LCCCBritishLiterature

A Note about Podcasts

2006-12-14T18:04:00.000-08:00

Hi! Thank you for stopping by to listen to the Podcast series. You will notice that some of the podcasts are more "introductory" than others. This is because the lecture notes, themselves, come from copyrighted material. Therefore, the lecture notes exist beyond the walls of WebCT in compliance with copyright laws.

The White House Christmas Tree

2006-11-28T20:04:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone,
I just wanted to let everyone know that my family is supplying the White House with the National Christmas Tree this year. This has been a crazy last couple of months but we managed to make it to the White House on Monday of this week to presen the First Lady, Laura Bush, the Christmas tree and we got to meet her and spend the day at the White House. This has been such an honor for my family and my children. We have been on countless news programs and my husband will be on the Martha Stweart show on Wednesday of this week as well to talk about the National Tree and how to care for a "real" christmas tree. While we were at the White House, we got to meet Laura Bush, play with the presidential dogs, Barney and Miss Beasley, have tea and cookies with Laura Bush, see the presidential gingerbread house and sit in President Bush's chair in his private movie theatre. I can not tell you the honor that this was and if anyone would like to read about this expreience you can look up the information on our website at cstreefarm.com or go on any of the news station on line and there will be articles and pictures of our family presenting the tree to Laura Bush.
I hope everyone has a great holiday season and Happy New Year as well.

Thanks
Brandy Botek

"Elizabeth" movie review

2006-11-18T19:20:00.000-08:00

1. There was friction between Elizabeth and Mary, in part, because of their different religions (Mary being Catholic and Elizabeth being Protestant). Mary also seemed to contest Elizabeth’s throne as Henry’s marriage to Ann Boleyn was not sanctioned by Mary’s catholic church.

2. The Anglican church was utilized to quiet the fighting between Catholics and Protestants (a dispute that still rages to some extent in the Europe of today). As ruler, Elizabeth could control this body. Although she seemed somewhat neutral at times in matters of religion, the Anglican church was a mechanism that could bring her people closer together. Compared to modern American politics, where religion seems to divide more than unite, this was an interesting aspect of the story.

3. One site I researched lists as many as 34 suitors who were interested in Elizabeth’s hand in her lifetime - http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/Documents/suitors_of_queen_elizabeth.htm
However, in the movie the King of Spain and the Duke of Anjou (of France) are the primary suitors. Elizabeth’s lover Robert Dudley can also be considered to be courting her, however he can never attain her hand because he is not considered fit to marry a queen due to social ranking. Spain and France had a vested interest in marrying into the English throne for geo-political and religious reasons.

4. Her lover, Robert Dudley, is not killed since he is the only person who originally courted her sincerely and did not conspire to attain power through courting her as others did.

5. “Virgin” did not have the same meaning in the 1500s as it does today. Obviously she had been with Robert Dudley, but “virgin” referred to her being unmarried. She decides to stay unmarried to gain favor with her subjects, and instead “marries herself” to her country. This is significant because even though there are disagreements between Catholic and Protestant religions, the pure Virgin Mary is still regarded as sacred in both. She takes on the pure white, haloed appearance of the Virgin Mary as part of her devotion to the role of England’s wife and mother.

6. The movie shows Elizabeth’s growth from a girl who is ruled by her heart, lacking the sometimes cold logic needed for strong leadership, into a woman respected by her countrymen who unifies her country (as best it can be). She represents a pivotal shift in England’s history, and deserves to be considered one of England’s most influential queens.

7. From www.tudorplace.com.ar ‘s description of Elizabeth as an individual: “Elizabeth had a rigorous education. She was fluent in six languages, including Latin, Greek, French, and Italian. She once remarked to an Ambassador that she knew many languages better than her own. She was taught theology, history, philosophy, sewing, and rhetoric. She also loved such activities as hunting, riding, dancing, and playing. As a girl, she was often thought of as very serious, and she had inherited characteristics of both her mother and father such as cleverness and firmness. Elizabeth was incredibly intelligent, and admired her tutor Ascham, who remarked that she had the intelligence of a man, for it was her memory and intellect that distinguished her above others, men and women alike.”
With an education and level of personal experience like this, she was destined to change her country in a time when women were not given equal treatment, not even royals. When she learns to set her emotions aside to rule with her intellect, she becomes a powerful person capable of flushing out her would be conspirators. She also refuses a groom king, and shows that she can rule on her own without the assistance of a man. Her ability to do these things undoubtedly showed England the power women possessed, and paved the way for generations of women after to be respected in their rule.

Movie Review: Elizabeth

2006-11-18T18:54:00.000-08:00

Mary Tudor was the daughter of King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, while Elizabeth was born to Henry and his second wife Anne Boleyn. Henry divorced Anne and had her charged with adultery and treason, for which she was executed. Subsequently, Elizabeth’s birth was considered illegitimate and her title of Princess was removed, which is why, in the movie version of her life, Mary refers to her as a bastard and Anne Boleyn a whore. Elizabeth was also a Protestant, while Mary was a Catholic, and Catholicism was basically the proclaimed religion of England. During this time, Protestants were savagely persecuted, and greatly at the direction of the Pope in Rome. Elizabeth was claimed to be a heretic and accused of being part of a conspiracy against Mary, probably mostly as a ploy to keep Elizabeth from having any claim to the throne should anything happen to Mary.

The Anglican Church was completely rearranged when Elizabeth took reign. Elizabeth, being a Protestant, took action to change the national religion, although she was tolerant of and fair to Catholics. She tried to unify England and allow both religions to exist, regardless of her personal choice. The church bishops were upset and felt threatened as Elizabeth made herself Supreme Governor of the Church of England, which put her directly between the church in England and the Pope in Rome.

The movie portrays King Phillip II of Spain and François, Duke of Anjou as candidates for marriage to Elizabeth. Both proposals were based on political aspirations and were not romantic gestures. Both Spain and France looked forward to possible alliance with England, which could result from marriage to the queen. The movie depicts that marriage to the Spanish king was a suggestion made through mediators, while d’Anjou was personally introduced to and spent time with the queen, although she supposedly finally denied his offer upon learning of some of his “recreational” activities (such as wearing dresses). Elizabeth was reluctant to marry either of them because she did not want her country to end up becoming a part of either France or Spain as a result of an alliance.

The one gentleman Elizabeth wanted to marry was Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. They had a passionate affair, but she was advised against marriage to him because he was merely a subject and not royalty. Robert loved Elizabeth dearly, but was not exactly faithful to her, in fact, he was already married. He cared deeply for Elizabeth and was upset that he couldn’t be in a committed, open relationship with her due to her role as queen. He was fearful that her throne and her life were in jeopardy, so he agreed to try to convince her to marry Phillip of Spain. Unfortunately, part of the bargain for him was that he swore to the Spanish ambassador that he would be able to be of influence in reinstating Catholicism in England. In the end of the movie, while all of the others who were found to be conspiring against the queen were put to death, Elizabeth decided to spare Robert’s life to keep him as a reminder to her of “how close she came to danger”.

After conspiracies to have her removed from the throne were brought to light, and especially after her love affair with Robert ended so badly, Elizabeth decided that she would reinvent herself in a likeness similar to the Virgin Mary so that the English subjects would have something divine on Earth to worship. She considered herself “married” and completely devoted only to her country, and, therefore vowed to never marry any man. She has herself painted white to reflect her purity as a “born again” virgin, so to speak.

Elizabeth was probably one of the best English monarchs because she was very intelligent, and finally learned to rule without letting her feelings influence her decisions, particularly after her transformation into the Virgin Queen. Elizabeth’s role changed the definition of women in power by proving (to the world) that women possess the same intellect and skills as men. Her reign as queen for 45 years is a great example of what any woman, or man, can achieve.

Movie Review 1: Elizabeth

2006-11-17T14:25:00.000-08:00

1) Mary Queen of Scots believed she had a legitimate claim to the throne. I am unsure if the movie explains this raging resentment against Elizabeth. Although very watchable, at times, the film was richer in textiles than historical data. History has it that the Mary, whose family name was Stuart, was related to the Tudor line and therefore a strong candidate for Queen of England. In the movie, when Mary refers to Elizabeth as that "illegitimate, heretical whore, she also expresses the Catholics’view of Elizabeth’s unfitness to rule. As the church did not endorse Henry VIII’s annulment nor his subsequent marriage to Ann Bolyn, this would render Elizabeth’s claim as void and Mary, who was Catholic, as the favored contender. Interestingly, I believe Elizabeth appointed Mary’s son, James I, as her successor.

2) Elizabeth not only established the "Uniformity of Churches Act" to quell the dissidence between Protestants and Catholics, she also helped define and unify the Anglican church of England. As monarch, she was also the ruler of the church. Elizabeth developed and distributed an accessible "Book of Common Prayer" to congregations (this was not in the movie). Even though Elizabeth was definitely Protestant - after all, she was "her father’s daughter" – she was neither overbearing nor intolerant about religion.

3) Upon her coronation, Elizabeth was besieged by suitors, most of whom harbored mercenary agendas. The King of Spain, or rather, his ambassador relayed a marriage proposal stipulating that the King would only be making two or three cameo appearances per annum in Elizabeth’s bedroom. The scheming Mary Queen of Scots sent her nephew, who was the Duke of Anjou and a flaming buffoon, to propose. Additionally, Lord Robert Dudley, Elizabeth’s passion, asked for her hand and, according to the film, she may have accepted.

4) Elizabeth’s romantic interest was Robert Dudley, Earl of Leceister. Although he broke her heart at least twice: he kept his marital status a secret and, later, committed treason against Elizabeth. Yet, she spared his life, claiming that Robert will serve as a "reminder of how close she came to danger."

5) Secular, romantic eros failed Elizabeth: her 'true lover' betrayed her; the Frenchman was an insensitive fool and a closet transvestite; and the notably absent King of Spain refused to share her life or bed, desiring only her wealth and power. She had no suitable suitors and to choose one country over another would create animosity. She abandons carnal love and declares "the country of England" her husband. The movie charts her physical and emotional transformation from a vibrant, lithe young woman to a regal stony figure – much like the alabaster statue of the Madonna. On the textile scene, the initial flamboyantly vivid gowns become more tailored, subdued shades of white. Both Elizabeth and the Madonna are virgins, they stand for high ideals and are unsullied by sex, sin, and secular vanities.

6) Elizabeth was a remarkable ruler: she advocated and passed the "Uniformity in Churches Act"; she maintained national pride; tried to evade war; she met and defeated several assassination attempts; and the queen showed genuine compassion for the people. Elizabeth guided a bankrupt, relatively defenseless state into prosperity and stability. Her era is still referred to as the "Golden Age of England."

7) Elizabeth dispelled the myth of women’s inability to govern. She was thoughtful, decisive, brave, and authentic. To me, her combination of intellect and action tempered with love and high ideals show monarchies as an attractive and viable form of leadership.

More's "Utopia"

2006-11-15T19:23:00.000-08:00

More's "Utopia" is a proponent of 'humanism' as it was used during the English Renaissance. His perhaps 'perfect' society is based on ideals of the dignity of man, the power of reason, and, of course, Christianity. More's island harbors a communal society (no feudalism), practices religious toleration (although atheism was 'discouraged'), and even demeans the 'gold' standard (gold is used to chain convicts).

"Utopia" offers a critique on European society.
It emphasizes man's integrity and God's values.

John Donne

2006-11-15T19:06:00.000-08:00

John Donne initiated a movement refered to as "metaphysical poetry". Elements of this style include unexpected, fresh - even bizarre -concepts and delivery. He used unusual verse forms and obscure reasoning.

As a note: He published a radical piece entitle, "Biathanatos" in which he rationalizes that suicide is not a sin in itself. He was a bit preoccupied with death.

Donne had a wild, riches-to-rogue-to-rectory life. I learned in a poetry class that before he became a chaplain, his nick name was "Jake the Rake". As a result, his work reflects a deep profundity which illustrates his divided nature. Donne struggled with physical carnality versus spiritual purity. Somehow, he made them both pretty wonderful.

The Shepherd and The Nymph

2006-11-15T18:52:00.000-08:00

Marlowe's "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" is an example of the "carpe diem" theme popular at that time. This shepherd has a hook - his is a seduction poem that offers passion, but no committment. There seems to be no thought of consequences.

Raleigh's "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd" acknowledges and refutes the shepherd - using his very words. She is concerned about the future and 'husbandry.' She points out that roses lose their bloom, one must endure bad weather and the elements. Life gets tiresome; life gets old.

