Satire has the up-most importance in the Enlightened times. Though it can be found in various forms and styles, it’s use is effective in getting points across. It allows the debate of ideas and for people to explore other options to society’s problems. What makes satire so glorious is the fact they “dumb down” the topic at hand & make it like a farce, while the real meaning is only appreciated & understood by the intellectuals of society.
The Enlightened times was a period of profound change. People’s thinking was flipped over on its head. The Earth was no longer flat. There were many issues that needed to be deal with. To do so, the art of satire was born. Satire uses puns, symbolism, and sarcasm to get its point across. These techniques have obviously proven themselves to be effective, since satire is still used today. The arguments were made potent and precisely using satire.
One of the most famous of satires from this time was Jonathon Swift’s “A Modest Proposal.” In it, you can see how outlandish statements can have hidden meanings. He talks about mothers putting up their children as a food source to help with their poverty. For example, this quote says: ”I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled ...” This is actually a zing against Americans. At this time, the Americans beat the English for control of The United States. He’s saying the Americans are babyeaters. This is humorous, yet a diss towards them.
He also makes a jab at Catholicism. He writes: “Infant's flesh will be in season throughout the year, but more plentiful in March, and a little before and after; for we are told by a grave author, an eminent French physician, that fish being a prolific diet, there are more children born in Roman Catholic countries about nine months after Lent than at any other season; therefore, reckoning a year after Lent, the markets will be more glutted than usual, because the number of popish infants is at least three to one in this kingdom: and therefore it will have one other collateral advantage, by lessening the number of papists among us.” Since the English hated the Roman Catholics, this is hilarious for the fact he thinks they should eat all of the babies of their moral enemies. Plus, the sexual undertones make the piece memorable, swift & incredible.
Satire is one of the most classic forms of criticism. It can single-handedly bring about change in ideas & spread new thoughts around intelligent circles. Without it, the Enlightenment era would have fell flat on its face. If it were not for satire, the world might not be the place it is today.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Three Cheers for Existentialism
When one first starts learning about Existentialism, he or she might not know how to feel about it. Some of the points are a bit… out there, to say the least. After reading “The Stranger” though, the mind will be forever altered. It proves that the Existential teachings are important beyond words. They are potent & intelligent. They make sense.
The universe is an absurd place. It make zero sense. & as human beings, it is impossible to understand it. It might burst one’s bubble, but life has no meaning. There is not a master plan. Humans were put in the universe for no reason. The best option, hiding behind door number three though, is to just accept that life is “absurd” and to move on. Humans must find the beauty in life, for that is the meaning of life. If one misses the meaning, then what’s the point of living in the first place? Along with this, we have to take responsibility for our actions and be individuals.
In ‘The Stranger’, Meursault lives his life without vigor. He goes through the motions of life but doesn’t accept any of his own actions as… his own, and fails to see the beauty in life. He kills an Arab, but he does so for no good reason. He says he killed him ‘cause of… the sun. He is later executed for his actions.
The following explains why he did it. “A shaft of light shot upward from the steel, and I felt as if a long, thin blade transfixed my forehead. At the same moment all the sweat…splashed down on my eyelids, covering them with... moisture.” This is absolutely ridiculous. Human beings are notorious for making excuses for their actions. This is a farce of sorts, but it can be applied to one’s life directly. You must own up to your actions.
In other words, think about this quote by Victor E. Frankl. “…the meaning of life always changes, but it never ceases to be. We can discover this meaning in life in three different ways: (1) by doing a deed; (2) by experiencing a value; and (3) by suffering.” This means the meaning of life is always there. Human beings simply need to find it in their lives, day by day. To tap into this experience, one must make action in his or her life. One may do so by having an action occur to him or her that proves how much something is worth to them. Finally, one has to suffer to see the beauty and meaning.
The latter makes the most sense. If one does not experience pain, then how can it be calibrated? How can happiness be truly felt and appreciated if the lowest of feelings doesn’t exist. Life is like a wave, it is in continuous motion and in order to ride the very top of the wave, one must dip down low into the valley to get the full appreciation.
