane is upset that Ms. Temple is marrying because she is afraid to be left alone again, that is why she wants change in her life, she wants to start a new life, her own new life. This is a major shift in the novel.

Carolina Ruiz

Ms. Bosch

English Lit AP

29 August 2007
A- Bessie comes to visit Jane. P.94: How come Bessie takes too much into account Jane’s beauty and how she is not as pleasant looking as Mrs. Reed’s daughters? She does take into account her intelligence, but still is so honest about Jane’s appearance. Mrs. Fairfax tells Jane that she is glad to have her there so she will not suffer from solitude again. Jane feared and still fears solitude as well. P.100 Ms. Fairfax explains to Jane how there are servants, but they can never be of much companion because the owner of the house must show authority. The house and its big walls and spaces could symbolize solitude. Ms. Fairfax places Jane in a room that is not too big so she will not feel lonely (100). P.101 Jane also wishes she were better looking. She believes what Bessie tells her about her looks is true. P. 103 Jane notices the equality between her and Mrs. Fairfax. Mrs. Fairfax was someone that depended on Mr. Rochester, he was the owner of the house. Just like Jane had been when she lived with Mrs. Reed, not a servant, but not up to the owner’s level, she had been dependent on Mrs. Reed. Adele, is also a young girl who is dependent on Mr. Rochester, he was the one who gave her shelter after her mother passed (106).

I- Bessie could be making a great deal of Jane’s beauty because beauty was important at the time. People believed great things of beautiful people, but Bessie also takes into account Jane’s intelligence, although beauty was important so was intelligence. Jane has progressed a long way and she has changed greatly through time. Mrs. Fairfax and Jane have a lot in common, Mrs. Fairfax does not like solitude as much as Jane is afraid of solitude. The spacious rooms in the big house are symbols of solitude, since Jane and Mrs. Fairfax are similar Mrs. Fairfax understands that a smaller room would be better in order for Jane not to be alone. Jane and Mrs. Fairfax connect even more now that Jane has found out that Mrs. Fairfax is dependent on Mr. Rochester. There is also a connection to Adele, Jane’s pupil, Adele is also dependent on Mr. Rochester since he became her guardian when her mother passed.

Carolina Ruiz

Ms. Bosch

English Lit AP

30 August 2007

A- P.108 No one sleeps in the big chambers with all the details, and decorations. Jane wants to know more about Mr.Rochester’s character, but Mrs. Fairfax does not seem to know much just how greatly she respects him. Why does Mrs. Fairfax say that the Rochesters were a “violent race in their time” (109). Jane, although already made a move from the institution to becoming a teacher, whishes to do something more in her life. She wishes to explore many different things. She believes that it is not proper to condemn women to their ideal jobs, she hopes something new will come. Jane goes to deliver a letter for Mrs. Fairfax at the post office, on the way Jane runs into this man who fell down with his horse. The man seems nice and seems to be interested in meeting Mr. Rochester. He asks Jane if she is a servant and implies that he hopes she is not.

I- People do not sleep in the big chamber perhaps because they are simply for show. Jane says that it would be uncomfortable to sleep in them, and maybe that is what everyone else thinks. People maybe even scared of those chamber being that the Rochester had a reputation of being violent, they may believe in their spirits. The big chambers may have a connection to the red room earlier in the novel. The servants appear to be peculiar and like to keep to themselves. Mrs. Fairfax does not know much about Mr. Rochester because he may be reserved and does not spend much time in the house. Jane is discovered to be someone who wants more in her life, she feels that she is missing something, she has made a change in her life, but she wants and even bigger one. The man she met may foreshadow a change in Jane’s life.

Carolina Ruiz
Ms. Bosch
English Lit AP
27 August 2007
A- Mr. Brocklehurst shows up to the institution after a long time. He talks to Ms. Miller about what is occurring at the institution. He asks her why the girls have had two outfit changes in a week and why they have had portions of bread and cheese. Why does he care about the money if money should not be an issue to him? He implies that the girls should be treated roughly in order for them to learn. He complains how a girl’s hair is curly and how the girls at the institution braid their hair, he thinks that they should be dressed and their appearance should be as simple as possible. Right when Mr. Brocklehurst is saying this his daughter and wife walk in dressed in clothing that he just contrasted and implied the girls should never wear.

I-Mr. Brocklehurst shows several biblical allusions “ ‘if ye suffer hunger or thirst for my sake, happy are ye’” (65). He wants the girls to cherish God and live for him, he wants them to become humble and religious. Yet this is ironic since his own daughter and wife do not show to be humble. They may be religious, but not to the extent of how Mr. Brocklehurst wants the girls of the institution to be.

Carolina Ruiz
Ms. Bosch
English Lit AP
25 August 2007
A- Jane is at Lowood institution now. On her first day there she meets a girl named Helen. Helen is a very intelligent young girl, who seems to be picked on by Ms. Scatcherd. Helen does not stand up for herself. She is very intelligent and knows all the answers to questions being asked in class, but the teacher simply thinks that she is a misbehaved girl. Why doesn’t Helen stand up for herself? And Why is she not being praised for knowing the answers? Helen is humiliated in front of the entire class by her teacher. Helen just takes the humiliation and accepts that she has done wrong. When Jane asks her why she has does not stand up for herself she says its because it is her fault she gets treated that way and she deserves it (58).

I- Helen implies that she has learned and Jane too will learn that to go against people who mistreat you is considered a sin. The girls at the institution are very religious. Helen believes that “ ‘it is not violence that best overcomes hate- nor vengeance that most certainly heals injury’” (60). She tell Jane to read the New Testament and throughout her days at Lowood her mind will soon change. The author wanted to show how people were able to conform to grievances and mistreatments from others. Perhaps in the future Jane will change. Religion will help soothe Jane. Religion seems to play a big role in the novel right now. Many biblical allusions have been made, Jane will probably change from liking revelation to become fond of the psalms.


Ms. Bosch
English Lit AP
24 August 2007
A- When Mrs. Reed has asked Mr. Brocklehurst to take Jane into his institution, Mrs. Reed gives a bad impression of Jane to Mr. Brocklehurst. Mr. Brocklehurst asks Jane if she is a good child and if she reads the Bible. Jane replies that she does, but she only reads the scriptures that do not seem to appeal to Mr. Brocklehurst. The scriptures that she reads are revelations, some from Daniel, Genesis, Exodus, and Samuel (35). Mr. Brocklehurst asks if she likes the psalms, which are prayers, she replies that she does not find them interesting (35).

I-The book of revelation is one that I heard some people find frightening. I do not know what it talks about, but I have heard about it. The psalms I heard that they are good sort of prayers that usually people follow. The psalms and the revelations contrast one another. Jane has not truly been taught manners or to follow good instincts, so therefore she goes for what has surrounded her. I think this is why the author has made her such a contrasting and rebellious character.

Carolina Ruiz
Ms. Bosch
English Lit AP
23 August 2007
A- After Jane has been through that horrifying experience of imagining her uncle haunting her, she has to see a doctor because she becomes ill. She has become very afraid, so she gets a high fever. Mr. Lloyd the doctor, asks her several questions about her life and how it is to live with Mrs. Reeds. Jane tells him all the punishments and mistreatments she receives not only from her aunt, but from her cousins. He asks her if she knows of any other family that she might have, and she says she does, but they might be poor. Mr. Lloyd asks her if she had an opportunity to go live with that family would she take it, and Jane says that she would not. “ ‘No; I shall not like to belong to poor people,’ was my reply’” (26).

I-The author has made Jane’s character have a different opinion of poor people as they are referred to in the book to display the class distinctions of the time. Jane has become used to living in a nice big house, she has become used to the luxuries, although she is not exposed to them. She would rather be mistreated than live with a poor family. It has been learned by Jane that poor people perhaps do not have manners, that they are not as

Carolina Ruiz
Ms. Bosch
English Lit AP
22 August 2007

A- Mrs. Reeds places Jane in something they refer to as the "red room" (15). Jane has been mistreated by John and all Jane was doing was defending herself. They refer to that particular chamber as the red room because that was were Jane’s uncle Mr. Reed passed away. At first Jane feels that it is unfair that she gets punished simply because she was defending herself.Bessie and Abbot the servants of the house converse about Jane’s sudden rebellion towards John and her aunt, " ‘She never did so before,’ at last said Bessie’ ‘But it was always in her’ ‘I’ve told Missis often my opinion about the child, and Missis agreed with me’ replied MissAbbot’"(14).While in the red room Jane experiences a frightful event, that leads her to believe that her uncle has become disapointed by her actions, and has come to haunt her.

