Entry 3.2 - Scenes of Macbeth

The video I chose is the scene of the film "Macbeth" of 1971, directed by Roman Polanski. He directed this film after the loss of his pregnant wife and his close friends by a tragic murder. It was filmed in Northwest Wales of U.K.

This scene I chose is the beginning of the movie where the three witches meet at the deserted place. Three of them with creepy and weird looking faces gather around and one of them draws a circle on the ground. Then they start to dig the ground with their hands. One of them take out a rope that looks like it was used to hang a person, the other one bring a man's hand that was cut in the arm. The last one put them inside the hole they dug, put a knife in the hand and then all of them sprinkle some dry leaves onto it and buried them. When they finished burying the oldest witch take out a small bottle and pour blood on the ground. Three of them put a spell on it and then spitted around them. When the "official" ceremony is done, they discuss about when they are going to meet again, while the youngest one prepares for all of them to leave. It all happened after a night before dawn.

I haven't read Macbeth yet but if I judge from this video, the three witches represents minorities. They don't belong to the society, yet they gather together to put a spell on someone who does for some reason that's not showing in this short clip. The action of burying a hand represents a grudge, and also a plan that they couldn't see the result right away. The sword held in the hand means power that the witches were praying for.

The reason I chose this scene is because it is a very simple scene with no special effects and minimal words. It seems so real and surreal at the same time because of it. It is the beginning of the movie and without any explanation it makes the movie seems very interesting.

A writer with reader phobia: I wonder as i wander: refugypsy vagabond

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ENG102: blof entry 2.2: wanderer

ENG102: blof entry 2.2: wanderer: " After i finished ' The Heroic Myth Self-test ', the result reveals that my main archetype is wanderer. I think this is the mos..."

Blog entry 3.1 : Macbeth

This modern opera version of the Macbeth picture appealed to me the most, because it looks more like a real story than an old tale of Shakespeare's. Everybody else at the royal banquet except Macbeth could not see the ghost and standing behind the shadow, all staring at Macbeth as if he is the mad man.

The ghost of banquo, is also standing at the same side with the rest of the people and looking down at Macbeth. It makes the scene more dramatic than the original scene where the ghost of Banquo was sitting on his chair because the act of seeing the ghost standing on top of the table has more impact visually.

Banquo's ghost represents a guilt. He was only seen by Macbeth because he knew that he was guilty and the typical reaction to being guilty is to see the illusions - as Lady Macbeth was sleepwalking and saw blood on her hands. The people behind represents the society and the social norms where they judge others.

I guess it's more effective setting for the opera. I wouldn't know if they started in a chair like the original story and slowly develped the scene where they put the Macbeth in the front and the rest of the people along with the ghost in the back, but it's definitely dramatic and effective for viewers.

Entry 2.2: Wanderer / Magician

My first archetype is a Wanderer. Out of many images of wanderers this picture appealed to me the most, because it shows a modern day wanderer with a suitcase just like myself. I've been traveling back and forth to Korea and the U.S for past 7 years now. Not just traveling but living in each country, moving internationally for almost every 1 or 2 years. Everytime I move I think I'd never move again, and think I will settle down this time - whether it will be in my country, or in a foreign country living as an alien. Wanderers are known to think of life as an adventure. I think that applies in my situation as well. I guess I was meant to be wandering around my whole life - I can't live in one location for a long time. Ever since I was very young, I always dreamed of going abroad, learn their language and live their culture. Since I was still young, I wasn't allowed to do so but as I got old enough to make my own decision I've been living life like a modern day hippie almost.

I went to a college majoring in something that was being very popular at that time. I studied more than I ever did, preparing myself to a real world. When I was a Junior, the time finally came and I flew to this country all by myself. Ever since then, I've been moving back and forth for 4-5 times internationally. It's been 3 years since I came back to New York last time so it's been the longest time I stay in one city, but I already have 3 cities in my mind to move next - all in three different countries.

I guess I'm not surprised at the result of this archetype test, quite impressed even.

