Tone/Mood

Tone dictates the mood of the play by giving the authors attitude about the subject. It uses diction and sounds to help give the poem and rhythm and feeling of that tone. The tone can shift depending on the author and what he's trying to say. For example, Coy Mistress is like three different poems, each stanza's diction and sound shifts and changes the mood with it. The First stanza drags along as if he were taking up all the time he could, the second is short and straight to the point as if he had no more time, and the third expresses how he feels and emphasizes "carpe diem" and gives the point of the poem. Therefore the tone always revolves around the main theme of the play and gives a certain attitude about it. However, compared to To the Virgins the tone is very different. Herrick isn't in a rush to get his point across, instead he is just giving out a warning to the women in the world and saying take it or leave it...BUT if you leave it you will lose your prime forever and your life will be a waste. (no big deal) Moreover, the mood in a play can be a bit different as it may shift from character to character. Claudius evokes the arrogance of a king while Hamlet demonstrates his immaturity as a young boy. Other character's moods help balance the play from moving too far in one direction; leaving the overall mood of the play as one that is gloomy and dark until the very end where revenge is fulfilled.

Diction

Diction in poems is the word choice used by the author he thinks best fits with his ideas and the tone. Diction often determines the poems tone by direction the flow and structure of the poem. For example, Ulysses has a long slow feeling to it as if time is moving so slowly and everything is boring. This goes hand in hand with the idea of Ulysses life, he was once a great warrior and king but his adventure away from home has taken up the majority of his prime and now he has nothing left but to live out the rest of his life being a past memory. The diction in to the virgins also flows with the idea because it is about youth and viginity; therefore, he uses roses and flowers to make his point. The naural beauties in his poem are part of his diction and allow his point to be undetstood by his readers.

Imagery/Figurative Language

Figurative language gives a deeper meaning to the words on the page and can help convey the message of the author in a simpler and more related way. Figurative language can take a complex idea and make it easier to understand because of how a metaphor relates it to the real world. For example, in To the Virgins he compares a woman virginity to a rose bud and then a flower to time. The flowers arrival and passing shows the suddenness of time and how as soon as it is there it will be gone. He compares life to a race in order to exemplify his point of taking advantage of the time you have and waiting for nothing. This language makes the poem smoother and helps us understand his point in real world situations. Therefore, figurative language does its purpose by improving the flow and meaning of the poem.

Poetry Sounds

Poetry sounds can give a poem rhythm, emotion, and tone.  Sounds can be incorporated in the pace and use of either short or long words in a poem or it can be the literal sounds of a machine or object. For example the poem out out by Robert Frost examplifies sounds by using words like “snarled” and “rattled” to discribe the buzz saw. This personificaion of an animal is foreshadowing to the boy’s fate. The sounds also give the saw an aggressive persona. The saw is then givin a mind when he seems to jump at the boys hand when his sister calls for supper as if he understood what she said. The harsh sounds go hand in hand with the harsh reality of what happens after the boy passes.

Symbol/Theme

The symbols and themes of literature dictate the direction and meaning of the story and help guide the reader through it. Symbols like the Ghost of Hamlet Sr. represent corruption of the kingship and sets the basis for the direction of the play. The ghost tells Hamlet to revenge his death and set him free from being a ghost. Most of the play is Hamlet's indecision about what to do and how to make sure he does his job correctly. The theme of revenge goes hand in hand with the symbol. Themes give charaters meaning because they give them a reason for their actions.

Setting

The setting of a play is one of the three most important components that make up a play. The setting gives us a picture in our head of what the situation would be like if it were in front of us. Often times the setting dictates the tone of the play. For example in Pride and Prejudice when Jane goes by horseback to Bingly's house it begins to rain and have a somber tone. This is when Jane becomes sick fulfilling the foreshadow. However the setting does not only dictate the tone but it can also contrast situations in the play. For example while in her home town Elizabeth finds Darcy revolting; however, when she goes to Pemberly and sees Darcy in a different setting she sees a different side of him and starts to take a liking to him. Thus, the setting can dictate the tone of the play of shadow or reveal something about different types of characters.

