There are definitely a few stereotypes supported and destroyed in the play Much Ado About Nothing. The stereotype of class is definitely brought into play. The issue of class is brought into this play through Hero and Claudio. Hero is the daughter of a very well established man, who is well off and wealthy, owning a lot of land. Claudio is a heroic figure. He helped a lot in the battle of Don Pedro vs. Don John, coming out on top and being looked upon as totally awesome. I find it interesting that the daughter of one of the most well off men in the county and the war hero end up together, being "in love" and finally getting married. I think this is a little bit of a stereotype that people of the same class should be with other people from similar classes. I don't believe in any way that Shakespeare is trying to tell the world to only marry people that make as much money as you do, but this message is definitely slipped in just by the slightest bit. This is an unfortunate stereotype to support because I feel like everyone should be free to be with anyone they want to. It's not as if there was a poor woman that Claudio loved as well but instead he picked Hero because she's betting off, but the message is none the less somewhat existent.
On the other hand we have the stereotype of race in this movie, but instead of being supported it's being torn down. In the film at least, the character of Don Pedro was African American. I think this decision was made because they felt that Denzel Washington was the best person for the part, and that his race didn't matter. By having the Prince be black instead of white like the majority of the cast it is being portrayed that race is not an issue, and shouldn't be, in any aspect of life. This stereotype is a wonderful one to smash, and I'm glad it was decided to do so.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Oh dear, I do believe your pants are on fire
There is definitely a lot of lying going on in the play Much Ado About Nothing. For example when all of the characters are at the party and Claudio tells Don John that he is Benedick (2.1.133). Don John told him that his brother, the Prince, was in love with Hero and that Hero shouldn't marry the Prince because she is not worthy of him (2.1.134-136). By lying to Don John Claudio heard something that he wish he did not hear. He didn't really have any reason to tell Don John that he was Benedick, so it's not morally or ethically justified, but then again by claiming to be Benedick he didn't do any harm except to himself. On the other hand when Don John lied about his brother being in love with Hero he was hurting others. He knew this to be false and that this lie had the potential to make many people upset and confused, especially Claudio. This lie was definitely unmoral considering he only said it to create chaos for everyone around him.
However there is also some lying that occurs to benefit others. For instance when Leonato, Don Pedro and Claudio lie about Beatrice being in love with Benedick while Benedick is in ear shot. (2.3.81-83). They have good intentions and are trying to arrange a situation to set up Benedick and Beatrice without either of them knowing it. By learning that Beatrice is in love with him Benedick suddenly becomes aware of how beautiful she is and her amazing wit, deciding that he loves her back. This reaction was exactly what they wanted and expected, creating a more peaceful environment for all. While this lie does have some morals and ethics behind it I still don't think they should have put it into action. While it was all fun and games and turned out the way that they had hoped messing with people and making them believe that someone is in love with them is not a very nice thing to do.
However there is also some lying that occurs to benefit others. For instance when Leonato, Don Pedro and Claudio lie about Beatrice being in love with Benedick while Benedick is in ear shot. (2.3.81-83). They have good intentions and are trying to arrange a situation to set up Benedick and Beatrice without either of them knowing it. By learning that Beatrice is in love with him Benedick suddenly becomes aware of how beautiful she is and her amazing wit, deciding that he loves her back. This reaction was exactly what they wanted and expected, creating a more peaceful environment for all. While this lie does have some morals and ethics behind it I still don't think they should have put it into action. While it was all fun and games and turned out the way that they had hoped messing with people and making them believe that someone is in love with them is not a very nice thing to do.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Ahhh, I love the smell of depressing poems in the morning, don't you?
Acquainted With the Night by Robert Frost
I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain --and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.
I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.
I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,
But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height
One luminary clock against the sky
Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain --and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.
I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.
I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,
But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height
One luminary clock against the sky
Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.
This poem, for me, is about wondering out on one's own with loneliness dwelling inside. It talks about walking by a watchman and dropping one's eyes, unwilling to explain (5-6). This is a representation of people asking what's wrong or what's going on in life and being unable to open up and really say what's on your mind. It also talks about being interrupted by a cry but it's not one calling back or saying good-bye (8-10). This is about how much one can long to be comforted or to be found out by someone without having to say it out loud, and right when you think someone has found out what's wrong and is going to console you it turns out that they weren't talking to you at all, but to someone else about something completely different. It also talks about the morning after being so depressed in the night when it says:
One luminary clock against the sky
Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right
I have been one acquainted with the night. (12-14)
These lines represent how after you get over those sad feelings you're not sure whether it was a good thing or a bad thing that you felt them; whether you were really getting at something or just wasting time.
This poem means something to me because it puts unhappiness and dread in such a beautiful way. This poem really talks about these feelings in a way that gives them the right amount of emphises as well as the reactions and thoughts going in and out of the body when one is sad. Everyone's been unhappy and one point and it's easy to relate to this poem.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Quarter One in a Nut Shell (HELP! I'M IN A NUT SHELL AND I CAN'T ESCAPE! austin powers anybody?)
