William Shakespeare
Ouch. I feel like maybe the speaker could have said nicer things to the woman he is in love with. "Coral is far more red than her lips' red" and "no such rose I see in her cheeks" are blatant realities that the speaker is not fearful to call out. I actually appreciate the honesty. He can acknowledge the "imperfections" of her visage and he loves her deeply anyway. "And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare as any she belied with false compare." Thank you, speaker, for acknowledging an attraction beyond this woman's physical appearance.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
A Jury of Her Peers (3/4)
Susan Glaspell
Initially, I found it very interesting that Minnie Foster was so cavalier about killing her husband. While she sits in her home and is confronted about her husband's location, she has no appearance of fear or of guilt. She sits there, staring at him, and then laughs. He asks her why he can't speak to her husband and she simply says, "Cause he's dead". She was not one bit excited or moved by this fact. I think at this point she was so encapsulated by the idea of being free. After being silenced for years and not singing, being released from the cage she felt that she was in was occupying her mind more than the death of her husband. What I was mostly confused by was why the women were silent when they found the bird. They found a reason for why Minnie Foster killed her husband, and they don't care to tell anyone about it. Were they being stubborn after their husbands belittled them? I don't blame them. Their observations solved the murder mystery, and their husbands are wandering around the house like they know what they are doing.
Initially, I found it very interesting that Minnie Foster was so cavalier about killing her husband. While she sits in her home and is confronted about her husband's location, she has no appearance of fear or of guilt. She sits there, staring at him, and then laughs. He asks her why he can't speak to her husband and she simply says, "Cause he's dead". She was not one bit excited or moved by this fact. I think at this point she was so encapsulated by the idea of being free. After being silenced for years and not singing, being released from the cage she felt that she was in was occupying her mind more than the death of her husband. What I was mostly confused by was why the women were silent when they found the bird. They found a reason for why Minnie Foster killed her husband, and they don't care to tell anyone about it. Were they being stubborn after their husbands belittled them? I don't blame them. Their observations solved the murder mystery, and their husbands are wandering around the house like they know what they are doing.
Barbie Doll (2/4)
Barbie Doll
Marge Piercy
I think this poem falls into the category of a satire. The purpose then would be to bring to light the cruel manipulative power society has on women. The poem starts describing this particular girl "born as usual". "She was healthy, tested intelligent, possessed strong arms and back, abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity." She was basically born into a perfectly normal body, and it wasn't until someone called her legs fat and her nose too large that she felt oppression. She did not fit into a Barbie doll-like body. This expectation to be "Barbie" did not originate however with the production of this children's toy. For thousands of years women have manipulated themselves to be physically attractive to the opposite sex. We are driven by a misogynistic view of women and our society craves to feed it. We are convinced that women are equal to men in 21st century United States, but actually the entirety of the system is run by either, A. men and their disgusting manipulations of power, or B. women's over-sexualized bodies. This poem also brings to light the fact that this understanding of women and their bodies is started as soon as children can grasp a Barbie doll. It is from society's very core that we marginalize women, only bringing them into the picture to shape them into the Barbies that women are convinced that they should be.
Marge Piercy
I think this poem falls into the category of a satire. The purpose then would be to bring to light the cruel manipulative power society has on women. The poem starts describing this particular girl "born as usual". "She was healthy, tested intelligent, possessed strong arms and back, abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity." She was basically born into a perfectly normal body, and it wasn't until someone called her legs fat and her nose too large that she felt oppression. She did not fit into a Barbie doll-like body. This expectation to be "Barbie" did not originate however with the production of this children's toy. For thousands of years women have manipulated themselves to be physically attractive to the opposite sex. We are driven by a misogynistic view of women and our society craves to feed it. We are convinced that women are equal to men in 21st century United States, but actually the entirety of the system is run by either, A. men and their disgusting manipulations of power, or B. women's over-sexualized bodies. This poem also brings to light the fact that this understanding of women and their bodies is started as soon as children can grasp a Barbie doll. It is from society's very core that we marginalize women, only bringing them into the picture to shape them into the Barbies that women are convinced that they should be.
