In the play Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare shows a reoccurrence of stereotypes. Two of the main stereotypes in this play were gender and class. Women are clearly not as important as men and get treated differently. The separation of the social classes was shown as well. One will not see someone rich interacting with someone poor. The stereotypes about gender effected my interpretation of the play by making the main focus be on the men. The main men; Leonato, the prince, Don John, Benedick, Claudio, Borachio, and Antonio greatly out number the women; Hero, Ursula, Margaret, and Beatrice. It seemed as though it was more important for the men to find love, rather than the women. The stereotypes about social classes effected my interpretation of the play by creating that controversy between classes. Leonato would make fun of Dogberry because of his social class. It was different to see because now, no one judges people on their social status. The play allowed me to see that people used to be treated differently depending on their class.
I think Shakespeare both believed in the stereotypes and wanted to teach a lesson. Back when this play was written, that’s how things were. Women were not as important and social classes made a difference. I think Shakespeare just wrote about what was going on when he created the play and was influenced by the world then. I also feel like he was trying to teach a lesson because he did add some important woman roles. Beatrice and Hero were both portrayed as strong women that were allowed to speak their minds. Therefore I think he was trying to change the way women were viewed back then. Also, with social classes, William Shakespeare had Leonato give Dogberry money to support him. This reveals that William was trying to show that everyone could help each other out and show compassion. Being rich or poor does not make you a better person. I think that William Shakespeare was trying to change society’s' views about common stereotypes in this play.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Lying
I think that lying can be both justified and unjustified depending on the situation at hand. In some situations lying is harmless while in others it can be harmful. For example, when you lie to not hurt someone's feelings or cause them pain, it's not a bad thing. I believe in that case it is morally right. The other side of lying can be ethically unstable. For example, lying to someone to make them feel bad or just to be mean is not moral. Lies can cause issues either way and should be used carefully. Therefore, in my opinion, lying can be positive and negative depending on the situation.
In the play "Much Ado About Nothing", William Shakespeare uses both types of lies. Both morally justified and not morally justified lies are used to show the effects. For example, a morally ethic lie is said when Don Pedro explains, "I will assume thy part in some disguise / And tell far Hero I am Claudio" (I.I.259-260). Don Pedro is going to lie to Hero and pretends to be Claudio, only to woo her for him. In this case, lying is harmless because there is no effect in a negative way. No one is getting hurt or punished. Another example is from a real life situation is from the Holocaust. People would lie to keep thier family members safe. This is a moral lie because the people who told these lies to the Nazis were protecting their families by sacraficing themselves. An example of lying unethically is when Don John says, "I, with your two helps, will so practice on Benedick that, in despite of his quick wit and his queasy stomach, he shall fall in love with Beatrice. If we can do this, Cupid is no longer an archer; his glory shall be ours, for we are the only love gods" (II.1.321-25). In this case, lying is unethical because Don John is trying to lie in a way that will mess everything up. The effect is huge and can change the rest of their lives. Also, Don John is trying to take advantage of them. In the end, lying can be classified as being both ethically justified and not.
In the play "Much Ado About Nothing", William Shakespeare uses both types of lies. Both morally justified and not morally justified lies are used to show the effects. For example, a morally ethic lie is said when Don Pedro explains, "I will assume thy part in some disguise / And tell far Hero I am Claudio" (I.I.259-260). Don Pedro is going to lie to Hero and pretends to be Claudio, only to woo her for him. In this case, lying is harmless because there is no effect in a negative way. No one is getting hurt or punished. Another example is from a real life situation is from the Holocaust. People would lie to keep thier family members safe. This is a moral lie because the people who told these lies to the Nazis were protecting their families by sacraficing themselves. An example of lying unethically is when Don John says, "I, with your two helps, will so practice on Benedick that, in despite of his quick wit and his queasy stomach, he shall fall in love with Beatrice. If we can do this, Cupid is no longer an archer; his glory shall be ours, for we are the only love gods" (II.1.321-25). In this case, lying is unethical because Don John is trying to lie in a way that will mess everything up. The effect is huge and can change the rest of their lives. Also, Don John is trying to take advantage of them. In the end, lying can be classified as being both ethically justified and not.
Friday, November 30, 2007
The Gift Of Knowing You
There are gifts of many treasures
For both the young and old,
From the tiniest little trinkets
To great boxes filled with gold.
