Original Cuttings

The following is an example of things I looked to cut:

Good Helicane, that stay'd at home,
Not to eat honey like a drone
From others' labours; for though he strive
To killen bad, keep good alive;
And to fulfil his prince' desire,
Sends word of all that haps in Tyre:
How Thaliard came full bent with sin
And had intent to murder him;
And that in Tarsus was not best
Longer for him to make his rest.
He, doing so, put forth to seas,
Where when men been, there's seldom ease;
For now the wind begins to blow;
Thunder above and deeps below
Make such unquiet, that the ship
Should house him safe is wreck'd and split;
And he, good prince, having all lost,
By waves from coast to coast is tost:
All perishen of man, of pelf,
Ne aught escapen but himself;
Till fortune, tired with doing bad,
Threw him ashore, to give him glad:
And here he comes. What shall be next,

The above said by Gower really serves not much purpose rather than to recap the play. In a play that most likely has time constraints, a recap is probably not favorable. Not to mention, the narrator  would appreciate the relieving of these lines.

Another example of something I cut:

Were all too little to content and please,
Although they gave their creatures in abundance,
As houses are defiled for want of use,
They are now starved for want of exercise:
Those palates who, not yet two summers younger,
Must have inventions to delight the taste,
Would now be glad of bread, and beg for it:
Those mothers who, to nousle up their babes,
Thought nought too curious, are ready now
To eat those little darlings whom they loved.

The above is said by Cleon before Pericles is in Tarsus giving them the wheat. Cleon pretty much goes on and on and on about how hungry the people of his land are. We get it, they are beyond famished. I think that a few examples would suffice rather to lengthen the scene and lose the audience's attention. Additionally, much more dramatic examples can serve the purpose fine such as:

So sharp are hunger's teeth, that man and wife
Draw lots who first shall die to lengthen life:
Here stands a lord, and there a lady weeping;
Here many sink, yet those which see them fall
Have scarce strength left to give them burial.

If that is not polarizing to paint an image of the hunger problems, I don't know what is.

Magical Endings

I think that the ending of Pericles, Prince of Tyre is in a word, overwhelming. A family that has been completely separated throughout the Meditaranean region has been yearning for each other for so long. each one of the family members has faced his or her own struggles that complicates the possibility of the family reuniting. In Act 5, Pericles is completely shocked to hear that the young girl's name is Marina. After the long 14 year "search" (since we don't know what happened), the family is finally reunited. Additionally, I also feel that the grand, magical ending contributes to some of the play's main themes: virtue and perseverance. Not many more things are virtuous than constantly working at a goal for 14 years without knowing the outcome. I feel that this ending is better experienced in person as I recall going to Pericle, Prince of Tyre produced by the HTC. Although I like to think myself a little more on the masculine side, I will totally admit I teared up at the ending!

Scene Ideas

I think that the most interesting way to fix the fourteen year gap is to have Pericles embark on an epic journey. In general, something very significant must have occurred in those fourteen years for Pericles to have been stranded from his daughter who he knew was in Tarsus. What could Pericles possibly been doing? We are given no clues in the text either as to where he could have gone or what purposes he had, so it is complete fantasy as to what he did. All forms of fantasy on this matter are equally valid basically as there is no compelling argument either way.

I think most people, however, do not pick up on a subtle clue. This clue came inspired to me through an economic idea called "opportunity cost." An opportunity cost is the cost of giving up the next best thing. So the opportunity cost of going to see a movie would be working, for example. We know that the opportunity cost of Pericles doing whatever he did for those 14 years was giving up being able to see his daughter. So whatever Pericles did for fourteen years, he must have had quite a compelling reason.

This now leaves us with 2 kinda of decisions: involuntary and voluntary. An involuntary decision to fill the 14 year gap would be perhaps that Pericles got shipwrecked again!!! However, I think the shipwreck theme would make me weary and I would want something Pericles deliberately does; in other words, embark on an epic journey.

Quizlet!!

What Happened In Those Fourteen Years??

