Sheakespeare Behind Bars was truely an eye-opening and remarkable experience to observe. It was inspirational, and a startling wake-up call to the no-nonsense world of reality. Shakespeare gave these participating inmates something positive to pour all their energy and liveliness into; something that they have never had in their lifves before. These inmates in the La Grange, Kentucky are more than a given number, they are people. They have families, childhood memories, passion, sadness, dreams and aspirations. Nonetheless, each person in the prison had come across obstacles at some point of their lives.
Despite their criminal pasts, when presented with the opportunity to learn and perform they transformed into students, eager to learn their lines. The prisoners found redemption in their ability to bring joy to others through their performances. Also, the inmates were able to take the lessons and themes from the plays and reflect them into their own lives. Many Shakespeare characters have troubled pasts and must overcome adversity in order to find peace. The prisoners can relate to the stories and take the moral themes from the classic literary works and find their own peace. This shows the desire of man to make amends for one's mistakes and become a better person overall through human exprience.
This fundamental program is a perfect starting off point to demonstrate to the rest of the world the power of performance and the arts. This performance program could be applied to not only prison settings, but within young peole everywhere. If these amazing opportunities to stand out in positive way was implemented in children at an early age, it could provide an amazing transformation.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Money Makes the World Go Round
After analyzing the satire of Volpone, the concepts of greed and money were at the forefront of my thoughts. We currently live in a world where often money is the root of all evil. A battle regarding wealth can destory friendships, marriages, businesses, families, and even countries. Every person probably knows at least another being whose obsession for money has impacted them in a negative way. It is fascinating to realize that some things never change. Regardless of class, race, ethnicity, location, or religion, the need for accumulation of wealth is endless. Within the literature of Volpone, each character's life revolved around the notion of wealth, whether they directly engaged in that crusade or they were forced into the struggle.
In the play, every character was in desperate lust of something; money. Each character reveals their greed in a unique way, as well as distincively chastised for their gluttony. Moreover, each person's greed is portrayed through a maze of disguises and betrayels.
Volpone, the main character, has no family or real friends, yet all he wants in the world is the acquision of more money and gifts, despite the fact that he has all he needs. When people are blinded by greed, they refuse to see the true lacking in their lives. Nonetheless, after he wrongly acquires exceeding amounts of objects from the legacy holders and purposefully deceives everyone he knows, he comes out on bottom.
Two can play at this game; Mosca learned from the best. This character thought he had an ideal situation; he obediently carried out and assisted in all of Volpone's evil plans. Nonetheless, Mosca thought he had the last laugh when he helped execute Volpone's last hoax; the imitation of his own death. Volpone trusted Mosca (since he was the only "family" he had), and Mosca continued to elaborate his death, in order to gain Volpone's money for himself.
All three of the "legacy holders" were also in lust of Volpone's money, and seemed to stop at nothing to gain control of his assets. They were all willing to give up everything; the non-material things that matter most in life. Voltore was willing to sacriface his profession and identity, Corvino was willing to give up his beautiful and kind wife, and Corbaccio was willing to forfeit his own son in return for short-lived wealth.
In the end, every person involved did end up happy, wealthy, or successful. In actuality, they were alone, banished, dismissed, and ridiculed. It was amazing to think that the actions and consequences of greed are the same throughout time and space.
In the play, every character was in desperate lust of something; money. Each character reveals their greed in a unique way, as well as distincively chastised for their gluttony. Moreover, each person's greed is portrayed through a maze of disguises and betrayels.
Volpone, the main character, has no family or real friends, yet all he wants in the world is the acquision of more money and gifts, despite the fact that he has all he needs. When people are blinded by greed, they refuse to see the true lacking in their lives. Nonetheless, after he wrongly acquires exceeding amounts of objects from the legacy holders and purposefully deceives everyone he knows, he comes out on bottom.
