Lockdown Literature 8.1

The Beguiling of Merlin by Edward Burne-Jones

Hello again,

I hope you all had a good half-term and enjoyed a bit of sunshine. Who knows, maybe we’ll meet again soon as schools are starting to re-open to some years this month. But no news yet on when we'll be back. In the meantime, we’ll continue to plod through Keats’s The Eve of St Agnes.

Here’s today’s work (to be completed by Thursday 4^th June):

1) Do this recap quiz on lines 113-194 of The Eve of St Agnes.

2) Read this information about Merlin and his infatuation with the Lady in the Lake in Arthurian legend:

This allusion has caused a lot of confusion. What might be the significance of it?

3) Read and annotate lines 195-250 of The Eve of St Agnes. You can find my annotations here, or use this or this or this study guide.

Optional extras:

• Fill in the next section of The Eve of St Agnes on a page:

• Make some notes on the two main characters (this will help you on a later writing task):

• Compose a single Spenserian stanza to describe the view out of your window.

That’s it for now. If you do manage to write a Spenserian stanza, please do send it to me. I might do one myself.

Let me know if you need anything.

Mr M

Lockdown Literature 7.2

 

Oh hi,

Here’s the last little bit of work before half-term. I’d advise you to get this done today or tomorrow and give yourself a week off. We’ll focus on reading and annotating this time, and after half-term we’ll recap and consolidate a little. First, please make sure that you did the quiz from last time.

Here’s today’s work (to be completed by Monday 1^st June):

1) Do this recap quiz on lines 1-112 of The Eve of St Agnes.

2) Read and annotate lines 113-194 of The Eve of St Agnes. You can find my annotations here, or use this or this or this study guide.

Optional extra:

Fill in the next section of The Eve of St Agnes on a page:

That’s it for this half-term. Enjoy the break as much as you can, but be sensible and be safe.

Mr M

Lockdown Literature 7.1

Hi all,

Apologies for the delay with some of the essay feedback. I’ve been a bit bogged down in KS3 planning, but I should get back to the rest of you today… tomorrow at the latest. I have finished my Section C essay though and I’ll send it out via email today.

Just one week to go until half-term!

Here’s today’s work (to be completed by Thursday):

1) Do this quiz on the background and first 75 lines of The Eve of St Agnes.

2) Make a copy of this question sheet and answer the questions. Send me a copy or share a link when you’re done.

3) Read and annotate lines 76-112 of The Eve of St Agnes. You can find my annotations here, or use this or this. Don’t forget about this study guide too.

4) Fill in the next section of this The Eve of St Agnes on a page document:

That’s all for now. Let me know if you need any help.

Mr M

Lockdown Literature 6

Hi folks,

Thanks for all the essays I’ve received so far. They’re looking good. I intend to write one as well; I’ll share it when I’ve got them all marked. If you still owe me an essay, make sure I get it today, please.

Today, we get cracking into Keats’s sensual masterpiece, The Eve of St Agnes. Maybe it’s not as weird and grotesque as Isabella, or as perfect as the Odes, or as full of ideas as Lamia, but this is one beautiful, lyrical piece of writing. I don’t think I really got it at uni, but the opening lines were imprinted on my brain, word-for-word, for 20 years before I finally got to teach it. If you can, read it out loud – it sounds amazing. I hope you enjoy it!

Here’s today’s work (to be completed by Monday):

1) Find out about who Saint Agnes was. 
Make some notes. Make sure you understand the traditions associated with her feast day. These websites will help you:

• https://www.learnreligions.com/saint-agnes-of-rome-542518

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnes_of_Rome

2) Read the additional contextual information about St Agnes, Keats’s relationships with women, and the origins of the poem on this document:

As you know, there will be a quiz next week!

3) Read and annotate lines 1-75 of The Eve of St Agnes. You can find my annotations here, or use this or this. There is a lot of stuff online to help you with this poem. This study guide looks particularly useful; it contains a commentary and sections on themes, poetic form and methods.

4) Make a copy of (or download) this The Eve of St Agnes on a page document and fill in these sections:

That’s it for now. Don’t forget to get email your Section C essays as soon as possible. I’ll be back on Monday with a quiz and more work on the poem.

Thanks,

Mr M

P.S. I’m finishing the Keats bio today and the final chapters are bloody heartbreaking! That guy is tragedy personified!