There are numerous themes that are evoked in Shakespearean plays; these themes are generally universal, relating to the human condition through time and culture. That is one of the reasons why students have always related and enjoyed reading Shakespeare's plays. Your task in this first blog is to choose one of the listed themes and develop a discussion about the theme. You may want to "define" the theme (be sure to cite any source you may use) first and then in the development of your discussion, use examples to illustrate the definition.
THEMES: unrequited love, revenge, greed for power, loss of innocence, conflict, order and disorder, ambition
Your blog should be the length of about two pages. Be sure to respond to at least two of your peer's postings. Those should be at least 1/2 to 1 full page.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes revenge in two ways, “to avenge (as oneself) usually by retaliating in kind or degree,” and/or “ to inflict injury in return for.” A common phrase used to describe revenge is “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” This suggests that if someone hurts you, you have the right to hurt them. “If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?” In this quote, William Shakespeare appears to be suggesting that revenge is acceptable and expected. However, In Shakespeare’s plays, the outcome typically proves that revenge is not as sweet as it seems.
ReplyDeleteIt is not a coincidence that most of Shakespeare’s works involve revenge. Revenge is something that most, if not all, people can relate to. In Romeo and Juliet, revenge was a reoccurring issue that seemed to keep the play moving. In the beginning, Romeo had been Tybalt’s target. Tybalt was searching revenge on Romeo for embarrassing him. In Tybalt’s attempt to get his revenge, he ended up killing Romeo’s dear friend, Mercutio. As a result, Romeo, hungry for revenge, killed Tylbalt. All the while, Romeo’s Family, the Montague’s, we constantly fighting with the Capulets, all due to their need to get revenge on one another for previous actions done in the past generations. The tragic play ended with no one winning, for Mercutio, Tybalt, Romeo, and the once innocent Juliet were all dead before the curtain closed.
Revenge also appears in other plays, from Macbeth, to Hamlet, to Julius Caesar. Is it a coincidence that each of these plays are classified as tragedies? Shakespeare makes it clear that no good comes from revenge. Two wrongs do not make a right.
William Shakespeare was not the only one to take advantage of this theme. Revenge was a common topic in The Godfather, 1972, each group was constantly at each others throat, literally and metaphorically, to avenge their families. Revenge is still popular today, appearing in recent movies. John Tucker Must Die, 2006, was a popular movie where three girls came together to get their revenge on John Tucker after they realized he had been cheating on them.
Revenge is a common theme because it is a relatable experience that most, if not people, have gone through. One of the first things a person thinks of when hurt, is to do the same to them, or “give them a taste of their own medicine.” Everyone has had their fair share of vengeful thoughts and actions, its inevitable. Revenge is not something to be proud of, as it adds to the drama. However, this could also be why it is so popular in story lines, as it keeps the suspense going.
Throughout the Bible, the message that one should not seek revenge is reiterated time and time again. The Bible states, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.” Nothing good can come for revenge, wether it be in a play, a movie, or a real life situation. No matter how sweet revenge may seem, it will always leave a sour taste.
"Revenge." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 29 Aug. 2014.
Delete"William Shakespeare Quote." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 29 Aug. 2014.
"37 Bible Verses about Revenge, And Retaliation." 37 Bible Verses about Revenge, And Retaliation. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Aug. 2014.
Felicia,
DeleteYou made some excellent points in your blog. You and I both chose to speak about revenge. Th theme that always seems to pop out at me the quickest. Your Bible quote really puts things into perspective for me as a Catholic individual. It showed that despite the many reasons we find revenge to be an acceptable thing, God will forever say that revenge is his responsibility alone, and we are not to trifle with it.
The references you made to pop culture were interesting also. I've never really thought about just how similarly we entertain ourselves in this period of time, just as they did back during Shakespeare's time. Revenge isn't normally a quick thing. Most often there is very involved planning occurring as revenge is complex. So it is an excellent theme for any story line, but it perfectly fits Shakespeare's style. Thank you for your interesting points on revenge in Shakespeare Felicia! They really gave me some excellent points to ponder.