Two can play at this game; Mosca learned from the best. This character thought he had an ideal situation; he obediently carried out and assisted in all of Volpone's evil plans. Nonetheless, Mosca thought he had the last laugh when he helped execute Volpone's last hoax; the imitation of his own death. Volpone trusted Mosca (since he was the only "family" he had), and Mosca continued to elaborate his death, in order to gain Volpone's money for himself.
All three of the "legacy holders" were also in lust of Volpone's money, and seemed to stop at nothing to gain control of his assets. They were all willing to give up everything; the non-material things that matter most in life. Voltore was willing to sacriface his profession and identity, Corvino was willing to give up his beautiful and kind wife, and Corbaccio was willing to forfeit his own son in return for short-lived wealth.
In the end, every person involved did end up happy, wealthy, or successful. In actuality, they were alone, banished, dismissed, and ridiculed. It was amazing to think that the actions and consequences of greed are the same throughout time and space.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The all too Familiar Issue--The King, The Father
It always amazes me to read about the life and actions of people who lived in the early seventeenth century-in what feels like an archiac era. Honestly, my vast astonishment of people has continued up to about 1972, (who am I kidding, the dealings of certain members of the public still astound me). Throughout this lengthy period, this almost eternal lapse of time and space, people continue to debate the same topics and tribulations. Whom is in power? Which person/ people are in charge? Which group is subordinate, and which group will dominate?
The work of Robert Filmer, from Patriarcha, The Natural Power of Kings Defended Against the Unnatural Liberty of the People, has once again risen this familiar questions.
He begins with a what he refers to as a "popular opinion," maintained by medieval philosophers, as well as those who learn from them. This outlook states, "Mankind is naturally endowed and born with freedom from all subjection, and at liberty to choose what form of government it please, and that the power which any one man hath over others was at first bestowed according to the discretion of the multitide." After reading this statement, one simply agrees. This seems like a type of mindset that we, as a democracy, strive for every single day. These statement makes sense to me, is almost a systematic way of thinking and understanding humankind.
Nonetheless, Robert Filmer had a different outlook of this particular opinion. He almost scoffs at the meaning of this statement, as if it is simply a means for "common folk" to have a voice and a bit of hope. He addresses the notion of "liberty" as if it is an imaginery conception that some rebel commoner invented and falsely spread throughout the region. He proceeds to remind everyone that the idea of "liberty" is what led the first created man, Adam, to his eternal end. Where were these ideas of justice, liberty, or equality in the primitive church? Not only did these practices contradict the holy scriptures; they were a danger to society.
Filmer believed that all children were subordinate to their creator; their first parent. Just as we are subordinate to God, we are subordinate to our parents, and them to their parents. Filmer states that "this subjection of children is the fountain of all regal authority, by the ordination of God himself." Filmer specifies many examples of this subordination to Adam, as well as other fathers, as indicated in Genesis, from the Bible.
From these examples, Filmer believed that in sequence, kings were now the fathers of their people, and we are taught to 'honor thy father'. These examples and exerpts are the precise reasons for the concept and establishment of 'separation of Church and State.'
The work of Robert Filmer, from Patriarcha, The Natural Power of Kings Defended Against the Unnatural Liberty of the People, has once again risen this familiar questions.
He begins with a what he refers to as a "popular opinion," maintained by medieval philosophers, as well as those who learn from them. This outlook states, "Mankind is naturally endowed and born with freedom from all subjection, and at liberty to choose what form of government it please, and that the power which any one man hath over others was at first bestowed according to the discretion of the multitide." After reading this statement, one simply agrees. This seems like a type of mindset that we, as a democracy, strive for every single day. These statement makes sense to me, is almost a systematic way of thinking and understanding humankind.
Nonetheless, Robert Filmer had a different outlook of this particular opinion. He almost scoffs at the meaning of this statement, as if it is simply a means for "common folk" to have a voice and a bit of hope. He addresses the notion of "liberty" as if it is an imaginery conception that some rebel commoner invented and falsely spread throughout the region. He proceeds to remind everyone that the idea of "liberty" is what led the first created man, Adam, to his eternal end. Where were these ideas of justice, liberty, or equality in the primitive church? Not only did these practices contradict the holy scriptures; they were a danger to society.
