Final Article Summary For Shakespeare YAY

Mandi Allen

King Henry IV article Summary

Summary of Rubinstein, E. "I Henry IV: The Metaphor of Liability." Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900, Vol. 10, No. 2. (Spring 1970) pp. 287-295

Summary:

While reading the article The Metaphor of Liability, Rubinstein repeatedly addresses lines and conversations between characters that show how liability is brought up numerous times throughout the play. This article specifically makes it clear for readers to understand the moral nature of each individual character’s. Most of the characters in the play know the traditional standards of liability, for example, paying back your money you owe, trusting one another, being consistent in what you do and hold honor to your name. Rubinstein uses the Prince, Hal, as a perfect example of someone who is trustworthy, and by his example you are able to compare the un-liable and untrustworthy qualities that some of the other characters contain, such as, Falstaff and Hal’s father, King Henry.  These characteristics of each individual outline the central theme of the play. Although the characters who are untrustworthy and un-liable know they are doing wrong, they are also aware of their obligations. A good example of someone who knows of his obligations is Falstaff. Throughout the play you are able to observe his dishonestly, he is a thief, and although he knows he has debt to pay he is clever with his words in finding a way to get out of his situations. As stated in the beginning of this summary Rubinstein repeatedly addresses lines and conversations between characters to show liability, however, he also shows how you can tell each characters personality and liability through their obligations.

Response:

I chose to read this article because I felt like this was something new and interesting. While reading King Henry IV and also watching the movie, I did not recognize the lines or conversations between the characters that would show the difference in liability between them. I really enjoyed this article by Rubinstein. I felt like it is an important topic that most people would not be able to find on their own. It is true that you can find different personalities in people when you find out about how they are with their obligations. This is something people deal with everyday. Overall, Rubinstein was clear and precise in his article; he used good examples in the play that made it very easy to understand.

Shakespeare Final Paper

                         

Mandi Allen     

                                                                   Parental Control in Shakespeare’s Time

The control parent’s had over their children and families in Shakespeare’s time, to today’s many young adults is unacceptable and overall beyond belief. However, though these are the feelings we receive while reading and watching Shakespeare’s plays, we do know that these situations, although astonishing, were more acceptable in his day. Arranged marriages are a perfect example of the control parents had on their children’s lives. Today, arranged marriages are uncommon and rarely heard of; this could be because young adults are entitled to make their own decisions- where to go to school, where to live, how to provide for themselves and for their family, and who to marry. These are questions we are constantly asking ourselves, not our parents. Not to say parents do not have a huge impact on young adults decisions, because they do, but unlike Shakespeare’s time they are given more freedom. Although parental control in Shakespeare’s time was excessive, it was accepted. However, there were certain circumstances in which outrageous parental control was questioned.

 In All’s Well That Ends Well, there is an obvious, yet unusual, example of an arranged marriage between Bertram and Helena. Unusual refers to the male and female parts that are opposite than what is typical of Shakespeare’s time. Women were not treated as human beings but were rather objectified. Men were seen as the superior sex, giving them complete control over women, showing that men and women were obviously not treated equally. In the beginning of All’s Well Bertram is handsome, well liked, and, following in his father’s footsteps, is the new Count of Roussillon. In general, Bertram was seen as a superior and he knew he was great. Helena, an orphan daughter of a great doctor, was beautiful, nice, smart, and determined. Although, she has these amazing qualities, poor woman are seen as nothing in the eyes of superior men. Because of his father’s death, Bertram knew he needed to set high standards for himself and when he was ordered to marry Helena, he was quite disappointed by this arrangement because he felt Helena was beneath him and unworthy of his notice. At this time Bertram felt as if his superiority and greatness was being taken away from him because of his father’s death and with his own mother, the Countess’s support for the marriage. Bertram had no choice but to marry Helena. During the period that All’s Well That Ends Well was written, this situation would have been uncommon, usually it was the girls who had no option to whom they were going to marry. Since most people today know that was the standard arrangement back in the 15-1600’s, it was a surprise to see Helena have her choice of a bachelor. However, though this was an abnormal situation, people did not feel bad for Bertram and instead accepted the marriage. This was something to be expected because the King was first and foremost the ruler; his say was everyone’s say.

