Summative Essay (Shakespeare)

How has your study of Shakespeare expanded your understanding of human nature?

This blog site involves two core aspects blogs and peer review. The blogs are split into two sub categories, creative and critical.

• Within the creative blogs thoughts, feelings and emotions are express on a particular topic or question. Each blog is uniquely expressing the writers thoughts and feelings in an imaginative way where personal freedom is encouraged. The creative blogs are beneficial as they provide the writer with a opportunity to, expand their vocabulary, strengthen intellectual confidence also enhances creative thinking and problem solving.
• Critical blogs involves a clear, informative and confident response about a particular topic/question. It contains reasons and answers that are supported through evidence but with a clear line of argument or opinion on the topic. The benefit of critical blogs include, teaching the writer to raise vital questions, to gather and present only relevant resource and information, also expand their ideas to new abstract interpretations tested against the norms and  communicate effective in an informative manner.
• Peer reviews are have several vital aspects that include firstly establishing the purpose of the authors blog before proceeding. Praising the work is important to help maintain confidence of the author but commenting on areas of improvement is just as important. Making sure honesty but politeness is used to form a good peer reviews. Peer reviews are beneficial as they provide critical advice, a range of diverse opinions can be presented and challenged and allow the new information to be learnt.

Each of these three types of writing provide the writer with the opportunity to practise and improve their writing skills, but also challenge common ideas whilst being honest and polite.

Shakespeare’s work has still to this day such a great influence on the world, within his writing he touches on the different aspects of humanity and by studying his work we are able to learn more about human nature. The works of Shakespeare were pieces of a puzzle highlighting the characteristics of human nature, that were played out in an entertaining but educating way. Shakespeare displayed intense understanding of human nature, demonstrating both appreciation and disgust in the behaviour of mankind. He did this through his army of characters, scenes and story lines which articulated universal themes that are still valid some 4000 years later.

• Themes such the overcoming power of jealousy seen in A Midsummer Night’s Dream

“Knowing I know thy love to Theseus?

Didst not thou lead him through the glimmering night

From Perigouna, whom he ravished?

And make him with fair Aegles break his faith,

With Ariadne and Antiopa?

These are the forgeries of jealousy.” (2.1)

• These scene conveys the pain of jealousy and the problems it can cause between people, in addition it demonstrates the effortless nature of jealousy that consume ones thoughts and perspective. Jealousy may merely be a feeling but it has great power over the actions and thoughts of a person.
• The dynamics of betrayal are conveyed in King Lear when he states “Here I disclaim all my paternal care”. (I.I.11) This is the one of the greatest characterised betrayals between father and daughter, which portrays the harshness and simple task of betraying someone even those as close as family. 
• Investigation into the nature of love is portrayed in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the romantic, uncontrolled passion shared between the two star crossed lovers. This is seen in Romeo’s comment on first seeing Juliet “Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight, For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.” (1.5.51-60)
• Shakespeare play the tempest presented many characteristic of human nature, in particular forgiveness and reconciliation. The play demonstrate the characters actions of forgiveness as seen  after the dispute between Prospero and King Alonso. Alonso’s brief comment “pardon me” is enough to please Prospero: “First, noble friend/Let me embrace thine age, whose honor cannot be measured or confined” (5.1.124-6). This pleasant exchange confirms Prospero’s forgiveness.
• Commonly the act of self-interest conveyed, for example Cordelia’s attitude towards her father and sister, despite the circumstances she seems to be rather concerned with her own outcome in King Lear. Moreover the selfish devotion the to lovers share without being concerned with the consequences or repercussion there actions may bring in Romeo and Juliet.

These are each different themes that Shakespeare involves in his works, each are characteristic of human nature. Not only does Shakespeare involves these themes but every detail of it is what allows the audience to gain such a deeper understanding into human nature. From the casting of characters, to personality type, the scene, the year and the events that unfold in the story line are all vital aspects that only Shakespeare had the raw talent to create these play, which actually teach the audience more about mankind and themselves then they allow could establish.

