I Feel Like a Parent with Teenagers

Well what could that mean? Although it may be an exaggeration, I'm alluding to the time in life when parents work hard to get something out of their kids only to find one word answers. Don't let this alarm you, the results are satisfactory.
I first wanted to discuss my experience reaching "outside the Utah bubble." I jumped onto Icerocket and Google blog search and looked for a few posts to comment on. After searching, I commented on one called Our Shakespearean Blog and another, the League of Dead Films. Responses still pending on those. Further, I opened up an account on Goodreads, offering people a chance to read my review on Henry V. Nothing. I will get an email and update my blog as soon as they respond.
In conclusion, my experience reaching out into the outside world has been a lot harder than I expected. Nonetheless, I will try harder, like Brother Burton said.

Now, talking to another person about Shakespeare turned out better. I did not want to force it on anyone, or give the "I'm doing this for a class approach," so it turned out to be different. I first called my little brother Spencer (he's the one at the bottom in the picture). He is in eighth grade, an avid reader, and the youngest of seven.

Me: "Spenny what's up?!"

Spencer: "Hey Matt!"

Me: "How is school going?"

Spencer: "Which subject?"

Me: "Uh... English."

Spencer: "It's good." Typical teenage response.

Me: "Are you reading any books?"

After a thorough description of an intense eighth grade book I turned the topic to Shakespeare. We talked about the Tempest, and he actually said he has heard of it, but didn't know what it's about.

Me: "Well there is this man who gets stranded on an island with all these people and he uses magic."

Spencer: "Like Harry Potter?"

Me: "Kind of. This guy used to be like a King, but when he was studying, he got overthrown and cast out to this island." I then pointed out how he was gaining knowledge but he lost power. I asked him what he thought about that, but he did not say much. Finally, the conversation led to other things and I let him off the hook.

I think this assignment helped me to learn how little I know. Reading all of the different blogs about Henry V and trying to explain it to my little brother in eighth grade terms was eye-opening.

I will be posting as I hear responses from other people on my comments.

Follow Up on Trust

Well I appreciated your guys' comments so much from the last post that I thought I would blog in response to them. To catch up anyone who missed it, you can read the post here, scroll down if you're on my main blog, or keep reading until the end of this paragraph for a summary. In Acts 3 and 4 we read about many different story lines. In one of them, Caliban swears loyalty to Stephano, when he already has a master, Prospero. My comment to that was, "if he can't keep his loyalty to Prospero, he can't keep his loyalty to Stephano." By the end of the play, if the principle stands true, Caliban again would have flip-flopped.

Reading Act V, I will be honest, I was kind of struggling following what Prospero was saying. I knew already what was going to happen, but the details were hard to catch. However, when Caliban came on stage, his line hit me like a sack of bricks. He transferred his loyalty again! Caliban says he was mistaken to "worship this dull fool!" Line 2373.
If someone cannot be trusted with another's secret, fail to trust them with yours. I'm not saying to go around not trusting people. In fact, like my high school English teacher emphasized, "you have my trust until you prove you can't be trusted" is a good way to live. There are so many elements of trust in Shakespeare's plays.
Lastly I wanted to touch again on the value of trust. Two people I have a lot of trust in are my mission president and my professor who took a group of students (including me) to Asia. One day after meeting with my professor, I reflected on our relationship. He is one of the few people I could honestly trust with my life. He and my mission president are people I know will do what they say. That is something to strive for.

Trusting the Untrustworthy

Loyalty and trust. Ah we see it again. If you think back two or three weeks ago, we had a good discussion about trusting others. Both Hamlet and the Winter's Tale deal with trust. Now, here in Acts 2 and 3 of the "Tempest", Caliban and Stephano's relationship is set up to tell a similar ironic story. Shakespeare loves to do this.
Caliban says in Act 2 that he will be loyal to Stephano...




