Will Iago's Plan Work?

Iago has a plan to make Othello alone and miserable. He tries to make him isolate himself and ultimately separate with his wife. If he doesn't have his friends or wife, then he will be alone. Iago is a very honorable person in Othello's eyes. He is a man that he trusts and thinks has his best spirit in mind. Since Othello trusts Iago, Iago is put in a very easy place. Once he plants the idea of his wife cheating on him, Othello starts to go crazy and his plan is already working. However, like any man, Othello doesn't automatically believe him, he needs proof. Thus, Iago tries to bribe a woman to steal her hankercheif that Othello gave his wife as a present. She gets ahold of it and the plan officially can become detrimental to Othello.

Is He Black?

Black actors were not a popular or present thing during Shakespearian time. Othello is supposed to be a black person, and he does a good job of presenting that way. But there are a couple of things that makes the audience second guess his race. One thing is that in many different forms of lighting, Othello looks purple. His purple tint is due to the make-up of the time. They do a thorough job of completely covering Othello's body, even in scenes where he has his shirt off; however, his purplish tint is very questionable. Also, Othello has an Arabian accent. His looks and his accent are contradicting each other and makes it very confusing for the audience. Even though there are these tiny errors, the make-up artists do a phenomenal job of completely covering his arms, legs, chest, and face. He also has a very believable whig that resembles a black person's hair. Othello has a very distinct idiosyncrasy where he always rolls his eyes in the back of his head. This may be an idea for the character that he is playing, or it may be one of his odd characteristics that he cannot control. Overall, for the time that this movie is filmed, he is a believable black person.

Good work, Joanie.
Mr. Murphy

Is the Movie Correct?

The movie has many different take-offs from the original version of Richard III by William Shakespeare. One detail that is different is the scene when Richard tries to trick the men that he doesn't want the crown. He is supposed to come out with two priests on either side due to the fact that he was in "prayer." However, in the movie he just comes out with a prayer book and no priests. The book isn't even a prayer book, it is a novel that the cover is taken off. Also, when one of the characters is killed he is killed through the bed while with a woman. Also, another difference is that the princes never make fun of Richard. In the book, the princes sarcastically make fun and tease Richard; however, in the movie they get into the car and no jokes are tossed around.

Richard III Movie

In the movie version of Richard III there were many things that I liked. One thing that I enjoyed was the setting that they used. The director placed it in Great Britain in the 1930s. They replicated it very well with the multiple amounts of cigarettes always smoked and the costumes. The music also added was incredibly fitting for the era it was placed in, and fitting for the events occuring in the play. Even though they still used Shakespeare's original language, the accents used and the clever delivery by the actors and actresses. Another thing that I enjoyed was the casting for the play. Richard is a man who has a slight hunchback and has an evil smirk always on him. In the movie, they do not over-do it and over-dramatisize it so that is too obvious. Richard's mustache is also very fitting for his character. Finally, I also really enjoyed the delivery of the lines. Although it may sound silly, the actors did a phenomenal job by adding a lot of space between lines so that it could settle with the audience and it gave us time to comprehend what was going on. Also, they did a good execution with shared lines. One right after another was preformed so that the 10-syllable shakespeare style wasn't left out. However, there was one thing that I did not enjoy about the movie version of Richard III. Richard would sometimes talk to the screen as if he were talking to the audience. Although it might have helped clarify what was going on, it felt awkward and unorthodox as the viewer. I think the director should have had Richard purely talking to himself so that the audience could hear; however, not have Richard directly talking to the audience. In general, I really enjoyed the movie edition of Richard III.

Orations to the Soldiers

Richmond's oration to his soldiers is very different when comparing it to Richard's. Richmond starts off using positive words and treating his soldiers like his friends, not like they are beneath him. He says, "More than I have said, loving countrymen." He talks to his soldiers using nice words so that they can respect him and that he shows his respect and thankfulness for their commitment as well. Richmond then uses the theme of God's ultimate punishment as fuel to feed the soldiers' angry thoughts. "God, and our good cause, fight upon our side." He says god is with them and wants them to win, any soldier would agree that having god and religion for your victory is very important and reassuring. Especially in this community where prayer and sanctuary are so highly regarded and important, God is a very highly regarded figure. He then uses ideas like "for your wives and children" to hit a passionate note that all soldiers can relate with.

Richard, on the other hand, has a speech that is very different. Instead of being friends with his soldiers and treating them nicely, he uses critical and offending names. He says, "Remember whom you are to cope withal, a sort of vagabonds, rascals, and runaways, a scum of Brentons and base lackey peasants." Calling your soldiers "scum" and "peasants" is not the way to win their respect. He also uses the same idea of talking about wives and daughters, except he uses it in a grotesque and offending way. He says, "lie with our wives, ravish our daughters." He doesn't try to make it passionate like Richmond does by saying "do it for them and for your love for them" he basically says, "do it for them so that they dont sleep around." It is very different and Richmond's way is much better and effective.

