Category: ENGL210: Shakespeare and the Renaissance

ENGL210: Summative Entry

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

When discovering that one of my literature units this semester would be based upon the works of William Shakespeare, I have to admit, I was not thrilled. Throughout my high school years, like many others, a selection of Shakespeare’s works were incorporated into our curriculum and from the beginning I haven’t been his biggest fan. However, through analysing his works in depth and delving into his ‘genius’ mind one is able to recognise his talent in manipulating language’s features to express his ideas. Once you get past the difficulty of his language (which many people tend to give up on) and his ideas become clear, one is able to realise his portrayal of not only the world that surrounds him but alternate worlds as well. In particular, his characterisation, is what I have found so interesting and seems to be the signature feature of his writing. Through his characters the audience is able to recognise and explore the complexities of human nature and as a result, are forced to respond. Shakespeare’s characterisation, particularly in his works of ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘The Tempest’ and ‘King Lear’, is what enables his ideas to be communicated as they all embody an individualistic quality that represents an aspect of society.

Studying Shakespeare has expanded my understanding of human nature and what it means to be human. Human nature is a complex concept to define, as humans themselves are complex. However, Shakespeare is able to simplify all its layers within his characters to symbolise how all components can either work for or against each other. In the case of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Shakespeare is able to simplify the notion of love to something that has the ability to conquer anything and everything. He recognises that it is human nature to fight for something that is so precious and rare, however comes with sacrifice, but that sacrifice is worth taking. Through Romeo and Juliet the audience are educated on how love can make us become irrational and naive and yet it is something that we can not see whilst in it. Shakespeare recognises that it is human nature to sometimes be blinded by love  (maybe not to the extent of having to kill ourselves), but it is a power that has the ability to make us completely inferior.

Shakespeare’s writing has increased my understanding of human nature and how it plays a part in the world. Each of his character’s are driven by human nature, however represent a different aspect or perspective on it. Whilst some embody love and nurture others are driven by hate and the yearning to conquer. As a result the audience is able to recognise that human nature can not be defined by one individual, in fact, all individuals mould what they believe to be human nature to suit their desires and values. Therefore one is always able to justify their actions by saying ‘It’s just human nature’. 

Images:

http://www.azquotes.com/quote/383191

 

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ENGL210: Peer Review Seven

https://anniewatson2.wordpress.com/

Hi Annie,
As much as I hate the scenario in which you are talking about I absolutely loved the way you described it. Having too many personal experiences with this bloody illness I think you captured the emotions perfectly. In today’s day and age all we seem to be hearing about is who’s passed away from it, who’s fighting it and who’s finding out about it ! It just seems to be everywhere nowadays. One has to seriously wonder as to whether there is something we’re doing that is increasing our chances of getting it?

From the beginning to the end I was captivated in your series of thoughts, whether it was from personal experience or not, I think you did an amazing job at recognising that ‘downward spiralling thought’. As the reader I was definitely able to follow that train of thought, knowing all too well where the story could lead. However I liked that the story had a hopeful ending, one that recognised that anger would lead to nothing and that a strong support system is vital in any traumatic experience. On a side note, technically speaking, I enjoyed your use of truncated sentences towards the end, it made the determination and fight in the protagonist’s voice so much stronger.

I found it interesting that you recognised how a strong support system gives the patient that hope and strength to fight through the battle, because at the end of the day that’s what it is, war. It would be interesting to find out whether those that have conquered cancer have had the right kind of support emotionally and mentally. I really feel as though those who have the right kind of support around them have a much higher chance of success as they have something worth fighting for. Not to say that those who don’t can’t, but I believe it would be a lot easier for those that do.

Overall I absolutely loved your perspective on the whole issue that seems to be everywhere. I think it would also be interesting to read a perspective on someone who can’t turn away from that ‘downward spiralling thought’.
I look forward to reading more of your blogs 🙂
Claudia

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ENGL210: Blog Eight: The Tempest

In Act 1 scene 2 what image do you get of Caliban? Is he being mistreated by Prospero.