Romeo and Juliet, one of the most famous plays written by Shakespeare shows an incredibly tragic love story. Though Romeo and Juliet fall in love at first sight they both knew that it would not be accepted because of the war between their two families. However, this does not stop them and they married without their parent’s approval. When Capulet, Juliet’s father, finds the perfect husband for Juliet to marry- Paris- she shut the idea down, leaving Capulet furious and dumbfounded by her immediate decision. Of course his anger was to be expected, not only was she disobeying him, but she was also rejecting the man whom her father had personally picked out for her. However, though this is partially understandable, the outrage and frightful tone in Capulet’s voice and in his actions was unethical. This situation is one that would have been questioned. To a certain extent parental control is needed, but never to the extent Capulet took. Since                                    

Juliet was frightened by her family and angry at the betrayal and hypocrisy of her nurse so she relied on Friar Laurence for help because she has no one else to turn to. Juliet desperately searched for a way to see her husband Romeo again, however, this led to the depressing end of the play. After the death of their children, Capulet and Montague realized the consequences of their disagreements and decided to become civil with one another. “However, if they noticed this before, the tremendous load of pressure on their children would have been lightened and, overall, would have made the end of the play one with a happy ending.” (Halio, 33)

 Although, for people today, arranged marriages are a weird and uncommon situation, we forget that this was something normal and traditionally enforced back when Shakespeare was alive. However, not only did parents control arranged marriages but they also had authority over everything their family did. In the play, As You Like It, Duke Frederick was angry when he found out the amazing wrestler was the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys, but Rosalind was delighted to hear that this handsome stranger was a son of her father’s oldest friend. With hardly any reason at all, Duke Frederick forced Rosalind to leave court at once and she was banished. Because of her love and sisterhood with Celia (Duke Fredrick’s daughter), she automatically wants to leave with Rosalind. When King Frederick hears about this, he is outraged with anger and commands her to stay behind. However, Celia defies her father and sneaks out. This control can still be seen today but the main difference is most parents would control their offspring with the use of anger rather than with discussion. Another example in As You Like It would be the relationship between Oliver and Orlando. With their father passing away and Oliver being the oldest he, of course, takes charge of all of his father’s responsibilities. However, with this position he now holds, he feels that he can have power over everything. He treated his brother Orlando with disrespect and hatred, not allowing him to have an education, and overall wanting to kill him. This was excessive and irresponsible. Orlando clearly knew he was being treated unfairly and that his own father would have not treated him this way. Orlando didn’t care if he died or was sent away because what his brother was doing was spiteful.

In addition to Orlando, The Winter’s Tale shows more of the control problem that the husband has over his wife.  “Even before a woman enters the picture, the play dramatizes a problem in male instructions” (Erickson, 819). Despite the fact that Hermione was being honest with her husband Leontes, he came to his conclusion that Hermoine and Polixenes were having an affair before he even let Hermione defend herself. Leontes was a violent-tempered man, and once he was decided, nothing would change his mind. Leontes threw his wife, the Queen, in prison and her son, the heir to the throne, died in sorrow from seeing his mother so cruelly treated. Because of Leonte’s rash decisions, he was left alone and full of guilt for many years. In most situations in Shakespeare’s plays the men take advantage of all the power they receive and use them viciously. However, though they had the power at that time, they were left in the end with nothing. Then they suddenly realized they should not have reacted with such hatred and they continued on in regret. With this play, Shakespeare shows that not only does the husband maintain most of the control, but also that men were usually harsh and masculine in their decisions. 

From the examples listed above it is easy to find trends dealing with the balance of parental control. Whether the control is over marriage, relationships, or overall family it was an issue that was being questioned. Clearly parental control was a situation that was being brought up numerous times, either it was accepted without question or there was uncertainty in different situations. Parental control is needed to an extent, but on the other hand, too much control leads to outrageous behavior. 

Church Interview: Runnette

Mandi Allen

Brother Schuler

Religion

Church Interview #3

On the day of the munch and mingle I had the chance to talk to a lady named Runnette. 29 year old Runnette was raised in Jamaica however, had an interest in joining the military which is a big part on why she moved to London. Also moving to London seven years ago she moved in with her Cousin, her cousin was in the need of help with her two small children and Runnette was happy to help, on the days her cousin had to work Runnette would watch the children and also went the other way around. Runnette said she had lived with her cousin for three years, however, she soon became depressed and had to go to the hospital, since then she has not talked to her cousin. Moving on to a different stage of her life she decided that she was not interested in the military anymore.

Runnette moved in with her sister who is an interior decorator and has been doing very well living there. Runnette is one of six children and two of them liver here in London while the rest of her family remains in Jamaica. Something that I thought was really  amazing that she is the only member in her family. Runnette had the chance to talk to missionaries and since they came to her door she has grown and progressed each day. When she decided to listen and continue having lessons from the missionaries she had the feeling she wanted to get baptized but was afraid to tell her parents. Her family was not very supportive of her decision in joining the church. Though being  a strong member for a while her family is still not very supportive and still give her a hard time about it. Her mother out of everyone is the least supportive did not talk to her for a few years after she had joined, that is how angry she was about her choice.

