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Horatio Hornblower
A&E brings to life C. F. Forester's indomitable character, Horatio Hornblower. Forester created Hornblower in 1937 and he appeared in eleven books before Forester's death in 1966. Hornblower is an enduring literary persona. A likable, courageous youth sailing the seven seas in service for His Majesty's Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, Hornblower's adventures take him to the far corners of the earth and in contact with some of the most disagreeable characters. Hornblower's talents and mathematical prowess enable him to plot a course of action that will veer him out of the path of certain death time and time again and rise to meet any challenge.Horatio Hornblower would be useful for classes on Literature, World History, Maritime History, Geography and Science and Technology. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.
Note to the educator:
The objectives and activities for this series comply with the National
Standards for History for Grades 5 - 12. Standard 1A requires
students to "describe how the wars of the revolutionary and
Napoleonic period changed Europe and assess Napoleon's effects on
the aims and outcomes of the revolution". Activities and questions
comply also with National Standards for English Language Arts
for grades 7 - 12, as developed by the Michigan Department of
Education. Standard 8, "Genre and Craft of Language", for
example, indicates that "students will explore and use the
characteristics of different types of texts, aesthetic elements, and
mechanicsSto construct and convey meaning".
Episode I: The Duel
The series opens as 17-year-old Midshipman Horatio boards his first ship. At the opening shots of the Napoleonic Wars, Hornblower will be given the opportunity to prove himself in battle. But it's not the French enemies that Hornblower has to worry about. Hornblower's confrontations with a sadistic officer imperil him more than the French navy. Hornblower's experiences change him from an uncertain youth to a decisive man.
Vocabulary
Discussion Questions
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When Horatio Hornblower first steps aboard the Justinian, a fellow officer greets him by saying, "Welcome to Purgatory."What does this statement mean? Why does this officer compare service aboard the Justinian with time in Purgatory?
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Horatio joins the Royal Navy in 1793, during the height of the French Revolution. What were some of the causes of the French Revolution? How did the American Revolution influence the French Revolution? What was the outcome of the revolution?
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Horatio is obviously an educated young gentleman of his time. Why did he choose to join Royal Navy?
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The men and officers of the Justinian seem to be waiting for something to happen. What are they waiting for?
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Discuss some of the hardships seamen endured in the 18th century. How is naval service different today?
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Jack Simpson, Horatio's antagonist, orders an officer to wake Horatio every half-hour. Why? What is the purpose of this?
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Jack Simpson's rank is no higher than any midshipman, yet he is clearly feared and obeyed. Why is everyone so afraid of Jack Simpson?
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Simpson administers a severe beating to Horatio. Yet, when questioned by his superior, Horatio refuses to tell what happened and suffers the consequences. Why did Horatio refuse to turn Simpson in to the ship's higher officers?
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The divisions and social distance between officers and sailors is wide and readily apparent. Discuss the class structure or hierarchy aboard the ships. How do they mirror the structure of the larger society?
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Horatio, like many young men in history, feels a swell of patriotism when his country is in a conflict. What is patriotism? How does it move men and women to serve in their country's military forces? What other conflicts in history have moved men and women to risk their lives to defend and protect their countries?
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The French ship given to Horatio to bring to England is destroyed by its cargo of rice. How and why did rice destroy this ship?
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Despite all the problems Simpson has caused Horatio, he still hauls Simpson out of the water and saves him. Why did Horatio save Simpson when it would have been quite easy to just let him drown?
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When Simpson and Horatio finally come to blows in a dual, Horatio spares Simpson's life even though Simpson has just cheated and tried to murder Horatio. Why does Horatio spare Simpson?
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Horatio Hornblower is a character who lives his life in a progression of books. What other literary characters "live" in serial books?
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How would the character of Horatio Hornblower be different if he was seventeen in 1998 instead of 1793?
Extended Activities
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Draw one of the vessels on which Horatio Hornblower served.
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Write a short Horatio Hornblower adventure story.
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Write an essay in which you compare the French and American Revolutions.
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Imagine that you are a sailor or officer aboard the Justinian or the Indefatigable. Create a journal or log of your adventures and experiences.
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