Today, we finished marking the Act One questions for The Merchant of Venice. In doing this, I explained mythological allusion (A myth is a traditional story about heroes or supernatural beings (fiction)), and historical allusion (Historical means based on the past, or describing people who lived in the past or events that happened in the past).
I also explained the difference between hyberbole and understatement.
Finally, we discussed the terms connotation and denotation, using the word "sponge".
If you look up the word "sponge" it will be defined as a porous, ocean creature or a porous fabric used to absorb. This is known as a denotation (the exact dictionary meaning of a word).
If you figure out, contextually, what the word "sponge" means in The Merchant of Venice, it means a drunk. Not only is this a different meaning (not an exact denotation), but the meaning is negative.
If you figure out, contextually, what the word "sponge" means if the teacher says it to the smartest student in class, it means someone who learns quickly (absorbs knowlege). Not only is this a different meaning (not an exact denotation), but the meaning is positive.
Connotation means either a different meaning for a word or, more often, an emotional meaning different from the denotation being added to it (positive or negative). You need to know this as part of understanding figurative language and choice of words.
I also gave you a worksheet to do on proper use of question marks, sentence fragments and complete sentences. If you were here, this is due for Monday. If you were not here, it is in your portfolio.
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