sabagrad1

[sabagrad1]

Blog Post 10 ENGL 550 LEC

Visiting The British Museum 

I went to The British Museum on June 16th, viewing artworks such as paintings and sculptures from different cultures. The first statue I noticed was of King Edward VII (who is the son of Queen Victoria) in the entrance and realizing the galleries were named in his honor. We decided to start on the fifth floor and make our way down to the ground floor. 

In Japan’s exhibit, they had samurai clothing and swords, discussing the types of swords used and the history of these skilled warriors in Japanese culture. I also discovered the significance of Buddhism being introduced in Japan. It was interesting to learn when the religion started and how important it is in today’s Japanese culture. The exhibit was organized depending on the period to present art crafts. 

The next exhibition was Egypt, where it included sarcophagus as well as information about mummification. The jars used to store organs were on display, and there were caskets of kings, queens, and servants. I also saw hieroglyphics (which were carved on stone with an alphabet system next to the displays for translation.

The Roman and Anglo-Saxon exhibits were my top two favorites because I recognized a majority of facts as well as statues. One statue that stuck out was Emperor Nero (whom I learned from the night at the cabaret). There were also statues of Greek gods and goddesses, including Zeus and Aphrodite. They covered the wall, and you would have to travel throughout the room to view and read the background information. There was a section about Vikings, which included their weapons and drinking horns. I read how they voyaged to other countries and were known to be fierce warriors. I recognized many Greek gods and Vikings facts from Shakespeare and various television shows. 

Overall, the British Musuem is massive, and we were there for hours viewing different cultural artifacts. I was able to see legendary artworks like the Rosetta Stone and the Moai Rapa Nui statues. The gift shop also had souvenirs representing different cultures and the exhibits in the room were color-coded depending on the country. 

#shakespearesengland

[sabagrad1]

Blog Post 9 ENGL 550 LEC

Visiting The National Gallery 

I visited The National Gallery on June 14th, where I was able to view paintings from different times by famous artists like Da Vinci and Michelangelo.

Common portraits I saw relate to the Bible, such as Adam & Eve and David vs Goliath.

The painting of Adam and Eve tells so much of “humanity’s fall from grace” once they eat the forbidden fruit. I read John Milton’s Paradise Lost, and I believe the painting tells how consequences will follow the two, shown by Adam’s look of dread, Eve with the fruit in her hand, and the serpent standing over them in the tree.

Other paintings I saw were part of Greek Mythology and the British Royal family, which caught my eye.

One painting that focused on Greek Mythology was The Death of Acteon, that I recognized from Titus Andronicus. There were multiple oil paintings in the gallery of the story. The portrait shows him in the woods, which reminded me of Lavinia since both were attacked but with different circumstances. Another Greek-related painting was Apollo and Daphne, which is a story based on Ovid’s Metamorphoses. I think it displays a situation where he tries to save her, but it is too late shown by her transforming into a tree. 

My favorite part of the gallery were the paintings telling British royal history, such as The Execution of Lady Jane Gray. The painting gave me a melancholy feeling because I knew the story behind the portrait. Lady Jane Gray was Queen of England for only nine days until she was ordered to be executed by Mary Tudor (Mary I) at the Tower of London. I know the history due to the information provided next to the artwork and watching a television series called Lady Jane Gray. 

Another British painting I saw was Queen Charlotte (the wife of King George III), and many people know her today because of the TV series Bridgerton. I was surprised to read in the description that she was wearing her husband’s jewelry. However, though she didn’t like the portrait, I believe her facial expression displays sterness and dedication to her role as wife and queen. I’m also familiar about Queen Charlotte’s struggles with her husband’s mental illness. 

Overall, The National Gallery contained iconic portraits that not only connect to history, but also what we learned from literature and television. 

#shakespearesengland 

[sabagrad1]

Blog Post 8 ENGL 550 LEC

A Visit to Gay’s The Word Bookshop, 

I went to the bookstore on June 13th, where it is decorated with posters, buttons, postcards, and magazines. It was interesting going to a bookstore that contained shelves of queer-themed British, American, and Latino books. The store organized them by genre and sexuality (with memoirs and fiction related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, etc.). The prices of the books were also pretty cheap, compared to what you would find at a Barnes & Noble bookstore. 

