The play opens with Flavius and Murellus harassing the common people for celebrating Caesar’s triumph over Pompey. The public’s loyalty and love of Caesar is increasing which infuriates the Senators as they are reminded that the public were once devoted to Pompey. The cobbler, full of wit and speaking in puns and riddles, gives humor to Scene 1. The Senators however, preoccupied with class distinction, see the witty cobbler as nothing but a ruffian. A major theme of this play we find evident in Scene 1 is the struggle for political power, and the power of ruling class over the lower class commoners.
In Scene 2, we learn of Caesar’s power and influence that rains supreme; Flavius and Murellus from Scene 1, for removing decorations from Caesar’s statues have been punished. While the first scene illustrates Caesar’s popularity with the masses, this scene presents an omen of his imminent fall, in the form of the Soothsayer. Caesar chooses to ignore the Soothsayer’s advice, the first in a series of failures to heed warnings about Caesar’s fate. Ignoring the warning is Caesar’s way of proving to his people that he is not afraid of bad omens and that he is fearless and lacks suspicion. It is interesting to note however that later on her orders Antony to touch his wife Calpurnia while he is running in the Lupercal races. It was believed that a runner in the race could cure infertility. Caesar’s belief in this suggests he is suggests. It also suggests he may suffer from impotency or infertility, one of his many hidden flaws.
We are introduced to Brutus and Cassius in Scene 2. The conversation they share in the scene reveals some things about their personalities. Brutus is a man “…with himself at war”, torn between his love for Caesar and his love for Rome. Cassius is determined to turn Brutus against Caesar. He continually praises Brutus and urges Brutus to consider the fact that Brutus is as powerful as Caesar. At the end of this scene, Cassius plots to turn Brutus against Caesar. Brutus’s inflexible ideas about how Rome should be ruled makes him easy to manipulate and Cassius takes full advantage of this, Cassius himself wholly abandoning his sense of honor to end Caesar’s rule.
It is also worth questioning Caesar’s behavior at the races when he refused the crown thrice. Did Caesar do so out of genuine humility or was it indeed a show he put on for his people? It is believed Caesar did this to gain popularity and even respect from the plebeians though it has been argued otherwise.
In Scene 3 unusual happenings are occurring around the city, more signs of an impending doom. Cassius reveals a darker side of his personality. While Cicero finds the night and all its strange events disturbing, Cassius finds it “very pleasing… to honest men”. Cassius not only dares to walk freely through the night but he relishes the atmosphere of terror. “And when the cross blue lightning seemed to open the breast of Heaven, I did present myself even in the aim and very flash of it.” He believes the heavens are warning Rome of Caesar’s destructive ambitions, yet it is Cassius who has the destructive ambitions. Cassius takes on a dark, sinister side, absolutely obsessed with bringing Caesar down.
Showing posts with label Christina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christina. Show all posts
Monday, July 7, 2008
Christina: Persuasive Writing
If there is one thing I cannot tolerate it’s cockroaches. No, it’s not a phobia that I have, I simple detest the ugly little beasts. They are just plain dirty and utterly disgusting. Images of wet sewers and garbage bins and all sorts of foul and filthy places come to mind when I see a cockroach.
Cockroaches in the bins and drains are one thing, but when they get into the house, that’s when I get really mad. There have been many an occasion when I’ve opened a cupboeard or gone to the bathroom in the middle of the night, to find a filthy cockroach scurrying in the corner. Sometimes the cat comes in with bits of cockroach hanging from its mouth. Who knows what sorts of diseases poor Fluffy might be picking up? Why God put cockroaches here on earth I haven’t a clue.
Cockroaches in the bins and drains are one thing, but when they get into the house, that’s when I get really mad. There have been many an occasion when I’ve opened a cupboeard or gone to the bathroom in the middle of the night, to find a filthy cockroach scurrying in the corner. Sometimes the cat comes in with bits of cockroach hanging from its mouth. Who knows what sorts of diseases poor Fluffy might be picking up? Why God put cockroaches here on earth I haven’t a clue.
