Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Sonnet 7

 

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem is one that seems to promote an image where a woman is expressing her love for a man. It is likely that the poem is a reflection of the manner through which Browning loves her husband, and what her love has been able to do for her. This is especially considering that before she met her future husband, she had been a sickly individual, and it was only after she got married that she had an improvement in her health status (Browning, The Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning 16). The information concerning her personal life can be considered useful in understanding this poem because it shows that she is an individual that makes use of her personal experiences in her work. It also promotes an image of an individual that is able to ensure that she creates a reflection of her personal life in her work in such a way that she brings her audience as close as possible to the reality of what occurs between two individuals that love one another. Thus, she is able to ensure that there is an increase in the emotional effect of her work on her audience.

One of the most significant aspects of this poem is that it promotes an image of an individual that is deeply in love; which ensures that there is a joyous tone throughout the poem. This is seen through the way that she describes her meeting with her lover using terms such as hearing “the footsteps” of her lover’s “soul” next to her (Browning XX, line 1). This is an extremely important statement because it shows that she is an individual that was extremely lonely until such a time as she met her lover. In addition, in the same line, she adds “I think” (Browning XX, line 1), meaning that despite the joy that she is currently feeling, she is still uncertain concerning the direction towards which her life is heading. Her statements suggest that while she is joyful about the events that are taking place in her life, she is also concerned about their consequences. Furthermore, she seems to attribute her continuing to live to her lover, as seen in the case where she suggests that he saved her from “obvious death” and provided her to discover the joys “Of life in a new rhythm” (Browning XX, lines 6-7). These are extremely important lines because they promote an image of an individual that seems to have been extremely lonely until such a time as she met her lover. The statement “obvious death” is highly symbolic because it implies that the persona lived in an environment and society where nobody understood her, until such a time as her lover came to her life.

The imagery used in the poem is also extremely important in understanding the state of mind of the writer. This is especially the case where the image of being in the “brink of obvious death” is brought up. It shows that the writer is an individual that was very close to death and that if not for her lover, she would have ended up dying. However, with her recovery, an image of the celebration of life is promoted, since the individual involved concedes that while there are troubles in life, as seen in her sickliness, there is still so much to live for. The use of juxtaposition can be seen in “country, heaven” (Browning XX, line 10) and this is extremely important in the advancement of the idea that because of the love that she feels for her lover, she is no longer willing to die. Instead, the world has become a better place for her to such an extent that it can be compared to heaven. Therefore, in the poet’s mind, it seems to heaven and country are essentially interchangeable aspects of the same thing; meaning that joy can not only be found in heaven with God, but also in the regular human life, despite its troubles (Stott and Avery 37). Therefore, while this poem seems to be one that celebrates life and love, and the joys that they bring about in the lives of individuals, it also touches on its grimmer aspects; essentially acknowledging that it is the latter that make the joys so precious.

In conclusion, the poet seems to acknowledge the power of love and the way that it can have a positive effect on the lives of individuals. This is especially the case considering that the mood of the poem increasingly becomes positive from line to line. It shows a perspective that advances the need for individuals to take advantage of all opportunities that they have in life, despite its grimmer aspects, to find joy in it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Browning, Elizabeth Barrett. "Sonnets From The Portuguese." Massachusetts: Barre Publishing (1977).

Browning, Elizabeth Barrett. The Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Vol. 1. Macmillan, 1898.

Stott, Rebecca, and Simon Avery. Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Routledge, 2014.

Monstrosity in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Monstrosity is a term that is normally used for individuals that have completely deviated from the best values of society. It is a means of explaining the duality of man’s nature, where despite the good that is often present in daily interactions in society, there is also a darker side, where the individual involved have secret desires that go against social norms. It is often a constant struggle for these individuals to make sure that they are able to suppress their darker side because they have to hold steady to their moral side in order to continue being accepted by the rest of society. It is therefore essential for individuals to make sure that they are able to seek righteousness through restraining themselves from committing those acts that would be considered monstrous. In this paper, there will be an analysis of the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in order to demonstrate that the monstrous nature of man is real and that it needs to be suppressed in order to ensure that society does not descend into chaos.

The theme of monstrosity is prominent in he poem, especially in the case where it seeks to show that individuals have to be constantly tested in order to remain committed to their ideals. In the poem, Sir Gawain is shown to be an individual that has the chivalrous characteristics that were most prized in King Arthur’s court (Walker 112). However, despite this side of him being prominent, it is revealed that he is an individual, like all human beings, who has a darker side. This is seen through the way that Gawain has to struggle in order to overcome the temptation that come about through letting go of his human qualities and giving in to the monster within. This ability is especially prominent in the way that he relates with the Green Knight, whose agenda it is to tempt Gawain into giving in to his animal needs. In addition, Gawain is also tempted to commit adultery with the wife of his host, but he overcomes this temptation and ends up in a situation where he is able to retain his chivalric character. Under these circumstances, where Gawain is constantly tested, there is a revelation that what separates man from the animal or monster within him is the attempt to hold on to hold on to ideals, in this case chivalry, that ensures that he is not able to fall into temptation. Instead, chivalry, supported by religion, is what keep Gawain from falling into a situation where he would not have been able to resist the animal instinct that was pulling him towards accepting his monstrous nature (Mills 484).

The struggle against man’s monstrous nature is further shown through the way that Gawain is given tests during the days that he lives with his hosts. During the first two nights of his stay, Gawain kisses his host after the host’s wife attempts to seduce him. However, Gawain resists the temptation to get involved with the host’s wife because to do so would be a considerable betrayal. Therefore, his action of kissing his host is important because it shows his loyalty to him and Gawain’s refusal to give in to the monster within him (Dinshaw 205). It is also a sign of his respect for his host because the latter has taken Gawain in at the worst possible moment where he was suffering despair. Gawain’s loyalty to his chivalry as well as his king make it difficult for him to tarnish the latter’s name because to do so would have been the biggest humiliation that Gawain would have encountered among his peers. These scenarios in the poem show that human beings are in a constant struggle to overcome their animal instincts (Woods 209). This struggle is essential because it allows them to overcome all the tests that are put in their way and help them achieve a level of order because they are able to suppress the monsters within them. The darker side of human nature is seen through the way that Gawain is tempted to undertake actions that go against his religious and chivalrous beliefs, yet he is able to overcome it by an effort of will.

The poem shows that there are instances where individuals can give in to their inner monster because of self-preservation. Gawain, afraid of death at the hands of the Green Knight, conceals from his host that the host’s wife has given him a magic green girdle which she tells him will help to protect him from being harmed (Foley 73). The instinct of self-preservation is one that seems to overcome the need to observe chivalry and leads to a situation where the individual gives into the monster. A consequence is that when Gawain is confronted by the Green Knight about the green girdle, he confesses to his sin, feeling extremely guilty about it. The Green Knight shows Gawain considerable understanding, stating that it was Gawain’s attempt to preserve his life that led him to concealing the girdle from him. Despite this assurance, Gawain remains troubled because he has failed in upholding his chivalrous beliefs and has instead allowed the darker side within him to tempt him into seeking to preserve himself. The tests that Gawain undergoes throughout the story are pertinent to understanding the way that despite their best efforts, human beings tend to be foremost concerned about protecting themselves from harm rather than seeking to advance the interests of their societies. This is the case with Gawain who, despite having travelled to honour a promise by Arthur’s court, is forced into a situation where he instead seeks to protect himself. At that moment, when he feels that he is going to encounter certain death, self-preservation wins out and he keeps the green girdle that he is given from his host.

