Blog #21: Hamlet Act 1 Social Media Post

As Hamlet:

In the words of Marcellus, "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark," alright (1.2.90). In fact, "rotten" is but a mere understatement to the reprehensible, deplorable, abominable actions of my mother. How dare she go and wed my father's brother, practically as his grave was being dug. Instead of him turning over in his grave, I witnessed the ghost of the poor fellow. Initially in awe, I now assume he was probably coming to see if the monstrosity of new monarchs was in fact true. for heaven's sake, "The funeral bak'd meats/Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables," (1.2.180). Not only is the union incestuous, but also suspicious. I mean, I find it to be quite odd that my mother could move past the grieving process of her beloved husband and my uncle his dear brother, so soon. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if they played a role in his death, just so they could be together, *gag*. As for Claudius taking my father's throne I prefer to think of it as, "Hyperion to a satyr," (1.2.140). I realize that may seem a bit harsh, comparing the new King as downgrading to a half man half beast from the great Titan Hyperion, but my my uncle's actions so soon after my father's death were harsh.

On top of everything, my mother comes to me and says, "Hamlet: I pray thee, stay with us; go not to Wittenberg," (1.2.118-119). Despite my anger towards her, I decided--being the great son that I am-- to grant her wish and remain in Denmark. I mean, sure I wanted to continue my education with my comrades, but I wouldn't want to upset mother, or lead her to believe I disapprove of her marital status. And, as if my current situation couldn't become any worse, my mistress Ophelia has been forbidden to see me. Oh God, why?! I heard through the grape vine that her father, Polonious, has said, "I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth,/ Have you so slander any moment leisure, As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet," (1.2.133-135). And apparently Ophelia agreed to this! My father has passed, my deranged uncle has betrothed my mother--who has asked me not to return to Wittenberg-- and my Ophelia is no longer allowed to see me. I'd debate whether my life is worth living anymore, but I cannot face eternal judgment.

Tweets:

*sniffs* something sure smells rotten in the state of Denmark...Oh wait, it's just the funeral bak'd meats at the wedding #JustKidding #They'reStillFresh

My father= Hperion

My stepfather= satyr

#SorryNotSorry #truth #MyDadRules

Ugh mom's begging me to stay home and not go back to Wittenberg #WhateverYouSayMom #MommasBoy

 Polonious is like Ariel's dad in "The Little Mermaid" because he's forbidding Ophelia from seeing me... #OverProtectiveDadProbz #MyLife

Not trying to be bitter, but we might as well cut costs for the wedding by serving the bak'd meats from father's funeral #YeahIJustWentThere #Salty #Realist #PennyPincher

Blog #20: TEWWG Fishbowl Discussion Feedback

Group 1: 

http://woodruffaustinapenglishlit2016.blogspot.com/

Hi Austin! To start off, I really enjoyed your food memoir and poster! I loved the colors and fonts you used, as it was very visually appealing to look at. As for your food memoir, I loved how you included the pictures of you and your grandma to make it more personal and how you included the music in the background since the group was special to your grandma. During the Fishbowl Discussion, you did an awesome job leading discussions and posing questions as well as replying to those asked by your group members. I could also tell you put a tremendous amount of effort into your synthesis as you had many quotes and ideas ready for the discussion, as well as your comparison to poetry. I really liked the statement you made about breaking chains as one of your 3X3's and I thought it was a great representation of the complexity in the novel. Great job!!!

Group 2:

http://huanggraceapenglish2015.blogspot.com/

Hi Grace! I really enjoyed your food memoir! I thought it was a great idea to include your mother helping you make them since she was the one who kind of introduced you previously as you discussed at the beginning of your memoir. I thought your dumplings were amazing and I really liked how you included your friend in the video since that was a big part of your memoir. During the Fishbowl Discussion, I found the point you brought up about comparing Rapunzel's hair to Janie's was very interesting. I liked how you used Rapunzel as a basis for comparison how her long hair getting cut off represented loss of innocence, while Janie's long hair represented her sexuality. Overall, I think you did an awesome job with your food memoir as well as adding strong points of discussion!

Group 3: 

http://lennonkaraapenglish2015.blogspot.com/

Hi Kara! I really enjoyed your food memoir! The fact that you included pictures of your grandparents as missionaries was so cool and it really added a nice visual to your video! I also loved how you shaped the food being chopped up on the cutting board into a heart, that was a small detail, but it had a bigger message! During the fishbowl discussion, I liked your thoughts on the idea of society's image of Janie vs. her image of herself. I liked how you talked about how Janie's image of herself was stronger since she disregarded society's views of her, coming back to Eatonville in overalls, because I completely agree. Great job!

Group 4: 

http://grollmusjordan2016.blogspot.com/

Hi Jordan! I loved the video to go with your food memoir! I thought the use of the green screen in the background was a very unique and creative touch, that made it seem like you were actually on a cooking show! I also liked how you and your brother took turns making the applesauce muffins because it reinforced the idea that although you guys fought, the applesauce muffins brought you together and that fighting was better than not being together. During the Fishbowl Discussion, I thought you did an awesome job in general, replying to your group member's questions with support from your synthesis work. I really liked the point you brought up about how Janie was impulsive and decided to take the risk of how her marriages would turn out because I agree. Great job!