Character Summary

Characters are related to plot because the plot dictates who they will be friends and enemies with. However the characters in fiction are very different from those in plays. In a play we see the performace and feel more connected to the characters while in a book the characters are just in our head. The charaters in plays get more of a life and personality of thier own, where as the characters in fiction we can only see in their own enviroment in the book and can't seperate plot from character. Hamlet molds his own personal belifs and opinions and we can see his personality, but Mrs. Bennet is part of her environment and shares common belifs with everyone else and is just part of the book, not her own person. The same can be said about Claudius and Jane.

Plot Summary

Plot is always an important factor when looking at literature; however, the plots vary greatly when comparing fiction to drama. Although each of them has very distinct plots this is not what makes them different, they get their differences from the way the stages are set up. In Shakespeare the climax is usually towards the end and the falling action is in the last couple pages. Pride and Prejudice followed a little more of a traditional style. Despite these differences similarities arise when looking at the style of each plot, there is a lot of deception and hidden intentions. Hamlets rising action was most of the play leading up to the killings at the end, the tragic tone is very different from the happy climax of Darcy proposing to Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice.

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Essay Comments

I think I improved on the weaknesses from my last essay but still need to work on a couple things. In this essay I should have made my thesis more specific in order to not keep the reading waiting. For my claims and analysis I need more textual evidence to support my point. The biggest correction that needs to be made is that I need to completely answer the question and not stray off topic. However I improved my topic sentences from the last essay and hope to continue to do better.

Coy Mistress Vs. To the Virgins

Robert Herrick’s “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” and Marvell’s “To His Coy Mistress” share similar themes and are actually very similar poems. To the Virgins basically restates what is argued in the third stanza of Coy Mistress. Each deal with time and how to handle the passing of it; moreover, sending a message about how people should live they’re lives. While common factor is the theme of time and attitude about it, their differences derive from their complexities. To the Virgins has a simple and clear message; seize the day before it is gone forever. However, Coy Mistress describes how he wishes life with her could be but can not because of time. Therefore, the similarities between To the Virgins and Coy Mistress over time is evident but their differences come from the first two stanzas of Coy Mistress; these stanzas turn the poem into a ploy to seduce women while To The Virgins is sincere with out any doubt. 

2 Poem Comparison

The two poems from class, Athlete Dying Young and Ulysses, give very distinct opinions about time. Both poems take the same stand; they think that time will destroy all accomplishments. The difference between the two poems is that the athlete dies but Odysseus lives. The speaker turns death into a positive. Unfortunately for Odysseus he lived to see his prime come and go, but the speaker argues that the athlete got the best possible scenario, he got to enjoy his life and be successful, but then died at the right time. This way he would never have to see anyone break his records and could live in ignorant bliss knowing he achieved his goals. 

Ozymandias vs. ponder these busted statues

Both poems refer to time and deal with the past. Each of hem present ruins from the past that no one wants. Each poem describes how no matter how powerful or great like king Ozymandias, eventually you will be forgotten about and your riches will be in ruins. The poems are trying to tell people to enjoy the time they have because they can never get it back and the hight of their importance will be now not when they are gone.

Performance Choices

Aram Tony and I chose Lines 35 - 50, act 1 scene , when Horatio, Barnardo, and Marcellus see the ghost. We chose this passage because it shows a great change in attitudes. Before they actually saw the ghost Horatio was acting arrogant and confident but when they actually see the ghost Horatio can't even talk he is so scared. Barnardo is some what getting on him for not believing and Marcellus is just as scared as the other two. This passage shows a quick and drastic change in feelings being demonstrated by their language.

Pg. 832 #9 Pg. 833 #7

9. In his first soliloquy Hamlet does a good job describing his emotions through vivid imagery. He talks about how he wishes he could just melt away because he cant take his life anymore. Hamlet is so full of emotion he tends to go in many directions at once completing an idea before moving on to the next.  Hamlet keeps going back and forth about what he wants to do but really has no idea what he is going to do. We can see that he feels trapped in a bad situation and wants to break free and be without worries. He will later realize that Claudius is the base of his sadness and just wishes his dad could still be there and everything could be good.

7. Honesty and deception create conflicts between characters, mindsets and motives. Claudius demonstrates dishonesty and deception bringing up the theme of Perception Vs. Reality. To everyone else the king seems nice fair and but Hamlet knows the truth of how he got his power and his true intentions. People perceive Claudius as the king but in reality Hamlet should be the king which is part of his internal frustration. 

