Monday, April 4, 2011
Quarter 3 Reflection
Saturday, February 5, 2011
My Reflection On Quarter 2
Quarter 2 of 4
This quarter definitely came will a lot of challenges that I thought I wouldn't be able to face alone. From reading fences to falling blindly in love with Othello, made my reading and comprehension skills go up. Fences indeed came with a lot of work and patience to complete. The website brought out the creativity of me and my classmates to be able to make a whole website based on a novel. Othello was a real complex and intricate novel that needed the help of Spark notes. Spark notes came to the RESCUE with its analysis of each Act and Scene within the play which really helped me to understand. As for me I can't speak on behalf of others but I felt that you Ms. A really pushed me to handle college level work in a way I will never forget. From late night crunch times to deadlines of a 5 page paper, really showed me things that I need to work on. PROCRASTINATION is DEADLY and can really destroy all the efforts one puts into a piece of work. I enjoyed everything about the 2nd Quarter because at the end of the day I received an A for all the efforts and hard work I put in. You do indeed reap what you sow; an i definetly sowed something into a good soil which brought out a wonderful grade. :-] <3<3<3<3
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Othello
OTHELLO
Friendship is a seed that is often cared for with soil, fed with water, and pampered by sunlight. With some good care it can grow and blossom into a wonderful relationship, creating a chance for love to exist. Was the destruction of the marriage between Othello and Desdemona inevitable or was Iago’s malice necessary? In my opinion I feel as though the destruction of the marriage was bound to happen, and Iago’s malice was indeed necessary. Seeing that they come from two different backgrounds and having no complete understanding of who they fell in love with, shows that their love would surely die young. Shakespeare uses characterization to advance the overall meaning of the developmental stage of Othello going from sane to crazy, to identify the effect between him and the other characters.
Othello also known as “the moor” throughout the story is the protagonist who is highly favored above all. He is valiant, courageous, and most of all a prominent leader. His antagonist in the play happens to be his ensign known as Iago. Iago’s hate for Othello is acknowledged in Act I scene I between a conversation of Iago and Roderigo, where Othello makes Cassio his Lieutenant instead of him. To add to his anger he feeds himself stories of “the moor” sleeping and having an affair with his wife Emilia, which of course is false. Iago conspires with Roderigo on how to take Cassio’s place as Lieutenant, and making Desdemona fall for Roderigo. This whole conspiracy had no intention of death, but with greed and a man after one thing that would help himself it leads to a tragic ending.
Othello’s marriage to Desdemona is quite interesting in the eyes of readers seeing that it is hard to identify if he married her for the right reasons. Othello is a young African-American who obviously comes from a different background compared to Desdemona. Desdemona is a beautiful well kept Venetian maiden with the heart of an innocent child. She is also the daughter of Senator Brabantio which makes her of noble decent. There are but so many reasons as to why Othello marries Desdemona in the story, but the truth of the matter brings it down to the main reason, why?
Desdemona is a fair woman that still has her virtue bestowed in her. Her virginity symbolizes her purity to an extent that no man has had their way with her in bed. Along with the fact that Desdemona would engage herself with stories Othello often told. Meekness and loyalty are all virtues of a good wife to a husband. Such qualities attracted Othello to Desdemona to a point that he seeks for her hand in marriage. Despite Brabantio’s say in the matter of Othello and Desdemona, he humbles himself before the counsel to seek Desdemona’s say in the situation. Othello says to Brabantio in defense, "And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her, I should but teach him how to tell my story, and that would woo her.” When two people are in love, there is almost nothing that can break it.
Othello does truly love Desdemona to the point of fault. Desdemona and Othello show their affection for each other regardless of racial and cultural differences. When he finally decided to kill her, he spoke to her right before her death saying, “She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her that she did pity them.” What Othello is trying to say is that although he loves Desdemona as a person, he will never be able to forget the heart break she caused him in this life. Such pain and grief can only be vented out by someone who truly loves and cares for someone to the point it hurts them as an individual. Othello’s jealousy is resulting from his sincere love for Desdemona, being that he does not know how to handle the news that Desdemona may no longer love him the way that he loves her.