The character development of Gawain is one that seeks to encourage human beings of their ability to suppress their monstrous nature. He is an individual that seeks to make sure that he does right with all those that rely on him. This is to such an extent that he makes the decision to seek out the Green Knight in order to fulfil the promise that he made to him. As such, Gawain is an honest man, willing to undergo an ordeal that might end up taking his life, as stated that “True men pay what they owe,” (line 444). Gawain is also honest concerning the two kisses from the host’s wife, which is extremely important because it allows him to receive the host’s good faith. The honesty displayed by Gawain is important n showing individuals that they can achieve considerable fulfilment through sticking to their ideals because under such circumstances, they can be able to enhance their image while at the same time maintaining order in their societies. Giving in to the monstrous nature can only lead to their failure to ensure that they are above animals; instead creating chaos where there should otherwise be order. Gawain’s failure to reveal information concerning the green girdle and his subsequent confession about it shows that despite the temptation to let in the monstrous part of their nature, human beings can redeem themselves through maintaining those ideals that keep them separate from other creatures whose monstrous side is more prominent.

In the poem, there is biblical allusion concerning how man is constantly tested to find out how well they are able to suppress their monstrous nature. The Green Knight is described in a way that shows his godlike attributes because he is the one that carries out the tests on Gawain. He is an individual that seeks to find out how well Gawain can hold on to his ideals while at the same time making Gawain work very hard in order to achieve his approval (Carter 29). The Green Knight’s godlike attribute can also be seen in the way that he appears in Arthur’s court and makes his demands. Later in the poem, it is revealed that he does so because the court is one where the tenets of chivalry and religion are held dear, and that he wanted to see whether its members would be able to continue doing so under extraordinary circumstances (Martin 312). The way that the Green Knight behaves is more closely associated to a nature god than to a regular knight, with his tests and location at the green chapel; which is actually a barrow that would normally be associated with a dragon (Evans 723). Therefore, his actions in testing Gawain is to find out how well the latter can suppress the monstrous nature of human beings while at the same time holding on to the ideals that make up human society.

Human beings have an inner monster, and they have to constantly exercise restraint in order to suppress it. Gawain’s trials are an example of his attempt to keep away from animalistic impulses because he does not give into the seductions of his host’s wife. Instead, he seeks to remain honest and maintain his honour at a time when his dark side strains to dominate him. Gawain demonstrates that by keeping their animalistic instincts at bay, human beings are capable of achieving great things. Holding on to chivalrous ethics, as in the case of Gawain, is important in helping individuals achieve their full potential, especially in a society where there is a lack of serious observance of these ideals (Stevens 66). The poem gives the impression that it is essential for human beings to not only observe the chivalric code, but also religion so that they can be able to overcome the evil side of their nature. It is also a means through which to maintain order and fellowship in society because they can be better able to work together towards the achievement of good. Chivalry and religion are essential restraints against man’s monstrous nature, and they should be held onto in order to overcome it.

In conclusion, the monstrous nature of human beings and their need to suppress it is an important subject in the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The poem shows that human beings have to constantly hold on to chivalrous ideals in order to ensure that they overcome the monstrosity that is the dark side of their nature. The tests that Gawain undergoes are reminiscent of what all humans undergo on a daily basis as they struggle to keep away their animalistic characteristics and seek to achieve their full potential through maintaining values that are essential for order to prevail within their own societies.

A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid

Jamaica Kincaid in her novel can be said to be structured into four sections each of which is meant to address the diverse issues concerning the island nation of Antigua. Throughout the novel, one will come to the conclusion that the beauty of Antigua that is described by the author is not what it seems. This, it can be argued, is due to the fact that while the island may be full of beauty, it is also ridden with a corruption so great that it has become an integral part of the society. It can further be argued that the main them of the novel is corruption, which is so rife in the Antiguan society that it has led to its underdevelopment. Kincaid describes the beauty of Antigua and makes a sharp contrast of this beauty to the harsh realities which plague this island. When one considers the argument to support this view of her country, one comes to the conclusion that it is all indeed true. One of the arguments that Kincaid makes in support of her argument that Antigua is a corrupt society is based on the fact that while the island has many expensive Japanese vehicles, most of them seem not to be working properly (Kincaid, 7). She further makes the observation of there being various mansions all over the islands, most of which were gained through illicit means. The corruption in the government is so bad that ten years after an earthquake, the public library that was damaged in the event has yet to be repaired. The example of the library’s dilapidated nature, it can be argued, is a symbol of the moral and ethical corruption that is prevalent in Antiguan society.

It can be argued that Kincaid, in her novel, is against tourism as it is packaged by the government and businesses of Antigua because of its insincere depiction of life on the island. While tourists are only shown the beautiful aspects of Antigua, they are not normally shown what has come to be the reality among most of the people on the island; that they are living in deplorable conditions because of the mismanagement of their economy. Kincaid’s arguments seem to be overly critical of the government and all of those who are involved in it, because of their massive corruption which has led to the destruction of the country. In the novel, there is even speculation concerning whether the colonial day may have been better than the present, where everything seems to be going wrong. It can be argued that Kincaid looks upon the government and the people of Antigua in general as being too complacent and accepting of the moral ugliness that it taking place in society, slowly destroying it. In addition to this, Kincaid seems to be highly critical of the culture that the people on the island seem to be practicing and this is because of the fact that most of them practice English culture, which is not their original culture (Kincaid, 12). While the people of the island hated the English treatment of them during the colonial period, they seem to have gone against all logic by abandoning or creating their own culture and have instead adopted the culture of their former oppressors. The latter argument seems to be highly critical of the people of Antigua because it seems to show their feeling of inferiority towards the English despite their resentment towards their treatment of them. It seems that Kincaid is attempting to display the irony that exists in Antiguan society, that while the people hate the oppressor, they love the oppressor’s culture.

Among the most prominent issues that are discussed in the novel is concerning the library, which, despite the ability of the wealthy members of the Mill Reef Club to fix it, they choose not to do it. They instead demand that the library be rebuilt first before they can offer any assistance of their own. It can be argued that the Mill Reef Club, being an all-white establishment does not consider the current state of affairs in the country, being out of their control, to be undesirable, and that they are only being nostalgic for the colonial days, when they were the ruling class of Antigua (Kincaid, 24). The neglect of the library is also a sign, it can be argued, of the state of affairs of the education sector of the country since it has also come to suffer a lot of neglect from the government. Books, it is well known, are the means through which culture is preserved and the fact that the minister of culture has allowed the library to remain as it is ten years after the earthquake is deplorable. In fact, an argument can be made that the minister of culture, despite holding onto a ministry responsible for the cultural development of Antigua does not seem to know what he is doing. In fact, it can be said that he is only in his position because of the pay as well as the prestige that goes with it, not knowing exactly what his docket stands for. It can also be argued that this is a testament of the corruption in government that has made it possible for the development of a lack of the preservation of Antiguan culture in favour of others.

In conclusion, it can be said that Kincaid makes many pertinent arguments concerning culture in the Antiguan society, and how it has come to be affected by the government as well as the people themselves. The depiction of the government in the novel is highly unfavourable because of the fact that many of the government officials seem to be extremely corrupt and because of this, they have made Antigua to be an underdeveloped country. The neglect of the library, which has been given a lot of prominence in the novel, can be said to be a symbol of the destruction of the culture of Antigua in favour of the English culture, which has created a situation of cultural loss within its population. It can therefore be concluded that Kincaid’s novel is about the loss Antiguan culture and the need to maintain this culture for future generations.

The Fish by Elizabeth Bishop

Bishop’s use of personification in the poem can be said to be an essential part of its development because it is used to show the essence of the poem. It can further be said that personification, being an aspect where there is the humanisation or provision of human attributes to a creature that is not human, has been most effective in ensuring that the relationship between the fish and Bishop is described. The personification of the fish can also be said to be Bishop’s attempt to show the great admiration that she feels for the fish, considering the fact that it has lived for so such a long time in fishing waters without having been caught. While at first, Bishop looked upon her catch as a great accomplishment, worthy of an amateur, her personification of the fish afterwards is a sign that she ends up empathising with it. She says, “and victory filled up
the little rented boat....And I let the fish go. This is perhaps the reason why she ends up appreciating the life which the fish may have lived and decides that it would be wrong for her to haul in her catch, in the end letting the fish go. From her description, we find that the fish is well known in the waters in which she is fishing and that many others before her have attempted to catch it without much success. She states that the fish carried the hooks that were embedded in its jaw “...Like medals with their ribbons/frayed and wavering”. This makes the fish to not only be considered to be a majestic character, but also one which has, through its own resourcefulness, been able to elude capture for so long. But the fact that she, an amateur, has managed to catch it is a sure sign that after its ling struggle, the fish has finally lost its will to live, allowing itself to be captured. This, in Bishop’s mind, is a sign that the fish has those sensible feelings that can only be attributed to human beings.