Being in the primary I have not had the chance to get to know her as well as I had hoped, but what I do know is that she is very happy and proud to be a member, she stands up for what she believes and that shows that she is an incredibly strong person. I have so much respect for Runnette and am happy she was strong enough and loved the church enough to convert even though her family did not approve.

Here are some pictures of my amazing ward! The top one is Runnette.

What Evolution is NOT

I didn't have any pictures of Evolution so here are some pictures of Darwin's House!!

Mandi Allen

Biology Paper

Harry the Hungry Hammoth

Lonely beneath the tree attempting to get out of the rain sits Harry the hungry Hammoth. What’s a Hammoth you ask? Well, if I knew, it would be much easier to explain. He’s 12 feet tall, has arms that fall to the floor, legs as thin as toothpicks, his eyes the size of peanuts, and a mouth that stretches across his entire face (and this is without smiling). “When am I going to find someone like me?” Harry wonders, as rain pours down his face. What could have happened to me that made me so different from the humans?

“Oh pick me! Pick me! I know! I know!” Kevin calls out, waving his arms above his head, using all his resistance to stay put in his chair. “Ms. Sheridan, pick me!” Ms. Sheridan of course picks Kevin. With full preparation Kevin breathes in all he can, filling his lungs to the fullest, and off he went. “Last night while watching cartoon network, I thought to myself why am I watching cartoon network when I could be looking up stuff on Wikipedia? I tuned off my TV, ran towards the computer, missed a step, fell, got back up, and finally made it to the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” The computer was on and there it was across the entire screen in big, bold letters, the mysterious word…EVOLUTION.” Kevin stopped, and again took in another breath, even bigger then the one before and continued. “Evolution is where you can pick your own genes, everyone before him must have picked all the good genes so Harry the Hammoth ended up with the bad ones.” Kevin, panting because he is out of breath, smiled with the satisfaction of his answer. “ Kevin you are 100% right” Ms. Sheridan replies still in awe by the extremely enormous lungs Kevin had in him. “Let’s see what happens to Harry.”

Sitting alone feeling sorry for himself, Harry discovers something unusual, something different. As he bends forward to see what it is, it runs away into the bushes ahead. “Come back little guy, don’t be afraid, all I want is a friend.” Waiting for a response, Harry stares at the bushes; nothing moved or made a sound. Harry sat back down under his tree and began to cry. “Why does no one like me?” he asked as tears stream down his face. “ I know I am scary looking, but I am a nice guy.” Harry feels something touch his hand and there it was, a round yellow ball. “ “What are you?” Harry asks, “and why have you decided to come sit by me?” “I am a Prituni and my name is Penelope,” says the round yellow ball, “I have come to sit by you because I am also in need of a friend.” “Why do you have no friends?” asked Harry.

“I have lost all of my kind to Bald Eagles, they spot us out so easily because of our color, I am the only one left. I think it is because my fur is made out of spikes when everyone else was soft.”

“Oh Ms. Sheridan I know why this happened! I know! Please, please let me share!” once again Kevin waits anxiously in his seat to be called on. Ms. Sheridan calls on Kevin and allows him to share. “ This is because of natural selection and survival of the fittest.” “Penelope is one of natures elect and that is why she is the only left. She is the elect because her skin is made out of spikes rather than fur. So when the eagle comes to get her, her pointy spikes hurt it. So the eagle chases her species down and eats them all!” He paused for a short, cackle, “Mauh ha ha ha. So now Penelope is the only one left.”

There was a short pause as Ms. Sheridan stared at Kevin in awe, or shock, Kevin wasn’t sure.

“Hold it right there,” shouts Sarah, “Penelope couldn’t be different from the rest of her family. This would be contradicting heredity traits. If neither of her parents have spikes, why does she? Inheritable traits are passed down from one generation to the next, what about DNA? Ah, I am confused… what am I saying? I don’t know what is going on… I don’t like this story.”  

Brother Kevin sighs, thinking he is Mr. know it all. “Duh! that is why we have the process called mutation. DNA can change through mutation producing new alleles. If a mutation occurs within a gene, the new allele may affect the trait that the gene controls, alternating the phenotype of the organism.”

 “Oh okay I get it,” Sarah explains.

