1. HE’S BLIND FOR A REASON, YOU KNOW.
but first…
Swap your vocabulary with a classmate.
Grade definitions on a scale of 3:
3=all completed
2=some completed
1=mostly incomplete

2. Vocab definitions:
Atone: v. to supply satisfaction for; to make amends
Banish: v. to force (someone) to leave a country as punishment
Begrudge: v. to give or concede reluctantly or with displeasure
Beseech: v. to beg for urgently or anxiously; to request earnestly
Contemptuous: adj. manifesting, feeling, or expressing deep hatred or disapproval; feeling or showing contempt

3. Vocab definitions:
Convict: v. to find or prove to be guilty; to convince of error or sinfulness
Defile: v. to make unclean or impure
Hem: v. to surround in a restrictive manner
Impunity: n. exemption or freedom from punishment, harm, or loss
Indictment: n. the act of officially charging someone with a crime

4. Vocab definitions:
Inscribe: v. to write, engrave, or print as a lasting record
Invoke: v. to petition for help or support; to appeal to or cite as authority
Keen: adj. having a fine edge or point; affecting one as if by cutting
Liberate: v. to set at liberty; to free
Oracle: n. a person through whom a deity is believed to speak; a shrine in which a deity reveals hidden knowledge

5. Vocab definitions
Proclamation: n. something proclaimed; an official formal public announcement
Rack: n. an instrument of torture on which a body is stretched
Reproach: n. an expression of rebuke or disapproval
Resignation: n. an act or instance of resigning something
Revere: v. to show devoted deferential honor to

6. Last one!
Savior: n. one that saves from danger or destruction; one who brings salvation
Solicitude: n. the state of being concerned and anxious; attentive care and protectiveness
Supplication: n. a request made humbly and earnestly
Treacherous: adj. likely to betray trust; marked by hidden dangers
Vile: adj. morally despicable or abhorrent; physically repulsive

7. He’s blind for a reason…
Situation:
A well-known, highly respected man tries desperately to hunt down a criminal, whose guilt causes a plague that affects everyone else.
He doesn’t realize he himself is the criminal.
He calls in an “information specialist” who happens to be blind.
The specialist tells him the truth.
The protagonist argues with him and calls him a liar.
Who’s who?
Who’s more blind?

8. Blindness in Literature
Strong thematic symbolism
Blindness vs. seeing—physically or metaphorically
Light vs. darkness—truth vs. deceit
Readers have to ask, “Why blindness?” to read the text at a deeper level
Other examples…
James Joyce’s “Araby”—a boy watches a girl on a “blind street,” through almost closed blinds, and is blinded by love.
Shakespeare’s King Lear—an earl is fooled by his evil son into disowning his good son, and is then physically blinded by his evil son.

9. Start Searching! Get in groups of 2-3…
Complete chart to follow development of sight/blindness in Oedipus Rex in the Prologous, Episode I, and Stasimon I.
To cite: “Complete quote from text” (line #).
To analyze:
Discuss who is blind and who is seeing, literally and metaphorically
Suggest why that person is literally and/or metaphorically blind or seeing
Each person will submit their own chart. Individuals who do not submit a chart will receive a 0.
According to shmoop.com,
“If one of Sophocles' ancient audience members missed the irony in this episode, he must've visited the wine stand a few to many times.”
See how you fare!

10. Finish Up/Homework: Submit chart before leaving! Due tomorrow:
Read “He’s Blind for a Reason, You Know,” by T. C. Foster
Answer questions attached to reading
Thursday: Vocabulary quiz
Over long weekend: Read through Stasimon IV in Oedipus Rex; continue study guide