Yesterday afternoon, I rushed to Jason Locklin's building right after school on my bicycle and my father (not rushing) brought my Stirling engine prototype from home. Jason had told some of his lab graduate students about the engine, and we ended up spending the whole afternoon, and some of the evening working on this engine. By the way, the engine doesn't work. And still doesn't. We found that the pressure vessel had some air leaks, and the power piston baloon was too loose, and then leaking air as well, and we changed the balance of the leverage on the flywheel. That sounds like a lot, and it was -- we spent nearly three hours working -- sometimes consulting the web to look at the instructions, and the Stirling cycle (I have been getting great practice explaining the Stirling engine to people via explanations of the weird contraption I have been carrying around town) but mostly looked at the engine as the candle heated beneath it, and turning the flywhell, and watching it not go. There were about four of us around it, and around 6:15, my father came looking for me and joined the party. We got it almost working, and the leaks sealed, but something still seems to be off. I tried it this morning (didn't work) after some new glue had dried but it turns out that the super glue we tried stiffened up the balloon, so I am thinking: replacement. This will be my third balloon sacrifice.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007 4-6:45p.m.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Mentor Log
I must include my father as an additional mentor, because he has be present throughout my creation of my product and helped me with the construction a lot. I would say, with him, I can log another hour, at least.
Mentor log
Friday, November 16, 2007 I went over to Jason Locklin, a, at times goofy, but sometimes deadly serious chemistry researcher who really has hopes that what he creates in his lab and with the students he teaches will become something important and influential in the society we live in. I went to his lab and there he was. "I just got a new windshield" he said as he came into the building as I did. He was feeling sick, he told me in an email, that morning and still didn't feel great but worked very hard and well regardless. It was about 3 o clock. He said, "I don't havem uch time for you, so you'll just sit in while I present a project to some new graduate students." I stood around in his lab, among a swarm of lab workers, test tubes of all shapes and sizes, computer screens, the smell of ethol acetate in the air. I examined the glass cabinet doors inscribed in molecule designs and chemical element symbols. I couldn't make any sense of them, but I liked how they looked, how they all overlapped one another. Jason came back into the lab and swept the two grad students and me to his office, then a conference room, and after our conference room was needed, the dark break room. I learned so much in his mini-lecture to these students about polymerization, about the roles of catalysts, about making a molecule conductive, and super-conductive that I don't think I would have ever learned in a chemistry class (on my level anyway). I was intrigued by all that he said, and liked the way he lectured a lot. When he was primarily over, he turned to me and smiling said, "Anne, why don't you explain to these guys your project!" So I proceeded, at first hesistantly, to explain that I was studying solar energy engineering and I was in the process of making a Stirling Engine, and then explained the stirling engine, drew its cycle and what my engine looked like, and then chatted it up with the students as Jason ran around doing his own things about what I wanted to study later, engineering, and chemistry. It was a lovely time and when they mentioned it was five o clock I was taken aback. Already! So I was swept away from their busy business, said good bye to, and planned another meeting (to show Jason my engine) for the week after thanksgiving.
2 Hours
2 Hours
Thursday, November 8, 2007
The Victorian Era: Lastly and leastly
The Victorian Age was marked firstly by the longest one reign of England by miss Queen Victoria, making a name for the era, and also by the height of the British empire. Imperialism was in full swing and with British troops spanning the globe, influence for writers and poets was abound in glory. The Arabian Nights were made popular in the west during this time, and so was The Novel, but that's a different story. The novel became the new writing form with the masters Jane austin and Charles Dickens, along with the Bronte sisters and the many, many English novelists who littered the scene.
The Reform Act of 1832 really started the era, which humanized working conditions in the new industrial age a bit, and the times continued with drastic changes in society. Darwin came out with the Origin of Species, the first World's Fair occurred in London in 1851, "the sun always shown on the British Empire" -- life was wild.
The literature of the age reflected its authors' changing environment and the tangible progress that was running through the middle of the 1800s. From Romantic ideals and lofty dreams, the Victorian writers and poets wanted to bring their writing back down to a more real level, something that responded to the lives of real peoople, the people living in cities, the poor, the prostituted. Despite these ideals of being real, most all the novelists of the period idealized or sentimentalized the lives of the poor, and always gave happy endings that tied their stories closed -- an aspect completely unrealistic. The poets, though acting as transitory figures between the Romantics and the Modernists of the 20th century, still held the Romantic importance of their heritage strongly, lamenting, like Keats, of the lost days of the Medival chivalry and the Renaissance.
The Reform Act of 1832 really started the era, which humanized working conditions in the new industrial age a bit, and the times continued with drastic changes in society. Darwin came out with the Origin of Species, the first World's Fair occurred in London in 1851, "the sun always shown on the British Empire" -- life was wild.
The literature of the age reflected its authors' changing environment and the tangible progress that was running through the middle of the 1800s. From Romantic ideals and lofty dreams, the Victorian writers and poets wanted to bring their writing back down to a more real level, something that responded to the lives of real peoople, the people living in cities, the poor, the prostituted. Despite these ideals of being real, most all the novelists of the period idealized or sentimentalized the lives of the poor, and always gave happy endings that tied their stories closed -- an aspect completely unrealistic. The poets, though acting as transitory figures between the Romantics and the Modernists of the 20th century, still held the Romantic importance of their heritage strongly, lamenting, like Keats, of the lost days of the Medival chivalry and the Renaissance.
Lord Tennyson's Isabel is a lovely ode to a girl, more over a woman. He says she is "the queen of marriage, a most perfect wife." Perhaps she was his, although that thought is dissented by the great concern over Isabel's purity and great grace of being. She is very strong, clear minded and quick-witted, and intelligent. She does not let idle gossip get her down, and she looks like nothing lower than a saint in his words. Tennyson describes a real woman, a live woman, who despite being surrounded by foolishness and low-downness, still holds to the ideals of a woman of the medieval times, who would deserve a knightly, chivalrous man.
Robert Browning's Youth and Art nearly made me want to cry, and change the name of this post. This poem ought to come first -- its good, and lonely, and I, like one who's memorized a bird's call and recognized it out in the world, was found very moved by reading this poem. It is the story of two people that live across the street from one another, an example of real live and real people, that could have been true lovers and the best of partners but neither ever made the initation of contact, neither caught the others' eye and so the possibility of their romance was wasted, and they moved on to other things. I liked:
"Why did not you pinch a flower
In a pellet of clay and fling it?
Why did not I put a power
Of thanks in a look, or sing it?"
The narrarator is the woman, and throughout the poem she reveals a certain sense of anger, or frustration, or remorse that her dreams never made it, and the two young artists each made their paths, but never crossed them. I really liked this one. Maybe I like to relate to it, made it just is written so that it is easy to relate to, but Browning certainly made an impact with this work.
Matthew Arnold wrote Philomela, a serious work. This poem has many references to antiquity, many greek names, greek words, but while having this poem sound, perhaps, like complete poetic jargon, he still holds a sense of reality, and freshness -- raw feeling along with the classic. "Eternal Passion! /Eternal Pain!" These words sum up the whole poem. So maybe this poem is sort of a waste of words, when he could have just said it in four. But, nonetheless, I do feel a difference between this poem, and the classic style poems of the Romantics
The Darkling Thrush by Thomas Hardy is a winter poem. "When Frost was spectre-gray...dregs made desolate The weakening eye of day." Our poet has lost his hope, and he just wants to go inside, by the fire, curl up, and everyone else does too. It is night, and it is cold, but HARK! a thrush sounds out and reveals a mysterious hope and delight by singing, and the poet is in awe. Its a nice, simple poem. It reveals a lot about life during that time too. Just the feelings of the people during a season. What they want and like to do. I see that a lot in this Victorian poetry -- the base of real life, and basic reality for their poetry. At times its nice to relate to their words, other times I want something more exciting.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
English Romantics
The Romanticism period in England was a response to the ultra-rationalism that the thinkers of the Enlightenment in Europe highlighted. It occurred along side the Industrial Revolution in the mid-1800s, a period of great change in almost all aspects of normal life. People were moving from the country to the cities, farmers' sons were turned into factory workers. In lieu of all the industrial progress that was said to be advancing society, inversely, the quality of life for most English people was diminishing. This might be why some people wanted to focus more of the beauty of nature, and the possibilities of the imagination.