I- The author has the characters of the novel refer to the chamber as the "red room" because that is where Mr.Reed passed away. The color red may be a symbolism of blood, or of the misfortunes Mr. Reed suffered before dying. This was also the chamber where Mrs. Reed made a promise to Mr. Reed before he passed that she would always look after Jane. Mrs.Reed has failed that promise, therefore this could also symbolize a room of repentance. Mrs.Reed rarely goes in there and when Jane does something wrong she is sent to that very room.Bessie and Abbot mention how all of a sudden Jane has shown a rebellion that to them is uncontrollable. The horrifying event that Jane experiences by being haunted by her uncle could be an explanation as to why she has waited to show her uncontrollable rebellion. At the moment she feels her uncle is haunting her, she is not only afraid at the moment, but she is afraid that her actions will make her lose her Uncle’s support from up above. She is afraid to be alone, now she thinks she has the support of her uncle, but if she loses that support she is afraid she will have no one at all. This connects back to the red room symbolizing repentance.

Summer work

Carolina Ruiz
Mr. Ellembarger
English Lit AP
3 August 2007
The titans and the Twelve Great Olympians
Who were the titans? The titans also known as the Elder gods were very powerful for a long time in the universe. They were very big and held an enormous amount of strength.
What happens to them? When Cronus the most important of all the titans who ruled over all of them got dethroned by his son Zeus the titans took a lower place.
What characterizes the Golden Age? When Cronus got dethroned by Zeus he went to Italy where many Romans said that he brought time of peace and happiness which was known as the Golden Age. The Golden Age lasted as long as Cronus ruled Italy.
Zeus How does Zeus gain power? Zeus and his brothers each inherited a specific part of the Universe. Zeus became supreme ruler, he was the lord of the sky, the Rain God and the Cloud Gatherer.
Why is he depicted as having so many extramarital affairs? Zeus has been made by combining many gods, therefore the wife of an early god who was combined with other gods to make Zeus now belonged to Zeus.
Who is even stronger than Zeus? It is sometimes said that Fate is stronger than Zeus.
Where is his oracle? Dodona in the land of the oak trees.
How does it work? Zeus’ will was revealed by the rustling of the oak trees.
What are some of the objects associated with him? Some objects associated with him are the oak tree and the eagle.
What is the aegis? Zeus’ breastplate.
Hera Who is she and whom does she protect on earth? Zeus’ wife and sister, she is the protector of marriage and married women.
Who is Ilithyia? She was Hera’s daughter, she helped women at childbirth.
What city/bird/animal are associated with her? The cow, peacock and Argos
How would you describe her relationship with her husband? Hera is a very jealous goddess, and her relationship with her husband is unusual because her husbands’ many affairs leads her to punish even the innocent. There is no trust in the relationship, there is just jealousy and affairs.
Poseidon What does he rule? Ruler of the sea
Who is his wife? Amphitrite a granddaughter of the Titan Ocean.
Where does he live? He has a palace under the sea, but he was usually found in Olympus.
What animals does he give to mankind? He gave the first horse to man.
What besides Neptune is he frequently called? Earth Shaker
What is the trident? A three-pronged spear
Hades What does Pluto mean? The God of Wealth (the precious metal hidden in the earth)
Who and what is he king of? The king of the dead
What does his famous cap do to whoever wears it? Made them invisible
Who is his wife? Persophone, he had carried her from earth and made her queen of the underworld
How would you describe his personality? Hades is very ambitious and gods did not like to have him around which shows that he was an awful god. Just by becoming king of the underworld tells how bad he is. It is apparent that he gets what he wants since he took his wife from earth.
Pallas Athena Who were her parents? Daughter of Zeus alone, no mother, she sprang up from Zeus’ head
Over whom is she the protector? Protector of civilized life, handicrafts and agriculture.
What did she invent? The bridle which was used to tame horses
What words are frequently used to describe her? "Gray eyed" or "flashing eyed"
What was her relationship like with Zeus? She was his favorite child, he trusted her enough to carry the aegis, his buckler and his weapon the thunderbolt.
What does Parthenos mean? Chief/Maiden goddess
Where is the Parthenon? In Athens
Where is her bird/tree/city? The owl was her bird, the olive was her tree and Athens was her city.
Phoebus Apollo Who were his parents? Zeus and Leto
Where was he born? Little island of Delos
What instrument does he play? Golden lyre
What did he first teach men? The healing art
Of what is he the god? God of truth and light
Where was his oracle? Delphi
What besides the oracle is so special about the site? Priestesses area able to tell them their destiny
How does the oracle work? It was held to the center of the earth where many pilgrims came to it for truth
What is a tripod? Three legged stool, the priestess seat
Who was Python? A serpent that Apollo killed; it was a frightful moster
What does Pheobus mean? Brilliant or shinning
What is his tree/animal? The laurel was his tree and the dolphin his animal
Artemis What is she called besides Diana? Cynthia
Who are her parents? Zeus and Leto
Who are the three maiden goddesses? Athena, Aphrodite and Artemis
Describe her personality. She was the lady of wild things. She enjoyed wood and wild creatures. Artemis was someone who was fierce and revengeful. I would associate her with the wild since she liked to chase after them.
What does she love to do? Chase wild things
What is her connection to the moon? Phoebus was the sun and Artemis was the moon
Who is Hecate? Hecate was the goddess of the dark, the black light when the moon was hidden, Artemis is often associated with Hecate.
What animal/tree is sacred to her? The cypress tree was sacred to her; all wild animals specially the deer was sacred to her
Aphrodite Of what is she the goddess? Love and beauty
How is she born? She is said to have sprung from the foam of the sea, but also that she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione
Who is her husband? Hephaestus (Vulcan) the ugly god of the forge
What are her tree/birds? The dove, the sparrow and the swan
How would you characterize her personality? Aphrodite is loving and beautiful, she likes to laugh and it is said that she is very sweet and it is apparent that she is humble. Being the goddess of love she wants to show everyone how beautiful love can be.
Hermes Who are his parents? Zeus and Maia
What does he look like? His appearance is more familiar to us, he was graceful, on his feet were winged sandals and he also had wings on his low crowned hat and on his magic wand known as the Caduceus.
What is his magic wand called? Caduceus
What does he invent? The lyre which he made out of a tortouise’s shell
Describe his personality. Hermes is a very good thief. I would describe him as being mischevious and also very mysterious. He can be kind and is also able to bribe people and win their trust back.
Of what is he the god? Of Commerce and the Market
What is his function for the realm of the dead? He led their souls down to their last place.
Ares Who are his parents? Zeus and Hera
Of what is he the god? War
What is his personality like? He is willing to start a fight, but when he becomes wounded he is a coward and runs away. He is hated among people because of his willingness to start a battle or a war. On the battlefield he inspires people with confidence, nevertheless he is a coward.
Who are his compasions on the battlefield? Eris and Strife her son, and Enyo the goddess of war
Why are their names apt?
Who is his bird/animal? The vulture and his animal the dog
With whom does he have an illicit affair? Aphrodite
Hephaestus What makes him different from the other gods? He was ugly and deformed
Who are his parents? Zeus and Hera sometimes thought Hera alone
What is his job? Makes their dwellings and their furnishing in Olympus he is the God of fire
Who is his wife? Aglaia in Hesiod and Aphrodite in the Odyssey
Who helps him in his tasks? Handmaidens he had forged out of gold
What is his relationship to volcanoes? His forge is said to be under a volcano and to cause erruptions
Whom does he protect on earth? Protector of the smiths
Hestia Of what is she goddess? The goddess of the Hearth
How does she fit into the Olympian family? She was Zeus’s sister
What is her role in founding colonies? She made sure that fire was never allowed to go out
What are the priestesses called who guard her flame in Rome? Vestals
The Lesser Gods of Olympus
Eros: Of what is he the god? God of love also known as Cupid
What is his relationship to Aphrodite? Occasional companion to Aphrodite sometimes said to be her son
How is he frequently represented? Blindfolded
Who are his attendants and what do their names mean? ANTEROS sometimes the one who opposes love; HIMEROS whose name means Longing, and HYMEN the god of wedding feast
Hebe: Of what is she goddess? Goddess of youth
Who were her parents? Zeus and Hera
Who does she marry? Hercules
What is her office at Olympus? Cupbearer to the gods
Who is Ganymede? A beautiful Trojan young prince who was carried to Olympus by Zeus’ eagle
Iris Of what is she goddess? Goddess of Rainbow
What is her job? A messenger of the gods
The Graces How many are there? three
What do their names mean? Aglaia (Splendor), Euphrosyne (Mirth), and Thalia (Good Cheer)
What would they do at banquets? They danced
Could one go on vacation without the others? No they were always together
Muses How many? Nine
Who are their parents? Zeus and Memory
What are their names and their particular fields? Clio Muse of history, Urania of atronomy, Melpomene of tragedy, Thalia of comedy, Terpsichore of the dance, Calliope of epic poetry, Erato of love poetry, Polyhymnia of songs to the gods and Euterpe of lyric poetry
Who are Themis, Dike, Nemesis and Aidos? Dike and Themis were two august forms that became close to Zeus, also Nemesis and Aidos all four of them never became real personalities
The Gods of the Waters
Who was Poseidon? Lord and ruler of the sea and the friendly sea and underground rivers
Who is Triton? Who are his parents? With what object is he associated? The trumpeter of the sea; son of Poseidon and Ampithrite ; he is associated with the trumpet
What are Proteus’ two useful powers? Of foretelling the future and of changing his shape at will
Who are the Naiads? How do they differ from the Nereids? Water nymphs; they dwelt in brooks, springs and fountains
The Underworld
Names to know: Hades, Persephone, Charon, Cerbeus, Styx, Elysian Fields, Asphodel. Hades was king of the dead, Persephone queen of the dead Hades’ wife, Charon= aged man in boat ferries the soul of the dead to the farther water gate to Tartus, Cerberus= stands at the gate; three headed dragon-tailed dog permits all spirits to enter and none to return, Styx= river of unbreakable oath to which gods swear, Lethe= river of forgetfulness
What kind of mood exists in Hades? How is it set up? What is the role of the three judges? The mood is dark and ghostly. It is set up with many gates and crowded, around it are many wastes. The role of the three judges is to punish evildoers.
Who are the Furies? Through what gate do true dreams come? They were placed by Virgil in the underworld, they punish evildoers; true dreams come from horn.
The lesser Gods of Earth
Of what are Demeter and Dionysus, respectively goddess and god? Demeter goddess of corn; Dionysus goddess of vine
Pan: who is his father? He’s part animal- which animal? Where does he live? What instrument does he play? How would you characterize his luck with ladies? What is the relationship between him and our word "panic"? Describe his personality. Father = Hermes. He was part goat. He lives in all wild places best of all Arcady where he was born. He plays the pipes of reed. He had bad luck with the ladies because he was ugly. Sounds made in the wilderness at night were made by him so that explains the development of the word panic. Pan is a noisy god and likes the wild. He seems to be fearless and has some characteristics of his father the god of war.
Silenus: What animal does he ride and why? Whom does he teach? What does he resemble in looks? He rode an ass because he was too drunk to walk. He teaches Bachus the wine god. In looks he resembles Pan.
The Sileni: Describe them. They were creature part man and part horse; they walked on two legs; had hoofs like horses; sometimes horses ears and always horses tails.
The Satyrs, Dryads or Hamadryads: Who/ What were they? Where do they gather? Describe their appearance. They were goat men like Pan. They gathered in wild places of the earth. Their appearance was lovely nymphs.
Aeolus: Of what is he king? What are the Greek names of the four chief winds and their direction? He was king of the winds. The Greek names of the four chief winds were Boreas the north wind, Zephyr the west wind, Nortus the south wind, and Erus the east wind.
Chiron: What type of creature is he? What would he look like? For what is he known? He was half man half horse and very savage. He looked more like a beast than a man.
Gorgons: What did they look like? They were dragon like creature whose look turned men into stone.
The Graiae: What is unusual about this trio of old women? They were three gray women who had one eye between them.
The Sirens: For what are they infamous? They had enchanting voices and singing lured sailors to death.
The Fates: What is their Greek name? What do they do? What is the meaning of Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos’ names and how do they reflect their duties? Moirae is their Greek name. They assigned each man his destiny. Clotho the spinner, Lachesis the disposer of life, Atropos cut the thread of death.
Chapter Two
Do you agree with Hamilton’s condemnation of Greek Pantheon as mostly "harmful and capricious" in the first paragraph of the chapter? Yes I agree with Hamilton’s condemnation because they way he describes the gods is true. They are harmful and capricious and also undependable.
Demeter Of what is she goddess? The goddess of corn.