This quarter went pretty well for me. I could have done better in most of them, but i feel like overall i put my best foot forward and really put in some major effort. I've learned a lot so far. In English I've learned how to properly cite things (I hope), and I've learned more about my flaws as a writer and how to improve them. I haven't learned much in French class, it's basically a lot of review right now. In band I've met a lot of new people, both in my grade and others, so that's always neato. In chemistry I've learned a whole lot of chemistry, and in math i'm re-learning things from last year that I can't really remember. Finally in AP Euro I've learned more about Europe than any one person should ever know in a life time, but it's actually really cool.
The class that I'm struggling the most in right now would be AP Euro. While the homework isn't terrible, whenever I feel like I REALLY know something it always turns out that I didn't know it as well as I thought, or that Mr. Baron always finds some way to be horribly mean and throws together a whole bunch of random facts in the form of a quiz. They scare me. Class environment is really enjoyable. I feel like I am somewhere where I can really listen and pay attention and also feel free to voice my opinions and to socialize every now and then. To strengthen my learning in the classroom I'm pretty sure that the only thing I can do would be to get more sleep so that I'm actually awake when the teachers are speaking to me. Somehow I've just got to make the day longer... that would be a big help. My goals for quarter two are to try to get my homework done earlier in the day so that I can get more sleep, and also to try to resist the temptation of watching The Simpsons, Family Guy, and That 70s Show instead of going upstairs and going to bed. I'm working on it.
The class that I'm struggling the most in right now would be AP Euro. While the homework isn't terrible, whenever I feel like I REALLY know something it always turns out that I didn't know it as well as I thought, or that Mr. Baron always finds some way to be horribly mean and throws together a whole bunch of random facts in the form of a quiz. They scare me. Class environment is really enjoyable. I feel like I am somewhere where I can really listen and pay attention and also feel free to voice my opinions and to socialize every now and then. To strengthen my learning in the classroom I'm pretty sure that the only thing I can do would be to get more sleep so that I'm actually awake when the teachers are speaking to me. Somehow I've just got to make the day longer... that would be a big help. My goals for quarter two are to try to get my homework done earlier in the day so that I can get more sleep, and also to try to resist the temptation of watching The Simpsons, Family Guy, and That 70s Show instead of going upstairs and going to bed. I'm working on it.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Outside Reading Blog Numero Cinque (not trying to be mean or anything, but I'm really glad to be done with this)
In this section of the book, through Nettie's letters to Celie we are focused on the character of Corrine, who is the woman that Nettie serves for in Africa. Corrine seems to be disturbed by Nettie and seems to like her less and less as time goes on. Corrine is still very uptight about Nettie, thinking that she had met her husband Samuel at an earlier time than she had said. Nettie writes, "When did you first meet my husband? she wanted to know. And that was when I knew what she thought. She thinks Adam and Olivia are my children, and that Samuel is their father! Oh, Celie, this thing has been gnawing away at her all these years! I met Samuel the same day I met you, Corrine, I said" (172-173). This conversation that Nettie had with Corrine shows that Corrine does not trust Nettie or her husband for that matter. Nettie continues to write that Corrine made both her and Samuel swear on the bible that they had not met each other before Nettie had met Corrine. Corrine seems to be motivated to continue by her children. She obviously is continuing to be with Nettie for their sakes.
Corrine becomes very ill in this section of the book. She catches African fever and is very weak. At this point she still isn't convinced that Nettie told her the truth about her meeting her husband, but Nettie is still strong in saying that she met Samuel at the same time that she had met Corrine. Later Nettie decides to tell Corrine the truth about why she looks so similar to Corrine's adopted children. She explained how her sister was mistreated as a child and how she was raped and had children, which they had adopted. When she had finished Corrine broke down. Nettie writes, "She began to cry in earnest. Me and Samuel holding her hands. Don't cry. Don't cry, I said. My sister was glad to see Olivia with you. Glad to see her alive. She thought both her children were dead. Poor thing! said Samuel. And we sat there talking a little and holding on to each other until Corrine fell off to sleep. But, Celie, in the middle of the night she woke up, turned to Samuel and said: I believe. And died anyway" (187). It seems as though the thing keeping Corrine alive was not knowing the truth about her children. After she had found the truth her soul was at rest and she passed on.
