Belonging in As You Like It Essay Example for Free

Belonging in As You Like It Essay The need to belong can cause us to develop comforting relationships, powerful social groups, productive workplace teams, and inspiring religious and national bonds. But it can also be responsible for hurtful and damaging behaviour when those who are unable or unwilling to adapt are forced to conform or are completely excluded. These two aspects of belonging are evident in Shakespeare’s As You Like It, and Kevin Costner’s film Dances with Wolves and W. H. Auden’s satiric poem ‘The Unknown Citizen’. Shakespeare makes us aware of the contrasting qualities of the natural harmonious forest (where everyone seems contented and loving) and the corrupt, pompous court, controlled by the usurper Duke Frederick with his use of symbolic juxtaposition and allusion to. His fury over his daughter’s close relationship with Rosalind (the daughter of the displaced Duke Senior) reinforces their close bond. Celia describes the two of them with a harmonious image from the natural world: â€Å"coupled and inseparable.. like Juno’s swans†. Dramatically, Shakespeare emphasises their closeness by including their good-hearted banter, and having them adopt disguises before entering the forest. Their supportive relationship gives them strength, so that instead of feeling grief as a result of their expulsion from court, they focus on the positive. Celia’s comments help us to see court and forest as binary opposites when she declares â€Å"now go we in content to liberty and not to banishment. † Shakespeare shows us how belonging in a close relationships can bring strength, but how this exclusivity may also be seen as a threat by others. Another text which shows a surprising response to exile is Kevin Costner’s Academy award-winning film â€Å"Dances with Wolves†. In it the main character, John Dunbar voluntarily exiles himself, leaving both his own white American culture, and also the senseless Civil War that he had been fighting in, determined to see the west before it has gone. Even though he had been compelled by tradition, expectation and a sense of duty to serve loyally, he finds himself drawn to establish stronger links with the Dakota Sioux Indians, who were commonly viewed as â€Å"thieves and beggars†. Like Celia in As You Like It, he does not view his exile as banishment, but as an opportunity to escape a restrictive and corrupt society in order to gain a sense of freedom and find spiritually renewal. In addition to Dunbar’s first person narration, the film uses a number of mis-en-scene elements, such as costuming, dialogue and symbolic motifs to show the way John Dunbar is gradually accepted into the Sioux culture. Early in his exile, we see him dressed in full uniform, and hear him using military jargon as he describes burying excess ordinance and trying to mount an adequate defence. After his initial encounters with the Lakota Indians his new-found sense of belonging is evident as he begins to speak their language, and is greeted courteously. A change of identity is indicated by his altered appearance, as he becomes clean-shaven, begins wearing a red shirt and trades his army hat for a knife. The film shows a montage of incidents in which Dunbar adopts Sioux customs, such as eating raw buffalo heart. Dean Semler, the cinematograph-er, uses a red filter and passionate music to depict Dunbar’s sorrow when he is separated from his new friends. Finally, Dunbar’s assimilation into the Lakota culture is evident when he becomes able to speak fluently in Lakota, and falls in love with Stands With a Fist. Id never known who John Dunbar was. But as I heard my Sioux name (â€Å"Dances with Wolves†) called out again and again, I knew who I really was. Costner’s film shows us that humans have a need for relationships, but that we can belong within many different relationships, groups and cultures. Just as Celia and Rosalind establish new relationships in exile and are not troubled by their exclusion from court, Dunbar is restored and fulfilled by his acceptance into a more meaningful and supportive Lakota culture. In contrast to Dunbar’s experiences of belonging, the character of Jaques in â€Å"As You Like It’ shows us that belonging can be impossible for people who are very independent and highly individual. Although he goes into exile willingly he does not accept Duke Senior’s analogy that adversity, like the toad, ugly and venomous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head†. For Jaques, unlike Dunbar, living in exile does not bring rewards and happiness. He insists that he loves to be miserable and to ‘suck melancholy from a song as a weasel sucks eggs†. Shakespeare’s use of such images from nature is very effective in suggesting that, unlike most people, Jaques does not find the experience of being in exile with others either comfortable or necessary. This is evident from his use of highly emotive words to express his dislike of the world around him and his wish to â€Å"Cleanse the foul body of the infected world†. Inevitably his critical, judgmental character makes him an outcast ridiculed for his tears for a wounded stag. Jaques’ depressive nature makes it difficult for him to view life positively as he reveals in his speech on the seven Ages of Man, which finishes with the tragically negative repetition of ‘sans’ (meaning ‘without’) to emphasise the desperate plight of the elderly â€Å"Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything†. When the opportunity arises to return to court, with Duke Senior reinstated, Jaques rejects the idea as he prefers to remain in the ‘abandoned cave’ rather than returning with the others to the trivial pomp of the court. His sense of moral superiority, his inflexibility and his preference for being sombre prevent him from valuing the notion of belonging. Whereas characters like Jaques and Dunbar have the option of choosing whether to belong or not, the ‘unknown citizen’ in W. H. Auden’s satiric poem has been forced to fit in to a tightly run capitalist bureaucracy. The poem takes the form of a eulogy written on the tombstone of this ‘perfect’ member of society, who is only known by his serial number, JS/07 M 378. Auden adopts a formal, prosaic tone to praise the man’s achievements: â€Å"when there was peace, he was for peace When there was war, he went. † The tone of congratulation is clear as the monument praises JS’s life and praises him for being quite ‘normal’. In appearing to praise this ‘saint’ Auden is actually mocking the way those around him in the 1930s blindly relinquished their individuality to the ‘Greater Community’ and he condemns the consumer society which exerts so much control over its citizens. Auden’s oem is laced with irony as the monument extols the virtues of JS who â€Å"had everything necessary to the Modern Man A phonograph, a radio, a car and a Frigidaire. † In this capitalistic conservative society, people are valued for conformist behaviour. The ultimate irony is conveyed in the patronising final lines: â€Å"Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd: Had anything been wrong, we sh ould certainly have heard. † To belong in such a society, Auden suggests, requires people to abandon any search for freedom and happiness as these are, in the authorities’ view, insignificant and irrelevant. Whereas Shakespeare provides Jaques with the opportunity of maintaining his individuality by not belonging, Auden’s speculative vision of the world allows very little opportunity for those who choose not to belong. In contrast to the magical transformative qualities of the forest of Arden in which marriages and reunions abound, Auden’s sterile society depicts the negative behaviour of mindless conformity where individual names are lost, and people are only valued if they can conform to the government’s expectations. The need to belong can force us to adopt conformist behaviour, and can even force humans to live a life of deceit and pretence, as Jaques commented: ‘All the world’s a stage and we are merely players’. Belonging can, on the other hand, provide us with comfort, security, affection and self-worth. The need to belong is certainly both a gift and a curse.

