The Beggar's Opera---Betrayal---

Polly's parents do not like Macheath, nor do they want him to be with their daughter. Their solution to this problem is to simply kill him and make sure he never is a problem again. This will result in money for them. I guess they figure why not do away with him but not his money! He decides to hide away in a tavern for a while, yet one of the women who is supposedly helping him "disguise" himself turns out to be on the opposing team. This is definately a representation of betrayal. People will turn on you in a heartbeat. You think they are your friend and will forever be on your side yet at the last minute they are releasing you to the enemy. These two ladies are apparently working for the Peachum's and that is how Macheath is caught. I found it kind of ironic how the ladies were talking about shoplifting while gathered around Macheath. This is definately an odd subject. Most girls talk about their new boyfriend or the hottest trends at that time. Shoplifting must be the new "it" topic!

The Canterbury Tales-What a Journey!

I think it's neat how all these different kinds of people came together to jouney afar! All of them came from different backgrounds, posessed different qualities and worked different occupations. They each brought something different to the table when it came to factual information or simply humor! There consisted of a knight who had never lost a battle, yet he remained humble and wore a stained shirt. Even though he was "perfect" on the battlefield he didn't let his talents get the best of him and make him a boastful person. This shows true character and most people will never obtain that. In today's world there are so many boastful people who simply didn't have to work for what they have. It has either been an easy road for them on their part or they were simply handed down their fortune. There was also a nun on the journey who was overweight and loved her dogs. She was wealthy and probably spent most of her fortune on her canine friends. This is too funny because she was known for having a big heart and most of it probably was love towards her dogs instead of people. There was a merchant who appeared wealthy yet was in serious debt. This is definately occuring in today's society. People don't want others to know they are going through hard times because they are ashamed of it and view themselves as a failure. Even though everyone is struggling financially, people don't want to be viewed in that category. This group of people all represent today's world. They are all a piece of the puzzle, that fits together perfectly. Just like today there are all kinds of nationalities, personalities, financial statuses, yet we all fit together and make the world what it truly is!

Beowulf--The Mighty Will Fall!

In Beowulf he is characterized as being basically "perfect" and the "best of the best." This may be true, however noone needs to place themselves on a pedestal because everyone is made to be equal. All people are good at something so there's no need for one person to feel they are better than the rest. Being acknowledged for your outstanding actions and efforts is one thing, yet don't let it go to your head. This only leads to bad sportsmanship and leaves you with a negative attitude. In so many stories and movies that I know there is a "heroic" figure that everyone else looks up to, yet I don't see them boasting about in the way Beowulf does. Characters such as Harry Potter, Jack Sparrow, Batman, and Forrest Gump. They all are exceptionally good at what they do yet when asked about it they simply feel it was luck. It's as though they don't want to accept the fact that they are "different" and better at something. They just want to be seen as a normal individual and want to be accepted for who they are not what they have done!

Paradise Lost-Temptation....resist the fruit!

Temptation is the key factor in the story of Adam and Eve. Had the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge not been eaten, there wouldn't be the story of Adam and Eve as we know it. God knew from the very beginning that man would struggle with daily temptations yet with his help he knew anything could be overcome. Forgiveness is everything and luckily he offers that. Adam and Eve felt awful about their bad decision yet they had to be punished and were kicked out of the garden. They had to live with the consequences, just as people have to do today. Making the wrong decison leads people in a bad direction and brings about negative consequences, if not tommorow then sometime in the future. Every human being will give an account of their lives and will have to accept what they have done. Why not live a life for God that is pleasing and postive, instead of wasting away your time which will eventually run out! Don't turn away from the good and decide to eat the fruit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Taming of the Shrew--It's all about personality!