The Age of Elizabeth (Movie Reveiw)

2006-11-13T16:20:00.000-08:00

Queen Mary hated Elizabeth because, as she stated in the movie, “Elizabeth is my sister, but she was born a whore”. Even though Elizabeth was Mary’s sister, she hated her because she was born from a whore and she was against the Queen and the Catholic faith.
During Elizabeth’s reign, the church held a very high position and they were the ones in power. I found it interesting that the Pope himself put a hit out on Elizabeth because he thought she was against the Catholic faith. Elizabeth, being the queen, was in a position to overpower them with the people. She went to them on one occasion to persuade them to change a law and it worked, even though she put the highest priests in the dungeon and locked them up before the voting, so they could not go against her.
The King of Spain wanted to marry Elizabeth to have control over both countries. Also, the prince of France, but he was a little strange, if you know what I mean.
Lord Robert was Elizabeth’s lover. She did not kill him because she wanted to keep him alive to remind her of how close she came to danger.
Queen Elizabeth’s transformation was very significant because she wanted everyone to know that she will let no man tell her what to do. She was now married to England and that is her only duty, to England. The transformation took place after she went to the church and looked upon a statue of the Virgin Mary. She then cut her hair off and changed her look, painted her face white (which symbolizes virginity).
I think that Queen Elizabeth was one of the best English monarchs because she was loyal to England and the people of England. She kept saying through out the movie that her only concern was England and the people of England.
In the beginning, I was not sure how I was going to answer this question because she was not so independent as a woman should be. She was very dependant on what the men thought and they thought, her being a woman was the wrong thing for the country, hence the reason for everyone wanting her to get married so quickly and produce an heir. As the movie took hold, she began to come into her own and learn that what she wanted was no man to control her and that she was capable of making decisions for her country and herself. This is a great change in the role of women, especially during this time period, when women were the shadow behind the man.

John Donne Assignment

2006-11-10T15:42:00.000-08:00

This poet, writer, was a little strange for me to figure out but I think I have gotten to understand the importance of him in literature. John Donne was a very promising poet at one point in his career. Until he married Lady Egerton's neice, which according to his biography effectively committed career suicide. He was thrown into prison for some weeks and eventually when he got out of prison there were many bitter years to come. He eventaully won the favor of the king and began publishing his works again. He was a very reluctant person for hids time but his style, symbolism, flair for drama, and his quick wit soom established him as a literary person of his era. After the death of his wife, he stopped writing love songs and poems and began to write about death and he eventually became obsessed about death.
Other than that information about John Donne, I am not really sure why he is so important. He wrote many love songs and poems and it seems that he was revolutionary for his time. He seemed to be well respected for most of his lifetime , with the exception of the time when he was married to Anne in the beginning. If I find anything else, I will be sure to add to this posting.

Christopher Marlowe Assignment

2006-11-10T15:23:00.000-08:00

In the Passionate Sheherd to His Love, there was a sense of the love sick shepard wanting for his love to share all the pleasures of nature with him. This was written at a time when all the arts were fascinated by the theme of the love sick shepard in country settings (Norton Anthology.com). The theme of the poem is related to the words carpe diem and the idea of immediate gratification of their sexual pleasures (latech.edu). This idea of immediate gratification fits nicely with carpe diem because the shepherd was sayin to his love seize the day and live in the moment. This type of philosophy, during this time period, was against the normal for their society. There is no mention of marriage or courtley love only passionate love with, what seems to be, no limits.
The response to that poem was by Sir Walter Raleigh, called the Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd. In this reply there was the idea of carpe diem combined with tempus fugit, which means even though time flies we should NOT sieze the day. There will be consequences to having the passionate love that the shepherd wanted and longed for in the pasture (latech.edu). We can see this by the second stanza of the poem when he writes, "Time drives the flocks from the fields, when rivers rage and rocks grow cold, and Philomel becometh dumb; the rest complains of cares to come" (Sir Walter Raleigh).
There were many reply's to the Passionate Shepherds plea for passionate love, the one hear by Sir Walter Raleigh is only one of the many.

The Faerie Queene Guide

2006-11-09T19:43:00.000-08:00

Here are three great resources for The Faerie Queene by Edumund Spencer

http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/fqueen/
The reason I chose this web site is because it is a must for anyone taking literature classes, especially when you are reading literature that is hard to understand. It gives you context information, summaries, character descriptions and summaries, and questions to study that are general in nature about themes, etc.

http://www.enotes.com/faerie-queene/13101
This site breaks down the themes of the Faerie Queene and allows you to print or download a pdf version that is usable and easy to put right in your notebook for reference. Most of the other web sites do the same but this one was especially nice for the direct themes.

http://cla.calpoly.edu/~dschwart/engl331/fq.html
This is a website from California Polytechnic State University's English Department. They have posted study questions on the Faerie Queene and the characters and themes. They also have broken down the questions by book and section (cantos) for easier understanding as you read through the story. This is my number one pick for help in the understanding of this reading.

Utopia by Sir Thomas More Discussion

2006-11-09T19:19:00.000-08:00

The definition of utopia is an imaginary, ideal civilization that is currently not extistent. In the story Utopia by Sir Thomas More, More's vivid imagination of the island of Utopia had many fictional characters but they conveyed the true values of society in Europe in the 16th century. The reason this was so revolutionary is because the time period that this was written. This type of writing and imagery was not seen much until More wrote the book Utopia. There was much political upheaval in England and the literature of the time showed this. Utopia was a perfect place, far from what was happening in present day at the time. This time period also marked the change in language and the forms of language used, it became more standardized. Therefore, Utopia was revolutionary for its time in the idea of imagery, idealism, and a perfect place, which was so much different that what was actually going on at the time.

Five web sites for Utopia:

http://www.bookrags.com/notes/uto
http://www.constitution.org/tm/utopia.htm
http://www.online-literature.com/more/utopia
http://chass.utoronto.ca/emls/01-2/lakomore.html
http://sparknotes.com/philosophy/utopia

Utopia

2006-11-09T17:59:00.000-08:00

A utopia seems to be so revolutionary because a utopia is a place where everything is perfect. During this time the lives that people had were so far from perfect that just to imagine a perfect society could change a lot of things. Even in the world we live in today, it seems that we even strive to live in a perfect place.

Here are five sources I found that discuss Utopia.
http://faculty.goucher.edu/eng211/sir_thomas_more__utopia.htm

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/1896/more.html

http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/utopia/

http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/philosophers/more.html

http://athena.english.vt.edu/~exlibris/essays02/McCrery.html

The Faerie Queene

2006-11-08T18:33:00.000-08:00

These are the three sources that I found that I thought were pretty decent.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Faerie_Queene
I picked the one from wikipedia because it gives some background on why Spenser wrote the Faerie Queene, lists and defines the characters, gives arguments for the cantos, and also gives other links.

http://www.beyondbooks.com/leu11/2c.asp
I picked this one because it gives you the allegory and symbolic meaning of the characters. Also, it is easy to understand.

http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/fqueen/
I personally really like sparknotes. They have it broken down by book and it gives you a summary of each book. They give you the characters and questions for study. The website is eay to navigate and the information they give you is easy to understand.

Utopia

2006-11-07T19:44:00.000-08:00

Utopia is revolutionary because of its idealized concepts that were quite opposite from political, economic, religious and social environments when it was written and even today. More’s major concepts appear to be share and share alike, and that nothing should be wasted, with one’s productivity and opportunity to contribute to society being of highest importance. One stand-out concept is More’s approach to religion, which is that all faiths, or even the lack thereof, are respected, and should not be put down or encroached upon by others.

More’s Utopia influenced many philosophers and writers during his time and ever since. His work developed into an entire genre of utopian and humanist literature.

The following websites discuss More’s Utopia specifically and utopian concepts in general:

http://utopia.nypl.org/homepage_noqt.shtml#redirect

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15243a.htm

http://www.georgetown.edu/faculty/bassr/exhibition/utopia/utopia.html

http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/amana/utopia.htm

http://www.earlymod.psu.edu/utopias.html

Faerie Queene Study Guides

2006-11-07T07:35:00.000-08:00

I selected the following resources because I feel they each provide unique insight into the story. They go a bit further than simply supplying summaries of the text.

1. http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/fqueen/section1.html

Provides summary of the text with commentary, plus message boards for online chatting about the story.

2. http://academic.reed.edu/english/gre/Spenser.html

Access to wikipedia summaries (which contains a long list of characters to help keep them all straight), plus explanation of the Spenserian Stanza. (Also includes online text, which we already have).

3. http://www.chsbs.cmich.edu/Kristen_McDermott/ENG%20336/faeriequeene.htm

Provides descriptions of the characters and places in the story. Also, good study questions and links to other synopsis sites.

The Pardoner and The Priest's Tale

2006-11-05T19:48:00.000-08:00

The following are some thoughts on Chaucer's "Pardoner" and "Priest" Tales.

Initially, one may be pressed to find similarities in two such seemingly unlike pieces as Chaucer’s "Pardoner" and "Nun’s Priest" tales. The pardoner is as shocking as the nun’s priest is subtle. The former appears blatantly blasphemous and the latter reticently righteous. Yet, a closer examination reveals parallel themes, methodology, and even, common failings in the narrators.

Both clergymen preach against human vices; the pardoner warns of greed, the nun’s priest of vanity. The motto in the Pardoner’s story is that money is the root of all evil. He also references the excesses of drunkenness and gluttony. His message is straightforward, graphic, and ends in death. The nun’s priest relates a parable exemplifying the folly and dangers of pride, especially in the form of vanity.

The pardoner and the nun’s priest each use parody and personification to relay their meanings. The former tells a tale of three youths searching for Death, which they do find as a result of their inebriation, debauchery, avarice. Interestingly, the concept of Death is personified. Actually, the narrator is the personification of the same sins of which he speaks. The nun’s priest tells an ostensibly trite tale of a vain rooster being seized by a fox. By using animals with human traits, his story can be viewed as a fable ridiculing and admonishing the excesses of pride. Another interpretation might see this parable as a satirical reference to exaggerated notions of courtly love.

Chaucer’s disdain for hypocrisy in the church can be detected in both of these characters. The pardoner is a self-professed hypocrite who virtually boasts that he practices what he preaches against. Additionally, he brags of selling fake relics and exoneration for money. The nun’s priest, as Badman pointed out, appears mild, yet inappropriately relishes and lingers over the rooster’s sexual prowess. At the conclusion of the tale, the narrator even comments on the physical similarities rooster and the priest, particularly the strong, puffed-out chest. One questions which style of hypocrite is preferable: a self-acknowledged liar or a cloaked, self-satisfied faker.

Wife of Bath Questions

2006-11-05T19:31:00.000-08:00

1) I think that the message the tale is trying to convey is that a woman can become the dominant one in the marriage. During this time women assumed the submissive role and I think that what the Wife of Bath is trying to tell us is that a woman does not have to be a doormat for her husband. If she is smart and manipulative enough she can have things under her control. At the end of the tale the old woman asks her husband if he'd rather have her old and ugly or beautiful. He tells her that the deicision is upto her. She then says to him "Then I have got mastery over you".

2) I would pick Emma Thompson to play her. She has played in a lot of Shakespeare and Jane Austin movies. I thought she was great in those movies and I would enjoy watching her play the Wife of Bath. She is very talented and I think that she could make any character come to life. I think that she speaks very clearly and pronounces her words in such a way that you can not misunderstand what she is saying. I think that is very important especially if an actor or actress is going to be a narrator.

3) I think that Chaucer is not fond of the idea of marriage. In this tale the knight and the old woman get married because she helped him and marrying the old woman was his repayment to her. It is obvious that the knight does not want to marry her, but he keeps his word. After they are married we really see how the knight is trapped into something that he does not want. In the Miller's tale an old carpenter married a young beautiful wife who became unfaithful to him. At the end of the tale she takes away all of her husbands pride and dignity just to hide her behavior. I think that Chaucer may approve of marriage if it is for love. These tales show us how unhappy and the actions people will take in an unwanted marriage.

Prologue Questions

2006-11-05T19:19:00.000-08:00

1) The point of The Canterbury Tales is to entertain the host of the characters. In addition, The Canterbury Tales is used to help express Chaucer’s feelings and views on various topics. It seems to me that he also uses this book to help inform people. I think that especially in the prologue he's showing that some people may not be bad people, but the things they do, if found out, would be frowned upon by the community.

2) I think Chaucer will approach topics like marriage, economics, fidelity and religion in a humorous and subtle way. He gives hints in the text when he describes the characters. He points out little quirks about them, but he doesn't do it in a negative way. He does this so the reader learns more about the character and the personality of the people he is describing. When he talks about the Miller in the prologue he says, "He was a chatterer and a teller of tavern tales, mostly about sin and ribaldry." This is a clue as to what the Miller's tale is going to be about.

3) The most captivating thing about this piece is how Chaucer is very descriptive. I like this because it helps me to be able to picture the scene in my head. I was not sure what this book was going to be about. I assumed it would be different people's accounts of a pilgrimage. I was very surprised at the end of the prolouge. I think think that was the number one reason that I got hooked into the book.