Italy in World War II Essay -- Essays Papers

Italy in World War II World War II, which only lasted about five years, changed the course of history forever, and affected millions of lives. Among the major nations that were involved in the war, Benito Mussolini and his Italian army sought to settle their differences with many nations. Benito’s fascist views, his idea of a nation built by one race, and his relationship with Adolf Hitler ultimately led to his involvement in the war. His responsibility, in essence, was to ally himself with the superpowers of the world, and lead his people into a war that they could not fight. "Il Duce", (the leader), was the name that Benito Mussolini gave himself as his rise to power in Italy continued. He led the people of Italy with the mind set and many of the same ideas that Hitler used in Germany. "†¦ a tendency had been developing in Italy in favor of closer relations with Germany, both politically and economically." (1) Mussolini, along with Hitler, pushed towards a nation that was free of Jews, and would consist solely of the "perfect man". Mussolini’s goal was to create an ultimate Italian empire, in alliance with Hitler’s Germany. (2) "The manner in which Mussolini and the Fascist Party gained possession of the government was regarded in most foreign circles as an illegal act of violence." (3) As the nation of Italy began to suffer great debts, Mussolini had been summoned by the King to form a government to aid in the economic needs. This marked the birth of the Fascist Party in Italy. In the beginning of his rise to the top, Mussolini was popular amongst his people. His popularity was high, and people began to trust in his judgment and ideas. (4) He was, in essence, saving the people from the turmoil that had ensued the nat... ...hat they controlled, but affected the history of the world from then on. End Notes 1. Villari, Luigi. Italian Foreign Policy Under Mussolini. New York: The Devin-Adair Company, 1956 2. "Benito Mussolini in Pictures". 3 March 2000. Factual information on Mussolini. http://www.gvn.net/~lowe/mussolini/1.htm 3. See Villari 4. "World War II" (1939-1945) http://infoplease.lycos.com/ipa/A0001288.html 2000 Lycos, Inc. (March 2, 2000) 5. See Villari 6. Deakin, F.W. The Brutal Friendship. New York: Harper and Row, Publishers, 1962. 7. See Deakin 8. See Villari 9. Smith, Denis Mack. "Benito Mussolini" http://gi.grolier.com/wwii.wwii_mussolini.html Grolier Online Publishing (March 3, 2000) 10. See Villari 11. See Villari

Edward II of England

Piers Soapstone is a major character of the play, â€Å"Edward II†. He is a minion of Prince Edward. He was banished by King Edward l, as his presence was proving dangerous for Prince Edward. Soon after the dead of king Edward l, he receives a letter from king Edward II asking him to come back to England. â€Å"My father is deceased, come Soapstone, And share the kingdom with thy dearest line of the play) The letter shows that the king has a great love for Soapstone since he asks him to come to â€Å"share the kingdom† with him. Soapstone is very happy at the conclusion of his banishment.He is excited to meet his friend overcoming all the physical hurdles. â€Å"Ah! Words that make me surfeit with delight! What greater bliss can hap to Soapstone Than live and be the favorite of a king! Sweet prince. I come; these, these thy amorous lines Might have enforced me to have swum from France. † (act 1 scene 1, lines 3-7) This soliloquy of Soapstone shows us how keen he is, to meet his friend. The dramatist reveals the relationship between king Edward II and Soapstone. It is believed that there was a homosexual relationship between soapstone and king Edward.So thou wouldst smile, and take me in thin arms. † The emotional letter of king Edward the II evokes strong emotions In the heart of Soapstone. He thinks that his love for the king Is as strong as Oleander's love for Hero. He becomes so impatient to meet the king, that he could even risk his life, if he didn't have any ship to ferry him immediately. He wants to come to England to be with his love, and not because of the city â€Å"Not that I love the city, or the men, But that