But, put them all together
And they could not stand in lieu,
Of the greatest gift of all
The gift of knowing you.
When your times are filled with troubles
Sadness, grief, or even doubt,
When all those things you planned on
Just aren't turning out.
Just turn and look behind you
From the place at which you stand,
And look for me through the shadows
And reach out for my hand.
I will lift from you your burden
And cry for you your tears,
Bear the pain of all your sorrows
Though it may be for a thousand years.
For in the end I would be happy
To have helped you start anew,
It's a small price to pay
For the gift of knowing you.
- Dave Stout -
In this poem, Dave Stout uses figurative language to compare a gift, to a friend. Dave explains how friendship is a system that uses support for each other. He expresses this by saying, "I will lift you from your burden," (scout 17). Because of this, we are lead to believe that friends help each other out by lifting their load and help them recover. This leads to when Dave explains that when things aren't turning out the way they were planned, friends will always be there. He shows this when he says, "And look for me through the shadows and reach out for my hand," (stout 15/16). This explains that no matter where you are, your friend will always be there for your support. Because of this comparison, we are able to see that Dave is tying to make society realize that when you need help, or someone to make you feel better, you have the gift of friendship to take your sorrows away.
This poem shares information that is irresistible to overlook. It is compelling due to the explanation of what friendship is, and what it means. Dave Stout looks at friendship as a gift. The gift of having someone as a friend gives you the opportunity to be there for them. He explains that when situations are not turning out the way they were planned and you are feeling grief and sadness, your friend is always there to comfort you. They can lift from your load, cry for you, hold up and support your pain and sorrows. Also, Stout explains that being a friend will make you happy because you helped someone start over new. He believes it is not a difficult task to help a friend, and it makes you feel better.
There are gifts of many treasures
For both the young and old,
From the tiniest little trinkets
To great boxes filled with gold.
But, put them all together
And they could not stand in lieu,
Of the greatest gift of all
The gift of knowing you.
When your times are filled with troubles
Sadness, grief, or even doubt,
When all those things you planned on
Just aren't turning out.
Just turn and look behind you
From the place at which you stand,
And look for me through the shadows
And reach out for my hand.
I will lift from you your burden
And cry for you your tears,
Bear the pain of all your sorrows
Though it may be for a thousand years.
For in the end I would be happy
To have helped you start anew,
It's a small price to pay
For the gift of knowing you.
- Dave Stout -
In this poem, Dave Stout uses figurative language to compare a gift, to a friend. Dave explains how friendship is a system that uses support for each other. He expresses this by saying, "I will lift you from your burden," (scout 17). Because of this, we are lead to believe that friends help each other out by lifting their load and help them recover. This leads to when Dave explains that when things aren't turning out the way they were planned, friends will always be there. He shows this when he says, "And look for me through the shadows and reach out for my hand," (stout 15/16). This explains that no matter where you are, your friend will always be there for your support. Because of this comparison, we are able to see that Dave is tying to make society realize that when you need help, or someone to make you feel better, you have the gift of friendship to take your sorrows away.
This poem shares information that is irresistible to overlook. It is compelling due to the explanation of what friendship is, and what it means. Dave Stout looks at friendship as a gift. The gift of having someone as a friend gives you the opportunity to be there for them. He explains that when situations are not turning out the way they were planned and you are feeling grief and sadness, your friend is always there to comfort you. They can lift from your load, cry for you, hold up and support your pain and sorrows. Also, Stout explains that being a friend will make you happy because you helped someone start over new. He believes it is not a difficult task to help a friend, and it makes you feel better.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
End of Quarter 1 Blog
In enriched English 10 this quarter I did average in the class. I learned that hard work and determination can help you achieve your goals. Also, I learned to strive for exellence, not for perfection. So far in this class I have managed to improve my writing skills. Also, I have learned to be more responsible with my homework. Unfortunately, I am still struggling to adjust to the curriculum and the tough grading. I am also struggling with procrastination. I leave assignment to the last minute and forget to turn them in. The class environment is very good for focusing on what we need to do in class. There are words of encouragement all over the room, which help me stay on task. Also, the desk angles are put so that we can have class discussions. This makes it easier to hear everyone and to see people when they are speaking. What I can do to further the learning community in our classroom is to help others when they need it.