Felicia,
DeleteYour points are definitely unique to your view. I also agree with Hannah that the Bible reference stands out the most to me. From personal experience I know that Gods always attempts to right the wrong. However we see that revenge is best, we must remember that God will always be there to judge the living and the dead.
The modern era is often fueled on revenge wether it be personal lives or on the big screen. The subtle reference to modern the film John Tucker Must Die, makes quite the impact to this blog. It shows how revenge is still a motivator for screen writers in this modern age. All in all Felicia, your blog has showed me some great examples of revenge.
Felicia, good job being the first one to post! Your blog was a great way to break the ice. I was actually going to do my blog on revenge as well, but decided against it after realizing I was going to use the same points as you did. Your quote about "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" is very true especially in the twenty first century. It seems like everyone wants to make others feel the same pain they felt. And the main way to do this, is revenge and you explained it very well. Romeo and Juliet was a very good example of revenge because all throughout the entire play is examples of revenge and the evilness of payback. Revenge, as said in Hamlet, can be justified, but needs to be done carefully to avoid things such as total damnation. It was a very good idea to end with an example from the Bible to help bring the whole blog together. Revenge is an evil thing, and personally, I do not think getting revenge is right. Getting revenge is a very common thing in today's world and needs or be worked on in an attempt to make the world a better place for all.
DeleteShakespeare's Dramas were focused on a central theme of revenge, unrequited love, greed, loss of innocence, conflict, order or disorder, or ambitions. The one theme I found most used in his works that I have read is unrequited love, because love can make us do a lot of crazy things. According to Merrian Webster unrequited love is defined in two ways, "not requited" and/or "not reciprocated or returned in kind." We find this as much today if not more, when compared to the Elizabethan time in which Shakespeare wrote.
ReplyDeleteOne of Shakespeare's most renowned plays Romeo and Juliet, is based off this concept. Personally I'm astounded at this play for one reason; how far they were willing to go to show their love for one another. I know that everyone believes that there is that special someone out there, and once in a while we find it. But in all honesty I can't think of anyone who would die for their love. Besides soldiers who die for the country they love, but that's another essay and time. Back in the times of Shakespeare there were many noble marriages that were not at the interest of the groom or bride, it was for the countries to be united through more than friendship. These types of marriages often ended in affairs or the love not returned to by either party. In a rare occasion a war would start because they "couple" we're unhappy with each other. But I feel that there's is more unrequited love today in the modern era.
This concept has influenced the arts of today just as it inspired the old playwrights of yesteryear. Unrequited love has made its way into mainstream media wether it be a song, or a movie it can be found in some form. Phantom of the Opera is a primary example of it still being used today in a form of dramatic performances. The highly popular stage play written by Andrew Lloyd Webber is based on a much older book. The Phantom falls in love with his trainee and when she falls in love with a childhood friend he seeks his revenge. When he hears this he feels betrayed and attempts to destroy all that is dear to her. Another prime example is Cee Lo Greens song "F**k you". He tells of this crush and how he had great passion for her. But instead she falls in "love" with the boy with more money and nicer material possessions. This hasn't only shown through in media but in personal lives, and marriages.
The reason I feel today has more unrequited love than the Elizabethan period is because today we see more of people marrying for material possessions, money, or citizenship. Some marriages last for maybe a few months till one decides to split and take a run at the others savings. This has always happened but more so today with the millionaires, who pamper their lover with their money to impress or satisfy them. While it is illegal to marry a US citizen simply for the convenience of getting a visa to the United States and becoming a citizen, this is still an all too common occurrence, money and land often change hands and the bride or groom is shipped over to marry the citizen, ensuring that they will have much less paperwork to receive citizenship.
"Famous Examples of Unrequited Love." Famous Things, People and Events. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Aug. 2014.
Delete"Marrying for Citizenship." Familiescom. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Aug. 2014.
"Unrequited." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 30 Aug. 2014.
