Anthology: "Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind" (Lesson 3)

Anthology: "Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind" (Lesson 3)

Points for the class!

• 📌 Point 1: Determine meaning and theme, as well as irony (p. 71)

• 📌 Point 2: Relate supporting details to message and symbolism to meaning (p. 72)

• 📌 Point 3: Determine personification/speaker's point of view (p. 72)

Let's "brush up" on theme!

📌 Theme: a central topic, subject, or message within a narrative. 📌

(Themes are used to communicate important ideas and messages about issues that face the characters and the setting of a narrative.)

Ok, so what's irony again?

📌 Irony: aliterary technique in which what is written or stated is different from or the opposite of what is expected. 📌

(For example, verbal irony is when a person says the opposite of what they mean, often to sarcastic effect, such as when a customer says "Good job," to a waiter who has dropped his tray.)

Ok, let's practice:

Which of the following lines contains irony? (Question 4, p. 71)

• "Thou art not so unkind"

• "Thy sting is not so sharp"

• "Most loving mere folly"

• "This life is most jolly"

Which of the following lines contains irony? (Question 4, p. 71)

d. This life is most jolly

Why do you think this is an example of "irony"?

Explain the irony in the line you identified, in question 4. What clues in the line suggest to you that the poet is not speaking sincerely? Which lines in the poem are meant to be understood sarcastically? What clues does the poet give you that these lines are not sincere? (Question 5, p. 71)

The line "This life is most jolly" is an example of irony in the poem. The poet gives you a clue that is juxtaposing it with the previous line: "Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly." Both lines cannot be sincere, and since the rest of the poem emphasizes how human beings can be cruel, we can assume the last line is ironic.

Multiple Choice

Which statement has the closest meaning to the lines below?

Thy sting is not so sharp

As friend remember'd not.

• a. The wind is not as hurtful as a friend who has forgotten you.

• b. A bee sting is not as painful as remembering lost friends.

• c. Friend, you aren't as sharp as the wind.

• d. The sting is not sharp like a friend who has betrayed you.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a theme of the poem?

• a. Nature is destructive and harsh.

• b. We should celebrate the joys of life.

• c. It can be difficult to make friends.

• d. Nature is not as harsh as people are to each other.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is closest in meaning to the phrase "most loving mere folly"?

• a. Most people love games and fun.

• b. People who fall in love are silly.

• c. Most love is foolishness and not serious.

• d. People love only what is foolish.

Question 7, p. 72:

Summarize the message of the poem. What lines or phrases help the poet reinforce the message?

(Type out a thought on the next slide).

Open Ended

Question 7, p. 72:

Summarize the message of the poem. What lines or phrases help the poet reinforce the message?

Question 7, p. 72:

Summarize the message of the poem. What lines or phrases help the poet reinforce the message?

The message of the poem is that human beings are far more damaging than anything in nature. Two important lines are "Thou art not so unkind as man's ingratitude" and "Thou dost not bite so nigh as benefits forgot." These lines suggest that we personify nature as something cruel and harsh, when it is humans themselves who are ruthless.

📌 What is "personification"?

📌 the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form. 📌

Question 9, p. 72: In what way does the poet personify winter?

Shakespeare says that the wind is "unkind", and has "teeth", "breath", "bite", and a "sting".

Open Ended

Question 10, p. 72: Describe the speaker's point of view. What is the speaker's opinion of human nature?

Question 10, p. 72: Describe the speaker's point of view. What is the speaker's opinion of human nature?

The speaker seems bitter and cynical about human nature and our negative qualities--such as ingratitude and disloyalty. The repeated line, "Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly" emphasizes his point of view. The irony, or sarcasm, in the final line emphasizes the speaker's cynical perspective.

No homework!

Wrap-up: We talked about personification, point of view, meaning and symbolism and will be wrapping up our study of this poem today!