The Importance Of Being Earnest-LRJ #4

Wit:The humor in this play is presented as a comical farce. The unknown truth creates suspense while the characters get lost in deceptions.

Absurdity: "You are perfectly right in making some slight alteration. Indeed, no woman should ever be quite accurate about her age. It looks so calculating..." (p.180) Lady Bracknell approves of Cecily's disguised age, this expresses her superficial views on love.

Social Convention: The characters all gather at the end of the play for a grand conclusion to reveal the truth about everybody's relations.

The Imporatance Of Being Earnest- LRJ #3

Wit:
Wilde uses ridiculous situations to create a comical tone. Dramatic irony also used to entertain the audience and give more humor to the circumstances.
Satire:
This play uses satire, to make a point about the oblivious characters using irony."I am glad to say that I have never seen a spade. It is obvious that our social spheres have been widely different."(p.165)
Farce:
Mistaken identities serve as a theme in this farce."I am afraid you must be under some misconception. Ernest proposed to me exactly ten minutes ago"(p.164) This quote is from when Cecily and Guendolen both believe they have both been proposed to by a man named Ernest.

In Act 2 Oscar Wilde uses an an assortment of literary elements to present Victorian society. In this section the plot comes together in a clash of confusion.

The Imporatance Of Being Earnest- LRJ #2

The problems faced by the characters in this play seem to represent the absurdity of Victorian society. Jack and Algernon both have too find a scapegoat in order to have a balanced life. "The truth is rarely pure and never simple. Modern life would be very tedious if it were either, and modern literature a complete impossibility!" (p.122)

Gwendolen and Lady Bracknell portray women upper class women in the 1890's. Lady Bracknell doesn't consider the aspect of love when forbidding Jack from marrying her daughter. Her views on marriage are old fashioned. She is unwilling to look past petty flaws that her potential son-in-law possess.

The Importance Of Being Earnest- LRJ #1

Algernon's has hostile and bitter views towards marriage. His negative attitude towards Jacks proposal expresses his feelings on the topic. "I really don't see anything romantic in proposing. It is very romantic to be in love. But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal. Why, one may be accepted. One usually is, I believe. Then the excitement is all over. The very essence of romance is uncertainty. If ever i get married, Ill certainly try an forget that fact." (p.118) This quote shows the way he feels about the importance of keeping the romance alive in a relationship. He seems to think marriage is a commitment that ruins the excitement of love.

The tone between Jack and Algernon is argumentative yet playful. Though their views on marriage are very different they discuss the topic with contrary points. " I have no doubt about that, dear Algy. The Divorce Court was specially invented for people whose memories are so curiously constituted." (p.118) Algernon is rather critical of Jacks choices, but Jack is consistent in his rebuttals.

Atsumori Commentary

Ella Thomson
Ms. Peifer
10IB Period 4
May 5, 2009

Short is the way that reads
From the sea of Suma back to my home
This little journey, up to the hill.
And down to the shore again, and up to the hill-
This is my life, and the sum of hateful tasks.
If one should ask me
I too would answer
That on the shore
I live in sadness
Yes if any guessed my name
Then might I too have friends
But now from my deep misery
Even those that were dearest
Are grown estranged. Here must I dwell abandoned
To one thoughts anguish:
That I must dwell here.
(Zeami Motokiyo 26-41)


This play by Zeami Motokiyo is a great example of Japanese Noh Theater. This specific excerpt compares the life of the Reaper to a journey though depression. Motokiyo gives this character a melancholy attitude. This section expresses his solitude, and pessimistic view on life.
The section begins with the lines: “Short is the way that reads From the sea of Suma back to my home This little journey, up to the hill. And down to the shore again, and up to the hill- This is my life, and the sum of hateful tasks.” This quote describes a short distance traveled routinely, which is also a deeper metaphor for the way he feels about the path he took in life. The ups and downs of life act as a theme, for this part of the play.
He goes on to imply that his misery keeps him alone, even if someone were to reach out a hand for help he’s already to deep in sorrow to be saved. This character is lost in depression: “Here must I dwell abandoned To one thoughts anguish: That I must dwell here.” This use of parallelism shows how he how he is unhappy just by the thought of being unhappy.
The context of this excerpt fits into the plot in the play. As an individual work this section portrays a meaningful presentation of poetic Japanese writing.