In Pericles, Prince of Tyre, many people question what happened in the fourteen year gap. Personally, I think that the gap occurred plot-wise so that Marina could mature more in order to fulfill her role in the plot; however, if I was to make the story more interesting and add to the "epic" quality, I would have Pericles spend the years looking for the casket at the bottom of the ocean where he thinks his wife's body should be. Having the gap filled in by this would also lead on to more qualities about Pericles. The ocean is vast, mysterious, and terrifying. The reader/audience can draw a conclusion about the degree of Pericles's bravery for diving into the very heart of uncertainty. The ocean may once again swallow up Pericles and spit him ashore, and Pericles meets the soldiers in the second part of the play where he verifies his identity since he looks like a madman.

Narration

Today in this blog post, I feel like discussing the arguments concurring with the importance of narration in Pericles, Prince of Tyre. The first argument I would like to discuss is the argument I accidentally stumbled upon in class today: narration adds a legendary quality that adds to the epic personality of the play itself. The narration adds to the play's granduer because the nature of narration intrinsically implies oral tradition, i.e., the story was passed down via word of mouth through generation after generation etc. Something absolutely incredible must have happened for people to keep orally passing this story down every generation, right? When one wanted to catch the awe of others, he would revert to an epic journey such as Pericles, Prince of Tyre. 
Secondly, narration is important in a play such as Pericles, Prince of Tyre because the narrators provide background information so that the audience understands the context of the play and why certain characters might make the decisions that they do. The narrator can also fill in gaps in the story that are not in the play so that the audience can further understand the context of the next scene or so. Additionally, I think that the audience may be able to better understand what a narrator says in comparison to the other characters. The emotion (like anger) an actor may be portraying would distract the audience from giving their full attention to the words the actor is saying; however, a narrator is usually unmoving or not physically dynamic but instead verbally dynamic, allowing the audience to further concentrate on the words they are hearing.

The Importance of Central/Essential Metaphors

To be completely frank, I do not fully grasp the idea of what exactly a central or essential metaphor is. Even after some attempts of finding an answer online, the general consensus is that a central metaphor is the most basic form of a metaphor. (for example, "the clouds are white marshmellows").

However, thinking about the discussion in class today, I doubt that the blog post has a deeper meaning than the most basic version of a metaphor. I think that a central metaphor is any metaphor in the play that ties the play together. In other words, I want to write about the metaphors for major themes/ components in the play.

The most fascinating metaphor to me is how life is compared to Pericles's journey. I feel that Shakespeare is probing at the idea of the necessity of self-exploration. Pericles left his kingdom in fear of being killed by assassins from Antioch; thus, he was forced to learn who he really was. Just like in life, Pericles's journey had many bumps in the road, but sometimes these bumps are beneficial in making someone more resilient. Pericles nearly had everything he desired in life, but then a storm wrecks his ship. The sea takes Pericles and spits him upon the shore with absolutely nothing. This instance resembles the common metaphor in the play of rebirth. Pericles was reborn because he is literally starting over from nothing. Pericles proves to be a very humble and persistent individuals as he never belittled those who he met, such as the fishermen, with his nobility status (although Pericles would have a difficult time claiming his identity). As the play unfolds, the new qualities Pericles will discover he has further promotes the central metaphors of life and rebirth. Perhaps Shakespeare urges for people to undertake a personal journey of their own and learn of their true inner-person.

My Favorite Epic: The Legend of Zelda

          My favorite epic story without a doubt is the Legend of Zelda. The Legend of Zelda is practically my childhood due to the fact that as a young whipper-snapper I was glued to my television and my Nintendo64 console. On the Nintendo 64, the two most popular Zelda epics are "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" and "The Legend of Zelda: Majora's mask"; however, I will be discussing "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" since that is my most favorite of the two.

          Oddly enough, either version of the Legend of Zelda is about a character named Link, and Zelda is the princess that he saves. In the Ocarina of Time, princess Zelda of Hyrule is abducted by an evil, grotesque villain named Gonandorf. Link sleeping in his quite home in the Mysterious Woods meets with his new traveling companion, the winged Navi, and the two set off on an epic quest which unavoidably turns into a rescue mission to save the princess. Link battles and solves riddles through dark dungeons, picturesque villages, the heart of a volcano, the bottom of a lake, a haunted desert, a magical forest, a giant tree, the belly of a beast, and even through time. Throughout the story, Link acquires supernatural abilities which even further enhance the epic. Such example is his transformation into a Zora:

Link travels all throughout the kingdom of Hyrule so advance upon Gonandorf where the hero and villain finally meet. Like any timeless epic, Link and Gonandorf create an incredible climax through a dynamic duel.