For quarter two, I intend to do much better. One goal for the class is to get an A this quarter. Also, I want to be less of a procrastinator and be ahead of the homework that is due. This will allow me to better understand what we are learning in class and I will get more time on my essays. I also want to learn how to improve my essay writing and my reading skills. I will try to improve by putting my goals into action and putting more effort into the class. I think that using these goals will help me be more successful in enriched English this quarter. Also, I believe that these goals can help others by example. I plan on doing much better second quarter compared to first quarter.
For quarter two, I intend to do much better. One goal for the class is to get an A this quarter. Also, I want to be less of a procrastinator and be ahead of the homework that is due. This will allow me to better understand what we are learning in class and I will get more time on my essays. I also want to learn how to improve my essay writing and my reading skills. I will try to improve by putting my goals into action and putting more effort into the class. I think that using these goals will help me be more successful in enriched English this quarter. Also, I believe that these goals can help others by example. I plan on doing much better second quarter compared to first quarter.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Outside Reading Q1, LAST POST!!
Body Image and How it Can Take Over Your Life
Throughout the memoir Wasted, by Marya Hornbacher, body image is what creates more problems for the main character Marya. Her disease causes many effects to what she sees. She becomes unable to stay at home alone because she doesn't trust herself. She reveals this thought when she thinks, "She wants her mother and father to save her. She says this, and Dad asks in earnest: From what? From myself, " (87). She is afraid of her self and hints that she needs help. Also, she has her father lock all of the doors and windows so that the man with the razor doesn't come in. She sits and waits for him every night in her bed. These illnesses also make her see her life happening through someone else's eyes. She remembers this saying, "I remember the whole thing as if I were watching myself: I see me being spanked from across the room, I see me hiding in the hamper from above," (13). She believed that she saw things like this so that she could keep an eye on her body at all times. She lets her eating disorders take over her life. They make her see things that no one else sees and do things that no one else does.
A positive body image is very important. The negative body image that Marya has makes her go insane. She looks in the mirror and calls herself a fat piglet. With eating disorders, one thing leads to another. Marya acknowledges, "At least 30% and perhaps as many as 50% of patients with bulimia nervosa also have a history of current or prior substance abuse....Substance abuse often is not restricted to street drugs," (72). She allows her body image to take control of her and she ends up using drugs. It is important to view your self in a positive outlook and admire what features you have.
Throughout the memoir Wasted, by Marya Hornbacher, body image is what creates more problems for the main character Marya. Her disease causes many effects to what she sees. She becomes unable to stay at home alone because she doesn't trust herself. She reveals this thought when she thinks, "She wants her mother and father to save her. She says this, and Dad asks in earnest: From what? From myself, " (87). She is afraid of her self and hints that she needs help. Also, she has her father lock all of the doors and windows so that the man with the razor doesn't come in. She sits and waits for him every night in her bed. These illnesses also make her see her life happening through someone else's eyes. She remembers this saying, "I remember the whole thing as if I were watching myself: I see me being spanked from across the room, I see me hiding in the hamper from above," (13). She believed that she saw things like this so that she could keep an eye on her body at all times. She lets her eating disorders take over her life. They make her see things that no one else sees and do things that no one else does.
A positive body image is very important. The negative body image that Marya has makes her go insane. She looks in the mirror and calls herself a fat piglet. With eating disorders, one thing leads to another. Marya acknowledges, "At least 30% and perhaps as many as 50% of patients with bulimia nervosa also have a history of current or prior substance abuse....Substance abuse often is not restricted to street drugs," (72). She allows her body image to take control of her and she ends up using drugs. It is important to view your self in a positive outlook and admire what features you have.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Outside Reading Q1 blog 4
About the Book
Marya Hornbacher’s book is not new, but it is not one that will easily be forgotten. She wrote it in 1998 when she was twenty three. The memoir describes her fourteen years of tug-of-war with her eating disorders. Wasted is a mind-twisting reminder that obsession with weight can kill. It is difficult to read the heart-wrenching conflicts and her disturbing behavior. Her weight “has ranged from 135 pounds to 52, inching up and then plummeting down,” (2). This shows how destructive these diseases can be to your body. Overall, what amazing readers is her insightful mind. “Hospitalized six times, institutionalized once with endless hours of therapy,” (196). She digs into topics that are so personal, that she is an inspiration to all.