Personification in the poem is a powerful tool which has been used to show that despite the fact that fish are always hunted for sport, they are also creatures with possible feelings. It can be said that the description of the fish by Bishop is an attempt to show that while she at first seemed to detest it, after she caught it, her feelings eventually change. The fact that Bishop for the first time comes to notice “his lip” marks a turning point in her initial view of the fish since she describes it in such a way that can only be attributed to a human being. The fact that she mentions the fish’s lip can be considered to be an attempt of evoking a feeling of respect for it, since it has managed to outwit most of those individuals who would otherwise have captured it. She states, “and then I saw that from his lower lip.... all their five big hooks grown firmly in his mouth”. In addition, Bishop describes the fish’s beard, and since in human society, a beard is often associated with wisdom, it can be said that she considers the fish to be wise. Moreover, the description of the fish’s beard can be said to be a reflection of Bishop’s perception of its being highly intelligent since it had managed to live in the same waters for many years, eluding capture while at the same time attaining the admiration of those people who wanted to catch it. It is a creature that values its freedom and it goes to great lengths, using its intelligence as well as its knowledge of its home waters to ensure that it remains free, a fact that Bishop, through her description, seems to greatly admire, “.I caught a tremendous fish/and held him beside the boat.

The use of personification ensures that the fish has been given the respect and value that it deserves since it has managed to elude all those who were out to get it. It is because of the respect and value that Bishop feels for the fish that she eventually decides that it would be best to release it. She feels that it would be unfair if she were to keep the fish as a trophy because in time, her memory of her moment with it would be eventually destroyed. The fact that the fish has managed to survive for so much longer than its companions is because of its sheer will to do so. Personification, throughout the poem, is used as a means of showing how much Bishop values the fish and how much the story of its life and eluding of capture has affected her. The main theme of the poem, which is admiration, is reinforced through the personification of the fish, since it enabled the reader to consider it as though it were also a human being with the most basic and essential of feelings.

The myth of Napoleon and the Napoleonic years for the Romantics of the second wave

The myth of Napoleon has been found to have played a significant role in the development of the second wave of French romantic poetry. Such poets as Hugo and Musset were greatly influenced by the events that were considered to have been irrevocably tied to Napoleon, and it is to these myths that some of their greatest works can be attributed. While this may be the fact, the outside world seems to know very little concerning this remarkable man who is often considered to have been the villain in the stories concerning him outside of France itself. In Britain, for example, the fact that Napoleon was considered an enemy of the British civilisation has continued to be the view in the current world and this has affected the way that they view the French ruler (Semmel, 2005). It is said that he was short in stature and that because of his height; he felt that everyone looked down on him, making him want to achieve greatness in compensation. Despite the stereotypes that have developed concerning Napoleon in some countries, the fact remains that he was the greatest ruler that France had ever had since Charlemagne.

One myth that has often been propagated concerning Napoleon was his height, which many stated that was quite short. This myth has turned out not to be true and this has been mainly because of the fact that he was 5’7”, which was about the average height of a Frenchman in the nineteenth century. In addition, Napoleon was a genuine believer in a united Europe which united all the European peoples under one state, despite their nationalities and ethnicities, so that there could be lasting peace between them (Clifford, 2008). During this period, it was the British, not Napoleon, who did not want a peaceful settlement to the dispute concerning the dominion of the French empire over Europe, because the French empire was believed to be a potential threat to the prosperity of British trade and security both on land and at sea. An example of the reluctance of the British to reach a peaceful settlement with Napoleon was seen through the British breaking the treaty of Amiens, which resulted in war. In the resultant war, Napoleon only went to war because he wanted to retain his crown and not because he was in any way antagonistic towards the British. It is a fact that unlike other rulers in Europe who after defeat could still simply remains in power, this was not the case with Napoleon and this was because he was considered by the other rulers in Europe to be an upstart, who had taken the crown that legitimately belonged to the Bourbons (Furniss, 2008). Thus, Napoleon could not afford to lose a fight because if he did, then all would be lost for him, an example of this being when in 1812, rumours spread that he had been killed in the Russian campaign, the British worked towards the restoration of the Bourbons, overlooking Napoleon’s son’s claim to the throne.

The romantic poets garnered their inspiration from Napoleon, whom they praised considerably in their works while comparing him to his less liked nephew, Napoleon III, who was the French emperor at the time. The image of Napoleon as a hero was not reflected in countries outside France, especially Britain, where the government worked tirelessly to ensure that the reputation of Napoleon was damaged beyond repair. There was the use of widespread propaganda which included the distribution of pamphlets and newspaper articles which stated that Napoleon was a usurper to the French throne who had murdered the rightful monarchs of other European states. In addition, it was stated that Napoleon was an invader of free nations whose aim was to ensure that Britain was brought under his control. The British population was of the belief that their country was about to be invaded by Napoleon worked in the increasing of the negative public opinion of him. However, the dread of Napoleon’s invasion of Britain was not apparent, especially when one considers the fact that during the peace of Amiens, he allowed tourists from Britain to flock to France. These tourists showed a grudging admiration and fascination for the achievements of Napoleon in France, which were quite considerable when compared to his contemporaries. Even after his defeat at Waterloo, when Napoleon was shipped to British waters, it is stated that a large number of small vessels approached the ship in which he was being held so that they could catch a glance of the man who many feared yet admired in equal measure (Ruppert, 2012). Napoleon was so popular that people travelled from far in Britain to see him, and this was a cause for panic for the British government, which feared that Napoleon’s popularity would influence a popular uprising within Britain itself. This is the reason why he was exiled on St. Helena Island, far from Britain, because he was considered a direct threat if he were to step on British soil.

The charisma of Napoleon is one of the factors which have contributed to the development of the Napoleonic myth. He is probably the only ruler in modern world history who, after being ousted from power and sent into exile, returned to his throne without a single shot being fired. When news of his returned reached the French, they immediately accepted it and their soldiers flocked to his banners in a show of support. The people cheered his return, looking upon it as a return to the peace and prosperity that they had enjoyed under his rule. The fact that the Bourbon king was quickly forgotten with the return of Napoleon is a testament of his charisma as well as the popularity that he enjoyed among the French people. The ability of Napoleon to move the masses can only be considered to be remarkable, because it showed just how much he was favoured by them. The return of Napoleon to Paris and his throne captivated the political and academic elites all over Europe because such an event had never happened before, thus totally unexpected (Stanley, 2007).

During the period of the romantic poets, the fascination over Napoleon and his legacy was still at its peak, with the man’s achievements being so diverse that they created a wide array of myths that bred confusion concerning him. Romantic poets like Hugo, for example, were extremely influenced by the Napoleonic myth especially when one considers that he was born in the period under Napoleon’s rule. In addition, Hugo’s father was a general under Napoleon and he taught his son to have immense reverence and admiration for Napoleon; an admiration which Hugo carried all his life and which he often compared to that of Napoleon III, whom he considered to be a pale shadow of his glorious uncle (Spevack, 1996). Among the most enduring aspects of the Napoleonic legacy were the wars which he fought in order to achieve a united Europe under French dominion. Where Louis XIV had failed, Napoleon succeeded because he managed to bring most of Europe under French rule and to spread the seed of the revolution over the borders of France to other European nations. Because of his achievements, the period under Napoleon’s rule was considered by the romantic poets to be the greatest in French history since he had led the country not only to greatness but also to almost uninterrupted peace and prosperity. The leadership ability of Napoleon was often praised in French romantic poetry and this also played a role in the further development of the Napoleonic myth to what it is in the current age. The myth of Napoleon’s political genius was often stated through his actions after he decided to get directly involved in the government of France (Skiff, 2012). He made popular political marriage to one of the most famous women in France at the time, Josephine de Beauharnais, which further enhanced Napoleon’s image as the national hero. A few years after this, Napoleon was able to gain power in France, in the period which came to be known as the consulate. His political genius then came into play as he had the constitution revised, making him the most powerful man in the country, and with this new power, he was able to have the authority to appoint all the people who were to occupy strategic positions. With Napoleon’s rise to power, it can be said that while the French Revolution officially came to an end, his actions showed that he was indeed a child of the revolution. He swiftly reformed all the crucial sectors in the government, making them more efficient than they had ever been before. Reforms were carried out in such sectors as the economy, the judicial system, as well as the education system.