Blog #19: Food Memoir, Poster & Video

Blog #18: Food Memoir Rough Draft

Blog #17: Their Eyes Were Watching God Fishbowl Discussion Notes

Blog #15: Final Three-Paragraph Reflection

After completing the first AP English Literature multiple choice test at the beginning of the school year, and receiving the graded scan-tron shortly afterwards, my first realization was that it was covered in little splashes of pink. These magenta slashes mocked me--indicating incorrect answers-- which in turn led to the creation of my goal for the semester: to improve my multiple choice score. Although we did not complete many other multiple choice practice tests through out the semester, I definitely feel as though I still improved these skills. 

          At the beginning of the semester, I had little knowledge of poetry forms as well as identifying tone shifts and effects literary devices had on tone. This is one of the reasons I didn't perform very well on the first multiple choice test of the semester (not to mention the time restriction). However, after reviewing and learning different poetry forms through group poetry presentations as well as practicing identifying tone shifts and writing essays in which we identified effects of literary devices on tone, I feel more comfortable taking multiple choice tests on poetry. Specifically on the last multiple choice test we took, I didn't run out of time so I was able to put an answer for every question, unlike the test from the beginning of the year. 

          As we move into the second semester, a goal I have for myself would be to continue practicing identifying the complexities that lie within pieces of literature, as that is something I sometimes struggle with. For example, on the last practice AP exam we completed, I came up with a thesis statement that touched on the fact a complex attitude existed in the poem at hand, however, I didn't really elaborate on the complexity as I felt it was kind of confusing to identify. Looking back on what we did this semester though, I think the group poetry presentations were very helpful in exposing us to the different poetry forms by allowing us to include creativity in the final product, such as the music video presentation. I also feel as though I did well identifying Mise en Scene elements and comparing/contrasting the novel and film versions of Angela's Ashes and identifying symbolism in my Summer reading novel. I look forward to next semester!

Blog #14: Paired Poems Group Presentation "Helen" and "To Helen"

"To Helen" and "Helen" Paired Poetry Essay In the poems, “To Helen” by Edgar Allen Poe, and “Helen” by Hilda Doolittle, both authors portray their views of Helen – thought to be the most beautiful woman of the ancient world, and cause of the Trojan War after she was abducted by the Trojan Prince Paris -- through use of elements such as speaker, imagery, and tone. Although both poems use these elements, major differences exist in the way they are used. Looking at the speaker of both poems, they both address Helen, but in different ways. For example, in “To Helen” the speaker is someone who adores Helen and directly addresses her when Poe writes, “Helen, thy beauty is to me like those Nicean barks of yore.” This same point of view is not used by Doolittle in “Helen” as it is written in third person point of view. An example of this is when Doolittle writes, “All Greece reviles the wan face when she smiles.” These point of view choices are different, yet purposeful. In “To Helen” the speaker is admiring Helen, so he’s speaking directly to her, whereas in “Helen” the speaker is basically trash talking Helen, which is something one wouldn’t say directly to her face. Also, in “Helen” the speaker is a singular man who is addressing Helen’s beauty, whereas in “Two Helen” the speaker is all of Greece, as they address the entire country’s hatred of her. For example, the line, “Greece sees, unmoved, God’s daughter,” is a perfect of example of “all of Greece” discussing their hatred for Helen. Looking at the imagery of “Helen” and “To Helen” they both use imagery to describe Helen’s beauty; although Poe discusses it in a positive aspect while Doolittle discusses it in a negative aspect. For example, in “To Helen”, Poe writes, “On desperate seas long wont to roam, Thy hyacinth hair, thy classic face, Thy Naiad airs have brought me home to the glory that was Greece.” Looking at “Helen”, Doolittle writes, “The still eyes in the white face, the lustre as of olives where she stands and the white hands.” Both of these seem to be positive descriptions of Helen, because a hyacinth is a very important, beautiful flower in Greek Mythology, and the fact that Poe describes her hair as looking like a hyacinth is a compliment to her, and a very specific detail to the reader. The description given by Doolittle of a “white face” and “lustre as of olives” is also describing her beauty because lustre is a soft glow, which gives the audience a detailed image of Helen. Her beauty is portrayed negatively because the people of Greece believed her beauty to be the cause of the Trojan War. Although Doolittle’s poem portrays Helen in a hateful manner, her beauty is still recognized. Although the speaker and imagery used are important aspects of each poem, so are the tones and tone shifts used in each. For example, looking at “To Helen” Poe begins the poem in a content tone with the lines, “Gently o’er a perfumed sea, the weary, way-worn wanderer bore to his own native shore.” This is the speaker’s way of saying that he is happy with Helen and that her beauty is comforting, but also a source of guidance. However, in “Helen”, Doolittle utilizes a harsh tone in the lines, “All Greece hates the still eyes and the white face,” and—still talking about Helen—continues, “could love indeed the maid, only if she were laid, white ash amid funereal cypresses.” This tone is very hateful ad harsh when words such as “hate” and “ash” because this is “all of Greece’s” way of saying that although Helen is beautiful, they hate her nonetheless due to the fact she caused the Trojan War. Although the poems “To Helen” by Edgar Allen Poe and “Helen” by Hilda Doolittle both recognize Helen's beauty and views of her through the elements of speaker, imagery, and tone, they do so in different ways.