Shakespeare’s portrayal of Caliban is that of a native. In today’s society one can link the portrayal of Caliban to that of the Indigenous of Australia. Through his first appearance Shakespeare portrays Caliban to be a spiteful creature who has been betrayed by Prospero. Caliban’s hateful tone immediately becomes evident in his wish for ‘A southwest blow on ye, and blister you all o’er’. It is through this that the audience are able to recognise a tense ‘master-servant’ relationship between the two and becomes curious as to how this pure spite came to be. As the scene continues it becomes evident to the audience that Caliban originally loved Prospero, he showed gratitude of Prospero’s care by showing him the ‘qualities o’th’isle, the fresh springs, brine-pits, barren place and fertile-‘, however recognises Caliban’s regret of this through the next line of ‘Cursed be that I did so!’.

Shakespeare represents Caliban to be a vulnerable figure who was naive about Prospero’s intentions and was all too willing to share his knowledge of the island. As a result, Prospero (like that of the Europeans) took advantage of this knowledge in order to become the master of the island. In the end of Caliban’s speech, his mistreatment becomes apparent as Prospero locks him away from the rest of the island and only calls on him when it is of use to him. It is depicted through Caliban’s speech that Prospero has mistreated Caliban and taken advantage of his character’s qualities.

-‘       

Images

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=caliban-+the+tempest&espv=2&biw=1127&bih=654&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwik3Lehh9vMAhVGHaYKHdTnDq8Q_AUIBigB#imgrc=_VQjAYWHr5f1RM%3A

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=caliban-+the+tempest&espv=2&biw=1127&bih=654&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwik3Lehh9vMAhVGHaYKHdTnDq8Q_AUIBigB#imgrc=A68Eqm7XvUPVkM%3A

 

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ENGL210: Peer Review Six

https://taramichellebriggs.wordpress.com/

Hi Tara,
I absolutely loved your poem! I think you captured the mentalities of both parties involved and communicated the Aborigine’s hope that the two civilisations could work in harmony without destruction. Like anyone, I think that the whole event of colonisation was one that brought such destruction to the Indigenous way of life and something that will never be able to be undone, as, like you said ‘Anyway, these old times are gone now, return to the dreaming – we don’t know how’. I like that the poem was quite conversational and that you placed yourself into the poem. I also thought it was great that the poem had a rather hopeful tone rather than one of hatred and anger, I thought it communicated a new perspective to the event, one that may or may not still be present today.
Overall I enjoyed the tone of the poem, your use of rhyme made the poem fluent and melodic however there are just some technical things that I found a bit confusing. Whether it was intentional or not, I’m not sure, but at the beginning you took on the persona of the Europeans but then in the second stanza you immediately swapped to that of the Indigenous without warning. It made it a little bit confusing as the reader to adjust to the shift so quickly. Also i think your second stanza could have been broken up in two separate stanzas, as the reader, it felt like it was going on a bit. If you broke it up after you said ‘Expel all those who would do our seed harm, Not let hate infiltrate our seedling farm’ I feel as though it would be a bit more effective 🙂
Good job on your blog this week !
Claudia 🙂

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ENGL210: Blog Seven: King Lear and Sonnet 146

Give your own account of how you see Sonnet 146 paralleling the life of King Lear. Or maybe give an account  (in poetry or prose) of how you seen this Sonnet telling you something you need to know about where your own life energies are going.

 

Be kind, be generous, be happy

Have strength, have courage, have empathy

That’s what my parents have always told me,

Especially in the moments when I could not see.

 

Life isn’t all about the riches,

But more about someone else not needing stitches,

From all the words and phrases we used to break their heart,

Leaving them to be torn apart.

 

 

Words can hit like a tonne of bricks,

And yet people use them as a weapon, as a kick.

Our lives should be about simply making smiles,

And yet sometimes our biggest worry is the latest fashion styles.

 

What’s to be remembered when we are gone?

How much money we had? What we wore?

What kind of message do we give,

When all we do is compare and contrast the most expensive?

 

Have I done as my parents told me?

Or have I become a product of a materialistic registry?

I hope I can say I lived life to the fullest

and not be encouraged by whatever’s the coolest.

 

 

Be kind, be generous, be happy,

Have strength, have courage, have empathy.

That’s what my parents have always told me,

And that’s exactly what I intend to be.

