The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

For those of you who were away this week, we read a narrative poem and discussed it on Wednesday and Thursday (April 9 and 10). We only had 20 out of 27 students in class Thursday, so if anyone wants to discuss the poem (or discuss it further) we can use the blog to do that.

Here is a link to the full text of the poem: http://www.theotherpages.org/poems/coler01.html

Here is a link to some of the excellent illustrations that were done for a later edition of the poem:

http://www.artsycraftsy.com/dore_mariner.html

More of his work can be found at: http://dore.artpassions.net/

Sarah G. had wanted to know more about these illustrations, so I found these. There are a lot more here than in our textbook.

It turns out the illustrations were done by Gustave Doré; they are illustrations to the 1876 edition of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Read more about him here:

http://www.victorianweb.org/painting/dore/

I feel like we barely scratched the surface of this text today, so maybe we can do some more with it here.

What an exciting blog!!!

No joking matter

I would like to have you guys watch a shakespearean comedy film adaptation. I picked four that have good movie versions that have been made in the last 15 years. The alternative would be to watch a Hamlet from beginning to end. I personally enjoy thinking of comedy and tragedy as similar but contrasting genres of drama. Here are the options that I've been considering:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0140379/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107616/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379889/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450972/

Why don't you all take a few minutes to look at these choices and then vote in the new pole.

While Sarah's post is inspried by the death of Heath Ledger, I none the less completely support it.

It would be interesting to compare the Shakespeare plan and the...sigh...movie 10 things I hate about you as we read them. I put my support behind sarah.

I yield my time to Pakistan.

Dear Mr. Hoffman.

Mr. Hoffman,
As you know, the class has chosen "Much Ado About Nothing" to be the next Shakespeare comedy that we study. I actually voted for this play. Frankly, the reason why I voted for this play was because it sounded like it would be the least weird. I am confident that this was also why many of my classmates voted for it as well. I know you're not supposed to judge things by their cover or title, or anything, but the class and I did, and I'm sure we have come to regret it. After doing some hard research, it has come to my attention that "The Taming of the Shrew" is an old Shakespearean play that is actually still young and kickin' today.

Along with the amazing film starring the late, great Heath Ledger, 10 Things I Hate About You, and the 2003 film Deliver Us From Eva, another recent adaptation of the play was a Brazilian Soap Opera in 2000 called Cravo e a Rosa, meaning "The Carnation and the Rose," whose name comes from a children's song about a couple of engaged flowers who had a serious "fight." Seriously, if I, and the rest of the class, had known this, I am sure we would have voted for this play.

In comparison, the play we mistakenly voted for, "Much Ado About Nothing" has not been adapted into any type of popular film. In fact, the most recent adaptation of this play was in 2006, when the American Music Theatre Project produced The Boys are Coming Home, a MUSICAL based in World War II America. A MUSICAL ADAPTATION based in WORLD WAR TWO AMERICA! Enough said.

The bottom line is that Shakespeare is a difficult study in itself, but the opportunity to study a Shakespeare play that has many ties to today's world would not only be less difficult, but it would be less painful, and definitely a memorable experience.

Therefore, Mr. Hoffman, I strongly urge you to take a new poll in class to determine which play should be the next study.

Sincerely,
Sarah

JK Rowling Quote

"It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more." -JK Rowling, book 6?
This is the quote I was talking about today while we were talking about ghosts and what they symbolize.

The Escaped Convict

Along with the others was a Handyman
He could fix anything be it a fridge or a fan
And would work quickly, didn't stay to long
Had many jobs, for his hands were strong
Was a scruffy man, appearance unkempt
Always alert, for he barely slept
Never made eye contact, always looking down
He could not smile, constantly wearing a frown
And upon his cheek, he bore a scar
A token he'd won from a fight in a bar
His expression, demeanor, all was mean
Eyes, cold and hurt from bad things he'd seen
The man had a secret he could never share,
For the consequences he could not bare.
The Handyman had recently left county jail
And his leaving was not due to parole or bail
No one knew the man had actually made an escape
After 4 years inside for a crime worse than rape
Accused and convicted of killing three
Yet there was no one as innocent as he
Was locked away from a crime he didn't do,
So he felt it was time to bid the jail an adieu
He had been on his own for half of a year
And yet every day was still filled with fear
That someone might look at him and see
He resembled that wanted man from TV.
Soon he realized he had to find a new place,
Where no one would ever recognize his face
So to Foxwoods he went with a goal in mind:
To leave his troubles and past life behind.