Napoleon’s greatness was further seen when he restored those basic freedoms which the French people had been denied. One of these freedoms was the freedom of religion, which Napoleon reinstated by inviting the Catholic Church back to France, but while this was the case, however, he did not give the Church the absolute authority it once had, and instead, its activities were placed under the supervision of the state. Very few people in the history of France during the age of the romantic poets had received the approval and admiration of the French people like had Napoleon. The fact that he was extremely popular with the French public, especially after the restoration of the empire under Napoleon III, the romantic writers wrote a great deal, not only because they admired him themselves, but also because of the fact that they were writing for an audience that was fairly pro-Napoleon and was nostalgic for the days of greatness that he had made possible for them. Even during the romantic age, there had been written many books and accounts concerning Napoleon and these were read widely by the learned elites in French society (Martin, 2000). The accounts of the life of Napoleon may have played a significant role in the characterisation of this man in the poems influenced by romanticism. The myths surrounding the life and achievements of Napoleon had a great deal of influence on the poetry that was written during the age of romanticism and this is because of the fact that they inspired the works of the romantic writers, who wrote all that was positive concerning the life of this man. In most of the works of the romantic writers, one will find that there is heavy criticism of the rulers that came after Napoleon and these were often compared unfavourably with him; this being in part a further development concerning the Napoleonic myth.

Napoleon was among the people who were most admired during the age of romanticism, not only as a leader of men, but also as a man devoted to his family. This admiration does not just stem from the fact that he is one of the greatest men to have ever lived in France, but it also came from the way he conducted himself throughout his life. For many French people, Napoleon was a unique man, who rose from extremely humble origins and became the emperor of France at its most powerful in history. His life was the subject of numerous literatures, with some writers supporting his deeds while others have condemned them. Despite these disagreements about Napoleon, one thing, which all writers agreed upon, was that he was indeed an extraordinary man. Most romantic poets considered Napoleon to have been one of the foremost, military general in world history. Within a few years after becoming the French emperor, he had brought most of continental Europe under his rule. Furthermore, he had created a unique system of government, the like of which had never been seen in Europe. To the romantic poets, the achievements of this man were far superior to those of his successors, none of whom proved to be as capable as he had been. It can therefore be said that the Napoleonic myth influenced romantic poets because it also included the sense of nostalgia for the time of Napoleon, which was the greatest in French history.

Coincidence?

Amazing coincidences, while extremely rare, happen in the real world. This is mainly because they help to bring about a situation where the individuals involved end up questioning the events that are taking place around them and wondering whether or not they were destined to take place. The lives of individuals all over the world are in one way or another connected and this is the reason why the actions of individuals in one part of the world might end up affecting the lives of others in another part. Such instances can be seen in The Garden of Forking Paths, which is a story that promotes the idea that amazing coincidences actually take place. The lives of Yu Tsun and Stephen Albert, despite their not knowing it, are connected as seen through the manner in which Albert seems to be attracted to the work of Tsui Pen, and ancestor of Yu Tsun. Albert’s admiration for the work of Tsui Pen is an amazing coincidence because in the process, he does not realize that his life is going to be ended by a descendant of the person that he admires. Additionally, when Yu Tsun decides to go on a mission to kill Albert in order to send a message to his German masters, he ends up being surprised that the individual that he wants to kill is one who may have removed the should of mystery concerning his own past. However, despite the realization of the coincidence revolving between these two individuals, Yu Tsun ends up putting duty first by killing Albert.

Plato’s view of amazing coincidence can be considered to be one that is extremely complex. This is seen through the advancement of the belief that it is extremely rare to find a coincidence between interest and duty among individuals. This is a highly significant observation because it shows that individuals in society tend to choose between one and the other. Those individuals who are able to maintain a balance between their duties and interests are extremely rare and this is the reason why it is difficult for such coincidences to happen. Therefore, Plato suggests that in order to find a coincidence, individuals have to dismiss the common notions concerning interest and duty and consider them to be essentially mistaken. The dismissal of these ideas makes all the difference because those individuals who do so come to the conclusion that catering for either their obligations or interests lead to a situation where it is nearly impossible to find a situation where they are not causing harm. Plato seems to push for a definition of coincidence which involves those actions or incidents that take place in society according to their natural order rather than being promoted by the illusive definitions that human beings have placed on them. Thus, if all the illusive definition of terms that are used in society were dispelled, it would be possible to come to the realization that those aspects of life that are called coincidences tend to happen more often than is realized.

Descartes seems to promote the idea that coincidence comes about as a result of the familiarity of individuals with sensory objects. This is especially considering that this familiarity makes it extremely difficult for individuals to notice the diverse incidents that take place in their lives. In those times that they really do notice, they term these incidents as coincidences and do not realize that all of the actions that seem coincidental actually take place on a daily basis. The result is that human beings often seek to rationalize the incidents that happen around them to such an extent that they come to give material attributes to those aspects of life that are immaterial. Based on this view, amazing coincidences are common things that take place on a daily basis and it is as a result of the loss of communion with spiritual realities that human beings have experienced that when they encounter these realities, they end up seeking the refuge of their bodies. It is through being used to observing events from a physical level that individuals are hardly aware of the world around them and when they witness glimpses of the manner through which they are all connected, they are termed coincidences and interpreted as random events. Consequentially, it is essential for individuals to ensure that they attain a greater understanding of the events taking place in their lives, especially coincidences, by withdrawing from the sensory experiences that they have on a daily basis.

The Grimm Fairy Tales

When on reads the Grimm Fairy Tales, one comes to the conclusion that Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm are attempting to express their feelings about the world and the contradictions that exist within it. This collection of stories reveal the irony of living the human life as well as those of other creatures, some being happy with their lot in life while others remain sad due to their poverty as well as the tragic events that happen in their lives. The Grimm brothers use their stories to display the true nature of human beings; that nothing is ever permanent and that changes occur once in a while. Throughout their stories, one comes to the realization that there is the extensive use of imagery, symbolism, figurative language, style and tone in relation to the development of the themes involved.

The use of imagery is very extensive in throughout the Grimm Fairy Tales especially when making contrasts between the beauty of the world and the ugliness which is contained within it. This can be seen when, in Tom Thumb, the two men, not caring that their offer to buy Tom from his father would end up separating them. In fact, their only concern seems to be able to make a lot of money using Tom and they do not care at all concerning the feeling of alienation that they would be subjecting him to. The image of Tom as a tiny individual is used to show just how much individuals look down upon the less privileged individuals in society and how they make every attempt to exploit these people. It can be said that the image of Tom Thumb as a little fellow shows that despite his size, he is able to survive in a world that is hostile to his existence as Tom uses his wits to ensure that he is able to survive within it. This image may also be used to show the price which human beings have to pay because of their greed as well as their unthinking ambitions, and this instance can also be perceived in Hans in Luck. The image that is presented of Hans attempting to make his life better as well as to have something useful shows how human ambitions can at times be detrimental instead of helpful because he ends up losing all of his wages as well as all that he attained through barter. While this is the case, in most of the Grimm Fairy Tales, the image of happiness is continuously displayed with very few instances where there is any form of sadness, showing that most of these stories were written for the purpose of entertaining children.