Christina: Julius Caesar Analysis Act 2
It seems Cassius’s words to Brutus in Act I Scene 2 have gotten to him; he begins to think about turning against Caesar and even comes to the conclusion that Caesar must be killed. Brutus is further influenced by the letters which unknown to him were forged by Cassius himself. We see here how Brutus is so easily influenced by others in the same way the plebeians are easily influenced by Caesar and men of high power. Brutus never once questions the authenticity of the letter. With the conspirators he commits himself wholeheartedly, even making some of their decisions, such as whether or not to have an oath and whether or not Antony should be killed too.
While he seems sure of himself before the conspirators, Brutus is unable to confess his thoughts to his wife Portia. She symbolizes Brutus’ private life and thoughts and his reluctance to speak with her suggests he has traces of doubt about the conspirators’ plot. The fact that he dismisses her symbolizes his dismissing his own private feelings and morality for the sake of a plan he hopes to be for the ‘general good’.
As Portia is a representative of correct intuition in Brutus, Calpurnia is for Caesar. Both wives try to warn their husbands of trouble brewing and both are ignored. Caesar stubbornly refuses to heed the grave warnings Calpurnia has interpreted from her nightmare. We see a lot of this stubbornness in Caesar as well as egotistical behavior. He increasingly refers to himself in the third person and seems to know no fear, not even from the frightening predictions his wife gives. “Yet Caesar shall go forth for these predictions are to the world in general as to Caesar”. There is obviously a lack of the humility Caesar had displayed earlier on at the Lupercal races when he was offered the crown.
At this point we wonder whether the conspirators have the right idea conspiring to assassinate Caesar. He seems to long for power and may become a tyrant, as said by Cassius and as feared by Brutus. However, we must also consider that the conspirators may want to kill Caesar for their own ambitions. They see Caesar as strong competition for their individual fight for power over the people. Brutus is the exception here; it is clear Brutus’ decision to be a conspirator stems from a genuine concern for Rome.
While he seems sure of himself before the conspirators, Brutus is unable to confess his thoughts to his wife Portia. She symbolizes Brutus’ private life and thoughts and his reluctance to speak with her suggests he has traces of doubt about the conspirators’ plot. The fact that he dismisses her symbolizes his dismissing his own private feelings and morality for the sake of a plan he hopes to be for the ‘general good’.
As Portia is a representative of correct intuition in Brutus, Calpurnia is for Caesar. Both wives try to warn their husbands of trouble brewing and both are ignored. Caesar stubbornly refuses to heed the grave warnings Calpurnia has interpreted from her nightmare. We see a lot of this stubbornness in Caesar as well as egotistical behavior. He increasingly refers to himself in the third person and seems to know no fear, not even from the frightening predictions his wife gives. “Yet Caesar shall go forth for these predictions are to the world in general as to Caesar”. There is obviously a lack of the humility Caesar had displayed earlier on at the Lupercal races when he was offered the crown.
At this point we wonder whether the conspirators have the right idea conspiring to assassinate Caesar. He seems to long for power and may become a tyrant, as said by Cassius and as feared by Brutus. However, we must also consider that the conspirators may want to kill Caesar for their own ambitions. They see Caesar as strong competition for their individual fight for power over the people. Brutus is the exception here; it is clear Brutus’ decision to be a conspirator stems from a genuine concern for Rome.
Christina: Composed Upon Westminster Bridge
The poem is based on the poet’s experience standing on Westminster Bridge early in the morning, looking out at the City of London. The poet is enthralled by the ‘majesty’ and beauty of the city, and he exclaims that there is nothing more beautiful on Earth. The poet considers anyone who could walk by unmoved by such beauty as “dull”.
The personifications found in the poem give life and character to the city. For instance, when the poet mentions the city wearing “the beauty of the morning” it is personified as a beautiful maiden clad in an extravagant garment. The fact that the city is “silent, bare” and that the air is “smokeless” suggests how early in the morning it is. The sky is probably clearer and brighter than usual and the city is imagined as being more peaceful than usual.