In short, Existentialism is everywhere one looks. It’s a simple mindset that will forever change one’s life. He or she just needs to look at their actions & selves, along with owning up to what they do, to reach the zenith of life.
The universe is an absurd place. It make zero sense. & as human beings, it is impossible to understand it. It might burst one’s bubble, but life has no meaning. There is not a master plan. Humans were put in the universe for no reason. The best option, hiding behind door number three though, is to just accept that life is “absurd” and to move on. Humans must find the beauty in life, for that is the meaning of life. If one misses the meaning, then what’s the point of living in the first place? Along with this, we have to take responsibility for our actions and be individuals.
In ‘The Stranger’, Meursault lives his life without vigor. He goes through the motions of life but doesn’t accept any of his own actions as… his own, and fails to see the beauty in life. He kills an Arab, but he does so for no good reason. He says he killed him ‘cause of… the sun. He is later executed for his actions.
The following explains why he did it. “A shaft of light shot upward from the steel, and I felt as if a long, thin blade transfixed my forehead. At the same moment all the sweat…splashed down on my eyelids, covering them with... moisture.” This is absolutely ridiculous. Human beings are notorious for making excuses for their actions. This is a farce of sorts, but it can be applied to one’s life directly. You must own up to your actions.
In other words, think about this quote by Victor E. Frankl. “…the meaning of life always changes, but it never ceases to be. We can discover this meaning in life in three different ways: (1) by doing a deed; (2) by experiencing a value; and (3) by suffering.” This means the meaning of life is always there. Human beings simply need to find it in their lives, day by day. To tap into this experience, one must make action in his or her life. One may do so by having an action occur to him or her that proves how much something is worth to them. Finally, one has to suffer to see the beauty and meaning.
The latter makes the most sense. If one does not experience pain, then how can it be calibrated? How can happiness be truly felt and appreciated if the lowest of feelings doesn’t exist. Life is like a wave, it is in continuous motion and in order to ride the very top of the wave, one must dip down low into the valley to get the full appreciation.
In short, Existentialism is everywhere one looks. It’s a simple mindset that will forever change one’s life. He or she just needs to look at their actions & selves, along with owning up to what they do, to reach the zenith of life.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Macbeth & Reality TV... whaaaa?
Macbeth has a lot to it. I know that sounds completely obvious & stupid, but just hear me out. The play has a lot of layers, between the relationship of the Macbeth’s, their drive for success, & the overall evil of this play, you can’t help but feel like a kid with ADD trying to suck the meaning out of it.
The most obvious theme [& the one I plan on talking…erm…typing about] is the downfall of ambition. Everybody is ambition, it’s really one of the most human of emotions to have. But what happens when that ambition goes too far?
Macbeth explores this. It looks into the affects of what society would deem as being too ambitious. Greedy even. I think this play is so popular, because everyone can relate to it. Like I said, it’s a common, human emotion. The theme itself is presented by Macbeth himself.
The dream or goal was brought about by the witches. They look the seed in the ground. Then, with a little bit of watering, it grew out of control. I would like to think that under normal circumstances, Macbeth wouldn’t be the type just to murder a crap ton of people. Lady Mac had a lot to do with this, pushing him forward fulfill this “goal.” It’s tragic that Macbeth, successful in his own right, will eventually meet his downfall for trying to get too far ahead.
This same theme is played out in today’s times. I’d like to think of reality tv as a modern ‘Macbeth.’ The way everyone is always trying to get ahead in them. They think they can win & will do anything to get what they want. All for success & fame, they are willing to compromise their values. It makes for amazing television, but disgusting aftertaste when you sit down to think about it.
Macbeth is a classic for a reason. I know I say that a lot, but it’s themes are timeless. All of us can relate to the epically [tragic] ambitions of the one, the only, Macbeth.
The most obvious theme [& the one I plan on talking…erm…typing about] is the downfall of ambition. Everybody is ambition, it’s really one of the most human of emotions to have. But what happens when that ambition goes too far?
Macbeth explores this. It looks into the affects of what society would deem as being too ambitious. Greedy even. I think this play is so popular, because everyone can relate to it. Like I said, it’s a common, human emotion. The theme itself is presented by Macbeth himself.