My second archetype is Magician. I like this picture because she seems very independent and tough just like I am, and also the scene she's riding on a bird that's bigger than her seems so surreal. The archetype of magician has a lot to do with concepts such as intuition, creativity, visions, knowledge and confidence. I consider myself to have an extraordinary intuition compare to other people. Since I am into writing music and writing in general, I think creativity is a big part of me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mamnaimie/3863766085/

http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/magic/img/Magic001.jpg

Blog Entry 2.1 Goblin Market

Author

Christina Georgina Rossetti was one of the most important female poet of nineteenth century. She was born in London, England December 5th, 1830. She is from a notable family of poets and artists where she inherited her artistic talent from her father Gabriele Rossetti, an Italian poet and a refugee from Naples. "Goblin Market" is one of her most well-known poem which was composed in 1859 and published in 1862.


Plot

It is a tale of two sisters Laura and Lizzie. When they go to the reedy brook to fetch water they hear goblins selling fruits.
They sell all kinds of fruits, all of them ripen, sweet and juicy. They tempt the two young girls to buy their fruits. Clever, strong-minded Lizzie wouldn't even look at them because she knows she shouldn't be tempted by goblins.

While Lizzie covered her eyes and ran back to house, curious Laura decided to linger and see what their fruits were about.
Naive Laura was fooled by the goblins and thought they were not so harmful after all and turned down her guard and went close to them, willing to buy fruits while she had no money. Goblins suggested her to buy with her golden hair.

Trading with a lock of her hair and a drop of tear, she got to taste their fruits that was nothing like she tasted before.
She goes back home where she met Lizzie at the gate, worrying about her for staying too late at night. Laura says it's alright and she'll go back there next day. The next evening when two sisters went to the brook, goblins tempting the girls with the fruits but only Lizzie hear them while Laura couldn't hear a thing.

Day after day, Laura couldn't hear or see the goblins. She was losing hope to taste their fruits again, she was not the
old Laura anymore. Lizzie watching her sister struggles, decided to go get the fruits for her sister. Confronting the goblins,
Lizze told them she wants to buy the fruits to bring it to her sister. Goblins laughed at her, harassed her and abused her.

Brave Lizzie made it back home with the juice from the goblins' fruits all over her face and body, letting Laura to suck them.
After sucking the juice from Lizzie, Laura got her strength back and became the old Laura again.

Many years later and when they both became wives and mothers, Laura would call her children and tell them about the old times and how brave her sister was for her and how strong their sisterhood was.



Symbols

There are a lot of symbols throughout the poem, I pointed out some obvious ones and some other symbols that I thought was interesting.

3 Come buy our orchard fruits
=> temptation, youth and virginity, addiction

56 One hauls a basket,
57 One bears a plate,
58 One lugs a golden dish
59 Of many pounds weight.
=> all of three materials the goblins had shows power, and also those are what they use to put the fruits(virginity)on.
Therefore they could also mean a penis - a body part to show a man's power and reproductive ability.

77 She heard a voice like voice of doves
=> doves are a common symbol of peace, and also it shows how naive and clueless Laura was to think goblins sound like doves when they clearly had faces of evils.

115 But sweet-tooth Laura spoke in haste
=> again, it shows how naive, weak and easy to be fooled she is.

118 I have no copper in my purse,
119 I have no silver either,
=> obviously they mean money but also mean power - with no money she is in a powerless position.

126 She clipp'd a precious golden lock
=> shows that Laura made her decision to lose virginity. Being that she clipped the hair herself not the goblins,
she made her own decision to lose her virginity and go for the temptation.

136 She suck'd until her lips were sore
=> obvious description of sexual action, losing the virginity

141 Lizzie met her at the gate
=> indicates a barrier between two sisters. After tasting the fruit (losing virginity) she is not the old Laura again and they are no longer same (virgins). Meeting at the gate means now they are standing on different sides.

160 I planted daisies there a year ago
=>Lizzie being young, innocent and hopeful.

326 At twilight, halted by the brook
:=>Lizzie goes to see the goblins at twilight.It's a point between night and day she is at a point of being a virgin and lose her virginity.