Link wins the challenging battle with the villain and rescues Zelda; in doing so, Link restores order in Hyrule.

Quizlet Tests

Blog 6: My Soliloquy

"This argument causes my current pain
As useless as quarreling with a child - simile
Why I reserved to such extreme measures -meaningful deviation
To win a cause that has trivial worth
I drugged her mind to make fool of my queen - POA
Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind - antithesis
My drug set free her mind and her love free
Now she act different than she had 'round me
What have I done drugging my queen's pure mind?- rhetorical question
Seeing so true her actions with free mind
Love pure love I wish she'd love me like now -meaningful deviation - troche
How she act so different when in love -meaningful deviation
So I sadden like men who lost the war - metaphor/imagery
Then she never truly for me felt love
I will not drug her mind and force her love - climax
As love has no predictability
I seek her love but must let my queen be"

Writing this Soliloquy was a much easier process than I had thought it was going to be. I know that many of my peers struggled writing their soliloquies as I was astonished when hearing the amount of time it took for them to compose their soliloquies. The words seemed to flow out of my hand when I just thought about the overall plot of the play and then placed myself in the perspective of Oberon. Once truly focusing on the emotions and thoughts going through Oberon's head, writing the soliloquy was enjoyable and quick! Although I am overall pleased with the outcome of the soliloquy, one thing that I wish my soliloquy could improve upon was conveying the jealousy and astonishment when Oberon saw Titania in true love.

Blog 5: The Nature of Love

I would like to start this blog by beginning that love cannot be described with one aspect sufficiently, for the many characteristics and qualities of love make linking the intangible with tangible words a most difficult task. Shakespeare criticizes what was traditionally thought of as love in his time when marriages were prearranged. The bride and groom often had little to no interest in each other and often married for political reasons especially in the nobility. I think Shakespeare represents this aspect of "love" through Egeus who essentially attempts to force his own daughter, Hermia, into marrying a man she is not interested in, Demetrius. Demetrius desires to marry Hermia because Hermia's father is very wealthy and will pay a large dowry to the man who marries his daughter.
Shakespeare then gives the perception that "love is blind." Blind is an interesting word choice to describe love because blind implies the presence of little to no reason and uncontrollable. Cupid's love juice shows how love can be blind as with a simple drop the eye, both Lysander and Demetrius fall madly in love with Helena. I think that in this manner Shakespeare depicts an insipid or even almost silly side of love. It seems that when Shakespeare discusses blind love, extreme hyperboles and elaborate poems are smoothered upon the recipient which are to a degree comical.
Then Shakespeare depicts what is classically known as true love through the character Hermia. Sonnet 116 states the qualities of true love; "it is an ever-fixed mark, it is the star to every wand'ring bark." Throughout the whole play, Hermia keeps her love for Lysander. Through all the drama that develops in the plot, Hermia's love does not change for Lysander even when Lysander, in his Cupid juice rage, disrespects and treats Hermia in shocking ways.

Blog 4: Act 3 Scene 2 Confusion!!!! : A Midsummer Night's Dream

As my blogs have been discussing for some time now, love seems to be the biggest theme in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and has been depicted in several different manners throughout the play. In Act 3 Scene 2, Shakespeare reveals yet another side to the enigmatic thing we call love: confusion. Oberon and Puck cause Lysander to fall in love with Helena by placing Cupid's love juice in Lysander's eyes. Lysander completely discards his love for Hermia as shown in the passage when he speaks to Hermia:

"Lysander's love, that would not let him bide,
    Fair Helena, who more engilds the night
    Than all you fiery oes and eyes of light.
    Why seek'st thou me? could not this make thee know,
    The hate I bear thee made me leave thee so? "


A man who had such intimate feelings for Hermia now cannot stand the very thought of her and has fallen deeply in love with Helena. The already complicated situation between the human characters becomes exponentially more confusing due to Lysander's behavioral change. Lysander's love seems to be blind and sudden to the characters causing them to think that he is playing a joke perhaps. 

