Quarter 3 Reflections!!!

This past quarter went by so quickly right before my eyes. Ms. Ahearn's class has been full of even more interacting and excitement. As always, Ms. Ahearn continually found a way to make the past few weeks full of challenging fun. She's so free-willed and looks at materials in a way that seems weird but makes so much sense. We read novels such as "Notes from Underground"and "Their Eyes Are Watching God". TEWWG was my favorite out of the two because of the new vibe we felt that differed from our average stories. We took a deep look in a poem entitled, "The Love Song By J.Alfred Prufrock". This poem allowed its audience to understand the feelings that our elderly face on a daily basis. I look forward to my last quarter in AP literature, which is fastly approaching. As of now we are preparing for the AP test in May. I know that no matter what, I will benifit from one of my favorite classes, Ms. Ahearn's AP Literature class.

Reflections!!!! (Quarter 2)

I honestly cant believe that we are half way through the year in our AP Literature class. This past quarter in Ms. Ahearn's class has brought challenges that I thought I would not want to face. I become more independent when it came down to understanding what "the text" actually means rather than waiting for the answers to fall in my lap. As I told you before I absolutely love this class! Ms. Ahearn makes something such as depicting a text so fun and mysterious as if everything we read is an undiscovered island that patiently waits for someone to come. The "college atmosphere" is what drives me to do my best in this class; "average" seems to not be acceptable. My favorite story this quarter would have to be "Fences" because it gave our class a break from the serious literature we were used to reading. August Wilson, the author of this story, allowed serious events to be covered by humor and irony. I don't think I had a least favorite book because once you metaphorically open a book, you learn and discover insides beyond your imagination. My most challenging experience was trying to understand the meanings behind words in books like "Othello". Patience is a main tool in reading literature of such poetic language. With the help and support of Ms. Ahearn and my classmates, quarter two was satisfying and enjoyable and I look forward to exploring even deeper as we travel through quarter three.

Othello Essay

Character Analysis Paper

-Discuss the reasons for Iago’s actions. How far ahead does he plan and how much harm did he intend?

        Most of the time when there is an argument, the core of the issue is not between the two opposing sides. If we were to step outside of the situation and watch the argument continue we would see that the entire dispute is between the “instigator” and themselves. Some of my friends call those who like to instigate, “tickers” because all they do is tick like a bomb waiting for someone or something to explode, all for their personal entertainment. In the play, “Othello” a particular character named Iago is one big, bad ticker whose is constantly on the edge of an explosion. Shakespeare uses characterization to allow Iago to manipulate other characters and twist the expected outcome of the play “Othello”.

        If one word were to describe Iago’s reasoning for his action it would be “revenge”. Iago sees that things in the town of Venice are not going as he anticipates. He expresses, “In personal suit to make me his lieutenant” (act one, scene one, line 10), to show his enthusiasm of the position and his integrity in holding an honor as such. He realizes that he has not been appointed the position of lieutenant and his overly confident spirit cannot stand for what has taken place.  Iago is precise on knowing who his target is, Othello. According to Iago, Othello is completely the one to blame due to his “daring” decision to make Michael Cassio lieutenant, instead of Iago himself. This is where we see Iago sneakiness slither into our plot; all because he was not given the position that he desired. 

        Shakespeare lets us know that Iago wants to get “revenge” by plotting against Othello. “In following him, I follow but myself” (act 1 scene 1 line 64); Iago lets Roderigo know that he purposely will manipulate Othello and possibly anyone else who gets in his way. Iago first trys to put Cassio out of office. Iago obligates himself to be the snake behind the plot and makes Cassio follow a path in the wrong direction. In act 2, Cassio unintentionally gets drunk due to his carelessness of his responsibilities, mixed with the terrible influence of Iago. “You must not think then that I am drunk”, Cassio expresses this line after a long night of “loyal” fellowship and singing. This shows how Cassio’s character is easily persuaded to do the wrong things and how Iago’s self-owned plan does not leave Iago to be the blame. By the end of this act, Cassio is stripped from his title and our antagonist has made a closer move to a checkmate.  