Romanticism was said to be influenced greatly by the French Revolution of 1793 as well. The ideals of equal freedom for all men, for the defense of the working class, Utopian dreams, etc. Over all it was a reaction to the rationalization of art and nature that was becoming standard in the intellectual and aristocratic sects of Europe. The Romantics wanted to keep the mysticism of the middle ages concerning natural things; they also liked heroes and novels.
Romantic poets were stressing the importance of intuition, imagination, and feeling. They were counter-rationalist and some were accused of being downright Irrational. Romantics also were strong advocates for Nationalism, the belief that the nation is the most important aspect of culture, and culture should be focused on the national history, local folklore, etc.
Romanticism was said to be influenced greatly by the French Revolution of 1793 as well. The ideals of equal freedom for all men, for the defense of the working class, Utopian dreams, etc. Over all it was a reaction to the rationalization of art and nature that was becoming standard in the intellectual and aristocratic sects of Europe. The Romantics wanted to keep the mysticism of the middle ages concerning natural things; they also liked heroes and novels.
Romantic poets were stressing the importance of intuition, imagination, and feeling. They were counter-rationalist and some were accused of being downright Irrational. Romantics also were strong advocates for Nationalism, the belief that the nation is the most important aspect of culture, and culture should be focused on the national history, local folklore, etc.
In William Blake's Night he describes the world overcome by night, also overcome by angels who put the weary and sad to sleep, who appease the wild animals crying, who spread a blanket of peace over a tumultuous world. Blake gives reason to nature, even when he is trying to make nature seem like an imaginative and beautiful place; He understands people's curiosity of why concerning nature but gives them a beautiful reason instead of something they might not understand, or want to understand.
William Wordsworth's Ode 536, Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood, deeply attracted me. Perhaps it was the great beauty of the scenes that he portrayed or maybe it was the fact that underlying all of his romantic glory of verse, he had a profound sense of loss that went through the whole poem like a hard rain through the clothes.
William Wordsworth's Ode 536, Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood, deeply attracted me. Perhaps it was the great beauty of the scenes that he portrayed or maybe it was the fact that underlying all of his romantic glory of verse, he had a profound sense of loss that went through the whole poem like a hard rain through the clothes.
These lines were lines I could have written. Frustration settled in this poem like it does in many a visionary life I think. He has in this ode a Romanticism felt very deeply, and a sense of importance towards feeling and memory that impacted greatly writing that came after him.
Lord Byron's poem On Chillon is also a good example of Romantic poetry, with all its round about exclamations and awe-inspired lyrics. "For there thy habitation is the heart -
The heart which love of thee alone can bind;" and also the good references to the heart and it being the center of all men's goodness. In truth, I have no idea what Byron is talking about here other than that he is praising the feeling of freedom and chainlessness that the heart often heeds for in the darkest of times. Alas, he strives to alleviate the pain of the imprisoned and heighten the glory of national martyrs.
Shelley's Asia: From Prometheus Unbound, a response I believe to a classic as often Romantics wrote, but is in fact a poem in a play -- a recreation of an old Greek drama that was lost. This poem is a very beautiful speech about passing from life to death, a hero's death though since the Elysian fields are mentioned:"Till through Elysian garden islets/By thee, most beautiful of pilots,/Where never mortal pinnace glided." It almost seems as though they are happy about dying, the character is, and the beauty of their death is overwhelming, and paradisaical. I am seeing a common thread of lightness and innocence concerning life and death and aging and youth in these Romantic poems while there is a deeper meaning seemingly behind every corner.
Keats' Robin Hood celebrates the national cultural history, as was supposed to be common with Romantic poets and tries to bring back the sense of camaraderie that the people of England used to have in the Middle Ages. "Gone, the merry morris din;Gone, the song of Gamelyn;Gone, the tough-belted outlaw" he sings, and he is very sad. Lamenting the lost times of Robin Hood and the absense of Robin Hood's presence though the many forests of England, he honors old Robin, saying that the heroes of his old time would cry at the state of today's world. Pretty sad poem. Pretty sad times.
Lord Byron's poem On Chillon is also a good example of Romantic poetry, with all its round about exclamations and awe-inspired lyrics. "For there thy habitation is the heart -
The heart which love of thee alone can bind;" and also the good references to the heart and it being the center of all men's goodness. In truth, I have no idea what Byron is talking about here other than that he is praising the feeling of freedom and chainlessness that the heart often heeds for in the darkest of times. Alas, he strives to alleviate the pain of the imprisoned and heighten the glory of national martyrs.
Shelley's Asia: From Prometheus Unbound, a response I believe to a classic as often Romantics wrote, but is in fact a poem in a play -- a recreation of an old Greek drama that was lost. This poem is a very beautiful speech about passing from life to death, a hero's death though since the Elysian fields are mentioned:"Till through Elysian garden islets/By thee, most beautiful of pilots,/Where never mortal pinnace glided." It almost seems as though they are happy about dying, the character is, and the beauty of their death is overwhelming, and paradisaical. I am seeing a common thread of lightness and innocence concerning life and death and aging and youth in these Romantic poems while there is a deeper meaning seemingly behind every corner.
Keats' Robin Hood celebrates the national cultural history, as was supposed to be common with Romantic poets and tries to bring back the sense of camaraderie that the people of England used to have in the Middle Ages. "Gone, the merry morris din;Gone, the song of Gamelyn;Gone, the tough-belted outlaw" he sings, and he is very sad. Lamenting the lost times of Robin Hood and the absense of Robin Hood's presence though the many forests of England, he honors old Robin, saying that the heroes of his old time would cry at the state of today's world. Pretty sad poem. Pretty sad times.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Mentor Log 3
I haven't gotten together face to face again with Jason Locklin but we have communicated greatly through emails about my product. I also tried to go to one of his classes. He has a class called "Soft Materials" and he was giving a lecture on Polymers and Photovoltaics but I got lost on my first attempt through mis-information on where it was and got confused and frustrated walking in circles around the Driftmier engineering building on the University Campus (The lights were off when I went to the classroom primarily, on when I went back on a different day, the door was open. I was puzzled and confused, demanding myself endlessly if I just did not know how UGA classes worked, that maybe they were in a lab...). When I emailed Jason afterwards he thought that they effort to get they could count as hours spent towards my project too -- but he could have been kidding. The next time his class occured I was in the middle of a hazy grog after getting my wisdom teeth taken out, and in no able position to audit a class.
Despite our lack of physical meetings, we've discussed the product many times over email. There is one solar cell kit made from blackberry dye and a chemical called Titanium Oxide, that Jason said I probably wouldn't be able to get anywhere else, but it costs $40 and I'm both cheap and poor. I found, and shared with Jason, a website on how to make a solar cell with pieces of Copper, on burned enough to produce a cuprous oxide layer, and another project for a sterling engine that demonstrates the sun's ability, or the ability really of heat in general to produce energy. I remember all the things about solar energy that Jason has taught me throughout my solo research on the web.
