Prose Practice #1

Thesis: Through the use of literary techniques such as tone, point of view, and language, Edgeworth displays Clarence Hervey as an outwardly arrogant and self centered individual.

In the first sentence of the passage, Edgeworth reveals Hervey's self centered nature. Edgeworth writes, "Clarence Hervey might have been more than a pleasant young man, if he had not been smitten with the desire of being thought superior in every thing, and of being the most admired person in all companies." Edgeworth's description of Hervey is contradictory. A person seeking to prove their superiority over everyone else is typically not likable, but Hervey hopes to be "the most admired person in all companies." Hervey's aspirations are impossible to achieve together, but his arrogance won't allow him to strive for just one goal. In correlation with his desire to be superior to all, Hervey's partnered goals displays that he want to do the seemingly impossible because no one else can.  

Hamlet #4

Worried about Hamlet, Claudius and Gertrude ask Hamlet's friends from school to come and visit. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern bring Hamlet's favorite players along with them when they come to Denmark. After greeting the players, Hamlet requests a short performance when he says, "Come, a passionate speech" (II.ii.415). Although Hamlet is not specific in his original request, it does not take long to discover what Hamlet really wants to hear. Hamlet wishes to hear a speech about Pyrrhus, the notorious Greek hero. Pyrrhus took down the city of Troy and brutally murdered their king to avenge his father's death. The players speech includes gory details about the king's murder: "[The queen of Troy] saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport/In mincing with his sword her husband's limbs"(II.ii.493-494). Hamlets request to hear the violent story of the downfall of Troy connects back to his intentions to kill his uncle. Like Pyrrhus, Hamlet hopes to kill the man who killed his father. The violent nature of the speech reveals the depth of Hamlet's hatred for his uncle. The inclusion of Pyrrhus cutting Priam into pieces suggests that Hamlet wants to do something similar to his uncle. Although Hamlet hates Claudius, Hamlet wants further proof that his uncle actually killed King Hamlet. At the end of the scene Hamlet devises a plan to determine Claudius' guilt.

Sound & Sense Chapter 5

Anne Bradstreet's The Author to Her Book, shares the feelings of an author towards a book she has written. Throughout the poem the speaker uses personification to compare her book to a child. The metaphor begins at the beginning of the poem when the speaker refers to her book as her "offspring" (1) and discusses what happens to her book "after birth" (2). Rearing children takes an incredible amount of time and work, and the speaker is expressing the effort she put into the production of her book. Since the speaker obviously spent a substantial amount of time on her book, it would make sense that she is attached to her creation, similarly to how a mother would be attached to her child.

The metaphors continue as the speaker begins to discuss the flaws of her book. She expresses her dissatisfaction with her time-consuming project and explains, "I cast thee by as one unfit for light,/Thy visage was so irksome in my sight;/Yet being mine own, at length affection would/Thy blemishes amend if so I could" (9-12). Although the speaker is frustrated by the imperfections of her book, she still cares for what she has written. The speaker's statements can be compared to a rebellious teenager. Although the teenager embarrasses his parents by his foolish actions or appearance, his parents will still love him because he is their child. A rebellious teenager's parents would try to fix the imperfections in their child but would be unsuccessful due to the teenager's unexplained need to resist authority. The speaker explains her book's inability to change with "They blemishes amend if so I could," referencing the stubborn nature of her book. Although the author wishes to alter her book in the quest for perfection, she is unable to get a favorable result.

At the end of the poem the speaker says, "And for they Mother, she alas is poor,/Which caused her thus to send thee out of door" (23-24). The speaker's statement references a time in a child's life where it is time to leave their parents and live an independent life. Often times a child does not feel ready to leave, but parents decide that it is time. The speaker has spent an incredible amount of time and effort on her book and believes that it is time to publish. She unable to further improve her book and feels that it is time to release her book out into the world.