Symbolism is a major style used in the development of the theme of the Grimm Fairy Tales and an excellent example of this, is in The Fisherman and His Wife, where the wife, despite having everything wants more; a symbol of her greed. The fact that she continues to demand more from her husband despite having everything that she needs can be considered to be symbolic of human nature, where we are never satisfied with what we have but continue to aspire for more. In addition, in the story Old Sultan, Sultan the dog can be considered to symbolize unwavering loyalty because despite the favor which the wolf did him in saving his life, Sultan decided to bark at the wolf whenever he comes to steal his master’s sheep. Furthermore, the fight between domestic animals and wild animals in this story shows that despite the poor treatment that the former receive from their masters, they are extremely loyal, while the latter are very cowardly creatures.

The Grimm brothers use figurative language to depict the contrasting characteristics of the characters that they depict in their stories, and a good example of this is that of the talking wolf in Tom Thumb which is an oxymoron used to depict the possible unique ability of Tom to communicate with animals. It is well known that wolves do not have human speech and the Grimm brothers depicting it as talking clearly shows the contrast in a situation where it would normally be impossible for normal conversation to take place. Figurative language can be seen all over the Grimm Fairy Tales and it is used to express the points or instances which can be considered to be the most important in the stories.

The tone of the stories can be considered to range from either being neutral to ironical. This is because of the contrast which the Grimm brothers attempt to make between the different characters in their stories, often depicting extreme good and extreme evil. The tone of the stories can be said to show that the world is a very beautiful place to be born into if one does not mind there not being any happiness all the time. The tone in these stories can be said to bring about quite a number of ironical scenarios, where an environment which is described as being beautiful is infested with evil people such as the thieves in Tom Thumb. In addition, the tone of the stories, such as that of The Elves and the Shoemaker, displays the advantages of doing good because eventually, these good acts are going to be rewarded. It can further be said that the tone of the stories depict the true feelings of their writers about the world and how the situation within it affects the different people living in it. The irony in the stories, such as The Fisherman and his Wife, helps to deliver the writers’ message to the reader as well as fostering an understanding of the subject matter involved.

In conclusion, the use of imagery, symbolism and figurative language in these stories greatly contributes to a greater understanding of the stories. They create situations which are familiar to the reader and they allow him to decipher the true meaning of what the stories is saying. Despite what many people who read it may think, they are not the kind of stories to be taken lightly because they are full of lessons. Instead, they have many lessons to give about the reality of human life in the world and the main message which can be made out of it is that there is not guarantee of happiness in the world and that we should live in it as best as we can.

Comparison of Brave New World and 1984

When one makes a study of Brave New World and 1984, one will come to the conclusion that both of these books are political satires which deal with the issues concerning the suppression of human nature in favor of one which is based on absolute control. One would say that both of these books depict the future world as a dreary place within which to live because the means through which the hums society interacts within them is very different from what is the case today. The interaction between human beings has traditionally been the means of transmitting knowledge from one generation to another, but this is not the case because in these societies, the fact that humans are able to interact does not mean that they learn anything from one another. A common depiction of these books is based on the belief that there will be less human interaction in the future, and this is seen in Brave New World, where because of a lack of serious human relationships, such as family, the issues are traditionally discussed more deeply do not take place and instead, there develops a type of society that is socially stagnant. While in the current world, the individuals get to have a better understanding of the issues being discussed because of regular interaction, in Brave New World, the opposite turns out to be true because of the fact that human beings, during the future age, are not conditioned to act independently of each other.

The events which are described in Brave New World, such as the establishment of a breeding program involving different castes of human beings, is not similar to those in 1984. This is because of the fact that in the latter, human beings, while being dominated by a single party whose purpose is to have absolute control of the society, has not made any attempt to alter humans physically. The main procedure used in gaining the absolute control and devotion among human beings is through the rewriting in history so that it is in the favor of the ruling party’s policies and objectives. Because the sources of history in the state described in 1984, known as Oceania, are either vague or scarce in content, it creates a situation where individuals get only a shallow understanding of the subject matter. In 1984, it is seen that because of the destruction of history, knowledge has become static, not being able to grow as it should. In both of these books, those people who possess knowledge or items that contain knowledge of the independent human nature of the past are completely ostracized from society or are put to death because of their perceived threat to the societal order. This makes it extremely difficult for knowledge to be transmitted and the lack of this knowledge has made the people in the societies described in the books disillusioned with life. This is especially true in Brave New World, where individuals have been conditioned by the ruling elite, to consume a drug known as soma, which is a hallucinogen used to ensure that they do not worry about their troubles.

The theme of control is prevalent in both Brave New World and 1984, and this is based on the need for the ruling elite to retain their power in what they consider to be the ideal state. Apart from working towards the destruction of all knowledge that concerns the past of human beings, they also adopt diverse methods to ensure that they have absolute control over the human society so that there are no rebellions. In Brave New World, there develops a caste system where human beings are no longer born in the natural way and are instead developed in laboratories. These are altered during their development so that they can best suit the purposes of the different castes to which they are assigned, with the higher castes being developed with such characteristics as intelligence while the lower castes are purposely given less intelligence so that they can work towards serving the interests of the higher castes. Because of their synthetic development, the lower castes of the society, who form the majority of the population in Brave New World, is not equipped to deal with the issues of day to day life and they have instead become artificial. It is possible that when Aldous Huxley was writing his book, he felt that the latter was the likely scenario that would face the world if there were no sources of human history from which people could get the knowledge and wisdom that they could use to make their lives more meaningful. In addition, it is possible that he believed that the intellectual development of the human race would be brought to a standstill because intelligent thought is often found in those instruments that perpetuate human history.

In 1984, on the other hand, there has developed a thought police whose purpose is to ensure that any material that individuals possess that might threaten the ruling order are apprehended and sentenced to death. The need for the party’s survival has created a situation where children in Oceania are indoctrinated with the need to spy on everyone who might possibly have any information that threatens the regime. This indoctrination is so great that these children end up also spying on and surrendering their own parents to the though police if the latter indeed have any dissenting material. In this way, children have become the means through which the government spies on its citizens and this is a sign that the normal traditional values of family loyalty have been destroyed, leaving behind a situation where there is no loyalty between individuals and families in the society. Independent thought has greatly been encouraged through the study of human history and this has ensured the development of new ideas. Because of this, the governments in both 1984 and Brave New World have ensured that this ability has been immensely diminished. These governments have come to realize that it is only through the study of old ideas that new ideas are developed and this has led to their destruction of material that may contain information that may be a threat to them.

In conclusion, as seen in both books, despite the large reserves of information that can lead to the further development of the human race, the ruling elite has chosen to destroy such information, perceiving it as a threat. In both of these books, the information provided by these governments do not have the qualities which the original sources of information have because most of the information gotten from the sources that are approved are often instant and shallow. These governments do not allow individuals to contemplate on the information which they read and this ensures that they do not have independent thought. The lack of independent thought due to the absence of knowledge has come to put the human race into a dark age of intellectual stagnation, as seen in these two works. When one reads these books, one comes to the conclusion that the ability to think through the learning of the previous work of others is what has helped the advancement of the human race. The inability to think and the reliance on shallow sources of information such as the internet is likely to see the end of the world as we know it. Human beings learn about their past from books and with this knowledge, the take action to avoid the mistakes of their past. Therefore, without adequate knowledge, the human race will probably end up destroying itself because it will not have the ability to learn from its past.