The dream or goal was brought about by the witches. They look the seed in the ground. Then, with a little bit of watering, it grew out of control. I would like to think that under normal circumstances, Macbeth wouldn’t be the type just to murder a crap ton of people. Lady Mac had a lot to do with this, pushing him forward fulfill this “goal.” It’s tragic that Macbeth, successful in his own right, will eventually meet his downfall for trying to get too far ahead.
This same theme is played out in today’s times. I’d like to think of reality tv as a modern ‘Macbeth.’ The way everyone is always trying to get ahead in them. They think they can win & will do anything to get what they want. All for success & fame, they are willing to compromise their values. It makes for amazing television, but disgusting aftertaste when you sit down to think about it.
Macbeth is a classic for a reason. I know I say that a lot, but it’s themes are timeless. All of us can relate to the epically [tragic] ambitions of the one, the only, Macbeth.
Make Up: Fated To Choose?
There has always been a debate as to if we are the makers of our own destinies or not. Countless hours have been spent debating it, countless lives have been lost fighting about it, countless theories have been made about it. Who has the right answer though?
Truth be told, I’m not sure anybody knows. I know I don’t have a good answer, but I do have some thoughts on it.
I personally don’t subscribe to the belief of ‘higher powers.’ I would like to say that I am a morally sound person [or I’d like to believe as much] & that I hate it when people look down upon me for that. With that being said, I don’t believe in ‘fate.’ I don’t think some divine power has our lives completely planned out. I’ve even heard lots of people say that the whole reason how come we can commit wrong & sin, is that we were granted the right of free will.
We can make ourselves into whatever we want to be. It’s the American dream really. If you want to become a doctor, you can become a doctor, if you work hard enough at it. In theory, our lives are under our control.
I can’t help but question my own thought though. How do you explain coincidences? Would you call it fate that you & the love of your life should have known each other through a mob of people but yet… didn’t? Fate has existed throughout history for so many years. Has it been there for a reason?
To tie it all together, maybe it’s a bit of both.
When those moments happen, I can’t help but love the feeling & how it feels like maybe, maybe you’ve made the right decisions & this is what/where you’re suppose to be. I wish could solve the infinite question, the million dollar question, but all I have are some ideas & a hodgepodge answer.
Truth be told, I’m not sure anybody knows. I know I don’t have a good answer, but I do have some thoughts on it.
I personally don’t subscribe to the belief of ‘higher powers.’ I would like to say that I am a morally sound person [or I’d like to believe as much] & that I hate it when people look down upon me for that. With that being said, I don’t believe in ‘fate.’ I don’t think some divine power has our lives completely planned out. I’ve even heard lots of people say that the whole reason how come we can commit wrong & sin, is that we were granted the right of free will.
We can make ourselves into whatever we want to be. It’s the American dream really. If you want to become a doctor, you can become a doctor, if you work hard enough at it. In theory, our lives are under our control.
I can’t help but question my own thought though. How do you explain coincidences? Would you call it fate that you & the love of your life should have known each other through a mob of people but yet… didn’t? Fate has existed throughout history for so many years. Has it been there for a reason?
To tie it all together, maybe it’s a bit of both.
When those moments happen, I can’t help but love the feeling & how it feels like maybe, maybe you’ve made the right decisions & this is what/where you’re suppose to be. I wish could solve the infinite question, the million dollar question, but all I have are some ideas & a hodgepodge answer.
Make Up: I don't do this whole... 'Medieval' thing.
I don’t even want to think about life in Medieval time. I wouldn’t say I’m prissy, but I would assumed I’d get eaten alive in the way “guys” act.
Sure, I could maybe be an artsy man. I would get away with engulfing myself in the musical of the time. I’m sure I’d look pretty fierce in tights & ruffles, playing my lute… or not. I like my clothes tight, but not that tight. Also, minstrels were… kind of poor. I know, I know. Everyone was poor in these times, but it still wouldn’t be nice to be hungry all the time.
& that’s another thing. Food? Oh PLEASE. You have to be kidding me. I love soup. Soup is delicious, but I have no plans on going on a virtually all liquid diet. Carbs are delicious though, so in theory, I’d be totally okay with bread. I need some class.