The Wife of Bath

2006-11-05T17:39:00.000-08:00

The message that the tale of the Wife of Bath is trying to convey is that women should be able to behave, as men do, of their own free will. The Wife of Bath is perhaps the most honest of all of the members of the pilgrimage. She tells the others all about her five marriages and her many affairs, making no apologies for her indiscretions. She explains that she has never been able to say “no” to any man, even her last husband, who she truly did marry for love. She doesn’t feel she should do or refrain from doing anything that doesn’t suit her. She admits that she is not perfect and is not as attractive as she was in her youth, but she still is able to see what it is men want and what they have to offer her.

The Wife’s tale includes someone similar to herself, the old woman who helps the knight at the end. In the tale, the old woman gives the information he is seeking: what do women want most? The answer is sovereignty over their husbands and lovers, and to be masters of them. When the knight gives this answer to the queen and all the ladies of court, they cannot argue, and he is saved. In exchange for her help, the old woman asks the knight to take her for his wife. The knight does so, but is very unhappy about it because she is old, unattractive and poor. However, she is able to make him see that, although she is all of those things, she is a good woman and would be a good wife, unlike a young beautiful wife who would give him problems. She contends that poverty is not a sin and that being impoverished is one way to see who one’s true friends are. She promises that, though she’s not much to look at, she is humble and will do anything to please him. When the knight considers her comments, he realizes that she is perfect for him and they stay together. The old woman was able to convince the knight that she was the woman for him.

It is difficult to pinpoint what may have been Chaucer’s position on marriage. It can be seen from two different viewpoints. He describes the Wife of Bath as being conniving and unfaithful, taking advantage of the men whom she marries in order to get what she wants from them, only to move on to the next without second thought. This makes one think that he doesn’t hold the idea of marriage too highly because women are untrustworthy and men are fools who allow themselves to be lead around by them. On the other hand, perhaps Chaucer agreed with the views he offered through the Wife. Maybe he saw women as more than men’s play things and that they should make use of what they have. It’s not like women were really able to go off and create lives for themselves as they are today. Unfortunately, women were really at the mercy of the men in their lives during Chaucer’s time, even if it was only due to social customs. Chaucer made the Wife of Bath unashamed at admitting what no other woman probably would about herself, which is quite a good characteristic.

As for a modern-day Wife, it is difficult for me to choose who should play her, particularly after reading Reese’s choice of Madonna. I could offer Jennifer Lopez, who is certainly not at the same level as Madonna, but she has been seen to have relationships that seem to have benefited her at some point. She was with Puff Daddy, or P Diddy, or whatever his name was at the time, right around when her singing career was getting off the ground. I believe he was very instrumental in her recording and put her in the spotlight with some good and some very bad publicity. Then she was engaged to Ben Afleck, who helped clean up her image in the aftermath of the P Diddy saga of gunshots and court dates. Although, her relationship with Afleck also fell through, for a time she had some good publicity with him at the same time as when she was appearing in a bunch of movies, including one she did with him, which I didn’t see, and I don’t think it was well received.

Canterbury Tales Prologue

2006-11-05T17:36:00.001-08:00

The Canterbury Tales are told by each of the members of pilgrimage to Canterbury in an effort to win a contest posed to them by the host of the inn where they stayed. He tells them that he will lead them on their journey to Canterbury, and on the way they each must tell two tales on the way there and two on the way back, and that he would be the judge of the tales. The winner would win supper at the cost of all the others in his inn. Telling tales along the way will make the trip go faster and bring the group of strangers to know each other better.

Chaucer introduces the reader to each of the members of the group, going into great detail of the dress, demeanor and background of each. Given his descriptions of the characters, one looks forward to some interesting, spicy tales, such as that of the Wife of Bath, who “was a worthy woman al hir lyve; housebondes at chirche dore she had five; withouten oother compaignye in youthe…” The wife of Bath was a good and proper woman who was not ashamed to admit that she’s had five husbands and that she’s take more should she feel the need. She knows her value to men and that she can easily take control of a man in order to get what she needs, whether it’s his riches or just his love.

There’s also the Friar, who was a good man who’d hear the confessions of other good men, but “knew the taverns wel in every toun and everich hostiler and tappastere bet than a lazar or a beggestere…” The Friar was a holy man but was not as interested in helping the truly needful as he was in helping those who had something to offer him. He seems like the type of person we’d see nowadays in a tabloid headline. The reader can expect that Chaucer dislikes others’ self-importance and hypocrisy, and uses examples of religious leaders and others of high station to illustrate that, even though some may seem of a higher level, we’re all human and have the same flaws.
What is most captivating about this piece is its timeliness. This is not a tale simply of great heroes doing deeds of valor, it is about real people, not so different from us in the 21st century. They may have had different words for things and different style of dress, but the heart of human nature has not changed in the past 600 years, that’s for sure.

The Wife of Bath's Tale: What Women Want

2006-11-05T15:16:00.000-08:00

1) In her prologue, a self-proclaimed authority on marriage confesses, explains, and justifies her unconventional point of view. She sustains that women have the right to marry/remarry multiple times, should enjoy and use their sexuality, and, most notably, want complete control over their spouses. She uses – and misuses – Biblical passages to support her logic. The wife of Bath then launches into a parable that demonstrates her assertion that what women desire most is absolute reign over their husbands.

2) I believe the British actress Judith Densch could portray the wife of Bath quite admirably. Ms. Densch is formidable, experienced, and most capable. She is not only a Shakespearean actress, but can also do vernacular comedy. A second choice might be the seasoned, tough, and more sexual English actress, Helen Mirren.

3) It is my understanding that Chaucer advocated equality and love as essential marital ingredients. Perhaps, in its convoluted way, this tale shows the ludicrousness of a domineering partner. Additionally, the wife of Bath claims to love her fifth husband (admittedly, in a Punch-and- Judyish way.) Either way, Mr. Chaucer certainly gives women a voice.

Canterbury Prologue

2006-11-04T16:40:00.000-08:00

Yes, some of this is quoted from my essay.

1) Chaucer’s "Canterbury Tales" is an amazing kaleidoscope of characters, subjects, parables, vocations, morals and philosophical views. Although this pilgrimage to Beckett’s tomb portrays an assortment of personalities on parade, none of the participants are of extreme nobility or are desperate derelicts. Rather, through stories and vignettes, a variety of voices reveal insightful glimpses not only of the Middle Age’s middle class, but also into human nature as a whole.

2) By using prototypes and parodies, Chaucer addresses such themes as love, relationships, religion, loyalty and money. In the "Franklin’s Tale", a super-idealized marriage is comprised of love and equality, whereas the overbearing ‘Wife of Bath’ shows a woman’s desire for ultimate power in a relationship. Themes of sex, adultery, and money are explored in the bawdy "Shipman’s Tale." Greed, gluttony and hypocrisy are seen in the clergy - especially, the monk and the friar.

3) Chaucer’s choice to employ a keen, yet relatively nonjudgmental narrator to introduce and describe this amazing caravan of people is delightfully effective. I enjoy the lively remarks, the social exchange and, especially the diversity of this procession. The speaker paints portraits with words; he not only vividly depicts physical attributes, but mental and emotional states. Through clever use of diction, dialogue, and humor, Chaucer presents a dreamscape of humanity with all of its failings.

Lanval Responses

2006-11-04T15:19:00.000-08:00

The following are my responses to Marie de France's "Lanval":

1) Marie’s observation that excellence of character or talent invites envy and slander is not limited to gender or era. Such vices are seen in human nature today. The "crabs in a bucket" analogy comes to mind: as one crab reach the top and nears freedom, the other crabs will pull him back now. However, I like to hope this is not the norm.

2) The cycle of heroes’ reputations being tarnished may reflect the insecurities of the audience. Or, perhaps, these icons are being humanized.

3) The role reversal of having the maiden rescue the knight puts women in a new, positive light. Also, it puts them in a position of power and control.

4) Ostensibly, the fairy allows the knight to control. Although it is his desires and actions that will determine the course of the relationship, she exacts the promise. Also, she may want to feed his ego.

5) As the characters’ pride and egos suffer more damage, charges and counter-charges become increasingly heated and dangerous.

6) The king seems especially upset about the slander and demands verification that a richer, more beautiful kingdom and woman exists. . He is more preoccupied with wealth and appearances than sexual overtures made to his wife.

7) Marie portrays the legal system as royally biased and contrived.

8) The fairy queen shows "largesse" – generosity. She not only forgives Lanval, but valiantly rescues him. The wondrous fairy kingdom surpasses Arthur's secular realm in glory, splendor, and chivalry.

Courtly Love in Lanval and Sir Gawain

2006-11-03T14:18:00.000-08:00

"Courtly love" traditionally describes the chivalrous relationship between a knight and his lord, or a knight with his lady. This medieval concept is illustrated in both Lanval and Sir Gawain, yet with in different manners. Romantic commonalties between the stories include: adventures, fantasy, valor, ill-treatment by royalty, and, interestingly, human failings. These stories are also examples of non-Christian and Christian chivalry.
Marie de France's piece features a mystical heroine and mortal hero. Both characters exhibit the much-admired courtly virtue of "largesse", that is, generosity. Lanval remains loyal to the fairy and rejects the queen’s overtures. However, when he breaks his promise and erroneously reveals his secret love to the king, he suffers that courtly love-sickness. Yet, his beloved not only forgives the knight, but she also valiently rescues him.
In Sir Gawain, a lone knight’s adventures are fueled by chivalrous ideals. He bravely accepts the Green Knight’s challenge. Yet, he fails. By secretly accepting the green scarf that he believes has special properties, Gawain realizes that he values his life more than his values (honesty, courage). He is mortified and wears the scarf as a visible penance. His is a quest for personal purity.

Lanval by Marie de France Discussion

2006-10-31T15:25:00.000-08:00

I read Lanval in its entirety and throughly enjoyed it. I found it very similar to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight however reading it was much easier to handle that the other. Lanval is a great love story and it depicts the steps of courtly love.
1. Attraction to the lady
2. Worship of the lady from afar
3. Declaration of passionate devotion
4. Rejection by the lady
5. Renewed oath of virtue
5. unsatisfied desire
6. Heroic deeds of valor
7. Consummation of the secret love
8. Endless adventures avoidingdetection
In Lanval, the knight fell in love with the most beautiful faerie maiden in the land and she superceded the beauty of the queen. He was chosen because of his valor by the maiden and she told him that he was to conceal his love for her and never tell nayone or he would never see her ever agin. He argued with the queen because the queen was "hitting" on him and he accidentally told her that he was in love with a maiden that was far more beautiful that she ever was. The queen was very upset and told the king a lie in order to kill Lanval, but at the end of the story, the maiden came to the rescue of Lanval and showed herself to the king in order to free Lanval from getting hurt. When she left the town, he followed her and left with her. "Lanval made his leap, at full speed, up behind her, unto her steed, with her hes gone to Avalon, or say so the poets of Breton".
Both of these stories involve the use of courtly love and both of these stories involve King Aurthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

The Wife of Bath Discussion

2006-10-31T15:11:00.000-08:00

1. This tale is trying to convey the message of authority. This tale is intertwined with the message of who is the authority in a marriage. According to this tale, the wife is the authority and takes control in a marriage. I kind of like this kind of control, sometimes.

2. If I had to cast an actress from today to play her, I would choose Kathy Bates. This is the first person that came to my mind when I read the tale and knew I had to answer this question. The reason I chose her is because the kind of roles that she plays is more of an authoritarian , womanizing role. She is not the most beautiful woman and she is similar to the character in the tale in her presentation. I keep thinking about the movie the Titanic and she played the boisterous rich widow who was on the cruise because she had nothing better to do. This parallels the Wife of Bath because they are similar in character and physique and they own alot of land and riches due to thier dead husbands. And if I remeber correctly, they were both married many time in the movie and the tale. Like I answered in the prologue discussion, I like the way that Chaucer develops his characters and describes them, it almost makes them real and easy to put a face from today to it.

3. Marriage is inferior to polygamy, therefore, it is OK to have many wives. In the Wife of Bath, it seems Ok to the characters as long as the woman is widowed first, then she may remarry again. Sexuality is a big part of this tale and according to the characters, it is a big part of marriage, because as long as you please your husband until he gives you all he has, when at that point it is not necessary to please him anymore, sex is important. Women are superior to men and they are the authority according to this tale.

The Prologue Discussion

2006-10-31T15:03:00.000-08:00

1. The Canterbury Tales are a collection of stories by Geoffrey Chaucer that is told by a group of pilgrims on a pilgrimage from Southwark to Canterbury. The pilgrims were going to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at the Cathedral. The themes of the tales involve courtley love, treachery, avarice, deception, lust, sexuality, marriage, and they describe the traits and faults of these vises in human nature.

