Thursday, July 21, 2011
Macbeth - Fair is foul and foul is fair
The motif 'fair is foul and foul is fair' runs throughout Act one. Introduced in the beginning of act one by the three weird sisters, it is portrayed through the character, Macbeth. Macbeth holds a positive image in many people's view. Duncan says of Macbeth 'O Valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!' Receiving the title 'Thane of Cawdor', and fulfilling the first part of the prophesy Duncan claims 'What he hath lost, noble Macbeth had won.' Trusting Macbeth all the while, Duncan never see's Macbeth's true thoughts and desires. He appears trustworthy, when at heart he crafts evil plans, 'Let not light see my black and deep desires!'. The motif is relevant throughout Act one as this axiom is portrayed in Macbeth.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Week 1 - Introductory Paragraph to conference paper
Philip Adams article on childhood presents an older version of childhood. He describes childhood as a time when one is controlled by one's parents with limited or no freedom. He constructs this version well through his use of language, cultural assumptions and values of the time. There are many cultural assumptions and values from the time that are underpinned in the text. Such as his use of political and military references to represent how children were disciplined. Adams language used to describe how children were treated by those in authority is strong and pessimistic.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Chapter 9 - Catcher in the rye
Re-read Chapter 9 of The Catcher in the Rye. Tell the story of what happens in this chapter using third person narration. Use the narrative voice and possibly the thoughts of the other characters to reveal your feelings about Holden at this point. Position your reader to view Holden in the way you choose.
Once Holden arrived at the Penn Station, he went to the phone booth. Felling lonesome he decided he would give someone a call. He placed his bags outside, but as soon as he picked up the phone he could think of no-one to call. His brother, D.B, was in Hollywood. His sister would already be asleep and Holden knew that it would be his parents that answered the phone. Holden did not want to talk to his parents because he would have to explain why he was not at school, and why he was expelled. Holden wanted to know when Jane Gallagher's vacation began so that he could call her and arrange to see her again. However, he did not have the courage. He then thought of calling Sally Hayes, a girl he did not really like at all and whose mother did not really like him. Unlike Sally, her mother had enough sense to see that Holden did not have any direction or goal in life. Holden was beginning to run out of numbers he could call, so he thought of calling Carl Luce even thought he disliked him. However, he changed his mind once again and decided not to call anyone. Feeling even more depressed and lonesome, he absent-mindedly caught a cab to take him home. He didn't have the courage to face up to his parents that he had failed again. Remembering his plan to stay away until wednesday he asked the cab driver, 'Hey, do you mind turning around when you get a chance? I gave you the wrong address. I want to go back downtown.' The driver, wanting to get as much money from Holden as possible, replied, 'I can't turn around here, Mac. This here's a one-way. I'll have to go all the way to Ninedieth Street now.' Lacking the boldness to say otherwise, Holden agreed. Suddenly, Holden wondered if the cab driver would be able to answer his question about the ducks. He knew that if there was an answer to what the ducks would do when their beautiful environment and world changed so abruptly around them, there would be an answer to his own messed up life. 'Hey, listen,' he said. 'You know those little ducks in that lagoon right near Central Park South? That little lake? By any chance, do you happen to know where they go, the ducks, when it gets all frozen over? Do you happen to know by any chance?' Holden desperately hoped he would know the answer. Instead, he looked at holden as though he was crazy. 'What're ya tryna do bud?' he said. 'Kid me?'
'No - I was just interested, that's all.' He had nothing more to say, so Holden kept quiet.
'Alright buddy. Where to?'
'Well the thing is, I don't want to stay at any hotels on the east side where I might run into some acquaintances of mine. I'm travelling incognito,' he said even though he felt phony for saying it. He couldn't help acting phony around other phony people. 'Do you happen to know whose band's at the Taft of the New Yorker, by any chance?'
'No idea, Mac.'
'Well - take me to the edmont then,' he said. 'Would you care to stop on the way and join me for a cocktail? On me, I'm loaded.'
'Can't do it , Mac. Sorry.' Holden felt a bit disappointed. He kinda wanted someone to hang around with. Holden had put his red hunting hat on, but took it off to not look like a moron when he went into the hotel. His room was so empty and depressing. When he looked out the window in the other hotel, there was a couple squirting water all over each other. They found it hilarious and looked like they were having a great time. This didn't really make Holden feel any better, it was just as depressing to watch people doing stupid things yet enjoying each others company when Holden was all by himself. Looking at the girl in the other hotel made Holden think of a girl he had had similar fun with a few years ago. He liked to think he was quite a sexy guy. He remembered how he had played around with this one girl, who he thought was even sleazy than he apparently was. Yet, he knew that playing around with girls that he didn't really like went against his morals. Although, even when he had decided he would stop doing all that stuff, he had broken that decision almost immediately. He was always going against his morals just because it made him fell alright at the time; but would make him even worse later.