LRJ #1- A Modest Proposal

Swift address many issues using humor as a device to exaggerate a point beyond extremes. This use of irony is intended to present the problem in a way that reveals its ridiculousness.
In A Modest Proposal Swift proposes that the issue of poverty would be solved in Ireland if everyone ate their children. He goes into great detail of how this system would work. Here he says how good pork: "which are no way comparable in taste or magnificence to a well- grown, fat, yearling child, which roasted whole will make a considerable figure at a lord mayors feast or any other public entertainment" (Swift p.5)

Eating children is obviously a sick and wrong concept, but the intentions of the article is not to argue whether or not this method is morally correct. Swift's convincing argument is really meant to express frustrations towards Ireland's politics. It is addressed that Ireland is completely subject to England's power. Ireland little effort to fight back is shown through the example of poverty stricken families desperate attempt to find food. This article is affective in the sense that satire is used to the advantage of the theme.

Rosalind- Act #5

This play concludes in a large wedding and a happy ending for all the couples. The themes are addressed for the final time as country vs. city life is debated. At this point the men seem to be aware of Rosalind's games and all of loves confusion is sorted out through the universal solution of marriage. Rosalind then gives the grand epilogue which she explains the is nontraditional in the sense a women performs it. In the Epilogue she addresses the audience frequently and asks their opinions in rhetorical form. "It is not the fashion to see the lady the epilogue, but it is no more unhandsome than to see the lord the prologue. If it be true that good wine needs no bush, 'tis true that a good play needs no epilogue. Yet to good wine they do use good bushes, and good plays prove the better by the help of good epilogues. What a case am I in, then, that am neither a good epilogue nor cannot insinuate with you in the behalf of a good play. " (5.6.196-204) The epilogue seems appropriate for Rosalind's character because it ties in the unexplained aspects of the play.

Rosalind- Act #4

This act starts out with Rosalind accusing Jaques of his melancholy ways. Rosalind shows mockery towards the other characters extreme behaviors. When Orlando takes love lessons from Rosalind (as Ganymede) he prepossess that if Rosalind should turn down his kiss he shall die. Rosalind does not approve of his over dramaticness she finds it unrealistic. "No, faith, die by attorney. The poor world is almost six thousand years old, and in all this time there was not any man died in his own person, videlicet, in a love cause." (4.1.80-83) Rosalind continues to go around exposing every couples love of its real potential. She understands that love can get confused by the initial excitement of attraction and then loose its fresh quality. Celia criticizes Rosalind for putting down female nature by pointing out that a maiden is not the same as a wife. She confuses her cousins attempt to point out love in the real world and the honest truth about relationships.

Later in this Act after Rosalind being distraught over the absence of Orlando, for the rest of his lesson, she soon hears news of his where a bouts from his brother Oliver. Oliver explains the tragic story of Orlando's courageous act. Rosalind faints with surprise and guilt. Oliver then makes the comment: "Be of good cheer, youth. You a man? You lack a man's heart."(4.2.191)

Rosalind- Act #3

In this act Rosalind's character develops as she gets the play rolling. Rosalind gets wrapped up in all sorts of mischief that goes on between the lovers affaris. When Rosalind first discovers poems en scrolled on the trees in the forest she is baffled by the poor quality of the writing, yet is immediately wooed when finding out Orlando wrote them. She is overwhelmed by the childish excitement and questions Celia about the topic. "Good my complexion, dost thou think though I am caparisoned like a man, I have a doublet and hose in my disposition? One inch of delay more is a South Sea of discovery. I prithee, tell me who is it quickly, and speak apace. I would thou couldst stammer, that thou might'st pour this concealed man out of thy mouth as wine comes out of a narrow-mouthed bottle—either too much at once, or none at all. I prithee take the cork out of thy mouth, that I may drink thy tidings." (3.2.177-185) Although Rosalind's portrays herself as a strong feminine figure she is still easily romanced by sweet gestures. The contradiction of her character shows the depth of her personality and versatility.

