Laura

"They're as common as weeds, but - you - well, you're - Blue Roses!" - The Glass Menagerie, pg. 1283

I think Laura was changed because of her experience with a person from the real world. Jim had insight about life and he was good at making Laura feel comfortable, which rarely happened. He told her she was beautiful, which had probably never happened. Laura was devastated when Tom broke one of her glass menagerie animals, but she didn't mind when Jim broke her most precious one - the unicorn. I think that was the moment Laura stopped living in her own little world. She knew that things wouldn't always be perfect, and she would get on without Jim or her unicorn. Her response was almost numb. I think years of succumbing to her mother's constant remarks and orders, she began to live her own life. Jim was the most realistic character, as stated in the descriptions, and he was exactly what Laura needed. 

Motivation

"Then all at once my sister touches my shoulder. I turn around and look into her eyes... Oh Laura, Laura I tried to leave you behind me, but I am more faithful than I intended to be!" - The Glass Menagerie, pg. 1289

Tom's motivation for leaving town was his family troubles, boredom, and his job. However, this is not the motivation I'm talking about in this blog. The stronger motivation and dedication was to his sister Laura. Thinking of her and missing her was the reason he came back to his family. He had every chance to leave them all behind and become like his father, but he was stronger because of Laura. She was such a weak and feeble character throughout, but her memory of kindness and simple love is what forced Tom back. He wasn't happy knowing that she was stuck at home with Amanda. I think Tom knew that Laura became more realistic after Jim's night with her, which gave him more reason to be with her.

Motif

"She's terribly shy and lives in a world of her own and those things make her seem a little peculiar to people outside the house." - The Glass Menagerie, pg. 1261

The motif of complicated familial relations is most expressed by Tom's relationship to his mother and sister. He realizes more than his mother that his sister is not cut out to live in the real world, after growing up in her own creation. He constantly fights with Amanda about his life and her constant problems with it, but he is kind to his sister. I think he feels bad for his sister, because he has a chance to leave but she'll always be stuck at home with Amanda. His personality clashes with his mother's, but he often puts her crazy outbursts in the past and keeps living his life. He knows that he needs to protect his sister and calm down his mother, but he also is fighting the urge to pack up and leave them behind just like his father did.

Juxtaposition

"Are not these woods More free from peril than the envious court?" (II.i.17)

The life of a member of the royal court should be fancy and constantly full of royal activities right? Shakespeare plays, and any sort of media or literature in general, seem to make out court life as a lavish one. This about what I'm picturing

That's not exactly what's happening in this play. The Duke is pretty much having a good time in the forest. He's making the best of what he's been forced into. That's the spirit, Duke. The court life is juxtaposed with the calm, peaceful life in the country. The first description of the court is when Charles is breaking people's ribs and throwing them around like Barbie dolls. The country life seems far more appealing when  the Duke describes it. Maybe that's why a majority of the story takes place there? Granted, they end up in the court at the end. The country life is "exempt from public haunt"; what else could a royal want?! 

Dynamic Character - Oliver

"Some of my shame; if you will know of me What man I am, and how, and why, and where This handkercher was stain'd." (IV.iii.63)

I was almost 100% positive at the beginning of the play that Oliver would be the antagonist throughout the entire play. I was sure that he would corrupt someone's life and essentially lead to people's deaths. Then I realized I'm not reading a tragedy anymore, and it is possible for people to change without being lying and manipulative (cough, cough, Iago). Oliver comes to know that he was wrong to treat his own brother so poorly; he's ashamed. When he changes, he falls in love with Aliena/Celia. This was the final thing that solidified his new personality in my opinion. He would be married soon, and he would have someone to keep him in line. As Oliver came back into the woods to find Rosalind and help Orlando, the entire story began to wrap up. Loose ends randomly came together without making any sense, but the story was beginning to be complete. Nothing would be set straight if Oliver hadn't joined the party in the woods. 

Honestly, the only related thing about his video is the word Oliver. 

It's a stretch, but it could express the way Oliver felt about Aliena/Celia. 

Mainly I just wanted to post it because Oliver & Company is the 

first thing I think of when I hear Oliver's name.