Sorry I haven't finished the chapter Mrs Grehan. It was starting to get to almost 800 words so I stopped it there, as I still had two pages to go.
Once Holden arrived at the Penn Station, he went to the phone booth. Felling lonesome he decided he would give someone a call. He placed his bags outside, but as soon as he picked up the phone he could think of no-one to call. His brother, D.B, was in Hollywood. His sister would already be asleep and Holden knew that it would be his parents that answered the phone. Holden did not want to talk to his parents because he would have to explain why he was not at school, and why he was expelled. Holden wanted to know when Jane Gallagher's vacation began so that he could call her and arrange to see her again. However, he did not have the courage. He then thought of calling Sally Hayes, a girl he did not really like at all and whose mother did not really like him. Unlike Sally, her mother had enough sense to see that Holden did not have any direction or goal in life. Holden was beginning to run out of numbers he could call, so he thought of calling Carl Luce even thought he disliked him. However, he changed his mind once again and decided not to call anyone. Feeling even more depressed and lonesome, he absent-mindedly caught a cab to take him home. He didn't have the courage to face up to his parents that he had failed again. Remembering his plan to stay away until wednesday he asked the cab driver, 'Hey, do you mind turning around when you get a chance? I gave you the wrong address. I want to go back downtown.' The driver, wanting to get as much money from Holden as possible, replied, 'I can't turn around here, Mac. This here's a one-way. I'll have to go all the way to Ninedieth Street now.' Lacking the boldness to say otherwise, Holden agreed. Suddenly, Holden wondered if the cab driver would be able to answer his question about the ducks. He knew that if there was an answer to what the ducks would do when their beautiful environment and world changed so abruptly around them, there would be an answer to his own messed up life. 'Hey, listen,' he said. 'You know those little ducks in that lagoon right near Central Park South? That little lake? By any chance, do you happen to know where they go, the ducks, when it gets all frozen over? Do you happen to know by any chance?' Holden desperately hoped he would know the answer. Instead, he looked at holden as though he was crazy. 'What're ya tryna do bud?' he said. 'Kid me?'
'No - I was just interested, that's all.' He had nothing more to say, so Holden kept quiet.
'Alright buddy. Where to?'
'Well the thing is, I don't want to stay at any hotels on the east side where I might run into some acquaintances of mine. I'm travelling incognito,' he said even though he felt phony for saying it. He couldn't help acting phony around other phony people. 'Do you happen to know whose band's at the Taft of the New Yorker, by any chance?'
'No idea, Mac.'
'Well - take me to the edmont then,' he said. 'Would you care to stop on the way and join me for a cocktail? On me, I'm loaded.'
'Can't do it , Mac. Sorry.' Holden felt a bit disappointed. He kinda wanted someone to hang around with. Holden had put his red hunting hat on, but took it off to not look like a moron when he went into the hotel. His room was so empty and depressing. When he looked out the window in the other hotel, there was a couple squirting water all over each other. They found it hilarious and looked like they were having a great time. This didn't really make Holden feel any better, it was just as depressing to watch people doing stupid things yet enjoying each others company when Holden was all by himself. Looking at the girl in the other hotel made Holden think of a girl he had had similar fun with a few years ago. He liked to think he was quite a sexy guy. He remembered how he had played around with this one girl, who he thought was even sleazy than he apparently was. Yet, he knew that playing around with girls that he didn't really like went against his morals. Although, even when he had decided he would stop doing all that stuff, he had broken that decision almost immediately. He was always going against his morals just because it made him fell alright at the time; but would make him even worse later.
Sorry I haven't finished the chapter Mrs Grehan. It was starting to get to almost 800 words so I stopped it there, as I still had two pages to go.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Winnie the Pooh - Version of childhood
Chapter 9 of Winnie The Pooh, constructs childhood as a time of helplessness and dependence. The assumption that being small was associated with vulnerability is also associated with childhood in the text. Also, it presents children as oblivious to danger and trouble when these situations arise. Instead they focus on things that are irrelevant and random. They feel the need for companionship in troubling situations. They find small things amusing and exciting. Children speak in plain language and find it hard to comprehend big words. They also find it hard to concentrate for long periods of time. Children are also often represented as self absorbed.
