Summer+Reading+Assignment

==**Welcome to Honors English 3!Some points will be deducted for posts after Aug. 30th but high grades are still possible. If you have not posted yet or your posts are partially complete, please work to write all 3 before the first day of school!!!! __Summer Reading Assignment (Due August 30th):__ ** ==

1) Read "Oedipus Rex". Post a response to one of the 3 questions to the discussion board. Your response must be at least 300 words. You must have a clear thesis statement and include 3 direct quotations to support your argument.

2) Respond to two other posts written by your classmates. Responses must be at least 100 words. Extra Credit available for 1 extra post.

3) Bring a copy of Oedipus Rex (book or print-out) to the first day of class.

DON'T FORGET TO READ THE SOLOIST AND RESPOND ON THE NING AS WELL!!!! (your first grades will be your responses to //Oedipus// and //The Soloist//) Ning discussion forum: [] ​


 * ONLINE FULL TEXT OF OEDIPUS REX:**

(1912 translation): []

(modern translation): []


 * Hint* Compare the two translations if you find yourself a little lost. Taken together they reveal the depth of the play.


 * DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:**

1) Were the actions of Oedipus caused by fate or his own frailty?

2) What does Tiresias' blindness tell us about Oedipus' pride? Why does Oedipus choose to injure himself at the end of the play? How might this choice be influenced by Tiresias' wisdom?

3) How does the chorus operate in the play? What does it tell us about key themes in the play? What is the chorus's relationship to the audience? Can the chorus be trusted?