Despite our lack of physical meetings, we've discussed the product many times over email. There is one solar cell kit made from blackberry dye and a chemical called Titanium Oxide, that Jason said I probably wouldn't be able to get anywhere else, but it costs $40 and I'm both cheap and poor. I found, and shared with Jason, a website on how to make a solar cell with pieces of Copper, on burned enough to produce a cuprous oxide layer, and another project for a sterling engine that demonstrates the sun's ability, or the ability really of heat in general to produce energy. I remember all the things about solar energy that Jason has taught me throughout my solo research on the web.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Macbeth I
We enter the scene with witches, and Banquo and Macbeth, two noblemen of Scotland are sidetracked from a war and get their fortunes told. Macbeth is told he will become king. Banquo is told his sons with be kings. They wonder between themselves, "can the devil speak true?" but later they are brought back to the important present, where the king deeds them very important men.
But with a letter from Macbeth in hand, his wife conjures up a mortal plan to kill the king, and make fate come faster. And.."the king comes here to-night" cries a messenger. Lady Macbeth goes crazy with delight and mischief, and when Macbeth comes home convinces him that that night shall be the death of King Duncan, and relates her plan to him. The king has his doubts, and sings a long speech about it, but his wife convinces him that they cannot fail. CANNOT. "Screw your courage to the sticking place and we'll not fail."
So they prepare for the night, to kill the man who loves old Macbeth like a son. But what dos he know of his wife???
But with a letter from Macbeth in hand, his wife conjures up a mortal plan to kill the king, and make fate come faster. And.."the king comes here to-night" cries a messenger. Lady Macbeth goes crazy with delight and mischief, and when Macbeth comes home convinces him that that night shall be the death of King Duncan, and relates her plan to him. The king has his doubts, and sings a long speech about it, but his wife convinces him that they cannot fail. CANNOT. "Screw your courage to the sticking place and we'll not fail."
So they prepare for the night, to kill the man who loves old Macbeth like a son. But what dos he know of his wife???
Macbeth ~ Act IV & V
In these two acts, the downhill swoop of the play, the fatal parts of the action, Macbeth starts by going back to the witches. Since seeing Banquo's ghost he is frightened and wants to know his future. He is frustrated by them: "though you untie the winds and let them fight against churches, though the yesty waves confound and swallow .... answer me to what I ask you," and though they persist he leaves them knowing that Macduff is a threat, no woman born man can kill him, and that until the forest around his castle comes to his door he will be safe.
This information gives him a sense of pride and resolution, but still he wants to make sure he is okay, so he hires some more murderers and kills Macduff's family while he is away in England. Macbeth has truly become a tyrant in Scotland. We find in the last act, the soldiers say, "he's made; others, that less hate him, do call it valiant fury; but for certain he cannot buckle his distempered cause within the belt of rule." He's gone about murdering dissenters, ignoring everything rational and/or good in his self-absorbed fury, greed, and guilt.
His actions are not ignored though, and Macduff, Malcom, and some other Scottish ex-patriots in England decide to take action along with the English army and get Macbeth out of office. Macbeth, on hearing the news is not afraid with the knowledge that the witches gave him, but he is punished for assuming and dies under the hand of Macduff (a c-section baby). Malcom becomes king, the rightful heir in the first place, and we trust he will be better than the last.
At the end, the story of Banquo's royal progeny goes unresolved but we are led to believe that it will be so someday, because the witches, no matter how cleverly put or complexly assembled, say the truth.
In Macbeth, there is lots of evidence of moral. When Macduff's wife is questioning her assending murder: "I have done no harm. but I remember now I am in this earthly world, where to do harm is often laudable, to do good sometime accounded dangerous folly" which follows the "fair is foul, foul is fair" theme that the witches presented at the beginning of the play. Her conversation with her son about traitors, also, s almost Socratic! The doctor in Act V condemming Lady Macbeth's illness not of the physic but it is "the heart [that] is sorely charged." There is abig lesson of guilt in Macbeth. Both personal guilt and also basic human guilt, for communal deeds done. Often in this play, the good felt guilty for knowing secrets they shouldn't (like Banquo) and were depressed by the facts that should have been reversed. Of course the guilty were guilty too, but it was not kept to them; it affected everybody.
This information gives him a sense of pride and resolution, but still he wants to make sure he is okay, so he hires some more murderers and kills Macduff's family while he is away in England. Macbeth has truly become a tyrant in Scotland. We find in the last act, the soldiers say, "he's made; others, that less hate him, do call it valiant fury; but for certain he cannot buckle his distempered cause within the belt of rule." He's gone about murdering dissenters, ignoring everything rational and/or good in his self-absorbed fury, greed, and guilt.
His actions are not ignored though, and Macduff, Malcom, and some other Scottish ex-patriots in England decide to take action along with the English army and get Macbeth out of office. Macbeth, on hearing the news is not afraid with the knowledge that the witches gave him, but he is punished for assuming and dies under the hand of Macduff (a c-section baby). Malcom becomes king, the rightful heir in the first place, and we trust he will be better than the last.
At the end, the story of Banquo's royal progeny goes unresolved but we are led to believe that it will be so someday, because the witches, no matter how cleverly put or complexly assembled, say the truth.
In Macbeth, there is lots of evidence of moral. When Macduff's wife is questioning her assending murder: "I have done no harm. but I remember now I am in this earthly world, where to do harm is often laudable, to do good sometime accounded dangerous folly" which follows the "fair is foul, foul is fair" theme that the witches presented at the beginning of the play. Her conversation with her son about traitors, also, s almost Socratic! The doctor in Act V condemming Lady Macbeth's illness not of the physic but it is "the heart [that] is sorely charged." There is abig lesson of guilt in Macbeth. Both personal guilt and also basic human guilt, for communal deeds done. Often in this play, the good felt guilty for knowing secrets they shouldn't (like Banquo) and were depressed by the facts that should have been reversed. Of course the guilty were guilty too, but it was not kept to them; it affected everybody.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Mentor Log
I- September 30, 4:00-5:30
The first visit with Jason Locklin, a chemistry researcher and graduate student professor at the University of Georgia, began with me, full of fear, as usual in these sorts of situations. I had a bit of a time trying to get to him, because the building in which he works, on Riverbend Road, has tinted windows, double air locking doors, and no signs. The whole way around the building. He told me late, after congradulating me for finding him, that this building was only built a year ago especially for extra-security disease research on the nanotechnology level. At the moment, only four major people are working there, with their labs and their graduate students -- all focusing on nanotechnology.
Locklin says he focuses on "organic electronics" which is the science of making semi-conductors, electronically chargable materials out of organic molecules, dyes, objects, and the like. That is, things found naturally ready to be electronically conducting materials. His science is way beyond me, but I try, and I think he does to, to actually connect and understand (in his case, make me understand) what he's talking about.
He had lots of ideas about products to make. He showed be a proposal to make a solar blackberry-dye cell that powered a fan. It was a kit, I might do it, but it costs $40.
II-October 18 4:30-6:00
This visit we discussed a different product idea he had emailed be about -- a solar mechanical entropy engine. Probably more simple to make, but very different from the things Jason works on. He was very busy but had time to explain to me exactly how a solar photovoltaic cell works. I didn't exactly get it, and I still don't get the basics, like electronics in general probably, but now I completely understand all the little details. He told me why there are certain materials that conduct electricity with light and some that don't, and he told me why. It is due to how much light a material can absorb. He also said: light = energy. A very important concept to swallow.
Earlier he also told me how much of a business the research world was. They spend billions a year, and have a bunch of work to do with how they get their money as well as all the new equipement that they have to acquire, etc. Also, the first time he showed be his lab and introduced me to all his students. this time he also explained to be photolithography, how they can organize molecules into nano-rods and really, really, really small things. Interesting..