Caliban:

"I'll swear upon that bottle to be thy true subject; for the liquor is not earthly." Lines 1213/1214
"I'll kiss thy foot; I'll swear myself thy subject" Line 1239

Here he is swearing loyalty to someone when he has another master, Prospero. In the next act (Act 3) they plot together against Prospero, Caliban's master. As I mentioned in an old post about loyalty, there is a principle of integrity that if someone does not uphold (a) s/he will not be trustworthy themselves and (b) s/he will usually not trust others. Here, after swearing loyalty to Stephano, Caliban goes against any loyalty he had to Prospero. This is just like telling someone a secret you "promised not to tell" and in return they trust you with a secret you "promise" not to tell. It doesn't make sense! Nor does it make sense to tell someone a secret you want to keep secret when they just proved they could not do so.

I bet Caliban will betray Stephano by the end of the play, it's in his character. Get him in an intense situation and he becomes self-interested. What do you think?

See if you can connect Atlas with this post. Who knows their Greek mythology?

To "End the Conflict" on War

A Little History

In the 1590’s, England was on her toes. She had just won the battle against Spain’s Armada (with weather’s help), but Spain was still furious. In 1596 King Phillip of Spain promised Spain would strike again. “The overpowering fear of invasion reached its apogee in 1599, the very year, according to general scholarly consensus, that Shakespeare penned Henry V.”¹

Analysis on War

You don’t have to be a scholar to know Shakespeare is sending messages about war, but what is it he is telling his English audience in the early 1600’s? Depending on which side is looked at, critics have argued that Henry V is a genuine war hero while others feel Shakespeare painted the ironic image of a “Christian King” who served as a tyrant and an unmerciful ruler.²

Text to Configure the Conflict

In my posts I have discussed possible reasons for war, the glory of war, and the outcomes of war portrayed in Henry V. To tie these together and answer the question from the latter post “War... what is it good for?” I want to discuss Shakespeare’s use of Christianity in his text to show God fought for England and condoned the war.

Henry V “We are in God’s hand, brother, not in theirs.” Line 1637

Earl of Salisbury “If we no more meet till we meet in heaven.” Line 2238

Henry V “Praised be God, and not our strength, for it!” Line 2609

Fluellen “Is it not lawful, an please your majesty, to tell how many is killed?”

Henry V “Yes, captain; but with this acknowledgement,

That God fought for us.” Lines 2827-2830

Chorus “Being free from vainness and self-gloirous pride;

Giving full trophy, signal and ostent

Quite from himself to God….” Lines 2867-2869

This tone in the play suggests that it is God’s will that England fight the war.

Recall the time period. People were scared of Spain’s attack. They needed a boost, a different vision, and Shakespeare struck their hearts saying, “God is with us!”

Kenneth Branagh’s Adaptation

Of course, looking at the play from another angle produces another critique. Kenneth Branagh’s film from 1989 emphasizes the horrors of war and downplays justifiable reasons for it.

In the beginning, King Henry is given tennis balls from France to pay for the lands they feel are rightfully owned by France. It is over this that Branagh makes it seem King Henry goes to war. The king’s pride is overpowering and “will not be mocked.” As I discussed in a former post, Branagh portrays colorful blood scenes, directs the loss of “Boy” to be horrific with hysterical women trying to touch the dead body, and paints Henry V slightly irrational as he executes past friends with memories of the past flashing before his mind. By no means is he as irrational as King Leontes from Winter's Tale, but nonetheless, there is no mercy or second chances.

From Branagh’s adaptation, it is clear he feels Shakespeare is painting a gruesome battlefield, glorious at the expense of other’s lives.

An Opposing View

In a blog by Samantha Warren, a Murray State University student, she expresses how Shakespeare tried to portray Henry V as a tyrannical leader. She claims, as many others, that Henry V represents the ideas of Niccolo Machiavelli, an Italian philosopher who taught about corruption in a nation’s government.³ To learn more about her research click here.

So Why is this IMPORTANT to Us?