“No, you don’t,”  Kevin says, shaking his head. “This is far beyond your understanding. No only can evolution change a species, but it can occur sporadically. Have you ever heard of the mountain thing? That’s bogus. You don’t need to separate a species, just hang one upside down and subject it to a new type of lifestyle. “

Sarah is now even more confused than before.

Mrs. Sheridan: “Alright, alright, you know what you are both wrong but I hate this story anyways,” she says as she throws the book to the ground. “You guys are explaining what evolution is not. Evolution can’t produce different types of species in one family, evolution just can’t. You can’t change the species like that, the change must occur over time. There’s influential variables such as breeding and natural separations like mountains that can occur to influence the species. We’re done here. And Harry the Hammoth lived happily ever after.” 

My Beatles Paper

                                Beatles paper.. along with a few pictures from Abbey Road!!!

Mandi Allen
The Beatles 
“Hey Jude”

“And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain, don’t carry the world upon your shoulders”. “Hey Jude” created by Paul McCartney was originally named “Hey Jules” for John Lennon’s son, Julian, during the time of his parents divorce in 1968. After Lennon’s affair with Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney continued to visit Cynthia Lennon and Julian. “We’d been very good friends for millions of years and I thought it was a bit much for them suddenly to be personae non-gratae and out of my life” stated McCartney.

“I started with the idea “Hey Jules”, which was Julian, “don’t make it bad, take a sad song and make it better.” McCartney knew the divorce between Julian’s parents was not going to be easy for him, so he thought this song was going to be a type of support. Although McCartney claimed to have wrote this song for Julian, many people including John Lennon, thought this was song was for them- as in the listener. Writer Mark Hertsgaard stated “many of the song’s lyrics do seem directed more at a grown man on the verge of a powerful new love, especially the lines ‘you have found her now go and get her’”.  However, though there was a lot of confusion, Time magazine came to a conclusion and wrote, “Paul McCartney liltingly exhorts a friend to overcome his fears and commit himself in love.”

Most songs recorded at that time were around three to three-and-a-half minutes long. However, “Hey Jude” clocked in at seven minutes and eleven seconds and, at the time, it was the longest single ever to top the British charts. The fade-out coda itself is four minutes long.  “This song becomes a tour of my vocal range: from the graceful inviting tones of the opening verse, through the mounting excitement of the song itself, to the surging raves of the coda” McCartney explains.

“Hey Jude” was released in August 1968 as the first single from the Beatles’ record labeled Apple Records, and it hit the charts. “Hey Jude” was number one in the charts and held that position for nine weeks. This single has sold approximately eight million copies and continues to be included in professional lists of the all-time best songs. I think this song was so inspiring for many people because the lyrics can fit for everyone. It reminds everyone that every body goes through hard times and trials, but even though these times are difficult, we forget to take the good out of our experiences and move on instead of holding a grudge. Lean on people you love. In other words, “Don’t make it bad, take a sad song and make it better”

Works Cited: www.wikipedia.com

Stonehenge, Stourhead and Bath

On October 14^th I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Stonehenge, Stourhead and Bath. This day was awesome! We got up around 6:30 AM to pack our lunch and get out the door by 7:30. I slept the entire way to Stonehenge of course so I missed seeing it from a distance but seeing it up close was better anyways. Stonehenge was smaller then I was expecting but I was not disappointed. It was still incredible seeing something that I have heard and learned about my whole life. I feel so incredibly lucky to say I have been to Stonehenge. I think one of the coolest things about Stonehenge is the fact the no one knows why those stones are there, it is mystery and that is what makes it so awesome. Next is Stourhead. I was a little sad when we got to Stourhead because the place where they filmed Pride and Prejudice was closed for Construction. However, even though that place was closed everything else was incredible. It is just crazy to know that someone actually lived there. While being there I realized that no body would ever make such an incredible landscape in today’s world. I think we are so lucky that Stourhead is still there and most of the original landscape is still intact because I feel like you could never find anything as beautiful as the original handcraft landscape they spent the time creating back then. The last place we visited was Bath. Bath was a lot more fun then I was expecting. I thought that Bath Abbey was in the middle of nowhere but it was placed right in the center of town. We took a tour through Bath Abbey and spent the rest of the time wandering around the streets. Sometimes going on tours stresses me out because they either talk to fast or while they are talking there is also a lot that we need to read so through half of the Abbey I mostly just enjoyed the scenery. My favorite part about Bath is that I felt safe walking around all by myself. I had a few hours to just wander around and see what Bath was like. It was a cute little town with a lot of shops and places to eat and just sit down and relax. I would love to go back to Bath someday and spend a few more days enjoying the city. Overall, this day trip was amazing and I am so happy I was a part of it.