348 Hugg'd her and kiss'd her:
349 Squeez'd and caress'd her:
350 Stretch'd up their dishes,
=> goblins try to tempt and seduce her by caress her and show their dishes (power)

366 Held out her apron
=> a protection, a barrier between Lizzie and the goblins.

403 Tore her gown and soil'd her stocking,
404 Twitch'd her hair out by the roots,
405 Stamp'd upon her tender feet,
406 Held her hands and squeez'd their fruits
407 Against her mouth to make her eat.
=> description of a forced sexual act, a rape.

409 Like a lily in a flood
=> powerless Lizzie in front of goblins.

430 Lizzie utter'd not a word;
431 Would not open lip from lip
432 Lest they should cram a mouthful in
433 But laugh'd in heart to feel the drip
434 Of juice that syrupp'd all her face,
=> a development of Lizzie's state of mind - first resistance and then giving herself in.

481 Your young life like mine be wasted,
=>regretful Laura looking at Lizzie and feel sorry for her to lose the innocence and pureness for her good.



Archetypes

Laura
- A naive girl who is easy to be seduced
- She could also indicate an addict for sex or drugs, depends on how we think of goblins' fruits.
- Traditional role of a woman who is submissive to a man.

Lizzie
- A Hero
- A mature and clever sister figure and/or a friend.
- A norm, a law that the society should follow
- doing the right thing- A possibility to show that females can be powerful in that society.

Goblins
- Men, Temptations, Seduction, Drugs, Addiction, Power


Conclusion

When I read this poem for the first time, it surprised me in many ways. First, it was the longest poem I've ever read in my life.
It took me several days to read it over and over again until I got an idea of what it was about. It took me hours to finish reading because I'd get distracted or bored in the middle of the reading.

Secondly, it was too violent and sexual for children to read. The author first claimed this was not written for children, but later she said it was for children and she went on writing more poems for children.

Third of all, even though it was violent, I was impressed at the author's insight. It is written over 150 years ago but is still relatable and could be interpreted in various ways in this modern society.

In my opinion at the time when the author wrote this poem, women didn't have much rights to the society. The author wanted to write a poem for children and adults especially females to educate them - to show what's right and what's wrong, and the consequences of your decisions - by coming up with two obviously different characters such as Laura and Lizzie, and shows through Lizzie that females too can be a hero.


Web source

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina_Rossetti

Blog Entry 2.1 Goblin Market

Author

Christina Georgina Rossetti was one of the most important female poet of nineteenth century. She was born in London, England December 5th, 1830. She is from a notable family of poets and artists where she inherited her artistic talent from her father Gabriele Rossetti, an Italian poet and a refugee from Naples. "Goblin Market" is one of her most well-known poem which was composed in 1859 and published in 1862.


Plot

It is a tale of two sisters Laura and Lizzie. When they go to the reedy brook to fetch water they hear goblins selling fruits.
They sell all kinds of fruits, all of them ripen, sweet and juicy. They tempt the two young girls to buy their fruits. Clever, strong-minded Lizzie wouldn't even look at them because she knows she shouldn't be tempted by goblins.

While Lizzie covered her eyes and ran back to house, curious Laura decided to linger and see what their fruits were about.
Naive Laura was fooled by the goblins and thought they were not so harmful after all and turned down her guard and went close to them, willing to buy fruits while she had no money. Goblins suggested her to buy with her golden hair.

Trading with a lock of her hair and a drop of tear, she got to taste their fruits that was nothing like she tasted before.
She goes back home where she met Lizzie at the gate, worrying about her for staying too late at night. Laura says it's alright and she'll go back there next day. The next evening when two sisters went to the brook, goblins tempting the girls with the fruits but only Lizzie hear them while Laura couldn't hear a thing.

Day after day, Laura couldn't hear or see the goblins. She was losing hope to taste their fruits again, she was not the
old Laura anymore. Lizzie watching her sister struggles, decided to go get the fruits for her sister. Confronting the goblins,
Lizze told them she wants to buy the fruits to bring it to her sister. Goblins laughed at her, harassed her and abused her.

Brave Lizzie made it back home with the juice from the goblins' fruits all over her face and body, letting Laura to suck them.
After sucking the juice from Lizzie, Laura got her strength back and became the old Laura again.

