"And I, who believed my life was intended to be so interesting and meaningful, was connected to those dead by something-not just mortality but a taboo name, a hated identity" (Adrienne Rich, 228).
This essay really made me connect with Adrienne Rich; I not only feel that I understand her or her poem's better, but I also feel that I understand myself better. Interestingly enough, my dad is Jewish and my mom is Christian. In this sense, Rich and I have a lot in common. I was actually raised Christian, but the fact that I am connected to Judaism and that my ancestors were plagued by the horrors of the Holocaust are things that I have to deal with. It is easy to forget this part of myself because I live in a majorally Christian world. Rich brings up the question of identity. We explored identity with White Castle and Nietzsche, but Rich provides a new outlook on the question. Who am I? How does my Jewish heritage contribute to who I am? I don't feel the same sort of struggle that Rich does when asking myself this question. I am Christian by faith, part Jewish by blood. I think that identity is a multi-dimensional complex concept. I am part German, part Austrian, and part English. I celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas. Identity shouldn't be a single word or idea; in fact, it shouldn't be.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Othello on Jealousy
Emilia: But jealous souls will not be answered so they are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they're jealous. It is a monster begot upon itself, born on itself. (III.IV.180)
Jealousy is a very important theme in Othello and is a theme responsible for the destruction of each character. Iago is Jealous of Othello for taking a military position he had wanted. He is also jealous of Othello for marrying Desdemona, a woman he lusts after. Iago is jealous of Othello and Cassio because he thinks they both have had sexual relations with his wife. Othello's jealousy from watching Cassio with Desdemona leads him to believe his wife has been unfaithful. Jealousy fuels the action in the play; it is the reason for the downfall of Iago and Othello, the play's protagonist and antagonist. Jealousy is an innate trait of human nature that only ends in destruction. Jealousy motivates Iago to destroy Othello and gives Othello the tools needed to fall for Iago's master plans.
I think that Shakespeare is trying to teach his audience a lesson about the evils of jealousy. Jealousy is the most destructive human quality in existence; he refers to it as "a monster." Jealousy has the ability to completely consume the body, mind, and soul. Like a monster, it creeps up on its victim and slowly takes over each thought and emotion. Jealousy ruins romantic relationships and friendships. I think we could all learn from Shakespeare's message: beware of the green-eyed monster; avoid him at all costs. If we don't take heed, the result could be as tragic as Othello's fate.
Jealousy is a very important theme in Othello and is a theme responsible for the destruction of each character. Iago is Jealous of Othello for taking a military position he had wanted. He is also jealous of Othello for marrying Desdemona, a woman he lusts after. Iago is jealous of Othello and Cassio because he thinks they both have had sexual relations with his wife. Othello's jealousy from watching Cassio with Desdemona leads him to believe his wife has been unfaithful. Jealousy fuels the action in the play; it is the reason for the downfall of Iago and Othello, the play's protagonist and antagonist. Jealousy is an innate trait of human nature that only ends in destruction. Jealousy motivates Iago to destroy Othello and gives Othello the tools needed to fall for Iago's master plans.
I think that Shakespeare is trying to teach his audience a lesson about the evils of jealousy. Jealousy is the most destructive human quality in existence; he refers to it as "a monster." Jealousy has the ability to completely consume the body, mind, and soul. Like a monster, it creeps up on its victim and slowly takes over each thought and emotion. Jealousy ruins romantic relationships and friendships. I think we could all learn from Shakespeare's message: beware of the green-eyed monster; avoid him at all costs. If we don't take heed, the result could be as tragic as Othello's fate.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
CLOWN: Why masters, have your instruments been in Naples, that they speak i' th' nose thus?
MUSICIAN: How, sir? How?
CLOWN: Are these, I pray you, wind instruments?
MUSICIAN: Ay, marry, are they, sir.
CLOWN: Oh, thereby hangs a tail.
MUSICIAN: Whereby hangs a tale, sir?
CLOWN: Marry sir, by many a wind instrument that I know. But, masters, here's money for you, and the general so likes your music that he desires you, for love's sake, to make no more noise with it.
CLOWN:If you have any music that may not be heard, to 't again. But, as they say, to hear music the general does not greatly care.
(III.iii)
Shakespeare never fails to add comic relief to his plays; in this way, his plays appear beyond their time. I actually enjoy when the clown enters. He plays with words and experiments with language. The idea of comic relief is still used in movies and plays today. I know Shakespeare is responsible for the invention of hundreds of words, but is he responisble fo the use of comic relief as well?
MUSICIAN: How, sir? How?
CLOWN: Are these, I pray you, wind instruments?