The poet describes the city, its towers and domes as part of the natural landscape, like rock features and hills. The buildings “open to the sky” suggesting they are tall and impressive. “Never did the sun more beautifully steep in his first splendor, valley, rock or hill.” The poet feels that man= made structures and cities can rival the beauty of the natural world.
Perhaps struck by the stillness and silence of everything, the poet exclaims “Dear God!” There is a strong sense of potential for the city, that it is a mighty beast asleep that will soon awake to a new and productive day.
The personifications found in the poem give life and character to the city. For instance, when the poet mentions the city wearing “the beauty of the morning” it is personified as a beautiful maiden clad in an extravagant garment. The fact that the city is “silent, bare” and that the air is “smokeless” suggests how early in the morning it is. The sky is probably clearer and brighter than usual and the city is imagined as being more peaceful than usual.
The poet describes the city, its towers and domes as part of the natural landscape, like rock features and hills. The buildings “open to the sky” suggesting they are tall and impressive. “Never did the sun more beautifully steep in his first splendor, valley, rock or hill.” The poet feels that man= made structures and cities can rival the beauty of the natural world.
Perhaps struck by the stillness and silence of everything, the poet exclaims “Dear God!” There is a strong sense of potential for the city, that it is a mighty beast asleep that will soon awake to a new and productive day.
Christina: Pied Beauty
‘Pied Beauty’ is a short but complex poem, an expression of the poet’s delight and astonishment at nature in all its diversity as well as a hymn of praise to God for all He has created. A major theme of this poem is that all individual beauty in nature and man are an expression of God’s beauty. The poet takes particular interest in ‘dappled things’, things of multiple colors and patterns. This is an interesting vision, of a world so full of variety and color.
In lines 3 to 5, aspects of grand scale and beauty like land and sea are compared to minute, common points of beauty like insects and birds. The ‘couple- color’ of the sky is compared to a cow’s hide. The patched farmland of the countryside is compared to ‘flinches’ wings’. The patterns on fishes resemble paint on canvas. Beauty is also found in man- made things and the activities of men, and God is praised for this too.
The poet believes that everything has individual beauty and its own inner energy. “All things counter, original, spare, strange……fickle, freckled” refers to the multi- character things and people of the world; they are all creations of God, though some qualities a person or things possesses are more appealing than others. The line “swift, slow, sweet, sour, adazzle, dim” also shows the contrast of qualities in nature. To the poet this natural beauty is unchangeable, eternal and beautiful. The poet begins and ends his poem with praise to the creative power of God.
In lines 3 to 5, aspects of grand scale and beauty like land and sea are compared to minute, common points of beauty like insects and birds. The ‘couple- color’ of the sky is compared to a cow’s hide. The patched farmland of the countryside is compared to ‘flinches’ wings’. The patterns on fishes resemble paint on canvas. Beauty is also found in man- made things and the activities of men, and God is praised for this too.
The poet believes that everything has individual beauty and its own inner energy. “All things counter, original, spare, strange……fickle, freckled” refers to the multi- character things and people of the world; they are all creations of God, though some qualities a person or things possesses are more appealing than others. The line “swift, slow, sweet, sour, adazzle, dim” also shows the contrast of qualities in nature. To the poet this natural beauty is unchangeable, eternal and beautiful. The poet begins and ends his poem with praise to the creative power of God.
Christina: J.F.K. Inaugral Speech Analysis
John F. Kennedy Inaugural Speech Analysis
In this, his first speech as president, John F. Kennedy makes a promise to the public that with him as president many great improvements in America and the world are guaranteed. As quoted by Kennedy, his winning the president election is “not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom, symbolizing an end as well as a beginning, signifying renewal as well as change.” In saying so Kennedy assures the audience that he will change America and the world for the better. In turn, the audience is assured they have made the right choice in electing him as president.
There are several references to God in this speech, as well as a verse from the book of Isaiah concerning burden and freedom which relates to America’s situation at the time. Referring to a higher power is an effective method in getting the audience’s attention and binding them, since religion is one of the few tools that can bind people of different color and class.