What Happens In The Forest, Stays In The Forest

"I pray you, do not fall in love with me, For I am falser than vows made in wine" (V.iii.52)

The crazy, gender-confused love quadrilaterals in this story have a few things in common with the film genius that is What Happens In Vegas, starring Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz. Rosalind begs Phebe not to fall in love with her. She only makes Phebe like her/him/it more when she is rude to her. In the movie, Ashton and Cameron's characters get married one night when they're really drunk, which is a better decision than falling in love with Rosalind (according to Rosalind). The title of the movie really fits in with what happens in the forest. So many people fall in love with random people who are probably not actually acting as their normal self. If everything were to be reveled at the end of the play, I think a lot of people would be totally ashamed of their mistakes. It would be like that awkward moment when you marry someone you don't know in Las Vegas because you've had way too much to drink. Except, it's that awkward moment when you fall in love with a girl dressed up as a young boy pretending to be the girl that he/she actually is. Did that make sense? Okay, didn't think so. Just watch the movie trailer!

You're welcome ladies :)

Reflective Essay Blog Entry

Grace Weisenbach, period 3, Feb. 13, 2012, Reflective Essay

            Situations often arise where people are faced with the opportunity to work hard and be resourceful to succeed, or take advantage of other people instead. Manipulation is a greedy, self-absorbed person’s way of getting what they want. In Shakespeare’s play Othello, Iago uses manipulation as his main tactic to get revenge; however, he ends up causing his own demise when his lies are revealed. Scar, from Disney’s Lion King, also uses deceit and lies to become powerful, but is thwarted when good conquers evil. Similarly, the Wizard in the Broadway Musical Wicked exploits young Elphaba’s strange and unique talents, which causes her to become the Wizard’s biggest fear – the Wicked Witch of the West. As displayed by Iago, Scar, and the Wizard, manipulative and inherently evil plots cause iniquitous characters suffering and defeat in the end.

            Iago’s cruel intentions were unseen by almost every character throughout all of Othello, just as no citizen of Oz every suspected the Wizard to be corrupted enough to misuse Elphaba’s gift of magic. Roderigo is used to do Iago’s dirty work throughout the play. He is manipulated to a point where he would willingly kill Cassio.  Iago never thought taking advantage of Roderigo would come back to haunt him, until the letters found in Roderigo’s pockets by Lodovico reveal Iago’s entire twisted plan to rise to power (V.i.87-88,115). Iago’s plan came crumbling down as his manipulative acts stopped succeeding. The Wizard in Wicked planned on abusing Elphaba’s magical powers to make himself seem powerful, as well as for his own enjoyment. He did not take into consideration that she may catch on to the evil she was being forced into creating.  “Sure, I meant well…So be it then, let all Oz be agreed I'm wicked through and through” (Wicked: A New Musical) were Elphaba’s exact words when she realized she had been unknowingly using her powers for evil. Elphaba vowed to haunt the city of Oz after being taken advantage of by an evil force; in the same way, Roderigo’s letters convicted Iago after he realized that Iago was lying and scheming the entire time. Both guileful characters were exposed and inevitably harmed by their decisions to manipulate innocent characters.

             Evil being conquered by good is a common theme among many stories; nonetheless, malevolent actions catching up to the villain and causing their downfall brings even more justice. Iago’s well organized plot, which seemed to be fool-proof, is what causes his collapse. Simba’s evil uncle Scar in Disney’s Lion King plots to take over the Prideland by the same conniving plan used by Iago- playing the role of “good guy” while secretly destroying lives. Both villains are guilty of continuing their manipulation and trying to place the blame for their crimes on other characters. Iago shows false sympathy for Cassio and reprimands Bianca and Roderigo for allegedly causing Cassio’s wounds (V.ii.322-326). Scar’s life is in the hands of his noble nephew Simba when he screams, “But, Simba, I am family. It's the hyenas who are the real enemy. It was their fault. It was their idea” (The Lion King). These two villains both try to maintain their guiltless facades until they are forced to concede. The true sign that Iago, Scar, and the Wizard of Oz are cowardly villains is their lack of preparation for any sort of obstacle in their plan. Once one aspect of their motives was revealed, they could do nothing but watch their effort crumble and brace themselves for their self-made consequences.

Works Cited Page

The Lion King. Dir. Roger Allers. Perf. Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew 

         Broderick. Walt Disney Pictures, 1994. Videocassette.

Perrine, Lauerence. “Othello.” Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense.   

         Fort Worth. Hartcourt College. 2002. 1362-462. Print.

Wicked: A New Musical. By Stephen Schwartz. Gershwin Theatre, New York. 30   

          Oct. 2003. Performance.

