Feminism in the 1600s?

Desdemona's father describes her as "a maiden never bold" and yet we see a confident, independent and fiercely loyal woman in 1.3. Do you think that Desdemona represents a feminist figure in Othello? Or, as a now-married young woman, desperately looking for an escape, is simply falling into stereotypes?

Who's Line is It Anyway?

Although Iago is the clear villain of the play, he is not the only skilled orator. Othello demonstrates his own rhetorical skill in his convincing speech to the senate in 1.3. Both men are overwhelmingly persuasive. As we have recently seen in the presidential debates (and according to the NHS curriculum), public speaking is an essential skill. Who do you think would more effectively win over an audience in a presidential debate?

The Dangers He Passed

We first see a glimpse of Othello and Desdemona's love in Act One, Scene 3. Othello tells the court that Desdemona loves him for the dangers that he has experienced in his life, and that he has "charmed" her with his adventurous tales. Similarly, Othello respects and admires Desdemona for her stability. Do you think that this can still be classified as true love or do they each simply love what the other represents? Consider each of their impassioned speeches to the courts regarding their affections for one another.

AP Language Response Help

After correcting your AP Language responses on Renaissance poetry, I've produce the standard "Sentences Outlawed in Every English Class" worksheet illustrating some common (and major) areas of concern. Areas of concern include excesses of clutter, cliche phrases, poor or inappropriate word choice, misuse of rhetorical devices and strategies, unnecessary repetition, structural issues, etc. Upon close examination, these same errors appeared in several papers AND in your last AP responses (Jamaica Kincaid's "Girl" article). And therein lies the rub...

I'd like each of you to consider a question or two...or three...you may have that warrants class clarification. We are far from being finished practicing AP responses, and I want to make sure, despite our limited class time, your questions are answered. This is your forum and it's your class. That being said, what do you think you need to most extra help with on your language responses?

Play Favorites!

Now that our Renaissance poetry unit is coming to a close, you will need to choose a poem discussed in class for your "holiday gift" assignment -- the AP essay. Take a moment to consider all the poems we have read:
*"The Flea*
*"The Bait"
*"A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning"
*"Sonnet 18" and "Sonnet 130"
*"To His Coy Mistress"
*"To the Virgins: To Make Much of Time"
*"Celia" and "Cecilia"
*"The Passionate Shepherd to His Love"
*"The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd"
Which was your "class favorite"? In writing your response, please explain 1)why the chosen poem is your favorite and 2)what made it a unique experience for you (at least over the other choices).

What is Love (Baby Don't Hurt Me)?

First off, that's a song reference for those of you who didn't get the cleverness of this blog post title. Someone needs to pat me on the back once and awhile...

Back to business. In "Celia" and "Cecilia" we see two men rejected but not dejected over women who refuse them. Jonson pledges his unwavering love and, despite a negative response, sends a wreath of roses to his lady love. Even though it's sent back to him, he relishes the fact that the wreath "breathes" of his love's scent. In the Simon and Garfunkel version of "Cecilia", the man gets out of bed to wash his face and comes back to bed to find someone has taken his place. Despite the obvious unfaithfulness of his lover, he is filled with "jubilation" when she "loves" him again.

What can we make of this love? Is it love? Should we respect these men for being perseverant and true to their own feelings or are they stalker blockhead types (as someone suggested in class) who need to move on and move out? Would the situation be any different if the singer of these songs was a woman pining away over an adulterous male lover? Or is this a refreshing difference to have the stereotypical roles reversed?

Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day...

Sonnet 18 is arguably the most famous love poem ever written. Sonnet 130 may be the most infamous. Is it preferable to have a lover describe you in exaggerated romantic terms, seemingly blind (or ignorant) of your imperfections (a la Gatsby's love of Daisy); or is it preferable to have a love who describes you in realistic terms, aware and accepting of your superficial flaws? Our discussion today on Sonnet 18 vs. Sonnet 130 was so riveting, I've decided to post the question on our blog for continuation: Which sonnet would you prefer being the subject of -- Sonnet 18 or Sonnet 130?