it harbors him that I hold so dear- The king† He declares that he would love king Edward II even If the whole world hated him.Soapstone promises to bow only before the king, and not before the lordly peers. â€Å"My knee shall bow to none but to the king† This shows that the king holds a very special a s well as important position in the life of soapstone. He knows all the tastes and preferences of the king. He has a desire to give utmost pleasure to the king In all possible ways. All his plans show that he will provide sensual pleasure to the king In different ways. He Informs that he will get In entertain the king by â€Å"music and poetry'. He arranged for † Sweet speeches,COMEDIES, AND PLEASING SHOWS† to delight king Edward II. Some of his actors of â€Å"Italian masques† would be dressed â€Å"like sylvan nymphs† Andromeda of the actors playing the roles of â€Å"Satyrs† who would graze on the lawns with â€Å"goat feet†. All this shows the deep affections of Soapstone for king Edward II. The tastes of the king are fully reflected in the plans that Soapstone makes to delight and please him. Soapstone doesn't care about what the world says and thinks about his relationship with king Edward. He wants to return from his exile as soon as p ossible and spend laity time with his love.Despite the fact that he is hated and threatened by all the nobles, he continues his relationship with king Edward II. Soapstone belongs to a minority class. He has a homosexual relationship with king Edward II which was not accepted during that time. People having a man to man relationship were looked down upon by the society. This was the reason why king Edward had exiled Soapstone from England. Even after the return of soapstone, he was constantly threatened by the nobles and lords. He was always rejected by the society, so his life as centered around the person who loved him, that is king Edward II.Soapstone could even risk his life to be with him. Gavotte's harshness and rude behavior is seen in the conversation with the three poor men in the beginning. The prospect of being the most favored person of the king has turned his head. He has decided not to talk to the â€Å"multitude† of common persons and not to bow before the peer s. â€Å"Farewell base stooping to the lordly peers! My knee shall bow to none but to the king. ,† He decides to act as a high profile man, and ill-treats three ordinary people who want is help.Dismiss them, one of them, who is a soldier, curses him for treating him slightingly. He thinks that the common people are like â€Å"dying sparks† in the cold ashes. What he wants to say is that, the persons without entities are of no account to him, since their poverty will be of no avail. He would rather pay attention to the wind that touches his lips and flies away than to the person of insignificance. â€Å"As for the multitude , that are but sparks, Ranked up in embers of their poverty I'll fawn first on the wind That glance at my lips, and fleets away. †This shows the arrogant side of Soapstone. Soapstone is also betrayed as an evil genius. He does not want to mix with the common people as they are poor. This clearly shows his evil desires and the reason for being with king Edward II. He knows how to make use of other people which we see in his (aside) â€Å"I'll flatter these and make them live in hope†. Soapstone wants to take advantage of his authority and his mind starts manipulating strategies to have the king in his clutches so that he can do as he wishes. â€Å"musicians, that with touching of a string May draw the pliant king which way I please†Soapstone is cynically planning to trap the young monarch's mind . When he is the fore-front suggests his cunningness and his pretence of a true friend is seen when . soapstone is extremely selfish. He exploits the knowledge of the kings knowledge. He widens the rift between the king and the queen. Soapstone has influenced the king to such an extent that the king would provide him with all the luxuries and comforts, while ignoring his kingly duties. Piers has cultivated to perfection the art of flattery and he uses it at every step while dealing with his sole patron-the king.