Anne's Speech

In act 4 scene 1 Anne speaks from lines 68-91 and it includes ideas and forms of the themes discussed throughout the play. Anne has been convinced by Richard earlier in the play to be his and she accepts a ring from him, she then says, "For never yet one hour in his bed/ did i enjoy the golden dew of sleep." She says how she made a mistake and she never felt comfortable with him and has known of his evil tendencies. In the beginning of this speech she makes a reference to Hamlet and says, "When scarce the blood was well washed from his hands." Hamlet is another play by Shakespeare and hands were used as a motif for creation and destruction. This happens in Richard III too because Richard has a tendency to destroy and kill people; however, we have yet to see him have anxiety about the blood on his hands. She then uses her curse and says, "Lo, ere I can repeat this curse again." She continues to curse him under God's ultimate punishment.

Hastings and Catesby

The conversation between Hastings and Catesby follows the theme of God's decisions. Hastings says, "God knows I will not do it, to the death." (3.2.57). Then Catesby replies with, "God keep your Lordship in that gracious mind." (3.2.58). This continuous theme of God and his knowledge shows up many times in the play. At this point they are talking about Richard holding the crown and how he soon will be king. God's inevitable punishment lies with Richard because of the back-handed, evil things he's been doing. Hastings says how he will not stand to see Richard be king when he says, "I'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders/ Before i'll see the crown so foul misplaced." (3.2.45-46). Richard is the only person that can handle the crown because his two brothers are dead and the princes are too young; however, Catesby later brings up the idea that Hastings should be king. He would handle it much better and be brilliant within the land. Hastings disagrees and shuns this idea.

I like the vote on your favorite play. Where did you find it?
Mr. Murphy

Joanie:
I think you mean "allusions", and yes it does. Good work.
Mr. Murphy

Queen Margaret

Queen Margaret's lines in act 1 scene 3 of Richard III has many illusions that refer to the major theme of God's inevitable punishment. Her first reference is when she says, "God's gentle sleeping peace." (306). She talks to Buckingham and Richard about how "sin, death, and hell have set their marks on him (the dog.)" (312). She is warning them of doing bad deeds and how at God's gate at their judgement day, he will know wrong from right and he will turn them away from the gates of heaven. She claims that she is a prophetess and that she knows how God truly wants things to be. She then continues with lines such as, "soothe the devil that I warn thee from," "all of you to God's." She does so, so convincingly that Richard then says, "I cannot blame her. By god's holy mother." (325). The idea of God's inevitable punishment holds people to their guilt and judgement of wrong from right. Richard is in a difficult place because he is in mist of doing many wrongs for the final goal of the title King; however, he cannot escape the guilt.

Richard and his Pick Up Line

I have heard many pickup lines in my life. A few funny ones have been the following: "Are you from Tennessee? Cause you're the only Ten I See." "Are you from Jamaica? Cause your Jamaican Me Crazy." However, Richard's strategy for picking up his brother's wife is something I have never even heard of. Shakespeare's tricky language makes Richard's pick up line very confusing and an enigma in itself; thus, I can see how it was difficult for Lady Anne to deny him. Even though, she should not even be considering Richard because he admitted to killing her husband. Even though he claims it was because he loves her so very much, Lady Anne should keep in mind that it doesn't matter because she loved her husband more than him. If I were Lady Anne I wouldn't have fallen for Richard's pick up line. Not only is it confusing, but if a man was trying to pick me up and I couldn't understand what he was saying, it would not be a successful relationship. Also, if I were in her position, I would still be grieving my husband's death and I wouldn't want to move on yet, especially with my husband's brother. There are too many odd factors going on with Richard, thus I would not have accepted that ring so willingly as Lady Anne did.

Shakespeare in Love, Blog 2

The academy award winning film Shakespeare in Love has made interesting advances in the themes we have read from the play Romeo and Juliet. The theme of the different types of love has been the basis of the movie thus far. William's love for Viola is quickly transforming into a form of true love. This has not yet completely happened, but once the choice of love over family comes into play, the result of true love or lust will show itself. As of right now, what William could feel for Viola could simply be lust; their relationship has not been tested yet, Viola still plans on marrying the man that her father has prepared for her. The love he shows for Viola also has a bit of romantic love. He writes her one of his most notorious sonnets that compares her to a summer's day. Writing of sonnets is a red flag for romantic love. Bawdy love also plays itself in their relationship due to the secretive sleeping around they do and his comical comments about her breasts that he admits to the "man" in the boat. Even though these themes of love tend to separate each other into different relationships and mean different things, I do not see why one relationship cannot have them all. A true relationship should have a bit of every type of love; however, the most important type of love, in the end, is true love.