A World Without Books

Books have, over the centuries, been among the greatest inventions of the human race and it has been through them that human civilization has been able to advance. Books have become so essential that it is difficult to envisage humanity without them. Books have been the way through which the history of the human race has been transmitted from one age group to another. In addition, they have been the through which official records have bee kept, and without them, all the great civilizations of the past would not have been able to blossom and flourish as they did. Throughout history, scholars and those people who could read have been greatly revered by their fellow men because they were believed to be the carriers of and transmitters of knowledge. Before the modern times, books were extremely rare and were intensely sought after by those who could read them. In the Western world, books were so rare that the only book which many of those who could read had read was the bible, a book that certain priests could not even read. The ownership of and the ability to read books were therefore a source of great prestige for those who had the privilege of having them. This privilege eventually came to be spread all over the world as more people became literate and books became commonplace. There has, however, recently developed a trend where people have come to prefer other forms of entertainment at the expense of books, which are slowly, but surely, being viewed as relics of the past.

A world without books is a concept which many people are yet to comprehend due to the fact that a majority of the literate people in the world today at some point enjoys reading. While this is a fact, one has to consider that there have developed newer and seemingly more interesting forms of entertainment, which many of the younger generation is adapting to instead of books. This is creating a situation similar to that in the novel Fahrenheit 451 where books are of no value and any that are found are destroyed. In the world of this novel, books are considered by society to be useless and due to popular demand, it has become the duty of the firemen to destroy every available copy that is found. The influence of other media such as soap operas has become so great that the population prefers it to books, which are looked upon as being too strenuous to read. Many of the characters in the novel have become disillusioned by books, mainly because of the conflicting information which is found within them. Beatty, the boss of the main character, is said to have once been an avid reader, but his disillusionment with books soon led him to get involved in their destruction as a fireman. His disillusionment with them seems to be so great that he makes Montag, the main character, destroy the book which he realizes that the latter has in his possession.

One would say that a world without books would be a dreary place within which to live because books have traditionally been the means of transmitting knowledge from one generation to another. Through books, issues are discussed more deeply and in the process, the reader gets to have a better understanding of the issues being discussed. This is not true of other sources of information, because these sources are scarce in content and this creates a situation where individuals get only a shallow understanding of the subject matter. In Fahrenheit 451, it is seen that because of the destruction of books, knowledge has become static, not being able to grow as it should. Those people who possess books are completely ostracized from society and are put in mental asylums because of their intellect. This makes it extremely difficult for knowledge to be transmitted and the lack of this knowledge has made the people in this society disillusioned with life. Because of their hatred for books, the society in Fahrenheit 451 is not equipped to deal with the issues of day to day life and they have instead become artificial. This is the likely scenario that would face the world if there were no books from which people could get the knowledge and wisdom that they could use to make their lives more meaningful. In addition, it is possible that the intellectual development of the human race would be brought to a standstill because intelligent thought is often written in books.

Books have been a source of history for the human race for centuries, and without them, one would conclude that there can be no history. The study of the history of the human race is extremely important because it enables people to learn from the events of the past and this knowledge helps in the making of future decisions. The study of history is only possible through books and because of the developing lack of interest in them, slowly but surely, the human race is going to end up without a history. This can clearly be seen when, in Fahrenheit 451, most of the women prefer watching interactive soap operas to having intellectual discussions. This has led to a situation where the women in the novel have no life other than that which they watch on television. The power of the media has become so great that the characters in the novel do not have the will, or the inclination, to live a different sort of life. When Montag asks his wife if she remembers where they met, she declares that she does not remember. In fact, she does not seem to show any more interest in the matter despite the fact that it is supposed to be one of the most important events of her life. Her obsession with soap operas has damaged her intellectual ability as well as her long term memory. Perhaps if she had been obsessed with reading books instead soap operas, then she may have had an interest not only in her life but also in her past.

Independent thought has greatly been encouraged through the reading of books and this has ensured the development of new ideas. This ability would be immensely diminished if there were no books in the world because it is only through the study of old ideas that new ideas are developed. Such technology as the internet will inevitably lead to the extinction of books from the world because it is the source of plenty of information. However, despite the large reserves of information within it, the internet does not have the qualities which books have because most of the information gotten from it is often instant and shallow. The internet does not allow individuals to contemplate on the information which they have just received, as books do. The lack of independent thought due to the absence of books is likely to put the human race into a dark age of intellectual stagnation. The ability to think through the learning of the previous work of others is what has helped the advancement of the human race. The inability to think and the reliance on shallow sources of information such as the internet is likely to see the end of the world as we know it. Human beings learn about their past from books and with this knowledge, the take action to avoid the mistakes of their past. Therefore, without books, the human race will probably end up destroying itself because it will not have the ability to learn from its past.

Little Shop of Horrors

Little Shop of Horrors is a play that seeks to display the folly of unchecked ambition as well as the attraction of individuals to the promise of wealth and power. These are themes that are seen throughout the play where the character of Seymour is attracted to the promises made to him by the plant Audrey II concerning attaining all that his heart desires, and this, in the end, proves to be the cause of his downfall. In this play, the themes of unchecked ambition and the false promises of wealth and power are highly prominent and dominate its entire plot.

The theme of unchecked ambition is extremely prominent in Little Shop of Horrors and this is mainly as a result of the desires that the characters of Seymour and Mushnik have. Seymour is an individual who desires to achieve success in his life and it is as a result of this desire that he is shown to constantly want to get out of the Skid Row neighborhood. Additionally, he has a major crash on his fellow employee at the flower shop, Audrey, in whose honor he names the strange plant that he finds. Therefore, when he realizes that Audrey II has the potential of saving the flower shop, after Mushnik decides to close it, he convinces Mushnik to give Audrey II the chance to bring in more customers. The result is that Seymour ends up becoming indispensable to Mushkin, who, on realizing that his business is completely dependent on Seymour, takes advantage of his innocence and decides of adopt him in order to keep him tied to the shop.

The theme of false promises of wealth and power is explored in this play and this is in relation to Seymour. Seymour, after coming to the realization that Audrey II needs blood in order to survive decides to give it his own blood. However, when he cannot do it anymore, Audrey II asks him to kill people in order to provide it with blood, promising him that if he does so, it will make all his dreams come true. While he has doubts concerning this course of action, he succumbs to his baser instincts and ends up killing people, beginning with Orin, Audrey’s boyfriend, in order to ensure that Audrey II has a constant supply of blood. The result is that Audrey II keeps on asking for more as it grows and this leads to a situation where it ends up killing Audrey, the woman that Seymour loves. This is when Seymour realizes his folly, but by then, it is too late because Audrey II has become too powerful and cannot be killed.

Therefore, the plot of this play is dominated by the themes of unchecked ambition and the false promises of wealth and power. These are shown through the actions of the characters as they seek to ensure that they make use of an unusual plant in order to make their fortunes. However, all of these attempts end up being for nothing because the plant is actually manipulating the whole situation in order to fulfill its desire of achieving world domination.

Literary Devices in Hamlet

In Hamlet, Shakespeare uses various literary devices to enhance the different characteristics in the play. Among the most significant devices that he uses include metaphors, tone, style and motifs. The use of these devices is extremely significant in the play since it builds the characters within it as well as the various themes which are revealed.

Metaphors

In the play Hamlet, there are plenty of instances where metaphors can be found and they are used to reveal the feelings of the main character concerning those who are around him. Among the metaphors which are used in the play is when Hamlet states, "My father's brother, but no more like my father than I to Hercules”(Act 1 scene 2). Later on, he further states, "My fate cries out, and makes each petty artery in this body as hardy as the Nemean lion's nerve." The metaphors which are mentioned above are used by the author of the play to reveal that despite the fact that Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle, had killed his brother to attain the throne, they were extremely alike to each other. It shows Hamlet’s belief that both his uncle and father were men who valued their own power more than those people who were around them. It is because of this that eventually, the both came to their downfall because had they valued their people, then the tragic events which took place in the play would not have happened. Another important metaphor that is used in the play is that related to the cannon fire which accompanies the king’s toasts and this helps to show that Claudius, the king, is united with the land that he rules. In reference to the cannon fire, Hamlet states, "…or that the Everlasting had not fix'd his canon 'gainst self-slaughter!" (Act 1 scene 2). This is used to express Hamlet’s wish that his uncle Claudius would turn into a cloud (a play with the name Claudius) so that when the cannons shot into that cloud, it would be able to kill him. This would in essence freed Hamlet from his promise to his father’s ghost that he would kill Claudius to avenge his death.