Going to College Letter

Buttball,

I can't believe you're already going to college! You're making me feel so old and I don't appreciate it. Even though I know you'll make it through the next four years just fine, I have some advice that could help you survive the college experience.

To address the number one problem you're going to face, you need to make friends. It's abundantly clear that you're not exactly a joyful person. You're aggressive ora isn't the most welcoming attribute and you need to try to change that. People are not going to try hard to be your friend so you need to make the effort. Be friendly and talk to the people you meet. The first few weeks of school are essential for making friends, and I don't want you to miss out on the wonders of college because you're always alone. Also, I don't want you calling me everyday because you don't have friends. There's a small window of time in college where no one knows anyone and everyone is looking to make friends. Don't miss that window!

Although I didn't start getting involved until my junior year, I strongly urge you to do something! Intramural sports are so much fun and they allow you to make a fool of yourself with your friends. Let's not forget that I've been a part of TWO champion intramural teams. You're always looking to show me up, so here's your chance! Additionally, you're going to get fat if you don't do anything. You like to munch too much and you really are going to gain the freshman fifteen if you're not active. I don't want a fat sister so watch your weight! I'm not kidding.

I know you're already concerned with your grades, but I'm going to reiterate the importance of doing well in college. Your GPA is what's going to get you hired or get you into grad school. Don't procrastinate and study your butt off. Remember when I said my classes were easy my freshman year? They don't stay like that for long. Engineering is one of the most rigorous majors available and it's going to get difficult as college progresses. Appreciate the easy classes and develop good study habits for the hard classes to come. I know the engineers are always nerdy, but so are you. Make a solid group of friends in your major to work on assignments with because you're going to need the help at some point.

You've always had an over-crowded schedule and college is going to be a whole new world for you. You're going to have an abundance of free time and the relief is going to feel amazing, especially for you. Enjoy the freedom, but don't just sit in your room and do nothing. Hang out with your new friends, explore whatever can be explored, and have fun. College is an amazing experience if you make it one, so make it one! I know you're going to do well no matter what you do so just do something.

Love you!

Michelle

Hamlet #2

As the first act progresses, it is clear that Hamlet misses his father and is desperate to keep the dead king's memory alive. After Horatio tells Hamlet that he saw a ghost in the form of King Hamlet, Hamlet stays up with Horatio and Marcellus to wait for the apparition. When the ghost appears and beckons Hamlet, the prince wishes to follow his dead father's shape, but Horatio and Marcellus urge him not to. Hamlet declares, "It will not speak. Then I will follow it"(I.iv.67) and Horatio responds, "Do not, my lord" (I.iv.68). The men do not know why the ghost has appeared, and it is valid that Horatio and Marcellus fear for Hamlet. Despite the mystery, Hamlet wants to follow the ghost because he hopes that it is really King Hamlet. He misses and still mourns his father, and the opportunity to speak to the dead king is not something Hamlet would pass up because of fear. In response to Horatio's and Marcellus' cautionary demands, Hamlet says, "Why, what should be the fear?/I do not set my life in a pin's fee" (I.iv. 69-70). Although Hamlet is referencing his depression caused by his father's death and his mother's matrimony, Hamlet also describes his desperation to see his father. He does not value his life and is therefore willing to potentially sacrifice it for the chance to speak to the dead king.When Horatio and Marcellus physically hold Hamlet back, the prince threatens to become violent: "By heaven, I'll make a ghost of him that lets me./I say, away!" (I.iv.89-90). Hamlet's frustration with Horatio and Marcellus displays his desperation to speak to his dead father. With the recent changes in Hamlet's family life, it's understandable that he would want to confide in his father. Additionally, Hamlet knows that if the ghost is actually his father, King Hamlet returned with a purpose. Hamlet wants to discover why his father has returned, so he follows the ghost and disregards his friends demands.

