Maan + Stereotypes

Since this was a comedy... there were definitely stereotypes involved. However, I believe the general theme of the play, also since it is a comedy is to let things go, not to judge people maybe just a few laughs here and there (for example at Dogberry). One of the stereotypes I believe is against females. Back in this time period there was a huge stereotype against women, in that they were just meant to be wives and not educated thinkers, scientists, mathematicians etc. However in this play, besides the fact that the women actually don't do much, Shakespeare shows that people shouldn't be judged drastically.

Another stereotype that is commonly expressed in good humor is class/intelligence. Dogberry for example is an extremely dumb person and is not exactly in a high class position either. There are definitely stereotypes against him, from Leonato and others but they just laugh it off which expresses Shakespeare's theme of "doesn't matter." Also you don't see lower class people besides Dogberry talk to much, as if they shouldn't. Overall Shakespeare meant to tell people not to judge people in a bad way, only a humorous way if any way.

LIESSSSSS...

Many of the characters in the play Much Ado about Nothing engage in lying, especially Benedick and Don John. Both of these characters are my primary examples for this question. Both have different types of lying, one good one bad. Benedick ofcourse is the one with acceptable lying and humorous lying. "Nor will you not tell me who you are?/Not now" (II.1.103-104). Benedick is humorously lying, not for maliciousness or destruction, just out of plain fun and jokes. This could be an example of a "white lie" which is not bad in general.

Don John on the other hand, uses his lies for evil and bad things (where he gets the name "the bastard" from). The bastard attempts to ruin the potential love between Claudio and Hero, "He is/enamored on Hero. I pray you, dissuade him from her" (II.1.134-135). As shown, Don John uses his lies for evil and to break people apart. This is when lies are considered bad.

So should all lies be considered a bad/naughty thing to do? No. How would the would be like without sarcasm?!?!?! the answer is it would suck. So lies are definitely ok if you use them for jokes and good humor. However if you use them like the bastard, you will be considered a "bad" person. Or perhaps a bastard.

Poems...

Out of the poems on our list I find Sea Lullaby by Elinor Wylie the most interesting. It's creepiness and stealthy attitude of the poem makes it very interesting. When it explodes and the ocean murders the boy it is the climax of the poem, when before it was a beautiful sea. It seems very intrueging and seducing as the boy is lured by the ocean, and it comes up to him and murders him. This poem i believe explores the idea of death by murder/assassination. The murderous actions of the ocean show this theme. Also it makes the so called "murderer" seem very pretty and not murderous or vile whatsoever. When the ocean finishes killing the boy, Wylie writes, She choked him and beat him To death, for a joke (15-16).
Analysis:

Wylie is comparing murderers/assassins to the ocean. Phrases like A treacherous smiler (5). A savage beguiler In sheathings of silk (5-6). Show the assassin side of the ocean. It does, because an assassin is very sneaky in their ways, and try to fool or trick one which leads to their death. Creeps, leaps, smooth golden cloak, all of these words also describe the stealthiness and luring aspects of an assassin to the ocean. She chocked him and beat him To death, for a joke (15-16). This shows the murderous side, instead of slicing his throat, or quickly and effectively killing him, she beats him merclessly to death. This is more like an average murderer, not as clean and precise as an assassin's work.

Q1

How do I think I did in this class this first quarter? Well overall. Compared to my previous english grades this is better than both my 8th and 9th grade grades for first quarter. This is kinda ironic since this class is supposed to be alot harder compared to them also, I think I've just been working harder than i used too. I think I learned first of all, how frickin hard this class is going to be :P It's definately so far been much harder than any class at any time I've ever had in my previous school career. I have also learned already to write much better. My word choice is better than it used to be and so is my sentence fluency. I've also learned how to analyze pictures/videos.

Although I've improved and learned many things there are still a few subjects I'm struggling in. I used to be able to get by with my analysis before, but not anymore. I need to work more on analysis and the details of examples/proof. I think I can improve my participation maybe a small amount in class since I am already participating somewhat just probably not enough.

What are my goals? As i previously stated, I wish to improve my writing skills, analysis imparticular. I also want to improve my depth of thought into things, as it can be quite simple at times. Lastly I want to improve my word choice in writing, even though it is good already. Nothing I can really think of to improve learning enviroment except for maybe participate a bit more. So far i really like the enviroment. Some of the students make the class... quite interesting. And humorous.

Last Outside Reading Post! Horray!