Tone

When one considers the tone of this play, one would say that it is extremely dark. This is especially because of the fact that almost all the characters within it are either thinking dark thoughts or are plotting to commit evil things. From the very beginning of the play, we see that there is plenty of anxiety and uncertainty concerning the events that are taking place or are likely to take place. The mood in which Hamlet is put after talking to his father’s ghost is extremely dark, and those who know him come to believe that he is going mad. This dark mood is also transmitted to those who are around him and their actions, either directly or indirectly, reflect the darkness which is in the play. The soliloquies which Hamlet has concerning the dark aspects of life such as betrayal and mortality are some of the things which contribute to the tone of the play. However, from the first line of the play when the guard, Bernardo yells, “Who’s there!” (Act 1 scene 1) the dark tone of the play is set. It is later revealed that this may have been an expression of the anxiety which the guards felt after seeing the ghost of their former king several times during the nights.

Style

One of the aspects of style that is revealed when one reads Hamlet is the use of verse among the main characters when they speak. These characters often use words which have an unaccented syllable followed by an accented one. This creates a rhythmic pattern in their speech and it can be said that Shakespeare used this style of writing in order to keep the attention of the audience on the play and the characters within it. An example of the use of verse in the play is in Act 1 scene 2 when Hamlet states, “O, that this too too solid flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew!” When one considers Hamlet’s soliloquies, one will find that he often speaks in a formal tone, and this is used to reveal that he comes from the nobility. The fact that verse is used in the play is a way for Shakespeare to separate the nobility from the commoners, who often speak in prose, not seeming to use the formal ways of the former. When Hamlet communicates with the commoners who are his friends, he also speaks in prose. For example, when he speaks to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, he says “….how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action how like an angel!” (Act 2 scene 2). This can also be used to reveal Hamlet’s character as being a humble man despite the fact that he is the prince of his country. 

Motif

Throughout the play, the motif of incest is alluded to especially when there are conversations concerning the relationship between Claudius and Gertrude. These allusions stem from the way these two are referred to in conversations between Hamlet and his father’s ghost. One gets the sense that the marriage between Claudius and Gertrude is forbidden and that their being united is an act of incest. These two were previously brother- and sister-in-laws and despite this, with the death of Gertrude’s husband, she chooses to be with her husband’s brother. In addition, the way Laertes speaks of his sister Ophelia, especially after her death has overtones of incestuous desire within it. This desire is seen in sexually suggestive terms and in action when as Ophelia is being buried, Laertes jumps into her grave and holds her. One of the most revealing suggestion of incest in the play is the obsession which Hamlet has with the sex life of his mother and his uncle. Another motif that can be seen in the play is that of misogyny and this is seen through Hamlet’s reaction to his mother’s marriage to his uncle. The disappointment and abandonment which he feels leads him to come to look down upon women as mere weaklings. This acts as an inhibitor to the relationships which Hamlet has with the women in his life since he considers them to be frail creatures that cannot be trusted. The hatred towards women that Hamlet feels is what brings him to tell his mother, “Frailty, thy name is woman” (Act 1 scene 2).

Significance

The play is highly significant because it is a revelation of the true nature of human beings in the world. One of the most noteworthy themes in the play is that of ambition and this is seen when Claudius takes steps to eliminate his own brother so that he can not only take his throne but also his wife. In addition, once it is revealed to Hamlet that it is his uncle, who killed his father; his main ambition in life is to ensure that he takes revenge on Claudius on behalf of his father. The dark tone which is dominant in the play is also highly significant because it is a revelation of the dark nature of human beings. Human beings are often blinded by their own needs and they cease to care about the needs of those with whom they share their lives. This can be seen through Gertrude’s reaction to her son’s dark mood when she ends up believing that he is going mad. If only she had thought to dig deeper into her son’s thoughts, perhaps the real reason for his dark mood would have been revealed and as a result, the tragic events at the end of the play would have been avoided. It can, therefore, be said that the play is significant since it reveals the true nature of the life which human beings have to live.

 References

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Farnham, United Kingdom: Scolar Press, 1969.

The Monster by Mary Shelley

When one considers the novel The Monster by Mary Shelley, one comes to the conclusion that it is a work based on the study of morality. The morality of the main character, The Monster, is clearly presented and it shows the conflict between the religion and nature. It can be said that despite the fact that Shelley was a well known atheist, who did not believe in the role of God in the lives of mankind, the events that take place in the life of the main protagonist are full of biblical allusions. It is a stark contrast to the beliefs of Shelley, which after reading the text would come into question since she was a believer of the in born morality that can be found in mankind. Shelley’s belief that the God is nonexistent and that man has the ability to choose his own destiny is clearly in contrast with what she writes in the novel. The biblical allusions that can be related to the life of The Monster and his creator are in conflict with what Shelley believed, and because of this, one would come to the conclusion that despite her denying it, Shelley was a believer in the existence of God and His influence in the lives of men. It can further be said that Shelley may have found it difficult to separate the religious beliefs that were current in her time from her own personal convictions, and this is expressed through the confusion through which The Monster undergoes in his attempt to find his place in the world.

Despite Shelley’s atheistic beliefs, one can conclude that she was a keen reader of the bible and this is why The Monster is so full of allusions. When one considers The Monster, one would be tempted to compare it to the story of Cain in the bible. While this may not have been Shelley’s original intention when portraying this character, it can be said that it came about unconsciously, since The Monster is rejected both by the society, when he attempts to become a part of it, and by God, since the latter is not the one who created him. The separation which The Monster feels is like that of Cain since he is forced to wander the earth alone without any support from either his creator or from the society. In addition, it can be said that The Monster experiences the same rejection which was experienced by Cain in the bible. The story is meant to show the atheistic beliefs of the author, but it eventually comes to do the exact opposite as seen when Victor, The Monster’s creator, comes to be disgusted by what he has created. This is a sign that despite Shelley’s belief that human beings are superior in their own right, there are limits to their knowledge. Humans do not have the capacity to bear the knowledge and to become creators the way God in the bible is portrayed. The morality of the ability of human beings to create life comes into question, because they do not have the capacity to accept their creations, instead looking upon them as abominations, the way Victor does towards his creation.

One of the most significant parts of the story is when, after creating the Monster, Victor becomes horrified by what he has done because his creation is a grotesque creature. While this may have been true, the Victor does not act like a creator would, because of the fact that he knew exactly what he was creating and could have designed it in any way he wanted to. This turns out not to be the case and his hatred for his creation leads to the Monster reciprocating the same feelings towards its creator. This leads to the Monster going to the extent of killing the brother of its creator in an attempt to hurt him. Victor, on the other hand, refuses to take responsibility for his creation and as a consequence, he is indirectly the reason for some of the bad actions that are taken by it. The Monster demands that his creator creates a mate for him, because since he is not able to fit into the human society and he is hated by the one who created him. The Monster, because he is unable to enter human society, considers himself to be the first of a new species and this is why he demands a mate from his creator. While Victor initially agrees to these demands, he comes to regret this action and destroys the female companion that he was creating for the Monster.

Mary Shelley’s story has been considered by some to be a substitute expression of the feelings which were troubling here deeply because due to the not often cordial relationship between herself and her husband. It has been said to have been an attempt to express her true feelings of the hurt she was undergoing. One would even go as far as to say that she may have related herself directly with the Monster because of the fact that he was shunned by the man who had created him. The idea is that the Monster was a representation of the rage that was going through Shelley because of the hurt that she felt because of her husband’s treatment of her and their relationship. The events which took place in the novel, especially in those places where the Monster expressed his sense of alienation were a true representation of Shelley’s feelings. The issue of morality comes into question in the novel, since the question being asked is whether Victor Frankenstein was right in creating the Monster then after it came to life, rejected it in disgust. It can be suggested that the Monster is a representation of Mary Shelly while Victor is a representation of her husband. Victor’s rejection of the monster is an expression of how Shelley felt when her husband rejected her and was unfaithful. In essence, one would say that Frankenstein is a novel which represents the feelings of Shelley during her early married life.