Well this is interesting to me because I LOVE hearing different people’s opinions about controversial topics. Doing this helps us understand how important point of view is. We can be looking at something with a strong opinion and then change our view and WALLAH, change our opinion.

Especially with this topic, from my religous background, I have a strong opinion about when war is justified. While serving as a missionary, I discussed for over a

n hour with a woman who opposed war at all costs. Recently in my history class, we discussed World War I and whether the US should have entered the war. The topic is open ended, and constantly emerging as it is prevalent in our past. It is important for us to become knowledgeable about it as it will undoubtedly be in our future.

So write your opinion, either about the post or about war in general. I would love to hear.

Source Citation:

1. "Machiavellianism by William Shakespeare." Shakespearean Criticism. Ed. Michelle Lee. Vol. 107. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2007. 67-199. Literature Criticism Online. Gale. Brigham Young University - Provo. 20 October 2011 http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/LitCrit/byuprovo/FJ2633550003

2. Deats, Sara Munson. “Henry V at War: Christian King or Model Machievel.” In War and Words: Horror and Heroism in the Literature of Warfare, edited by Sara Munson Deats, Lagretta Tallent Lenker, and Merry G. Perry, pp. 83-101. Lanham, Md.: Lexington Books, 2004.

3. Warren, Samantha. "William Shakespeare's Henry V: The Self-Interested Schemer." http://samantha-warren.suite101.com/william-shakespeares-henry-v-the-self-interested-schemer-a330688

A Good First Impression

I wanted to take a shot at directing some aspects of the second scene of "the Tempest." After Miranda and Prosperous are talking for a while, Ariel comes in to take orders from his master. This is one of the things I envision from the play...

For some reason, hearing him speak of being invisible makes me think of Harry Potter's invisible cloak. If we could somehow get an invisible cloak so that the audience can see the shape, but not really know if they are seeing a person or imagining it, that would be perfect for Ariel’s appearance on stage! After walking around a little, but not drawing too much attention, Ariel would rip off the cloak and bowing say, "All hail great master!"

This would develop him as a character of mischief and fit his nature of “lurking around,” almost like the servant in Mr. Deeds. If we can make it seem as though Ariel is there the whole time and then appears it would be a great first impression.

Next, when Prosperous calls Caliban onto the stage, Miranda says, “'Tis a villain sir, I do not love to look on.” Just then we would hear gargling noises and Miranda would be frightened. When Prosperous speaks his next line, Calibans response would come from under the stage as if inside a glowing hole. During the second response, the audience would see his hands slowly pull his wet slimy body out of the hole. Covered with seaweed, he would come out of the hole and with fear of Prosperous answer him. This would give the audience a good first impression as to what kind of character Caliban is going to be.

These first appearances would bring a lot to these characters. Just like a first impression is made when we meet someone, an audience makes judgments on characters when they first enter the stage of a play.

War! What is it good for? Uh... I'll get back to you on that.

In connection with my last post "THIS IS WAR!" I feel Kenneth Branagh had a similar outlook in mind as he directed the 1989 film of Henry V. In his movie, many of the scenes were painted with blood clearly showing how, many suffer from the horrors of war.
From reading the whole play, lines about glory and fear continued to emerge. Shakespeare wrote clearly about the two sides. In my last post I focused on the glory, especially in King Henry's "Saint Caspin's Day" speech, and this will focus more on the horrors of war.

How Far is Too Far?
Just before the great Battle of Agincourt, Fluellen reports to the king that a man named Bardolph was found robbing a church. In the movie, Kenneth Branagh stages this so that, Bardolph rides standing in the back of a wagon just as the news is made known. King Henry and Bardolph stare at each other as if they know each other. Then, cleverly, there is a flash back to the olden days, when the king used to run around in taverns drinking. He and Bardolph are playing a drinking game, smiling, laughing, and then the scene cuts back to reality. The life of Henry's friend is in his hands. "We would have all such offenders so cut off," says the King, going back to original text. The man has a rope slipped around his next, which is tied to the tree, and the men ride off with the horses pulling the wagon.
For the next three or four minutes, Bardolph's hanging body is the middle of the scene. It is clear, from the director's point of view, that war causes men to do things as if in a drunken rage.