2. Chaucer approaches the topics of marriage, fidelity, religion, and economics through a mixture of humor, satire, humiliation of the characters and through the general faults of human nature.

3. The most captivating part of the prologue is the attention to the detail that Chaucer gave to each one of his characters. The desciptions make for a realistic imagination of how we see the character today. You can almost imagine someone you know fitting the parts of each of these characters and this is the most intreguing part of reading these tales. I found that I had a hard time putting them down once I had started to read them. Subsequently, my husband really enjoyed reading these when he was in school and would like to read them again, thanks to this class.

Happy Halloween to the class - please read...

2006-10-31T09:24:00.000-08:00

As anyone who knows me can tell you, I've always been a huge fan of Medieval History. I have a large collection of Medieval weaponry, tons of books on the subject - basically it's my biggest hobby. So now that I have a 2 year old son, I couldn't resist passing my love of all-things-Medieval on to him. He's already fascinated by the dragon books and other magical stuff we have around the house, and this year his Halloween costume followed suit. For a little laugh (and a little fun in our studious class), I invite you to check out my little guy (his name is Dane) at the link below. Happy Halloween, everyone!

http://www.badmania.net/DaneTheKnight.html

Reese

Module 3 (Chaucer): Mini-essay

2006-10-30T18:37:00.000-08:00

A comparison of the Pardoner's Tale and the Nun's Priest's Tale:

It is appropriate that the Nun’s Priest’s tale is told to us immediately following the Pardoner’s tale, as the significant differences between the two mark a shift of mood in Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales”. While the Pardoner’s story is told with a more serious tone, creating an eerie mood and telling of three wicked men plotting to steal gold that is not theirs, the Nun’s Priest’s tale is reminiscent of a child’s Sunday School story featuring humanized barnyard animals as the main characters.

The contrast between each story’s teller as an individual is interesting to note as well. The Pardoner, an admittedly corrupt and thieving man himself, presents his story of treachery as if he takes it very seriously. In fact, true to the fake presentation he always performs in his travels, he even finishes his parable by asking the group for contributions (even after revealing to his fellow pilgrims that the relics he carries are false). The Nun’s Priest, however, is not presented to us in great detail as a character, so we are left to draw our own conclusions about what kind of person he is through the writing. Chaucer’s treatment of his tale seems to suggest he looks upon the Nun’s Priest with less disdain than the Pardoner, and that he may be a more intelligent, humble man.

From a literary standpoint, the Nun’s Priest’s tale is also more biting satire of Chaucer’s time than that of the Pardoner. The Pardoner’s tale is told primarily to emphasize the ironic differences between the Pardoner’s holy occupation and who he is as a man. But the second story told by the Priest has far wider scope, lampooning the overly dramatic style that was typical of romance stories of the time. Not only is the concept of talking animals ridiculous, but are we really supposed to believe that a simple barnyard rooster would dream of his own death at the fox’s hands and discuss it at length with his hen-wife? Considering the courtly, romantic love stories that were common to the era, Chaucer does an excellent job of poking fun at this genre while also delivering a the solid moral of never trusting a flatterer (in this case, the fox whose jaws Chanticleer narrowly escapes).

This is not to say there are not some similarities between the two tales. While the Pardoner is shown to be a very sinful man, there are also elements of the Priest’s tale that suggest he is not the purest of heart for his vocation. Considering Pride is one of the seven deadly sins in his religion, his description of the rooster’s beauty and the admiration he seems to convey of the rooster are not typical of a man who should treasure life’s simplicity. He also goes into considerable detail about the polygamous relationship and courtly love rituals Chanticleer has with his seven hen-wives, most notably Pertelote. One line, describing a sexual marathon between the couple (“He feathered Pertelote full many a time, and twenty times he trod her ere ‘twas prime.”) is certainly not the subject matter one would expect from a man of the cloth.

Module 3 (Chaucer): The Wife of Bath

2006-10-30T18:13:00.000-08:00

1. What message is this tale trying to convey?

Contrary to the male-dominated mindset of the time, the Wife of Bath asserts that a woman's sexual and mental control over her husband is the key to gaining his submissive obedience. To add credibility to her claim, she quotes several passages of Scripture. Her tale establishes her as a self-proclaimed authority on marriage (due primarily to her 5 marriages since the age of 12 and many affairs besides). The main message we are sent is that women can truly obtain complete control of the men in their lives by exercising their sexuality.

2. Imagine you had to cast a current actress to play herr; who would you pick and why?

I gave this considerable thought and finally arrived at Madonna. Not only has Madonna personally made a career out of her sexuality and power over her male audience, but on a more superficial note the fact that both she and the Wife of Bath have a gap in their teeth makes this role PERFECT for her. Madonna is also at the perfect stage of her life to portray this role. A younger Madonna lacked the "experience" conveyed to us in Chaucer's story. But the 21st century Madonna has almost become a real-life portrait of the character. Just as with the Wife of Bath, Madonna has been scorned by others for the number of men she's kept, exerted tremendous sexual confidence to bend men to her will, and has become quite rich in the process. Life truly does imitate art.

3. What is Chaucer's position on marriage (if we can assume this tale presents it)?

If this tale gives us Chaucer's take on marriage, it would seem he is against the institution as a whole. Still, the way the Wife of Bath tells her story, she seems to believe that marriage is necessary (if only as a mechanism women can use to control men). Perhaps Chaucer felt that women and men need eachother for mutual gain, but ultimately nothing resembling "true love" is the result. He almost portrays marriage as a contest of dominance between the sexes - men must endeavor to please their wives, while women continually craft new, challenging ways to be pleased.

Module 3 (Chaucer): The Prologue

2006-10-30T17:33:00.000-08:00

1. What is the point of the Cantebury Tales?

The point of this tale is to offer different social commentary on Chaucer's time from the perspectives of very different characters. Through the fables and stories each character tells, we not only receive life lessons, but are also able to contrast the morals taught with the person(s) telling them. This reveals many different human characteristics such as honor (in the Knight's case), hypocrisy (as in the Pardoner's tale) and even hints of sexual promescuity (as with the Wife of Bath).

2. How do you think Chaucer will approach topics like marriage, fidelity, religion, economics? Are there any hints in the text? if so, what are they?

Initially, with the beauty and grace used to describe the Spring season they are entering as well as the pilgrimage itself to the holy place of Canterbury, I thought Chaucer might be very gentle in his treatment of marriage, fidelity and religion. But early in the Prologue we are given hints that Chaucer holds a certain contempt for people of the cloth. The Prioress is a nun, but she seems more occupied by keeping up the appearances and behavior of royalty. The Friar and the Monk characters are blatently corrupt and are almost proud to say so. Later in the story, the Pardoner happily reveals the false nature of the relics he carries, yet still asks for contributions from the group as if it's a part of his "script" he cannot avoid.

3. What is most captivating about this piece?

The Prologue of the Canterbury Tales stands apart from other stories (even ones in more modern times) because of the tremendous detail we're given about its characters. Just as much of this story is spent describing minute details of each character as is spent telling their individual tales. As one example, Chaucer spends a significant amount of time describing the Prioress's table manners and how regally she behaves. He also makes specific mention of how she interacts with her pets. All of these elements come together to create a very realistic character that the reader can identify with. This detail is also found in his description of other characters (the Squire's young, handsome appearance; the loud, ringing bells of the Monk's bridle; etc.). I personally feel this is why this story has survived so strongly through the ages. We're planted firmly among the group's members, and the realism of their portrayal allows us to connect with them as real people.

Defending the Defense of Grendel's Mother

2006-10-23T16:12:00.000-07:00

Ahhh...
But is Grendel's mother really evil?
Or is this hearsay? (sorry, a bad oral tradition joke)
That is, I question whether she is truly wicked
or the victim of subjective labeling
because she is 'different'.
Aside of avenging her son, it seems that this
(possible) warriorqueen was pretty much minding
her own business.
Actually, according to societal norms of the time,
as sole remaing kin she is compelled to take revenge.
In some ways, I feel she is just as heroic as Beowulf -
and a lot more humble.

The Defense of Grendel's Mother...

2006-10-23T06:11:00.000-07:00

I just have to put this out there... I found the Defense of Grendel's Mother assignment pretty difficult. It wasn't the reading, or the writing, but the premise. I think most of us tend to pretty clearly define what's right and what's wrong, and having to defend the purely evil mother of a murdering monster was a challenge. Personally, I don't truly believe a lot of the defenses I put forward in my essay, but I've known some attorneys in my life and I'm sure many have defended people they knew were 100% guilty. I'm not complaining, quite the contrary - I enjoyed having to fight my personal instincts and defend something purely evil. Thank you for the challenge, it's always good to step outside of yourself from time to time and try something new. But did anyone else in class have the same challenge? Just figured I'd open it for discussion.

Reese Badman

(I know what some of you are thinking, how does a guy with the last name "BADMAN" have trouble defending evil???)

The Lady of Shallot letter

2006-10-22T20:30:00.000-07:00

Now, here's a bit of doggerel...no disrespect intended.

"To the noble lord, Sir Lancelot,
I left heart and home for Camelot
'Twas your love and lands that I sought
But, by the wicked mirror's plot
Between wide worlds I was caught
I pray thee, sir, forget me naught.
Your humble Lady of Shallot"

What I have read

2006-10-14T08:18:00.000-07:00

I enjoy reading, although I haven't always been able to say that. In high school, which ended for me about 15 years ago, I was supposed to have read a few plays by Shakespeare, and Chaucer sounds familiar, but I wasn't very good about getting my work done back then. For most of my teens and early twenties, I was more into Stephen King. Fortunately, these days I am a much better student and really appreciate a great book. I still have a lot of trouble reading Shakespeare, although I have seen some on the stage and really enjoy the comedies. My reading interests now are primarily based in non-fiction, although I actually have been reading in the last couple of years some American classics like Catcher in the Rye and Slaughterhouse Five because I have been interested in catching up with the great stories that I should have been reading way back when. I have a book of Poe's works, but I only have a chance to pick it up occassionally. I could name many great books I have read in the past few years, however, I still don't have much experience reading any British authors and I am sure that this course will help broaden the scope of my reading.

what i have read

2006-10-11T15:19:00.000-07:00

In high school I read some plays by Shakespeare. They are Julius Ceasar, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummers Night Dream. I've read many stories by Edgar Allen Poe. Also I have read The Iliad, The Odyssey, Aeneid, and Oedipus. That's about it. Good luck to every one!!

Brit Lit Blog

2006-10-10T12:08:00.000-07:00

A short and spotty resume of my experiece with British literature would probably begin with somewhat cryptic nursery rhymes followed by Mary Poppins, Oliver Twist, and Alice and Wonderland.
More formally, in elementary school we read "The Odyssey of Homer" and, as a special project, I tried interpreting Yeat's unsettling poem, "The Second Coming". In junior and senior high schools - which was a long, long, time ago - I do remember anaylzing two rather joyless pieces: Dicken's "Great Expectations" and Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" (just what one needs in adolescence - more angst).
Over the years, I have seen and enjoyed many of Shakespeare's plays and recently particpated in a poetry class which examined his sonnets, along with pieces by Donne, Cooleridge, and Wordsworth. Interestingly, I do not recall studying Beowulf or Chaucer.
Recreationally, I have read several postmodern authors, including Woolfe, Golding Burges, Huxley , and Orwell. Admittedly, I am a bit of an anglophile and have often wondered how a small country like England fostered such a wealth of outstanding artists.

What have I read

2006-10-10T07:50:00.000-07:00

I have read some Shakespere, some in High School, can't exactly remember what it has been so long. I just read The Tempest for my Intro to Drama class. I also read The Canterbury Tales in High School, again so long ago that I don't remember which tales. I took Brit Lit II last semester, so lots of old british poetry.

Authors :)

2006-10-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

I've read a lot of British authors so far. I read Shakespeare and Chaucer along with many others. Most of my Biritsh reading was done in high school, so I don't remember all of the titles of work. Although, I have read a good percent of the stories that we will cover in this class.

I'm interested in forming a study group. The only problem is that I'm not close to the LCCC Main Campus. I'm actually in NJ but would be willing to travel to the Allentown area. I've created a personal blog that tells a little more about me which includes my email address (I think it's in my profile) if anyone else is interested in a study group.

Best of luck to everyone in the class!

Am I a Romantic?

2006-07-09T15:52:00.000-07:00

ro·man·ti·cism n.
often Romanticism An artistic and intellectual movement originating in Europe in the late 18th century and characterized by a heightened interest in nature, emphasis on the individual's expression of emotion and imagination, departure from the attitudes and forms of classicism, and rebellion against established social rules and conventions.
Romantic quality or spirit in thought, expression, or action. (wikipedia)

By this definition I would have to say that my first reaction to most anything is a romantic one, but, over the years I have learned that most people in the U.S. don’t want to deal with a passionate debate. It is much easier to maintain social rules than to buck them.