Hunters in the Snow (1/4)
Hunters In the Snow
Tobias Wolff
Well I'm certainly glad something did come out of that story. It all seemed stupid and shallow play until Kenny shot his gun. The three boys, yes I do mean boys, from the beginning set the stage for the audience the kind of relationship they have together. Kenny and Frank obviously tease Tub about his weight, and Kenny and Frank introduce some interesting affair between Frank and some babysitter. All seems empty and messed up from the beginning. They all seem like they are independent and do what they please, but at the same time, the reader picks up on the fact that they all seem to have some kind of insecurity. Tub obviously is mad about being teased about his "gland" problem, and when he confronts Frank, he says, "You're a grown up, Tub. You can take care of yourself. Anyway, if you think you're the only person with problems I can tell you that you're not" (Wolff, 191). Obviously they are all struggling with some part of themselves. Kenny's main problem seems to be his anger. He says, "I hate that post", or "I hate that tree", and finally, "I hate that dog" and then proceeds to shoot each one of them. Originally I thought he was just an angry crazy person, but when the farmer revealed that he asked Kenny to shoot the dog, it seemed more like shooting the post and tree was just a way of preparing himself mentally for euthanizing the dog. I certainly don't think he is a stellar human being, but since the farmer revealed his intentions for his dog, Kenny's seemingly angry reckless actions make sense. I do wonder, however, if Tub hadn't shot him, would Kenny have harmed Tub. He did say after all, "I hate you", to Tub, and based on his previous shootings it really did seem as if Kenny would have shot him.
Tobias Wolff
Well I'm certainly glad something did come out of that story. It all seemed stupid and shallow play until Kenny shot his gun. The three boys, yes I do mean boys, from the beginning set the stage for the audience the kind of relationship they have together. Kenny and Frank obviously tease Tub about his weight, and Kenny and Frank introduce some interesting affair between Frank and some babysitter. All seems empty and messed up from the beginning. They all seem like they are independent and do what they please, but at the same time, the reader picks up on the fact that they all seem to have some kind of insecurity. Tub obviously is mad about being teased about his "gland" problem, and when he confronts Frank, he says, "You're a grown up, Tub. You can take care of yourself. Anyway, if you think you're the only person with problems I can tell you that you're not" (Wolff, 191). Obviously they are all struggling with some part of themselves. Kenny's main problem seems to be his anger. He says, "I hate that post", or "I hate that tree", and finally, "I hate that dog" and then proceeds to shoot each one of them. Originally I thought he was just an angry crazy person, but when the farmer revealed that he asked Kenny to shoot the dog, it seemed more like shooting the post and tree was just a way of preparing himself mentally for euthanizing the dog. I certainly don't think he is a stellar human being, but since the farmer revealed his intentions for his dog, Kenny's seemingly angry reckless actions make sense. I do wonder, however, if Tub hadn't shot him, would Kenny have harmed Tub. He did say after all, "I hate you", to Tub, and based on his previous shootings it really did seem as if Kenny would have shot him.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
4. Othello
William Shakespeare
Something incredible I noticed about Desdemona was her undying love for Othello despite his accusations, and well, his killing of her. As she lay dying in her bed, her only response to Emilia when she asked who did this to her is, "Nobody, I myself. Farewell./ Commend me to my kind lord. Oh, farewell!" (V, ii, 123-124). I can't decide if this is incredible love or pathetic on her part. Her husband murders her and she covers for him! She is the epitome of a loyal wife (foolishly so). Othello even acknowledges that her last words were incredibly loyal, though a lie. She claims to have killed herself. She deserves way more than Othello realizes. She was loyal for the entirety of their time together, she respected and loved his wishes, and defends him to her death- by his hand. This kind of love certainly fits into the category of a Shakespeare tragedy, and is foreshadowed scene after scene throughout the play, but it is completely surprising that Desdemona responded the way she did- props to her (I think).