Good blog, Joanie.
Mr. Murphy

Shakespeare in Love Blog 1

Shakespeare in Love is a well known play that received 7 academy awards. In the beginning 45 minutes of the play, we are already exposed to the many different forms of love that we were first introduced to in Romeo and Juliet. One form of love is romantic love. Shakespeare's first woman that we see him have a sexual encounter with claims that she wants him to write her a sonnet. Sonnet writing is an example of romantic love. Also, bawdy love is introduced. Shakespeare's first woman can also have the debate that it is bawdy love because Shakespeare walks in on her having a sexual encounter with another man. Not only is romantic and bawdy love introduced, but conventional love is also shown. Viola's parents are trying to arrange a marriage with her and a man whom they approve of. This man was shown at the party and she has no interest. Finally, we see the first glimpse of true love between Viola and Shakespeare. As soon as he hears her recite his monologue from his play, he chased after her and fell in love with her at the party. Many types of love are introduced in the beginning of Shakespeare in Love; however, it will be interesting to see which one will prevail.

Act 5 Scene 1

Act 5 Scene 1 is a huge scene in the play of Romeo and Juliet. This is the scene where Romeo finds out that Juliet has "died" and he plans his own death accordingly. One literary device used many times in this scene is shared lines. As soon as Romeo found out about Juliet's "death" he would quickly respond to Bathlasar, creating a shared line. This shows how Romeo's feelings are fired up because he has such true love for Juliet and he is concerned about her death; he needs to know information immediately. Also, a lot of personification is used in this scene. One example is when Romeo says, "misery had worn him to the bones." Misery cannot wear down anything. Another example is when Romeo says, "oppression starveth in thy eyes." Oppression cannot starve anything, this is an example of personification. The theme of love comes up many times in this scene as well. Romeo says, "but love's shadows are so rich in joy." Earlier in act 4, Romeo switched the theme of love and dark versus light, saying that light love is more difficult. Here, he is exclaiming how love's shadows can have many dark and hidden things to it, but it is still worth it. Finally, the theme of true love comes up because Romeo is willing to kill himself due to the fact that he cannot live without Juliet. Life has no meaning if she cannot be apart of his.

Great effort! Keep up the good work.
Mr. Murphy

Juliet's Lines 54-57

"O God, i have an ill-divinging soul! Methinks I see thee, now thou art so low, As one dead in the bottom of a tomb. Either my eyesight fails or though lookest pale." These four lines by Juliet in act 3 scene 5 come during a point where Juliet is saying a goodbye to Romeo that both of them hope is only temporary. She starts of the line with 'o' which means that there is an exclamation of emotion. The emotion depicted here is worry in her remembering of what she is doing. She is reflecting on her decision to choose Romeo and she calls herself an "ill-divining soul," which means a prophetic of evil. She is admitting to herself that she is evil for going against her parents' wishes. She then goes on to foreshadow Romeo's death. She says that she sees him in the bottom of a tomb and that he is very pale. These all reflect to the idea of death, which is what the ultimate ending is in the play. She is also saying that he might as well be dead to her because it might be impossible for them to be together. If he were dead, then she would have reason to kill herself and she wouldn't have to deal with her parents.

O, I am a Fortune's fool!

In Act 3 scene 1 Romeo kills Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, after he has married Juliet. Directly after killing him he says, "O, I am a Fortune's fool!" In the guide to shakespeare, the word "O" declares an exclamation of emotion. One can read this in many different ways. Emotion can be used in a melancholy sense, an agitated, pain, or in many other ways. Here, I believe Romeo is using "O" to exert his frustration of his stupidity. He is perfectly aware of the new rules laid out because he says them a few lines earlier when he tries to break up the fight. In this sentence, Shakespeare capitalizes the word fortune to make it Fortune. This could mean he is using personification and making the word fortune into an actual person like figure. Fortune in this sense is his future. He says he is a "Fortune's fool," which means that he is foreshadowing that he knew that marrying Juliet would result in something unfortunate, and now it has happened. The book claims that "fool" means a plaything. This statement is a product of his life being played with by a puppet like figure (Fortune) which ends up being his true love. His true love for Juliet is so strong that he will do anything and kill anything so that he can defend it, when in reality, he ends up hampering the ability of the relationship to work because he is now ostracized from the community.

Friar Lawrence and Foreshadowing

Friar Lawrence starts off his speech by talking about the coming of daybreak. A continual theme throughout Romio and Juliet is the change of light and darkness. Night and darkness are similar things along with day and lightness. Light is a symbol for true love, Juliet. "the sun advance his burning eye, the day to cheer and night's dank dew to dry." When Shakespeare says this he is foreshadowing the coming of Juliet into Romeo's life. She is the sun and will change the darkness's dew (bawdy love) and make it into true love. Friar Lawrence then digs into the idea of a woman and her tomb. When he says, "what is her burying grave, that is her womb." He is foreshadowing how Juliet is digging her own grave. When she decides to marry Romeo, she knows the consequences of her family and of the pressure the community puts on them, so in the end she will die of it. The idea of the "womb children" foreshadows how it is the romance between Romeo and Juliet that will kill them. This shows this because romance brings marriage which results with a family. Each of these steps puts the stress on an even higher level, so kids and marriage will be the ultimate death. Finally, he says, "revolts from true birth, stumbling upon abuse." This foreshadows how Romeo and Juliet were made for each other ever since they were born and they have no choice but to take the consequences of abuse for their love. Friar Lawrence's speech in Act 2 scene 3 is full of foreshadowing.