Rosalind in scene 5 intrudes on Silvius and Phoebe's little quarrel and stands up for the underdog. Rosalind has a noble quality. She helps a friend out who like her, got caught up in love, and may have gotten lost and confused on the way. Silvius builds up enough courage to confess his great attraction to Phoebe only to be crushed by her demanding ways. Rosalind views it as her duty and gets into their business with good intentions. Yet she ends up complicating the situation even more when Phoebe falls in love with Rosalind's disguised self Ganymede.

Rosalind- Act #2

In act 2 the girls and touchstone take a rest on their journey through the forest, they then stumble upon two shepherds. The shepherds, old Corin and young Silvius, discuss Silvius's hopeless love for a maiden named Pheobe. Corin is wiser and more experienced with the subject. Yet Silvius insists that even if Corin, having loved more women, still cannot relate to his pain for he loves more wholeheartedly. Touchstone then calls over Corin and the travelers ask where they might find a place to stay. The shepherd says his masters property is up for sale and the women decide to purchase the place.

Silvius's devotion to Pheobe reflects Rosalind's own fall for love." Alas, poor shepherd, searching of thy wound, I have by hard adventure found mine own." (2.4.40-41) Though their situations are similar Rosalind's character is self aware and able to recognize ones foolishness. Silvius is lost in sudden romance and is blind to his commitment.

As You Like It Journal- Rosalind - Act #1

I chose to fallow Rosalind's character through out this play. Rosalind is initially portrayed as being a passionate young women. She is first introduced in Act 1 scene 2 when her cousin Celia is shown trying to cheer her up, over the unfortunate situation with their fathers. Rosalind is unhappy about these circumstances: "I show more mirth than I am mistress of, and would you yet I were merrier? Unless you could teach me to forget a banished father, you must not learn me how to remember any extraordinary pleasure" (1.2.2-5) Celia tries to lighten the mood and changes the subject, they chat and joke around on a lighter note.

Rosalind and Celia are then persuaded to go to a wrestling match and cheer on the fighter Charles. His opponent Orlando ends up winning and the girls go to congratulate the man. Rosalind finds herself lovestruck by this very encounter, her happiness only to be damped by Duke Fredrick's sudden revelation. He spontaneously proposes that Rosalind shall be banished from court, for no better reason then she being her fathers daughter.

Celia then stands up for her beloved best friend. She continued to nobly defend Rosalind but this having no effect on her father she decided she should be banished along with her cousin if it had to come to that. This is the start of the girls master plan to run away to the Forest of Ardenne. Rosalind being upset to begin with about the family conflict then had to deal with her own consequence of being a disgrace to her uncle. Rosalind understand the sacrifice her friend made to help her out, and she is appreciate of her loyalty.

Macbeth-LRJ #6

In Macbeth, Shakespeare brings up many issues that cause the audience to question the concept of: what makes someone good or bad? This is an important theme in the play because the characters all struggle between there own personality complex's.

This is left up to the reader, the characters in the play all seem to show positive and negative traits. This leaves the audience to interpret them in the way they find honesty and true morals in a person.

Macbeth LRJ #5

A common theme presented in act 5 is the concept of power. Macbeth believed that the prophecy gave him enough power to be invincible to all those born from a women. "I cannot taint with fear. What's the boy Malcolm? Was he not born of woman? The spirits that know All mortal consequences have pronounced me thus: “Fear not, Macbeth. No man that's born of woman Shall e'er have power upon thee.” Then fly, false thanes, And mingle with the English epicures. The mind I sway by and the heart I bear" Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear. His strive for power lead him to this complicated dramatic situation and brought the play to its epic ending. Lady Macbeth's desire for power lead her to self destruction."(5.3.3-14)

I fallowed the image of Blood through act 5. When Lady Macbeth is sleep walking she remarks: "The thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now?—What, will these hands ne'er be clean?" (5.1.30-31) The blood symbolizes sin throughout the play. originally it was Lady Macbeth's claim that water could easily wash away the blood. At this point the she is hopelessly lost in guilt and she wonders how one murder could lead to so much pain. She cant wash away the guilt like the stains of blood wont wash off her hands, metaphorically.

