...William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, act 1 scene 2 soliloquy provides an image and insight on Hamlet’s emotional state apart from what Claudius had pointed out. Ham let in his moment of grief and sorrow for his father’s death has grown to contempt for his mother Gertrude and his uncle Claudius. Who have in merely two months of the king's death ran to an, “incestuous sheets!” Hamlet’s emotional and passionate first soliloquy is a striking contrast to the controlled and unnatural conversation that he has been exchanging with Claudius and the court. The primary function of this soliloquy is to reveal to the audience Hamlet’s gloom and despair. With Hamlet’s emotional outburst or outpouring of disgust, anger, and grief, Hamlet without exception says that the world is futile, “rank and gross in nature.”(138) Meaning the world is rotten and corrupt. Shakespeare uses a metaphor of the world as, “an unweeded garden,”(137) which is an allegory of the Garden of Eden. Hamlet’s nature of grief is revealed to be about his mother's hasty marriage to Claudius. In...
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...In Shakespeare’s novel Hamlet, one of the most dynamic events occurring thus far in the play is Hamlet’s contemplation of suicide in his first soliloquy. This is the first exemplification of the side Hamlet shows to no one; his deep inner thoughts, his conscience. He releases all of the built up tension he has felt in regards to his father’s death, his mother’s hasty marriage, and hatred towards his uncle. This scene is especially significant because although these thoughts torment Hamlet internally, enough to ensue suicidal tendencies, he does not feel comfortable discussing them with anyone, thus leaving him feeling vulnerable and insecure. Prior to the soliloquy, the play goes into detail of the events in which lead up to it. Claudius...
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...Hamlet is a play that reflects its time. Discuss with reference to the ideas explored in the play. Although there are elements of the Elizabethan context, many of the ideas explored have universal appeal, allowing Hamlet to remain timeless. The themes of the nature of humanity, meaning of existence and fear have known to exist, but not be questioned in Shakespeare’s time. In contrast, the exploration of the Chain of Being, divine right of Kings and patriarchal dominance is reflective of the context. Therefore, by combining aspects associated with its time, and some beyond – Hamlet continues to cross boundless eras. Hamlet explores ideas of chaos creating tragedy creating confusion, and obscuring reality. This disorder stems from a Renaissance Humanist perspective due to a break in the Chain of Being. In disturbing this natural order, chaos is manifested in the lives of all characters, with particular effect on the internal workings of Hamlet. His inaction in avenging the King’s “most foul and unnatural murder” is justified by the disarray present in the metaphorical “ear of Denmark”. Although I excuse Hamlet’s “pigeon-livered” actions, his inability to restore the Chain of Being fosters the chaos, perpetuating a vicious cycle. Such notions are reflective of Hamlet’s time. Furthermore, close investigation of Hamlet’s frame of mind suggests good reasons for his procrastination. During the third soliloquy, Hamlet uses tangible imagery to personify murder in “murder, though...
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...Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, Hamlet’s uncle Claudius, murders Hamlet’s father to inherit the crown of Denmark and the love of Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude. Throughout the play there are six soliloquies that reveal the character of Hamlet and others. In more than any other Shakespearean play, the audience is painted a better picture of Hamlet’s mind. Shakespeare questions the social and Christian institutions in the face of tragedy with the usage of several ambiguous phrases. Through word play and tone shifts, Hamlet’s collapsing sanity is reflected and shows the deconstruction of his views towards the Church and its values and his family. Hamlet’s questionable sanity is first reflected in the Church and its teachings. During the Elizabethan Era, most people practiced Catholicism, and it was not until later in the 1500s that the Catholic religion was called into question by another developing religion at the time, Protestantism. Not only does society begin to doubt the teachings of the Church, Hamlet does as well because he has lost complete faith in Christian values. According to Hamlet, those values have the cause of Claudius murdering his own brother and marrying his wife. Hamlet is unable to accept this unfortunate fate, and in turn, exclaims to the heavens, “O God! O God” (I.ii.132)! Hamlet has lost faith in the Everlasting because he is disgusted that God would let such an incestuous act happen. Shakespeare’s use of ambiguity leaves the audience confused about whether Hamlet is cursing...