Devyn, I found your views on Romeo and Juliet very interesting! I myself am still not sure how I feel about this particular play. Of course, Romeo and Juliet was an amazing play and still is, however I'm not sure what I think of their so called “love.”
DeleteAs you said, love is an extremely powerful force. I agree with this one hundred percent, but i’m not sure what Romeo and Juliet had really was love. We have learned that these 2 hour plays usually only cover a short time span, typically no longer than one day. This entire play hadn't even covered the span of one week, all in which the two meet, become engaged, and then die. This time frame is what made me suspicious of their “love.”
From the beginning of Romeo and Juliet, we know that their families, the Montagues and the Capulets are in constant disagreement, and they despise one another. It is also revealed that Romeo is somewhat a “ladies man,” and meets Juliet while trying to recover from a recent breakup. Romeo was also Juliets first romantic relationship, so was their strong attraction just a result of their vulnerability?
What left me questioning their love the most was their family names. As a result, they were forbidden to be engaged, friends, or even acquaintances. Did this contribute to their attraction to each other? After all, they were young rebels. Was their love an attempt to defy their parents? Or maybe, was their love more or less a case of “you always want what you can’t have?”
Either way, Romeo and Juliet is an amazing play that will live on forever through the study of middle school students to scholars. I greatly enjoyed reading your opinion, and your blog as a whole.
Devyn,
DeleteI love seeing the difference in people's opinions and thought patterns, and yours is definitely thought provoking, I never thought of unrequited love being a problem in our time. Many people now have pushed off the common practice of arranged marriages and marrying for station, yet you pointed out that people are marrying for other things such as money or other things.
Your points about Romeo and Juliet made me question the relationship so often depicted in movies and in the plays. These two young individuals, barely past maturity, "fall in love" and decide to get married. However, I can think of many people who would die for their love. Mother's choose to carry through with difficult pregnancies despite the chance of losing their own lives. Other individuals have sacrificed themselves for people they love despite unreturned feelings.
You did make some excellent connections between now and then by mentioning recent pieces of performing arts that use unrequited love as their themes. Picturing Cee Lo Green in the same area as Shakespeare messed with my head, but it made for an excellent connection as to why those two things are equally as entertaining. Excellent work Devyn.
Shakespeare is very popular for many of his literary writings such as Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet. I’m a firm believer that he is still very popular today because of the themes he used when writing his major accomplishments. Some of these themes include things like loss of innocence, ambition and, the one I’m choosing, greed for power. All of these things, especially greed for power are relatable to people in the twenty first century because we are able to see those around us being greedy about not only power but also money and possessions.
ReplyDeleteMerriam-Webster describes greed as a selfish and excessive desire for more of something than is needed. Greed is one of the seven deadly sins and can get someone in a lot of trouble especially depending on what they are being greedy over. Greed for power, in my opinion, is one of the worst types of greed there is because of the things individuals do in an attempt to gain access to the top. Greed for power is a very easy way for people to not only destroy themselves but also anyone around them.
Macbeth is a great example of Shakespeare using characters to show greed for power. At the beginning of the story, he is a kind and gentle man who only kills during battle and when is absolutely necessary. However, not being happy with the highest source of power, Macbeth’s wife puts ideas into his head that make him stir-crazy, causing him to become a fearful man that harasses the defenseless and even hires professionals to do his killing for him.
Greed for power doesn’t always have to involve killing, it can also include things such as “burning bridges” and tearing apart families for nothing but pure selfish reasons. Cases like these are a lot easier to see in the past decade or two in times like running for student council president. That person running may do whatever it takes to win the election even if it means ignoring their friends and doing things they promised they would never do.
It’s no surprise that Shakespeare uses greed for power as a theme in his plays because of how easily relatable it is. Being at the top of the totem pole, for lack of a better explanation, isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be. Mahatma Gandhi once said “there is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed”. This basically means that everyone has what they need, but there isn’t enough of anything to support all those people that are greedy and want more than their fair share.
