Romances -Brutus

Brutus followed nearly all of the chivalric qualities. He was constantly saying how he did every for his country, and the daring acts he performed were all due to his honor for his country. He was loyal to his country by trying to give the people freedom, but he saw mostly only Cassius' perspective, so he tried to change some things that were already quite peaceful. He was also very courageous and fought for victory and went to war with Antony. However, he sometimes lost courage, for example he was frightened when he saw Caesar's ghost, and he committed suicide because he felt that he had lost in his heart, and Cassius was gone. He was not so courteous, because even though Julius Caesar was his friend, he killed him, but he thought it was right. he didn't follow anyone's rule except for Cassius' and sometimes he disagreed with his ideas. He kind of followed the rule of chastity, because even though he was married to Portia, he was a loyal husband mostly, except for when he didn't tell Portia what he was doing at night. He mourned a little for her death too, but he was careful not to show a leak in his honor and courage. On the whole, Brutus was a great man who followed mostly all of the chivalric code, except sometimes he was mislead by Cassius or images of Caesar's ghost.

Compare/Contrast Steinbeck and ...

The life of Sir Launcelot has been rewritten and changed many times, and two stories about him portray his personality very differently. Sir Launcelot du Lake shows Sir Launcelot as a brave, strong soldier who is harmless to any man. He heeds to no bad persuasion, not even the threat of death if he did not 'be with' one of the three women. He possessed exaggerated powers such as super strength and courage. However, the Sir Launcelot portrayed by Steinbeck shows the softer side of Launcelot. He falls passionately for Queen Qwynever, the wife of his good friend King Arthur, and does something he regrets later for doing. Steinbeck's version was much more reaistic, and we could sympathize and empathize with many of his actions (except the outrageous kissing which showed that he was not as faithful to King Arthur and the chivalric code as everyone had expected). The narrator of Sir Laucelot du Lake sounded like one of the millions of admirers Launcelot had. According to Steinbeck's version, many witnesses were in awe of him, but Sir Launcelot seemed tired and uncaring about what they all said. This shows that even though he has strength, he is not entirely honorable, as he was bored while the exaggerated events played on in his ears. He also did not possess chastity, which shows that Launcelot did not completely obey with the chrivalric code. This makes Sir Launcelot seem more real and life-like, but not necessarily more likeable. This is a little relieved by the fact that he felt guilty after he did the outrageous thing with Guinevere, but he cried, which may be a little dissapoiting, but it makes him stand out more. Overall, both stories are very different, one with Sir Launcelot as an unfeeling warrior who fights proudly for honor without a second glance at any woman except Guinevere, the other showed a passionated love affair. One thing in common was that Sir Launcelot was strong.

ISSUES: Suicide

In Antigone, suicide is portrayed as a sort of act of relief, and many of the characters commit suicide. "And if this hurries me to death before my time, why, such a death is gain." Antigone, a tragedy by Sophocles, Antigone, Haemon and Eurydice all commit suicide due to depression, love or hopelessness. Antigone – because she was starving to death, wanted to join her brother in heaven, and felt that life had no more meaning anymore. Haemon, who was engaged to Antigone, felt heartbroken that his lover had died, and committed suicide with her. Haemon also committed suicide because he disliked his father’s way of ruling, and they disagreed on law. In the end, Creon finally understood his flaw, but it was already too late, and his wife, son, and to-be daughter all died due to him. His wife, Eurydice killed herself because she knew she could not live her husband, the one who led her son to die. She felt that Greece would be filled with tyranny, even after Creon had his epiphany, because the commoners would also be affected by the death of the two lovers, and pluck up the courage, like Antigone, to speak out their opinions. Ismene said to Antigone: “let me share your death and the holy homage to the dead.” So she wasn’t afraid either, as long as she was with her sister and dead brother. She said that she would accompany Antigone together, and basically, love would make sure nothing would ever tear them apart. Currently, suicide is not a major topic in the news, but occasionally, terrorists have made suicide attacks. Many of these men are either depressed or hopeless. In Antigone, it is similar, but their deaths have been received by the people better, because she was higher in ranking. Some people also commit suicide due to heartbreak, but not very often do we hear of it. Currently, in mainly Japan and Korea, students have been committing suicide just because of bad grades or a drop in class ranking. This is because the education system is much tougher than the U.S. system.