No Place for Boys
There is another scene where the "Boy" runs back to the English camp to "protect the luggage." He knew there were only boys defending the camp and wisely sought to fortify the defense. There is a gruesome scene where, the men come back to camp to find all the boys killed by the French army. Men are wailing, and eventually pick up there lifeless bodies. Woman run to King Henry's side as he carries "Boy" over his shoulder. Screaming hysterically they are propelled back by the other soldiers.

When is War Justified?
To conclude, it is important that we understand King Henry's motives for war. My next post will consist of quotes and examples of where the King of England's heart is, the most intriguing element of the play.

THIS IS WAR!

Some tips have been evident to the theme I want to touch on. Quotes from throughout the play, the movie made in 1989 by Kenneth Branagh, and analysis online allude to this message Shakespeare is sending.
As a side note, the things I wanted to get from the play have changed, and the way I studied it changed. Trying yo understand it, I have been paraphrasing every scene with a short paragraph, it helps a lot! Also, rather than watching for how King Henry V makes decisions, which was one of my focuses before, I am now looking at how Shakespeare appeals to and audience while sending the messages he wants to convey. I am intrigued with someone who can balance audience entertainment and plot development, it is a talent good for business, writing and a host of other categories.
Ok, so here are some aspects of Henry V where Shakespeare talks about the elements of war...

Reasons for war...

King Henry is sent a message from France that he cannot have the land he wants. They give him "tennis balls" as a "treasure" to make up the difference. Essentially, the Dauphin is mocking King Henry. Over this, King Henry decides to go to war.
One may say he is going to war over the land, but the King of France offers his daughter and some Dukedoms (land) and King Henry still marches on. He is fighting the war over a firm decision and over pride.

Glory of war...
The play is full of men who consider the glories of war.
Pistol, an Englishmen says war "doth win immortal fame." Suggesting their names will live on if they win.
King Henry, in his famous speech on St. Crispin's Day says "And if to live, the fewer men, the greater share of honour.... This story shall the good man teach his son... in it shall we be remembered...And gentlemen in England now a-bed shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day." As a side note, we should all know of this speech after taking a Shakespeare class. Just before going into battle, outnumbered five to one, King Henry V arms his men with courage in this famous speech on St. Crispin's Day (Oct. 25th) known as St. Crispin's Day Speech.

Horror of war...
There is a young boy who says, "Would I were in an alehouse in London! I would give all my fame for a pot of ale and safety." This quote shows how fearful war was and that not all were struck by the fame and glory.

Shakespeare creatively showed the differences in war as he developed characters and plot.

Entertaining and Analalyzing an Audience

I am loving this play. It is so well written. After reading J.J.'s post I wanted to point out a few more things I thought were valuable to the conversation.
As a recap, J.J. talked about how Shakespeare uses a play on words to captivate the audience and mostly in humor. In my post from a week ago, I also touched on Shakespeare's talent to entertain while still developing the plot. Here he still continues to do so through poetry, a play on words and one of my personal favorite, similes.

Biron:

What, I! I love! I sue! I seek a wife!
A woman, that is like a German clock,
Still a-repairing, ever out of frame,
And never going aright, being a watch,
But being watch'd that it may still go right!

Notice that by slipping in this "German clock," Shakespeare is also talking about the Germans, not just the woman Biron is in love with. He then gives us a little bit of background on how the English felt about German made products at the time. "Out of frame... ever repairing." He knew his audience and wrote for them.