The first visit with Jason Locklin, a chemistry researcher and graduate student professor at the University of Georgia, began with me, full of fear, as usual in these sorts of situations. I had a bit of a time trying to get to him, because the building in which he works, on Riverbend Road, has tinted windows, double air locking doors, and no signs. The whole way around the building. He told me late, after congradulating me for finding him, that this building was only built a year ago especially for extra-security disease research on the nanotechnology level. At the moment, only four major people are working there, with their labs and their graduate students -- all focusing on nanotechnology.
Locklin says he focuses on "organic electronics" which is the science of making semi-conductors, electronically chargable materials out of organic molecules, dyes, objects, and the like. That is, things found naturally ready to be electronically conducting materials. His science is way beyond me, but I try, and I think he does to, to actually connect and understand (in his case, make me understand) what he's talking about.
He had lots of ideas about products to make. He showed be a proposal to make a solar blackberry-dye cell that powered a fan. It was a kit, I might do it, but it costs $40.
II-October 18 4:30-6:00
This visit we discussed a different product idea he had emailed be about -- a solar mechanical entropy engine. Probably more simple to make, but very different from the things Jason works on. He was very busy but had time to explain to me exactly how a solar photovoltaic cell works. I didn't exactly get it, and I still don't get the basics, like electronics in general probably, but now I completely understand all the little details. He told me why there are certain materials that conduct electricity with light and some that don't, and he told me why. It is due to how much light a material can absorb. He also said: light = energy. A very important concept to swallow.
Earlier he also told me how much of a business the research world was. They spend billions a year, and have a bunch of work to do with how they get their money as well as all the new equipement that they have to acquire, etc. Also, the first time he showed be his lab and introduced me to all his students. this time he also explained to be photolithography, how they can organize molecules into nano-rods and really, really, really small things. Interesting..
Macbeth: Act III
Here we are at the height of the action, the height of the conflict, Banquo is seen with "fear sticking too deep" (III, i) and thus must be done away with. Three gruesome murderers enter the scene, Macbeth is anxious, trembling, worried and only slightly paranoid. there is a party, "Macbeth as king" must celebrate, his wife is though forced to control him, his outbursts, the fear and guilt overwhelming him -- Banquo is taking new form.....a ghost. A clever ghost who works the spirit into such whim and wit its crazy. The party-goers are getting suspicious. The wife is futilely covering everything up, Macbeth has stopped caring. Macbeth: "Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too. If charnel houses and our graves must send those we bury back, our monuments shall be the maws of kites" (III,iv). "Banquo, whom we miss" is not present, he is dead. Macduff is absent, but still lethal. Lennox, a lord, has called to him -- Macduff with uncover things anon.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Macbeth Act II
Macbeth starts to go crazy in this act. Banquo is still hurting about the witches premonitions, worrying through the night and losing sleep, but Macbeth has deeper troubles now.
After his Lady has dragged him into a plot of murder, Macbeth is sickened with guilt of the crime to come. Can he succomb to do a dead that would lead him to hell? Would rack his life with guilty?
Yes.
It amazes me that Macbeth could go through with something that was so against his morals at first and then pull off a blank face, a surprised expression, a both curious and horrified reaction to the murder of his king. "That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold" states Lady Macbeth in scene II; where Macbeth go crazy with guilt and lies, Lady Macbeth has her sanity stolen by something all together different. By her ambition, I once heard said, and there is definitely some hidden motive around Lady Macbeth that hasn't been revealed to us yet.
The strange occurances in nature the night of the King's death, and how it is felt by everyone around makes me think that there is something really wrong about the king dying.
In the reaction scene, when everyone finds out about Duncan's death, how can we tell who is sincere or not? When the Macbeths seems so sincere and worried in their speech....
After his Lady has dragged him into a plot of murder, Macbeth is sickened with guilt of the crime to come. Can he succomb to do a dead that would lead him to hell? Would rack his life with guilty?
Yes.
It amazes me that Macbeth could go through with something that was so against his morals at first and then pull off a blank face, a surprised expression, a both curious and horrified reaction to the murder of his king. "That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold" states Lady Macbeth in scene II; where Macbeth go crazy with guilt and lies, Lady Macbeth has her sanity stolen by something all together different. By her ambition, I once heard said, and there is definitely some hidden motive around Lady Macbeth that hasn't been revealed to us yet.
The strange occurances in nature the night of the King's death, and how it is felt by everyone around makes me think that there is something really wrong about the king dying.
In the reaction scene, when everyone finds out about Duncan's death, how can we tell who is sincere or not? When the Macbeths seems so sincere and worried in their speech....
The Restoration and its effects, running chaotically behind it
The Glorious Revolution of 1688 occurred with the overthrow of King James II and the ascension to power by the new king William (and his wife Mary) who changed England forever, taking away the absolution of the monarch's power and installing the Parliament with a bill of rights. It also decidedly gave England no hope of a future Catholic rule, all the protesters of the old monarchy being avid Protestants. Even nonconformist Protestants were barely tolerated. The revolution was conspired by William and Mary, both not wanting it to seem like a foreign invasion, but a public overthrow.
Though the Glorious Revolution is also sometimes called the Bloodless Revolution and noted in books by its easy transition, that term ignores the fighting that went down in Ireland and Scotland, and also the war at the time in Europe.
This change in the English government is especially important because it started the slow but steady decline of the king/queen's power contrasted by the increase of parliamentary power. This became the first example of the parliamentary democracy, the first government to state the rights of the public individuals, and the outright opposition of Catholicism. Although most of these changes sounded very good, there was a lot of suppressed opposion, especially presuasive in Ireland and the farther reaches of England.
Satire is humor as criticism.
Often, though satire is supposedly a form of writing or drawing or spoken word that makes people laugh, there is a deep, sad root to their art that in nature is trying to reform something, or correct a human vice.
In A Modest Proposal, Swift proposes that the population of Ireland better the conditions of the poor by using their children as a new fancy meat for the landlord's and "people of quality" of the country. One cannot tell how un-serious he is because he writes with utter sincerity: "I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavoring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the public good of my country" but in some places his rationality, his scientific reasoning, his enumerated benefits, all seem a little too sincere and a little too naive. "I can think of no one objection, that will possibly be raised against this proposal."
This is prime satire: everyone is looking for a way to lower the over-population, lots of people can't stand the Catholics, or "papists" as he calls them, so Swift presents a sure-fire way to horrify or amuse while showing that their are humanitarian concerns and complexities in solving problems. The good of the society also balances of the good of the individual.
Though the Glorious Revolution is also sometimes called the Bloodless Revolution and noted in books by its easy transition, that term ignores the fighting that went down in Ireland and Scotland, and also the war at the time in Europe.
This change in the English government is especially important because it started the slow but steady decline of the king/queen's power contrasted by the increase of parliamentary power. This became the first example of the parliamentary democracy, the first government to state the rights of the public individuals, and the outright opposition of Catholicism. Although most of these changes sounded very good, there was a lot of suppressed opposion, especially presuasive in Ireland and the farther reaches of England.
Satire is humor as criticism.
Often, though satire is supposedly a form of writing or drawing or spoken word that makes people laugh, there is a deep, sad root to their art that in nature is trying to reform something, or correct a human vice.
In A Modest Proposal, Swift proposes that the population of Ireland better the conditions of the poor by using their children as a new fancy meat for the landlord's and "people of quality" of the country. One cannot tell how un-serious he is because he writes with utter sincerity: "I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavoring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the public good of my country" but in some places his rationality, his scientific reasoning, his enumerated benefits, all seem a little too sincere and a little too naive. "I can think of no one objection, that will possibly be raised against this proposal."