But, go to Europe and walk past any café and you will find Romanticism in full force. Every conversation is emotional and rebellious. From politics to soccer, it is loud and demonstrative. I suppose that this atmosphere still lives in colleges and among academics. I certainly see it in my daughter after one year of University. For the most part I would say I am a combination of reason and romantic. The reason is practical and gets me from one place to another, the romantic makes me feel alive and young and full of hope.

Module 4: Elizabeth Video

2006-06-26T22:44:00.000-07:00

1. Why did Mary hate Elizabeth?
Mary hated Elizabeth because she was Catholic while Elizabeth was a Protestant. She also hated her because Elizabeth was a bustard child of Henry VIII and Ann Boleyn.

2. What was the role of the Anglican church in Elizabeth's reign? What is the significance of Elizabeth's position?
In Elizabeth’s eyes church was the one thing that would unite people of England under one country. The significance of Elizabeth position is that she becomes the head of the church.

3. Who wanted to marry Elizabeth and why?
King of Spain was the first one who wanted to marry her in order to make an alliance between England and Spain. The second one was a French duke. He wanted to marry her for the same reason as King of Spain. Marring French duke would also end conflict between these two countries.

4. Who was Elizabeth's lover? Does she kill him/ Why or why not?
Elizabeth’s lover was Sir Robert Dudley and she does not kill him. The reason is that she wanted him alive to remind her how close she came to death.

5. Discuss her transformation into the Virgin Queen. Why is this significant?
Her transformation is quite powerful one. She cuts her hair, makes her hair line higher, paints her face white and puts on halo collar all to show her power and virginity. With this transformation she declares that she will never marry a man because she is married to England.

6. It is said that Elizabeth I was one of the best English monarchs; based on this movie, why do you think this is true?
She is strong monarch because despite all the things in her life she was able to transform herself. She defeated all the adds and broth her country to a Golden Age. If that does not makes her good monarch I dod not know what does.

7. How does her role change the definition of women in power?
First she refused to have anyone control her life. She decided that she does not need a man despite everybody telling her that she does. She took her life in her own hands and became one of the most successful queens in history of England.

Module 5: reading assignment 4

2006-06-26T22:06:00.000-07:00

The similarity between Modest Proposal and the Rape of the Lock is that they both address an issue in society. However the similarity ends there. While Alexander Pope mocks the societies failure to seek more important issues. Swift gives a solution to his socialites problem that are unrealistic and unhumanly.

Module 5: reading assignment 3

2006-06-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

Satire is witty language used to convey insults or scorn. According to Jonathan Swift "he used sarcasm to upset his opponent"; "irony is wasted on the stupid"; "Satire is a sort of glass, wherein beholders do generally discover everybody's face but their own"(Dictionary.com).
In Lady’s Dressing Room Swift uses satire to demonstrate how two faced women are. He describes women’s dressing room which itself becomes a satire. He also attacks man and their view of women. Man see women as perfection and according to Swift they are everything but.
In a the response by Lady WM she contradict everything that Swift wrote in his poem. She argues that women are beautiful and clean. Her poem shows good qualities of women and their nature.
Modest proposal depicts horrific conditions of Ireland and the lives of the Irish people in 1729. In his essay he gives a solution of how to solve surplus of children. According to Swift the best way to solve this problem is to sell children to wealthy land owners. However, he does not stop here he goes as far as to suggest using of children as a food and clothing. If his intention was to upset someone he did a fine job with this essay.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/satire

Module 5: reading assignment 2

2006-06-26T20:20:00.000-07:00

Poem to The Fair Clarinda is a declaration of love for another women. Behn explores a sexual relationship between two women and their desires. Also with this poem she talks about British gentlemen, and criticizes them. .What I mean by this is she is saying how publicly man are against lesbian relationship while secretly they are fantasizing about them.

Module 5- Assignment 4

2006-06-26T19:03:00.000-07:00

The Rape of the Lock and A Modest Proposal are both very similar in their use of satire. They both overexaggerate problems in society to a level that they should not be considered. However, in A Modest Proposal, a very serious issue is being addressed, but it’s solution is an absurd solution. In The Rape of the Lock, a simple problem, of Belinda lossing a lock of hair is being addressed. Both still get their points across by using sarcasm to relay how society really needs to change and re-evalutate things in life

Module 5 - Reading Assignment 4

2006-06-26T18:44:00.000-07:00

The "Rape of the Lock" and "A Modest Proposal" both a pieces of literature satire. They both overexagerrate the details of a situation. In "A Modest Proposal," Ireland's economical problem is solved with cannibalism. Its a real life problem solved with a stupid answer. And in "Rape of the Lock" Belinda loses a piece of hair and it starts fighting among families. This is a stupid problem with a stupid outcome.

Module 5 - Reading Assignment 3

2006-06-26T18:30:00.000-07:00

Satire is a literary technique using sarcasm and wit to enhance irony.
Swift uses satire in his writings to suggests the the poor people of Ireland seel their babies to the wealthy people for food. This would give the poor people money and the wealthy people nutrition.
The Lady Mary Wortley Montague decribes women as they should be viewed, and not as Swift views them. They are more than beautiful, they have a personality of their own.
"A Modest Proposal" has no purpose. I feel that it an idea by Swift that is totally appalling and satirical. It suggests that Ireland should eat poor babies to help it out of economic, and social despair.

Module 5 - Reading Assignment 2

2006-06-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

"To the Fair Clarinda" is a poem about love and the desire to be around the one you love. The narrator is deeply in love with Clarinda and wants to be her lover. It touches on the changes in sexual development and the effort to stay in love through the change.

Module 4 Assignment 6

2006-06-26T15:47:00.000-07:00

Sonnets

1. This is about continuous beauty. Old people die and make relatives sad. Eventually you become your own enemy and the beauty dies also.

12. This questions beauty because summer comes to an end. Therefore, all beauty will come to an end at some point. When someone stays beautiful forever they are to be saved and studied to find out why.

15. Youth is the best time in life. After that it all goes downhill, so live it up.

18. His love is perfect. Even more perfect than beauty. It is a never ending love and beauty, better than a warm summers day.

20. This brings Shakespeare's homosexuality to light. It is about a gentle man who is adored by both men and women. He believes this person is a woman in a man's body. Although his loves this man, he knows that he is meant to be with women.

29. He feels like an outcast. He wishes that he was more like this other man. What used to satisfy him no longer does. When he feels like this though, he thinks of the one eh loves, and he is no longer sad.

30. This is about him thinking about his past. He dwells on the time that he wasted and all the things he wanted to do but did not do. He cries about all this and friends that he has lost. When he thinks about his love though, all those feelings go away.

31. This is about the loss of past lovers and friends. They stand for death and now so does he.

33. He has seen many beautiful mornings and they have been hidden by dark clouds. He applies this to his feeling of happiness that is hidden by the loss of his love. Despite his loss, he loves the man anyway.

William Shakespeare

2006-06-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

William Shakespeare was a great playwright and poet. He was born circa April 23, 1564. He went to grammar school in Stratford. He was married to Anne Hathaway and had two daughters and a son. The son died around age 14. The years before Shakespeare became known as a writer, are known as his "dark years" because there was no record of his life at this time. His career began as a playwright. He also acted in many plays. He became a poet when the plague caused the theaters to be shut down. He helped to open the Globe Theater and was a member of the Chamberlain's Men acting group. He owned many properties and was very popular with royalty. He died on April 23, 1616.

http://www.enotes.com/william-shakespeare/shakespeare-biography

http://www.online-literature.com/shakespeare/

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/

module 4 assignment 5

2006-06-26T07:28:00.000-07:00

Donne seemed to be very against the idea of having a nation that did not have the church as the center of government. He wanted to make the Americas another Britain. The goal for the Americas, though, was to make it a different place. He did not understand how people could live without the Anglican church. If more people would have listened to Donne about his ideas and beliefs, we would not have the America that we have today. The whole concept of freedom may have meant something totally different. Who knows, The USA may have been run by the Anglican church, and we may have still been just a territory of England instead of one of the strongest countries in the world.

module 4 assignment 4

2006-06-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

Christopher Marlowe wrote beautiful love poems. He must have been a busy person to have written so many plays and poems...and be a spy in the Queen's secret service. It seems that in 16th century everyone who worked for the Queen was accused or accusing others of treason or blasphemy. Although, it was probably very difficult not to commit some sort of crime with how strict laws were, especially about religion. Marlowe died fairly young, but he created many works and a history that we still read about today.

Activity 1- posted on the other blog????

2006-06-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

The Renaissance

When I think of the Renaissance I think of uncomfortable clothes and big hair on the one side and suffering artists on the other, truly the Hollywood version. In fact for one of the shortest time periods on our timeline change is rapid and huge. The invention of the printing press made information available to the masses, similar to the invention of the internet information had the ability to make individual ideas into big ideas. Humanism is reborn and man is considered a reflection of god. Man is responsible for becoming the best representation of god that
he can be.
It seems the people of the Renaissance promoted the “rebirth” as a way to distance them from what they coined as the Middle Ages, those dark and dreary times just prior to 1300 (Daniels & Hyslop, 2005, p.161). The Renaissance was a self fulfilling prophecy which led to some of the greatest ideas of our time. Educating women became a regular practice in the upper classes. Plastic surgery was invented when Gaspare Tagliacozzi (1545-1599) repaired a patient’s nose, damaged from a bad case of syphilis with skin from his arm (Haugen, 2001, p.214) Penicillin and condoms come later. Copernicus discovers it is the sun, not the earth that is the center of the universe. Financed by the Medici family Leonardo DaVinci is the poster child of the “Renaissance Man” he is handsome, well paid and a vegetarian. DaVinci imagines a flying machine, creates the Vitruvian man and paints The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa all between 1452 and 1519. Michelangelo’s David depicts the most beautiful example of the male form only recently replaced by the guy on the Abercrombie bags. Machiavelli writes “the Prince” and the church accepts humanism as acceptable, arguing “a virtuous rich man could enhance society with patronage of buildings and the arts and make life more comfortable for the poor” (Daniels & Hyslop, 2005, p.167). In 1564 William Shakespeare is born and writes theater for the masses until his death in1616.
And there you have it, the Renaissance in two-three paragraphs.

References
Daniels, P., & Hyslop, S. (2005). The Renaissance. In (Ed.), Almanac of World History (pp. 162-168). Washington D.C.: National Geographic.
Haugen, P. (2001). World History for Dummies. Hoboken N.J.: Wiley Publishing.

A Modest Proposal

2006-06-25T15:17:00.000-07:00

The complete name of Jonathon Swifts essay is " A Modest Proposal: For preventing the children of poor people in Ireland from being a burden to their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the public, tells half the story.

This is a satire to top all satires. Swifts recommendation is to fatten up the poor children and sell them at market to feed the wealthy absentee landowners. This would not only solve overpopulation but unemployment issues as well. The perfect social, political and economic solution.

"Satire is a literary technique of writing or art which exposes the follies of its subject (for example, individuals, organizations, or states) to ridicule, often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change". (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Swift)

Who is Shakepeare?

2006-06-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

Did Shakespeare write the plays? To be honest I don’t know. I like a good conspiracy as much as the nest person. It seems that all of the scholars in this field believe he did, since they probably know more than I do I will go with them and say yes. Not to say that it doesn’t make good rhetoric.

The people who believe he did not write the plays range from the very strange to the somewhat credible and believable. Two names that crop up quite often in the conspiracy theories are Sir Francis Bacon and Christopher Marlowe. The main reason for the doubters it seems, is that Shakespeare was not smart enough to write the plays. He was from “lowly means” and would not have had the political knowledge, French and Latin vocabulary and reference to Greek and Latin sources present in the writing. It is believed that a nobleman would have the education and experience to write about the controversial issues in Shakespeare’s themes but would be unable to publish them due to societal propriety. It was not proper to dabble in the entertainment business. It is also conspired that Queen Elizabeth herself wrote the plays but because she was a woman, a queen or because of the plays political statements could not come forward as the writer so she financed Shakespeare to be the face for her writings.

There are a group of scholars that use various anagrams and numerology to come up with proof of their chosen author. This reminds me of the Beatle’s Abbey Road album and the “Paul is dead” conspiracy theory, maybe it’s an English thing. I think we should consider that these plays were written by a direct descendent of the Jesus-Mary bloodline and call Dan Brown to write it for us. This brings us to my personal favorite, the group writing -secret society.