Henry V

Writing that makes me think of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, but there is no relation. Let me assure King Henry V, though juvenile as a young boy, grows up to be a strong man and great King of England.
In the beginning of the play, he has taken over the throne of his father, but kind of like Alma the Younger had to repair the damages he made growing up, King Henry had to prove he wasn't a boy anymore.
In essence, he claims some French land for England, but Prince Dauphin of France says "I don't think so!" and they go to war. England goes into France and there is an assassination attempt on King Henry's life. He orders the death of the three men and one of them is an old friend, Scrope. Watch for this theme of, "what are you willing to do in the name of war," or, "what are willing to do to prove yourself," as I blog. Further developing the theme, he later hangs three men for looting, two of which were old friends from his younger days.
Eventually, England is beating back France and the King of France, Charles VI, has a desire for his daughter Catherine to merry King Henry V so they can be allies.
In the end there is an inspiring battle where King Henry's men are outnumbered five to one. He dresses up as a common soldier and learns what other soldiers are thinking and then laments being king. In the morning, before the defining Battle of Agincourt he give the famous St. Crispin's Day Speech and his army prevails.
And yes, to satisfy your curiousity, it is one of Shakespeare's plays that ends in a wedding. King Henry and Catherine are married.

I looked up different adaptaions of the play. The one I suggest was directed and starred by Kenneth Branagh in 1989. He has done some other plays, and in this particular one he "emphasizes the horrors of war." Another one was done much earlier by Laurence Olivier (1944). It was done to call people to arms as it was back in the days of WWII. Both are interesting and should have very different outlooks on war.
see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Crispin%27s_Day_Speech#St._Crispin.27s_Day_Speech

Finally I just want to express what I want to get out of reading the play and other's opinions on it. Henry V seems to be a very sharp and bold man. He does not take no for an answer and obviously is eloquent with his words. I am going to be watching how he confidently makes decisions (for my own growth) and uses his words to persuade other people. Also, as I read the different scenes I am interested to see how he, or all of the men, compare to the women. I read a synopsis that said the men are much more harsh and speak English, but the women often speak French with more courtesy. It suggested that this not only showed the contrast between men and women, but also how the life of a woman was much more sheltered. Many of the choices Catherine follows are her fathers. Alright, well here we go.

Get ready for Henry V.

Foreshadowing - The Power of Women

This is a fun little scene in Love's Labour's Lost (Act II Scene I). There is a lot of foreshadowing made by the Princess of France. Here is one example that I read about...
When conversing with the king (who has already broken his oath by talking with her) she says

You will the sooner, that I were away;
For you'll prove perjured if you make me stay

Definition of Perjured: involving willfully told untruths.

In other words the queen is saying, "if I stay you're going to break your oath and you'll be a liar." Shakespeare cleverly uses the Princess' confidence to foreshadow (scroll down on the link's website for more examples of foreshadowing) the rest of the play. There is a possible theme to show the power of women against the word of man. Shakespeare may be hinting at thoughts about Catholic Priests and their vows of celibacy.

Source:
http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/labours/section2.rhtml

For Entertainment's Sake

I am going to have to agree with J.J. about the second scene in the first act. It is one of the most entertaining we have read! Just like Professor Burton reminds us, Shakespeare's business was to entertain. To me, the talent of this act, and many like it, is that he intertwines plot into entertaining scenes, such as the foreshadowing of deceiving.
Throughout scene two Shakespeare uses a "play on words" to intrigue the audience, which, I wish we would have seen this play because it seems like a good one. BUT, we notice right in the middle, when Moth is speaking, he begins to rhyme when talking about the "color of a woman."

If she be made of white and red,
Her faults will ne'er be known,
For blushing cheeks by faults are bred
And fears by pale white shown:
Then if she fear, or be to blame,
By this you shall not know,
For still her cheeks possess the same
Which native she doth owe.
A dangerous rhyme, master, against the reason of
white and red.

This rhyming is one of the ways Shakespeare changes the tone of the scene a little bit. He uses it to get across a point, which, if said in natural terms, may go over the jovial audience's head.