Why does Hamilton argue that Demeter has to be a woman? It was natural that the divine power which brought forth the grain would be a woman and not a man basically representing the food provider.
When is her chief festival? At harvest time
Why do we not know more about the Elusinian Mysteries? They were held in especial veneration.
Homeric Hymn to Demeter and a Study Guide to Demeter’s Hymn
Who is Persephone? The queen of the Underworld and wife of Hades, she was the daughter of Demeter.
Where does she go? She goes to the Underworld.
How does Demeter react to her disappearance? She withheld her gifts from the earth which turned green into ice.
Why does she disguise herself? She left Olympus and fled to earth and disguised herself so no one recognized her.
How does Demeter try to give Demophoon immortal youth? She anointed him with ambrosia and would place him at the heart of the fire at night.
Why isn’t she successful? Mataneira was angered when she saw her child lay in fire so she ceased the boy and cast him on the ground
How does Demeter suggest Eleusis can win back her good graces? She went to the princess of Eleusis and showed them how to sow corn she told them they must keep this silent and a mystery.
What effect does Demeter’s grief have on Earth? No harvests
Why does Zeus pull rank and forces him to return Persephone? Because Demeter is not harvesting without Persephone.
What is the importance of promegranate?
What sad message does Rhea bring to Demeter? Persephone’s footfall
Dionysus: Of what is he god? Why does Hamilton call Dionysus and Demeter "suffering gods"? He was the god of the vine. Hamilton calls Dionysus and Demeter suffering gods because a lot depended on them.
Homeric Hymns to Dionysus and Study Guide
Who are Dionysus’ parents? Zeus and Semele
What awful fate befalls his mother? She died due to the jealousy of Hera, Semele was kind and wished that Zeus become the King of Heaven and lord of the Thunderbolt, when she died Zeus took Dionysus from her.
Why does Zeus have to uphold his promise? Because he swore to the unbreakable oath river of Styx
What is unusual about his birth? He was born of fire and nursed from rain
Why is Dionysus birth of fire and childhood of rain appropriate for his function as god of the vine? Burning heat that ripens the grape and water which keeps the plant alive.
Why do the pirates kidnap Dionysus? He looked like a son of king who would pay a lot to get him back.
How does Dionysus exhibit his divinity to the pirates? When they tried to bind him the ropes would not hold together
What fate do pirates suffer? They were changed into dolphins
Who are the Maenads or Bacchantes? Women frenzied with wine
What do they look like? They were fierce and sharp
How do the followers of Dionysus differ in their worship from the attendees of the other gods? They went to the wilderness to worship him
What are the two ideas present in the worship of this god? Freedom and ecstatic joy and of savage brutality.
Why does Dionysus return to Thebes? To establish his worship there
Who is Pentheus? King of Thebes the cousin of Dionysus
Why does he ignore the advice Tiresias and the band of the soldiers? Because he thought he was protected and nothing would happen to him he thought they knew that he was Semele’s son and rescued by Zeus
What awful fate does Pentheus experience? He was blind to everything except his anger
Why do you think Dionysus encouraged his demise? He was closer to men than god.
What besides viticulture, is Dionysus’ greatest gifts to the world? Where is his festival celebrated? What does the ceremony entail? Why does Dionysus die every year? Wine can bring happiness. In Thebes. Poetry and plays. Because just like a grapevine he must be cut during the winter.
Chapter Three
What is the world like before the gods come to the scene? There was only confusions of chaos.
Night and Erebus are the first two children of Chaos. Who is their child? Their child is Love.
How is that child conceived? Love was born from darkness and death.
Why is this child so important for later developments? Because it created light and day of which earth emerged. Earth was geography and an entity and so was heaven.
What is Hamilton’s theory about the personification of the Earth and Heaven? They were individual persons so they personified everything that existed.
Why does that personification blossom with the introduction of later figures?
Who are the first creatures to have the appearance of life? The children of mother Earth and father Heaven were the first to have appearance of life. These children were monsters.
Who comes next? How are they different than the monsters? The Titans.They were different because they were inferior to the others in size and strength.
Who injures Heaven? How and why? Cronus wounded his father Heaven. He lay in wait for him and wounded him.
What springs from the blood of the injured Heaven? Erinyes sprang up from the blood of Heaven.
Why does Zeus eventually overthrow Cronus? He eventually overthrows his father because he does not want him to eat him and he wants to gain power.
How does Rhea fool Cronus? Rhea gives him a rock to eat instead of his son Zeus.
How does Zeus rescue his siblings? He forces his father to disengorge them.
What happens to the stone that faked Cronus out? He swallowed it thinking it was the baby.
Who helps Cronus in the war? His brother Titans. Zeus’ allies are the monsters.
Who are Zeus' allies? How does Zeus' punish his enemies after they lose? He bound many of the Titans.
Who is Atlas and what was his fate? Atlas a titan was condemned to carry the weight of the
earth.
Who then must Zeus fight to become undisputed world champion? Zeus must fight the iron modern man.Hamilton describes what the world was like after the destruction of the Titans and Giants. Get a good picture of the geography of the pre-human world. If you're confused, try to sketch a map.
Who were the Cimmerians? People of the sea/water
The Hyperboreans? Lived in the far north of Thrace, their land was called Hyperborea they sent mysterious gifts were passed on until they reached Apollo
Where is the realm of the dead? The realm of the dead is in Hades. How was man created? Prometheus made men in the image of gods.
What do Prometheus' and Epimetheus' names mean and why are they apt? Their names mean forethought and afterthought.
Why is Epimetheus a dunderhead? Prometheus gives men fire.
How does Prometheus come to man's aid? Because he gave all good traits to animals first. Describe the various ages of man, starting with gold and ending with iron. How are the men like the metal that gives their age its name? The golden age had neither work nor pain, the silver race was an inferior race, the brass were horrible, the iron race was modern man. What two gripes did Zeus have against Prometheus? Prometheus tricked the gods into accepting fat wrapped around bones instead of real meat for sacrifice.
How did Zeus get revenge? Zeus got revenge by inventing women.
What does Pandora's name mean and why is it apt? It means evil.
Hamilton calls Pandora a beautiful disaster. Do you think agree? Yes because she was the first women on earth, yet she brought disaster to men.
What's in Pandora's infamous box? The box held all evils that came to men.
Why does she open it? What's the result? Some say because she was evil others because of her curiosity. The result is that men become punished.
What doesn't come screeching out of the box and why is it appropriate for hope to remain? The only good thing that came out of the box was hope.
How does Zeus personally punish Prometheus for helping mankind? Zeus had Prometheus bound to a rock for many years
What does Prometheus know that could help Zeus in the future? He knew which woman would bear a son greater than Zeus.
In light of the fate placed on Zeus, what do you think of his philandering? I think that Zeus’ philandering is very justifiable after what Prometheus did.
How does Prometheus escape?. Prometheus escapes with the help of Hercules.
Does the Deluge remind you of any other stories? Yes, it reminds me of Noah’s arc, except men already existed before that.
Why does Zeus send the flood? How many days did it rain? Zeus sends the flood because men became wicked. It rained nine days and nine nights.
Who was saved? How? A son of Prometheus and daughter of Epimetheus survive.
Why doesn't Zeus get angry at their survival? Zeus thought they were pious.
What are they urged to do? They were urged to return to earth.
What solution do they hit on? To start a new race
How is the new race born? The new race is born out of stone and it is stronger and more enduring.
Chapter Four
Europa QuestionsHow did Zeus fall in love with Europa? Because of Cupid.
What did Zeus change himself into when he appeared before Europa for the first time? He changed himself into beautiful bull.
Where did Zeus take Europa after they crossed the sea? He took her across the sea.The Cyclops Polyphemus QuestionsWho landed his boat on the Cyclops's land? Odysseus
How did Odysseus gauge Polyphemus's eye out? With a long timber which he sharpened and with the help of his men.
Who was Polyphemus's father? Poseidon
Who did Polyphemus fall in love with? The nymph of Galatea.Flower MythsWhy is it natural for flowers to be connected with the gods? Because in Greece there are a lot of Flowers, and after some of die a flower blooms in their place. Narcissus Questions
How did Zeus use the narcissus flower to help Hades lure Persephone? narcissus flower was a purple bloom that Zeus created for Hades. It distracted Persephone from the other flowers.
Why did Hera punish Echo? Because she spoke too much.
How did she punish her? She could only repeat what others said.
What happened to Echo after she was rejected by Narcissus? She became sad
How did Nemesis punish Narcissus? He was cursed to love himself and gazed at his reflection until he died.
How did death set Narcissus free? Because he was not in love with himself anymore.
What happened to Narcissus's body after he died? A flower took the place of his body. Hyacinthus Questions
How did Hyacinthus die? Was accidentally killed by a god’s discus.
What happened to Hyacinthus after he died? A flower bloomed in place of him. Adonis QuestionsWhat is the name of Adonis's flower? Anemone
What 2 goddesses did Adonis split his time with? Persephone and Aphrodite
What seasons did he spend with each? Winter with Persephone and Spring with Aphrodite
How did Adonis die? He was killed by a boar.
Chapter 5: Cupid and PsycheWhy was Venus (a goddess), so jealous of Psyche (a mortal)? Because Psyche was so beautiful that women worshipped her instead of Venus. What did Venus tell her son Cupid to do to Psyche? She told him to make the Psyche fall in love with a horrible beast. How did Psyche feel about going to meet her destined husband? How did the rest of her family feel? Why? She felt that she must maintain courage and that it was not her fault that she was so beautiful, he family felt it was the best thing to do for her or else she would have fallen in love with a monster. Where was Psyche taken when she went to the hilltop? What was surprising about the atmosphere that she was in and the way that she was treated? She was taken to a beautiful mansion. It was surprising because it was very peaceful and she was treated very kindly and she was protected.How did Psyche's sisters react when they went to visit her and saw all of her wealth? They became jealous.How is that related to the story they made up about her husband? They convince her that her husband might be a hideous beast simply because they are jealous.What was the plan that Psyche carried out one evening? Why was she shocked at her findings? She had hidden a lamp and a razor to kill her husband if necessary. That night her husband got burnt by the oil from the lamp. Who did her husband turn out to be and what did he do/say when he saw her? Her husband is Cupid. Psyche searched everywhere for her husband. Where did she finally find him and what was he doing there? She finally found him when she came back from the underworld, he was having a meeting with the gods to let her live and to make her a goddess.What were the four things that Venus made Psyche do out of bitterness and envy? How did Psyche manage to get them done? Does her story at this point remind you of any others you might have read? Venus made Psyche sort an enormous pile of different grains by dawn, a group of ants performed the task for her, to gather the golden wool from fierce sheep; she accomplished this by pulling the wool from briars, Next, Venus made her get a vile of water from the river Styx, when she was about to kill herself, an eagle performed this task for her, finally, Venus charged her with going to the underworld and getting a box of beauty from Persephone but not to look in the box. When she came back from the underworld, she opened the box and fell into a deep sleep. It reminds me of fairy tales that I have read.
Why did Psyche open the box of beauty and what happened when she did? She was already in the underworld and she falls into a deep sleep.How and why did Psyche become immortal? When she married Cupid their relationship became love.Was Venus satisfied with this situation? Why or why not? No she was not because in the end she became lust.What does the name Psyche mean? It means soul.
Chapter 6
At what is Orpheus skilled? Singing
After Orpheus and Eurydice are married, what happens to Eurycide? She got killed by a serpent
How does it happen? A serpent bites her
Where does Orpheus decide to go? To the Underworld
What does Orpheus ask? He asks the god of the underworld to release Eurycide.
What are the conditions of the agreement? That he would not look at her until they get to surface.
What happens when Orpheus breaks the conditions? He was not allowed to go back into the underworld and just played his music. One day he was broken into pieces by the Maenads.
Pygmalion and Galatea: What was Pygmalion skilled at? He was a great sculptor
What did Pygmalion hate? He hated marriage
What did he make a statue of? Beautiful woman
Why was the statue making him unhappy? Because it was not a real woman
What god/goddess helped Pygmalion? Venus
What did Pygmalion ask of the god/goddess? That the statue could become real
Why did Pygmalion think something favorable would happen? Because he was in love
What did he find when he went home? The statue was alive.
Who did Pygmalion marry? Galatea the statue