Stourhead

Stourhead

Stourhead

                                     BATH

The Walk

When I found out that we were going to be going on a 9 mile hike my first reaction was…. Yikes… but it actually has been of my favorite activities this whole time of being here in London. On October 7th I got to go out and see the countryside of England. I am always surrounded by crazy drivers, crazy people, and overall just crazy London, so it was a great experience going somewhere a little different. My favorite part about this hike was the time that I had to myself to enjoy the scenery. Everything and everywhere we walked was so beautiful. It was so green, so open, it also rained a little bit which made everything that much better.  We walked to Lullingstione Castle and another ruined castle and just enjoyed the time being outside. It was a little embarrassing that our guides were a good 60 years older then me and were walking a lot faster then I was but it was still an amazing experience. I think the best way to explain this walk is by the pictures I took so here they are…

Can you tell we are really excited??

Shakespeare Short Paper

If anyone has read some of Shakespeare’s plays you would understand that they sometimes tend to be a little confusing. He always seems to leave out so many little details, it’s almost as if he did that on accident. For one of my assignments in Shakespeare we were asked to write a paper on how certain lines and conversations contribute to the whole meaning of the play. It was an interesting assignment because I realized that the more you look at and concentrate on each individual line you will find that his plays are always giving hints of what is coming next. Although it is extremely clear that his plays leave out small details, what most people don’t realize is that we can find those details in a lot of lines, it is just up to us to actually seek and understand the real meaning behind those lines. Here is an essay on how certain lines in All’s Well that Ends Well contributes to the whole of the play.

Mandi Allen

Shakespeare short paper

10.16.09

                                                Helena’s Determination

While reading Shakespeare’s plays there always seems to be a little confusion. What is he trying to portray in this part of the play? Why doesn’t he explain the little things that lead up to the big things? He does this to allow interpretation. However, a lot of the time it leaves us wondering why certain things happened, and what is going to happen next. In many of Shakespeare’s plays there are various problems, situations, or stories that are happening. Often times we don’t figure out these complex situations until they are placed right before our eyes. However, there are lines and speeches that sometimes propose the situations before they happen. It is up to us to identify the issue so we are able to relate certain lines or speeches to the whole story.

A discussion between Helena and the Countess in the play All’s Well That Ends Well is a perfect example how a simple conversation can point out one of the main situations in the play before it happens or is discussed. Helena is in love the Countess’s son Bertram and although he does not love her back she is determined to marry him. She eventually got what had wished. However, Bertram was cruel, dissatisfied and angry that he was being forced to marry a woman whom he did not love. A lot of the play revolves around this situation. Helena knows how Bertram feels yet she still continues to try and win his heart.

In the conversation between Helena and the Countess in Act 1 Scene 3, the Countess feels that she has been a mother to Helena. Surprised by the honesty of Helena she replies “ You are my mother, madam: ‘would you were (So that my lord, your son, were not my brother) Indeed my mother!--- or were you both our mothers, I care no more for than I do for heaven, So I were not his sister. Can’t no other, But, I your daughter, he must be my brother?” (1.3.160-165) The Countess replies “Yes, Helen, you might be my daughter in law” (1.3.166). This conversation is taking place prior to the engagement of Bertram and Helena. This type of discussion for girls is not astonishing. Most girls tend to dream of whom they are going to marry someday they fantasize that the man they love will love them back. Though this conversation is common for girls, this specific discussion between Helena and Countess is unusual: they are talking about it like it is going to happen. “ Nor would I have him till I do deserve him” Helena says (1.3.191). Helena’s determination to marry Bertram continues, she follows him and repairs the king because she knows she will be rewarded with what she wishes. Helana: to Bertram “ I dare not say I take you; but I give me, and my service, ever whilst I live, into your guiding power. –This is the man” (2.3.103-105).

Surprised by Helena’s choice Bertram is cruel. He feels that his wealthy and full life is too much to give a poor widowed woman such as Helena. “ I cannot love her, nor will strive to do’t” (2.3.145). Helana still in the room hears these harsh and unkind words. However, what is most surprising is she still thrives on marrying Bertram. How is it that a woman is willing to give her whole heart and service to a man that has such poor feelings towards her? Although Bertram expressed his feelings he was still forced to take her hand in marriage. “ It shall be so: I’ll send her to my house, acquaint my mother with my hate to her, and wherefore I am fled; write to the king that which durst not speak. His present gift shall furnish me to those Italian fields where noble fellows strike. War is no strife to the dark house and the detested wife” (2.3.286-292).  Unhappy of his marriage he leaves Helena alone while he goes to Italy.