“Wilt thou be lord of the whole world?” This quote is from William Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra and is, I believe, to be a great way to express greed for power because being at the top of a country or the president of a school, isn’t going to make anyone the top of the entire world. Greed for power is dangerous because it has the capabilities to destroy an individual along with any one or any thing that gets in their view of the line of power in which they are searching. Shakespeare does a very good job in expressing the ambition for the throne and even just to be better than everyone else while not failing to show how horrible greed really can be to an entire population.
"Ambition, Greed, Power, and Wealth in Shakespeare's Macbeth :: GCSE English Literature Coursework." Ambition, Greed, Power, and Wealth in Shakespeare's Macbeth :: GCSE English Literature Coursework. 123HeplMe.org. Web. 29 Aug. 2014.
Delete"Greed." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 30 Aug. 2014.
"Greed Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore. Web. 30 Aug. 2014.
” Shakespeare Quotes on Greed." Shakespeare Quotes on Greed. Web. 30 Aug. 2014.
Jessica, what an excellent blog to kickstart our year in AP Literature! Isn’t it amazing comparing our first blog from AP Language and Composition to the blogs we have been writing recently? I am proud of our progress!
DeleteI enjoyed reading your post. I have not yet read Macbeth, but after reading what you had to say about it, I will absolutely be reading it soon! I also agree on your views of “greed for power.” I think it is only human to want to do good and achieve, as most people are driven by a competitive edge. However, some people let this want control them, turning into a need and resulting in greed. Greed is an awful thing that can destroy anyone and most likely everyone involved. Greed has been known to tear apart the individuals life, relationships, families, and even nations and countries. As you stated, I don’t believe that “being on top of the totem pole” is worth all the bridges being burnt.
I really liked the Ghandi quote that you included! I have read a lot of his quotations in the past, but I have never heard “there is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed” before. That quote in my opinion is amazing, and is extremely appropriate and fitting to be included in your post in relation to your topic.
Jessica,
DeleteThis is a great blog! I find the theme of greed for power to be quite interesting, especially how far people will go to get what they want. It was a brilliant idea to mention that greed is one of the seven deadly sins; I never would have thought of that. What I really enjoyed about your blog was how you related greed to the modern world. People can get so wrapped up in bettering their lives and social statuses that they can ruin friendships with the people that mean the most to them. It is awful to say that that happens even with your example of running for a class officer position, but I guess since politicians running for office do the same on public television, it seems okay to do in school. I wish that weren't the case, but kids and teens watching those commercials are thinking that since they are adults, that it is okay to treat your opponents with such malevolence. Anyway, you did a good job at helping me understand the theme of greed!
During the Elizabethan time, there were not nearly as many sources of entertainment as we have today. Now, you can easily find a TV or a book to read to pass time with. But, during that period there was not any electricity, WiFi, or such things. The most common source of entertainment was basically the theatre. Shakespeare wrote during this time, and so he wrote to entertain this audience. The people who attended these plays weren't all rich or poor, but instead a conglomeration of all types. Shakespeare wrote his plays so that they would entertain those of higher education, but also those who hadn't had that opportunity in life. They laughed and they cried while watching his plays that often told tales of revenge, unrequited love, conflict, greed for power, loss of innocence, ambition, and order and disorder. Revenge often finds itself to be the cause of much conflict in his plays, especially in Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet.
ReplyDeleteRevenge is "to avenge (as oneself) usually by retaliating in kind or degree or to inflict injury in return for" as cited in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Revenge is something everyone can relate to as almost everyone has at some point been wronged by another individual. To want revenge is not an uncommon thing, yet sometimes to act on it can increase the severity of a situation rather than lessen the tension. This is found in Romeo and Juliet when Romeo kills Tybalt as revenge for the murder of his friend Mercutio. Revenge is seen also between the Montagues and the Capulets due to previous actions between the families. The actions caused by this need for revenge create many more opportunities for trouble in the play.