Summative Essay (19th C Lit)

Writers and artists in the 19^th Century were preoccupied with trying to solve the question “what is the purpose of life on earth?” As an inhabitant of the 21^st century how convincing did you find their answers?

This blog sit involves two core aspects blogs and peer review. The blogs are split into two sub categories, creative and critical.

• Within the creative blogs thoughts, feelings and emotions are express on a particular topic or question. Each blog is uniquely expressing the writers thoughts and feelings in an imaginative way where personal freedom is encouraged. The creative blogs are beneficial as they provide the writer with a opportunity to, expand their vocabulary, strengthen intellectual confidence also enhances creative thinking and problem solving.
• Critical blogs involves a clear, informative and confident response about a particular topic/question. It contains reasons and answers that are supported through evidence but with a clear line of argument or opinion on the topic. The benefit of critical blogs include, teaching the writer to raise vital questions, to gather and present only relevant resource and information, also expand their ideas to new abstract interpretations tested against the norms and  communicate effective in an informative manner.
• Peer reviews are have several vital aspects that include firstly establishing the purpose of the authors blog before proceeding. Praising the work is important to help maintain confidence of the author but commenting on areas of improvement is just as important. Making sure honesty but politeness is used to form a good peer reviews. Peer reviews are beneficial as they provide critical advice, a range of diverse opinions can be presented and challenged and allow the new information to be learnt.

Each of these three types of writing provide the writer with the opportunity to practise and improve their writing skills, but also challenge common ideas whilst being honest and polite.

The nineteenth century present two vastly differing views on ‘what is the purpose of life on earth’. At the beginning of the 19th Century we are presented with romantic perspectives. Romanticism was the era that people expressed their expression through artistic, literary and intellectual movements. The romantic period originated in Europe, but peaks between 1800-1850. This period is characterised by individuals emphasis on emotions and uniqueness, with significance importance placed on the sublime beauty of nature. Famous authors/artists of this period include William & Dorothy Wordsworth, William Blake, Joseph Mallord William, John Constable and many more. The Romantic Period presents the idea that mankind purpose of life on earth was to be connected with nature, to explore your imagination gaining all you can from what nature has to offer you.

William Wordsworth is writes romantic poetry, in his poems My Heart Leaps Up and I Wondered Lonely as a Cloud he expresses the purpose of life is to be connected with nature. This opinion is demonstrated by the selected language of the joyful bliss nature could provide mankind, in addition how a deeper connection with nature can alter your perceptive on life. William Wordsworth’s answer I found mostly convincing, still there were moment of doubt but overall his words felt so real. The way his poems brought the experiences to life made the feelings and ideologies so believable and true.

Victorianism or otherwise known the Victorian Ear was a period during the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837-1901. The culture of this time was largely different then that of any other previous, this was a era focused on highly moralistic, with proper language and the adequate behaviours of Victorian morality. This new ideology originated straight from England, influencing art, poetry, music and drama. There are many famous artist/authors of this period, but some of the most popular include, Charles Dickens, William Thackeray, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy, Oscar Wilde and so many more. The Victorian Era presents the idea that mankind purpose is life is to learn, be educated, scientifically explore and push the boundaries to find new discoveries.

Oscar Wilde drama, The Importance of being Earnest demonstrates the Victorian institution and vales. Ideas presenting that life is all about style, playing apart in life particularly that of looking wealthy. In addition the storyline presents the idea that individuals must had a higher eduction, studied in different languages and sciences for your life to hold purpose. As much as there ideas may be convincing, it does not change that fact they go against everything individuals are taught today, therefore making it hard to believe them as correct.

Both Romanticism and Victorianism demonstrates unique beliefs and ideas on what is the purpose of life, one suggesting its nature whilst the other believes it is education. These two ideas are polar opposite making it hard to internally agree with just one, but moreover with the culture, views and ideals of our modern society it is quiet hard for either of these era to be completely convincing as our era already has its own opinion on the purpose of life.