This is prime satire: everyone is looking for a way to lower the over-population, lots of people can't stand the Catholics, or "papists" as he calls them, so Swift presents a sure-fire way to horrify or amuse while showing that their are humanitarian concerns and complexities in solving problems. The good of the society also balances of the good of the individual.
In the Diary of Samuel Pepys, Mr. Pepys describes some days of his life in the early reign of King Charles II, including his coronation. Pepys is a decently rich man, not an aristocrat but enough a part of the aristocratic life that he went to the parties and stayed home with his friends from the parties, and got drunk after the king's coronation ceremony. He seemed very happy with his life. There were lots of people in his daily transactions, heworked for a lord that was related in some professional way to the king, but Pepys did not live directly in London. His fears are fears of a rich man, not of the poor and only in entry of his did he mention, after fears of a late night burglar, "the fears of all rich men that are covetous and have much money by them" were his such fears. Obviously a confident young man, unheeded by financial worries, I doubt that his kind were the most common place in England of the late 1600s.
He also experienced the London fire of 1668, but did get all his most precious belongings saved by his wealthy friend who lived beyond the reaches of the fire. "I am eased at my heart to have my treasure so well secured." He was pretty well roundedly secured in all aspects of his life and the fact that he didn't have "any sleep all this night" a few nights during the fire and because of some barking dogs, his life in England was a steady, happy stream of events.
According to these readings, of Swift and Pepys, and from basic research, life in England was a major transition, and things, though they might not have seemed tumultuous to the people living in those times, were producing great change. The fights between the Protestants and the Catholics, the Irish and the English; there were many decisions and choices about the future of the English rule, and the lives of the people of England.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Reading long ago log
Solar Energy consumed me. In every way; I was surrounded by it and I surrounded myself in it. I was reading about solar solar solar solar solar, and I can't even remember what else. Terrible, isn't it? A few weeks ago I picked up Ralph Waldo Emerson and read a couple of his essays (History, the entirety of Self-Reliance, and Friendship). I found his optimism very comforting and his ideas for living quite attractive.
Also, two sundays ago I found a Jack Kerouac book I'd never read at a free fair and picked it up and read it: Lonesome Traveller. Tells about all his travels and work on the railroad and on an ocean cruiser and as a writer simple and happy in Tangiers, Paris, London. His first European voyage. Included in that book is also a nice piece on the American HoBo. Its nice. Jack Kerouac is so sincere, so honest, so happy, but lonely. I really like him. (But I do think that this book, published late in his career, was sort of a writing dug out for avid publisher fans, not out of the top of genius).
Now, I read the best novel I've read in years: The Children's Hospital by Chris Adrian. It is about the end of the world by water and the only thing that is saved. Complex, intense, sad but beautiful. 600 page book, I'm only 100 in.
Also, two sundays ago I found a Jack Kerouac book I'd never read at a free fair and picked it up and read it: Lonesome Traveller. Tells about all his travels and work on the railroad and on an ocean cruiser and as a writer simple and happy in Tangiers, Paris, London. His first European voyage. Included in that book is also a nice piece on the American HoBo. Its nice. Jack Kerouac is so sincere, so honest, so happy, but lonely. I really like him. (But I do think that this book, published late in his career, was sort of a writing dug out for avid publisher fans, not out of the top of genius).
Now, I read the best novel I've read in years: The Children's Hospital by Chris Adrian. It is about the end of the world by water and the only thing that is saved. Complex, intense, sad but beautiful. 600 page book, I'm only 100 in.
Monday, September 10, 2007
reading log
Unfortunately I haven't updated my reading in a long time but much has passed: I dropped (perhaps only temporarily) Giles Goat-Boy because of John Barth's evident crudeness. I couldn't tell what he was for and what he was against, and I needed a little more moral strength in my life rather than reading about the sexual mishaps (due to isolation and abrupt exposure to society) of a boy who though he was a goat for 14 years. But I do respect what the boy is after -- which is to change the world (or, in Barth's lingo here: all of studentdom)(the whole book takes place in a university campus that runs like its own world). Unfortunately, that point wasn't really being focused upon and Barth got distracted from truth by the limitless options for weirdness in his university world.
I also finished the first volume of Either/Or by Soren Kierkegaard, to mixed reviews. He splits the book up into so many different section I find that I have to treat each section like its own writing. The book is more like a collection of writings in the voice of one man, and each writing has its own subject, moral, viewpoint, history, characters, etc. Though it all deals with the same philosophy. I just haven't figured it all together yet.
One weekend morning, I picked up The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain) because I have been meaning to read it. And I was amazed at the rate at which I read each page. Like a hundred a day. And I finished it on that sunday night (two days later) but I continued to talk, write and think in Huck's dialect. I loved his life of adventure on the Mississippi. He built a raft in the snap of two fingers for an escape and it lasted theatrical rehearsals, storms, four people! But that is more evidence of Mark Twain's abilities to convince the reader of reality than evidence of impressing me truly (even though I want to be taken away by the amazing events, and convinced of the extraordinary -- its true).
And even more and more: I started and finished Aristophanes' The Frogs' a lovely comedy about Dionysis and the terrifically hard decision of "who's better: Euripides or Aeschelus?" a big dilemma, I know, of many these days. That play made me want to read more Greeks again -- they are really all quite clever, and amazingly true -- although this could be debated about Aristophanes . . . .he's quite a clown, him.
And for my research (and my life!), last but not least, The Next Great Thing a wonderful, wonderful book about Stirling Engines, Solar Power, and changing the world. It does a great job of describing stirling engines and thermodynamics as well as expressing the need and the frustrations surrounding this ground-breaking, world-changing, energy-efficient, and exaust-less technology. I love it half because it reminds me of someone I really like a lot, and half because it is teaching me everything I want to know (almost) and making me excited about the future.
Aren't you glad there is not more? I am. (But there is actually, I read a lot of books at one time, but those I haven't read enough to count in a log.)
I also finished the first volume of Either/Or by Soren Kierkegaard, to mixed reviews. He splits the book up into so many different section I find that I have to treat each section like its own writing. The book is more like a collection of writings in the voice of one man, and each writing has its own subject, moral, viewpoint, history, characters, etc. Though it all deals with the same philosophy. I just haven't figured it all together yet.
One weekend morning, I picked up The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain) because I have been meaning to read it. And I was amazed at the rate at which I read each page. Like a hundred a day. And I finished it on that sunday night (two days later) but I continued to talk, write and think in Huck's dialect. I loved his life of adventure on the Mississippi. He built a raft in the snap of two fingers for an escape and it lasted theatrical rehearsals, storms, four people! But that is more evidence of Mark Twain's abilities to convince the reader of reality than evidence of impressing me truly (even though I want to be taken away by the amazing events, and convinced of the extraordinary -- its true).
And even more and more: I started and finished Aristophanes' The Frogs' a lovely comedy about Dionysis and the terrifically hard decision of "who's better: Euripides or Aeschelus?" a big dilemma, I know, of many these days. That play made me want to read more Greeks again -- they are really all quite clever, and amazingly true -- although this could be debated about Aristophanes . . . .he's quite a clown, him.
And for my research (and my life!), last but not least, The Next Great Thing a wonderful, wonderful book about Stirling Engines, Solar Power, and changing the world. It does a great job of describing stirling engines and thermodynamics as well as expressing the need and the frustrations surrounding this ground-breaking, world-changing, energy-efficient, and exaust-less technology. I love it half because it reminds me of someone I really like a lot, and half because it is teaching me everything I want to know (almost) and making me excited about the future.