Macbeth LRJ #4

The scene starts out as Lady Macduff demands her husbands whereabouts to Ross she shows her lac of trust in Macduff's mission. "Wisdom! To leave his wife, to leave his babes, His mansion and his titles in a place From whence himself does fly? He loves us not; He wants the natural touch." (4.2.6-9) The family is alone and feels betrayed, their characters develop to be hostile and stubborn towards Macduff. When Lady Macduff is warned of potential danger she insists that she has done no harm. At this point the murderers make their appearance, they make a cruel remark about Macduff, Macduff then calls them a liar and then gets stabbed.

We learn allot of information about Macduff's personality in this act. Malcolm tests Macduff in trying to find his true opinion on Macbeth. "Bleed, bleed, poor country! Great tyranny, lay thou thy basis sure, For goodness dare not check thee. Wear thou thy wrongs;
The title is affeered.—Fare thee well, lord. I would not be the villain that thou think'st For the whole space that's in the tyrant's grasp, And the rich East to boot."(4.3.33-38) Macduff here reveals his honesty and loyalty to his country. When Malcolm finally admits to his wife and kids being murdered Macduff breaks down, it was hard to leave his family in the first place. He left them in unsafe circumstances and now the are dead.

The scene with Lady Macduff shows the point in the play where Macbeth completely loses control of his power, and becomes a reckless killer. The Macduff family was murdered in cold blood. Macbeth was to afraid of facing the real issues and gave into the prophecy letting fate take its course and getting rid of anything that stood in the way of his success.

Macbeth LRJ #3

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both show significant changes in Act 3. The characters roles have almost changed places as Lady Macbeth's confidence in the whole scheme of things weakens. Macbeth who expected happiness as he took the thrown still seeks the sense of security that he was promised with the murder of Duncan. He then tries to convince Lady Macbeth that getting rid of Banqou would surely clear the greatest threat to their reign. "Naught's had, all's spent,Where our desire is got without content.'Tis safer to be that which we destroy Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy."(3.2.6-9). This quote shows that Lady Macbeth is starting to doubt her and her husbands strength in caring on with this power.Macbeth's vulnerable mental state shows through, later in act 3, when Banquo's ghost haunts his thoughts. Lady Macbeth then frantically tries to cover up her husband embarrassing display of hallucination.

I chose to fallow the image of death through out act 3. This pattern appears in the form of ghost."Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake Thy gory locks at me." (3.6.54-55) This is when Macbeth finds Banquo's ghost at his spot at the table and talks to the spirit in front of all his guests. Macbeth's guilt for the murder of is former friend Banquo comes back from the dead to symbolize the prophecy working out as planned, and his inner conscious accusing him of sin.

Death being something that shows up as a way to represent someones strive for power and getting "rid" of anyone that stands in the way, through murder. This image pattern is commonly portrayed for obvious reasons since the play is a drama and death is a subject that fits this topic quite well. "Ay, and since too, murders have been performed Too terrible for the ear. The time has been That, when the brains were out, the man would die, And there an end. But now they rise again With twenty mortal murders on their crowns And push us from our stools. This is more strange Than such a murder is." (3.6.80-86) This is Macbeth saying how at one point someone could get away with murder and not have the body come back to get you.

Macbeth LRJ #1

My initial impression of Macbeth is he seems like a generally good-natured man. Who was respected be peers for noble acts as a solider. "buts all's too weak, For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name-" (1.1.16) In this quote Macbeth's brave act on the battle field was described by an injured captain. Though he portrays a courageous image Macbeth is easily lead astray by pressure in more tense situations. My first thoughts on the character of lady Macbeth was a power hungry wife who desires some control over her husbands decision making. "That i may pour my spirits in thine ear And chastise with the valor of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden crown." (1.5.13-15) After receiving Macbeth's letter about the witches prophecy Lady Macbeth in this quote, expresses that she wants him to hurry home so she can persuade him to go for the crown and not hold back. Banquo seems like a man who also being a general with a strong will has good intentions.