Peer Review 6 (19th C Lit)

Hi Annie,

This blog provides a great review of the Riverside Theatre production of ‘The Importance of being Earnest’. You demonstrate to the reader both positive and negative parts of the production, allowing the audience to be informed but also giving them a chance to form there own opinion if they are so lucky. Your comment on Lady Bracknell as a “directorial triumph” I must completely agree with. It is excellent how you provide the reader with insight into the terrific role of Lady Bracknell whilst demonstrating her role to be a sterotypical woman of the Victorian upper class. Adding in your favourite line of the play to your blog was great, it allows for a more personal aspect to be felt rather then piece of information. This is a great review of the play, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head.
– Beth

 

19th Cent: Blog Two

Peer Review 7 (Shakespeare)

Hi Kia,

This is a great opening blog! I like that you are able to recognise you are more refreshing what you’ve previously studied on Shakespeare, and stating so in a positive light, as most commonly people don’t enjoy studying Shakespeare because it can be challenging. Seconding I think your second comment is well structure and the reader is able to see you have put some genuine thought into Shakespeare and his works. Your comment “outlook influenced the content and direction of the plays that he had written.” is not a theory I have even looked into, commonly I get caught up studying Shakespeare era and his works, but not necessarily the man himself. This has allowed me to think deeper when I am studying his work. Keep it up
– Beth

Shakespeare and Renaissance: Blog #1

Peer Review 6 (Shakespeare)

Hi Kia,

This review I found to be very informative, but more then merely providing me with information you have conveyed this play to be quite extraordinary, encourages the reader to attend this play also. I think it was very appropriate to include your personal experiences throughout high school as a drama student, as it allows the reader to engage with you better but also provides them with more security in your review as you have witness several Shakespeare production before. You inclusion of specific elements to the play that drew your attention, for example your mention of the tradition customs provides the reader with reassurance. Lastly, to sum your blog up with your favourite aspect is great! The lanterns were so meaningful throughout the play, I must agree with your comment. I would suggest for you to not be afraid to be critical, as long as you are polite you can critic areas of the play, that is if you found any areas to be critiqued haha.Great work though!!
– Beth

Shakespeare and Renaissance: Blog #3

Peer Review 5 (Shakespeare)

Hi Jacinta,

This is great!! After reading the first paragraph my mind was jumping around, thinking what did she do? what does he know? what has happened? I found myself eager to read on, maybe even cheat and read the last line first. The second paragraph had me feeling cold and sad, your descriptive language and use of quotes, caused me to feel pain for the character. Once I had finished your poem, I felt immensely saddened for the man, your words made me feel as if I was the one experiencing the pain. I would suggest that you continue your poem further, or to extend the first two paragraphs before revealing what had occurred. Overall such a moving piece of writing
– Beth

Shakespeare – Blog 5

Blog 8 (Shakespeare)

Imagine yourself on a remote island on which you have never seen anyone else than your father and one or two of his strange helpers. Describe how you will react when you suddenly see a group of young people coming to greet you out of nowhere. What words would you use?

For as long as I can remember there was always just my father and myself, there would be, on the odd occasion some other people that looked like my father by were not him. he would lead them and they followed attentively, doing as he order. Around me is filled with peace, order and security, this little island is ideal. O wow, there are so many more people on my little island, how many of them are there? They are fast approaching me! How do I react? Where do I go? This can’t be real, is this is dream? Quickly hiding behind a tree I can observe them. There are so many of them, but there faces are smooth, there eyes are round and skin looks clean. Is something wrong with them? How come they look like me, not like my father? Should I run away or maybe they will be nice? Ok maybe I should just take some deep breaths before I freak out and look like I’m crazy! but what if they are really mean or judging, then what do I do?

wow, look at him! the way he is looking at me is alluring yet frightening. His smile is like the freshly blossomed flowers in spring, lighting up the world around him. But look at her, that hair on her head is so lush following beautiful in the breeze and the trees sway in the wind. Oh my! I let myself get district they are so close to me now, I’m sure they can see me hiding, well I guess I’m not really hiding then. Do I run or talk? I’m scared but excited! Ahhh here I go, I think.

Hello there, my name is Bethany, it’s lovely to meet you…

Blog 7 (Shakespeare)

As the first Blog Topic for this week can you explain how Shakespeare seems to be able to make Ariel’s activities so physically, sensorially available to the reader and the audience? What is it about the word selection, the word placement, the punctuation, the rhythm, the allusions, that brings this text so amazingly, vividly to life?