Aren't you glad there is not more? I am. (But there is actually, I read a lot of books at one time, but those I haven't read enough to count in a log.)
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Sonnets and Sonnateers
I find I prefer Shakespeare’s sonnet to the one of Spencer. Shakespeare begins his sonnet with a question, then pauses to reflect upon it, and then goes again – very sing-song-y. But Spencer is different; He makes the statement, then questions it. Though this has nothing to do with the rhyme scheme. Spencer connects his sonnet through the usage of continuing rhymes over different strophes, whereas Shakespeare makes every verse a new couple. Spencer’s technique highlights the last couplet "Such is the power of love in gentle mind, That it can alter all the course of kind" which verily concludes his sonnet of frustrated questions. He has a love that doesn't love him, but that coldness towards his courting just makes him more attracted to her. He doesn't have an answer and just blames it on the nature of love.
But Shakespeare prefers to accent every verse. The whole poem is dedicated to the everlasting beauty of this fair maiden, and her beauty captures and lasts through the whole poem. Shakespeare reminds the reader of this continuity every line as if the woman's beauty was living a life therein.
Sonnet 59
Thrice happy she, that is so well assured (A)
Unto her self and settled so in heart: (B)
That nether will for better be allured, (A)
Ne feared with worse to any chance to start: (B)
But like a steady ship doth strongly part (B)
The raging waves and keeps her course aright: (C)
Ne ought_ for tempest doth from it depart, at all (B)
Ne ought for fairer weathers false delight. (C)
Such self assurance need not fear the spite (C)
Of grudging foes, ne favor seek of friends: (D)
But in the stay of her own steadfast might, (C)
Nether to one her self nor other bends. (D)
Most happy she that most assured doth rest, (E)
But he most happy who such one loves best. (E)
This sonnet, another by Edmund Spencer, is about a love of his whom is very strong in will, and in herself. There is nothing that can stop her, and her self-assurance keeps her afloat in her journeys. He concludes than no other thing could be happier than this woman, but the man whom she loved the most (which one would interpret to be Spencer).
Sonnet 11
As fast as thou shalt wane, so fast thou grow'st (A)
In one of thine, from that which thou departest; (B)
And that fresh blood which youngly thou bestow'st (A)
Thou mayst call thine when thou from youth covertest. (B)
Herein lives wisdom, beauty, and increase; (C)
Without this, folly, age, and cold decay. (D)
If all were minded so, the times should cease (C)
And threescore year would make the world away. (D)
Let those whom Nature hath not made for store, (E)
Harsh, featureless and rude, barrenly perish. (F)
Look, whom she best endow'd she gave the more; (E)
Which bounteous gift thou shouldst in bounty cherish. (F)
She carv'd thee for her seal, and meant thereby (G)
Thou shouldst print more, not let that copy die. (G)
This sonnet by Shakespeare is about a man, who in age stops believing in his own power and talent. shakespeare tells him not to lose hope because he has a woman's love, and that love, be it from the woman or from anyone, is what should make him see that he does still hold the limbs of youth in his arms and should continue his righteous path.
Sonnet for those who turn their backs away
By Anne
It, everything, is, for us, too passive
a he and a she, we look around
the heat is oppressive
the animals are running a bound
we look over to eachother
decide something is amis
cry out for all our brothers
end up in a kiss.
kiss the open air, streaming through the window blinds
take out our fears
dissolve them with orange rinds
making candied tears.
my love though far away
my memories invite him in to stay
But Shakespeare prefers to accent every verse. The whole poem is dedicated to the everlasting beauty of this fair maiden, and her beauty captures and lasts through the whole poem. Shakespeare reminds the reader of this continuity every line as if the woman's beauty was living a life therein.
Sonnet 59
Thrice happy she, that is so well assured (A)
Unto her self and settled so in heart: (B)
That nether will for better be allured, (A)
Ne feared with worse to any chance to start: (B)
But like a steady ship doth strongly part (B)
The raging waves and keeps her course aright: (C)
Ne ought_ for tempest doth from it depart, at all (B)
Ne ought for fairer weathers false delight. (C)
Such self assurance need not fear the spite (C)
Of grudging foes, ne favor seek of friends: (D)
But in the stay of her own steadfast might, (C)
Nether to one her self nor other bends. (D)
Most happy she that most assured doth rest, (E)
But he most happy who such one loves best. (E)
This sonnet, another by Edmund Spencer, is about a love of his whom is very strong in will, and in herself. There is nothing that can stop her, and her self-assurance keeps her afloat in her journeys. He concludes than no other thing could be happier than this woman, but the man whom she loved the most (which one would interpret to be Spencer).
Sonnet 11
As fast as thou shalt wane, so fast thou grow'st (A)
In one of thine, from that which thou departest; (B)
And that fresh blood which youngly thou bestow'st (A)
Thou mayst call thine when thou from youth covertest. (B)
Herein lives wisdom, beauty, and increase; (C)
Without this, folly, age, and cold decay. (D)
If all were minded so, the times should cease (C)
And threescore year would make the world away. (D)
Let those whom Nature hath not made for store, (E)
Harsh, featureless and rude, barrenly perish. (F)
Look, whom she best endow'd she gave the more; (E)
Which bounteous gift thou shouldst in bounty cherish. (F)
She carv'd thee for her seal, and meant thereby (G)
Thou shouldst print more, not let that copy die. (G)
This sonnet by Shakespeare is about a man, who in age stops believing in his own power and talent. shakespeare tells him not to lose hope because he has a woman's love, and that love, be it from the woman or from anyone, is what should make him see that he does still hold the limbs of youth in his arms and should continue his righteous path.
Sonnet for those who turn their backs away
By Anne
It, everything, is, for us, too passive
a he and a she, we look around
the heat is oppressive
the animals are running a bound
we look over to eachother
decide something is amis
cry out for all our brothers
end up in a kiss.
kiss the open air, streaming through the window blinds
take out our fears
dissolve them with orange rinds
making candied tears.
my love though far away
my memories invite him in to stay
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Getting Medival
The Crusades were religious wars that the catholic church in Rome organized in order, truthfully, to convert the heretic population of the mid-east, especially around Turkey, Israel, Serbia, etc.
The Murder of Thomas Becket: Thomas Becket was the archbishop of Canterbury who had a dispute with King Henry II of England of the rights of the church and in 1170 was assassinated by three knights of the king. For his death he became both a martyr and a saint.
The Magna Carta was the great English document that established a peace for all of England and also the Habeus Corpus privilege of due process that we use in today's US legal system.
The Black Death, also known as the Plague, was a disease that ravaged Europe during the middle ages, killing off a great number of Europe's population. There was no aid, and it was said to be spread by rats, which, in the dirty medieval times, were a common household collection.
Chaucer's story circulates around 26 characters all gathered together in Southwerk to go on a pilgrimage to old Thomas Becket's tomb in Canterbury. There is:
a Knight who had won many battles and fought for many kings, and was known for his bravery;
his son, a Squire of only 20 years, a poet, drinker, romancer, and dreamer;
a Yeoman, who wore many tools upon him, and carries weapons;
a Prioresse whose modesty, lady-ness, beauty impress all;
followed by another nun and three priests;
a progressive, future-minded, open-minded Monk;
his Friar, another jovial man, frank and familiar, dignified in speech and liked by all men for dressed "as is a poor scholar, he was like a master or a pope";
a Merchant, worthy and solemn with his goods abound;
a Clerk, all humble, courteous, and studious with his collection of books;
a Sergeant of Law who was wise, just, and creative with his mind and hand;
a Franklin, witty, with bounty, and Epicurean;
a fraternal group of artisans: a Haberdasher, Carpenter, Weaver, Dyer, and Tapestry-Maker;
a cook, loaded down with rich foods;
a shipman, a good fellow who built boats and knew his trade;
a very knowledgeable, skillful, and learned physical Doctor;
a Wife of Bath, a bit deaf but very travelled;
a Poor man of town -- though despite his poverty full of god, truth, and knowledge;
his brother, a charitable plowman;
a sickly Reve; a stout Miller; a dirty, red-faced Summoner who scares the children; a Pardoner, selfish with his money, trussed up in his appearance but innocent in spirit; a gentle and fair Municiple money collector; and the narrator himself.