Filmer believed that all children were subordinate to their creator; their first parent. Just as we are subordinate to God, we are subordinate to our parents, and them to their parents. Filmer states that "this subjection of children is the fountain of all regal authority, by the ordination of God himself." Filmer specifies many examples of this subordination to Adam, as well as other fathers, as indicated in Genesis, from the Bible.
From these examples, Filmer believed that in sequence, kings were now the fathers of their people, and we are taught to 'honor thy father'. These examples and exerpts are the precise reasons for the concept and establishment of 'separation of Church and State.'
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Arrogance and Love in "The Sun Rising"
After analyzing and closely reading, "The Sun Rising," I noticed the strong overall mood and underlying meanings that exist in this poem. The speaker, the King, in this poem defines himself as being the best; the epicenter of the universe. "Busy old fool, unruly sun, Why dost thou thus through windows and through curtains call on us?" The speaker is reiterating his presence of importance and power. Most would consider the sun as one of the most powerful notions of the universe; with the power to heat the world, as well as destroy it. He is not an ordinary person in an ordinary setting, however, he is the King. Why should the sun be so discourteous as to bother him and his lover during their rest? It was interesting the he choose the sun of all things in the universe to "compete" with.
The speaker then suggests for the sun to bother someone else, someone ordinary. "Go chide late schoolboys and sour prentices, Go tell court huntsmen that the King will ride, Call country ants to harvest offices." The King shows his superiority above others by referring to farm workers as "country ants." These are the ordinary people that the sun may wake, but not him. He is above all of this.
"Thy beams so reverend and strong Why shouldst thou think? I could eclipse and cloud them with a wink." He is continuing to state his magnitude and significance, proving even the sun, the most powerful concept in the universe, to be inferior to his power.
However, the next line is a huge transition in the overall sentiment. The speaker suddenly softens by saying, "But that I would not lose her sight so long." The mood of the poem changes from dominating and chauvinistic to gentle and loving. He could block out the sun simply with his eyes, but then he would lose sight of his lover in his bed.
He moves on by saying "If her eyes have not blinded thine, Look, and tomorrow late, Tell me, Whether both th' Indias of spice and mine be where thou leftst them, or lie here with me. Ask for those kings whom thou saw'st yesterday, And thou shalt hear, All here in one bed lay." He is attempinging to explain the splendor and magnificance of his lover who lay next to him. If her eyes have not blinded thou who look into them due to their brillance, try to look for spice in the East Indies or the Kings thou saw yesterday. The sun previously shone on these precious items, just like any other day. But today, they are gone. This woman is all those beautiful things, all in one, laying in his bed. She is everything that is valuable in the world.
"She is all states, and all princes I, Nothing else is." She is every state, every country. He is every prince, every royalty. That is all that matters at that time, in bed. Nothing else exists. Just the two of them, representing the world. Moreover, the King states, "Thine age asks ease, and since thy duties be to warm the world, that's done in warming us." Due to the suns considerable old age, they are actually doing the sun a favor. Since they are together, in one place--bed--and together they comprise the world, the suns job is much easier. All it must do is warm them, consequently warming the earth, the world. I found the speakers mix of arrogance and love alluring and fascinating.
The speaker then suggests for the sun to bother someone else, someone ordinary. "Go chide late schoolboys and sour prentices, Go tell court huntsmen that the King will ride, Call country ants to harvest offices." The King shows his superiority above others by referring to farm workers as "country ants." These are the ordinary people that the sun may wake, but not him. He is above all of this.
"Thy beams so reverend and strong Why shouldst thou think? I could eclipse and cloud them with a wink." He is continuing to state his magnitude and significance, proving even the sun, the most powerful concept in the universe, to be inferior to his power.
However, the next line is a huge transition in the overall sentiment. The speaker suddenly softens by saying, "But that I would not lose her sight so long." The mood of the poem changes from dominating and chauvinistic to gentle and loving. He could block out the sun simply with his eyes, but then he would lose sight of his lover in his bed.