In Chapter 9 of Winnie the Pooh, Piglet is represented as helpless as he is small and does not have the same abilities to defend himself as his friends do.
Pg 98 '"It's a little Anxious..to be a very small animal entirely surrounded by water... and I can't do anything."'
He is in a vulnerable position as he is small and unable to help himself in dangerous situations. He is self absorbed, as he worries about being lonely and being unable to defend himself instead of worrying about the welfare of his friends, the forest, etc. Page 98 '"If only.. I had been in Pooh's house..instead of being here all alone, with nothing to do.."'. Christopher Robin finds it hard to comprehend long words and sentences, so owl must speak simply for him to understand.
Pg 104 '"The atmospheric conditions have been very unfavourable lately," said Owl.
"The what?"
"It has been raining," explained Owl.'
Piglet finds it hard to concentrate on what owl is saying after a while and falls asleep.
Page 108 'and the story went on and on..until Piglet..went to sleep quietly and naturally.'
They find strange things amusing, page 104 '"I say, Owl..isn't this fun? I'm on an island!". Christopher Robin does not find it concerning that his house is very badly flooded, but amusing.
Also, the illustration of Piglet in his tree house (page 99), represents him as small and helpless in the turmoil of the flood waters and strong rain. Another illustration on page 103 show Pooh in his awkward struggle on his 'boat' through the flood waters. He is seen as silly as he attempts to stay afloat on his honey pot boat. Yet he is awarded when he reaches Christopher Robin and thought of as 'brainy'. One of the Illustrations of Christopher Robin and Pooh floating in an umbrella and waving at their friends presents them as very creative for thinking of such a strange idea of floating in an umbrella and yet also humorous as it seems a foolish thing to do. This text represents Childhood as a dependant but yet frivolous time.
In Chapter 9 of Winnie the Pooh, Piglet is represented as helpless as he is small and does not have the same abilities to defend himself as his friends do.
Pg 98 '"It's a little Anxious..to be a very small animal entirely surrounded by water... and I can't do anything."'
He is in a vulnerable position as he is small and unable to help himself in dangerous situations. He is self absorbed, as he worries about being lonely and being unable to defend himself instead of worrying about the welfare of his friends, the forest, etc. Page 98 '"If only.. I had been in Pooh's house..instead of being here all alone, with nothing to do.."'. Christopher Robin finds it hard to comprehend long words and sentences, so owl must speak simply for him to understand.
Pg 104 '"The atmospheric conditions have been very unfavourable lately," said Owl.
"The what?"
"It has been raining," explained Owl.'
Piglet finds it hard to concentrate on what owl is saying after a while and falls asleep.
Page 108 'and the story went on and on..until Piglet..went to sleep quietly and naturally.'
They find strange things amusing, page 104 '"I say, Owl..isn't this fun? I'm on an island!". Christopher Robin does not find it concerning that his house is very badly flooded, but amusing.
Also, the illustration of Piglet in his tree house (page 99), represents him as small and helpless in the turmoil of the flood waters and strong rain. Another illustration on page 103 show Pooh in his awkward struggle on his 'boat' through the flood waters. He is seen as silly as he attempts to stay afloat on his honey pot boat. Yet he is awarded when he reaches Christopher Robin and thought of as 'brainy'. One of the Illustrations of Christopher Robin and Pooh floating in an umbrella and waving at their friends presents them as very creative for thinking of such a strange idea of floating in an umbrella and yet also humorous as it seems a foolish thing to do. This text represents Childhood as a dependant but yet frivolous time.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Is Emilia the real hero? Cont...
Although Emilia's deed of stealing Desdemona's handkerchief made her able to defend Desdemona and reveal Iago's evil character, she was still responsible for the setting up of proof against Desdemona. She does not show heroic characteristics when Desdemona really needs the help but instead plays the hero when Desdemona is already dead. We see her intentionally take the handkerchief from her mistress and show no guilt for taking it when Othello becomes very angry at Desdemona for losing it.
3.4.51-88
Othello:That's a fault...Fetch me the handkerchief. My mind misgives.
Desdemona: I say it is not lost.
Othello: The handkerchief!
After Othello rudely accuses Desdemona, thinking she has given the handkerchief to Cassio as a token, Emilia does not confess her act of stealing the handkerchief. Of course this would have faltered Othello's unjust suspicions against Desdemona, but Emilia does not confess; not until it is too late.
3.4.93
Emilia: Is he this man jealous?