Chapter 7Who was the king of Greece? What was the state of his marriage? Athamas, he got sick of his marriage he married another woman named Ino.How does Ino plan to get rid of the King's children? She plans to kill them. How is her plan thwarted? Hermes rescued the child.
Where does Phrixus end up? How does he thank the gods and the King? He sacrificed the ram to Zeus and gave the kingdom to a man named Philias.Who is Jason? Jason was the first hero to go on a journey. What has he set out to do? He had to retrieve Florence. Who is Philias? Philias took the throne from Jason’s family.
On what terms will Philias give Jason his kingdom? On the terms that he would win back Florence.Who joins Jason on his journey? The Orpheous, Hercules, Castor and Pollux. Which god protects them? Cupid made Medea fall in love with Jason. What is the name of the ship? ArgoWhat is Lemnos and who were the people living there? An island where all women had killed their husbands.What happened to Hercules? He left the expedition when his cup-bearer was taken by a nymph.
Who were the Harpies? They were beasts they had to battle.
Who was Phineus? He was king of Thrace.
How was he punished? He was sent to an island with a buffet of food, but could eat none of it.
How do Jason and his companions help him? They sent the winged heroes to kill the harpies.
What advice did Phineus give Jason? Phineas told the Argonauts how to pass the Symplegades.
Who were the Amazons? Warrior women who live on an island in the eastern Aegean.
What did Hera ask Aphrodite to do? She asked her to make the journey less dangerous for the Argos. Why? What was Cupid told to do? Make Medea fall in love with Jason. How does this effect Medea as a result? She has to protect them. What does Jason ask King Aeetes for, and what is his response? asked Aeetes for the fleece in exchange for any service they could perform, and the king became upset.
What is the trial the king gives Jason? He told them that they should yoke two of his fire-breathing bulls and sow dragon's teeth into the ground.
How and why does Medea help him? She knew the king wanted Jason to die to she gave them and ointment that made their weapons invincible for a day. What is the rock for? What guards the fleece? The serpentWhat goddess continues to take care of the Argonauts on their return trip? MedeaWhat is the situation when Jason returns with the fleece? Pelias had made Jason’s father kill himself.What does Medea trick Pelias's daughters into doing? Into killing their father How does Jason upset Medea? He becomes engaged to the princess of Corinth. What does she threaten? On killing the princess and their children.Who does Medea find caused her to fall for Jason? Aphrodite How does she react? She becomes very upset and kills the princess and her own children.What does Medea give to Jason's bride? Poison What happens to her? She diesWhat does Medea do after the murder? She departed on a chariot drawn by the dragons. What is Jason's response? He curses her
Chapter 8
PhaethonWho is Phaethon's mother? Clymene
Why did Phaethon seek out the Sun god? To see if he was truly his father
What did Phaethon ask to do? To drive the chariot of the sun.
Why was the Sun reluctant to allow this request? He swore to the river of Styx, but he knew the path was dangerous.Describe the route the Sun travels daily. He has to go up to mid heaven, he has to pass the descent that is so precipitous. He has to pass fierce beasts of prey.
What is the road like? The horses? The horses are hard to lead
The monsters? The monsters want to persuade him and harm him.
As soon as Phaethon drove the chariot, what did the horses realize? It was not their driver
How did they react? They took control
What happened to the world during Phaethon's ride? Mountains were singed and rivers dried up.
What does Mother Earth request? She cried out to the gods for help.
How does Jove react? He seized his thunderbolt and hurled it at the chariot driver.
What happened to Phaethon? The thunderbolt struck him dead.
Pegasus and BellerophonWho was Glaucus? The king of Corinth.
How did he bring the wrath of the gods on him? He fed his horses human flesh to make them strong in battle.
What was his fate? He was thrown from his chariot and his horses devoured him.
Who was rumored to be Bellerophon's father? Poseidon
Who was his mother? Eurynome
Why did it seem likely he was the son of a god? His gifts of spirit and body
What did Bellerophon want? He wanted Pegasus a horse that had sprung from Gorgons blood.
Who was Polyidus? The wise seer of Ephyre
What did he advise Bellerophon to do? He gave him a bridle of gold for the horse.
What was Bellerophon given so he could gain Pegasus? A golden bridle Who gave it to him? Athena
Why did Anteia want her husband to kill Bellerophon? Because she fell in love with him and he wanted nothing to do with her.
Why would he not do so? Because Proetus and he would not kill.
What did he do instead? He sent him to deliver a letter to the Lycian king that said to kill Bellerophon.
What did the letter to the King of Lycia read? To kill Bellerophon.
What did the king do in response? He did not kill him; there was a bond between host and guest.
Name three great beings Bellerophon conquered. Lion, serpent and goat
Did Bellerophon and Proetus ever reconcile? Proetus was won over by his courage. How? He gave him his daughter to marry.
What eventually caused the beginning of Bellerophon's demise? His ambition and thoughts greater than men.
How did he die? Wandered alone avoiding the paths of great men until he died.
What happened to Pegasus after Bellerophon's death? Zeus used him for thunder and lightning
Daedalus What was Daedulus' profession? He was an architect What famous object did he build? Labyrinth for King Minos.
Who was Daedulus' son? Icarus
Why did King Minos imprison Daedulus and his son? Because he helped his wife get out of Labyrinth where King Minos imprisoned her.
How did Daedulus and his son escape? He made two pairs of wax wings for them to use to escape
What did Daedulus warn his son of? Not to fly too close to the sun. What happened when his son did not heed this warning? He plunged into the sea.
To where did Daedulus flee? Sicily
How did King Minos know that Daedulus was in Sicily? He contrived a trap years later by announcing a reward for anyone who could move a string through an intricate seashell.
What happened to King Minos? He went to Sicily to kill Daedalus, but instead he died.