This theory is the most palatable for me. It states that it was a group that wrote the plays. They called themselves “The Wild Goose Club. They were made up of some pretty heavy hitters of the time, Ben Johnson, Walter Raleigh, Chris Marlowe, and Edmund Spenser. These guys would meet every week for dinner at a local restaurant. I see it as a combination book club – poker night. They would discuss the issues of the day and over their laughter, food and drink they developed a series of stories, which eventually became the plays. According to this version Shakespeare was their favorite waiter at the restaurant so his name was put at the top whether it was a joke that they thought would stay within those walls or an actual conspiracy to get their views public, this particular theory is the most appealing to me. Although I do not necessarily believe it, it has the great makings of a conspiracy theory.

References:

http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/shake-did-write-plays-html
http://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/index.html

On Marlowe

2006-06-25T12:57:00.000-07:00

On Marlowe-

Two things strike me; one he was an atheist in a time when religious beliefs determined your well being, the second is the “back to nature” simplicity of his poem. I have heard this poem before but didn’t know the history or the author. It is a simple but great piece of poetry
evoking a sweet sense of hope and love, although it is said to be unrealistic it is what we all hold as our ideal fantasy of love. Marlowe’s piece is an example of the pastoral style dating back to the Hellenistic era. The name Philomena is used often in Greek poetry showing it’s influence on the poet. The pastoral genre is a romantic view of rural life written with sexual undertones and fantasy. This poem relates well to the songs and poems of the “free love” movement of the sixties.

Sir Walter Raleigh was at the very least a friend of Marlowe’s; he was an atheist as well but wrote in a somewhat more realistic tone. There is some mention of a homosexual relationship between the two. The mirrored love poems would tend to reinforce this, as well as the reference to Greek pastoral life which often referred to lovers as boys. But in Sir Walter Raleigh’s later writings he condemns the “sodomites” which would make you question why he would choose a homosexual for a friend. Whether or not Marlowe and Raleigh were romantically involved is not important. We know that male relationships were different than male friendships of today. It was common to speak of a male friendship in terms of love, today it would seem odd for male friends to speak on those terms. Sir Walter Raleigh takes Marlowe’s poem line for line and analyzes it to offer a much more “realistic” world where life moves from spring to winter and flowers fade and die. Although written in the same meter the feeling is a much darker view of the world.

www.Tapestry.cappelen.no/1/1/ kildeoppgaver/kildeoppgave.html?id=4 - 15k –

www.stthomasu.ca/~hunt/10060001/nymph.htm - 19k

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ The_Passionate_Shepherd_to_His_Love - 13k

Module 5: Assignment 4

2006-06-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

A Modest Proposal and Rape of the Lock are similar and very different at the same time. These two pieces are similar because they both criticize society and how ridiculous the upper class can act. They are also similar because they both describe suffering. The former describes the plight of Ireland’s people while the latter describes Belinda’s fury and suffering over losing a lock of her beautiful hair. The two pieces are different because A Modest Proposal delves into the problems of an entire nation whereas Rape of the Lock depicts a silly feud between two distinguished families. Another difference is that Swift writes in an essay format and Pope uses prose.

Module 5: Assignment 3

2006-06-25T11:54:00.000-07:00

Define satire and demonstrate Swift’s use of it.

Literary satire is the use of irony and sarcasm to highlight common flaws. Swift uses satire in “The Lady’s Dressing Room” to show that on the outside some women, or people in general, look beautiful and you envy them. But if you get a glimpse into their real life, you see the beauty is a façade for a dark, ugly life. In this poem, Strephon sees the grotesque and disgusting life Celia actually lives. It is ironic that beautiful women are considered foul creatures by Strephon after seeing Celia’s room.

My take on the Response by Lady Montagu

Lady Montagu obviously did not like Swift. She refers to him as old and impotent. I think she wrote this poem to show that women are clean, beautiful, and must keep up certain appearances to be appealing to men. Because Swift was hurt by women at some point in his life, Lady Montagu believes it is easier for him to depict women as ugly, filthy creatures to make himself feel better.

What is the purpose of A Modest Proposal?

The purpose of A Modest Proposal is, on the surface, an idea to solve Ireland’s problems (too many people, not enough work or food). But really Swift presents an absolutely ridiculous ideas to eat one-year olds to highlight the ridiculousness of how England handles Ireland. Swift wanted to show that England’s policies placed Ireland in its current dire status.

John Donne

2006-06-25T11:32:00.000-07:00

John Donne believed that English colonization of the United States should not emphasize financial gain but the conversion of the natives to the Anglican Church. This is the time we hear of the possible moral issues concerning the capital ventures and ownership of North American and Indian lands.

Changed opinion of Elizabeth?

2006-06-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

Assignmet 3

The reading gives us the depth of knowledge that this 25 year old had. The movie is a theatrical and entertaining production. It shows her more as a sexual,flighty and somewhat out of control queen. Her speeches show her keen sense of the people and her intellectual side. She would be a brilliant politician even in todays world. If you were to only watch the movie I don't think you can get a true picture of the girl whose father had a habit of killing his wives including her mother, the true struggles of the sisters and the years spent in the tower of London. Her rule changed the face of England and can be seen in the monarchy today with Elizabeth ll.

Elizabeth

2006-06-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth

Elizabeth was Mary’s half sister. She was the daughter of Henry Vlll and Ann Boleyn.
Mary was Catholic and Elizabeth was protestant. Both were equally in line for the throne at some point or another. The heir apparent during Henry Vlll ‘s reign seemed to change with his mood. Clearly he wanted a boy which he had in Edward 1 but Edward’s reign was cut short creating the struggle between Mary and Elizabeth. Mary’s hate for Elizabeth stems from the struggle for the monarchy and the struggle between Catholicism and Protestant.

Elizabeth restores Protestant services but maintains features of the Catholic Church in her appointment of Bishops and Archbishops. She was a brilliant negotiator.
In 1559 she issues the Act of Uniformity – uniting England under one religion,
Using the protestant “Common Book of Prayer” Elizabeth named herself “Supreme Governor of the Church of England”. The Act of Supremacy of 1559 made public officials take an oath acknowledging the sovereigns control over the church. This made enemies of the church enemy’s of the state and this was punishable by death.

Many people wanted to Marry Elizabeth, she had accumulated much wealth on her own as well as through her inheritance. All of that became the property of her husband as well as the power over England. She was way ahead of her time not wanting to relinquish her power and fortune. Mary’s husband Phillip ll was the first to show interest, he was refused, she then allowed Mary Queen of Scots nephew to come to court, it was more a political move than a serious proposal, she ultimately refused him as well. Elizabeth used her single status as a way to lure her enemies and a way to scare them into thinking she would form different alliances.

It was Robert Dudley that Elizabeth loved, but there was a scandal involving a previous marriage and mysterious death, that put him out of favor. In the film there is a plot against Elizabeth herself that is alluded to but I could not find any other writing of it. Although he betrays her, she doesn’t kill him (in the movie anyway) She says she wants him to live so she can remember how close she was to being destroyed by him.

The theatrical presentation of her transformation shows Elizabeth as a beautiful young woman transformed into an ice princess. Her hair is cut, powdered white. Her hairline makes her forehead seem unusually large. The addition of jewels to her hair; that is seen in all of her portraits, it appears like a halo around her head. Her stoic makeup gives a sense of power and seriousness, almost unearthly. Her skin is painted white to help reinforce virginity. Her clothing and neckline become stiff and conservative. She states in one of her most famous speeches that she is married to England.

Elizabeth is smart, educated and fluent in five languages. Although she takes council from men she makes her own decisions. The fact that she never married and was able to control England through very troubling times is amazing in itself. Elizabeth was able to create a prosperous England after the financial disasters of her half sister and brother. She created a strong army that was loyal to her. She took the gender card from a liability to force of power. She never relinquished her power to a man- this was the first time historically in an English monarchy. She was not just a figurehead, she made decisions based on her council.

Module 5: Reading Assignment 4

2006-06-24T09:52:00.000-07:00

The Rape of the Lock is about a woman, Belinda, who has a piece of her hair cut off at a social event by the Baron. She becomes furious and completely overreacts to the situation. Satire is used in this poem to mock society and to show where the priority of peoples concerns lay. The fact that Belinda lost a lock of hair is miniscule to issues like poverty and illness. This is much like A Modest Proposal because they both use satire to criticize society. Even though A Modest Proposal is cannabilistic and addresses a more serious issue, they both get their points accross.

Module 5: Reading Assignment 3

2006-06-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

Satire can be defined as a literary technique that makes fun (through sarcasm and irony) of something that needs to be brought to attention, normally a social or economic issue. A Modest Proposal addresses the problem of the overpopulation of poor, starving, Catholic children in Ireland. Swift's proposal is to sell these kids as meat so everyone will prosper. He justifies this by saying that the families will get money and it will better the economy. This piece of work is obviously satirical because the thought of selling and eating children is unrealistic and would never actually happen. The Lady Wortley Montagu says that women have so much more to them than how they are portrayed. She explains how beauty is admired, not intelligence.

Module 5: Reading Assignment 2

2006-06-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

In To The Fair Clarinda, the speaker is trying to say that he is overwhelmed with the Fair Clarinda's beauty. There are a lot of sexual references in this poem, for instance, "For sure no crime with thee we can commit; or if we should- thy form excuses it." The speaker is saying that the exploration of sexuality is perfectly normal. The degree of passion and sexuality that Aphra Behn writes about shows us that society was becoming more aware and accepting of it.

Module 5- Assignment 3

2006-06-22T21:11:00.000-07:00

Satire is defined as irony, sarcasm, or caustic wit used to attack or expose folly, vice, or stupidity. In "A Modest Proposal" the problem of overpopulation is the reason for the writing. The solution that Swift comes up with is for babies can be used for food at the age of one year old. This way poor mother's will get money for their babies and people will not go hungry. (Killing 2 birds with 1 stone). However, this is definately a sarcastic piece because he doesn't really expect us to sell babies, let alone eat them. But through this piece he expresses just how large of a problem they have on their hands. The Response that is given to this proposal relays the idea that women aren't given the credit they deserve. It also uses the same type of sarcastic tone that is used in the firs place, however it never really talks about how ridiculous of an idea that Swift has in the first place.

Module 5- Assignment 2

2006-06-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

This writing is primarily about love and passion. The speaker talks openly about the love that he has found. It appears that he is so proud and happy with the love that he is in that he wansts everyone to know about it and be able to experience it for themselves too. Because of this sexuality comes into play. The speaker does not put a limit on one's sexuality but encourages everyone's own personal preferences so that they too may find the kind of happiness that they have found. It also talks about the struggle that people go through in relationship to create that happiness. But overall, this piece demonstrates how times were beginning to change and how things like sexuality were once taboo, were now becoming more socially recognized.

Module 4: reading assignment 6-Shakespeare

2006-06-22T18:17:00.000-07:00

Sonnet 1- is about man’s selfishness and love for himself. Shakespeare clearly addresses that self love is unhealthy and that it needs to be shared with the whole world. He also mentions that it youth and beauty should be shared with the world by having a children. In this case I agree with his massage. Any kind of selfishness is bad. It is important for one to have children no matter the reason
Sonnet 12- this sonnet discuses similar ideas as seen in sonnet 1. It deals again with the idea of marriage and children as a way of immortality. The passage of time, nature, youth through life are themes, as well.
Sonnet 15- deals with the fact that life is shot-lived and ever-changing. It talks about how mans life will star to decay because of time. I think this sonnet is telling us to live our life every day like is our last.
Sonnet 18- in contrast to the other 3 sonnets this sonnet deals with immortality of youth’ beauty and not death. He implies that beauty will live forever and even outlive death. I enjoyed this poem more than the other 3, because beauty is immortalized and not something that ends.
Sonnet 20- this sonnet is not concerned in the defeat of time or with the young man’s fathering a child. Rather, the poet’s talks about a man who possesses feminine characteristics. Despite having a woman’s physical attractiveness, the young man does not have woman’s fickle and flirtatious character. This poems deals with a feminine man. It seems to me like he might be homosexual. I believe what Shakespear is trying to say is despite mans feminine qualities and attractions he is still a man and not a women.
Sonnet 29- frustration is a theme of this sonnet. Poet is wishing for other mans art and power. He is suffering because of separation from young man. I also sense jealousy because young man is with other man. I like this poem because it shows a human side of a poet. He is lonely and in pain, because of his love.
Sonnet 30- Poet discusses same theme as one in sonnet 29. He is remembering past and his dead friends. However he comes back to life and forgets everything when he sees his love. The message of this poem is quite true. I believe that love can quare everything and make people happy.
Sonnet 31- His separation from his lover makes him think of past ones. He is also letting go of all those dead lovers. It seems like he is moving on and letting go now that he is met his new love. I personally think that this is a good peace of advise. One can live in past only for so long.
Sonnet 33- This saddest one. Poet and his lover have become estranged, because of the poets absence. From the poets description I think that a young man was unfaithful to him. In any case, it is a saddest sonnet out of them all. It is hard to accept a fact that someone you are in love whit cheated on you.