        As our story continues, it is revealed that Iago lusts after Desdemona, Othello’s new wife. The original pursuit of Desdemona is because of Iago’s belief that Othello is involved with Emilia, Iago’s wife. He figures that the perfect way to put Othello to shame was through his marriage. From here on out everything Iago does was for the main purpose of destroying the love and faith held between the two newlyweds. He convinces Othello that the two of them are friends; that they can trust each other. In act one, scene one, line 71, Iago states “I am not what I am”; Iago lets the audience know that he has a plan behind his plan. As certain events happen, Othello seems to confide in Iago. Iago uses his target Cassio to assist him in putting down his other target Othello. Cassio is used to convince Othello that Desdemona is having an affair outside of their marriage.

        Once again, we see that Iago’s motivations are motivated by something else; Cassio almost seems to put himself in the position of “sleeping with Desdemona”. Iago originally makes this assumption of this imaginary infidelity after Cassio grabs Desdemona by the hand (this seems to be a symbol that Shakespeare reveals to us to represent “unfaithfulness”). Othello, at first, does not wholly give in to Iago’s accusations. Like a magician, Iago appears to have things seemingly pop-up for his own benefit. As time unfolds, we witness that everything that comes out of Iago’s mouth seems to coincide with what is taking place in our plot. One particular and not to mention, powerful event that takes place was when Othello is told that Cassio has the handkerchief that he gave to his wife, Desdemona. Iago tells Othello “I know not that; but such a handkerchief…Cassio wipe his beard with” (act three, scene 3, lines 496-498), initiating the deep and true hated of Othello towards Desdemona. Although various reasons for Desdemona’s affair are brought to Othello’s attention, this seems to be the final and actual significance for Othello’s beliefs. The red handkerchief (which Shakespeare tells us in the text) is apparently a symbol for Desdemona’s virginity, therefore, her “giving Cassio her handkerchief” in Othello’s mind is the same as her giving her body as well as her marriage away to Cassio.

        Iago himself appears to almost be the author of our play, rather than Shakespeare. From act one to act five, Iago’s “sweet revenge” has brought him to top of the food chain with his witty ways of clashing his fellow characters. Throughout the play Iago forces himself to remain “innocent”; his says lines such as “I am your own forever” (act three, scene four, line 546) to our tragic hero Othello. His use of irony is sneaky and humorous to the audience because what we see in the easily persuaded characters in our play. Iago proves to be a courageous instigator that ticked and waited for our climax and conclusion to explode. There appears to be no certainty or explanation of Iago’s full intentions; perhaps everything turned out the way he wanted them to or maybe he just wanted to startle our characters. Now I only have one question, “Did you think that Iago had the intention of playing himself, seeing as though he ended up having the same fate as though he plotted against”? 

Resource Bank

www.destinyadamsfences.yolasite.com

Reflections!!!! (Quarter 1)

I quietly sat in Mr. Lynn's class listneing to Ms. Ahearn speak about her expectations of  AP Literature. I questioned myself of whether or not to take the course and if I could handle what's to come. The first day of AP Lit. was one of anticipation and amusement. Ms. Ahearn talked about our plans of the 2010-2011 school year. I mostly am greatful for learning how to annotate while reading. Honestly, it seems as though I can never read anyting without a highlighter in my hand. Even in other classes I ask my teachers if it's ok for me to write notes in my textbooks and fold pages I think are important. TPCASTing was also pretty cool; I have a whole new approach to reading poetry now. SOAPSTONE taught me to understand the text better in order for me to have a better perception of it. So far, we have read major stories like Oedipus where Ms. Ahearn taught us to go beyond our thoughts to get a point across. With the help of Thomas C. Foster (a summer reading assigned by Ms. Ahearn), I was able to live in the story that Sophocles wrote. Ms. Ahearn challenged us as a class to write our Oedipus essays not based on a format but on endless ideas that will take us to a new level. On the persoanl side, I love Ms. Ahearn! She is one of those teachers who makes you want to come to class and participate in group activites. Things like standing on tables, going in the kitchen, and using the bathroom when we want is what makes the "cool list". I have truely enjoyed this past quarter and looking forward to what the next three quarters have to offer.

Oedipus Rex Essay

5. Discuss the sight and blindness imagery and symbolism throughout out the play. How does the use of this symbolism advance Sophocles’ overall message or meaning of the play?