The Murder of Thomas Becket: Thomas Becket was the archbishop of Canterbury who had a dispute with King Henry II of England of the rights of the church and in 1170 was assassinated by three knights of the king. For his death he became both a martyr and a saint.
The Magna Carta was the great English document that established a peace for all of England and also the Habeus Corpus privilege of due process that we use in today's US legal system.
The Black Death, also known as the Plague, was a disease that ravaged Europe during the middle ages, killing off a great number of Europe's population. There was no aid, and it was said to be spread by rats, which, in the dirty medieval times, were a common household collection.
Chaucer's story circulates around 26 characters all gathered together in Southwerk to go on a pilgrimage to old Thomas Becket's tomb in Canterbury. There is:
a Knight who had won many battles and fought for many kings, and was known for his bravery;
his son, a Squire of only 20 years, a poet, drinker, romancer, and dreamer;
a Yeoman, who wore many tools upon him, and carries weapons;
a Prioresse whose modesty, lady-ness, beauty impress all;
followed by another nun and three priests;
a progressive, future-minded, open-minded Monk;
his Friar, another jovial man, frank and familiar, dignified in speech and liked by all men for dressed "as is a poor scholar, he was like a master or a pope";
a Merchant, worthy and solemn with his goods abound;
a Clerk, all humble, courteous, and studious with his collection of books;
a Sergeant of Law who was wise, just, and creative with his mind and hand;
a Franklin, witty, with bounty, and Epicurean;
a fraternal group of artisans: a Haberdasher, Carpenter, Weaver, Dyer, and Tapestry-Maker;
a cook, loaded down with rich foods;
a shipman, a good fellow who built boats and knew his trade;
a very knowledgeable, skillful, and learned physical Doctor;
a Wife of Bath, a bit deaf but very travelled;
a Poor man of town -- though despite his poverty full of god, truth, and knowledge;
his brother, a charitable plowman;
a sickly Reve; a stout Miller; a dirty, red-faced Summoner who scares the children; a Pardoner, selfish with his money, trussed up in his appearance but innocent in spirit; a gentle and fair Municiple money collector; and the narrator himself.
In the Nun's Priest's tale, one finds the tone festive and jolly, although not without moral or honor of one's self and one's superiors (be it a Knight, a Prioresse, or God). The Priest recounts the story of a widow's cock and his seven wives, focusing on his favorite, Pertelote, and his disturbing dreams. The conflict arises over whether dreams can be trusted or not; with proofs from many a source, and the result of the story itself, everyone sees that the rooster is smarter after all, and even smart enough to get himself out of his trouble. Like in Beowulf, Chaucer includes many a tale into his tale. His chickens are very learned, explaining all the examples of certain theories from books that they have read. I was impressed, though Chaucer's "wit is short, ye may wel understonde," he still is very travelled, and utilizes morals in his stories that are to be copied later in history by other story tellers like Jean le Fontaine, and The Brothers Grimm (though must, in truth, be ageless). He is modest, like his chivalrous knight, worthy like all his characters and extremely witty, though he may deny it.
In both the Prologue and the Priest's tale, one sees evidence of this humorous spirit that is the Canterbury Tales. Though Chaucer is very funny, perhaps, in his introductions, in the transitions between stories, in the drunken storytellers that his characters be, there is always a moral, a seriousness attached to their actual stories. The morals are about trusting intuitions, honesty, the will of God, women (unfortunately, of their inherent submissiveness, as well) --noble Medieval beliefs.
Chaucer says of the knight in the prologue, "a worthy man -- he loved chivalrie, truth and honour, freedom and curteisie/ ful worthy was he in his lordes were, and thereto had he ridden, no man ferre" -- a fine description of the ideal man of the middle ages. One of the most important aspects of life for honorable men was chivalry, and a basic idolization of women had to be withheld. The brave (or not-so-brave, according to his fine lady) rooster, Chauntecleeer, says to his favorite lady, like any good man would say to his lady, "God has shown me great favor; For when I see the beauty of your face....it destroys all my dread." Like his wife's beautiful face destroys the fears of Chauntecleer, Chaucer's Tales would dissipate any troubles I would have if I read them during the middle ages. It is easy to understand their high-standing status in literary history.
Monday, August 20, 2007
On Beowulf
The earliest known written story in the Anglo-Saxon culture is Beowulf, and Beowulf indeed represents many values that were important to the early peoples in England. Like pine trees remind me of South Carolina and fully green water oaks represent Georgia, so Beowulf should represent the Anglo-Saxon life for me. In this patiently lifetime-spanning heroic story of how bravery overcame all odds to defeat the tyranny, and save the race of mead-loving, king-loving, story-loving Danes.
The three major themes in Beowulf are battle, dignity and fame, which play important roles in what historians remember to be England around 500 ad. Of course the whole theme of reciting stories which permeates everything in Beowulf so prominently must also have been a big factor in ancient life. (Funny, how in Arabian Nights, which popped up around the same time period as Beowulf, but in a whole different culture in the Orient, also had this huge culture of story telling. Before television, and radio, and books, verbal entertainment was all people had, and most of the stories from yore that we heard today, including Beowulf, existed for years or even centuries before they were ever written down and got passed down through the years by voice.)
Battle appears in Beowulf so constantly, and so nonchalantly, it’s surprising to the modern-day reader to see. In England, when the whole island was ruled separately by different kings, and thus different cultures, battle was an everyday thing – and not like it is today, with blood being shed and no one paying attention. In Anglo-Saxon life, it was the man’s duty to be a warrior, and other than being a warrior they did not have many other trades. Beowulf becomes king of a foreign nation when
"Hygelac fell/ in the storm of war,/ and his son, Heardred,/ fell too under his shield,/ killed by the sword/ fighting the Swedes,"
Though nothing of war is accounted in the tale of Beowulf, only his other perilous adventures. Yet battle is what makes men men, Hrothgar explains the hardships and struggles of the warrior, as if it were the only way to be a man. I once heard that, in life, man should write a book, have a child, plant a tree, and kill a man, all of which are just metaphors (writing a play, having a kid, gardening, and participating in war would also add up to be a successful life). And so it was in Anglo-Saxon life.
And there wasn’t much getting away from it because it was what the King had all his subjects do for him, and loyalty to your King was the most important honor to uphold in Anglo-Saxon beliefs. To say the least, Beowulf fulfilled his honorary duties, and even went beyond the normal heroism by going to another King’s nation and saving all of his people (not to mention the king himself) from the evils coming in off the moors. One of my favorite examples of the Anglo-Saxon dignified heroism, was when, near the finale of Beowulf’s life, his young helper-soldier, Wiglaf, as his comrades are running deep into the woods away from the frightful dragon’s fire which Beowulf is caught in, decides to take the necessary stand and help his leader. Wiglaf knows that if he does not enter the dragon’s cave and aid Beowulf, our hero will die, without having seen the like bravery of his processors. Wiglaf takes the stand, but does not end by saving the life of Beowulf.