MUSICIAN: Ay, marry, are they, sir.
CLOWN: Oh, thereby hangs a tail.
MUSICIAN: Whereby hangs a tale, sir?
CLOWN: Marry sir, by many a wind instrument that I know. But, masters, here's money for you, and the general so likes your music that he desires you, for love's sake, to make no more noise with it.
CLOWN:If you have any music that may not be heard, to 't again. But, as they say, to hear music the general does not greatly care.
(III.iii)
Shakespeare never fails to add comic relief to his plays; in this way, his plays appear beyond their time. I actually enjoy when the clown enters. He plays with words and experiments with language. The idea of comic relief is still used in movies and plays today. I know Shakespeare is responsible for the invention of hundreds of words, but is he responisble fo the use of comic relief as well?
The handkerchief
The handkerchief becomes an important tool in Iago's grand scheme to foil Othello. An Egyptian sorceress gave the handkerchief to Othello's mother and told her that it would make her desirable and keep Othello’s father loyal, but if she lost it or gave it away, Othello’s father would leave her. Othello’s mother gave him the magic handkerchief on her deathbed, instructing him to give it to the woman he desired to marry. The handkerchief represents Desdemona’s chastity, and her giving it away is a sign that she has given her body away. Because Cassio receives the handkerchief, it looks as if Desdemona has had an affair with him. Unfortunately, however, Desdemona is framed. Iago is a master manipulator, and he uses Othello's family heirloom to his advantage.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Othello: Iago on Women
"Come on, come on. You are pictures out of door, bells in your parlors, wild-cats in your kitchens, saints in your injuries, devils being offended, players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds."
In Act II.i, Iago argues with Desdemona and Emilia over the competence and worthiness of women. Iago hates women accuses his wife of sleeping around. Iago is a villian; very manipulative of every one around him. This particular passage is so straightforward, however, that it is shocking. Iagon blatantly degrades women to their faces. He verbally abuses his wife and Desdemona without thinking twice or second-guessing himself.
In Act II.i, Iago argues with Desdemona and Emilia over the competence and worthiness of women. Iago hates women accuses his wife of sleeping around. Iago is a villian; very manipulative of every one around him. This particular passage is so straightforward, however, that it is shocking. Iagon blatantly degrades women to their faces. He verbally abuses his wife and Desdemona without thinking twice or second-guessing himself.
Hamm on Iago
Andrew Hamm came to speak to us today about Shakespeare. I thouroughly enjoyed his presentation; he introduced an entirely new way to look at Shakespeare. At first introducing the book as the enemy, he made Shakespeare come alive as a performance. It cannot be read, it must be enacted. He also opened my eyes to the character Iago. Iago is known is known Shakespeare's ultimate villain. His motivations are countless: resentment that Othello passed him over for a promotion in favor of Michael Cassio; jealousy because he heard a rumor that Othello slept with Iago's wife, Emilia; and suspicion that Cassio slept with Emilia too. Hamm introduced the idea that maybe Iago's true motivation is not any of excuses but the fact that that he is inherently evil.
"The Moor is of a free and open nature
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
And will as tenderly be led by th' nose
As asses are.
I have 't. It is engendered! Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light"
(31).
In his soliloquy, Iago brings to light his devilish plan to kill Othello. He really is a cruel person with no real reason for wanting to kill Othello. Hamm recognized that every other villain in Shakespeare had a legitimate motivation for doing their bad deeds. (For Example, Cassius's motivation is pure patriotism and fear of Caesar being a despotic ruler in Julius Caesar.) Hamm had a lot of interesting points and knowledge to share. I'm really glad he came to the class today.
"The Moor is of a free and open nature
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
And will as tenderly be led by th' nose
As asses are.
I have 't. It is engendered! Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light"
(31).
In his soliloquy, Iago brings to light his devilish plan to kill Othello. He really is a cruel person with no real reason for wanting to kill Othello. Hamm recognized that every other villain in Shakespeare had a legitimate motivation for doing their bad deeds. (For Example, Cassius's motivation is pure patriotism and fear of Caesar being a despotic ruler in Julius Caesar.) Hamm had a lot of interesting points and knowledge to share. I'm really glad he came to the class today.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Digital Life Story 2
I FINALLY put music to my words AND uploaded pictures onto jumpcut! I originally thought music would take away from my words, but after playing with a lot of music I realized that the music actually enhanced my words. Even though I am a technologically challenged person, I am very thankful we are learning how to do podcasts. I'm sure I will be able use this for a future presentation. Putting this project together has reinforced the epiphany I came to; I am so thankful for my family and realize that, even though my family is broken up, it is complete in the sense that we love one another.
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