It is the same in Hamlet. Throughout the play, the audience watches as Hamlet, a university student, tries to deal with the requests of his father's ghost. His father has been wronged by his own brother who plotted against him and kills him in a ploy to increase his power and take over the throne. Hamlet seriously needs to consider the circumstances of his father's request, and along the way, his determination to get revenge causes many more deaths than would have originally occurred. In fact, through his seeking revenge, other characters in the play also find themselves in he position where they are warranted revenge. Young Fortinbras seeks revenge against Hamlet and his deceased father because Fortinbras' father had lost some of heir kingdom to Hamlet's father during their time. This quickly turns into a personal fight between Hamlet and Fortinbras, the youngers.
Shakespeare uses revenge to create a sense of community between the characters and the audience. The audience feels as if the character is justified in their wish for revenge, and they want him to have it. And, Shakespeare uses this to his advantage as the suspense of waiting for the character to get their revenge keeps the audience engaged in the play and doesn't allow for wandering minds. They must pay attention to understand all of the movement in the play. The theme of revenge is so relatable that it allows the audience to be drawn in and forget about heir own lives for awhile, they get to focus on someone else's problems and forget their own whole being entertained. Shakespeare's use of revenge as a theme shows how quickly things can go wrong when revenge is the name of the game.
"Revenge." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 29 Aug. 2014.
DeleteHannah,
DeleteThis blog definitely shows you view of this topic without a doubt in my mind, hard and to the point. Revenge is something that most everyone in this world has thought of or dared to seek. Hamlet is for sure a true revenge story for it fuels much of the rising actions and conflicts to come. But the play is to contribute that Hamlet is to be partially insane which can make him act out of hand, and do something unexpected. He may even act without thinking but as we know he is still in partial control of his mental state, whether that deteriorates as time goes on is unknown.
Shakespeare indeed uses revenge to create to create a sense of community to bring the characters together with the audience. But I disagree on the statement of it keeping the reader engaged, in my case at least. I constantly wonder of when Hamlet is going to loose control, or if he simply has "his heart set in the theater." What I mean is if this is all an act in his mental state, or if he knows what he's doing just acting like he is crazy. Either way Hannah this has definitely given me something to ponder in my own mind.
Sincerely yours
Devyn G. Condon
Hannah,
DeleteYou blog really explained revenge. I appreciated how you were able to tell us how revenge is used in Shakespeare's plays. I followed you through the whole blog well. Romeo and Juliet is a play that is based around revenge. It was a good example to use, and also with Hamlet. However, I wish you would have used a more recent example of revenge as well. For example, one book I read is Paper Towns by John Green. He created a character, Margo Roth Spiegelman, who was outlandish. She took revenge to a whole new level in modern times. She spray painted on homes and she threw fish into homes. She was sort of fearless when she did these things. I guess you could say that is one quality a person is to have to seek revenge. But after she was satisfied with her revenge, she up and left everything she knew for nothing. She isolated herself making her feel lonely, but she liked/wanted it that way. Maybe all characters have these traits, maybe none of them do. Just something to think about. Great job!
When one hears the word "innocent" most people think of a child. Children are still growing as learners and still may not know right from wrong. In the Webster's dictionary, it defines "innocence" as "freedom from sin or moral wrong." This definition does not put an age, a race, or a disability to the people who can be innocent. Anyone can be innocent. However, most people loose their sense of naivety.
ReplyDeleteShakespearean plays had the lost of innocence in at least one or more characters. In Hamlet, Ophelia has the mindset of a child. Hamlet releases his anger out on Ophelia after his father dies and his mother remarries. Ophelia is seen less than Hamlet, although he loves her, and assumes that she, like all other women, acts innocent to hide her lust. Ophelia is driven mad. She eventually kills herself because she can not stand the pain her life causes her. Shakespeare uses sleep to symbolize innocence in Macbeth. He feels guilt heavily weighing on his shoulders, thus not allowing him to sleep peacefully. Lady Macbeth even realizes that what her and her husband did was evil. They rather push themselves closer to hell for power. Their dreams haunt them preventing them to feel comfortable and calm. Lady Macbeth is unable to forgive herself for her actions. She kills herself, releasing her from the burden. Macbeth refuses to let the guilt overcome him. Deep down he knows that the only escape from the decision that he made is death.
