Quarter 3 Reflections

This quarter was an interesting quater. I didn't really like the novels that we read, except "Their Eyes Were Watching God." The movie is also wonderful! Anyways we've basically been reviewing our notes and what we've learned for the AP exam. Its been kinda rough with the poetry but I think i'm getting it. I believed that I learned a bit more this quarter especially using those flashcards. We are getting ready to wrap our lessons and i'm dieing wih senoritis!!! I feel like fourth quarter is going to be a bit stressful, but I'm going to hang in cause GRADUATION IS COMING SOON!

Q2 Reflections

Quarter 2 was basically another quarter where I focused my learning on writing essays and understanding the concept of breaking down the OCEC method. My favorite play this quarter was "Fences", even though Ms. Ahearn told us the ending -_- LOL! (She actually told us the ending for...Othello -_-) Well this quarter was interesting we really didnt work on poems this quarter we just focused on plays. We had alot of visitors, and some were horribly boring. I actually learned alot about college this quarter. This quarter was easier than first quarter, I guess I got the hang of this class. We are now in 3rd quarter now its time to hustle??? Lol just playing.

FENCES RESOURCE BANK

http://stephaniemichelfences.yolasite.com/

Othello

Does Othello fall as the result of a tragic flaw? Why or why not?

In literary work a tragic flaw is considered a hero who possesses a certain flaw or attitude adjustment that becomes the lead in their downfall. Othello is a man of great distinction and heroism. He is a man that proves his honor and recognition, but when Othello believes that nothing wrong can happen to him his flaws end up in a deadly mistake. The author uses characterization to enhance the overall meaning of the play.

Othello’s misjudgment towards trusting the characters who betray him, and mistrusting the loyal and faithful characters who obey him, played the major role in his downfall. Throughout the play Shakespeare portrayed Iago as being a deceiving liar, but to Othello, Iago was nothing short of an honest, man. In Act 3 Scene 3, Othello says to himself: “This fellow’s of exceeding honesty, and knows of all quantities….human dealings.” Othello’s naïve mind led him to believe that Iago is an honest man, which resulted in a deathly mistake. Othello - put all his trust in Iago.

Othello placed his marriage with Desdemona in great despair. In Act 5 Scene 2 Othello say to Desdemona: “That handkerchief. The one I so loved and gave to thee...Cassio.” Othello accuses Desdemona of giving the handkerchief to Cassio. Desdemona replies to Othello saying: “No, by my life and soul! Send for the man and ask him.” As Desdemona is lying on her deathbed, she pleads to Othello her innocence, and swearing that she has not told a lie, Othello refuses to believe anything she is confessing to him and continues to prosecute her for what he believes.

Othello not only misjudges Desdemona’s trust, but also mistrusts Cassio, causing him to lose a trustworthy friend as well as a good lieutenant. Othello tells Iago in Act 3 Scene 3: “Oh, that the slave had forty thousand lives! One is too poor, too weak for my revenge.” Othello has now grown nothing but hatred and revenge for Cassio, the friend that he once loved. Cassio is nothing but an honest, and good man to Othello, and he is treated inferiorly by the hands of Iago’s jealousy.

Othello is a naïve man, who not only is blind to the truth but very gullible, because Othello is so gullible he let lies and betrayal ruin his life.

Othello’s gullibility gave Iago the perfect stand to convince Othello that Desdemona was being unfaithful, and that Cassio was deceiving.

In Act 3 Scene 3- throughout the story, Iago was manipulating and controlling Othello’s mind. Othello allowed Iago to brainwash him into thinking that everyone around him was deceiving but yet, he told Othello that nothing was really happening.

Othello believed Iago in Act 3 Scene 3 when he said to himself: Why did I ever get married?” Othello is questioning his marriage with Desdemona because of all the lies that Iago has been telling him. Now Othello is beginning to feel suspicion of his innocent wife.

            Jealousy is the root of all evil, and as Iago said “beware of the green-eyed monster…it laughs at its victims” The jealousy Othello had grown into a monster has laughed at him and ended him tragically.  

The love that Othello held for Desdemona was blinded because of the jealousy Othello had raging in his heart. He was blind to the unconditional love that Desdemona possessed for him.

In Act 3 - Desdemona says to Emilia: “This would be enough for my….he wasn’t so free of jealousy.” Desdemona believes that she would have a dilemma with Othello for losing the handkerchief; if only he was a jealous man. Desdemona claims to Emilia that Othello is far from jealousy.

Iago has been directing Othello into the path of jealousy, just so Othello can overshadow his love for Desdemona into hate. In Act 3 Scene 3 while in the room talking, Othello says to Iago: “Look here, Iago, All my fond love…Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell” Othello began to feed into the lies and perjury that Iago was advising him. Othello forgot about the all the love and passion that held for Desdemona. Othello continues say to himself when kneeling down: “In due reverence of a sacred vow I here engage my words. ”There is nothing but raging hatred in Othello’s heart; at this point he no longer feels love for anyone. Othello only dwells on revenge and murder from here on out.