Module 4-Shakespeare

2006-06-22T16:24:00.000-07:00

Shakespeare's Sonnets

1.This sonnet focuses primarily on the characteristic of beauty. Shakespeare talks about the beaty within a person and how the only way it will truly last is for it to be past down to children so tha they may do the same. The purpose is for us to understand that we have a huge inpact on the way children turn out and to focus on showing them the qualities we want them to have in ourselves.

12.This sonnet talks about living life presently instead of waiting until later to do things in our lives. It talks about the seasons passing and time fading to show people how little time they really have.

15. This sonnet is closely related to sonnet 12, talking about living life to the fullest. It relates life to nature and the stars and again encourages people to stop wasting time.

18. This sonnet is dedicated to comparing a love to a summer's day. In the sonnet he fiinds fault with the things in nature but talks about the perfectness of his love. Also, because this love is being written down it will become unaged and live on forever. I like this sonnet because it alks about how beauty and love can be a permanent thing.

20. It discusses the feminine qualities of a man and how the narratore is attracted to these things. Brings up the subject of sexuality and its "grey" areas.

29. this sonnet begins with a pesimistic point of view, focusiing on the negatives of life. The narrator then changes his attitude after he thinks of his love and because of them, that his life has purpose. Shows us that everyone can find a positive in a negative situation

30. Starts by focusing on mistakes and negatives of the past. He feels depressed because of the regret he feels for the things that he has done and cannot change. However, a friend comes to his aid and gets his mind off of his regrets. This shows that we will only be miserable if we live in our past regrets but we must move on if we want to find a better life.

31. The narrator thinks about his past loves and all the good qualities they have had. But he also compares them to his new love, realizing that they are all he's looked for. The purpose is to be able to grieve your losses but to not let that overshadow the great things you have now.

33. This sonnet talks about how the brightness of his love has now been overshadowed by darkness. Shows that even though things start off positive that it may not last forever, especially in relationships.

Module 4- Who is Shakespeare

2006-06-21T20:19:00.000-07:00

I believe Shakespeare did write all of the plays that he is credited for. Historians have studied all that they can about his life and his work. With a well-known birth date, death date, and personal details I find it hard to believe that anyone can doubt his existence. Some skeptics may make the argument that many of his works were published after they died. This however, is not a new concept. Many artists and writers become more known after their death than when they are alive. Even in today's society many music artists oftentimes have newly released songs on the radio after their death. Concerning writing- Edgar Allan Poe is just one example, and for Shakespeare to be another shouldn't seem so far fetched.
One reason that we can believe in Shakespeare's legitimacy is because his name is signed on early narrative poems that have also been recovered throughout time. Even though these poems have been adjusted throughout time for clarity and better understanding the name that remains on these poems has remained a constant all through this time of modifications.
Arguments are also brought up that Shakespeare would not have been educated enough to have the ability to write as well as he did and about such high political matters as he did. Yet, through his father and good friend, he had access to many books and would have been able to "help himself" to material on political matters, that he later wrote about.
Because of the evidence connecting Shakespeare as a person (with a wife and children) to evidence that we have of his writing, it is plain to see that Shakespeare is who we are taught he is. The connections in legal documents as well as in his writing are evident and display all the truth we need to know. Because of lack of technology at that time it is impossible for us to expect well-written histories of all authors and artists from the date in time that we are referring to. Because of this the information that we do have is so key and has to be taken for all it's worth.

http://absoluteshakespeare.com/trivia/authorship/authorship_oxford_arguments.htm

http://shakespeareauthorship.com/howdowe.html

Module 5: Assignment 2

2006-06-21T15:27:00.000-07:00

The purpose of To the Fair Clarinda was to educate English society about a new age of sexuality. I think Behn's poem highlights that love and passion are wonderful things but does not throw these ideas into the readers face. I think the poem is meant to educate its audience with a quiet respect. The Restoration was still a time when marriage was arranged for status and not love. I think Behn's purpose was to show society that marriage can be for love and passion.

Module 4- Assignment 5

2006-06-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

John Donne is very important because he reinstates the focus of colonization in the first place. He points out that greed has taken over as the primary motive for colonization when it should be the work of God and to spread their religious beliefs to others around the world. He also is important because he stood up for what he believed and went straight to the source, by making his speech to the Virginia Company.

Module 4- Assignment 4

2006-06-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love and The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd are both significant pieces of their time. They both are written in pastoral lyrical form. However, the first focuses primarily on instant gratification and young love. The response is key because it brings the reader back to the reality of it all. The response brings up consequences of today's actions and that youth and carefree living cannot last forever.
I think both are key pieces because they show very different views concerning the same topic.

http://www2.latech.edu/~bmagee/201/marlowe/shepherd_&_notes.htm

Module 4- Assignment 3

2006-06-21T07:01:00.000-07:00

I haven't changed my mind about Elizabeth. The reading simply enforced the fact that she was a powerful ruler and highly admired by her people. She prevailed even though many had their doubts because of her gender. Because of the sacrifices as a person that she made, she was able to become a great leader for her people, and a great role model for women of all generations.

Module 4- The Age of Elizabeth

2006-06-21T06:57:00.000-07:00

1. Mary hated Eliabeth mostly because of their religious differenences. Mary was Catholic, and Elizabeth was a Protestant. Also, even though the shared the same father (Henry VIII) Elizabeth was a bastard child from him and Ann Boleyn.
2. She wanted the Anglican church to unify her people together. Elizabeth would therefore be the head of the church.
3.The King of Spain wanted to marry her for political reasons, to form an alliance between England and Spain. The Duke of Anjour also wanted to marry her for political reasons, to form an allicance between England and Scotland. And Lord Robert Dudley wanted to marry her for love.
4. Sir Robert Dudley was her lover, but she does not kill him even after he commits treason. She does this so that he will serve as a reminder of her of how close she came to danger.
5. Her transformation took place phsycially and emotionally. Physically, she cut off her hair and used make-up to paint her skin white. Emotionally, she vows to be married only to England. Because of these things she is able to avoid distractions from her vital role as England's Queen. Also, this means that her rule will not continue through any of her own children.
6. I believe this is true, because she was able to unify her people through religion. Also, by transforming herself she was able to shift her focus primarily on the best interest of her country.
7. She changes this definition because oftentimes women in power are accompanied by male influences, whether it be int he form of an advisor or husband. However, she learned to trust in her own intuition and became a powerful leader by relying on herself more than others.

Module 4: Who is Shakespeare?

2006-06-20T21:22:00.000-07:00

I believe that Shakespeare is Shakespeare. He was born in April, 1564 in place called Stratford-upon-Avon. His father John Shakespeare was a glover, trader, and landowner. Shakespeare was married to Ann Hathaway in November, 1582. They had three children, 2 daughters and a son. Lather in his life Shakespeare joined a troupe of players and moved to London. He became a member of London's leading theater company, the Lord Chamberlain's Company, he wrote plays and became a sharer of the Globe theater. In 1956 he bought and restored New Place, the second-largest house in Stratford (Reedy and Kathman parg.1-2). Beside all this evidence there is also “the narrative poem Venus and Adonis was published by Stratford native Richard Field, with a dedication to the Earl of Southampton signed "William Shakespeare"(Reedy and Kathman parg.4). Beside this evidence there is a lot more that proves Shakespeare’s existence and authorship of his work. I personally do not see how can some one say that he did not exits or wrote his work for that matter. What more evidence do they want. People need to realize that back than they did not have computers to save data. We are lucky to have any kind of documents considering the time and technology back than.
Work cited
Reedy, Tom and Kathman, David. “How We Know That Shakespeare Wrote Shakespeare: The Historical Facts”. 19 Jun, 2006 <http://shakespeareauthorship.com/howdowe.html>.

Module 4 - Reading Assignment 6

2006-06-20T19:41:00.000-07:00

Sonnet 1 – discusses the idea that beauty is in the inside and people cover it up. The only way to preserve beauty is to have children and pass it on otherwise the beauty will dwindle with time. I think this is a good message for more than just looks, but for every characteristic. It is imporatant to pass on qualities to children.
Sonnet 12 – discusses a similar idea to that of Sonnet 1, in which time holds no bar to anyone. It shows time passing by seasons changing and flowers dying. I think that it does make good imagery of time passing, but emphasizes the bad things about passing time over the good.
Sonnet 15 – discusses the idea that everyone and everything has a peak moment of perfection. Once man reaches this peak, they begin to descend because of time. It says that everything is powered by the stars and the sky. I think it offers the old, but good, message of live life ot the fullest.
Sonnet 18 – discusses the opposite of the previous sonnets. The poem attempts to compare someone’s beauty to a summer’s day but cannot because there is imperfection in every aspect of the day, from the sun to the buds. The beauty of the subject will live on forever and surpass death because they are immortalized in this sonnet. I like this poem a lot better than the others because it is more of an optomistic outlook on life.
Sonnet 20 – discusses the qualities of a man who has feminine qualities that the narrator desires. Many think that this sonnet is the defining sonnet to discuss Shakespeare’s homosexuality. I think that this poem is quite gender confusing but a nice way to announce that the subject is of the narrator’s ideal.
Sonnet 29 – discusses the sorrows of a man that wishes he was like men more fortunate than he. His only way of being happy is to think of his love and all of his woes disappear and he sings to Heaven. I like the love attitudes in this sonnet because it shows the passion that one has towards another.
Sonnet 30 – discusses similar thoughts of Sonnet 29. The narrator is down about how he feels and cries over many things, past and present. When he thinks of his love, his sorrows go away and his losses are restored. I think this is very true in that sometimes when you cry about something, you think about mayn other things and cannot stop crying. It takes that one special thing to take your mind off of your sadness.
Sonnet 31 – discusses the past loves of the narrator. His past loves have all died and he thought they were gone until he met his new love, who encompases all of their qualities. He is grieving for the past loves until he met his new love. I think it is a good piece of advice in which it is okay to grieve but wa all must move on from love.
Sonnet 33 – discusses a beautiful world where the sun beams on the land below, but then is covered by dark clouds. It compares this act to his own morning of a beautiful start then covered with sadness. The love though perseveres through the darkness and shines above the rest. It has a good moral and is a picker-upper for when your down.

Module 5 Assignment 4

2006-06-20T18:49:00.000-07:00

"A Modest Proposal" is disturbing to a person of strong values. Although it is not a true story, the concept is hard to deal with. It is degrading to women and categorizes them as evil. It totally undermines the nurturing nature of women and the barbarianism of men of that time period, while using role reversal to denote women as survivors at any cost. This makes women out to be vultures. It gives them the qualities of animals that eat their offspring.
"The Rape of the Lock" portrays women as being stupid and shallow. This woman gets crazy over a lock of hair being cut off. She treats it as a possession and although it will grow back and is of literally no value, it was hers and she is territorial of it. It makes little sense as it does grow back and it is not like losing an arm or a leg.
The similarities of the two are that they both are degrading to women and look down on them. They both deal with women's emotions and the rollercoaster they can be, in regards to extremes.
Although similar in contest, they differ in the presentation showing in "A Modest Proposal" a savage uncaring beast and in "Rape of the Lock" an emotional conceited bitch. As one woman gives up something for survival, the other can't stand to lose what is hers. These are opposites, yet both show similar emotion.

Module 5 Assignment 3

2006-06-20T18:41:00.000-07:00

Satire is irony, sarcasm and wit. "A Modern Proposal" tells of a poor woman selling one of her babies to solve the overpopulation problem in Ireland. This is definite satire, as ironically, we see that there is a population problem; dry wit because this is so preposterous it has to be funny; and sarcastic, as it could not be viewed any other way.
Assuming children of a poor woman would starve to death on the streets, being sold would be a win/win situation. The poor woman would get money for the child, and this would alleviate the over population problem, and no one loses, but of course, the child who gets eaten. This is sarcastic because, "Who sells their children?" and "Who EATS children?". His jokes that children are in season after age one. The response by Lady Mary Wortley Montague suggests that women do not get the credibility they deserve. It also mimics the authors writing style in a sarcastic and satirical manner but never really rebutted him.

Module 5 Assignment 2

2006-06-20T18:35:00.000-07:00

"To a Fair Clarinda" is about desire and passion. The speaker is truly in love with Clarinda and brags the fact for everyone to hear. Being truly happy and in love is a personal struggle for every individual as it is hard work to be in love and stay in love. Because of the changing times where there is a change in sexuality, or at least the way they look at it, it was an easy phase of development in all aspects, with such ideas being addressed as the evolution of same sex relationships. The speaker sees his love as innocent, but it is possibly not so innocent. This writing, "To a Fair Clarinda" is actually an awareness of the sexual revolution.