Discussion Questions 7 & 14

7. Hamlet tells his friends he will act mad so they do not worry about him and trust that he knows what he’s doing. If he says he is going to be crazy then it is obviously deliberate. He wants his friends to still be loyal to him but if he acts crazy people will start dismissing him for that fact; they will say “ Oh, he’s just crazy don’t mind him” in response to any behavior or actions that might seem bizarre to them. This way he has more freedom to do as he pleases and can get away with things a sane person could never.

14. The quote “”Why, then, ‘tis none to you; for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” Proves Hamlets sanity because an insane person would never be able to show such insight on a subject like this. His insanity proves how smart he really is, tricking everyone into getting what he wants and needs to revenge his father’s death. The second quote “I am but mad north-north-west; when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw” suggests that he is only insane when the situation calls for it, but he still understands how to play everyone around him and realizes what he’s doing even if no one else does. 

Discussion Question 4

Both Polonius and Laertes are against Ophelia being with Hamlet because he is not a good man for her because he doesn’t make his own decisions and is unpredictable. As any brother and father would be with their sister or daughter they want to make sure which ever guy she is with is the right one and will criticize all his faults. Polonius argues that he may have to do whatever is best for his country meaning she will not come first but his country. He wants her to be with a man that will but her before most things and can make her happy. Laertes and Polonius each speak to Ophelia in a way that seems like they expect her to do what they tell her; furthermore, in their heads they think that it is just normal for her to be one hundred percent obedient to the male figures in her family. They want her to marry someone of high stature; however, because of Hamlets situation they think he won’t have enough time for her.

Similarities Bbetween Hamlet and Claudious Fuel Their Hatred

The bad qualities that one finds in other people are often the same as those that he possesses himself.  Hamlet and Claudious both have insecurities about certain issues causing them to clash. Although the insecurities are over different issues they still lead to the power struggle that goes on between the two.  Claudious’ insecurities derive from his feeling of unworthiness because he knows keep down that he was not mean to be the true king while Hamlet’s comes from the shock of his father’s death and the quick changes that occurred around him. We are able to understand and analyze the intentions, thoughts and attitudes about the presented issues through each characters speech patters and how they express themselves. Claudious uses deceptive word choice and chooses to impose his power even when it is not necessary while Hamlet asks too many trivial questions and is always worrying about something. 

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

The line "I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker, And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker" relates back to Coy Mistress and time. Prufrock has seen his peak come and go and now feels like there's nothing left. The "Footman" relates back to the chariot that is coming in Coy Mistress because they both represent death and the end their journeys. The relation to time connects to the second stanza in the coy mistress where he discusses how time will pass us bye and we will miss out on the best parts. Well in this case Prufrock has already experienced the best; therefore, he has nothing left to look forward to and has nothing left to live for. However, the word "flicker" suggests that he did not quite reach his peak for whatever reason but comes back to the warning made in the Coy Mistress about losing the opportunity and happiness because of fear or worry.

Mini Essay "To His Coy Mistress"

Andrew Marvell’s “To His Coy Mistress” might seem like a sentimental poem; however, when we look closer it becomes evident that it’s simply a selfish guy trying to score a girl.  The narrator hides his true purpose in the first two stanzas then in the final stanza he concludes by revealing his intentions, but not with out using specific word choice to sound better. In the first stanza the narrator compliments how beautiful the mistress is and says he would devote thousands of years to just admiring her. While this seems nice it is just a ploy to make her like him. The first line says “Had we buy world enough, and time” meaning if they had enough time he could do all these things he is about to say. Nevertheless, this line also means he doesn’t have to do any of the things because he said at the beginning they don’t have the time for any of it so she should just ignored it, but if she is like most girls, she will certainly fall into his trap. He is all talk; he can say whatever he wants but it doesn’t count unless he actually does what he says. After being so nice he continues by tell her she’s going to get old and die. To me that sounds harsh but I guess his use of kind words hides it. He also tells her everything she is saving, like her virginity, will be to waste, again a bit harsh, but this is what he wants. It seems like he is trying to scare her into being with him. He is the classic guy; he will stop at nothing to get the girl he wants. Moreover, he continues his quest for this mistress by finishing his persuasion with combinations of violent and loving words in order to get her to want him yet make it seem like she loves him. His true intentions are revealed in the line “Now let us sport us while we may”. She is like a sports games he’s trying to win and once he has won he can forget about it. He said it himself it’s a “sport” to him proving he just wants the girl and doesn’t feel any love just desire. 