I spoke with one of the employees, and she introduced me to a wide variety of queer Latino literature (mainly from Argentinian writers). There were books that were translated and others written in Spanish. She was very welcoming and provided options to read based on my interests. However, the selections were small because they are currently waiting for more copies to arrive to stock the shelves. I noticed how many shelves had labels to help readers understand books that focused on topics such as nonbinary and ACE. There were also books that were signed by the authors themselves. I learned the store is relocating down the street from its current location. 

Common authors that I found include Oscar Wilde and Virginia Woolf. I was surprised to see Woolf, where books I found include Mrs. Dalloway and Orlando. I also discovered an original unrevised copy of A Picture of Dorian Grey by Wilde. It piqued my interest because I remembered what I learned about him from the Oscar Wilde Tour.  

When I was purchasing my books, I was given a discount because one of them was torn, which was very kind of her. Gays The Word made me realize how accessible books that focused on queer theory or themes related to queerness were in London. It reminded me of the bookstore called Round Table Books in Brixton, which also contained queer literature. During my free time, I bought a book by Margaret Atwood. Overall, I purchased four books from Gays The Word; A Picture of Dorian Grey, Greek Mythology books How To Be Queer: Sappho, Plato, and Other Lovers, The Persian Boy, and The Many Queer Lives of William Shakespeare.  

#shakespearesengland 

[sabagrad1]

Blog Post 7 ENGL 550 LEC

The Legend of the Ravens 

One new cultural experience I discovered is the myth surrounding the ravens who inhabit the Tower of London. The birds have lived in the tower since the 1880s (based on documentation), and I learned it is because of a superstition related to them and the tower. 

I didn’t know ravens were at the tower, until I saw their cages with names labeled in the front. Some of their names include Edgar, Jubilee, and Harris. When I arrived, I learned that the myth is how at least six ravens need to remain at the tower or else the entire building would collapse. The legend originated from King Charles II, who had a prophecy about the Tower of London being destroyed if the birds should ever leave. His astronomer John Flamsteed complained about the birds, but the former monarch decided to give the ravens protection from the royal family. Though there is no documented proof of Charles’ prophecy or John’s complaints, the ravens have been around for a long time. Today, they still remain at the tower, following the tradition of caring for six birds. 

There is a Ravenmaster and assistants who are the only group of people able to take care of the ravens. The birds are trained, and they are even referred to as guardians of the tower. There are signs everywhere telling people not to feed or touch the birds, and they were much larger in person when I saw one up close. 

I was surprised to learn just how intelligent these birds are, realizing how they can perform human actions like playing games and problem solving. It was the first time I saw a raven in-person, who was relaxing on the handle as I was heading to another section of the tower. The bird was well-behaved and quiet as tourists were taking pictures and videos of the animal. I learned two of the current ravens are named Edgar and Poe, reminding me of the poem by Edgar Allan Poe. I was also surprised to hear how those in charge of the ravens keep documentation of their names. This shows how serious they are about following tradition. I knew some history about the Tower of London, but I didn’t know until now how important ravens are to history. 

#shakespearesengland 

[sabagrad1]

Blog Post 6 ENGL 550 LEC

Henry VIII at Warwick Castle 

When visiting Warwick Castle, I came across an exhibit that was about King Henry VIII and his six wives. I discovered he visited the castle while touring the country when he was king. His daughter Queen Elizabeth I also visited during her time as Queen. This was an era where the British monarchs of the country were the Tudors. I already knew the Tudor dynasty ended once Queen Elizabeth I passed away, thus making herself and her father the only two Tudors to visit the castle.  

I was familiar with some history about King Henry VIII and how he met each of his wives (especially because of a show called The Tudors), but I didn’t know that there was a song about them until now. I also didn’t realize it is used in Shakespeare’s play Henry VIII. When I was taking photos of the exhibit, I overheard two parents ask their children if they could sing the lines, which surprised me that they knew it and I didn’t know the song. 