Hide and Seek

By Destiny Adams

Oedipus Rex Analysis Essay

Hide and seek in the dark has to be the most exciting game anyone has ever played because of the nervous, exciting thrill that comes along with it. The best place to play this game in the dark certainly is in your own home; it’s like a trap. You pretty much know where everything’s place is, like that closet that has extra space in one corner or that couch that hides a spot big enough for two people. Knowing your way around in complete darkness shows your advantage towards the game. It distinguishes the blind from those with sight, the hiders from the seekers, despite the black color that fills the air. Sophocles is like a captain picking his team and uses sight and blindness throughout the play by forcing his own characters to play hide and seek with each other. 

The first picked from the crowd is a man named Oedipus, who is indeed Sophocles’ “hider”. Oedipus is truly blind to everything around him; he’s unaware of his surroundings and unsure of the ending result. He however believes that everything is under control and he as a king has enough confidence to keep his city, Thebes pleased; Oedipus simply says “I am Oedipus” in line 8 on page 1427. Although Oedipus can clearly see those he deals with in his daily life, he is symbolically blind to story behind them and himself. Sophocles displays Oedipus’ blindness after revealing to us (including Oedipus) that he kills his father and marries his mother, who also gave birth to his children. Sophocles writes on page 1447 in lines 819-821, “Oh, no, no, I think I’ve just called down a dreadful curse upon myself – I simply don’t know!”,  illustrating how Oedipus is now starting to notice how blind he really is.

            Sophocles’ “seeker”, Tiresas, Thebes’ prophet, knows his vision, purpose, and reasoning for others. It’s apparent to understand Tiresas and Oedipus’ love-hate relationship and how their closeness reversed into a distant gap as the tables turned. What’s ironic about this situation is that Tiresas’ life is closed into four black walls, he’s physically blind. He has the power to see futuristic events only through his metaphorical eyes. Tiresas says, “How terrible - to see the truth when the truth is only pain to who sees” in lines 359-360 on page 1436. Sophocles demonstrates his use of sight through the blind prophet as a way of somewhat telling the play’s storyline. Sophocles writes “Blind who now has eyes…”, on page 1439, line 517, showing how blindness and sight seem to switch roles in the play.

            Due to the various events Sophocles tells use about, it’s recognizable that both sight and blindness themselves seem to symbolize various things. Blindness represents shadowing and confusion. Sophocles shows as Oedipus is on his quest of “curing” Thebes, he has many questions concerning his own whereabouts. Sophocles writes “For the love of god, don’t turn away not if you know something. We beg you, all of us on our knees” on page 1436, lines 371-373. This shows how blindness confuses and shadows the truth because “sight” was not on hand. Sight appears to represent advantage and enviable leave way. Page 1439, lines 509-510 says “I’ll never shrink from the anger in your eyes – you can’t destroy me.”, offering the confidence of the advantage that Tiresas knows his has. It’s annotated in my book that line 388 page 1436, “What will come will come.” is an enviable prediction made by the blind would could in reality see. Oedipus mocks Tiresas by verbally insulting him as a “stone blind” (page 1437 line 424) man with the reply of Tiresas, “your blind to the corruption of your life” (line 471 page 1438).

            There’s one last player in our game that usually goes unrecognized, more like our referee that determines our ending results, fate. Fate is what controls our seeing and blind characters because no one and nothing can tell fate how to do its job. Fate knows, hears, and sees all and waits for the perfect moment to take advantage. Fate was there when Oedipus argued back and forth with Tiresas and allowed one of the two to be “blind” and the other to have “sight”. Sophocles makes reference to “chance” throughout the play and uses the characters’ action to show fate and chance working together to create an unexpected twist in the play. The chorus shows the characters desperation for help on page 1450 lines 954-997 (Destiny guide me always…) all because of fate and its ways of establishing how the seeing and the blind would survive.

            Sophocles’ use of imagery and symbolism emphasizes how sight and blindness contributes to the overall analogy of the play. Sophocles shows how eyes are not required to see what’s in front of you. Oedipus’ true identity was revealed toward the end of the play because it was not able to see in the dark. Tiresas knew what was coming because he was in his own “home” and symbolically saw every detail around him. The game of hide and seek has its tricks and rules, but clearly Sophocles decided otherwise.

 

           

           

destiny

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