Things Fall Apart: Ancestors

While reading Things Fall Apart, the quote "A man's life from birth to death was a series of transition rites which brought him nearer and nearer to his ancestors" (Achebe, 89) in chapter 13 really struck me, and lead me to think about how our past shapes our future.

The first reason the quote grabbed my attention was while the whole clan was trying to become closer and closer with their ancestors, Okonkwo does the exact opposite. His actions are geared towards appearing strong and dominant, so he does not resemble his father. Additionally, he will do anything not to appear weak, even if it means breaking Peace Week and disappointing his ancestors with his unruly actions. Okonkwo's fear of resembling his father keeps him from embracing who he really is, and becoming close with his ancestors.

The second reason why I found the quote interesting was I could easily relate it to today. Our lives are often shaped by the actions of our ancestors, just like Okonkwo. Whether we meet the expectations set for us, or start a whole new set, the present is shaped by our past.

Additionally, as we mature, we get closer to our ancestors. That can be interpreted two different ways. The first would be that as we get older, we get closer to death, which, in turn, brings us closer to those who died before us. The second, and happier, interpretation is as we get older, we have to go through transitions that resemble those our ancestors had to face, such as marriage or working, which brings us closer to our past. It seems that no matter how hard we fight against our past, ultimately we must face it at some point our life time.

"How an Obese Town Lost a Million Pounds"

 In the TED talk video I watched, the Mayor of Oklahoma City, Mick Cornett, discussed how he got the entire city to lose 1 million pounds in just 5 years. His video stood out to me for two reasons. The first reason was that I too had lost a substantial amount of weight a few years back, and wondered how a mayor could motivate an entire city to do it and what method he used; and the second reason was because the title really stood out to me. I mean a million pounds? That's a lot!
Cornett discovered that Oklahoma City had a problem when reading "Most Obese Cities" in Men's Fitness. Instead of pushing the problem aside, Cornett took action. His solution surprised me. He simply shaped transportation around walking instead of driving. The small change he made led to Oklahoma City being feature in the "Fittest Cities" in a copy of Men's Fitness five years later.
Cornett really inspired me. He could have easily overlooked the article, or simply have no interest in helping the citizens of Oklahoma City slim down. However, he took interest in the health of the citizens in Oklahoma city, and didn't let the daunting task scare him. Reflecting on his actions made me realize how often I do the exact opposite. In situations where I am not sure whether I will succeed or not, I tend to find ways to get out of them in fear of failure. I learned from Cornett that when you face a challenge head on, the result can be extremely rewarding.

Hamlet: Keeping up With the Kardashians

In my version of Hamlet, I would turn Hamlet's life into a reality T.V. show called "Hanging with Hamlet." Old Hamlet would be Robert Kardashian, Gertrude would be Kris Kardashian, Hamlet would be Rob Kardashian, and Claudius would be a meaner version of Bruce Jenner. I would actually have Horatio and Marcellus be played by Kim and Khloe Kardashian, and be girls (Horatia and Marcella). Both Hamlet and "Keeping up with the Kardashians" are similar in some ways because both families come from a lot of wealth, and Rob Kardashian dealt with the death of his father just like Hamlet.

For Act 1, Scene 2, I would have Claudius first start off with his own interview talking about how he is excited to bring together the family, act as the new father figure, and try to relieve some of the pressure by taking over Dash (the family clothing store). Then the camera would go to a dramatic scene where Hamlet is death staring Claudius and Gertrude as they cuddle on the couch. The camera would zoom on Hamlet's face, and then switch to his own interview where he talks about how unfair his life is. He would explain how Claudius's best friend's son is hosting this crazy party, and Claudius won't let Hamlet go. Hamlet is facing a new time low.

Then, while Claudius and Gertrude are shopping with Hamlet, they get mad how he is only picking out black clothes, and scold him in front of the entire store (how embarrassing!). In the interview, Claudius and Gertrude would just say they were being good parents, but in Hamlet's interview, he thinks his life is over. Hamlet would drive away in his Bentley while Gertrude and Claudius kept shopping.

When Hamlet gets back from home, Hortatia and Marcella are standing by the door with some crazy news about Old Hamlet.

The Famous Question: To Be or Not to Be?

I found it quite interesting to watch how different directors portrayed the "to be or not to be" scene. In both clips, Hamlet appears in deep thought, and almost at war with himself. However, in the first clip, Hamlet comes off as quizzical, and quiet, since his voice is softer, and he is talking to his reflection in the mirror. It almost seems like he is plotting something, and I couldn't really figure out what his emotions were. Also, I found it interesting how the director had Ophelia, Claudius, and Polonius all listening into the conversation. In the second clip, Hamlet really comes off as frustrated. I feel like the director had him focusing on life in general since he was walking around a tomb like area (I'm guessing his father's grave). Hamlet conversation is more private than in the first clip, and therefore, I feel like he better portrays his emotions. Overall, I liked the second clip better.