Back to the arts though, I could maybe see myself as an actor. Some of the most classic of literature was created during this time. On the other hand though, you had to pretty much be straight out of the womb to be an actor. They had little boys play girls. There would still be stuff for me to do though, in the theatre world.
So it’s pretty much decided, I need to live the “high life” during these times.
If I, for some reason, were to be stuck in the lowly life of the… common person, I wouldn’t make it. All of the hard labor, doing everything by hand. I have no affinity for dirt. Come on, people! Do you really think I could go months without showering? Two words: Nev-er. This isn’t the most manly of things to say, but hey, we’re not keeping track, I have a weak immune system. I would probably die at a young age from disease. Ha. Plus, there weren’t any -whispers- homosexuals. I’m being realistic here in the fact that I wouldn’t want to be with a woman, especially some of those… erm… “winners.” No thank you. I don’t do the whole mule thing.
Basically, I don’t do this whole Medieval thing. :P
Sure, I could maybe be an artsy man. I would get away with engulfing myself in the musical of the time. I’m sure I’d look pretty fierce in tights & ruffles, playing my lute… or not. I like my clothes tight, but not that tight. Also, minstrels were… kind of poor. I know, I know. Everyone was poor in these times, but it still wouldn’t be nice to be hungry all the time.
& that’s another thing. Food? Oh PLEASE. You have to be kidding me. I love soup. Soup is delicious, but I have no plans on going on a virtually all liquid diet. Carbs are delicious though, so in theory, I’d be totally okay with bread. I need some class.
Back to the arts though, I could maybe see myself as an actor. Some of the most classic of literature was created during this time. On the other hand though, you had to pretty much be straight out of the womb to be an actor. They had little boys play girls. There would still be stuff for me to do though, in the theatre world.
So it’s pretty much decided, I need to live the “high life” during these times.
If I, for some reason, were to be stuck in the lowly life of the… common person, I wouldn’t make it. All of the hard labor, doing everything by hand. I have no affinity for dirt. Come on, people! Do you really think I could go months without showering? Two words: Nev-er. This isn’t the most manly of things to say, but hey, we’re not keeping track, I have a weak immune system. I would probably die at a young age from disease. Ha. Plus, there weren’t any -whispers- homosexuals. I’m being realistic here in the fact that I wouldn’t want to be with a woman, especially some of those… erm… “winners.” No thank you. I don’t do the whole mule thing.
Basically, I don’t do this whole Medieval thing. :P
Friday, February 20, 2009
Media Check!
Simply stated, chivalric romances have their own amount of importance. Were they a little bit cheesy? (More than a little…) Yes. But that doesn’t change the fact they have shaped our views on love & relationships.
If it wasn’t for chivalry, we wouldn’t have the rules for relationships that we do now. Men are expected to respect & swoon ladies & ladies are supposed to be gentle, kind souls with hot, hot bodies. Okay, that was a bit hyperbole-d, but they did have a lot of expectations on both ends. For example, check how they describe Lanval’s “hot elf lover”:
“This was how the maiden dressed up:
Of white linen, her camisole
Was made so that it showed both whole
Sides, shining where it laced up.
Her body was slim, long-waisted, tall,
Her neck was whiter than fresh snow-fall.
Grey were her eyes, white her face,
Lovely her mouth, nose in the right place,
Brown eyebrows, forehead smooth and fair,
Bright blond, crisply curling hair--
The radiant light of pure gold thread
Fades by the brightness of her head.”
Um… if you ask me, she sounds pretty disgusting but hey, everyone needs love. It later talks about how all the men did basically everything but hoop, holler & pat Lanval on the back for scoring such a babe.
Looking beyond that though, I would say that this scene can be tied back to our culture today. Even in those times, the rules were set for women. They had a social standard that they were expected to meet. The media affects how we view ourselves, & weren’t the minstrels a form of media? Songs & stories about thin, ghostly, blonde women with perfect noses are no different that images of skin & bones, orange tanned, blonde women with straight hair & perfect noses. Just think about it: w many girls think they need to be thinner? That they are fat lards who should throw up every meals & that no man will ever love her for her “full figured” self?