Many years later and when they both became wives and mothers, Laura would call her children and tell them about the old times and how brave her sister was for her and how strong their sisterhood was.



Symbols

There are a lot of symbols throughout the poem, I pointed out some obvious ones and some other symbols that I thought was interesting.

3 Come buy our orchard fruits
=> temptation, youth and virginity, addiction

56 One hauls a basket,
57 One bears a plate,
58 One lugs a golden dish
59 Of many pounds weight.
=> all of three materials the goblins had shows power, and also those are what they use to put the fruits(virginity)on.
Therefore they could also mean a penis - a body part to show a man's power and reproductive ability.

77 She heard a voice like voice of doves
=> doves are a common symbol of peace, and also it shows how naive and clueless Laura was to think goblins sound like doves when they clearly had faces of evils.

115 But sweet-tooth Laura spoke in haste
=> again, it shows how naive, weak and easy to be fooled she is.

118 I have no copper in my purse,
119 I have no silver either,
=> obviously they mean money but also mean power - with no money she is in a powerless position.

126 She clipp'd a precious golden lock
=> shows that Laura made her decision to lose virginity. Being that she clipped the hair herself not the goblins,
she made her own decision to lose her virginity and go for the temptation.

136 She suck'd until her lips were sore
=> obvious description of sexual action, losing the virginity

141 Lizzie met her at the gate
=> indicates a barrier between two sisters. After tasting the fruit (losing virginity) she is not the old Laura again and they are no longer same (virgins). Meeting at the gate means now they are standing on different sides.

160 I planted daisies there a year ago
=>Lizzie being young, innocent and hopeful.

326 At twilight, halted by the brook
:=>Lizzie goes to see the goblins at twilight.It's a point between night and day she is at a point of being a virgin and lose her virginity.

348 Hugg'd her and kiss'd her:
349 Squeez'd and caress'd her:
350 Stretch'd up their dishes,
=> goblins try to tempt and seduce her by caress her and show their dishes (power)

366 Held out her apron
=> a protection, a barrier between Lizzie and the goblins.

403 Tore her gown and soil'd her stocking,
404 Twitch'd her hair out by the roots,
405 Stamp'd upon her tender feet,
406 Held her hands and squeez'd their fruits
407 Against her mouth to make her eat.
=> description of a forced sexual act, a rape.

409 Like a lily in a flood
=> powerless Lizzie in front of goblins.

430 Lizzie utter'd not a word;
431 Would not open lip from lip
432 Lest they should cram a mouthful in
433 But laugh'd in heart to feel the drip
434 Of juice that syrupp'd all her face,
=> a development of Lizzie's state of mind - first resistance and then giving herself in.

481 Your young life like mine be wasted,
=>regretful Laura looking at Lizzie and feel sorry for her to lose the innocence and pureness for her good.



Archetypes

Laura
- A naive girl who is easy to be seduced
- She could also indicate an addict for sex or drugs, depends on how we think of goblins' fruits.
- Traditional role of a woman who is submissive to a man.

Lizzie
- A Hero
- A mature and clever sister figure and/or a friend.
- A norm, a law that the society should follow
- doing the right thing- A possibility to show that females can be powerful in that society.

Goblins
- Men, Temptations, Seduction, Drugs, Addiction, Power


Conclusion

When I read this poem for the first time, it surprised me in many ways. First, it was the longest poem I've ever read in my life.
It took me several days to read it over and over again until I got an idea of what it was about. It took me hours to finish reading because I'd get distracted or bored in the middle of the reading.

Secondly, it was too violent and sexual for children to read. The author first claimed this was not written for children, but later she said it was for children and she went on writing more poems for children.

Third of all, even though it was violent, I was impressed at the author's insight. It is written over 150 years ago but is still relatable and could be interpreted in various ways in this modern society.

In my opinion at the time when the author wrote this poem, women didn't have much rights to the society. The author wanted to write a poem for children and adults especially females to educate them - to show what's right and what's wrong, and the consequences of your decisions - by coming up with two obviously different characters such as Laura and Lizzie, and shows through Lizzie that females too can be a hero.


Web source

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina_Rossetti