I love how the exhibit has the mannequins of the king in the center, with his six wives on each side of the former ruler, with their cause of deaths listed on their displayed name labels. King Henry VIII is also positioned in front of the window with the sun shining behind him, giving the mannequin a glow. I also appreciate how there are portraits of various individuals in the background of the mannequins of the king and his wives. Meanwhile, King Henry’s portrait has his own stand with proper lighting close to his mannequin. I believe this acknowledges his higher status as a former monarch. I also believe the inclusion of how each wife died not only shows the tyranny of the former monarch, but also his desperation to sire a male heir. 

#shakespearesengland 

[sabagrad1]

Blog Post 5 ENGL 550 LEC

Using Contemporary Weapons in Titus Andronicus

The live action play of Titus Andronicus was different from what we read in class because it decided to incorporate contemporary weapons such as a chainsaw and guns (commonly seen in today’s modern world). However, it was able to use these weapons while following the play’s storyline of revenge and violence. 

An example is in the final act when Aaron is taken captive by the Goth army, who are armed with guns. I believe this made them appear to look like they were in charge and owned the stage, especially with the army wearing all black and storming like a pack. I thought this connected to one of the lines in the play: “That Rome is but a wilderness of tigers?” (3.1.55). The dancing (or choreography) in the play made the actors look like wild beasts given the dark lighting and slow movements. It reminded me of a predator sneaking towards its prey. I also believe it was an excellent idea to include a quick flashback of how Aaron was taken into custody by the Goths because it demonstrates how surprised the actor was and when the downfall begins for the character. 

Another example is the chainsaw Aaron uses to cut off Titus’ hand. I love how they made the scene comedic when Aaron was putting on protective attire. I believe the goggles and lab coat gave the actor a resemblance to fictional characters like Dexter or Leatherface. I noticed when he pulled the chainsaw out of the case, he flashed it to the audience like a trophy. I also appreciate the immediate traumatic shift to flashing lights and blood spewing to balance the comedy and horror on stage.  

Overall, the live action play was able to portray a violent yet more modern Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus using contemporary weapons. 

#shakespearesengland

[sabagrad1]

Blog Post 4 ENGL 550 LEC

A competition of Revenge between two parents.

Revenge appears to mean “blood for blood” in Titus Andronicus, meaning how death and despair is the only way for characters like Titus and Tamora to receive some satisfaction from hurting the other family. It appears the focus of revenge between Tamora and Titus was about surpassing the other person’s level of revenge until they died. 

An example is the first death in the play, which is Alarbis (the eldest son of Tamora). The first demise eventually creates a domino effect where other characters would die throughout the play. I believe the methods of revenge amplify each time a horrendous act from Titus or Tamora is committed. Titus hurt Tamora by sacrificing her son to the gods despite her plead. Titus hurt her by going after her son, so she decides to perform the same act by hurting his daughter. Tamora decides revenge when she states, “And make them know what ‘tis to let a queen/Kneel in the streets and beg for grace in vain” (1.1.463-464). However, she increased the level of violence by not only hurting Titus and his daughter, but also by having Lavinia bring shame to the Andronici family because she had lost her virginity and beauty. 

Titus responds to this heinous act committed by Tamora’s sons by amplifying more the level of revenge. Not only does he murder Tamora’s other sons, but forces her to commit cannibalization by eating them. Titus’ final action is to have Tamora realize what she has done, which are her final feelings before being murdered. The increase in crimes (e.g. assault, murder, cannibalization) led me to believe that Titus or Tamora continued to hurt each family until death was the only solution for the violence to end.   

#shakespearesengland

[sabagrad1]

Blog Post 3 ENGL 550 LEC

The many queer references to Nick Bottom (Act 3 Scene 1) 

I believe Nick Bottom is the embodiment of a queer character in William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He is someone who wishes to choose different roles to amuse an audience for one play (for Pyramus and Thisbe), yet he is chosen by Robin Goodfellow to play the part of an interspecies pawn for the fairy king and queen.  