I’d say, if it weren’t for chivalry, & chivalric romances specifically, we wouldn’t have such self image problems. We might, just might, be happier with who we are, inside & out.
If it wasn’t for chivalry, we wouldn’t have the rules for relationships that we do now. Men are expected to respect & swoon ladies & ladies are supposed to be gentle, kind souls with hot, hot bodies. Okay, that was a bit hyperbole-d, but they did have a lot of expectations on both ends. For example, check how they describe Lanval’s “hot elf lover”:
“This was how the maiden dressed up:
Of white linen, her camisole
Was made so that it showed both whole
Sides, shining where it laced up.
Her body was slim, long-waisted, tall,
Her neck was whiter than fresh snow-fall.
Grey were her eyes, white her face,
Lovely her mouth, nose in the right place,
Brown eyebrows, forehead smooth and fair,
Bright blond, crisply curling hair--
The radiant light of pure gold thread
Fades by the brightness of her head.”
Um… if you ask me, she sounds pretty disgusting but hey, everyone needs love. It later talks about how all the men did basically everything but hoop, holler & pat Lanval on the back for scoring such a babe.
Looking beyond that though, I would say that this scene can be tied back to our culture today. Even in those times, the rules were set for women. They had a social standard that they were expected to meet. The media affects how we view ourselves, & weren’t the minstrels a form of media? Songs & stories about thin, ghostly, blonde women with perfect noses are no different that images of skin & bones, orange tanned, blonde women with straight hair & perfect noses. Just think about it: w many girls think they need to be thinner? That they are fat lards who should throw up every meals & that no man will ever love her for her “full figured” self?
I’d say, if it weren’t for chivalry, & chivalric romances specifically, we wouldn’t have such self image problems. We might, just might, be happier with who we are, inside & out.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Demons in our closet...erm...lake?
(pg. 48, l 441-443)
"A brilliant
Light burned all around him, the lake
Itself like a fiery flame."
Though short & sweet, this line has a lot going on beneath its orange chicken surface. In the literal, it's just saying that the lake was on fire. Whoosh. It added another crispy element to the story 'cause what's more heroic than beating the snot out of a foe underwater, burning water?
This, though, has a definite deeper meaning. It brings the story of Beowulf to a whole new level. It implies that Beowulf has in fact gone into Hell to fight Grendel's mother. He's a divine hero, sent by God to save the world. Sounds a little Jesus-esque, no?
We know that the Beowulf poet was a Christian, for Christianity had spread in the Angelo-Saxon culture at the time it was penned. There are tons of allusions to God in the piece, & I believe it's might be a retelling of the triumphs of the son of God.
I find it interesting they made the "Devil", Grendel's mother, a woman. Are they really that evil? Like really? Who knows. Maybe they are.
This story is just another epic at face value. A man's man saves the day, but if you dig deeper, you can see a whole new story. I hope I'm not crazy in seeing this. Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. Either way, Beowulf = Jesus in burly, bear form. End of story.
"A brilliant
Light burned all around him, the lake
Itself like a fiery flame."
Though short & sweet, this line has a lot going on beneath its orange chicken surface. In the literal, it's just saying that the lake was on fire. Whoosh. It added another crispy element to the story 'cause what's more heroic than beating the snot out of a foe underwater, burning water?
This, though, has a definite deeper meaning. It brings the story of Beowulf to a whole new level. It implies that Beowulf has in fact gone into Hell to fight Grendel's mother. He's a divine hero, sent by God to save the world. Sounds a little Jesus-esque, no?
We know that the Beowulf poet was a Christian, for Christianity had spread in the Angelo-Saxon culture at the time it was penned. There are tons of allusions to God in the piece, & I believe it's might be a retelling of the triumphs of the son of God.
I find it interesting they made the "Devil", Grendel's mother, a woman. Are they really that evil? Like really? Who knows. Maybe they are.
This story is just another epic at face value. A man's man saves the day, but if you dig deeper, you can see a whole new story. I hope I'm not crazy in seeing this. Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. Either way, Beowulf = Jesus in burly, bear form. End of story.
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