Reflective Essay Warm-Up

"I've got no place in my heart for a criminal like you to dwell, in this endeavor, make this last forever...I'm just delirious,You can't be serious" - The Girl's A Straight Up Hustler, All Time Low

This song talks all about a girl's unfaithfulness. Desdemona may have been faithful to Othello even on her deathbed, but there was no convincing Othello of that. In his mind, this is what I imagine him thinking about her. I doubt "straight up hustler" would be his exact words (although you never know, Shakespeare could've been a total hipster), but his references to her being a prostitute and cheater basically imply the same thing. Othello thinks the last thing Desdemona would do would be cheat on him, which ironically is the complete truth. However, the lies that surround him make him believe that she's been lying to him for quite some time. Othello thought that he was getting played by Desdemona, which is what this song addresses. He wants Desdemona to stop lying to herself and to him, and to finally admit to her affair. The conflict explored here isn't one that is on the surface such as Iago's deceit and hate for Othello, but rather the conflict Othello creates inside his mind. If what he believed to be true were actually taking place, it would be exactly what the song talks about. 

People I Don't Feel Sorry For

"Then must you speak Of one that loved not wisely but too well; Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought, Perplexed in the extreme." (V.ii.342-345)

1. Iago - Of course I don't feel sorry for him. He intentionally ruins people's lives. I understand that he's smart, but obviously not smart enough since his plan basically failed. Now he's just a murderer who's hated by all of Cyprus. Good work, Iago.

2. Othello - He begs to be remembered as one who simply loved too much. He did love Desdemona, but then he went crazy. Yes, he was being manipulated, but he didn't listen to anyone but Iago. Multiple people tried to tell Othello that Desdemona was faithful, but he refused to hear them. He also didn't inquire to anyone else about anything he was hearing. He was just as swayed by the rumors as Iago. He's not as bad as Iago by a long shot, but I still don't have sympathy for him.

3. Bianca - I don't really know what happens to her in the end, but the way she fawns over Cassio gets on my nerves. He obviously doesn't care about her, so she should stop. She has a reputation as a flousy (sp?), which didn't just happen by itself. Maybe she should straighten up and stop sleeping around, then maybe Cassio would love her.

Motivation?

"Some such squire he was That turned your wit the seamy side without, And made you to suspect me with the Moor." - Emilia (IV.ii.145-147)

Up to this point in the play, Iago had one of two motivations left to base his evil plot off of. Emilia knows this rumor went around, so she addresses it in front of Iago. She calls him out about believing the rumor about Desdemona and Cassio, but not the one about her and Othello. His motivation basically just vanished. So now is the proof that Iago is just a jerk. Motivation is described as the reason a character acts the way they do; I no longer know what Iago's motivation is. I think he might generally just be a heartless, abusive, power hungry person who enjoys tormenting people. (If you haven't figured it out yet, I hate Iago). Iago isn't used to Emilia actually speaking to him, let alone calling him out publicly, so I think that's why he gets so defensive at first mention. Iago's motivation, if he has one, has become to keep his plan going until everyone is dead or alone in life. What a nice guy. 

All of the people in this plan are so susceptible to rumors. They're so gullible, 

and it's causing them to go mad. Adele doesn't perfectly describe Othello, 

but I like this song so it's going on the blog.

Foil Characters: Emilia and Desdemona

"For if she be not honest, chaste, and true, There's no man happy, the purest of their wives Is foul as slander." - Emilia (IV.ii.17-19)

Since Desdemona and Emilia are best friends 

until the day they die, I thought this picture was appropriate. 

I think Desdemona is the dog and Emilia is the cat. 

Throughout the first 3 acts of Othello Desdemona was outspoken and defended Emilia from Iago's rude remarks. Emilia didn't speak out very much, and when she did she was very timid. The two women were contrasted in that way. However, Emilia began to gain confidence by act IV. I think once Desdemona was in trouble, Emilia knew she had to stick up for her. Emilia was offended by Iago and Othello's allegations of Desdemona's unfaithfulness, so she fought back finally. In the end of act V, Desdemona reiterates her faithfulness to Othello, even if he won't ever believe her. She swears she'd never cheat on him, no matter what the circumstances. Emilia, however, says that she wouldn't mind cheating on Iago. Of course, Iago is much less respectable and loving that Othello. This is another area where the two women contrast in personality.