In conclusion, it can be said that the novel is a representation of the conflict between nature and the ability of human beings as creators. As has been stated above, the biblical allusions that can be related to the life of The Monster and his creator are in conflict with what Shelley believed, and because of this, one would come to the conclusion that Shelley was a believer in the existence of God and His influence in the lives of men. The novel is a story concerning the Monster’s attempt to search for a purpose and a place to belong in life. All these attempts turn out to be futile and as a result, the Monster comes to become bitter towards the person who created him. The novel shows man as a destroyer, because after creating the Monster, he comes to fear his ugliness and because of this ends up neglecting it. Furthermore, he chooses to destroy the female companion he was making for the Monster because of his belief that it did not have the right to exist and to propagate itself. This shows that while man has the ability to create, he is not able to take responsibility for his creations once he seen that what he has made is faulty. Finally, the personal life of Mary Shelley can be seen to be tightly entwined with the story in Frankenstein and because of this, it can be viewed as a fictional representation of the real life events that she was undergoing.

"The Passion" by Jeanette Winterson and "The handmaids Tale" by Margaret Atwood

Jeanette Winterson’s The Passion and Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale can both be considered to be feminist works. They both look at the different aspects of feminism which can be seen in the very different environments in which the stories in these novels are set and these actually give a hint of the authors’ thoughts on the feminism. The Passion is a novel set in the Napoleonic age and it is a story based on two characters, Henri, who is a cook, and Villanelle, a web footed cross dresser who works in a casino. The Handmaid’s Tale on the other hand is a story set in a futuristic New England after the destruction of the United States and it is based on the experiences of Offred, a handmaid. Both of these stories are told according to the view of the main characters and they often display a great sense of the feminist ideology, whether it is done consciously or unconsciously by the authors. One would be tempted to say that these novels are attempts by the authors to advance the feminist agenda by showing us the progress that has been made by women so far and how this progress might be quickly eroded. They attempt to show the weaknesses that plague the feminist movement and the fact that despite all its recent gains, this movement is still very new and if anything catastrophic were to happen; then all these gains would be lost in an instant mainly because of the nature of these gains.

In the state of Gilead where The Handmaid’s Tale is set, women are kept apart from the men and it is expected that they support each other in all the aspects of life. If these women are in the same household, they are expected to work together to fulfill the various duties which have been set for their gender. In this novel, women are presented to be strong and to be able to deal with many of the issues which face them on their own without the help of men. It is said that the women are better suited to handle the problems which face them and it is this more than anything that ensures that they are isolated. The theocratic state of Gilead justifies the isolation of the women in their society by using teachings from the bible. The Passion, on the other hand, is a novel which is based on two characters, one male and one female. Of these, the female character, Villanelle, is portrayed to be the stronger of the two and through her cross dressing displaying those characteristics which one would consider being very masculine. The male character, Henri, is the complete opposite of Villanelle due to the fact that he feels inadequate in his position in society and tends to compensate for this through his dedication to writing enhanced stories about himself in a diary. Furthermore, although he is a soldier in Napoleon’s army, Henri is depicted as a person who is afraid to kill, something which one would not expect from most men. One would say that the women being isolated in Gilead is as a direct result of the feminist movement belief that women can do better on their own without the presence of men. It is Atwood’s means of symbolizing the weaknesses of the feminist movement because no matter what they do, men are still as necessary in their lives as women are in men’s lives and none can do without the other.

On the other hand, the strong independent nature of Villanelle shows a great support for the feminist movement from Winterson. This is also accompanied by a desire to achieve what Villanelle wants through her dressing as a boy which could be interpreted as a symbol of women trying to step into the roles traditionally reserved for men. While Villanelle is depicted as being of a strong personality and fearless, Henri is shown to be weak and incompetent and this might be considered to be Winterson’s attempt to show that women are as good as men and that gender roles are not just limited to one gender and that they may in fact be considered to be universal. Villanelle’s character is in direct contrast to that displayed by Offred in The Handmaid’s Tale because Offred is depicted to be a weak character who willingly submits to the circumstances which have been brought her way. Not only does she submit to these circumstances, however demeaning they are, she also looks down upon the feminist ways of her mother as a way of dealing with them. Despite the dislike for Moira’s feminism, her daughter also displays a tinge of admiration for her mother because Offred cannot help but admire the way her mother always stood up for what she thought were the rights of women. The strength which women are able to display is shown in both novels because while both main female characters may seem to be weak on the outside, they are shown to have a very strong will.

In The Passion, the strength of character of Villanelle is shown when her willingness to tell a story is accepted by the men to whom she tells it to and this is despite the fact that during her times, women were rarely ever assertive or would they openly speak in public. Furthermore, Villanelle is depicted as a woman who knows exactly what she wants and this is seen when she has the strength to leave her abusive husband and go elsewhere, which is something which also rarely happened in the period where the story is set. In The Handmaid’s Tale, Offred is also seen to have a strong will because although she is used sexually by the commander and that she is treated as nothing more than a vessel through which children can be made, she still refuses to let these circumstances bring her down and in fact, she gains her strength from it. She views the sexual intercourse she has with the commander as being nothing more than a business which does not involve any emotional attachment on her part. The strength of character shown by these women can be considered to be a true depiction of a woman according to the feminist movement.

In conclusion, it can be said that it is indeed true that the main female characters in the novels above are both unconsciously being feminists in their actions. This is due to the fact that although they live in times where the female voice is rarely hard, the still find ways to fight back against the male dominated society. Despite their appearance as weak creatures at first, as the novels progress, one discovers that there is more to them because their strength is not shown physically but mentally, and this is where they are actually far much better than their male counterparts.

Abandoned by Guy de Maupassant

‘Abandoned’ is the story of a woman who has an illegitimate child from an affair she has in her youth. However, in order to avoid the public embarrassment which this child would have caused, she and her lover choose to give it away to a peasant couple to raise as their own child. Despite the fact that she gave her child up after birth, the woman does not forget him and continues to wish that she can see him again. The story begins forty years after the woman gives up her child when she brings her husband to the town close to where her son lives. With them is s close friend of the woman who also happens to have been her lover, and father of her child. The husband is oblivious of the reason for his wife bringing him to this town and he complains bitterly about it. When she asks him to take her for a walk, he refuses to do so and instead encourages her to ask her friend to take her. The woman and her former lover leave for the farm in which their son resides. Both of them seem to be anxious to see him again, but while the woman is emotional about the encounter, her friend hides his true feelings, stating that the woman is going to betray them to their son. The main fear of the friend is that their son might find out about them being his parents, and because of their social status, might decide to blackmail them.

The two former lovers continue to walk along the path and after asking for directions arrive at their son’s farm, which at first sight it seems to be a prosperous one. However, on their arrival, there is no one at home except for a young girl who tells them that she does not know where her father is while her mother has gone after the cows. When the girl’s mother returns, it is noted that she looks older than her true age and that she limps on her right leg. At first, she ignores the two visitors completely after looking at them with anger and suspicion. The woman’s friend calls her back and to get her attention, asks her to sell them some milk. The opportunity to make money makes the woman suddenly become extremely courteous and she immediately gets them the milk they want. The former lovers take this opportunity to make enquiries concerning their son, who as they speak of him, comes home. At first sight of him, the couple is extremely shocked at what they see. Their son, despite being only forty years old, is bent over like an old man and has lost the vigor which a man of his age should have. The woman is so shocked and distraught that she asks her former lover that they leave their son’s farm. She blames her former lover of having destroyed their son’s life, while he defends himself by stating that he did what he had to do. When they get back to the place where they are staying, they choose to behave as if nothing had happened that afternoon.