Curriculum / ELA / 11th Grade / Unit 4: Short Fiction: A Study of Genre / Lesson 8
ELA
Unit 4
11th Grade
Lesson 8 of 15
Jump To
Analyze Sophocles’s use of techniques common to his genre to develop Oedipus as a character.
Play: Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (from The Theban Plays) pp. 8 – 19
We participate in the Amazon Associate program. This means that if you use this link to make an Amazon purchase, we receive a small portion of the proceeds, which support our non-profit mission.
Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.
Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved
When Tiresias refuses to share his knowledge, Oedipus responds by calling him “worst of traitors.” What does this sudden change of heart reveal about Oedipus?
Hubris is the pride that often plays a role in the downfall of Greek tragic heroes. How does Sophocles reveal Oedipus’s hubris in these scenes? Explain using evidence.
Greek tragedies have a distinct beginning, middle, and end that are linked by cause and effect. Each event is caused by the tragic hero. What does Oedipus do in these pages that moves him closer to his tragic fate?
Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding
To whom is the chorus speaking on pages 8-9? What are they asking for?
What does Oedipus ask the people of Thebes on page 11? What does he say will happen to the man who remains silent? What curse does he announce? What orders does he issue?
How does Sophocles use the prophet Tiresias to develop the motif of blindness and sight on pages 13-15? Explain.
What is the significance of Tiresias’s final words to Oedipus before he departs?
Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson
Lesson 7
Lesson 9
Define “absurdism” and identify and analyze elements of the absurd in the text.
Identify the author’s tone in the opening pages.
Analyze how Kafka develops the conflict between Gregor and the other characters.
Analyze the impact of Gregor’s transformation on himself and his family members.
Consider how the author uses the characterization of Gregor and his family to reveal theme.
Analyze how the director of the film interprets Kafka’s novella.
Explain verbally and in writing how Kafka uses the elements of absurdism to develop his message about humanity.
Note: The text used for this lesson may be difficult to acquire. If you are unable to access the text, you can skip this lesson.
Analyze the impact of the author’s use of realistic fiction to address the same thematic question addressed by Kafka in The Metamorphosis.
Analyze the impact of the playwright’s use of dramatic irony in the opening scene of the play.
Analyze how Sophocles uses dramatic irony in this section of the play.
Begin to define “hamartia” and identify how Oedipus is contributing to his own tragic ending.
Analyze how Sophocles develops his message about fate and humanity in the final portion of the play.
Writing – 2 days
Analyze Sophocles’s message about humanity as he develops it in Oedipus the King.
Analyze the author’s use of the character of the old man to develop the theme of humanity.
Reread the story, analyzing it as a satire critiquing both Catholicism and human nature.
Assessment – 3 days
Brainstorm, draft, revise, and finalize an original literary analysis essay.
Discussion
Present analysis of the stories and theme of humanity to a small group of peers.
Create a free account to access thousands of lesson plans.
Already have an account? Sign In
See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.
Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.
Yes
No
Access rigorous, relevant, and adaptable ELA lesson plans for free