These lines are just a few out of many examples that explain and identify the determination of Helena and Bertram in the play. You can find the trail and confusion of their relationship throughout the entire play if you seek and interpret their small comments and put them into the big picture. Helena is willing to give all of her love to Bertram while he doesn’t have any love for her in return nor is willing to try. He is disappointing with his actions throughout the play:  he is disrespectful, unfaithful, and overall doesn’t treat Helena with the respect she deserves. What is consequently interesting is the last scene of the play. It seems that this entire ordeal between Helena and Bertram comes to an end, but yet has no answers as to how it happened.  At random Bertram changes his mind and in one line states his love for Helena. “If she, my liege, can make me know this clearly, I’ll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly” (5.3.314-315).  From the entire play to that last scene you would have never guessed this would have happened, no lines lead up to this drastic decision. Shakespeare’s plays are always going to leave you thinking, confused, asking that question once again, why doesn’t he explain the little things that lead up to the big things? He does you just have to look closer and find the deeper meaning of each line and you will find the answers the you have been seeking.

Bronte Parsonage

 

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Northern England. I visited Haworth, York,Fountains Abbey, Lake District, Preston, Liverpool

 (of course went to the Beatles Museum), and Chatsworth (where parts of the latest Pride & Prejudice was filmed). One of my favorite places we went was the Bronte house. Being at their house and hearing their stories and how they lived was incredible. I didn’t know anything about the Bronte family before but I am so happy I do now. I thought I would share what I learned so you can learn a little more about them too. :)

 

 Around 1814 Mr. and Mrs. Bronte had their first two children Maria and Elizabeth in a little place called Hightown. Recently after they were born they moved to Thornton, which is near Bradford in Yorkshire where their four famous children were born: Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne. Mrs. Bronte died of Uterine Cancer in 1821, 18 months after Anne was born. Mr. and Mrs. Bronte thought it would be a good idea to send Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte and Emily to the Clergy Daughters School at Cowan Bridge, this was a school designed for the daughters of impoverished clergymen. In 1825 Maria and Elizabeth died form ill health at just 10 and 11 years old. Mr. Bronte also known as Patrick Bronte had said it was the poor food, harsh conditions and cold at the school that contributed to their premature deaths. After they had died Mr. Bronte brought Charlotte and Emily back home to keep close to him and didn’t send any other children away, instead taught them from home.

 

Before Charlotte Bronte became a writer she wanted to be an artist. The first book she wrote was The Professor the publishers didn’t like it and wouldn’t publish it. However her next book Jane Eyre became famous overnight. Charlotte married Arthur Bell Nicholls in 1854. She became pregnant a year later, however, in the middle of her pregnancy in 1855 she passed away. After her death The Professor was published in 1857. Charlotte was really the only member of the Bronte Family to become famous in her lifetime from her story Jane Eyre. Charlotte’s brother Branwell loved art but before he got much work done he became addicted to alcohol and drugs and died in 1848. Emily died of tuberculosis the same year. The dining room in the house was cool because it is where all the sisters worked on their writing but it was also the room Emily Bronte had died, it was a little creepy. Emily was stubborn and wouldn’t admit she was ill until it was too late. The following year Anne died. 

 

I know this is kind of a sad story but I thought it was really interesting and it was cool reading Jane Eyre then being able to go visit the house where it was written. Overall, it was a great experience I loved going there and hope to go back again some day. 

Shakespeare's Play "As You Like It" analysis

On September 14, 2009 I was able to attend my first Shakespeare play As You Like It. To make it even better I got to see it at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater. Lucky right? Reading and seeing Shakespeare’s plays are a completely different experience. I was assigned to write about how they were different, and how in his plays there can be so many ways it can be interpreted. My friend Lauren and I wrote this amazing essay so you should read about how we felt they were completely different! Plus look at the pictures of the Globe. It was a lot smaller then a lot of us were expecting, but it was still so amazing.

 Lauren Brown

Mandi Allen

Shakespeare Review Assignment

As You Like It

 

Reading the play As You Like It and seeing it performed were two completely different experiences. While reading the play, your imagination creates each character’s individual personality that you believe they are portraying in the play.  After seeing the play performed on stage it is easy to see how many ways Shakespeare’s language can be interpreted.  Often while reading his writing, Shakespeare’s wit can be hard to see as humor and sarcasm, but is much more obvious to understand with talented actors presenting it.  Voice inflections, body language, and stage presence, none of which are written in the play, have a large impact on how the play is seen, which makes it very open for interpretation.