ISSUES: The Role of Women

I admire Antigone’s courage as a woman. In the past, women have always been seen as the same old stereotype – ‘the angel of the house.” Women were always expected to stay in the house, look after children, play musical instruments, cook, clean, and entertain. In WWI, women gained a better reputation: women were more efficient in working in factories than men. When the men had gone off to fight wars, women looked after farms and created airplane parts. Women were more efficient because unlike men, they did not get drunk and could work stably. Many men felt that women should not have so much power, and they used things such as “while the housemaid was voting for prime minister, she forgot to take the bun out of the oven.” Many men thought that women were emotionally unstable, but after the world wars, women’s reputations grew. For example, they were allowed to vote, and Margaret Thatcher became the first female prime minister in England. Even though women in history haven’t been the focus of heroes, they have often brought down powerful people due to love. Powerful men have sometimes sacrificed their life to protect their wives, for example Haemon and Antigone. Romeo and Juliet is also a good example, because even though Romeo had money and a healthy life, he gave it up because of Juliet. Currently, in the 21^st century, more movies have contained female heroes, such as Wonder Woman and Hermione, who have played major roles in saving the world and bringing the downfall of an evil or unjustifiable character. In Antigone, she was the only women who had the strength to fight for justice. Her sister, Ismene, felt hopeless: “You ought to realize we are only women, /not meant to fight against men,/and that we are ruled by those who are stronger,/to obedience in this and even more painful matters." Line 64-73. Antigone died honorably, but Eurydice died shamefully, feeling that she had no protection anymore, and she had had an awful life. Eurydice was a sad excuse for a powerful women, and that is often what men think of women. Creon was afraid of tyranny, but more afraid of a woman like Antigone taking over: "When I am alive no woman shall rule." This shows that me felt shamed if women took power over the country.

Compare/Constrast -JC Movie & Book

Julius Caesar is a famous play written by Shakespeare. There is only one play, whereas many versions of the movie have been created. The movie has some parts cut out, probably because it was unnecessary or irrelevant to the movie scene. In the play, the actors have to move away from the scene when performing an aside, and the other characters gave to pretend that they aren't listening. In the movie, the character can just seem as if they are thinking it in their head and the camera can zoom into their face with their thoughts being told out loud. The movie takes less than one second to change scenes, whereas the curtains have to draw close every time a scene is changed. Also, the movie seems more realistic, because the set can change into real fields and buildings, whereas the set has to be made bit by bit and put on stage.

Portia: Is Brutus sick? Structured Paragraph

Qi Pan
Ms Lindsay
January 13th 2009
Julius Caesar - Structured Paragraph

Portia: Is Brutus sick?
This important paragraph of the play Julius Caesar is narrated by Portia, Brutus’ husband. Portia thinks that she should know what Brutus is up to, so she uses rhetorical questions, ethos, and counterarguments to try to make Brutus tell the truth. One of the ways Portia uses to convince Brutus is by using rhetorical questions, for example: “Is it physical / To walk unbraced and suck up the humors / Of the dank morning?” (Caesar 2.1.261-263). This is a rhetorical question because Portia answers the question four lines later. Portia uses this rhetoric to make Brutus think about what he’s doing. Another technique Portia uses is ethos; for instance: “Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, […] Am I yourself, […] To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed, / And talk to you sometimes?” (Caesar 2.1.280, 282, 284-285). Portia uses this rhetorical device to make Brutus think if what he is doing is really the right decision, because Brutus knows that after marriage, husband and wife should confide in each other. By explaining to Brutus how she is loyal to him, she can make Brutus feel guilty, because it is right, as her husband, for Brutus to be faithful to her too. Portia also uses counter-argument very tactfully: “I grant I am a woman, but withal / A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife, […] A woman well reputed, Cato’s daughter.” (Caesar 2.1.293-295). Here, Portia anticipates what Brutus is thinking – that Portia is only a woman – and says why he is wrong. Portia uses this to show Brutus how high she is in society, and that she is not only a woman. This shows that Portia believes that as her wife, Brutus should be honest to her. Consequently, Portia, through using strong persuasive skills, tries to sway Brutus’ state of mind to tell her what is wrong. The reader can infer from this passage that Portia is a caring, determined and good-willed wife.

What I think about Shakespeare...

I like Shakespeare A LOT, even though we have lots of homework because of him, because he is a phenomenal man. I wonder where he gets his ideas from... I wish I could be like him, inspirational etc... But it's just that we have to study his plays rather than read them for fun... But i guess it's for our own good. It's annoying how the main character usually dies because he/she misses or ignores the warning in his plays. it's agonizing (and annoying) to feel the pain of their death... but that's what makes the swan of avon such a great poet/playwright. I love Shakespeare' dramatic irony. He makes us feel the pain of Artimedorus etc... Did Shakespeare get his ideas from his teacher's whip? Surely that wouldn't help... He has inspired many modern writers using his amazing talent, but personally, I don't think that anyone can surpass his skill and craftiness in the art of dramatic irony and literature