 

 

 

 

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ENGL210: Peer Review Five

https://alanaazzopardi1.wordpress.com/

Hi Alana,
I completely agree with your analysis of the plays. I like how you included dot points to recognise the salient differences between the plays as it made your points clear and precise to the reader. I too thought that James Earl Jones’ version was a lot more dramatic and I agreed with your points about costuming and stage directions. I think these factors impacted upon the performance the most as stage directions enhanced the entire characterisation of each character and communicated their individual personalities. Like you said, its explicitly evident through the differentiations between the two performances of King Lear as Magee was less reactive and was almost calm in the whole confrontation. In Jones’ version the scene was a lot more fast paced and volatile that involved a lot more movement from the character’s then Magee’s version. I thought your comments were very clear, valid, and justified. Keep up the good work 🙂
Claudia.
P.S You accidentally put the wrong image with the different versions.

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ENGL210: Blog Six: King Lear

What do you see as the salient differences between these two representations of the father / daughter conflict and which is more dramatically effective?

Upon watching the two versions of the infamous confrontation in Shakespeare’s King Lear, it is evident that James Earl Jones’ version is more dramatically effective. Through distinct differences in costuming, physical characterisations and stage directions this version presents a much more engaging and enticing representation of the scene. Patrick Magee’s version involved minimal stage directions and movements between the characters and so offered a more intimate and almost conservative approach to the play. Whilst this representation may have been authentic to the play it did not entice the audience and I believe didn’t portray the character’s personalities well. Jones’ version, on the other hand, depicted a much more volatile scene in which the character’s were more animated and so the scene, in whole, was more dramatic.

Not only was the characterisation extremely different but the costuming as well. Magee’s version was very traditional and ornate that emphasised the hierarchy of the classes. However in Jones’ version all of the characters,including King Lear, were generally dressed in the same fabric with some small alterations. This choice in costuming enhanced the performance as the play as it was a more modern approach that visually placed each character as equals. This then allowed Cordelia to speak to Lear on the same level in Jones’ version as opposed to Magee’s version in which the princesses had to kneel before him, emphasising a King and Princess relationship rather than a father and daughter one. As a result Cordelia’s character was placed on the same level as Lear’s, allowing the confrontation to be a lot more aggressive as opposed to Magee’s confrontation that was much more submissive.

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ENGL210: Peer Review Four

https://clairewilliamsonlit.wordpress.com/

Hi Claire,
I remember when we went to the art gallery for the first time and how I too saw the similarities and differences between the two differing landscapes. My Dad’s from England and so my family and I often have visited my family over there, so I know what you mean when you say how different the landscapes are. The countryside in particular is always so green in the summer and the plains and farmland just seem to roll on forever, which I absolutely love.

When we first saw the paintings in the gallery I thought it was interesting how many artists tended to paint the Australian landscape similarly to the English, when they first arrived, in order for them to sell back to the UK. I think this idea is still represented in your choice of artwork as the figures are still dressed in English attire and almost look as though they have just been placed in the middle of nowhere. However, like you said, it’s not until a closer look that the audience can recognise how civilised they are.
Good job on your analysis:)
Claudia

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ENGL210: Blog Five: Sonnet 30

Using Shakespeare’s sonnet 30 as a starting point, describe a downward spiralling series of thoughts which you are then able to turn away from. Try this either in poetic or prose form.

 

 

Memories,

the only thing we have left of you,

Death,

the only thing in the world that seems to be true.

 

Too many times we’ve been through this,

Too many times we’ve had to say good bye

The people left behind struggle to answer the hardest question,

Why?

 

When does it end?

The pain, the suffering, the grief.

All we do now is try to move on,

Try and turn a new leaf.

 

Unbearable some days,

Just bearable the next.

We try and put our heart back in a lock,

But death works on its own clock.

 

 

 

 

 

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ENGL210: Peer Review Three

https://christinarujicica.wordpress.com/

Hi Christina,

I really enjoyed your insights into the art gallery visit this week. I too chose this painting for my blog as I felt it conveyed a different perspective to the stereotypical dark and tragic representation of Jesus’ crucifixion. I enjoyed how you commented on the artist’s use of bright colours to convey that whilst his death was horrific, it is through his death that humanity were able to live (in the view of Christianity). It’s also interesting to note that this painting was completed by a female artist who was trained by her father and was the only work created by a female in the room at the Art Gallery. I think this fact also contributes to the painting’s impact on not only the society at the time, but the society of today as it recognises women’s roles and positions within that time. I also liked how you commented on the fact that art, literature and drama can all be interpreted in different ways and that whilst your interpretation may not have been the intent of the artist, it is your interpretation and that these works have the ability to impact people in different ways. This does not mean that their, or your interpretation is wrong, but just different.
Good job on you blog this week 🙂
Claudia.

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