ENGL210 Summarative Entry.

So a semester has come and gone, and it’s time to reflect on this unit and my own progress through it.

To start things off, I really enjoyed this unit. I’ve enjoyed Shakespeare’s work the moment my year 10 English Teacher put on Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet. The beauty of the language, the harshness of the insults and the creativity of the two intertwining captivated me.

I think the unit was delivered extremely well by Michael, who I would like to say a big thank you too! The amount of effort you put into teaching your subjects doesn’t go unnoticed and I look forward to being in more units with you.

I enjoyed the three plays we looked at, but I think The Tempest may be my favourite due to the comedy aspect of the play. I look forward to reading more of Shakespeares works as prior to this unit had only ever really read/watched Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth.

Where I struggled, however, was the blog posts themselves. I really fell behind this time around and found myself playing catch up constantly. This was mainly due to personal issues so I won’t go into that but I think next time around I’ll definitely have to take more initiative and do them the day we get the topics.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this subject, the lectures were full of great knowledge and the tutorials were small enough to hear a vast arrange of views on the topics which allowed for great discussion.

Thank you again to Michael for putting the time and effort into us!

Shakespeare Peer Review #8

For peer review #8 I reviewed Lily’s first impressions of The Tempest.

https://lilychesterblog.wordpress.com/2018/05/21/first-impressions-of-the-tempest/

“Hey, Lily.

I can tell straight away from your blog that you’re really passionate about Shakespeare which is awesome. I enjoyed how knowledgeable your first impression was as you have clearly spent your time with the text to give us your opinion and in turn, has made me want to invest myself more into The Tempest so thank you for the motivation!

Adam”

 

Shakespeare Peer Review #7

For this peer review, I decided to review Erin’s three things that for her would fall into the category of Beauty.

https://whatalittime.wordpress.com/2018/05/07/what-is-beauty/

“Hey, Erin.

I gotta say that this was an absolute pleasure to read and you definitely have a way with words.
I could vividly imagine each of these scenes as I read them and I think you did a wonderful job.

Thank’s this has completely brightened up my day.

Adam.”

Shakespeare Peer Review #6

For peer review #6 I have chosen to review Josh’s blog post in which he posted a summary of Theseus’ Anti-Imagination Speech.

https://joshuastrawblog.wordpress.com/2018/05/04/lovers-and-madmen-blogpost-6/

“Hey, Josh!

Fantastic blog entry, you can really tell that you enjoy studying Shakespeare through your passion displayed in this blog entry. I completely agree with you and Hippolyta that imagination is truly a “strange and admirable” thing to have and think life would just get a tad boring without it.

Keep up the great blogs!

Adam.”

 

 

Shakespeare Peer Review #5

For peer review #5 I chose to review Victoria’s synopsis of what Bottom is trying to express at the end of Act 4 Scene 1.

https://victoriakotsoris01.wordpress.com/2018/04/27/week-8-blog-post-5/

“Hi Victoria,

Great blog entry, I think you did a fantastic job of breaking down what Bottom was trying to express in this section of the play. I particularly liked you going into depth about the language used deconstructing why that particular language was used and what effect it had.

Great work, Keep it up.

Adam.”

Shakespeare Peer Review #4

For this peer review, I decided to review Alina’s letter, written from Hermia’s viewpoint to her father.

https://alinagoro.wordpress.com/2018/04/16/week-7-blog-4/comment-page-1/#comment-67

“Hey, Alina.
Awesome blog entry, I think you embodied Hermia perfectly. Showing not only her hatred for her father but her love for Lysander while critiquing the ways of that time period really made it seem authentic.
Also, the first crossed outline almost made me spit my drink out laughing so I appreciated that haha.

Awesome blogs!
Adam.”

Shakespeare Blog Entry #8

For the final Shakespeare blog entry I have decided to answer the second blog topic presented:

“Blog Topic 2: In Act 1 scene 2 what image do you get of Caliban? Is he being mistreated by Prospero”

After both watching the globe theatres rendition of The Tempest and reading along with a script the image I get of Caliban is that of a man who has been broken down over time by a cruel ruler, however, from Prospero’s perspective I can understand why he would have such a disdain for Caliban as he did try to rape Miranda. From his own description of event sit sounds as if Caliban, while uninhibited by the English language was a much more peaceful living man. He was one with the island and nature itself which in a way I think was a clever way for Shakespeare to make the audience question the role that language has on society and whether it truly makes us more civilised.

I can see both sides of the argument about his treatment from Prospero. On one hand, it would be very valid to argue that Prospero is a complete tyrant. Causing immense pain and suffering to be brought upon Caliban as well as essentially stealing the island from him.
On the other hand, I can also see the argument that Caliban brought this pain and suffering upon him when he tried to rape Miranda and that Prospero is doing what he is doing out of a mix of anger, resentment and to some extent fear, fear that his daughter was almost harmed by someone he helped become the man he is today. And despite knowing what extent I would be punished by the law if I were to commit violence against someone who attempted rape on my hypothetical daughter, It would be very hard to not do so.
Which at that point I ask my own question in response to anyone viewing this. Is Prospero’s mistreatment of Caliban warranted?

Shakespeare Blog Entry #7

For this blog entry I have chosen the topic:

“1/ What are your first impressions of the The Tempest.”

First off, I have never read or watched a play or movie adaption of the Tempest, so when I heard it was a comedy I was a bit thrown back. When I think of Shakespeare comedy is not often something that comes to mind. Usually, the first thing that pops into my head is a tragedy. However, after reading and getting to see a bit of the play I am really interested in watching and reading more. I think the premise of the story is quite interesting and look forward to delving into it in more depth. I also really liked the use of music within the segments we have already watched, from the heavy drum beats being used to represent a storm, to the hauntingly beautiful siren song that Ariel is able to use to draw different characters to specific points on the island.

I really look forward to seeing more and reading more of the Tempest, as I think it’s already becoming one of my favourite Shakespeare plays.

Shakespeare Blog Entry #6

For this blog entry I’ve chosen to respond to this creative question:

CREATIVE: Write a paragraph that describes vividly three of things that for you fall into the category of BEAUTY. In other words, say what for you is BEAUTY. (This topic, of course, relates closely to Shakespeare’s ideas in his sonnet 65)

I’ve chosen this topic because I think it’d be interesting to delve into my own emotion/opinions on beauty and it would be interesting to see other peoples perceptions of beauty.
The first thing that Beauty is for me is a warm smile. A smile that no matter how crappy of a day your having can make everything better, one that lets you know that they care. The second thing the Beauty is for me is a laugh. When someone’s laugh is able to make you forget about the world’s problems when someone’s laugh lets you know that they enjoy your company.
And the third thing that is Beauty to me, is support. When someone’s willing to help you out, to take time out of their own busy life to just keep you company, to me, is one of the most beautiful things someone can do for you.

Shakespeare Blog Entry #5

For this blog entry I’ve chosen the creative question:

“Be Hippolyta: tell us what you really think about the imagination and what you really think about Theseus’ point of view.”

How can someone deny imagination? Relegate something so magical to the corner of their minds and forget about it like a long lost relic? Imagination is what drives us, it’s what helps us strive ever forward. Without imagination would we ever sail the seas? Would man or woman ever create fine works of art? To say imagination is useless is to deny one’s essence of creation. As much as I love Theseus I cannot neigh, will not ever understand his disdain for imagination. Perhaps it is the rule of law that clouds imagination from his mind? Maybe without so much responsibility, he would have time to let his mind wander into the magical realm?