Video Games A Contemporary Scapegoat - 2374 Words

From character to character, the brutal kills range from ripping out spines to slicing the opponents straight in half to chopping off foes arms. They were all just obeying the thunderous voice rumbling, Finish him! This is Mortal Kombat – one of, if not the, most popular fighting game franchises ever created. At its conception in 1992, it was hit with a hard wall of controversy for its heavy use of gore and the general fear it would influence children to reenact these so-called â€Å"fatalities† in real life. Ever since the 1970s, man was finally able to interact with the screen, creating a universe written in ones and zeros. However, does the screen speak back to us, and cause effects outside of the console? Though video games have widely†¦show more content†¦Even with the common shooter profile of â€Å"young male, suicidal, and depressed,† there are too many false positives. There is, nor will there ever be, a way to certainly predict a shooting. As a society, we just try to endlessly blame other causes, while, in fact, we just need to stand up and take responsibility. The game industry will not outright censor itself over what those with damaged personas would do. Now, violence in games does not just exist for the sake of bloodshed. Violence in games is not any worse than that founds in other forms of media such as movies, music, and television. Ever since the hunter-gatherer days, humanity has been partially hardwired to crave violence. From gladiator fights to public executions, people have always flocked to the scene of the carnage. Admittedly, a normal citizen nowadays would be much more able to access violence at his or her fingertips – turn on the radio, and Jay-Z blasts on the Top 40, rapping about Kurt Cobain’s suicide. Power on the television and the entire wedding congregation is massacred on Game of Thrones. 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