In this book, Marya's voice is astounding and really creates visuals for the reader. She doesn't waste time getting to her painful and tramatizing experiances. I feel inspired to help the millions out there suffering with anorexia, bulimia, and other illnesses. It has made me aware of these illesses and the effects they can have on people. I highly suggest reading this book, it was difficult to put down.
Marya Hornbacher’s book is not new, but it is not one that will easily be forgotten. She wrote it in 1998 when she was twenty three. The memoir describes her fourteen years of tug-of-war with her eating disorders. Wasted is a mind-twisting reminder that obsession with weight can kill. It is difficult to read the heart-wrenching conflicts and her disturbing behavior. Her weight “has ranged from 135 pounds to 52, inching up and then plummeting down,” (2). This shows how destructive these diseases can be to your body. Overall, what amazing readers is her insightful mind. “Hospitalized six times, institutionalized once with endless hours of therapy,” (196). She digs into topics that are so personal, that she is an inspiration to all.
In this book, Marya's voice is astounding and really creates visuals for the reader. She doesn't waste time getting to her painful and tramatizing experiances. I feel inspired to help the millions out there suffering with anorexia, bulimia, and other illnesses. It has made me aware of these illesses and the effects they can have on people. I highly suggest reading this book, it was difficult to put down.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Outside Reading Q1, blog 3
Wasted & The 400 Blows
This book can be related to many pieces of literature that we have studied in class. One piece that is most similar is The 400 Blows. The 400 Blows and Wasted are alike when it comes to their main characters. In the movie, Antoine asks his mom if he can not go to school, and just make a living on his own. Marya experiences this same drive, but its when she wants to go to boarding school and never come back. She shares this by saying, "I imagined calling my parents from school, casually telling them of my grand accomplishments," (88). This reveals that the two main characters both want to prove themselves to their families, and to themselves.
Also, Marya and Antoine are similar because they both do drugs and drink alcohol. Antoine does drugs twice in the movie The 400 Blows, once when he is with his friend Renee and another time when he was in the jail cell. Also, Antoine drinks when he is with Renee. Marya gets into drinking and drugs in high school. She comes clean when she says, "I'd stumbled high and drunk through and out of ninth grade." (88). This shows how similar these two characters are. They both want control over their lives, and want their parents to stay out of it a majority of it. Also, they both go to drugs and alcohol even though they are underage because it can solve their problems for that moment.
Another way these two characters are similar is because they both do continuous rebellious acts to get themselves into trouble and corrupt their families. Antoine does this when he runs away from home and tries to steal the typewriter. This causes his parents to fight, and they don't want anything to do with him anymore. Marya does this when she gets involved into bad things (drugs, alcohol, and sex). Her parents get exhausted with her wrong doings, and it makes the family fight. In conclusion, these two main characters have many aspects in common.
This book can be related to many pieces of literature that we have studied in class. One piece that is most similar is The 400 Blows. The 400 Blows and Wasted are alike when it comes to their main characters. In the movie, Antoine asks his mom if he can not go to school, and just make a living on his own. Marya experiences this same drive, but its when she wants to go to boarding school and never come back. She shares this by saying, "I imagined calling my parents from school, casually telling them of my grand accomplishments," (88). This reveals that the two main characters both want to prove themselves to their families, and to themselves.
Also, Marya and Antoine are similar because they both do drugs and drink alcohol. Antoine does drugs twice in the movie The 400 Blows, once when he is with his friend Renee and another time when he was in the jail cell. Also, Antoine drinks when he is with Renee. Marya gets into drinking and drugs in high school. She comes clean when she says, "I'd stumbled high and drunk through and out of ninth grade." (88). This shows how similar these two characters are. They both want control over their lives, and want their parents to stay out of it a majority of it. Also, they both go to drugs and alcohol even though they are underage because it can solve their problems for that moment.
Another way these two characters are similar is because they both do continuous rebellious acts to get themselves into trouble and corrupt their families. Antoine does this when he runs away from home and tries to steal the typewriter. This causes his parents to fight, and they don't want anything to do with him anymore. Marya does this when she gets involved into bad things (drugs, alcohol, and sex). Her parents get exhausted with her wrong doings, and it makes the family fight. In conclusion, these two main characters have many aspects in common.
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