Atalanta by Betty Miles

Act I is important to the dramatic action of the play because it introduces a conflict —

• within Atalanta over whether she should hold a race

• within Atalanta over whether and whom she should marry

• between Atalanta and the young men of Athens over who is the fastest

• between Atalanta and Chloe over who should finish the wedding gown

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.7

How does Act II, Scene 2 build on the events in Act II, Scene 1?

• Scene 2 intensifies the discouragement Hippomenes feels at the end of Scene 1.

• Scene 2 unveils a way for Hippomenes to resolve the conflict introduced in Scene 1.

• Scene 2 develops Hippomenes’s character by revealing different traits than in Scene 1.

• Scene 2 introduces Hippomenes’s new conflict with the other characters from Scene 1.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.10

Which line from Act I foreshadows Hippomenes’s success in Act II, Scene 3?

• I didn’t run my morning marathon, and now I’m crawling out of my skin.

• Shiny! [Grabbing the thread, which she holds throughout the scene.]

• I don’t hope to require a wedding gown any time soon.

• Every young man in Athens wants you as his bride

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.7

Based on this play, one might conclude that in Ancient Greece, people believed the gods-

• grew angry with those who were driven by pride

• could influence romance between men and women

• tested humans by tempting them with golden apples

• rewarded those who performed well at feats of strength

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.7

What universal message about love does the playwright communicate in this play?

• The happiest love is between people who are very much alike.

• Love always comes to people who are clever, daring, and talented.

• Sometimes you find love only after you have all but given up on it.

• You should not set your expectations too high when it comes to love.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How do Acts I and II differ?

• Act I focuses on Atalanta’s past, while Act II focuses on her possible future.

• Act I focuses on Atalanta’s flaws, while Act II focuses on her greatest strengths.

• Act I focuses on Atalanta’s friendship with Chloe, while Act II focuses on romance.

• Act I focuses on Atalanta’s problem, while Act II focuses on Hippomenes’s problem.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

What ideas about women in Ancient Greece does this play convey?

• Women often proved more physically capable than men.

• Women were expected to stay home rather than seek adventure.

• Women were required to marry as soon as they reached adulthood.

• Women usually chose their husbands through competitions like races.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What important change takes place in Act II, Scene 3?

• Hippomenes realizes that he wants to marry Atalanta.

• Atalanta realizes she is not as fast and strong as she thought.

• Atalanta realizes there is someone she wants to marry after all.

• Hippomenes realizes that he will need to use a trick to beat Atalanta.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.3

The playwright uses point of view in Act II, Scene 1 to develop the story by showing —

• Atalanta’s point of view to reveal how she feels as she races

• Hippomenes’s point of view to reveal how he feels about Atalanta

• multiple points of view to reveal how each character experiences the race

• the announcer’s point of view to reveal how the audience perceives the race

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.7

How does Hippomenes’s desire to marry Atalanta affect the resolution of the conflict?

• He asks for Aphrodite’s help because he is determined to win the race at any cost.

• He admires Atalanta’s strength and speed when she wins against the other young men.

• He smiles when Atalanta tells him that she let him win even though he does not believe her

• He brags that he will win against Atalanta and ensure this race does not become an annual event.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3