The loss of innocence has been apart of the human world for thousands of years. The Bible story about Adam and Eve is an example of just how long the human race has sinned. It is not a new occurrence in the world; it just happened to become a bigger issue. There are many ways one can loose their purity. The most common case is the loss of virginity. God has said to His children to wait until after marriage. Unfortunately, many people loose it in high school, college, or anytime before marriage. Is it right? No, but it keeps happening. However, there are several more ways people can lose innocence. A person could become a murderer, they could hear life changing information, one or both parents may die, etc. Anything that changes a person's view of the world, one that sees the world a little clearer, has lost some of their gullibility.
Children who are raised in harsh environments tend to seem less ignorant too the world. Since a young age, they have had to experience the real world in different ways. Physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, rape, unhealthy relationships, and even divorce can force any child or teenager to grow up faster than they should. They are more likely to become involved with drugs or alcohol to find an escape from their displeasing reality. Sometimes they seek for love and affection for money because they either grew up seeing others doing that, feel like that is the only way they can receive love, or they feel like they do not deserve real love. No one should have to feel like they do not deserve love due to someone else's wrong doing unto them.
A common theme in growing of age books is the loss of innocence. In The Lord of the Flies, the reader sees that the boys that live on an island, due to their airplane crashing, gradually go from boys to men between the ages of six and twelve. Simon was the only boy who stayed pure, but he was killed by the other boys. All of the boys, except Simon, became crazed. It was required for the boys to kill animals for food, but that promptly led to killing each other. They did not know better, turning around and making them innocent. How were the children wrong I they were reflecting what the real world did? Another book like The Lord of the Flies is A Separate Peace. A Separate Peace is about Gene, a boy that fights with himself. Finny, Gene's closest friend, helps Gene try new things. He pushes him to experience the world, but Gene feels there is competition between the two. Gene then wishes for cruel things to happen to Finny. Never did he think that those things could become real and even more than what he wanted to happen to his friend. This left him feeling lost and more out of place than he felt at the beginning of the book.
DeleteLosing innocence is something that happens to everyone. There is no escape from the loss. It is seen in countless ways in which people can be deprived of their lack of perception about the world. Sooner or later they will be shocked into the truth that encircles them. Losing innocence is neither a good or bad thing. It is simply there to inform people about the world they live in.
"Bliss." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2014.
Delete"Importance of Sleep in Shakespeare's Macbeth." 123helpme.com. 123HelpMe.com, n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2014.
"Innocence." Dictionary.com. dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2014.
Knowles, John. "A Separate Peace." CliffsNotes. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2014.
"Lord of the Flies." Schmoop. Schmoop University, n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2014.
"Lost of Innocence." Philosophy Forums. 30 Aug. 2014. Web. 31 Aug. 2014. (a blog I got an idea from-no information used from it)
"Shakespeare's Ophelia: Character, Quotes & Quiz." Education Portal. Education Portal, n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2014.
Kaitlin,
DeleteI really enjoyed your approach on the theme of loss of innocence. Your blog was very thought provoking, especially when you discussed the theme in today's world. A lot of people consider losing your virginity a loss of innocence, which is sometimes the case. I think that in some situations, it is a realization that a person is no longer a child, which does not always mean a loss of innocence. Nonetheless, you made a great point. I also thought you had good book examples, especially "Lord of the Flies." That specific example gave me a new perspective on the whole theme.
Your examples were also great. I liked that you introduced Ophelia to us as someone whose innocence to the world becomes the enemy, and that she then realizes the pain she is going through yet cannot live with.
Another good point that you made was about those who grow up in an environment without loving parents and respect. Innocence is taken away quite early in these cases, as the children have to mature in order to survive. Unfortunately, that presents drugs and alcohol to them at a very young age.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading your blog. Your thought process is clear in your writing, making it much easier to understand the theme of a loss of innocence in not only Shakespearean literature, but also modern work and society.