He moves on by saying "If her eyes have not blinded thine, Look, and tomorrow late, Tell me, Whether both th' Indias of spice and mine be where thou leftst them, or lie here with me. Ask for those kings whom thou saw'st yesterday, And thou shalt hear, All here in one bed lay." He is attempinging to explain the splendor and magnificance of his lover who lay next to him. If her eyes have not blinded thou who look into them due to their brillance, try to look for spice in the East Indies or the Kings thou saw yesterday. The sun previously shone on these precious items, just like any other day. But today, they are gone. This woman is all those beautiful things, all in one, laying in his bed. She is everything that is valuable in the world.
"She is all states, and all princes I, Nothing else is." She is every state, every country. He is every prince, every royalty. That is all that matters at that time, in bed. Nothing else exists. Just the two of them, representing the world. Moreover, the King states, "Thine age asks ease, and since thy duties be to warm the world, that's done in warming us." Due to the suns considerable old age, they are actually doing the sun a favor. Since they are together, in one place--bed--and together they comprise the world, the suns job is much easier. All it must do is warm them, consequently warming the earth, the world. I found the speakers mix of arrogance and love alluring and fascinating.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Everlasting Beauty in the Written Word
Shakespeare is by far the most well-known and influential poet and playwright of his time. His work touched every being of his era, and thereafter. He will have an ever-lasting impression on literature, theatre, drama, and graceful poetry. His words transpire beauty and elegance through mere written expressions.
Needless to say, every time I read the celebrated Sonnet 18 by Shakespeare, I am continually stricken by it's magnificence, loveliness, and imagery. After reading the first line, "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day," I am immediately drawn to the image of a stunning woman in a picturesque setting. Not only do I think of a beautiful being, but an astounding background illustration of nature in all it's glory. Needless to say, after reading the sonnets together as a whole, he was actually depicting a man rather than a woman.
It is interesting how Shakespeare compares the beauty and grace of a person to the splendor found in pure and untouched nature. From the first line, he compares a person to a "summer's day." A summer's day--full of brillant sun and unabashed grandeur. I view summer as the best out of the seasonal year. Nature is at it's peak; green grass, flowers blooming, and a gentle breeze blowing throughout the inherent earth. It is an artless perfection. Moreover, Shakespeare is daring to compare his beauty to this natural magnificence.
Going further into the sonnet, Shakespeare states, "Rough wind do shake the darling buds of May, And summer's lease hath all too short a date; Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines, And often is his gold complexion dimmed; And every fair from fair sometime declines, By chance or nature's changing course untrimmed. But thy eternal summer shall not fade."
I find these lines to be very moving; they hold a huge weight of importance and meaning in a few shorts lines. Shakespeare is discerning the fact that nature, in effect, does fade. Summer does come to an end, inviting rough and forceful winds to replace the gentle summer breeze. Sometimes the sun is blazing down without mercy, and often the earth's surface can be less than perfect. As with most things, the beauty of nature has a lifespan. All living things must meet their fate. Nonetheless, this person's beauty evades all natural erosion; the beauty does not decay, it lasts for eternity.
Explained throughout the end of the sonnet, "So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee." I think Shakespeare was trying to verbalize the fact that throughout the rest of this person's time, the beauty will not decay; it will last forever. As long as men can breathe or eyes can see. Despite the fact that nature eventually decays, through his sonnet in written words, his beautiful spirit will last forever.
Needless to say, every time I read the celebrated Sonnet 18 by Shakespeare, I am continually stricken by it's magnificence, loveliness, and imagery. After reading the first line, "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day," I am immediately drawn to the image of a stunning woman in a picturesque setting. Not only do I think of a beautiful being, but an astounding background illustration of nature in all it's glory. Needless to say, after reading the sonnets together as a whole, he was actually depicting a man rather than a woman.