Instead of feeling guilty after witnessing the fight between Othello and Desdemona over the handkerchief and knowing full well she had a part in provoking Othello's anger, she asks Desdemona if Othello is jealous. Although these feelings she has picked up from him are in fact true, she seems to be changing the subject of the handkerchief so that Desdemona will not be suspicious. After the fight scene, Desdemona might have then questioned Emilia as to whether she knew where the handkerchief was but to avoid this, Emilia questions Desdemona about Othello's behaviour. It is obvious throughout the play, that Emilia knows Desdemona needs the handkerchief and knows she is being falsely accused for having misplaced it. However, she does nothing to help Desdemona, only when it is too late and she is no longer living. In this way, she does not show heroic qualities until it is too late to save Desdemona.
Emilia plays the role of the hero at the end of the play by revealing Iago's villainess hand in the death of Desdemona. Without her hand in the devising of 'proof' against Desdemona, Emilia would not have been able to reveal the truth entirely at the end of the play. Despite this heroic act on her part, it would have been more effective if she had confessed her part in the stealing of the handkerchief earlier in the play rather than once Desdemona was already dead. Emilia is the most heroic character for confessing and taking a stand against her husband but does not fit the typical hero as she does not 'save' anyone, not even herself.
3.4.51-88
Othello:That's a fault...Fetch me the handkerchief. My mind misgives.
Desdemona: I say it is not lost.
Othello: The handkerchief!
After Othello rudely accuses Desdemona, thinking she has given the handkerchief to Cassio as a token, Emilia does not confess her act of stealing the handkerchief. Of course this would have faltered Othello's unjust suspicions against Desdemona, but Emilia does not confess; not until it is too late.
3.4.93
Emilia: Is he this man jealous?
Instead of feeling guilty after witnessing the fight between Othello and Desdemona over the handkerchief and knowing full well she had a part in provoking Othello's anger, she asks Desdemona if Othello is jealous. Although these feelings she has picked up from him are in fact true, she seems to be changing the subject of the handkerchief so that Desdemona will not be suspicious. After the fight scene, Desdemona might have then questioned Emilia as to whether she knew where the handkerchief was but to avoid this, Emilia questions Desdemona about Othello's behaviour. It is obvious throughout the play, that Emilia knows Desdemona needs the handkerchief and knows she is being falsely accused for having misplaced it. However, she does nothing to help Desdemona, only when it is too late and she is no longer living. In this way, she does not show heroic qualities until it is too late to save Desdemona.
Emilia plays the role of the hero at the end of the play by revealing Iago's villainess hand in the death of Desdemona. Without her hand in the devising of 'proof' against Desdemona, Emilia would not have been able to reveal the truth entirely at the end of the play. Despite this heroic act on her part, it would have been more effective if she had confessed her part in the stealing of the handkerchief earlier in the play rather than once Desdemona was already dead. Emilia is the most heroic character for confessing and taking a stand against her husband but does not fit the typical hero as she does not 'save' anyone, not even herself.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Is Emilia the real hero?
Emilia, the behind the scenes wife of the villain Iago, is in many ways the hero of the story yet she also plays a part in the destruction of Othello's trust in Desdemona. When Iago tries to find 'proof' of Desdemona's disloyalty, he has Emilia blindly play a part in the devising of Desdemona's disloyalty. However, towards the end of the play when Desdemona has been killed, Emilia stands up and lets out the truth against her husband, a move he did not expect.
Throughout the play, Emilia is never close to her husband, Iago. She does not suspect him of foul play between Desdemona and Othello's marriage but she does know that there is someone who has upset their union and disturbed Othello's mind. Although she plays a part in the devising of proof against Desdemona, she does not have evil intentions against Desdemona but is merely trying to please her husband. Also, without her input in this, she would not have been able to reveal her husbands real character at the end of the play.
3.3. 315:
Iago: ...Give it me.
Emilia: What will you do with't, that you have been so earnest to have me filch it?
Iago: [Snatching it] Why, what's that to you?
Emilia: If it be not for some purpose of import, give't me again. Poor lady, she'll run mad when she lack it.
Iago: I have use for it. Go, leave me.
The relationship we see here between Iago and Emilia is far from an equal love and respect for each other. Emilia even asks for the handkerchief back as she knows Desdemona will miss it. With this knowledge of Iago's intention to use the handkerchief, at the end of the play when it is said by Othello that Iago had told him the handkerchief was proof against Desdemona's disloyalty, Emilia knows that there has been foul play on Iago's part. She understands who is the real villian and is able to reveal Iago's evil character.
5.2.209
Othello: 'Tis pitiful; but yet Iago knows that she and Cassio hath the act of shame... I saw it in his hand: it was a handkerchief...
Emilia: Oh God! O heavenly God!