I think I'll give a little summarization of the last blog and beginning of this one. Murtagh and Eragon had recently traveled the vast Hadaric Desert. When they reached the other end they encountered the gargantuan Beor Mountains which facinated both of them. Then they decided to head toward the Varden after hearing Arya's (the elf) condition was sever and she had to reach the Varden soon. They barely escaped the kull, the elite urgals and headed into the Varden's sanctuary. Unfortunately Murtagh was imprissoned, ""I'm not surprised by your choice, though I had hoped otherwise....Guards!"" (405). Now Eragon and Saphira have their own private room near the top of the mountain and have just eaten a very pleasurable dinner.

One would not think that Eragon would encounter more conflicts and struggles in the Varden... but it is true. It is very political and everyone seems to be wanting a piece of him. Most of the dwarves do not trust him which just adds to the mess. Luckily Hrothgar, the king of the dwarves trusts him. The Varden's leader, Ajihad is the most trustworthy and openly admits to Eragon what he will face in the Varden. These however are not the least of his social struggles. The twins are by far the worst. They are magic users and have tried to steal ancient words from Eragon and to learn of his abilities. He despises them, however they are still powerfull allies in times of trouble. Eragon has learned that he has to be very wise to be able to survive in this enviroment, and now knows he must become an individual.

Unfortunately the Varden are now faced with a fatal threat. The kull have found them. There is a vast army of them that approach Farthern Dur, " "He was bleeding and nearly incoherent but he had enough sense left to tell the dwarves what was pursuing him:an army of Urgals maybe day's march from here" " (468). There is a huge scale battle against the kull. Even with a strong defensive there seems little hope for the Varden. The kull's numbers are large and their blows devastating. Not to mention their 8 foot tall size. Eragon then discovers it is the Shade who is leading them and they fight. Eragon gains a terrible slice down his entire back. As he looks up he sees Saphira flying down breathing fire. Then the shade begins to cast a spell and Eragon uses his last energy to get up ignite his flame with magic and stab the shade through the heart. He then passed out. When he woke up, three days later, he was told that when the shade died the urgals scattered and fought eachother. He was then proclaimed Eragon Shade Slayer, and was now considered an individual in the world of the Varden.

As one can see, this is similar to ELIC. It ends with an overall happy ending by killing the shade and winning the battle. In ELIC Oskar and his mom get over their bad times and love eachother again, and Oskar realizes that he has to let go of his Dad's death.

Picture

4th Outside Reading Post up to pg. 413

After starving himself for days, escaping a huge city Gil'ead, and shooting a shade in the head with his arrow....... Eragon still has conflicts. Its hard to believe how much Eragon is going through, its just incomprehensible. After escaping Gil'ead with the help of Murtagh they have decided to head to the Hadarac desert. Now think of all of the land Eragon has covered already. Months of travel. Now imagine this, searing heat, no water besides the few oasises guarded by bandits, and 4 times that distance. Thats about the size of the Hadarac. Luckily for Eragon he can use magic to bring water up through the sand, and both him and Murtagh are only crossing a small section of the desert which should take around a month. Oh yeah, I forgot their being constantly chased by Imperial Guards and the Ra'zzac. The last thing Eragon and Murtagh need right now is internal conflict between themselves. Unfortunately, this is exactly what happens, " "Of course. Murtagh the pack animal. Murtagh the horse leader..." "Whats wrong with you? I'm grateful for what you did..... Don't touch me," he growled. "I said, don't touch me!" Murtagh doubled over, swearing. Then he yelled and launched himself at Eragon" (342). Murtagh had actually been upset because Eragon wanted to go to the Varden. Murtagh later tells Eragon why he does not want to go there, "He paused, then said with a tortured voice, "You have a right to know. I... I am the son of Morzan, first and last of the Forsworn." Eragon was extremely surprised and utterly speechless. However, Murtagh explained that he hated his father, and the Empire and was on Eragon's side. He didn't want to go the Varden though, since they would not be so convinced. When they headed to the Varden from what the elf had told them, and they encountered kull. Kull are the elite of the Urgals, atleast eight feet tall and have the strength of five men. It seemed like they were heading to the Varden to start a war with them and now they are following Eragon and Murtagh. They both barely reach the Varden and escape the kull. When they reach it they meet the Varden's leader and Murtagh's true heritage is discovered and he is put in the jail cell. Eragon has learned through these experiences to be more calm in his thinking and to expect anything. He has also toughened himself even more through his rigorous experiences.

As I have said many times now... sigh... this book is similar to all of the books we have read because of the struggles. Murtagh and Eragon's conflict against eachother also relates to ELIC's conflict between Oskar and his mother. Nothing else to say...