Desdemona’s love for Othello was genuine and honest. Desdemona met Othello through his endless visits to Brabantio’s house, where he would share his stories about his life. With time Desdemona grew interested in Othello and his heart touching stories, to a point she would dismiss household duties, and the call of her father to listen. Othello captured Desdemona’s love through his heart touching stories, which brought pity to her heart when she would listen. Othello and Desdemona eventually got married bringing happiness and joy to themselves, and those who wished to partake in it. She tells her father that although she does love him also and care what he thinks; she must ignore his beliefs in this situation because she is in love with Othello. True love does not fall apart due to mishaps or what another may think, it is a steadfast agreement that two people have made with their hearts.
Desdemona tells her father, "But here's my husband, and so much duty as my mother showed to you, preferring you before her father, so much I challenge that I may profess due to the Moor my lord.” This shows the unconditional agape love between Desdemona and father. Her father will always be the number 1 man in her life, but the simple fact is that she is now a woman and must make decisions for her own well-being. Her mother made a decision on leaving her parents for Brabantio and now she must do the same and leave him for Othello. The love bond between Othello and Desdemona was eros and philo. Othello loved Desdemona not for her beauty but for her genuine and kind heart, whereas Desdemona looked passed the physical appearance of Othello and went straight for his kind heart. Desdemona married Othello because of what she found inside a brave and courageous man.
As we go along throughout the story we come across a very treacherous man who would stop at nothing to achieve his goal, Iago. The faith of Othello and Desdemona’s marriage laid in the hands of Iago the antagonist. Seeing that there was no way that anyone could tamper with their relationship, Iago comes in as light to many characters in the story. Roderigo was just a mini asset to Iago to help him carry out one deed, which was to destroy the reputation of Cassio and strip him of his honor. Iago’s plan was successful being that he was able to make Othello make such a drastic decision. Being that Iago throughout the story exemplifies that he does not have much likeness for women, he decides to interfere with the happiness of Othello and Desdemona by helping Roderigo. Seeing that Desdemona is someone who is touched by sad stories of others, Iago uses that as a way to make Othello think Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio by having Desdemona plead on Cassio’s behalf in restoring him his position.
With Iago’s false accusations made against Desdemona and Cassio, it enrages Othello to kill. Thoughts of Desdemona having an affair with another man right under his nose makes him more jealous each time Iago comes with news to him. After Othello and Iago conspired on how they would kill the both, it finally happened which was the tragic ending of the story. Othello’s anger and envy was acquired from his love of Desdemona, and his love is misinterpreted because of Iago’s corrupt schemes. “One more, one more! Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee, and love thee after.” Iago’s false manipulating has brought Othello to his weakest point. When Emilia walked in after her death she said, “O, who hath done this deed?” Desdemona’s final words are, “Nobody, I myself. Farewell. Commend me to my kind lord. O, farewell” This shows that she truly loves her husband too much to leave him with the blame of her death. Emilia then confesses that Desdemona did not have an affair with Cassio that Iago was behind it the entire time. That is in fact why he kills himself at the end of the play, because he finds out he was wrong about her love affair. Othello and Desdemona’s relationship was tested, but in the end, their love lived on. Their relationship was indestructible for one to destroy, seeing as their love had no boundaries. Was the destruction of their marriage inevitable or was Iago’s malice necessary? No the destruction was not foreseeable being that Othello and Desdemona had a love that could not be tampered with despite anything. So therefore Iago’s malice was indeed necessary to destroy the marriage between Othello and Desdemona.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Quarter 1 Reflection
Ap Literature is full of stories held and waiting to be told to many people. Initially I did not plan on taking Ap Literature being that I had a lot of vigorous classes on my schedule, but I felt the urge to challenge myself so I quickly dashed to Mr. Fenner and requested to be put in. I walked into the class knowing everyone which brought warmth and joy to my heart. Being in an atmosphere where everyone can relate to each other due to the journey we have embarked since middle school it feels good to know its almost over. Ap Literature has brought about many things that I like and enjoy. Many people may not enjoy annotating but I adore it. Marking up the text with my highlighter and writing notes in the margin not only is fun, but very helpful as well when I need it.
Another thing about the first quarter that I enjoyed was reading the novel Oedipus Rex, poems, and being able to write a college essay. These three main things that I were introduced to this quarter paved the way for me to paint an idea of what I will expect in the next semester and a half. I'm ready for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarter.
Oedipus Rex Essay
Oedipus Rex Essay
Oedipus uses the prongs that held his mom's robes to pierce his eyes.
A shadow of his mother is also in the background as she hung herself with the noose.