Improving Short Work Essay Paragraph

Original:

Heaney then uses this feeling of guilt to enhance feelings of admiration the speaker has towards his father and grandfather and to explain how important digging is in the family. As the speaker reflects on his grandfather and father, he mentions proudly how “[his] grandfather cut more turf in a day/Than any other man on Toner's bog" (17-18). Heaney uses this sentence to show how proud the speaker is of his grandfather. This sense of pride also causes an internal conflict, though, because the speaker cannot carry out this pride by digging. Then, the speaker shows how digging is a family tradition by saying, "By God, old man could handle a spade. Just like his old man" (15-16). Not only does this sentence still show admiration, it also depicts how digging is a family tradition, and not taken lightly. Digging is a source of pride in this family, which causes more pressure to the speaker to carry out this family tradition. Heaney has the speakers admiration of his father and grandfather also show the pressure he faces, and how he cannot live up to he expectations laid upon him.

In my original paragraph, you mentioned how you did not like how I used conclusion sentences a the end of all my paragraphs. To fix that, I just simply deleted them. I also had some extra words that were unnecessary, so I just deleted them too. Finally, I was vague on whether the expectations to dig set upon the speaker were self or externally imposed. To fix that, I added a sentence to explain that more.

Fixed:

Heaney then uses this feeling of guilt to enhance feelings of admiration the speaker has towards his father and grandfather and to explain how important the family views digging. As the speaker reflects on his grandfather and father, he mentions proudly how “[his] grandfather cut more turf in a day/Than any other man on Toner's bog" (17-18). This sense of pride also causes an internal conflict, though, because the speaker cannot carry out this pride by digging. Then, the speaker says, "By God, old man could handle a spade. Just like his old man" (15-16) to infer that digging is a family tradition. Not only does this sentence still show admiration, it also depicts how a sense of respect comes with digging. As a family tradition, the speaker wants to carry out digging. The speaker almost inflicts his own internal pressure to continue digging, since he wants to show respect to his grandfather and father. The speaker puts Heaney has the speakers admiration of his father and grandfather also show the pressure he faces, and how he cannot live up to he expectations laid upon him.

Ophelia vs Laertes: Witty, Innocent, or Submissive?

After watching two actresses portraying Ophelia and reading act 1 scene 3, I can concur that Ophelia is depicted in many different ways while talking to her brother Laertes . 

In Hamlet, I feel that Shakespeare had Ophelia come off as silent, yet witty in act 1 scene 3. While her brother lectures her about having feelings towards Hamlet, Ophelia just listens, barely inserting any commentary. It is almost like Ophelia is pretending to listen, and isn't really taking in what information her brother is trying to tell her. After Laertes's long speech, Ophelia says, "But, good my brother,/ Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,/ Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,/Whiles, (like) a puffed and reckless libertine,/Himself the primrose path of dalliance threads/And recks not his own rede" (1.3 50-55). This shows Ophelia as witty as she calls out her brother for pretty much being a hypocrite, since he is living a life of lust and party in France. This interaction with her brother shows that Ophelia sticks with her own opinions, and set a confident tone for the rest of the act. It also shows that her personality is different from the dimwitted Gertrude, which could explain why Hamlet is so attracted to her.

However, in the first clip, the director portrays Ophelia as innocent. The actress casually smiles at her brother for most of the conversation as he tries to lecture her, almost as though she feels it is a joke. Though during the other parts of the conversation, her expression does come off as a bit worried. This shows that even though Ophelia is pretending not to care about what her brother is saying, it still is affecting her. I think this kind of takes away from her witty personality that was shown in Hamlet, and instead sets a sarcastic tone for the act as Ophelia tries to cover up her worries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI8T5DPxY5Y&feature=player_embedded#at=65

In the second clip, the director has Ophelia come off as submissive. During the entire conversation wither her brother, I don't think I heard the actress say one word! This completely takes away the witty tone Shakespeare set in act 1 scene 3. Ophelia completely gives in to her brother in this scene, and doesn't even have any remark to come back with. She just simply listens in silence with a worried face. This sets a worried tone for the rest of the act as Ophelia believes everything her brother says. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JyxfJo-iiA&feature=player_embedded#at=71

Claudius: Something up his Sleeve?

After reading Act 1 Scene 1 and 2 of Hamlet, I could instantly tell that Claudius was up to no good.

As a king, Claudius seems kind and caring in the eyes of the public. For example, when Laertes asks a "favor to return to France" (1.2 53), Claudius allows him to go, and do as he pleases. However, Claudius marries his dead brother's, who also happens to be the king, wife Gertrude after only two months after the king's death! Incest much? As a king to his family, Claudius's first impression is suspicious and greedy. After marrying Gertrude as quickly as he did, it makes me think that Claudius had something to do with the king's death.

Claudius ins't much better as a father figure and an uncle to Hamlet. Although Claudius does tell Hamlet he has "no less nobility of love/Than that which dearest father bears his son/[Does] [he] impact towards [him]" (1.2 114-116), and wants Hamlet to be the number-one member of his court, Claudius tells Hamlet to stop grieving over his father! Claudius asks Hamlet "why should we in our peevish opposition/Take it to heart" (1.2 104-105)? Instead of mourning over the king's death with Hamlet, Claudius wants everyone to forget about it. That seems pretty suspicious to me...