Estimated time: 2-3 hours

In Chapter 4, the tributes are placed in the Capitol Zoo for public viewing, an unsettling parallel to animals on display. Coriolanus reflects on "the animals’ inability to hide," gaining a new appreciation for the vulnerability of being exposed with no way to escape.

This chapter invites us to think about the ways in which we view animals in zoos and their interactions with the world around them.

Let's explore the connection between Coriolanus’s observation and real-life experiences with animals. Whether you visit a local zoo or observe through live webcams, you’ll have the chance to think about how animals behave when they’re on display and what we can learn from them.

For this project, you will need:

• Transportation to your local zoo.
• Notebook or journal
• Pencil or pen
• A phone or camera (optional, for photos or videos)
• Comfortable clothing and shoes for walking

Directions

Visit a Zoo (In-Person or Online):

• If possible, visit a nearby zoo to observe animals directly. Pay close attention to their movements, expressions, and interactions.
• If visiting in person isn’t possible, use one of the provided zoo webcam links to observe animals virtually. Look for webcams that feature your favorite animals.

What to Observe:

• How do the animals behave when they know people are watching them?
• What might their actions tell us about how they feel in their environment?

Reflection Activity:

• After observing, think about Coriolanus’s reflection on the tributes and animals. What similarities or differences do you notice between the tributes in the story and the animals you observed?

How was your zoo trip? What did you observe?