The Taming of the Shrew is quite a story! Each character has their own defining personality and characteristics. This variety allows not only for humor but also identification amongst the individuals. It's been a hard read in my opinion because some of the characters are pretending to be someone else. Some have also made up new names, which gives them a disguise, but leaves the reader confused at who is pretending to be who and which name goes with who. There is a sense of loyalty between master and servant, especially between Lucentio and Tranio. Tranio wants Lucentio to suceed and in order for this to happen Tranio pretends to be Lucentio so that Lucentio is able to get up close and personal with Bianca. Personality is a big piece of the story because it shows who the characters truly are and what they are about. Whereas some of the characters are all about sweeping Bianca off her feet and getting a ring on her finger, Petruchio is only after one thing and one thing only and that is money! No matter how hard the other men try to tell him negative key things about Katherine he simply makes an excuse for all of her flaws and says he will take her as his own no matter what she says or does. I'm not sure if he is ignorant or just plain stupid. In the end it turns out that he is just as bad as she is, if not worse. You can tell from the dialogue that he is stubborn, selfish, and greedy. They get married one minute and he's ready to get up and leave the next. When it comes to the daughters there are also personality differences. Bianca is betrayed as being a sweet, innocent angel and Katherine is loud, outspoken and negativity could probably be considered her middle name. I feel the differences in personality are a great key factor in the story because it helps the reader establish a connection with each individual character and it helps keep track of whose who. Another interesting thing about the story and the characteristics of the characters is how the names end in the letter 'O. Overall I feel the story has been a great read thus far.

Everyman-Spiritual Gain/Material Gain

Everyman was a great story in  my opinion because it represented two sides that will forever be a conflict in today's society. People choose to either follow God and gain spiritual possessions or people fall into the "materialistic" culture. Many people say they do in fact want to go to Heaven when they die but that they just don't feel they are ready yet because they may not want to leave family, friends, material goods, etc. In the story Everyman did in fact try to persuade Death to give him more time because as I said, he didn't feel he was quite ready. People need to wake up and realize that when death comes knocking, time is up and they have either lived their life to the fullest and done unto others in a positive manner or they have completely wasted their time on Earth and lived a negative lifestyle. Death goes on to tell Everyman how he must give an account of his life. Considering that he apparently had goods and did not share them with those in need, should in fact make Everyman feel shameful and completely embarassed. People don't realize what they truly have until it is either taken from them or they step back and see all that they have in comparison with someone who has absolutely nothing. People are allowed to have materials, it's just one shouldn't become obsessed with them and live in a greedy way. If you work hard for something then people should most definately feel a sense of accomplishment and reward themselves for their hardwork. There are some people though who go above and beyond selfishness and may even become overwhelmed with all that they have obtained. When things begin to come easy to people, they misunderstand and completely disregard the idea of being grateful for things. People who have nothing are extremely grateful for the smallest of things because when you have nothing all you want is something!

Canterbury Tales Character

My name is Mabel Klondike and I'm a pig farmer from Idaho. I don't believe in eating cow, PORK IS THE ONLY WAY! I won this trip at the county fair this past month. My little pot belly was the fastest pig in all of the pig races that were held. Sure wish I could bring him along. The only reason I am going on the trip to Disney World is to get away from my husband, 'port-a-pit. Personally, I despise hot weather, people from Florida, roller-coasters, large crowds, and Disney characters. Aside from all of this I truly believe this trip will be quite rewarding. Hopefully they have a Piggly-Wiggly in Florida because that's the only place I shop.

The Prologue

In the readings we have had thus far I have enjoyed and understood The Canterbury Tales the best! =)
I feel all readers can relate to one of the pilgrims discussed in the story. There are all kinds of people from all kinds of lands and they come together to form a type of "friendship" group! It makes me think of the first day at a new school. No one knows each other, yet through social interaction people begin to find a friend who they feel most connected to. I like how none of the people are very similar and they all have their distinctive qualities. This proves that opposites do in fact attract to one another, which I feel is a good thing because this way people's differences can rub off on one another and create diversity. It teaches us to not be bias and to accept people for who they are and what they stand for. This was represented in my class project when I had the participants answer personal and opinionated questions, which allowed the others involved to get to know one another. No two people showed the same interests and this evolved from the fact that I tried to choose people from different "cliques," which is what Chaucer did in the story. Sometimes it may feel you are having to tolerate others in order to fully understand those you are getting to know. Eventually you may feel those peope aren't connected with you and that may or may not lead into a friendship. That doesn't mean you are ignorant or rude, it just means you have different personalities which clash. I'm sure the pilgrims had their own "cliques" because in any group setting cliques tend to form, which may or may not shut out some individuals along the way.