Урок компаративного аналізу «Contra spem spero!»

Hi, guys! Have a look at these words written on the board:

• Struggle

• Individualism

• Fate

• Freedom

Answer the questions:

• What do these words stand for?

• Which writers do you associate them with?

"You’ve undoubtedly guessed who these people are: Lesya Ukrainka and Lord Byron… Today two legendary writers’ literary heritage: will be taken into consideration."

T: I am going to give you a short biographical overview (in English):

• Lesya Ukrainka: Ukrainian poet, playwright, fighter for freedom, strong female voice.

• Lord Byron: English Romantic poet, rebel, supporter of national liberation movements.

T: Listen and take notes. Match facts with the writers (mini-task).

And dear students, complete a table:

Lesya Ukrainka

1. Country

2. Main themes

3. Works

Lord Byron

1. Country

2. Main themes

3. Works

T.: I am going to provide you with short extracts (adapted) from:

• "Contra spem spero!" or "The Forest Song"
  (Lesya Ukrainka)

• "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" or a Byron poem

  T.: Answer the questions after reading:

• What is the mood of the text?

• What problems does the author raise?

  Lesya Ukrainka — "Contra spem spero!"

  Yes, I will laugh through tears, Sing songs in the midst of sorrow, Without hope I will still hope, I will live! You thoughts of grief, away!

  I will plant flowers on barren ground, I will pour water on the frozen stone, And from bitter tears I will gain A strong and joyful life.

  Task: Match the words with their meanings:

  Word	Meaning
  sorrow	a) strong belief
  hope	b) sadness
  barren	c) empty, lifeless
  frozen	d) very cold, unable to change

T.: Comprehension questions

1. What emotions does the speaker experience?

1. What does "to laugh through tears" symbolize?

2.  How does the speaker react to suffering?

   Lord Byron — "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" (adapted)

   The world is before me, and I am alone. My heart is restless, my soul is proud. I do not bow to fate or kings, I walk my own path, free and unchained.

   I have seen pain and broken hopes, Yet still I search for truth and freedom, For life without freedom is worse than death.

T.: Decide if the statements are true or false:

1. The hero feels completely happy.

2. He accepts society's rules without protest.

3. Freedom is the most important value for him.

T.: Choose the correct adjectives for Byron's hero: rebellious / passive / independent / obedient/ emotional

T.: Use comparative structures and complete the following sentences:

1. Both writers focus on …

2. Lesya Ukrainka's hero is more …
   Byron's hero.

3. Unlike Byron, Lesya Ukrainka emphasizes … strength.

T.: Work in pairs or small groups. You have to fill in the comparison chart. Using prompts, compare literature activities:

• Both writers focus on...

• Unlike Byron, Lesya Ukrainka...

• The heroes in their works are...

T.: Pay attention to the following comparison points:

1. Freedom and rebellion

2. Role of the individual

3. Suffering and strength

4. Romantic hero

T.: Dear students, you are going to get involved in a discussion based on the literature legacy of the outstanding poets:

• Who is a stronger symbol of resistance: Byron's hero or Lesya Ukrainka's heroine?

• Are their ideas still relevant today?

T.: Discuss the questions:

• Who shows stronger inner strength? Why?

• Which text feels closer to modern Ukrainian reality?

• Can these heroes be called romantic? Explain.

• Summarize similarities and spot the differences.

• Highlight the European context and shared values.

T.: Complete the sentence:

• Today I have learned that...

• What surprised me most was...

T.: Write a short comparative essay at least 150words:
"Lesya Ukrainka and Lord Byron: Voices of Freedom"