Chapter 9
What does the priestess tell King Acrisius about his daughter, Danae? She would have a son that would kill him.
Why does Acrisius refuse to kill his daughter? He feared the Gods punishment.
Who visits Danae in her chamber? Zeus
In what form? Gold
Who is Perseus? Danae’s son
What does Acrisius do to make sure that his grandson will not kill him? He puts him in a chest with Danae out at sea.
Who discovers Danae and Perseus? Dictys
What does he do with them? He took them home and cared for them for many years.
Why does Polydectes want to kill Perseus? He wanted Danae but he didn’t want a son.
What is his plan? That Medusa will kill Perseus.
What happens to anyone who lays eyes on Medusa? They turned into stone.
What is Hermes’ plan to find the way to the nymphs of the North? They must go to the Gray Women.
What does Hermes give to Perseus? A sword
Why is it special? It couldn’t be bent or broken.
What does Athena give Perseus? A shield which covered her breasts.
How will it help him? It will be like a mirror.
What gifts do the Hyperboreans give to Perseus? Winged sandals, a magic wallet, and a cap which made the wearer invisible.
What do the three Gorgons look like? Creatures with great wings, bodies covered with golden scales, and a hair mass of twisting snakes.
Why can only Perseus kill Medusa? The other two are immortal.
Why is Andromeda being punished? She claimed she was prettier than the sea god.
What is her punishment? She had to be sacrificed to the great snake.
What does Perseus do to the great snake? Why? He cuts his head off, he fell in love with Andromeda.
What happens when Perseus enters the banquet? He takes out Medusas head.
What becomes of Acrisius? He gets sent off far away and then dies went Perseus threw the missile.
Who keeps Medusa’s head? Athena
What does she do with it? She has it on Zeus’s shield.
Who is Electryon? Perseus and Andromeda’s son
Chapter Ten: Theseus
What are the terms for Theseus to receive his father’s gifts? When he became big and strong he had to pick a stone up and get his father’s gifts.
Why does Theseus not want to travel by sea? He wants to become a great hero.
Who is his role model? Hercules
What is his relationship to him? Cousins
What are Theseus’s ideas of dealing with justice? What each had done to others, he would do to them.
When he arrives at Athens, why is he an acknowledged hero? He took out Sinis, Sciron, and Procrustes.
Why does the King want to poison Theseus? He believes Theseus might become king.
Whose original plan is it? Why? Medea’s, she knew who Theseus was.
Does Theseus become poisoned? Explain. No he wanted to tell the King who he was, so the King threw the cup down.
Why does Minos demand fourteen youths and maidens? His son died while visiting Aegeus.
What/who is Minotaur? A half bull half human
What happens to these youths? They get eaten by the Minotaur.
What are Theseus’s true intentions in offering himself? He wanted to kill the Minotaur.
Who is Adriadne? Minos daugther
What happens when she first sees Theseus? She falls in love with him.
Whom does she consult for help? Daedalus
What is his advice? To find a way to leave the Labyrinth.
How does Theseus kill Minotaur? By hitting him with his fists.
Does Ariadne make it to Athens? Why? No she stays on the island of Naxos.
Why does Theseus’s father kill himself? He thought his son was dead.
Who takes over Athens? Explain the new government in Athens. Theseus; a peoples government.
Who bears Theseus a son? Hippolyta
What is the son’s name? Hippolytus
Who is Theseus’s friend? Pirithous
Who are the Centaurs? Body of a horse, face and chest like a human.
What happens at the wedding? They get drunk and seize women.
Whom does Theseus want to marry? Helen
Whom does Pirithous want to marry? Persephone
When the friends go to the underworld, who knows their plan? Hades
What is the fate of Pirithous? Of Theseus? Pirithous stayed at the chair of forgetfulness, and Theseus was freed by Hercules.
Whom does Theseus marry? Phaedra What is her relation to Ariadne? sister
Who falls in love with Hippolytus? Phaedra
Who is behind it? Why? Aphrodite, she was mad at him.
What happens when Hippolytus rejects Phaedra? She kills herself.
What does Phaedra leave behind? A letter
What does it say? It is cries.
How does Theseus react? He gets mad at Hippolytus and curses him.
What is Hippolytus’s fate? He died
What does Artemis tell Theseus? That his wife was guilty
After death of Hippolytus, where does Theseus go? He was at the court of King Lycomedes.
How does he die? King Lycomedes kills him.
Chapter Eleven: Hercules
Hercules is honored as the greatest hero of Greece except where? Whom do they consider to be the greatest hero? Athens and Theseus
Why does Hercules consider himself an equal to the gods? He helped them conquer the Giants. When the priestess Delphi didn’t answer his question he took her tripod and threatened to make his own oracle.
Who is Hercules willing to fight to get an answer from the oracle? Apollo
What is the only thing that can overcome Hercules? Supernatural force
How does Hercules show a greatness of soul? His sorrow for wrongdoing and his willingness to do anything.
Where is Hercules born? Thebes
Who are Hercules’ mortal parents? Amphitryon and Alcmena
Who is his biological father? Zeus
What does Hercules do when the two snakes approach his crib? He kills them
Whom does he first kill by accident? Musician
Whom does Hercules first marry? Megara
Who stops Hercules from trying to kill himself? Theseus
To whom does the priestess tell Hercules to go? Why? Athens, to give back.
How many labors does Hercules have to complete? 12
Who helps Eurystheus devise these labors? Hera
Who is in love with the girl Hercules wants to marry? Achelous
What happens to him? He gets beat by Hercules
Who becomes Hercules’ wife? Deianira
With whom does Hercules spend the night on his way to get to the man-eating mares of Diomedes? Admetus
Why does Admetus’ wife die? If Admetus died Apollo would live, but Admetus’ wife offer to die in his place.
Why does Hercules bring Alcestis back from the dead? He had gotten drunk while the house was sorrow.
What aspects of Hercules’ character are clearly evident in the story of Admetus and Alcestis, considering the ancient Greeks’ perspective? Simplicity and stupidity. His inability to get drunk at a house were someone was dead. His confidence, trying to make everything right.
Whose city does Hercules capture? Why? Eurytus, he had been punished by him.
What does the man say to Deianira? That Hercules was in love with another princess.
What does the Centaur Nessus say his blood would do? It’s a charm to use if Hercules ever loved another women more.
What does Deianira do when she hears what her gift had done to Hercules? She kills herself.
Whom does Hercules marry when he goes to heaven? Hebe
Chapter Twelve: Atalanta
What does Atalanta’s father do to her when she is born? He leaves her in a mountain to die.
Who takes care of Atalanta after her father abandons her? A bear.
What is the situation with the two centaurs? They chased her but she didn’t run she killed them.
Whom does Claydon send to punish King Orneus and why? Calydonian boar, because the King forgot her when he was sacrificing fruits at harvest time.
Describe Atalanta when she joins the Argo? She looked like a boy with her hair tied up.
Who falls in love with her? Meleager
Who wounds the boar, and how is it wounded? Atalanta, she shot an arrow at it.
Who finishes killing the boar? Meleager
Who opposes giving the skin to Atalanta? Meleager’s uncles
Who is Meleager’s mother? Althea
How is the boar hunt Meleager’s death? the cause of His mom got mad at him killing her brothers so she killed him.
What does Meleager do to them? He kills them
Whom does Atalanta beat in a wrestling match? Peleus
With whom does she reconcile? Her father
Discuss Atalanta’s conditions for marrying? Whoever could beat her in a foot race.
How does her husband succeed? He gets three golden apples and throws them during the race.
Which goddess helps him? Aphrodite
What was Atalanta’s son’s name? Parthenopaeus
Into what kind of animals are Atalanta and Meleager turned? Lions
Chapter Thirteen: The Trojan War
Prologue: The Judgment of Paris
What does Eris throw into the banqueting hall to cause trouble among the goddesses? Why? A golden apple marked for the fairest. She was not invited to the wedding.
What are the three things that Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite offer Paris? Hera-Lord of Europe and Asia Athena-He would lead the Trojans to victory against the Greeks Aphrodite-The fairest women would be his.
Whom does Paris choose? Aphrodite
The Trojan War
Who is the most beautiful woman in the world? Helen
Who is her biological father? Zeus
Who is chosen to be her husband? Menelaus
What does Paris do officially to spark the Trojan War? He broke the sacred bond.
Why do the chieftains of Greece help Menelaus against Troy? They wanted to lay Troy in ashes
Which two of the chieftains were missing at first? Why? Odysseus and Achilles
Why is Artemis angry at the Greeks? They had killed one of her hares and her child.
What does she demand of them to calm the wind and ensure a safe voyage to Troy? They have to sacrifice Iphegenia.
Do they do what she asks? Yes
Why is it brave for Protesilaus to be the first to leap ashore? Whoever landed first was first to die.
Who is the greatest of the Trojan warriors? Hector
Of the Greek warriors? Achilles
What does each of them know will happen to them before Troy is taken? They would both die before Troy was taken.
For how many years does victory go back and forth? 9 years
What two Greeks have a fight that turns outcome in favor of the Trojans? Achilles and Agamemnon