Othello falls as a tragic flaw because he lets his attitude control his actions. Othello’s tragic flaws were his gullibility and jealousy, because of these flaws Othello fell victim to the lies, betrayal, murder and hatred. As with Oedipus, sight and blindness contributed to the tragic ending of both heroes.  Othello was blind to those who were loyal and trustworthy to him, and only saw the revenge and deceit that surrounded him. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony throughout the story by adding Iago’s character, this dramatic irony played the pieces of the puzzle in Othello’s tragic ending. Othello was victim to jealousy, betrayal, and sight & blindness.

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

Recall how Oedipus came to kill his father and marry his mother, and then discover his true identity. Do you feel Oedipus deserves the punishment that he receives at the conclusion of the play? Why does Oedipus accept his guilt and punishment without question or protest?

           

Who me?, yes you!, couldn't be!, then who????

As a part of our everyday society, people are accused of crimes that they would never commit, but still suffer the consequences of someone else’s actions

Oedipus has committed a crime that was unknown to him. Being born into a prophecy that he cannot control, Oedipus was told that he would kill his father and marry his own mother. Although Oedipus was given away to die, he was saved and managed to live.

Unknowingly Oedipus carried out the prophecy that was given to him by the prophet. Oedipus then became king of Thebes, husband of his mother and father of his siblings. Even though Oedipus committed this crime, he was unaware of who he killed, his fate was already destined to be, and he took the punishment that was given because of the curse, shame, and regret that he felt.

           

            Oedipus did not deserve the punishment that he received because, he was unaware of his actions, and he was feeling a great deal of remorse when he was informed.

Oedipus says to the chorus "Oh ohhh the agony, I am agony...Where is my voice?” In this quote Oedipus shows remorse, he portrays the feeling of regret  and sorrow. Oedipus is shocked of the news that he is hearing.

Oedipus says to the leader “More hated by the gods? I am the man.” Oedipus believes that gods and Apollo hate him and want to curse him. He cannot understand why he is being cursed by the gods and why is his city going through this depression.

Oedipus says to the leader “ The blackest things that a man can do, I have done them all!”

Oedipus feels more than pain when he finally sees the damage that he has done in his own home, Oedipus regrets the actions that he is now noticing.

           

            Oedipus did not bring this upon himself, he was born with a prophecy that stated his fate and destiny.

The shepherd says to Oedipus “She was afraid-frightening prophecies.” The shepherd is telling Oedipus about the prophecy that scared Jocasta into giving him away, the prophecy that began all this torture.

Oedipus says to the shepherd “I stand revealed at last- cursed in birth, cursed in marriage…” Oedipus comes to the conclusion that he was born cursed, and that his whole life has been nothing but pain and confusion.

Oedipus says to the chorus “If I’d died than, I’d never have dragged myself, my loved ones through such hell.” Oedipus regrets the day that he was saved by the shepherd, because he feels that if he wasn’t saved the city of Thebes and his family wouldn’t be going through the plague that they have been suffering from.

           

Oedipus cursed himself, his family, and the city of Thebes, he cannot bear the shame and guilt that he has brought upon this city

Oedipus says to the chorus “ the hand that struck my eyes was mine, mine alone” Oedipus, himself, gouge his own eyes out, causing himself pain. Oedipus felt that his eyes deceived him, that he looked upon the people that he caused pain agony and distress.

Oedipus turns to the chorus and says “ It’s mine alone, my destiny-I am Oedipus”

He acknowledges that he is the curse that is amongst Thebes, and that this is his fate. Oedipus knows that there is no other way to live but to follow the prophecy and the curse that he has brought amongst himself.

            In conclusion, Oedipus did not deserve the punishment that he received simply because, he was unaware of the things he committed. Oedipus was given a prophecy that told of his fate and his life trials, he had no way of knowing of this prophecy. His eyes were blind to what he has done to his family and the city of Thebes. Oedipus took the punishment because he felt full of shame and couldn’t look into the eyes of the ones that he hurt. Oedipus also received the punishment because he cursed the one who he thought murdered King Laius, which means he has cursed himself. Sophocles uses a lot of dramatic irony throughout this play, as well as  harmartia for Oedipus role as the main character. Sophocles also gives a lot of tragic irony that was caused because of Oedipus hybris.

1st Quarter Reflections

  
   In the ending of my junior year my english teacher recommended me in taking AP Literature for my senior year. Thoughts about how my friends and classmates described their AP classes as being difficult or hard came rushing to me at once, causing fear. I thought about this class repeatedly and figured that I should challenge myself my senior year. I signed up for this class and recieved the information that I needed.0 Over the summer I read the books that was required and figured that this isn't as bad as I thought. My first day of senior was approaching rapidly, and I was just about ready to start my year off. My first day in Ap Literature I was a bit nervous but was eased by my classmates, who make the class LIVE! besides that I have a teacher who is LIVE at times as well (LOL) Since everything was broken down and explained well i felt like I could have a great year and accomplish something that I was once afraid of.
   So far I have learned things that I didn't have any idea about, as well as concepts that help me with my other classes. Annotation has really helped me in grasping the concepts of a story as well keeping me interested in articles or books that I read. TPCASTT is another tool that aides me in breaking down and understanding the meanings of poems. This quarter we read Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, which was a great play, that was very interesting. I wrote an essay on this play using the OCEC format, which also aided me. I really enjoy this class, and it is not what I expected at all. Im looking forward to learning more useful tools as well as many more stories, plays and poems to enjoy!