It is interesting how Shakespeare compares the beauty and grace of a person to the splendor found in pure and untouched nature. From the first line, he compares a person to a "summer's day." A summer's day--full of brillant sun and unabashed grandeur. I view summer as the best out of the seasonal year. Nature is at it's peak; green grass, flowers blooming, and a gentle breeze blowing throughout the inherent earth. It is an artless perfection. Moreover, Shakespeare is daring to compare his beauty to this natural magnificence.
Going further into the sonnet, Shakespeare states, "Rough wind do shake the darling buds of May, And summer's lease hath all too short a date; Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines, And often is his gold complexion dimmed; And every fair from fair sometime declines, By chance or nature's changing course untrimmed. But thy eternal summer shall not fade."
I find these lines to be very moving; they hold a huge weight of importance and meaning in a few shorts lines. Shakespeare is discerning the fact that nature, in effect, does fade. Summer does come to an end, inviting rough and forceful winds to replace the gentle summer breeze. Sometimes the sun is blazing down without mercy, and often the earth's surface can be less than perfect. As with most things, the beauty of nature has a lifespan. All living things must meet their fate. Nonetheless, this person's beauty evades all natural erosion; the beauty does not decay, it lasts for eternity.
Explained throughout the end of the sonnet, "So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee." I think Shakespeare was trying to verbalize the fact that throughout the rest of this person's time, the beauty will not decay; it will last forever. As long as men can breathe or eyes can see. Despite the fact that nature eventually decays, through his sonnet in written words, his beautiful spirit will last forever.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
"American Gangster"-More than what meets the eye
I must start by admitting that I am no "rap" connoisseur; I enjoy listening to the genre, but that is the extent of my knowledge. Nonetheless, after doing a little research and listening of my own, I truly feel that the album American Gangster by rap superstar Jay-Z displays the concepts behind lyrical sequence flawlessly. A lyric sequence is a collaboration or passages, poems, or in this case--songs. Standing alone, these songs are just a sole work of art. Together, however, they interact to create a paramount theme for the album; a chronicle of messages to create one meaning. The album was inspired by by the film American Gangster, starring Denzel Washington who portrays Frank Lucas, an early 1970's Harlem herion kingpin. The film resonated with the music producer in a meaningful way--prompting past memories of the era, as well as his personal childhood. Each track on this particular album was prompted by a specific scene in the movie. As in film, each scene standing alone holds no consequence or implication. When the scenes from a film are connected in such a way as to provide meaning, a story is told. A prevailing message is brought to it's audience. They same system applies to the lyrical sequence of this album. Jay-Z tells the story of his past; the making of who he is today. He was able to relate to Lucas in a way the inspired an album of 14 songs. He saw himself indirectly in the character of Frank Lucas.
The first song on the album, Pray, seems to portray an exceptionally visualistic flashback of the rappers childhood, or lack there of. His severe and swift loss of childhood innocence sets the "scene" for the rest of the album.
Moving along, a song in the middle of the album titled Sweet, provides a description of the ultimate rewards and benefits Jay-Z receives, including fame and fortune. He made it big, and he know possesses everything he had desired throughout his life.
Finally, towards the end of the album, Jay-Z concludes with a track called Success. He speaks about the fact that even with money, jewelry, cars, and houses--as the old adage attributes, you cannot buy happiness. Jay-Z admits there is a dark side to his notoriety, and a life of physical pocessions and no happiness is no life at all.
Full circle; from beginning to end.
The first song on the album, Pray, seems to portray an exceptionally visualistic flashback of the rappers childhood, or lack there of. His severe and swift loss of childhood innocence sets the "scene" for the rest of the album.
Moving along, a song in the middle of the album titled Sweet, provides a description of the ultimate rewards and benefits Jay-Z receives, including fame and fortune. He made it big, and he know possesses everything he had desired throughout his life.
Finally, towards the end of the album, Jay-Z concludes with a track called Success. He speaks about the fact that even with money, jewelry, cars, and houses--as the old adage attributes, you cannot buy happiness. Jay-Z admits there is a dark side to his notoriety, and a life of physical pocessions and no happiness is no life at all.
Full circle; from beginning to end.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)