Prompt: Recall how Oedipus came to kill his father and marry his mother, and then to discover his true identity. Do you feel Oedipus deserves the punishment he receives at the conclusion of the play? Why does Oedipus accept his guilt and punishment without question or protest?
The term punishment comes with a variety of meanings, whether it is dealt physically or mentally to the one who committed the crime. In order for one to be given a punishment they must have done something severe to acquire it. Do you feel as though we should have the right to give ourselves punishment for the things we may do? Sophocles uses numerous types of irony to convey his point through out the play such as dramatic and verbal irony. Oedipus was kept in the dark from who he truly was due to his parent’s selfish desire to kill him after the oracle foretold his destiny. Along with his misfortune the author used verbal irony a lot to convey his point about Oedipus actions through out the play. Oedipus say’s, "I will fight for him like I would fight for my father. My search will never end until I take in chains the murderer of Laius", in which Oedipus is unaware that he is actually the murderer. With him saying that it brings about so many complications which lead to his downfall and cruel punishment because he is in fact the son of Laius.
Oedipus became the ruler of Thebes Thebes Thebes
The beginning of Oedipus problem started from the time Creon came home with good and bad news. Being that Oedipus was a persistent man he was determined to get to the bottom of the problem. As the weight of the people started to press on his shoulders he started to begin to make bargains with the people to reveal who may be responsible for the death of King Laius. Banishment was all he offered to the person who would own up to the situation for being the cause. Oedipus felt as though he himself was a good and did not have to seek the gods for help, which shows that he feels as though he can control his own destiny.
Oedipus was destined to kill his father and marry his mother from birth and tried to avoid such a cruel prophesized destiny. Little did he know that ones destiny must be fulfilled before they depart from the mortal world, so thereafter he tried by every means to escape and prevent it from occurring. Being that Oedipus was determined to help the people of his land he sought to find out what actually caused the plague by Tiresias a prophet. When Tiresias came to the palace he had no idea about was about to happen, and as soon as he became aware of his calling to the palace he wanted to return home. During his small stay in the palace he had a bad encounter with Oedipus, which made Oedipus believe he conspired with someone to set him up. Tiresias and Oedipus both said a number of things during their argument to make those around them formulate questions on what is the truth. Oedipus said, “Blind, lost in the night, endless night that nursed you! You can’t hurt me or anyone else who sees the light-you can never touch me.” Tiresias replied, “True, it is not your fate to fall at my hands. Apollo is quite enough, and he will take some pains to work this out.” This foretold another event that was to happen to Oedipus before he would die.
Destiny is a big issue when it comes to plays from the times of Shakespeare, Sophocles, and many others. Many people are destined to be great for a life time, while some start as being great and parish as nothing. Oedipus was prime example as to why he does not deserve such punishment.
During the argument between Oedipus and Tiresias he blamed Creon harshly by putting false allegations on him for trying to get Tiresias to speak against. Creon felt highly disappointed in the fact that Oedipus his brother-in-law would lay such things to his charge. Tiresias said to Oedipus “So, you mock my blindness? Let me tell you this. You with your precious eyes, you’re blind to the corruption of the house you live in, those you live with – who are your parents? Do you know?” Tiresias said another problem that Oedipus was ignorant of and paid no attention too. After Tiresias continuously repeated it, to sound in the Kings ear it finally hit him. Oedipus started to question himself because of what Tiresias had just said to him concerning his true identity. From that moment on Oedipus was determined to find out the truth behind him, as well as who were his true parents. On his quest to finding out the queen became aware that Oedipus was indeed her son and that his destiny had been fulfilled. By every means she tried to get Oedipus from digging deep into the situation because of the terrible outcome that was to occur.
Do I believe Oedipus deserved the punishment he received at the end? Honestly I feel as though he did not deserve to be punished for his actions. Throughout the play Oedipus was confident about himself despite what anyone had to say. Although his destiny of marrying his mother and killing his father had been fulfilled he had no right in giving himself such cruel and sad punishment. All the same he was destined to do what he did and no one could stop him, but as for me he did not deserve the punishment in which he gave himself as painful as it was. Being that Oedipus has self-pride he would not deny the facts about what was placed on him. Once the truth was revealed he openly accepted every allegation placed on him and punished him self, because he did not want to see his parents in the after life. Throughout the play Oedipus was indeed blind to what was occurring around him which brought about the dramatic and verbal irony in the play. Apollo the god allowed Oedipus to fight against his destiny but realized that he could not get away from it.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
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