At this line what Iago does not expect of Emilia happens. She reveals the truth about Iago and his plan to set up Desdemona. Although all does not end happily as Desdemona, Othello and Emilia are killed, Iago's crime does not go unpunished and unknown. In this way she is a hero as she sacrifices her own life to tell the truth about her husband.
Throughout the play, Emilia is never close to her husband, Iago. She does not suspect him of foul play between Desdemona and Othello's marriage but she does know that there is someone who has upset their union and disturbed Othello's mind. Although she plays a part in the devising of proof against Desdemona, she does not have evil intentions against Desdemona but is merely trying to please her husband. Also, without her input in this, she would not have been able to reveal her husbands real character at the end of the play.
3.3. 315:
Iago: ...Give it me.
Emilia: What will you do with't, that you have been so earnest to have me filch it?
Iago: [Snatching it] Why, what's that to you?
Emilia: If it be not for some purpose of import, give't me again. Poor lady, she'll run mad when she lack it.
Iago: I have use for it. Go, leave me.
The relationship we see here between Iago and Emilia is far from an equal love and respect for each other. Emilia even asks for the handkerchief back as she knows Desdemona will miss it. With this knowledge of Iago's intention to use the handkerchief, at the end of the play when it is said by Othello that Iago had told him the handkerchief was proof against Desdemona's disloyalty, Emilia knows that there has been foul play on Iago's part. She understands who is the real villian and is able to reveal Iago's evil character.
5.2.209
Othello: 'Tis pitiful; but yet Iago knows that she and Cassio hath the act of shame... I saw it in his hand: it was a handkerchief...
Emilia: Oh God! O heavenly God!
At this line what Iago does not expect of Emilia happens. She reveals the truth about Iago and his plan to set up Desdemona. Although all does not end happily as Desdemona, Othello and Emilia are killed, Iago's crime does not go unpunished and unknown. In this way she is a hero as she sacrifices her own life to tell the truth about her husband.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Reputation in Othello
Based on what we have read so far, discuss the importance of reputation in relation to the following characters:
Desdemona
Cassio
Iago
In the play Othello reputation is highly important to Cassio, Iago and Desdemona. As the play progresses we see each of these characters lose their good reputation which ultimately gets them into trouble. Iago ruins Cassio's reputation as a good solider and he loses his job. Knowing Iago's weakness of being out of control when drunk, Iago pressures him to drink and sets him up to have a fight and makes the whole situation seem much worse. Iago knows the importance of reputation and uses it against Cassio. Othello then loses his trust in Cassio and is more susceptible to believe Iago's lies.
Desdemona has no faults or hidden weaknesses. However, she is still young and foolish. She does not come across as a very mature woman and she is very innocent and good. Othello treats her almost like a child as she is very much his junior. Desdemona is still very naive and Iago, knowing her good nature, uses it against her. Iago, setting up Cassio to ask Desdemona to implore on his behalf, knows she will defend Cassio as a child would; annoy Othello until he accepts Cassio back. Without her good reputation as an innocent and loyal wife, Desdemona loses Othello's trust without it.
Iago needs his good reputation. He has a reputation as a loyal, honest and trustworthy friend and lieutenant. Because of this reputation, everyone trusts his lies and deception. He plays the villian so well as they all believe what he says and he is able to speak so convincingly that no-one doubts his words. What is interesting is his reputation is so unlike his true character. His wife, Emilia, is the only person who seems to doubt his good reputation. In the end, Iago's loss of reputation costs him his life as his wife reveals his evil intentions. Without his good reputation his plan is a fail from the start.
Desdemona has no faults or hidden weaknesses. However, she is still young and foolish. She does not come across as a very mature woman and she is very innocent and good. Othello treats her almost like a child as she is very much his junior. Desdemona is still very naive and Iago, knowing her good nature, uses it against her. Iago, setting up Cassio to ask Desdemona to implore on his behalf, knows she will defend Cassio as a child would; annoy Othello until he accepts Cassio back. Without her good reputation as an innocent and loyal wife, Desdemona loses Othello's trust without it.
Iago needs his good reputation. He has a reputation as a loyal, honest and trustworthy friend and lieutenant. Because of this reputation, everyone trusts his lies and deception. He plays the villian so well as they all believe what he says and he is able to speak so convincingly that no-one doubts his words. What is interesting is his reputation is so unlike his true character. His wife, Emilia, is the only person who seems to doubt his good reputation. In the end, Iago's loss of reputation costs him his life as his wife reveals his evil intentions. Without his good reputation his plan is a fail from the start.
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