Some of the themes suggested in Act 1 include the witches prophecy and the significance of this prediction. Macbeth immediately becomes enthralled in the mystery of this glimpse to the future. "This supernatural soliciting cannot be ill, cannot be good." (1.3.133-135) Macbeth focuses on what the witches said. He is fascinated by the idea of one day becoming king but also afraid of the horrible thoughts that tempt him as his desire to succeed grows.

"I am settled, and bend up Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. Away, and mock the time with fairest show. False face must hide what the false heart doth know."(1.7.79-82) This is the point in Act 1 when Lady Macbeth has convinced her husband to go along with the crime of killing Duncan. Macbeth in this quote tells her that he is putting all his effort into this injustice, while she must act like nothing happened with a false heart. I found this image important to the play because it really shows the change in Macbeth's personality and intentions and how greed and desire for power has poisoned his mind.

Macbeth LRJ #2

-Macbeth shows both positive and negative traits in Act 2. The positive include him being a good husband and listening to his wife, though his wife has a corrupt plan. He goes through with a crime that being only recently convinced of its potential success. Some of Macbeth's negative qualities are his vulnerability to temptation, he easily gives and us often mislead by false sources. Even though his strong will proves he is a determined man, his incentive is weakened after the guilt set in.
-Lady Macbeth positive traits include her strong and firm attitude that gives her authoritative power over people. Her negative side is shown through her manipulative schemes, after satisfied by the murder of Duncan, the crime takes a negative toll on her mental state.

	"Alack, I am afraid they have awaked, And 'tis not done. Th'attempt and not the deed confounds us." (2.2.10-13) This quote shows the frantic state she’s left in when she dreams Duncan is still being alive.

-I chose to fallow the image of sleep through act two because i find it significant that this section starts out with Banquo awoken from a dream about the witches then Macbeth has immediate a hallucinations about a dagger and the murder he is about to commit. “Or art though but A dagger of the mind, a false creation," (2.1.37-38) also throughout the play strange thing are shouted in the night like when Macbeth thinks he here’s someone after he murders Duncan say:

	"Still it cried, “Sleep no more!” to all the house.
	“Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor
	Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.”" (2.2.43-46)

Sonnet XIX Commentary

In this sonnet Shakespeare builds on the theme of time, and how the worst crime time could commit is to let love grow old and dull. The literary devices used include symbolism, an ABABCDCDEFEF ect. rhyme scheme and a ten syllable rhythm to each phrase.
The sonnet starts out using symbolism to reflect the idea of the aging things loosing their most useful features: "pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tiger's jaws"( line 3). The sonnet goes on to say let time take its course on earths creatures but not on his fair love or the idea of love itself. The idea of time is shown through aging beauty: "O, carve not thy hours my loves fair brow,"( line 9) This concludes the sonnet in saying that even if a relationship is old, the love shared can forever live young.

SONNET-You as a Winter Day

Thou art bleak and gray as a winter day
Even in the sun you remain cold as ice
In silence I think I wonder why I stay
What prevents thine from living? show some spice
You shine dullness your color is black and white
To get over ones self and let instincts win
Holding back overcoming thine world in spite
Fire will burn but heat will warm thine skin
What is perfection trying to prove?
Thee who believe in pain can suffer as one
Thine shield is transparent anyway doth move
We are all just as messed up, some just choose to run
Listening to thine say nothing, what doth thine see?
Help me understand and i will let doth be.

Psychology

Yesterday i started a course in psychology through the Saint Paul Connections program. It was very interesting but i found it to be a subject that wasn't what i expected. We discussed some theory's be the famous psychologist Freud this man had some interesting idea's on the concept of young boys and there mothers. Something that also caught my attention was the subject of overt and covert expression. Covert is based on the idea of having emotions that are in thought form and not expressed through action. Overt is when your emotions are visible and you can basically see how the person is feelings. There is controversy over the ideas is whether one should be focused on more in the in the science of psychology to help better understand the human mind.