I think that Lysander's change in love for Helena displays a characteristic in Hermia that is prevalent in true love: loyalty. Even though Hermia watched the man she deeply loved tell her that he despised the person she is and he wished to love Helena, Hermia remains throughout the play to resolve the possible issues between her and Lysander rather than running away out of rage like many people would.

Blog 3: A Midsummer Night's Dream Act 1

A quote that I like in the first act of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is the following said by Hermia:

"My good Lysander!

I swear to thee by Cupid’s strongest bow,

By his best arrow with the golden head,

By the simplicity of Venus' doves,

By that which knitteth souls and prospers loves,

And by that fire which burned the Carthage queen

When the false Troyan under sail was seen,

By all the vows that ever men have broke

(In number more than ever women spoke),

In that same place thou hast appointed me,

Tomorrow truly will I meet with thee."

 

I like this quote so much because I actually find it quite comical. The quote encases what most people would consider to be "over-emotional" Shakespeare.  The quote is quite redundant and seems silly in an aspect, or the quote can be very powerful yet very subtle.  The greatest mystery about Shakespeare is that the reader can interpret nearly any line in so many different ways. Hermia's passage may portray a dramatic act exacerbated by hyperboles. After all, she could have just told Lysander "I will meet you there" or anything simple along those lines. But perhaps Shakespeare tries to communicate a deeper message for those who manage to see past the silliness and into the main theme of the play, love. Perhaps Shakespeare attempts to communicate what true love is via incorporating the hyperboles in Hermia's passage. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" portrays love in many different ways whether that be complicated, confusing, or even forced. With this passage, I feel that Shakespeare is communicating the strength and genuineness of love; then again, someone can come up yet another interpretation of the passage to be thrown in the sea of differing opinions.

Blog 2: A Mid Summer Nights Dream: Forest Blog

Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is the most performed play in the theater industry for various reasons. One is that the play, in general, has great versatility that can be altered to reflect a directors bias or message, and the play ultimately explores its obvious main theme, love, which always makes a popular subject among the general audience!

When researching images pertinent to "A Midsummer Night's Dream", I immediately noticed the multiple depictions of a forest which has significant symbolism in the play. Forests are notorious in literature for being the dark, Gothic place where supernatural things can occur and is ultimately mysterious.

Images of forests like above show that the forest is a place of beauty, mystery, and darkness all at the same time. forests are generally not well mapped, so there is a high probability that the characters can get lost in this mysterious labyrinth where mischievous fairies seek to tamper with the lives of the characters. Ignoring the fairies that are in the picture, the forest clearly seems enchanted and posses supernatural qualities which provide an unpredictable stage for the main plot and action of the play to take place and develop. Shakespeare chooses an excellent platform to create confusion and uncertainty in this classic play.

Blog 1: Sonnet

I chose to expand upon the suggested topic for the sonnets: Senioritis. Yes, Senioritis is the epidemic that seems to have exponential growth among all Seniors in high school across the nation when first semester is over. My sonnet explores the typical conscience of the everyday American high school senior; putting in minimal work is, in an essence, all we have on our minds so that we can keep the acceptance offers given by the colleges we strove to be admitted to.
The overall rhyme scheme/structure of my sonnet  is ABAB in Quatrin 1, CDCD in Quatrin 2, EFEF in Quatrin 3, and a GG couplet. A rhyme scheme of this set up parallels the manner in which Shakespeare composed his sonnets. Like in most of Shakespeare's sonnets, my sonnet opens with the exposition, where I am overcome with feelings of intense weariness, sleep, and essentially unproductively. I have spent the last three and a half years of my life working my tail off to get accepted into the college of my dreams, and I have been accepted. The hard work has paid off, and to reward myself, my body wants to shut down for all the lost hours of sleep that have accumulated throughout the years. Then the realization (challenge/problem) occurs that I may possibly have my letter of acceptance revoked as a result of my recent behavioral change. I come to a bitter compromise where I will do minimum work to just barely make it by. Senioritis has taken effect.