To His Coy Mistress

The line "Now, therefore, while the youthful hue" is important in its context because it starts the reason for his poem. Each of the three stanzas has its own focus and issue and the last is his logical conclusion. In order to to fully understand its important we must look at the first parts. The first stanza talks about all the things they could do together and all the time he could take to admire her beauty if they had all the time in the world. His second stanza goes on to say that although this would be idea, they don't have time. And soon they will grow old and lose out on the opportunity. "Now, therefore, while the youthful hue", he goes on to say that they need to seize the day and take advantage of the time they have. He goes on to say they need to act like "birds of prey". This therefore statement leads to his purpose for the letter to his mistress and is the turning point that is supposed to catch her and make her see she should do.

D.W. Harding

In D.W. Harding’s essay about Jane Austen he argues that Austen never intended for Pride and Prejudice to be a satire; instead he says she just meant to entertain “a posterity of urbane gentlemen”. Although he has the right to argue as he pleases he gives no evidence of the fact; therefore, all he says is just speculation about what he thinks Austen’s intentions were. Satire is defined as the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices. If this were true then Austen’s novel would be considered a satire because of her use of exaggeration and ridicule. Austen felt restricted in her male dominant society and her writing was her escape from the world she was trapped in. She uses exaggeration of ideas and roles in society to ridicule the ideals and goals of people in the old society; therefore, classifying her novel as a satire.

Essay review

I was happy my thesis worked out well because I worked hard on that. However, I was disappointed with my supporting parts of the essay. My first body should have started with a clear topic from the start then use quotes to supply evidence to my point. I could have used one stronger quote to really get my point across. I should have taken more time with my title. It could have helped make my point even further. My body paragraphs had too much of my writing and making claims rather than using quotes to support then analyze my ideas. I should have organized my ideas better, meaning start one idea and completely cover it before moving on to the next one.  I think my essay was also a bit to general and I needed to focus on one specific point and use points to express my thinking behind my ideas.

The most important part of an essay is the Thesis

The Thesis sets the foundation for the essay. Unfortunately if you have a bad thesis then entire essay can be off. The thesis needs to introduce all topics that are going to be dicussed throughout the essay. If the thesis is too general and doesn't specify then everything in the essay will seem pulled out of mid air and won't have any meaning or any way to connection back to the original purpose. The thesis in A2 is a good thesis because it goes in depth enough to explain all the main points of the essay and introduces what she is about to explain and how is connects and makes the point.

Z for Zelda

Starting with the introduction, the author takes a large scope of the book and integrates many different styles but doesn't leave any holes. Her supporting arguments were complete and touched upon every idea she brought up. Her quotes and examples work well and fit in with what she is saying. Despite the lack of transitions her essay still flows systematically. The title plays a role as well, it makes the essay interesting and makes the reader want to know more. The numerous paragraphs helps the essay by covering each subject individually.

E for Eunice

E for Eunice was the best of the next three essays mainly for the strength of his argument. From the opening line he has a strong claim and is very clear and does not drift off topic. He made me agree with his argument mostly because of how clear the writing was. The essay before this one was a bit confusing, and I could not tell very well the main idea but here its easy to see and continues throughout the essay. The writing was easy to follow and really expressed the authors emotions well. When clear writing, a good and strong idea, and good organization come together, like in this essay, it has no choice but to be successful.

B for Beatrice

Out of the first three essays B for Beatrice was my favorite because it was the clearest and got to the point. In the other two essays there was too much unnecessary information we could just cross out because it adds no value, rather it just makes the essay more confusing. I could really tell where the essay was going; although there was some redundancy it was okay because it didn't get confusing and it just helped me see the authors point that much better. Overall this one won me over for its straight forwardness and clarity yet the author still completely conveys his point without leaving anything in question.