But Beowulf was aware that he was fighting his last fight:
"The good prince awaited/ the last of his days,/ the end of this world's life,/ and the dragon with him,"
Beowulf’s death was, though not dignified in a moral or philosophical sense, he did not die after he had found some truth, but he did die with a good heart, a life lived, evils conquered. Some may bring up that he was correcting the ill effects of a thief who had not been punished for his initial crime, but as Beowulf says:
"I have traded/ my old life for the people's needs"
What was more important than the moral wrong-ness of stealing, they were stealing from a dangerous creature, which, Beowulf –as king-, thought was better off dead. And the lasting benefits, prosperity, and riches his deeds brought his people made his death, and easily, the dragon’s death deserving of their fate.
And Beowulf’s other great love, of fame, was equally satiated. Beowulf, with the largest funeral pyre yet known, with jewels and gold piled underneath him, a grand wall encircling his bones – Beowulf was to die the most famous, the bravest, the most honored of all Danes.
Beowulf is not our modern hero. His qualities do not including attracting women, nor saving the world. He is the boy-next-door hero, the hero that comes to the rescue when there is no ride home, when the clothes are out drying and it starts to rain, when the dinner is burning. In our day and age, death is mysterious and death is rare. With Beowulf, it happened all the time. They were not horrified by deaths, they just wanted them to stop; the mead-hall was becoming a little too ruckus. And Beowulf was the man who came to help. No woman on the other side, and he wasn’t doing it for all the gold he received – he had a genuine and unique talent of standing up to things that others ran away from, and he used his power for good.
Beowulf was also the superhero of the sequels. He grew old too, became a wonderful leader, and then went out to do battle again after he was aged and gray. No hero of today has ever done that. Beowulf was more of a human being. He had more guts, equal muscle, less pride. And his humility, the beautiful quality that was so empowered during his time period, made him a much better hero.
The three major themes in Beowulf are battle, dignity and fame, which play important roles in what historians remember to be England around 500 ad. Of course the whole theme of reciting stories which permeates everything in Beowulf so prominently must also have been a big factor in ancient life. (Funny, how in Arabian Nights, which popped up around the same time period as Beowulf, but in a whole different culture in the Orient, also had this huge culture of story telling. Before television, and radio, and books, verbal entertainment was all people had, and most of the stories from yore that we heard today, including Beowulf, existed for years or even centuries before they were ever written down and got passed down through the years by voice.)
Battle appears in Beowulf so constantly, and so nonchalantly, it’s surprising to the modern-day reader to see. In England, when the whole island was ruled separately by different kings, and thus different cultures, battle was an everyday thing – and not like it is today, with blood being shed and no one paying attention. In Anglo-Saxon life, it was the man’s duty to be a warrior, and other than being a warrior they did not have many other trades. Beowulf becomes king of a foreign nation when
"Hygelac fell/ in the storm of war,/ and his son, Heardred,/ fell too under his shield,/ killed by the sword/ fighting the Swedes,"
Though nothing of war is accounted in the tale of Beowulf, only his other perilous adventures. Yet battle is what makes men men, Hrothgar explains the hardships and struggles of the warrior, as if it were the only way to be a man. I once heard that, in life, man should write a book, have a child, plant a tree, and kill a man, all of which are just metaphors (writing a play, having a kid, gardening, and participating in war would also add up to be a successful life). And so it was in Anglo-Saxon life.
And there wasn’t much getting away from it because it was what the King had all his subjects do for him, and loyalty to your King was the most important honor to uphold in Anglo-Saxon beliefs. To say the least, Beowulf fulfilled his honorary duties, and even went beyond the normal heroism by going to another King’s nation and saving all of his people (not to mention the king himself) from the evils coming in off the moors. One of my favorite examples of the Anglo-Saxon dignified heroism, was when, near the finale of Beowulf’s life, his young helper-soldier, Wiglaf, as his comrades are running deep into the woods away from the frightful dragon’s fire which Beowulf is caught in, decides to take the necessary stand and help his leader. Wiglaf knows that if he does not enter the dragon’s cave and aid Beowulf, our hero will die, without having seen the like bravery of his processors. Wiglaf takes the stand, but does not end by saving the life of Beowulf.
But Beowulf was aware that he was fighting his last fight:
"The good prince awaited/ the last of his days,/ the end of this world's life,/ and the dragon with him,"
Beowulf’s death was, though not dignified in a moral or philosophical sense, he did not die after he had found some truth, but he did die with a good heart, a life lived, evils conquered. Some may bring up that he was correcting the ill effects of a thief who had not been punished for his initial crime, but as Beowulf says:
"I have traded/ my old life for the people's needs"
What was more important than the moral wrong-ness of stealing, they were stealing from a dangerous creature, which, Beowulf –as king-, thought was better off dead. And the lasting benefits, prosperity, and riches his deeds brought his people made his death, and easily, the dragon’s death deserving of their fate.
And Beowulf’s other great love, of fame, was equally satiated. Beowulf, with the largest funeral pyre yet known, with jewels and gold piled underneath him, a grand wall encircling his bones – Beowulf was to die the most famous, the bravest, the most honored of all Danes.
Beowulf is not our modern hero. His qualities do not including attracting women, nor saving the world. He is the boy-next-door hero, the hero that comes to the rescue when there is no ride home, when the clothes are out drying and it starts to rain, when the dinner is burning. In our day and age, death is mysterious and death is rare. With Beowulf, it happened all the time. They were not horrified by deaths, they just wanted them to stop; the mead-hall was becoming a little too ruckus. And Beowulf was the man who came to help. No woman on the other side, and he wasn’t doing it for all the gold he received – he had a genuine and unique talent of standing up to things that others ran away from, and he used his power for good.
Beowulf was also the superhero of the sequels. He grew old too, became a wonderful leader, and then went out to do battle again after he was aged and gray. No hero of today has ever done that. Beowulf was more of a human being. He had more guts, equal muscle, less pride. And his humility, the beautiful quality that was so empowered during his time period, made him a much better hero.
Reading Entry
I am in the middle of reading Kierkegaard's Either/Or. I am studying currently a section called Shadowgraphs which is about, to be very general, grief. The narrarator is describing three different literary examples of reflective grief: two characters from two stories of Goethe, and Dona Elvira from Moliere's Don Juan. Throughout most of the sections of this book, the narrarator (who is not supposed to be Kierkegaard's own voice) references to Don Juan, the tragic character of the play, but also the beauty that is made in all sorts of representations of the Don Juan story, especially by Mozart (Don Giovanni). I don't know if this work was just a major influence in his life, or if it has other profound aspects that apply more generally to me (or anybody else).
To completely turn away from Kierkegaard's morose philosophy all about grief, pain, sorrow, and tragedy, I read Giles Goat-Boy (by John Barth) whose only connection to Either/Or is that neither authors claim to have honestly written the text. So far, on page 124, our lively main character has grown fron goat to man, although, he was always physically a man, raised as a goat, and now in a quest for knowledge. It is interesting how, in his world, there is only studentdom, and goatdom, and the great world of New Tammany College. The whole world is reduced in scale to be a university. A computer is the menace; the savior, maybe, this goat-boy.
To completely turn away from Kierkegaard's morose philosophy all about grief, pain, sorrow, and tragedy, I read Giles Goat-Boy (by John Barth) whose only connection to Either/Or is that neither authors claim to have honestly written the text. So far, on page 124, our lively main character has grown fron goat to man, although, he was always physically a man, raised as a goat, and now in a quest for knowledge. It is interesting how, in his world, there is only studentdom, and goatdom, and the great world of New Tammany College. The whole world is reduced in scale to be a university. A computer is the menace; the savior, maybe, this goat-boy.
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