Hamlet #1

As introductions are made in the first act, the interesting circumstances of Hamlet's family are revealed. Although Hamlet's father died just recently, his mother has already moved on and married Claudius, Hamlet's uncle. Hamlet does not support his mother's marriage, especially because Claudius is his father's brother. In response to Claudius calling Hamlet his cousin and son, Hamlet says, "A little more kin and less than kind" (I.ii.65). Hamlet does not want Claudius as his father. Hamlet's real father has just recently died and he views his new family as a betrayal. Hamlet is loyal to his father after his death and still mourns his loss. Gertrude and Claudius do not understand why Hamlet is still upset about the king's death and urge him to move on. Gertrude says, "Do not forever with thy vailed lids/Seek thy noble father in the dust./Thou know'st 'tis common. All that lives must die" (I.ii.70-72). She does not believe that Hamlet should still be upset because all men are eventually going to die, and Hamlet needs to accept the tradition of death. She uses the circle of life as justification for why she moved on so quickly from her husband's death. Hamlet later reveals that his mother was infatuated with the dead king when he was alive: "Why, she would hang on him/As if increase of appetite had grown" (143-144). If Gertrude appeared to have loved the late king so dearly, Hamlet does not understand why she would marry so soon after his father's death. Hamlet views his mother as weak-willed for her inability to mourn appropriately, and resents her for her decision to marry Claudius.

Othello Outline

Othello Outline

Thesis: Throughout the play Iago's malicious actions and tricky phrasing solidify the idea that he acts as an allegorical devil.

1. As the play progresses, Iago consistently ignores religious ideals and encourages other characters to sin.

a. In an effort to publicly humiliate Cassio in the quest to remove him from his lieutenancy, Iago pressures Cassio to drink: "Come, lieutenant, I have/a stoup of wine [...] But one cup. I'll drink for you" (II.iii.26-33).

b. As Iago continues his plan to ruin Othello's relationship with Desdemona, he tries to make Othello more and more jealous as his plan progresses: "I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin/And let him find it. Trifles light as air/Are to the jealous confirmations strong/As proof of holy writ" (III.iii.329-332).

c. Once Othello is convinced that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio, Iago suggests how Othello should kill Desdemona: "Strangle her in bed, even the/bed she hath contaminated" (IV.I.197-198).

d. Iago manages to convince Roderigo to kill Cassio after Iago convinces the fool that Cassio's death will help Roderigo win Desdemona: "[Make] him uncapable of Othello's place:/knocking out his brains" (VI.ii.234-235).

2. Throughout the play Iago is often in correlation with hell, inhumanity, and the devil

a. “Hell and night/Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light” (I.iii.394-395)

b. "How am I then a villain/To counsel Cassio this parallel course,/Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!/When devils will the blackest sins put on/They do suggest at first with heavenly shows/As I do now" (II.iii.328-333).

c. The devil is not a man: "Fie, there is no such man. It is impossible" (VI.ii.141).

d. "O damned Iago! O inhuman dog!" (V.i.64)

e. Emilia has a final shred of hope that Iago is a man, but her hope is pointless because Iago is the devil: "Disprove this villain if thou be'st a man./He says told'st him that his wife was false./I know thou didst not, thou'rt not such a villain" (V.II.185-188)

f. Iago tries to kill Iago but is unable to do so because Iago is the devil: "I look down towards his feet, but that's a fable./If thou be'st a devil, I cannot kill thee" (V.ii.299-300).

3. At several point in to play Iago’s actions appear to have no genuine purpose other than to be purely evil.

a. “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse./For I mine own gained knowledge should profane/If I would time expend with such a snip/But for my sport and profit” (I.iii.374-377).

b. Iago stabs Roderigo after Cassio has already wounded Roderigo: “O murd’rous slave! O villain!/Stabs Roderigo” (V.i.65).

c. Iago kills Emilia even though his evil manipulation has already been revealed and his fate has been sealed: “Villainous whore! […] Filth, thou liest! […] Iago stabs Emilia” (243-249).