Ambition is one of the central themes found in Shakespearean literature. It is related to a few of the other themes, such as greed and revenge. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, ambition is defined as "an ardent desire for rank, fame, or power" or as a "desire to achieve a particular end." Ambition is commonly thought of in a positive manner; being ambitious is a compliment, but it certainly has it's disadvantages. Shakespeare, on the other hand, usually portrays ambition negatively, following the first definition stated. The want of power has certainly caused problems for many of Shakespeare's characters in his plays, including Claudius from "Hamlet." This inimical form of ambition can also be found in today's society, where people are so caught up in wanting to be the best that they forget about the important factors in life.
ReplyDeleteIn Shakespeare's "Hamlet," Claudius wants desperately to gain the title and power that his brother, the King, holds. His ambition leads to the murder of his brother, which allows him to take the role of King. Was Claudius's ambition too strong? Most would say yes, considering he then decided to be rid of his nephew/stepson, Hamlet, backfired, causing Claudius's own death.
Another piece by Shakespeare that involves the use of negative ambition is "Julius Caesar." Caesar is so caught up in his ambition to be a powerful king, that he causes his own assassination. Cassius, one of the conspirators in "Julius Caesar," wants to control Rome so much, that his ambition leads to his death, along with his fellow conspirators.
"The Great Gatsby" is another well-known piece of literature that portrays the tragedy of negative ambition. The main character, Jay Gatsby, is obsessed with winning back the love of his life, Daisy. His over-exuberant and ambitious drive to have Daisy all to himself caused him to lose focus of reality, ruining his life and the lives of those around him.
Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" also uses the theme of ambition. Victor Frankenstein creates a monster after figuring out how to make life. Frankenstein makes it his life goal to destroy the monster he built by making him an outcast in society, causing him to be paranoid and lose his mind in the process. His ambition to find the secret of life in the first place masked the real issues and danger that the project involves.
A good example of this inimical ambition in today's world would be "Mean Girls." In this pop culture movie, a teenage girl, Cady, who has never been to a real school before, enters the world of high school. She quickly becomes friends with the popular mean girls, or better known as the plastics. At first, she is just trying to destroy the plastics with the help of a few social outcasts, but soon becomes completely absorbed in the life of being popular. Cady's ambition is still to send the leader of the plastics to social turmoil, but she also ruins her own status and friendship with her original friends. At the end of the movie, her ambition has been a success, for a while, but it has also caused the plastics to exist no more.
Ambition can de a deadly characteristic, but not always. Many times people are ambitious to achieve success in sporting events and in their careers. As long as an ambition does not become an obsession to is dangerous, it can be a good thing to have to keep motivated.
"Ambition." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 31 Aug 2014.
Delete"Homework Help." eNotes. eNotes, 7 Jan 2009. Web. 31 Aug 2014.
"Frankenstein." LitCharts. LitCharts, n.d. Web. 31 Aug 2014.
Natalie, I really njoyed your blog and made some very good points. It was very smart of you to write about the definition because think there could be several different definitions and taken many different ways especially in the sense of good and bad. The main reason I decided to comment on your blog was because of the examples you used. I was very impressed that you used three completely different stories with different ideas and concepts. Speaking of the different stories, I really liked how you used Frankenstein as an example rather than just using all Shakespeare examples. Ambition is a good thing and I'm glad you mentioned that, but I never really saw it as a bad thing. You opened my eyes to the bad things that ambition drives people to do. Your example of "The Great Gatsby" really put things into perspective and allowed me to see how ambition, like revenge and greed for power can destroy an individual, a group of people, and even a whole nation. Ambition can make someone selfish and can be one of the worse qualities a person possesses. To make your blog even better, you used the example of "Mean Girls". I never would have thought of that. Fantastic blog, Natalie!
DeleteNatalie,
DeleteYour blog really had me thinking. "Too much of one thing can become unhealthy" is what I was thinking through this. It made me realize that ambition can start out as a positive motivator for a person. Along the way, the person loses the sight of their real goal, fighting for something that is wrong or could potentially hurt them in some way. I especially enjoyed how you incorporated Mean Girls into your blog. I think all of us can relate to that movie due to the fact that we are all still in high school. At some point in our lives, each of us is going to or has gone through this reoccurring process. Maybe it is human nature? I do not know for sure. However, I do agree with you that ambition is a good thing to have if it does not become out of hand.