 

We went together as a group to see As You Like It at The Globe Theater on September 14, 2009.  We loved it!  We spent much of the time laughing at the many witty comments or the silly dancing of Touchstone.  Seeing this play made us realize how funny Shakespeare really can be and why people have enjoyed watching his plays for the past several centuries.  Not only was the play entertaining with the funny sarcasm and jokes, but it was also created in a way that the audience could feel and experience the emotions that the characters were portraying. Although the characters were fantastic and did a beautiful job of presenting the play, being in the Globe Theater made it that much more exciting and real. Knowing that you are in Shakespeare’s original theater and being able to interact with the actors brought the play to life, and made you feel you were moving back into Shakespeare’s time.

 

One example of different character interpretation is Touchstone.  He is known as the fool in the play, and while reading the play we thought he was just that.  His lines seemed more stupid than comedic throughout the entire script, but our opinions changed after seeing the play.  Although it wasn’t in the script, Touchstone dances throughout the entirety of the production and was, in our opinion, one of the funniest characters in the play.  However, our experience could have been completely different if we had seen a different cast member play the role or a different director manage the production.

 

Another example of a different character interpretation would be Celia. While reading the play it seems as if she is just there with Rosalind instead of having her own personality and character. However, leaving the actual production she was one of our favorite characters. Her interaction with the audience, giddiness, jumpiness, and facial expressions made it feel like she was one of the characters you could really connect with. With her great and fun personality it almost felt as if she brought out the best characteristics in Rosalind.

 

Touchstone and Celia are just two of many examples of how each character in a play can be interpreted in many different ways.  Overall, the production of the play brought out a whole new side of Shakespeare, it is easier to understand and was more entertaining than reading the play because of the interaction with the characters, the body movements, facial expressions and being in the Globe Theater. It made us realize that Shakespeare allows people to open and use their imagination.

Friends inside the Globe :)

Inside the Globe Theater

The Globe Theater

Southall: Sikh and Hindu Temples

September 11, 2009 was a very interesting day for me most of the girls in my study abroad group. We had the opportunity to visit Southall and attend a meeting at a Sikh temple and two Hindu Temples, and what an experience that was. After we visited the Temples we had an hour or so to walk around Southall and experience a new place. A lot of people got Henna Tattoos, I would have really liked to get a henna tattoo, however, I liked McDonalds a little more. The sad thing was about 5 minutes after I had McDonald’s our whole group had dinner at an Indian Restaurant. The food was really different but we got a little taste of everything and it wasn’t too bad. Overall it was a good experience. As I went to the temples I took some notes so I thought I would share what they do at there and how I felt about them. One more thing, if you ever come across a Sikh Temple they give out free food for anyone who visits so you should try it. :)

Sikh Temple:  My thoughts towards the Sikh temple before we went were much different then the thoughts and feelings I left with. I was expecting everyone there to be rude, maybe even a little scary. I thought the temple was going to be dim, a lot more sacred then it actually was. Here are some of the things I noticed and took notes on while in the Sikh Temple and during the questionnaire.

·      Sikh- Student of life, always learning something new, go through mistakes in your life but learn a little more each time. Try to become one with God.

·      Sikh’s all believe in one god, however they know him by several different names.

·      The white feather they flow over the book is a sign as a respect to keep the air clean. It is 300 or 400 years old, was a sign as respect for a king.

·      The Sikh scripture reading takes 3 days and 2 nights to finish.

·      They only keep the book at the temple not in the homes. However, if it is in the homes they have to live the rules that they would at the temple.

·      The different numbered windows on the side of the Temple room were different families.

·      Turban is their identity, they always wear, not just for spiritual reasons but because it is more of a tradition. There is no significance in the turbans however you can sometimes tell if people are from different areas by they way they wear their turbans.

·      Most people try to attend 2 times a day. However, some people go 6 or 7 times.

·      The Brown stuff they gave you to eat after you left the temple room is made of Flour, Water, Butter, and Sugar. It is meant to sweaten your mouth. They give it to say basically thanks for coming now we are giving something back.

 

Overall, I have a lot of respect for the Sikh religion. It would be hard to go 2 times a day everyday, wearing those turbans would get annoying and hot. They are very nice people who love their religion as much as we love ours.

 

The Hindu Temples: I actually thought I was really going to like going to the Hindu temples but I disliked them a lot more then the Sikh Temple.

·      I couldn’t understand how someone can worship their religion in a room that is so bright with color and flashing lights or when someone in the room lets their phone ring and they answer it.