Something incredible I noticed about Desdemona was her undying love for Othello despite his accusations, and well, his killing of her. As she lay dying in her bed, her only response to Emilia when she asked who did this to her is, "Nobody, I myself. Farewell./ Commend me to my kind lord. Oh, farewell!" (V, ii, 123-124). I can't decide if this is incredible love or pathetic on her part. Her husband murders her and she covers for him! She is the epitome of a loyal wife (foolishly so). Othello even acknowledges that her last words were incredibly loyal, though a lie. She claims to have killed herself. She deserves way more than Othello realizes. She was loyal for the entirety of their time together, she respected and loved his wishes, and defends him to her death- by his hand. This kind of love certainly fits into the category of a Shakespeare tragedy, and is foreshadowed scene after scene throughout the play, but it is completely surprising that Desdemona responded the way she did- props to her (I think).
3. Othello
William Shakespeare
So far, the murder tally is up to two. Iago has now managed to kill Roderigo. It is painfully ironic that he still serves as a shining beacon of innocence to the world. Iago, however, experiences a new kind of power: he injures Cassio's leg, personally. So far, he has manipulated people to do the dirty work for him, but now he has taken farther action to actually immerse himself into the dirty work of his game.
I am certainly more impressed with Emilia. She has become just about the only character in the play who has any truth of what is actually going on (except Iago). After Othello smothers Desdemona and Iago and Emilia come to the scene, Emilia tries to absolve Desdemona of the crime she was accused of and after Iago says, "Go to, charm your tongue", Emilia responds, "I will not charm my tongue, I am bound to speak" (V.ii.195-197). She stands for justice in a time of utmost quarrel and lies and doubt.
So far, the murder tally is up to two. Iago has now managed to kill Roderigo. It is painfully ironic that he still serves as a shining beacon of innocence to the world. Iago, however, experiences a new kind of power: he injures Cassio's leg, personally. So far, he has manipulated people to do the dirty work for him, but now he has taken farther action to actually immerse himself into the dirty work of his game.
I am certainly more impressed with Emilia. She has become just about the only character in the play who has any truth of what is actually going on (except Iago). After Othello smothers Desdemona and Iago and Emilia come to the scene, Emilia tries to absolve Desdemona of the crime she was accused of and after Iago says, "Go to, charm your tongue", Emilia responds, "I will not charm my tongue, I am bound to speak" (V.ii.195-197). She stands for justice in a time of utmost quarrel and lies and doubt.
2. Othello
William Shakespeare
It is pretty much widely known that Shakespeare's tradegies end with an unreasonable, yet inevitable amount of people dying. This makes it no surprise at all when Desdomona foreshadows her own death. When speaking to Emilia, Desdemona says "If I do die before thee, prithee shroud me/ In one of those same sheets." (IV, iii, 23-24). Desdemona speaks of her wedding sheets which Emilia set out on her bed. Out of her confusion of Othello's anger, Desdemona tries to rekindle the romance between them and to remind him of their marriage and the love they had then. Desdemona speaks out and foreshadows her own fate. It seems like she knows she is going to die. Hopefully she hadn't thought that it would be of the circumstances by which it happened, but it really does seem like she has a good feel of the way things are heading for her.
It is pretty much widely known that Shakespeare's tradegies end with an unreasonable, yet inevitable amount of people dying. This makes it no surprise at all when Desdomona foreshadows her own death. When speaking to Emilia, Desdemona says "If I do die before thee, prithee shroud me/ In one of those same sheets." (IV, iii, 23-24). Desdemona speaks of her wedding sheets which Emilia set out on her bed. Out of her confusion of Othello's anger, Desdemona tries to rekindle the romance between them and to remind him of their marriage and the love they had then. Desdemona speaks out and foreshadows her own fate. It seems like she knows she is going to die. Hopefully she hadn't thought that it would be of the circumstances by which it happened, but it really does seem like she has a good feel of the way things are heading for her.