What is the fight about? A woman
Which gods are on the side of the Trojans? Aphrodite, Ares, Apollo, Artemis, Zeus
Which are on the side of the Greeks? Hera, Athena, Poseidon
What does Aphodite do to protect Paris when he fights along against Menelaus? She took the strap and kept the helmet on.
What happens to keep the Greeks and Trojans from coming to an agreement? Hera and Athena want to see Troy destroyed.
Who almost dies at the hand of Diomedes? Aeneas
Who tries to stop Diomedes? Hector and Ares
Are they successful? no
How is Ares stopped when he is fighting for Hector with the Trojans? Diomedes throws his spear and Athena put it in.
Does this loss hurt the Trojans? Yes
How do the Trojans try to fix it? They try to give Athena a robe to switch sides.
Why does Zeus leave Olympus and go to help the Trojans himself? His promise to Thetis to avenge Achilles wrong.
What nickname do the Trojans give Hector? Tamer of Horses
How do the Greeks try to appease Achilles? By sending Briseis and gifts
What is his response? He refuses
What is Hera’s plan? Go up to Zeus and seduce him and then put him to sleep.
Does it work? Yes
How does Hector escape harm? Aeneas lifts him and takes him away.
Who has been helping the Greeks against Zeus’ wishes? Poseidon
Who stops the Greeks from conquering Troy? How?
Who revives Hector? Apollo
To whom does Achilles give his armor and men? Why? Patroclus, so the Trojans would think it was him and the Greeks could pushed them back.
What happens when Patroclus meets Hector face to face? He gets killed.
Who gets Achilles’ armor? Hector
Why does Achilles’ enter the fight again? To kill Hector
Who makes his new armor? Hephaestus
Who is appointed by Zeus to die during this battle? Hector
Why does Hector not flee into Troy? It’s his fault they faile so he will spare himself.
Who accompanies Achilles in battle? Athena
Why does Hector stop his flight around the walls of Troy? Athena appeared beside him as the shape of his brother.
Who does he think is his ally? Deiphobus
Who is it really? Athena
What covenant does Hector try to make with Achilles? If he dies to give the body back to his friends and via versa
Does Achilles accept? No
Does Achilles succeed in killing Hector the first time he throws his spear? No he misses
Who brings it back to him? Athena
Why doesn’t Hector’s spear kill Achilles? Achilles shield is magical.
What does Achilles do with Hector’s body? He tied him to a chariot and dragged him in circles.
What three gods on Olympus do not mind the abuse of the dead? Hera, Athena, and Poseidon
How does the King regain Hector’s body? He gets it back from Achilles.
How many days do they mourn Hector? Describe the funeral. 9 days It was very sad and depressnig.
Chapter Fourteen: The Fall of Troy
Why did Apollo guide the arrow into Achilles’ heel? It was the only spot he could be wounded.
How had Achilles’ mother been careless? She could have made him invulnerable.
What did Athena do to Ajax? She struck him when he reached Menelaus and Agamemnon quarters.
When Ajax saw what he had done, what did he say? He said he was a coward for killing animals.
What did he do? He killed himself.
What did the prophet Helenus predict about the war? That Troy wouldn’t fall until someone fought with the bow and arrow of Hercules.
When Paris was wounded, what did he request? To be carried to Oenone.
What happened to him and to Oenone? He died and then she killed herself.
What plan did Odysseus craft in order to infiltrate Troy? Be complete in your answer. The Greeks would hide in a giant wooden horse and give it as a gift to the Trojans. Then when night came they would get out and open the gates for the army.
What story does Sinon tell to the Trojans? That Athena was mad at the Greeks for stealing the Palladium and the only way she would forgive them was by sacrificing one of their own, and that was Sinon.
What happens to Laocoon and how does this affect the Trojan’s reaction? He gets punished for opposing entryof the horse. No other Trojan opposes.
Describe the battle. What did some of the quick-witted Trojans do? The Trojans had no time to fight back, the Greeks were killing them. They took of their armor and put the Greeks on.
What is Priam’s fate? Achilles son kills him.
Who was the only god(dess) to help the Trojan’s that day? Aphrodite
What happens to her son? He escapes.
Identify Hecuba. How did the fall of her family mark the end of Troy? She was the old queen. There was no more Troy.
Chapter Fifteen: The Adventures of Odyssesus
Which two gods are the Greeks’ greatest allies? Poseidon and Athena
Why do these gods later punish them? After Troy fell the Greeks forgot what was due to the gods.
What power does Apollo give Cassandra? To foretell the future
Why does Apollo turn against her? She didn’t accept his love.
What is Cassandra’s fate? To know the disasters that were coming and not avert it.
What happens to Agamemnon, Menelaus, and Ajax after they leave Troy? Agamemnon almost lost all his ships, Menelaus was blown to Egypt, and Ajax was drowned.
Which characteristic causes Ajax’s downfall? Arrogance
How long does Odysseus wander before he sees home? Ten years
Who is Penelope? Odysseus’s wife
What task does she want to complete before she will marry any of her suitors? Until she had woven a very fine and exquisitely wrought shroud for Odysseus’s father.
Why is the task never completed? Everything she wove in the day she would unweave at night.
Why does Athena favor Odysseus? For his wily mind, shrewdness, and his cunning.
Which god has no sympathy for Odysseus? Poseidon
Who is Telemachus? Odysseus’s son
What is his personality like? Sober, discreet young man, steady, prudent, and dependable.
What disguise does Athena take? Seafaring man
What does she instruct Telemachus to do? To find out news about his father’s fate.
Which two men most likely know something about Odysseus’ fate? Nestor and Menelaus
Whose form does Athena take the second time she appears to Telemachus? Mentor
To which god do Nestor and his sons offer a sacrifice? Poseidon
Why does Menelaus have to hold down Proteus? So Proteus could tell him how to get safely back home.
Under what do he and his men hide? Under sealskins
Which nymph keeps Odysseus? Calypso
Of what are Hermes’s sandals made? Gold
What powers are in his wand? He could charm men’s eyes to slumber.
Why does Calypso not want to free Odysseus? She thinks it is unfair. She saved his life.
What does she make for Odysseus? A raft
Who spots Odysseus on the sea? Poseidon
Why does Odysseus not want to die in the storm? It was not honorable to die like that.
Who helps Odysseus in the storm? Ino
What does she tell Odysseus to do? Abandon the raft and swim to shore.
Who calms the waves? Athena
To whom does the country (where Odysseus washes ashore) belong? Phaeacians
What is their way of life? Kind people and splendid sailors.
Who finds Odysseus in the trees? Nausicaa
What does she set out to do? To wash clothes
How do she and her servants complete their work? Lay the clothes on the water and danced on them until all the dirt was out.
What does she do for Odysseus? She gets him oil so he could get cleaned up and clothes.
Why can’t she take him to her father herself? People will see them together and rumors would start.
Odysseus’ Tale at Court of the Phaeacians
Ten days after leaving Troy, why does Odysseus have to tie down some of his own men? They wanted to stay in Lotus land.
Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? Poseidon is Polyphemus father.
What does King Aeolus give Odysseus? A leather sack
What is in it? All the Storm winds
Why does he give it to him? As a gift
What does his crew do to it? They opened it
What happens as a result? All the winds rushed out
Who destroys the whole fleet except Odysseus’ ship? The Laestrygons
Who lives on Aeaea? Circe
What happens to Odysseus’ remaining crew? Circe turned them into beasts.
How does Odysseus avoid their fate? One group was cautious and didn’t go in.
Who tells Odysseus how to save himself? Hermes
What eventually happens to the crew? They get turned back into men.
How is Odysseus told to get to the entrance to Hades? Circe tells him
Whom is he supposed to consult? Teiresias
What is Odysseus supposed to do to make him come? By killing sheep and filling a pit with there blood.
To whose island is Odysseus to go next? Island of the Sirens
Who lives there, and why are they harmful? Singers, whose voices would make men forget about all and they would steal their lives
away.
To avoid these people, what does Odysseus order the crew to do to themselves and
himself? To stop there ears with wax.
At the Island of the Sun, what are Odysseus and his crew not to do? Eat the sacred oxen.
What does the crew do, and what happens to them? They killed the sacred oxen, a thunderbolt shattered the ship and they all died.
What do the King of the Phaeacians and the chiefs give Odysseus before he leaves the island? They give him presents to enrich him.
Where does Odysseus wake up? Ithaca
Who is disguised as a shepherd? Athena
As what does Athena disguise Odysseus? Old beggar
Where does Telemachus go before going back to his house? The swineherd
Whom does he find there? Odysseus
What does Odysseus tell Telemachus to hide? All the weapons of war
Who is Argos, and what does he do after he recognizes Odysseus? A dog, he wagged his tail.
What does Odysseus tell Penelope when she calls for him? A story about meeting Odysseus on his way to Troy.
What two challenges does Penelope give the suitors? To string the bow and shoot it through twelve straight rings.
Who completes the challenges? Odysseus
After the fight, whom does Odysseus spare? The bard
How does Odysseus finally prove himself to Penelope? He notices they moved his bed.