I would like to start with his last name Bottom, which not only signifies his occupation as a weaver, but also how it references his social status since he comes from a middle- or low-class group of laborers. However, despite his name being connected to his social class and occupation, the main connection would be his soon-to-be interspecies transformation involving the concept of anality. His physical transformation into a donkey is the embodiment of Nick being used by the other side (which is the fairy world) in contrast to the human realm. He was chosen to play Pyramus yet desired to play more parts. He is later caught in the middle between the fairy and the human world. I believe the audience recognizes him crossing between two worlds when he tells himself “What do you see? You see an ass-head of your/own, do you?” (3.1.118). Although he assumes his fellow laborers are making a mockery of him, in Shakespeare’s time, an ass can also mean a donkey (which becomes his new character in the play). He was eventually chosen to be bait and pushed into the fairy world due to conflict between the two head fairies. While he was chosen to play Pyramus, he becomes an ass (mentally and physically) to also make Titania feel like one. 

#shakespearesengland

[sabagrad1]

Blog Post 2 ENGL 550 LEC

In the 1998 film Shakespeare In Love, William Shakespeare is a playwright who is struggling to write a new play (which later becomes Romeo & Juliet). The actor Joseph Fiennes portrays his character as someone who struggles to write his play, but throughout the film, new inspirations help him. What I noticed is how the film portrays Shakespeare’s encounters with people being connected to how he writes the play. 

An example in the film is when Shakespeare walks past a man giving a speech to people. He overhears a man say “A plague on both your houses” which is a line he uses in his play. Another example is when he meets with a woman named Rosaline, who he is interested in until they separate. His muse would be Viola (named after a woman who cross-dresses like the character in another play Twelfth Night), who hides her identity as well as their love affair. Shakespeare in the film interacts more with Viola which inspires Romeo & Juliet because Viola’s acting skills and her manner of expressing her lines caught his eye. 

The film reminded me of Richard II and Richard III because of the use of tongue. I believe the greatest weapon for both kings may be their use of speech. Richard III can manipulate those around him, such as pretending to love Lady Anne and placing the sword in her hands knowing she is not the type to kill. Another example is how he convinces the public he is a Christian man by putting on a show and spreading lies. In the TV series The Hollow Crown, Benedict Cumberland portrays the late king as he is supposed to be in the play—a disabled evil dictator who seeks the crown. Meanwhile, Richard II portrays him as someone who wasn’t a fighter like Richard III. Instead, he only possessed an excellent vocabulary which wasn’t enough to protect his spot on the throne or prevent death. Unlike Richard III, Richard II was able to give a brief speech before death, and I believe Shakespeare allows him some lines because he wasn’t as vicious as the disabled king. I believe the two plays and Shakespeare in Love demonstrate how high-class people are often silenced while facing difficulty with their own societies. I reached this conclusion because Viola cannot be herself and hides her gender in the movie because she is a woman bound by high class society. Meanwhile, Richard II was bound to the throne since childhood, leaving him disconnected from the people. Richard III also couldn't connect with anyone because of his disability, shown by the insults thrown at him by different people in the play.

#shakespearesengland

[sabagrad1]

Blog Post 1 ENGL 550 LEC

The document "Ward and Aubrey" (specifically John Ward's Notebook) discusses briefly about Shakespeare's family and life as a playwright through the use of exerpts.

They talk about the writer in a way that makes him sound like a mystery. I came to this conclusion because the excerpts mentioned by Ward tell readers his findings about Shakespeare based mainly on what is heard from people. Each exerpt is a different topic that relates to Shakespeare, including his family and his plays. The excerpts also appear to be based on findings from Shakespeare's life according to the public.

It begins with Ward including the exerpt about his family tree that ends with his granddaughter Lady Bernard. The second is how Shakespeare spent his time viewing plays and eventually earned money from his own works. What I noticed was how Ward tells readers in the third exerpt to "peruse" Shakespeare's plays. I believe this is his way of telling readers to truly dive into his plays to get an understanding of not only what they're about, but to also get a glimpse into Shakespeare's creative mind. The last exerpt about Shakespeare's death is one that is shrouded in mystery, shown by the quote "...it seems drank too hard" in Ward's Notebook. While his death has no confirmation and other parts of his life may be mysterious, Shakespeare was indeed a "natural wit" who lived his entire life in Stratford. He may be dead, but his plays are part of his legacy as a playwright.