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...The Role of Magic in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Hamlet, and Macbeth Like many other themes, magic and supernatural elements play a large role in many of Shakespeare’s works. The use of magic interests the audience, plays to the imagination, and adds dramatic intrigue to the story, even when the rest of the plot is comprised of believable events. These themes are most prominent in The Tempest, Hamlet, and Macbeth. In each of these plays, magic and supernatural occurrences not only play a large role in the plot, but also help to communicate various messages and literary value. Shakespeare utilizes magic and supernatural happenings in both positive and negative lights, depending on the purpose it serves in each of the mentioned plays. It is seen as a decision maker, nature, a prophet, a symbol of fate, and an equalizer. Regardless of its specific role in each play and its positive or negative depiction, it serves to move the plot forward through a force which acts beyond the capabilities and power of man, even man himself did conjure it. In The Tempest, we see an example of supernatural power conjured or exercised by man. Prospero, the wielder of this magic, uses magic as a means to set right that which was, in his opinion, wrong in his life and in the universe. In this play, we see magic used as an equalizer. Prospero uses his learned sorcery to reverse all of the supposedly false or unlawful happenings in his life, apparently feeling that these things were...
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...She ends her allusion to Shakespeare’s Hamlet with a description of Ophelia’s death: “dressed in elegant clothes that weigh her down, she drowns in a stream filled with flowers.” The river and elegant clothes serve as a metaphor for the stifling societal expectations of young women that sap them of their personality, drowning their old, adventurous selves. Furthermore, the juxtaposition of a flower-filled stream and elegant clothes with death shows the irony of society’s demands — hundreds of advertisements by multimillion dollar companies cater to teenage girls, each advocating for a separate type of individuality or creativity like wildflowers in an endless stream of suggestion, but they coalesce to prevent the growth of natural individuality and creativity. Furthermore, Pipher argues that increasing societal expectation of dependance promotes self-sufficient girls to give up their autonomy. She describes this phenomenon by referencing fairytales, illustrating...
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...Syntax AP English Language and Composition What is syntax? SYNTAX The term syntax refers not only to the structure of sentences, their types, their uses, their connection, and the variations authors choose, but also to smaller structures within sentences. Phrases (any group of words) and clauses (groups of words that contain a subject and a verb) are also syntactic elements that require a reader’s attention. Syntax affects the pace of a piece. • Short, clipped phrases, sentences and clauses tend to create a feeling of quickness, decisiveness, and speed to a piece. It is important to be aware of the content of a piece and look for connections to syntax. Pay attention to how pacing relates to the action and purpose of a particular piece. • Long, convoluted sentences, especially with subordinate clauses at the beginning tend to slow the pace of a piece. Often they are connected to a contemplative section, a heavy or serious subject and the writer wants to emphasize it. Sometimes, however, they are placed in a piece for the purpose of demonstrating the ramblings of a character, the ludicrousness of an idea, or the ridiculousness of a situation. Watch for occasional satire or irony in these long sentences. Key Questions: • How does syntax contribute to and enhance the meaning and effect of language? • How does syntax contribute to tone? 1. “Syntax” refers to the ways words and phrases are arranged to form sentences. The reader must identify...
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...Idioms 1) “Absence makes heart grow fonder” :- Our feeling for those we love increases when we are apart from them . 2) “Armed to the teeth” :- To be heavily armed. 3) “Back-handed compliment” :- A compliment that also insults or put down at the same time. 4) “Bleed like a stuck pig” :- To bleed heavily. 5) “Blow off some steam” :- To enjoy oneself by relaxing normal formalities. 6) “Blowing smoke” :- To be boasting without being able to back it up ; talking about action without intent to follow through. 7) “Bouched up” :- Substandard; Messed up; Make a shamble of. 8) “Brand Spanking New” :- New and Unused. 9) “Break A Leg” :- A wish of good luck, do well. 10) “A burnt child dreads the fire” :- One does not repeat a painful lesson twice. 11) “Bust your balls” :- To harass with the intent to break one’s spirit. 12) “Busting your chops” :- To say things intended to harass. 13) “Can’t hold a candle to” :- To be far less competent or have far less skills than someone else. 14) “Cat bird seat” :- A highly advantaged position, to have it all. 15) “Chew the fat” :- To talk about unimportant things. 16) “Clean bill of health” :- To be found healthy. 17) “Clear as a Bell” :- Clearly understood. 18) “Close, but no cigar” :- Nearly achieving success, but not quite. 19) “Cold Turkey” :- To Quit something abruptly. 20) “Cooking with gas” :- To be working fast, proceeding rapidly. 21) “ In the Crapper” :- In...