Carolina Ruiz

AP English 12

Mr. Ellembarger

August 6, 2007

Biblical Terms

The Creation:

When god created the heavens and earth, the earth was a basically was very dark. So god first said let there be light and he separated the darkness from the light. He then
created night day and the sky. On the second day he created dry land and brought forth vegetation, with many plants that bore seeds and fruits. The third day came, and God created stars, the moon, and other planets to be seen by night; and the sun to be seen by day. So on the fourth day God made living creatures in the waters and birds to live in earth and to roam about the dome of the sky. On the fifth day God said let there be creeping creatures on earth. On the sixth day he said let there be man to our likeness. Man will have neccesities over other creatures of the world, God said.

The Fall:

At the start of creation God made the first man known as Adam, and from him created Eve. They only knew happiness, pleasure, and beauty. Corruption, hunger, sadness, sorrow and all other unfortunate things didn’t exist to them. God allowed them to eat from every tree in the Garden except from one; he told them that if they ate from it they would die. So one day the serpent convinced Eve to eat from the forbidden tree by saying that the tree doesn’t cause death. The serpent also said that the real reason why God didn’t want them to eat from it was because their eyes would be opened and they would know right from wrong. So since the fruit looked appealing and desirable she ate some of the fruit and gave some to Adam. Soon after both realized they were naked and got some leaves to cover them. A little later God went to the Garden looking for them and called out for them. He couldn’t find them because as soon as Adam and Eve heard God coming they hid. God then asked them why they hid from him and Adam responded by saying they were naked. God then knew that they had eaten from the forbidden tree. So Adam blamed it on Eve because she gave it to him to eat and Eve blamed it on the serpent for tricking her. God punished the three and he banned Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. He put an angel to guard the gates of the garden so that they may never return to the garden of eternal life. Now Adam had to work hard to eat and Eve had to suffer at the birth of her children. They were made from dirt and shall return to dirt for disobeying, God said.

The Mark of Cain:

After Adam and Eve went into the hard parts of the earth where they had to work; they had their first sons Cain and Able. Cain was a tiller of the soil and Able was a keeper of flocks. When both brothers made an offering to God, Cain offered some of the fruits from the soil he had worked. However, Able gave him one of his best firstlings of his flock. God appreciated Abel’s gift and not the gift of Cain. For this Cain was very jealous of his brother; so he told him to go into the fields. There Cain attacked his brother and killed him. God was angry with Cain and punished him. Cain would no longer receive fruits when he toiled the soil and would become a restless wanderer on the earth. God also said that no one should kill Cain or Cain will revenge sevenfold. So God put a mark on Cain, so no one would ever dare to kill him.

The Flood:

When God viewed how corrupted and wicked men became on earth he decided to destroy everything he had created. So since Noah was good to God, God told Noah to build a huge ark to fit all the animals on earth in pairs and all his family. And so God made a flood on earth that lasted forty days and forty nights. The water lifted the ark above the earth and so even the tallest mountain wasn’t visible anymore. The waters maintained over the earth for a hundred and fifty days. Every living thing had drowned. After a very long period of time Noah sent out a dove to see if the earth was still covered in water. He sent the dove out several times and it would always come back until finally the earth was dry and the dove no longer returned. The Ark had landed on top of the mountains of Anarat. Soon God told him to come out with his family and the animals to start all over.

Lot and his wife:

When Abram stayed in the land of Canaan, Lot moved among the cities of the Jordan Plain because it was very beautiful: however he pitched his tents near Sodom and lived there. This was bad because the people from Sodom were very wicked. God was going to destroy the city. So he sent several angels to go down to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to see if any good people were left. So the angels were coming into Sodom when they ran into Lot and he begged them to stay in his home for the night. Before they went to bed all the men from Sodom surrounded Lot’s home and called him out telling him to bring out his guests so that they may have intimacies with them. At this Lot responded let me give you my two daughters, they are virgins and you can have them, but please leave these guest that have come under my roof for shelter. The men were angry and tried to go inside so the angels told Lot to run off with his family because God had sent them to destroy the world. His daughter’s fiancées did not want to leave because they thought it was a joke. After their hesitation an angel took hold of them and sent them out of the city into safety. So they traveled to a near city however the angel asked of them to not look back or stop. Lots wife turned around and she became a pillar of salt. After arriving to the small city, Lot was afraid to stay there, so they went into the hills and he lived in a cave with his daughters.