1. Othello
William Shakespeare
I feel so bad for Desdemona. She is confused out of her mind of why Othello verbally abused her and called her a whore. She is clueless. Rightfully so, Iago has been screwing her over as long as he's been in the picture. By Act IV, Emilia starts to step up and become more a more prominant character. Moved by her friend's pain, she states," I will be hanged, if some eternal villain, some busy and insinuating rogue,
I feel so bad for Desdemona. She is confused out of her mind of why Othello verbally abused her and called her a whore. She is clueless. Rightfully so, Iago has been screwing her over as long as he's been in the picture. By Act IV, Emilia starts to step up and become more a more prominant character. Moved by her friend's pain, she states," I will be hanged, if some eternal villain, some busy and insinuating rogue,
some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office, have not devised this slander. I will be hanged else!" (IV, ii, 135). She is speaking of her very husband! The man she has committed herself to! What?! What is even more absurd is that Iago is standing there, comforting Desdemona. Emilia continues to rant about the evil monster who is ruining Desdemona and Othello's marriage while Iago stands there innocently, comforting and agreeing with all Emilia is saying. Iago is hurting these people and they are drawn to him for comfort!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Othello (4/4)
William Shakespeare
Iago and Desdemona end up fighting for Othello's will in Act 3. Desdemona assures Othello that Cassio's guilty fleet from him was of guilt that he disappointed Othello. What I don't understand about this next part is why Othello asks Desdemona to leave him to himself for a little while. It was kind of random. Anyway, next enters Iago, and he starts to try form suspicions of Cassio in Othello's head. He doesn't succeed, fortuneately, Othello is very trusting of his wife, if fact, he is not made jealous by other men speaking of his wife, "'Tis not to make me jealous to say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company, is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances. Where virtue is, these are more virtuous. Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw the smallest fear or doubt of her revolt, for she had eyes and chose me. No, Iago, I’ll see before I doubt, when I doubt, prove, and on the proof there is no more but this: away at once with love or jealousy!" (III.iii.188). Hopefully Othello will turn out to have faith in the truly honest, and will figure out Iago's manipulative tricks.
Iago and Desdemona end up fighting for Othello's will in Act 3. Desdemona assures Othello that Cassio's guilty fleet from him was of guilt that he disappointed Othello. What I don't understand about this next part is why Othello asks Desdemona to leave him to himself for a little while. It was kind of random. Anyway, next enters Iago, and he starts to try form suspicions of Cassio in Othello's head. He doesn't succeed, fortuneately, Othello is very trusting of his wife, if fact, he is not made jealous by other men speaking of his wife, "'Tis not to make me jealous to say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company, is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances. Where virtue is, these are more virtuous. Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw the smallest fear or doubt of her revolt, for she had eyes and chose me. No, Iago, I’ll see before I doubt, when I doubt, prove, and on the proof there is no more but this: away at once with love or jealousy!" (III.iii.188). Hopefully Othello will turn out to have faith in the truly honest, and will figure out Iago's manipulative tricks.
Othello (3/4)
William Shakespeare
Oh, Iago, my favortie character...
I do have to hand it to him, he is the best manipulator I have ever seen. The scene in which Roderigo and Iago get Cassio drunk is one of the highlights of his expertise in getting what he wants by manipulating people. After an (easily) won argument of whether Cassio was going to drink or not that night, and initiating Cassio's downfall after drinking himself to absurdity, he responds to Othello's questions in the most polite and seemingly honest way possible. He suddenly dresses himself with a persona of kind and gentle honesty, and sucks up to Othello. Nothing but a little dramatic irony will make the readers feel the painful stab of knowing information vital to the protagonist's survival.
Another scene in which Iago demonstrates his mastery of manipulation is when he instills the idea in Othello's mind that Cassio is with his wife. He almost refuses to tell Othello his suspicions, making him seem like a loyal friend.
Oh, Iago, my favortie character...
I do have to hand it to him, he is the best manipulator I have ever seen. The scene in which Roderigo and Iago get Cassio drunk is one of the highlights of his expertise in getting what he wants by manipulating people. After an (easily) won argument of whether Cassio was going to drink or not that night, and initiating Cassio's downfall after drinking himself to absurdity, he responds to Othello's questions in the most polite and seemingly honest way possible. He suddenly dresses himself with a persona of kind and gentle honesty, and sucks up to Othello. Nothing but a little dramatic irony will make the readers feel the painful stab of knowing information vital to the protagonist's survival.
Another scene in which Iago demonstrates his mastery of manipulation is when he instills the idea in Othello's mind that Cassio is with his wife. He almost refuses to tell Othello his suspicions, making him seem like a loyal friend.