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...THE RULES OF THE GAME: NOUVELLE EDITION FRANCAISE/THE KOBAL COLLECTION DEEP FOCUS CANON FODDER As the sun finally sets on the century of cinema, by what criteria do we determine its masterworks? BY PAU L SC H RA D E R Top guns (and dogs): the #1 The Rules of the Game September-October 2006 FILM COMMENT 33 Sunrise PREFACE THE BOOK I DIDN’T WRITE I n march 2003 i was having dinner in london with Faber and Faber’s editor of film books, Walter Donohue, and several others when the conversation turned to the current state of film criticism and lack of knowledge of film history in general. I remarked on a former assistant who, when told to look up Montgomery Clift, returned some minutes later asking, “Where is that?” I replied that I thought it was in the Hollywood Hills, and he returned to his search engine. Yes, we agreed, there are too many films, too much history, for today’s student to master. “Someone should write a film version of Harold Bloom’s The Western Canon,” a writer from The Independent suggested, and “the person who should write it,” he said, looking at me, “is you.” I looked to Walter, who replied, “If you write it, I’ll publish it.” And the die was cast. Faber offered a contract, and I set to work. Following the Bloom model I decided it should be an elitist canon, not populist, raising the bar so high that only a handful of films would pass over. I proceeded to compile a list of essential films, attempting, as best I could, to...
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...Idioms 1) “Absence makes heart grow fonder” :- Our feeling for those we love increases when we are apart from them . 2) “Armed to the teeth” :- To be heavily armed. 3) “Back-handed compliment” :- A compliment that also insults or put down at the same time. 4) “Bleed like a stuck pig” :- To bleed heavily. 5) “Blow off some steam” :- To enjoy oneself by relaxing normal formalities. 6) “Blowing smoke” :- To be boasting without being able to back it up ; talking about action without intent to follow through. 7) “Bouched up” :- Substandard; Messed up; Make a shamble of. 8) “Brand Spanking New” :- New and Unused. 9) “Break A Leg” :- A wish of good luck, do well. 10) “A burnt child dreads the fire” :- One does not repeat a painful lesson twice. 11) “Bust your balls” :- To harass with the intent to break one’s spirit. 12) “Busting your chops” :- To say things intended to harass. 13) “Can’t hold a candle to” :- To be far less competent or have far less skills than someone else. 14) “Cat bird seat” :- A highly advantaged position, to have it all. 15) “Chew the fat” :- To talk about unimportant things. 16) “Clean bill of health” :- To be found healthy. 17) “Clear as a Bell” :- Clearly understood. 18) “Close, but no cigar” :- Nearly achieving success, but not quite. 19) “Cold Turkey” :- To Quit something abruptly. 20) “Cooking with gas” :- To be working fast, proceeding rapidly. 21) “ In the Crapper” :- In...
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...Rhetorical Terms/Devices Figurative language is the generic term for any artful deviation from the ordinary mode of speaking or writing. It is what makes up a writer’s style – how he or she uses language. The general thinking is that we are more likely to be persuaded by rhetoric that is interesting, even artful, rather than mundane. When John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” (an example of anastrophe), it was more interesting – and more persuasive – than the simpler, “Don’t be selfish.” Indeed, politicians and pundits use these devices to achieve their desired effect on the reader or listener nearly every time they speak. The stylistic elements in a piece of writing work to produce a desired effect related to the text’s (and author’s) purpose, and thus reveals the rhetorical situation. In classical rhetoric, figures of speech are divided into two main groups: Schemes — Deviation from the ordinary pattern or arrangement of words (transference of order). Tropes — Deviation from the ordinary and principal meaning of a word (transference of meaning). *Important Note: Words marked with an asterisk* are words for which it would be impossible for you to write 3 examples for your weekly vocabulary assignment. In those cases, please write only the definition, in your own words, and the rhetorical uses/effect of that device, or do what you are instructed to do under those words. Please mark these words that deviate...