The first blogs for our AP English Literature class were quite revealing about the themes that permeate Shakespeare's plays. It is interesting to hear students recall events from Romeo & Juliet and other plays that they had read in earlier high school classes. These themes are rich is scope and offer themselves to us today in our everyday lives. How many times do we pick up the paper or see the news where "revenge" is a central theme in our foreign affairs? After the 9/11 tragedy here in America, the USA was determined to seek revenge on those responsible for killing innocent Americans. Look at the Israeli/Palestinian situation. There is one retaliation after another. Each is trying to take revenge on the other - so when will the killing stop? In discussing "greed" we have observed throughout recent years how some top CEO's of major stock and insurance companies have run ponzi schemes, stealing thousands of dollars from innocent people who had planned on a secure retirement someday. So, these themes were not only applicable in Shakespeare's time. We experience them today too. Many murders have occurred in the name of revenge and greed - and that is only to name a few of the themes. Good job everyone.
ReplyDeleteIn my own words, loss of innocence is best described as an event or series of events that lead to a different outlook of the world. To put it in terms that I think we can all relate to, The Catcher in the Rye was a story about the loss of innocence because the main character was beginning to see the world in a more mature perspective. Loss of innocence can serve as the theme of any form of writing because it is such a universal experience. Each of us will experience, if we have not already, a loss of innocence; a time when life is no longer as simple and understandable as childhood.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best examples of loss of innocence as a major theme is Flowers for Algernon. As the main character, Charlie, becomes more intelligent he begins to realize that his coworkers and other people made fun of him for as long as they knew him. This brings about the question of whether loss of innocence is negative or positive. If we never knew that we were oblivious to war and poverty as children and if we continued tone that way throughout our lives wouldn't we be happier thinking that the whole world was content like us? Is it not said that innocence is bliss? I am forced to disagree. We live in a time when bliss, in the form of innocence, is no longer affordable. It does us no good to ignore the riots in Missouri or the religious constraints in foreign countries. There is nothing to be gained in eternal innocence. For me, that is the beauty if loss of innocence as a theme. Because we can relate to it, reading a story that develops around it can be like watching ourselves open our eyes for the first time. I'm not saying that all experiences are the same, but there is comfort in knowing that other people, real or fiction, had to lose something, too.
Since loss of innocence touches all of us it can obviously happen in several different ways. In Catcher in the Rye it seems to simply be a result of growing up while in Flowers for Algernon it is because of a realization, or several realizations. For us it could be the death of a loved one or the loss of something equally familiar. At the same time, it can be more gradual than in stories. I think that, for many of us, the loss of innocence is something that developed slowly. Maybe it started in eight grade when we visited the Holocaust Museum, or even before then when something more personal happened. In writing, however, it is less convenient to focus on a slow loss of innocence because it is almost imperceptible until one day we look around and wonder when everything changed.
In Shakespeare, loss of innocence is among his most popular themes. It has already emerged for me in Hamlet which is one of the reasons why I chose to write about it. The reader is not introduced to Hamlet until after his father's death meaning that we have no prior knowledge of his character. All we are aware of is the "change" in him that concerns his mother and friends. Could this be the loss of innocence for Hamlet? Certainly, when the ghost of his father appears and proclaims that he must avenge his death, some innocence is lost. Hamlet is now faced with the duty of seeking revenge on the murderer if his father. It only becomes worse when he is told that his own uncle committed the act against his father. This, of course, throws him into deep and troubled thoughts. How can he kill his own kin? How can he seek revenge against the now husband of his mother? Certainly we are not all faced with the same strife as Hamlet, but his story goes to show how one act can cause a series of events that will change several lives. The loss of innocence never affects one person; it touches all those within reach of the person who initially experiences it.