Sodom and Gomorrah:

In Sodom and Gomorrah lived wicked people. So God decided to destroy it. However, he allowed Lot and his family escape before destroying it. Since Lot had done him a good deed. The Lord rained down sulphurous fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah. Moses and the flight from slavery in Egypt: Moses was a son of the Israelites, the slaves of Egypt. The Pharaoh wanted all the Israelite male babies dead. So Moses’ mother sent her baby(Moses) down the river in a basket. The Pharaoh’s daughter went down the river and found the baby; she felt compassion for him and adopted him. When Moses became older, he saw how badly the Egyptians treated his people. One day he saw a soldier hurting an Israelite and he attacked him and killed him. So Moses ran away when he was forty. Later he got married and after many years he was going by a particular mountain and there was a burning tree. The tree was God and he spoke to Moses. He told him to go back to Egypt to save his people. After hesitating a bit Moses headed back to Egypt and along with his brother Aaron told the Pharaoh to free his people as he was sent by God. Pharaoh would not free the Israelites so the Egyptians were disposed to many plagues. Blood river, The frogs, The gnats, The flies, The pestilence, The boils, The hails, The locusts, The darkness, The death of the first born. After the last plague the Pharaoh let the Israelites free so that same night they headed out God split the Red Sea in two and so the Israelites walked through it. Pharaoh was after them because he had changed his mind about freeing them. So when the Israelites cross through, the sea went back to normal so the Pharaoh and his army of men all drowned.

Samson and Delilah:

Samson was the strongest man on earth and no enemy was able to defeat him. When Samson fell in love with Delilah, the Philistines told her to find out his weakness so that thy may over come him and they promised her eleven hundred shekels for this task. So one day Delilah asked Samson his weakness. He told her that if he were tied by seven fresh bow strings which hadn’t dried yet he would be weak. Delilah believed him and so she tried to weaken him, but when Samson found out by Delilah’s cries that he was in danger he ripped of the strings like paper. So Delilah begged Samson many times to tell her the secret, but Samson would lie to her and she would be angry. Finally after Samson was tired of hearing Delilah beg he told her his secret in confidence. The secret was: his hair had never been shaved since he was born and if anyone was ever to shave his head he would be as weak as any other man. So one day Delilah called a Philistine to come shave Samson’s head and take him away. When they shaved his head Delilah cried out "the Philistines are here" but Samson couldn’t do anything for he was weak. So they gouged out his eyes and sent him to a temple to be watched by the audience as they prosecuted him. Samson then prayed to God one last time and asked him to give his strength back so that he can avenge on the Philistines for gouging his eyes. Then Samson grabbed the pillars in the center of the temple; so the temple fell on top of all.

David and Goliath:

David asked Saul to allow him to go after Goliath and fight him. However, Saul didn’t want David to go for he wasn’t fit to fight such a "heroic" warrior but to this David responded: "I have fought lions when they come and try to steal prey from my flock; I take the prey from them and you think I can’t fight a human?" So then Saul allowed David to go and fight the Philistine warrior. On his way to Goliath, David tried to prepare for his confrontation as he put on some armor that Saul gave him. However David told him that he wasn’t used to carrying armor with him. So he took it off and picked up a couple of smooth stones he found on his way. When he got a glimpse of the Philistine, he announced that he wanted to fight him. The Philistine laughed and says that David wasn’t fit to fight him. David responded by saying that he didn’t need armor to defeat him for he had God with him and therefore he would beat him and prove to him that he had a God. So David began to run towards him, meanwhile he walked to David slowly. When David has close enough he got one of the stones and with his slingshot he killed Goliath. The stone had shot him on the forehead and Goliath was died instantly and then David cut his head off. When the Philistines heard of what had happened to their hero they ran away instantly. So therefore the Israelites beat the Philistines.

Jonah and the whale:

God asked Jonah to go to Nineveh and tell the residents that their whole city would be destroyed if they didn’t change their wrong doings. But Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh and he tried to flee from God. He aboarded a ship that was headed to Tarshish; God caused a great storm which was causing the ship to sink. Jonah confessed to the sailors that he was fleeing from his Lord god and that the storm might be put to an ease if they throw him out to the see since he was what caused this storm in the first place. The sailors threw Jonah out of the ship and asked forgiveness to God for taking the man’s life away. When Jonah fell into the sea, God sent a huge fish to eat him and there he was for three nights and three days. In the belly of the fish Jonah prayed to god and repented for his wrong doings. For this God commanded the fish to spit Jonah out in the shore. God expected Jonah to do what he was asked. That was precisely what Jonah did. He went into Nineveh and told them God’s message. After hearing what Jonah had said all of the city’s inhabitants repented of their wrong doing, so God spared them. Jonah was very angry at this and said he wished to die. Later Jonah went out of the city to under a shade to see what god would do. He fell asleep and the shade wasn’t on him so god mad a plant at the top of his head to give him shade and then killed it the next day. At this Jonah was very mad and God told him, "You get angry because I killed a plant that you didn’t labor for but still you are also angry because I spared the life of thousands of helpless people in Nineveh!"

The Prodigal Son:

A rich man had two sons. The youngest one went up to the father one day and told him he couldn’t wait until his death for his share of the will. So he asked his father to give him his share at that precise moment. The father agreed to his son’s offer and off went the younger son with his fortune to a new city. There he spent all his money on friends, prostitutes, parties, and all sorts of pleasures. When his fortune was gone, his friends abandoned him. He was doing so bad that the job he had was to tend the swine. He realized that if he went back to his father he would be better off for his father treated his servants better than the way he was treated there. He thought his father was going to be angry at him and he was afraid to know what his father would do to him. His father waited every day for his son to come back and the day his son came he took off running to receive him with open arms. He called for a feast and took of his ring and put on his son. He even ordered the servants to slaughter the fattened calf. When his older son heard of this he was very angry. The angry son complained to his father. He had killed the fattened calf for his son that left him and spent his treasures, while he stayed by his father’s side, was obedient and always served him well. However, the father responded that everything he had was also his, but that at the moment they must celebrate for "his brother was once lost and now he has been found."

Golgotha:

Its meaning is "Place of Skull" and here he was crucified. It was up in a hill just near Jerusalem.

The Nativity:

Before Jesus was born, an angel appeared to Mary and told her she was going to be pregnant, and was going to give birth to the child of God through the Holy Spirit. Mary was a virgin before Jesus was born and didn’t have relations with Joseph until after giving birth to Jesus. Joseph didn’t want to expose Mary’s shame so he was going to divorce her secretly. However, an angel came to him in his sleep and told him that he had to raise the child.

Lazarus:

There was a rich man that lived very pleasingly. He dressed nice and was content with what he ate. Lying at his door was a very poor man Lazarus that would happily eat the crumbs off the old man’s floor. Both men died. The old man was buried and went to the netherworld; however, Lazarus went to heaven and was at father Abraham’s right side. The old man saw them and asked father Abraham if he would please allow Lazarus to dip his fingers in water and cool his tongue because the flames were burning him up. Abraham told him that if he remembered he lived well on earth and Lazarus didn’t so now was his turn. The old man asked Abraham to allow Lazarus back to earth and warn his father and brothers so that they may not have to go to hell, but Abraham tells him that they don’t need a dead person to warn them since they have Moses and the prophets and if they don’t listen to them lest they shall listen to someone that has risen from the dead.

The Crucifixion:

When Jesus was brought up by the soldiers to Golgotha they offered him wine with a mix of myrrh, but he did not take it. After they crucified him they took of his garments and on top of his head there was the written charge against him "This is Jesus the King of the Jews." Two revolutionaries were crucified with him one in the right and the other on the left. People would pass by Jesus and tell him to come down the cross if he was really son of God. The priests, elders and scribes made mocked him, even the prisoners that were crucified next to him.

The Denial:

On the last supper Jesus told Peter that before the crock crows twice he would deny him three times. Peter promised Jesus that he would never do that and that he would first die with him before doing that. So when Jesus was being judged Peter was in the courtyard and a lady asked, "Aren’t you one of the apostles." Peter said he knew nothing of which she spoke of. The crock crowed once. Then some one else said that he had seen Peter with Jesus before. Peter denied it and said it wasn’t true. A little later a bystander saw him and said the same. Peter became angry and said they were confused and that he had nothing to do with Jesus. The crock crowed twice right after that so Peter realized what he had done and wept bitterly.

The thirty pieces of silver:

After Judas saw Jesus get condemned, he went to the chief priests and elders and threw the thirty pieces of silver in the temple. Judas realized that he had sinned for betraying innocent blood so he left the temple and hung himself. The priests picked it up, but said it wasn’t lawful to put into the temple’s treasury sins it was "the price of blood." So they decided to use it to buy the potter’s field to use it as a burial place for foreigners. The field today is still called the "Field of Blood."

Buddha/Buddhism:

The Buddha was born Siddhartha Gautama, a prince of the Sakya tribe of Nepal, in approximately 566 BC. When he was twenty nine years old, he left the comforts of his home to seek the meaning of the suffering he saw around him. After six years of arduous yogic training, he abandoned the way of self-mortification and instead sat in mindful meditation beneath a bodhi tree. On the full moon of May, with the rising of the morning star, Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha, the enlightened one. The Buddha wandered the plains of northeastern India for 45 years more, teaching the path or Dharma he had realized in that moment. Around him developed a community or Sangha of monks and, later, nuns, drawn from every tribe and caste, devoted to practicing this path. In approximately 486 BC, at the age of 80, the Buddha died. His last words are said to be... Impermanent are all created things; Strive on with awareness.