This is the kind of work that needs to be done on Shakespeare’s language to bring the text meaningfully to life. If you have not listened to the tutorial for week 9 then do so and then answer this question.

Exploring specifically Act 1, Scene 1, which is ‘Ariel’s Speech’ Shakespeare’s use of language allows the audience to be actively engage in the words that followed from Ariel. The language is physically and sensorially accessible to the reader and/or the audience. Within Ariel’s speech Shakespeare ensure the language hold texture which is what allows the reader to engage with the character. Shakespeare creates the words to physically emulate the movement and feeling of the word, which ultimately allows the words to come to life to the reader. Looking further into the features of the language, the word selection accompanied by place, punctuation and rhythm has been precisely selected by Shakespeare in order to create a peak within each sentence. For example “Now in the was it, the deck, in every cabin, I flamed amazement”. The selected words, ‘flamed amazement allows the sentence to reaches its peak but also demonstrates the motion of accumulative listing. This actions allows the reader to develop a rhythm whilst reader Ariel’s Speech as they lead to the peak. The reader is given the chance to be amazingly swept away as the words come to life.

Blog 7 (19th C Lit)

It is often said that great fiction changes the world. Do you think that any of the works you have read in the last two weeks have the power to do just this?

In week 7 we discussed Charles Dickens’ novel ‘Hard Times’, in particular book 3, chapter 8 ‘Philosophical’. In this chapter Dickens emphasis’ the issues faced when being consumed by education without means of imagination or connection with you creative ability. In this chapter Dickens uses a handful of characters to portray the influences of education on human expression.

Tom conveys a man of education but has been caught robbing a bank, this action alone demonstrates Dickens views on how the educational system is failing to teach morals. Bitza is another character who demonstrates the corner stone of Victorian values, he is a product of the educational system and portrays how the social system is one of self-interest. He commonly uses the word reasonably because due to his educational up bringing there always has to be reason in his actions.

I believe that great fiction has the ability to alter the worlds views, maybe not completing change it, but most certainly influence. Charles Dickens’ novel ‘Hard Times’ is a great example of an author being able to identify the impact of being education focused and forgetting the other important aspects in life. Great fiction can provide its readers with knowledge, thought and opinion that may challenge or enhance them, which could lead to changes in the world.

Blog 6 (19th C Lit)

I would be interested to hear whether you believe this to be the case, that the modern cinema is the place where our best artistic energies are going in the attempt to resolve human problems? I can think of one recent film – David Attenborough’s Barrier Reef Series- which was a poetic/ scientific/ attempt to stir the consciences of our politicians. I can think of another film Apocalypse Now which takes a hard, devastating look at our behaviour in an effort to wise us up to our destructiveness.  Do you have other examples worth talking about? Do you agree with this view of the artistic value of contemporary cinema?

When I think of modern cinema production that attempt to resolve human problems, it makes me think ‘What are problems of today?’ A list of things like not having enough money or time, people in ability to stay healthy or live long lives even our body image, the desire to consume bad food constantly but not wanting to get fat.

This brings me to scientific genre movies like Limitless, Jumper, Gattaca, Inception. Each movie demonstrates contemporary problems of society and interesting ways in which they can be solved.

For example Neil Burger 2011 film ‘Limitless’ assesses the issue of the limited capacity of the human brain, the inability to complete hundreds of tasks in one day. The solution to the problem is to take this new drug called NZT, which can expand the average brain’s abilities, allowing people to do so much more each day.

Similarly Andrew Niccol 1997 film ‘Gattaca’ explores the benefits of human cloning. It focuses on the human problems of illness, obesity and death but presents cloning as the solution to a greater and longer life.

These are both different interpretations of how to solve our modern societies problems, each challenge our scientific perspective on life. Some people may agree with the solutions while other may not. Personal I would not encourage the use of a mystery drug in order to increase my mental ability, nor would I be comfortable with cloning myself in order to cheat illness or death. But this does not change the incredibly films and the extraordinary ideas behind them.