·      The room is always noisy there was never a quiet moment, it seemed more like a scene then an actual room for worship.

·      They put water on their head, and put their hand over the fire and wiped it over their heads.

I know the things I am saying about the Hindu temple seem mean, and it sounds like I am close-minded. I just felt uncomfortable in this room with all of the decorations, dolls they worshiped, people answering their phone and talking all the time. I know they love their religion and I respect that, it is just something I know I could never do.

The Sikh Temple food... Yummy right?

The Hindu Temple inside

LeAnn, Lauren and I eating the Sikh food. 

Article "As You Like It"

Before I came to London I have to admit I was not much of a Shakespeare fan. But being here I have grown to love it, and I guess it has to do a lot with the fact that I am in a Shakespeare class and I am assigned to read his plays. But seriously I think Shakespeare is fascinating! :) I was assigned to read an article of someone critiquing one of Shakespeare’s amazing plays As You Like It. The article I chose to read was by Sylvan Barnet called Improbability. In this article it talks about how Shakespeare makes his plays in so little detail to allow your imagination do a lot of the thinking. Here is my summary of the article and what I felt about it! But I recommend that everyone should read As You Like It, it was a well-written play and very creative!

Summary of Barnet, Sylvan, Strange Events: Improbability in As You Like It, Shakespeare Studies, 4 (1968) p.119

 

Summary: This lecture is very entertaining and interesting because it is going back and forth from the original story of Rosader and As You like It. It is explaining the difference between the two stories and how Shakespeare changes his plays to make them more mysterious, more beautiful and intense, and leaving you with more to think about. For example, in a lot of Shakespeare’s plays he doesn’t explain why things are happening, instead they just do. In As You Like It how did everyone end up in the forest and falling in love? Why was wrestling going on in the beginning of the play? In this article it mostly kept giving the examples between the two stories and how Shakespeare’s are less detailed, but what the article didn’t explain at all was why he did that. Was he purposely trying to make the audience wonder? Shakespeare was aware of what he was writing and what he was changing between Rosader and As You Like It. People need to learn to accept the way he writes his plays and realize the way he was writing them was not a mistake, that he left out those small details on purpose.

 

Comment: This article goes on and on about how Shakespeare’s plays leave you wanting to ask questions, how he changes things to just happen instead of having something lead to why it is happening. The article was interesting and was fun to read, but what about an explanation of why Shakespeare decided to do that? However, the article was right. As I read As You Like It I was a little confused about why the wrestling was going on in the first place, or how everyone ended up in the forest, or why Oliver and Celia randomly fell in love, but I appreciate that because it lets my imagination do the thinking. Overall, the article wasn’t descriptive enough to be an article on As You Like It; rather an Article on the way Shakespeare changes his plays.

 

 

The Renaissance painting is the one on the bottom. It's called the Leonardo Cartoon by Leonardo Da Vinci made around 1499-1500.

Medieval painting on top- Jesus opens the eyes of a man born blind by Duccio made 1311.

My classes begin...

For one of my classes in London I am assigned to make a blog of some of the interesting things I will be studying and learning throughout the fall semester. For my first assignment I had the chance to go to the National Gallery and study paintings of some of the most incredible and famous artists in history. For example, Leonardo Da Vinci. These paintings were paintings I saw in my high school classes and learned about, but to be honest probably didn't care too much about at the time. However, seeing the original paintings right in front of your face makes it much more interesting and amazing. I was told to look at two paintings.. one Medieval made between the years 1200 to 1400 and one Renaissance painting. Between these two paintings I had to compare and contrast the background behind the paintings, what you see when you first look at them, and the aesthetics that make the paintings so different. Honestly, I had a hard time writing this, due to the lack of knowledge I have towards art.. everyone has to start somewhere right? Anyways here are the paintings I decided to study and write about.. see if you can figure out what the paintings have in common, how they are different, what the true meaning is behind the picture, and the aesthetics between the medieval and renaissance paintings. 

The Beginning

This morning I arrived in London, however I had a bad time getting here. When I got on the first plane leaving Salt Lake to New York I went to listen to my I-Pod but somehow all my music, movies, and t.v. shows got deleted. Then to make everything worse when I arrived in New York I realized my camera was missing, I left it on the seat at the terminal in Salt Lake. But good news my dad called the airport and they had it :) so he is going to send it out to me! I have the worst luck possible. I have already met some amazing girls and have become very good friends with them! The BYU London Center is amazing and I get to live here for 3 and a half months. I can tell this journey is going to be a great one. Check out the pictures.