“For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.” Kennedy wants his audience to acknowledge the simple truth that the world is in fragile state, worn form poverty and divided by war. He explains that humans have the power to do a lot of harm. He takes science as an example, referring to it as a dark power of destruction. The audience would have agreed to this since science led to the creation of modern weapons of war, a big issue at the time of Kennedy’s presidential election.
Kennedy, however, also acknowledges the fact that humans have the power in them to end human suffering and “to assure the survival and success of liberty”. He therefore makes an appeal to the other nations to “begin anew the quest for peace”, to work together to battle the common enemies of man such as poverty instead of fighting one another. He makes it a big deal to emphasize the importance of America working with other nations rather than tackling problems on its own.
By doing so, Kennedy hopes the public; particularly the younger, more influential generation will resist being discriminatory towards the other nations be they allies or foes of America, and instead work with the people of these other nations towards a peaceful future.
Most of the speech is done in the first person plural, ‘we’. This creates a connection between speaker and audience, that speaker and audience are facing the struggle for freedom and peace together. In one part of the speech Kennedy addresses the audience in a direct manner, as quoted; “In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course.” The position of authority is removed from the president and put straight into the audiences’ laps. The president regards them as his fellow citizens, indicating they have no less authority or importance then he himself. This is effective in making the audience feel important and needed, that their opinions and
ideas matter. A bond of trust and faith is thus created between the president and the people.
Kennedy’s inaugural address sets a tone of youthful idealism. “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” is exhorted to the public. Despite the fears of science, Kennedy wants the public to embrace the wonders science can bring, and wants the new, improved America to strive in the fields of science, commerce and art. He also wants the public to have faith in the young generation who he believes are likely to have the biggest effect on the nation and the world.
In this, his first speech as president, John F. Kennedy makes a promise to the public that with him as president many great improvements in America and the world are guaranteed. As quoted by Kennedy, his winning the president election is “not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom, symbolizing an end as well as a beginning, signifying renewal as well as change.” In saying so Kennedy assures the audience that he will change America and the world for the better. In turn, the audience is assured they have made the right choice in electing him as president.
There are several references to God in this speech, as well as a verse from the book of Isaiah concerning burden and freedom which relates to America’s situation at the time. Referring to a higher power is an effective method in getting the audience’s attention and binding them, since religion is one of the few tools that can bind people of different color and class.
“For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.” Kennedy wants his audience to acknowledge the simple truth that the world is in fragile state, worn form poverty and divided by war. He explains that humans have the power to do a lot of harm. He takes science as an example, referring to it as a dark power of destruction. The audience would have agreed to this since science led to the creation of modern weapons of war, a big issue at the time of Kennedy’s presidential election.
Kennedy, however, also acknowledges the fact that humans have the power in them to end human suffering and “to assure the survival and success of liberty”. He therefore makes an appeal to the other nations to “begin anew the quest for peace”, to work together to battle the common enemies of man such as poverty instead of fighting one another. He makes it a big deal to emphasize the importance of America working with other nations rather than tackling problems on its own.
By doing so, Kennedy hopes the public; particularly the younger, more influential generation will resist being discriminatory towards the other nations be they allies or foes of America, and instead work with the people of these other nations towards a peaceful future.
Most of the speech is done in the first person plural, ‘we’. This creates a connection between speaker and audience, that speaker and audience are facing the struggle for freedom and peace together. In one part of the speech Kennedy addresses the audience in a direct manner, as quoted; “In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course.” The position of authority is removed from the president and put straight into the audiences’ laps. The president regards them as his fellow citizens, indicating they have no less authority or importance then he himself. This is effective in making the audience feel important and needed, that their opinions and
ideas matter. A bond of trust and faith is thus created between the president and the people.
Kennedy’s inaugural address sets a tone of youthful idealism. “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” is exhorted to the public. Despite the fears of science, Kennedy wants the public to embrace the wonders science can bring, and wants the new, improved America to strive in the fields of science, commerce and art. He also wants the public to have faith in the young generation who he believes are likely to have the biggest effect on the nation and the world.
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