Corrine becomes very ill in this section of the book. She catches African fever and is very weak. At this point she still isn't convinced that Nettie told her the truth about her meeting her husband, but Nettie is still strong in saying that she met Samuel at the same time that she had met Corrine. Later Nettie decides to tell Corrine the truth about why she looks so similar to Corrine's adopted children. She explained how her sister was mistreated as a child and how she was raped and had children, which they had adopted. When she had finished Corrine broke down. Nettie writes, "She began to cry in earnest. Me and Samuel holding her hands. Don't cry. Don't cry, I said. My sister was glad to see Olivia with you. Glad to see her alive. She thought both her children were dead. Poor thing! said Samuel. And we sat there talking a little and holding on to each other until Corrine fell off to sleep. But, Celie, in the middle of the night she woke up, turned to Samuel and said: I believe. And died anyway" (187). It seems as though the thing keeping Corrine alive was not knowing the truth about her children. After she had found the truth her soul was at rest and she passed on.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Outside Reading Blog Nummer Vier (I'm trying to incorporate as many languages into my titles as possible. I went for Dutch this time.)
A character that has been newly discovered in this section of the novel The Color Purple is the character of Nettie, Celie's sister. Celie has discovered that her husband Albert has been hiding letters that Nettie has been writing to Celie over the course of years and years. Now that Celie has realized that he is doing this she knows where to look for the letters, finds them, and begins to read them. Her sister tells what happened to her when she tried to leave years and years ago when she writes, "When I left you all's house, walking, he followed me on his horse. When we was well out of sight of the house he caught up with me and started trying to talk. You know how he do, You sure is looking fine, Miss Nettie, and stuff like that. I tried to ignore him and walk faster, but my bundles was heavy and the sun was hot" (126). She continues to write that Albert tried to kiss her and started to harass her sexually when she hurt him badly enough so that she could get away and that because of this Albert swore to Nettie that she would never get to communicate with Celie ever again. This letter explained why Celie was never allowed to read Nettie's letter, or even know that they existed, but she is still horribly upset that Albert hid them from her. Obviously Nettie is motivated by her sister Celie. Even though Albert told her that Celie would never see her letters she continues to write them in hopes that Celie is receiving them and is getting comfort from knowing that her sister is alive.
In later letters Nettie explains what is going on in her life. She moves to Africa with a nice black family. They're missionaries and are going there to help the people of Africa. Nettie is going along mostly to help look after the children, but she also helps with teaching the children of the village. The mother of the family, Corrine, becomes concerned with Nettie, thinking that she is trying to replace her as the mother of her children. While this is not the case, the reader can see that Corrine makes her thinking clear when Nettie writes, "Corrine said to me this morning, Nettie, to stop any kind of confusion in the minds of these people, I think we should call one another brother and sister, all the time. Some of them can't seem to get it through their thick skulls that you are not Samuel's other wife. I don't like it, she said" (157). Obviously Corrine is becoming concerned that people are thinking that Nettie is equal or better than her, and this bothers her very much. Nettie goes on to write, "And don't let the children call you Mama Nettie, she said, even in play" (158). This bothers Nettie. Even though she doesn't believe that she is the mother of Corrine's adopted children, she still sort of thinks as herself as a second mother considering that she cares for them so much. All of these issues that she is having with Corrine are bothering Nettie.
This section of the book reminds me of the book Black Boy. When Richard goes to Memphis and goes into the building that he believes to be a whorehouse he is greeted by very interesting people. In the beginning of their meeting Richard wonders why the woman is so nice to him, but later he sees that it is because she desperately wants to get her daughter married, and that she's not afraid to ask Richard to do so. This fits along with The Color Purple because in the letters that Nettie writes we can see that people's actions change once their environment and the people around them change.
In later letters Nettie explains what is going on in her life. She moves to Africa with a nice black family. They're missionaries and are going there to help the people of Africa. Nettie is going along mostly to help look after the children, but she also helps with teaching the children of the village. The mother of the family, Corrine, becomes concerned with Nettie, thinking that she is trying to replace her as the mother of her children. While this is not the case, the reader can see that Corrine makes her thinking clear when Nettie writes, "Corrine said to me this morning, Nettie, to stop any kind of confusion in the minds of these people, I think we should call one another brother and sister, all the time. Some of them can't seem to get it through their thick skulls that you are not Samuel's other wife. I don't like it, she said" (157). Obviously Corrine is becoming concerned that people are thinking that Nettie is equal or better than her, and this bothers her very much. Nettie goes on to write, "And don't let the children call you Mama Nettie, she said, even in play" (158). This bothers Nettie. Even though she doesn't believe that she is the mother of Corrine's adopted children, she still sort of thinks as herself as a second mother considering that she cares for them so much. All of these issues that she is having with Corrine are bothering Nettie.
This section of the book reminds me of the book Black Boy. When Richard goes to Memphis and goes into the building that he believes to be a whorehouse he is greeted by very interesting people. In the beginning of their meeting Richard wonders why the woman is so nice to him, but later he sees that it is because she desperately wants to get her daughter married, and that she's not afraid to ask Richard to do so. This fits along with The Color Purple because in the letters that Nettie writes we can see that people's actions change once their environment and the people around them change.
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