Con Artist

There was a Con Artist, odd as ever.
He was as genuine as he was clever.
A middle aged man, maybe thirty-nine.
With bulging eyes and receeding hairline.
He was missing a few teeth here and there.
Most likely from his lack of healthcare.
Around his neck he wore a stethoscope,
As today he was a doctor and horoscope
Reader tomorrow. His tee shirt was white,
Just as plain as him, and not very bright.
He wore a pair of tattered old jeans,
Ripped from that one time when he was in his teens.
His Reeboks were old, and quite worn out.
All in all, he was not very stout.
This man was hopelessly lost in this age.
His childhood was lived as if in the stone age.
He had longed for open land and a meadow,
But was stuck in a small and cramped ghetto.
His guardian’s influence was not good,
And he was given no money for school should
He decide to do something with his life.
Although he knew his life was not grand,
He knew of those people that could barely stand.
Be it from lack of food or other thing,
Some were as skinny as a puppet string.
And it pained his heart to see such folk,
That he would give and give until he was broke.
Then he would drink, even if it meant stealing,
And begin his con, much like the Duke and King.
If casinos were a place to lose your money,
He would make it happen on his spree.
This man’s character may be hard to conjure,
He is kind, though his effect made me unsure.

Doctor

A doctor there was, degree and all,
His complexion was clean and structure tall.
He was a talented man that is sure,
His soul could heal any one with the right cure.
A tainted white coat lay over his shoulders,
With glasses so thick they look like boulders.
The hair on his face is kept trimmed neat,
His eyes are like no other can beat.
The tone of his skin was a pale white,
And his face lacked the bright inner light.
There was one thing missing from this charming man,
It must be on his limbs, the lack of tan.
From his fingers there was on thing missing,
And his lips had longed from some kissing.
His wife and family left him years ago,
The divorce gave his ego a real blow.
His house for twelve now only serves one,
And it’s used for show of the prizes he’s won.
He works so hard, all day and night,
Any woman that would stay would have such fright.
His only dream was a job and family,
The thought of being alone has left him so grimly.
A charming man whom anyone would adore,
He never allows himself to be a bore.
All he wants is to find him self a lady,
So he no longer has to act so shady.
Someone who he can share all his talent,
A woman strong, willing, and gallant.
He hopes his journey will bring him good,
For it’s his last chance to be understood.

Female Actor

There was a female actor, and as a child,
She was constantly seen as very wild.
This trait of hers has never left her;
It trapped her, and threw away the key in a blur.
It all began when she was a teenager
She thought she knew her life’s major.
So she moved to the famous West Coast
To pursue a life wanted by most.
Now she finds herself telling you all,
About her life, and how it continues to fall.
She’s made it big here in Hollywood
She acts in movies, like she thought she would.
The fame has had its ups and downs
By far, the downs come by the tons.
She is at the top of the acting ladder,
Her wealth grows, yet she grows sadder.
She dresses herself the most fashionable,
Skirts and jewelry accompany her travel.
Nobody knows, or believes, however
That her clothes are cheap, expensive never.
Why spend her earnings on selfish things
When she can help charities spread their wings.
When people see her in the tabloids,
The things they see are factoids.
She is portrayed as a selfish, rich, stupid woman,
But these lies have been inaccurately woven.
When will the public see her as she is, really?
She wants the truth to come out of the alley.
The Sunday tabloids say she partied all night,
Really, she prayed to be seen in a new truthful light.