SB LG Archaic Day – Literature Through Archaic Language and Verse

As part of the activity Archaic Day – Literature Through Archaic Language and Verse, students were encouraged to engage in classroom discussions in a creative and intellectually stimulating way by using predominantly archaic expressions and structured verse. The aim of this activity was to develop students’ speaking skills, enrich their vocabulary, and deepen their understanding of classical literature, particularly Sophocles’ Antigone.

During the lesson, students actively participated by asking and answering questions related to the themes, characters, and plot of the play. What made this activity unique was the requirement to express their ideas using elevated, archaic language and to formulate their responses in verse, including five- and seven-syllable lines, as well as elements of iambic pentameter. In order to preserve the formal and classical atmosphere, the use of stickers, emojis, and informal digital communication was not permitted.

This approach encouraged students to think more carefully about their language use, structure their ideas more precisely, and engage more deeply with the text. At the same time, it fostered creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, as students listened to one another, built on each other’s responses, and refined their interpretations of the literary work.

The activity also included an element of peer evaluation, as a small student jury assessed the performances based on clearly defined criteria, such as the use of archaic vocabulary, adherence to verse structure, and the quality and relevance of content. In this way, students not only revised key aspects of Antigone, but also developed a greater appreciation for the richness of language and the enduring value of classical literature.