Module 4: Shakespeare's Sonnets

2006-06-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

Shakespeare’s Sonnets

1. This sonnet speaks about how beauty is always around. Shakespeare talks about how beautiful it is when sons can carry on their father’s memory. He tells his audience not to be gluttonous but to share yourself with others. Give yourself to the earth and provide the earth with heirs so that beauty may continue. The purpose is to convince a noble to bear children.

12. This sonnet warns that if you wait too long to marry, have children, or live life in general, then chances may pass. It will be too late to accomplish these things. The purpose is to tell people not to let the beauty of life fade.

15. This sonnet relates life to nature that it is ruled by the stars. He also talks about how life is a stage and that people should be active participants. The purpose of this sonnet is to live life because it is too short.

18. This sonnet expresses how love and beauty are experienced together. This relationship will not falter even when a summer’s day is over and done with. Shakespeare’s purpose is to show that beauty and love are everlasting.

20. Man is the narrator’s love. He or she (narrator) is attracted to the man’s feminine qualities as well. The narrator is attracted to both man and woman. This delves into sexuality and how it was confusing even in Shakespeare’s time.

29. The narrator is crying because he is alone in the beginning of the poem. He feels his prayers have gone unanswered. Then he realizes that it is not so bad because love still lingers in him and that makes everything better. The purpose is to show that not all is lost even in your darkest moment.

30. The narrator reflects on the past and all the wrongdoings he has done. He feels he is in debt not with money but in his need to make up for his past. He let love go but the help of a friend ends his sorrow. The purpose is to show the damage that can be done living in the past.

31. The lover of the narrator embodies all the amazing qualities all of her narrator’s past lovers had put together. Narrator is astonished at how much this lover actually possesses. The purpose is to rejoice in what you have.

33. The narrator sees faults in his lover. He feels doubt about how perfect she really is. He says that her “wonderfulness” has been “drummed by the sun going away.” The purpose of this sonnet warns readers that do not be too enamored with love because it can fade once you really know a person.

Who is Shakespeare?

2006-06-20T08:06:00.000-07:00

I believe that Shakespeare was a real man. I feel that the extent one must go through to completely make up a man's history is enormous. William Shakespeare has a birthdate, deathdate, schooling records, parents, family, and noted accomplishments. For someone to completely falsify all of this information, would be extremely hard during this time period. As for his works, I feel that he did complete all of his own writings. As any author, you are swayed by what you read, hear, and see. Many authors write about fictious events and don't succeed. Shakespeare was one of the lucky ones whose works took England by storm. I feel that there are many people whose identities could be questioned because of their abilities. There are many prodigies and geniuses in this world, and I think that they do not need an excuse to be who they are.
http://www.online-literature.com/shakespeare/

Module 4 - Reading Assignment 5

2006-06-20T08:00:00.001-07:00

John Donne was an important man because he valued colonization through the eyes of the church. He followed the Bible's teachings in that colonization should be done for the reason of saving souls. He wrote about this and faced the Virginia Company because they wanted to Colonize America for monetary purposes.

Module 4- Assignment 1

2006-06-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

http://www.cs.rice.edu/~ssiyer/minstrels/poems/328.html

http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-6823

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/david.pinching/essay2.html

Module 4 - Reading Assignment 4

2006-06-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

The Passionate Shephard to His Love and The Nymph's Reply to the Shephard are both significant pieces of literature because they are both pastoral pieces of literature that show two viewpoints. Christopher Marlow's piece ignores the realities of the complexity of life, which is the defining characteristic of pastoral literature. Sir Walter Raleigh's piece shows the opposite of love, in that more of a reality based world. Readers can view both sides of rushing into love with these two poems.
http://www.cs.rice.edu/~ssiyer/minstrels/poems/997.html

Module 4- Sir Thomas More

2006-06-20T07:18:00.000-07:00

http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/texts/more/utopia-contents.html

http://www.beyondbooks.com/leu11/2a.asp

http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=3380

http://faculty.goucher.edu/eng211/sir_thomas_more__utopia.htm

http://www.english.vt.edu/~jmooney/renmats/more.htm

Utopia is so revolutionary because it was so unlike the the norm. This idea challenged authority, and went against the King himself. It was a new idea, and fully exposed the current problems of society.

Module 4: Shakespeare's Sonnets

2006-06-20T06:08:00.000-07:00

Module 4 - Reading Assignment 3

2006-06-19T19:08:00.000-07:00

I have not changed my opinion about Elizabeth. I still think that she was a strong minded woman who fought for what she believed in. She did a lot for England and sacraficed a lot of herself for the country. She prevailed as a woman when women were not viewed highly. She may have sentenced people to death, but everything was justified as it made England a wealthier and more powerful country.

The Age of Elizabeth

2006-06-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

1. Mary hated Elizabeth because she was Protestant. Mary was Catholic and afraid that is Elizabeth took over the throne, she would convert England to Protestant. Elizabeth was Mary's half sister and born an illegitimate child.
2. The Angelican Church was the Church of England. Elizabeth was the ruler at that time and made the church what it was, although the church overpowered Elizabeth. Elizabeth was at the mercy of the Pope and the rest of the church.
3. Many people wanted to marry Elizabeth. First the King of Spain wanted her hand as a guarentee to the throne and to ease any tension between the two countries. Second, the Duke of Anjour wanted ot marry her because it would stop the wars between England and Scotland. Third, Lord Robert Dudly wanted her hand because he truely loved her.
4. Lord Robert Dudly was Elizabeth's lover. She finds out that he is married and betrayed her. She keeps him alive as a reminder of the danger she was in.
5. Elizabeth transforms herself to the Virgin Queen by quitting men. She paints her face white and cuts off all her hair and declares that she is married to England. With this act, she gains power and rspect from the people because she devotes herself to the country and not to men.
6. Elizabeth was one of the best English monarchs because she devoted herself to England. When she became the Virgin Queen, she strived for England to be the dominant power. It ended up becoming one of the richest, most powerful countries ever. It has a stable church and goverment.
7. Elizabeth changed the definition of women in power because she proved that she did not need a man to help her rule. Once she became married to England, she did everything that an honorable King would do, but she was a woman. She tossed men aside and fought for what she believed in and made England a better country.

Module 4 - Reading Assignment 2

2006-06-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

Websites to help students understand The Faerie Queene.

http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/fqueen/

http://www.sogang.ac.kr/~anthony/FaerieQueen.htm

http://www.uwm.edu/Library/special/exhibits/clastext/clspg086.htm

Sir Thomas More - Utopia

2006-06-19T17:47:00.000-07:00

http://athena.english.vt.edu/%7Ejmooney/renmats/more.htm

http://faculty.goucher.edu/eng211/sir_thomas_more__utopia.htm

http://www.humanities.ualberta.ca/emls/01-2/lakomore.html

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15243a.htm

http://www.bartleby.com/217/1212.html

Utopia is revolutionary because it was an ideal that society could strive for. This was a new concept to everyone of the time and was very controversial because it went towards what people knew. A Utopian society was that of perfect harmony, completely different then what the society was experiencing at the time. More's views went against the king and was sent to death beause of them.

Module 5 Assignment 4

2006-06-19T12:54:00.000-07:00

To me “A Modest Proposal” is morally disturbing. It is also very disgusting. It is not a true story of what a person actually did but the concept is nerving. This story tries to show that women are not nice people. They will do anything to keep themselves alive and they don’t care about the welfare of others. They would even let their own children die for them as long as they were not hurt in the process. In “The Rape of the Lock” women are portrayed as stupid. The women became furious after the fact that she saw that a lock of her hair had been cut off. Yes, women usually do get made about that, but they don’t go on rants about it. The stories are similar is showing that women got through many extreme emotions, often at the snap of a finger. The are different by the women in “A Modest Proposal” will do things so them and only them will prosper. They don’t care about anyone else. Just themselves. In “The Rape of the Lock” women are just the opposite. If they lost something that was theirs, they would have a fit and they would practically die.

Module 5 Assignment 3

2006-06-19T12:45:00.000-07:00

A satire is a literary work containing wit, irony and sarcasm. In “A Modest Proposal” John Swift writes that a poor women who needed money could sell on of her babies to a rich person for food. Says this so it would solve the problem of overpopulation. These children would not have to starve to death by being on the streets. They could have a good home and food. He wants to help the poor people in Ireland. He really doesn’t want the children to be eaten but he jokes about how the children are in season at the age of 1 year old. The response from Lady Mary Wortley Montagu suggests that women do not get the credit that they deserve. She says that people think of women only as a pretty face and nothing else. She also makes fun of Swift by trying to mimic his writing style.

Module 5 Assignment 2

2006-06-19T12:34:00.000-07:00

“To The Fair Clarinda” is about passion, desire and love. The speaker is truly in love with a women and he wants everyone to know about it. It is also about a person’s personal struggle to be happy. Society was changing during this time. People were becoming more comfortable with their sexuality. The speaker and his love were looked at not as a normal pair. They thought they were though and it didn’t matter to them. A pair didn’t have to be a man and a woman. It could be a man and a man, woman and a woman, or a man and a woman. Whatever you were happy with if ok for you.To the Fair Clarinda" is about love and passion. The speaker is very much in love with a woman and wants their love to be known. I think that their love may be a crime, but in the speaker's point of view they're innocent. "To The Fair Clarinda" is about love and desire. It is about the struggle of what makes people happy. It expresses that society was changing. People were becoming more open, sexually and socially. I don't think it was only about men and women, I think it was about all mixtures. Men with women, women with women, I think it was about becoming a free for all society.

Who Is Shakespeare?

2006-06-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

I think Shakespeare was the author of all his plays and sonnets. The arguments against his authorship are too weak for me to think otherwise. For example, those against his authorship believe someone coming from a rural community such as Stratford could never have the vocabulary that Shakespeare had. Even though he came from a small town, Shakespeare was well-educated because of the government posts his father held. Another argument is that nothing of his was published before his death. Shakespeare co-wrote several works while working as an actor in London and these were published with his name. The following sites helped me write my essay for Quiz 4. Hopefully they can help some of you. Some of the websites are repeated, the first one I liked the best from a fellow classmate!

http://shakespeareauthorship.com/howdowe.html

http://absoluteshakespeare.com/trivia/authorship/authorship.htm

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/biography/index.html

http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/122

Module 4: Reading Assignment 4

2006-06-19T10:25:00.000-07:00

Christopher Marlowe

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love and The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd are significant because they are perfect examples of pastoral poetry. Pastoral poetry emphasizes simplicity, nature, shepherd, and boundless or erotic love. Because of the passion seen in Christopher Marlowe's The Passionate Shepherd to His Love, Sir Walter Raleigh penned The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd to show the logical thinking of the nymph. She is wary to be swept off her feet by the shepherd. Marlowe's poem is also significant because it exemplifies heterosexual courtship and love. There is debate as to Marlowe's own sexual orientation.

http://cla.calpoly.edu/~dschwart/engl339/pastoral.html
http://cla.calpoly.edu/~dschwart/engl331/pastoral.html#erotic
http://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=7349

Module 4: Reading Assignment 5

2006-06-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

John Donne

John Donne was important because he refused to accept the way in which colonization of America was run. The goal of colonization, according to the Virginia Company, was to make a profit. Donne believed this was wrong. He wrote about how Jesus encouraged colonization in the Bible to the Apostles for the sake of saving souls. Donne believed that colonization should reflect Anglican values. He thought the good Christian people in England would be in a uproar knowing money was more important to the Virginia Company than the souls of men.

Module 4: Reading Assignment 3

2006-06-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth

No, I have not changed my mind about Elizabeth. The readings solidified her greatness. I thought she started her reign as a weak monarch but she rebounded to become one of the strongest English monarchs in history, which is quite the feat considering she is a woman! Elizabeth was highly intelligent, compassionate, and just. She signed her cousin's death warrant when she felt she had no other choice. For the sake of her country and her own life, Elizabeth signed the death warrant. This shows Elizabeth was logical during times of great stress.

Moduel 5: Reading Assingment 3

2006-06-19T07:04:00.000-07:00

Satire is when sarcasm is used to attack stupidity, when a human vice is attacked through irony, derision, or whit. Swift uses satire in A Modest Proposal. He tries to solve the problem of overpopulation of the poor in Ireland by suggesting they eat the children. He suggest that once a child reaches 1 year old they should be sold for food. This is satire on the poor people of Ireland that keep having children. He obviously does not them to be eaten but he feels something should be done to help them. The whole purpose of A Modern Proposal is to help the poor people of Ireland. He wants some changes to be made about the way they are treated. He does not want women and children to have to beg for food and money.
The response by Lady Mary Wortley Montaqu does not really answer Swift. The poem seems to suggest that women poets do not the credit they deserve. They are only seen as a pretty face but she were a man she would have a successful career without question.