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...Beginning theory An introduction to literary and cultural theory Second edition Peter Barry © Peter Barry 1995, 2002 ISBN: 0719062683 Contents Acknowledgements - page x Preface to the second edition - xii Introduction - 1 About this book - 1 Approaching theory - 6 Slop and think: reviewing your study of literature to date - 8 My own 'stock-taking' - 9 1 Theory before 'theory' - liberal humanism - 11 The history of English studies - 11 Stop and think - 11 Ten tenets of liberal humanism - 16 Literary theorising from Aristotle to Leavis some key moments - 21 Liberal humanism in practice - 31 The transition to 'theory' - 32 Some recurrent ideas in critical theory - 34 Selected reading - 36 2 Structuralism - 39 Structuralist chickens and liberal humanist eggs Signs of the fathers - Saussure - 41 Stop and think - 45 The scope of structuralism - 46 What structuralist critics do - 49 Structuralist criticism: examples - 50 Stop and think - 53 Stop and think - 55 39 Stop and think - 57 Selected reading - 60 3 Post-structuralism and deconstruction - 61 Some theoretical differences between structuralism and post-structuralism - 61 Post-structuralism - life on a decentred planet - 65 Stop and think - 68 Structuralism and post-structuralism - some practical differences - 70 What post-structuralist critics do - 73 Deconstruction: an example - 73 Selected reading - 79 4 Postmodernism - 81 What is postmodernism? What was modernism? -...
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...Cultural diversity in Britain A toolkit for cross-cultural co-operation Phil Wood, Charles Landry and Jude Bloomfield With the current debate about ‘multiculturalism’, this study sets out a new approach to cultural diversity. It explores ways of unlocking the potential in diversity and identifies strategies to aid greater exchange between different cultural groups. The authors examine the connections between cultural diversity, innovation and thriving, prosperous urban communities, in relation to the economic, social and cultural mix of Britain’s population. They developed tools to harness the potential of diverse communities, and their powers of innovation, for use by policymakers, planners and practitioners. These include a set of indicators of openness to check the readiness of a city to take advantage of diversity, and the intercultural lens through which professionals can examine the familiar in a new light. The study evaluated six aspects of local activity: public consultation and engagement urban planning and development business and entrepreneurship schools the arts and creative industries sport. The project went further by helping participating cities to develop specific economic, social, cultural and planning policies and so to become role models for others. The study draws on local case studies and in-depth interviews with 33 intercultural innovators in seven UK cities, with comparative analysis also conducted in Europe, North America and Australasia. It is aimed...
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...Life of Pi Theme of Religion At times, Life of Pi reads like a defense of religion. Has science proved religion wrong? Here's a protagonist who believes passionately in both zoology and religion. What about the fact of multiple faiths? Don't these faiths contradict each other, cause wars, and other problems? Here's a protagonist who is Muslim, Christian, and Hindu – all at the same time. The book defends not only the common spirit behind these three religions, but the rituals and ceremonies of each. It's as if all three religions find harmonious common ground in this character. Seems unlikely, but then again, the protagonist argues passionately that the miraculous happens in our darkest moments. Quote #1But I don't insist. I don't mean to defend zoos. Close them all down if you want (and let us hope that what wildlife remains can survive in what is left of the natural world). I know zoos are no longer in people's good graces. Religion faces the same problem. Certain illusions about freedom plague them both. (1.4.14) | Do zoos incarcerate animals in confined spaces and make them miserable? Pi doesn't think so: "Certain illusions about freedom" tempt us to this conclusion. In actuality, an animal's life in the wild is more circumscribed than "a knight on a chessboard" (1.4.8). Predator-prey relationships restrict the animal's movement. A zoo enclosure is actually more like a hearth for an animal: a place of comfort and rest. Likewise, most people think of religion as a restrictive...
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...A Preface of Quotations Whoever desires for his writings or himself, what none can reasonably condemn,the favor of mankind, must add grace to strength, and make his thoughts agreeable as well as useful. Many complain of neglect who never tried to attract regard. It cannot be expected that the patrons of science or virtue should be solicitous to discover excellencies which they who possess them shade and disguise. Few have abilities so much needed by the rest of the world as to be caressed on their own terms; and he that will not condescend to recommend himself by external embellishments must submit to the fate of just sentiments meanly expressed, and be ridiculed and forgotten before he is understood. --Samuel Johnson Men must be taught as if you taught them not; And things unknown propos'd as things forgot. --Alexander Pope Style in painting is the same as in writing, a power over materials, whether words or colors, by which conceptions or sentiments are conveyed. --Sir Joshua Reynolds Whereas, if after some preparatory grounds of speech by their certain forms got into memory, they were led to the praxis thereof in some chosen short book lessoned thoroughly to them, they might then forthwith proceed to learn the substance of good things, and arts in due order, which would bring the whole language quickly into their power. --John Milton Introduction Good writing depends upon more than making a collection of statements worthy of belief, because writing is intended to...
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