Othello (2/4)
William Shakespeare
I have a burning fiery hatred for Iago. He has undoubtedly aroused the forceful feminist in me. The scene in which Emilia, Desdemona, and Iago discuss the roles and general position of women shapes Iago to be the ultimate villain: manipulative, revengeful, cunning, and misogynistic! They discuss four different kinds of women: smart and beautiful, smart and ugly, dumb and beautiful, and dumb and ugly. First of all, categorizing women into categories of "fair and black" strips women of obviously their value as human beings, but also of their individuality. It minimalizes women to be not only second class citizens, but even less than human, serving simply of objects characterized by their beauty for men to be pleased by. When Iago answers Desdemona as to what would make the perfect woman, he responds, "to suckle fools and chronicle small beer" (II.i.159). This section was just painful to read, especially keeping in mind that things haven't actually changed that much, after all, the "make me a sandwhich/women in the kitchen jokes" are still very much a part of everyday "comedy". What's even more pathetic is that women laugh along with these "jokes"! You are feeding into your own oppression!! You are contributing and encouraging the society that treats you and teaches you that you are less than men! You are laughing along with misogynist gender roles that have for hundreds and thousands of years led to your own oppression! Yes- I, Rachel Brown, am part of the radical movement that recognizes the full equality and humanity of both women and men.
I have a burning fiery hatred for Iago. He has undoubtedly aroused the forceful feminist in me. The scene in which Emilia, Desdemona, and Iago discuss the roles and general position of women shapes Iago to be the ultimate villain: manipulative, revengeful, cunning, and misogynistic! They discuss four different kinds of women: smart and beautiful, smart and ugly, dumb and beautiful, and dumb and ugly. First of all, categorizing women into categories of "fair and black" strips women of obviously their value as human beings, but also of their individuality. It minimalizes women to be not only second class citizens, but even less than human, serving simply of objects characterized by their beauty for men to be pleased by. When Iago answers Desdemona as to what would make the perfect woman, he responds, "to suckle fools and chronicle small beer" (II.i.159). This section was just painful to read, especially keeping in mind that things haven't actually changed that much, after all, the "make me a sandwhich/women in the kitchen jokes" are still very much a part of everyday "comedy". What's even more pathetic is that women laugh along with these "jokes"! You are feeding into your own oppression!! You are contributing and encouraging the society that treats you and teaches you that you are less than men! You are laughing along with misogynist gender roles that have for hundreds and thousands of years led to your own oppression! Yes- I, Rachel Brown, am part of the radical movement that recognizes the full equality and humanity of both women and men.
Othello (1/4)
William Shakespeare
Othello has a surprisingly cavelier disposition throughout the scene in which he is confronted by his new father-in-law, Brabantio. When Othello is confronted by a (small) angry mob and encouraged to fight, he responds, "Hold your hands, both you of my inclining and the rest. Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it without a prompter. Whither will you that I go to answer this your charge?" (I.ii.83-87). He responds rather simply, saying just that if he felt the need for a fight, he would have iniated it without the confrontation of Brabantio's group. He has nothing to hide when Brabantio accuses him of marrying Desdemona. His blunt honesty and clear conscience is heard even by the Duke, who is assumed to take the Senator's side. The Duke, rather than being convinced by Brabantio's argument, is impressed, as Desdemona was, by Othello's story and oppressive history. Nice try Brabantio, Othello is too good of a guy to mess with.
Othello has a surprisingly cavelier disposition throughout the scene in which he is confronted by his new father-in-law, Brabantio. When Othello is confronted by a (small) angry mob and encouraged to fight, he responds, "Hold your hands, both you of my inclining and the rest. Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it without a prompter. Whither will you that I go to answer this your charge?" (I.ii.83-87). He responds rather simply, saying just that if he felt the need for a fight, he would have iniated it without the confrontation of Brabantio's group. He has nothing to hide when Brabantio accuses him of marrying Desdemona. His blunt honesty and clear conscience is heard even by the Duke, who is assumed to take the Senator's side. The Duke, rather than being convinced by Brabantio's argument, is impressed, as Desdemona was, by Othello's story and oppressive history. Nice try Brabantio, Othello is too good of a guy to mess with.
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