"The Swordfish, Then The Concubine" by Kee Thuan Chye is slightly different from the plays that I've studied in EDU 3217. At the beginning of my reading, I find it difficult to study the play because of the characters. This is the play that I notice that got a lot of characters. But I think it will be fine if I continue reading the play. Then, I still can't understand until Dr. Edwin asks us to list down the characters and find out their roles and relationships. Only then I can study the play. Thanks to Dr. Edwin. Hehe...=)
Logod and Ris Kaw make me wonder if I read the play correctly. It is because when Ris Kaw and Logod appear in the play with their modern language, I notice that the setting has changed. It confuses me for a while. Then I continue reading and then I manage to understand. It is quite complicated to me and I need to read it closely without missing any important parts to understand the story. Today, my friends and I are lucky because we have chance to meet Kee Thuan Chye. He does explain about "The Swordfish, Then The Concubine" and I think my understanding towards the play is getting better. Thanks to Mr Kee Thuan Chye =)
This play also different for me because it is actually talking about political issues. I realize that the messages are heavy but the way the playwright conveys it lightly. Kee Thuan Chye also inserts the comedy element in this play so then readers will be more relax to read the play even though the messages are serious. It is totally different with other plays that I've read. Even though I don't like politics, the play do help me to see the current issues and be more aware to political changes in our country. Over all, this play is good =)
Monday, March 30, 2009
Jack alias Earnest
Is it true that being Ernest is better than being Jack? This question emerges in mind when I read the play titled The Important of Being Earnest. Even though name is important, for me, it does not matter to be anyone. Some people say that names represent our personalities. Maybe it is true but not hundred percent true. For example, we can’t say someone who named as Jack has no uniqueness in himself. Everyone has their own qualities in themselves.
I find that the play is funny. It really amuses me. The play is about mistaken of identity. It starts with Jack who pretends to be another man called Ernest and then follows by Algernon who also try to be Ernest. The story is simple and nice. It is enjoyable to read.
In the play, Jack has pretended to be Ernest. He pretends to be Ernest just for Gwendolen, a high status girl. For her, being Ernest is better that being anyone else. In fact, she thinks that man named as Ernest has better qualities than other men. That’s why Jack wants to be Ernest so then he can reach the status where Gwendolen be.
Unfortunately, Algernon, Jack’s friend notices about his disguise and tries to reveal the truth to Gwendolen. He forces Jack to speak the truth why he pretends to be Ernest. Jack explains about it by saying that he desires to have a brother and then he creates a man named Ernest. So then, he plays Ernest’s part in front of Gwendolen and he becomes Jack in front of his friends and Cecily, a girl that he looks after. Cecily calls him Uncle Jack. Algernon suspects Jack has an affair with Cecily after Algernon found the lighter that got Cecily’s name on it. Then, Algernon goes to Jack’s mansion to investigate about Jack and when he arrives there, he meets Cecily. He falls in love with her.
Then, Algernon goes to Jack house by pretending to be Jack’s brother, Ernest. Then, Jack comes back from meeting Gwendolen in London. He shocks when he sees Algernon in his house with his new name, Ernest. It amuses me when Jack comes back in mourning suit. He plans to banish his imaginative brother by telling to Cecily that Ernest has passed away. His plan fails. The two men argue about being Ernest. It is funny for me. What’s so special being Ernest?
Another part that amuses me a lot is when Gwendolen meets Cecily. She thinks Cecily seduces Jack or Ernest. Then, Cecily also the same way too by saying that Gwendolen is trying to steal Ernest from her. Because of their jealousy, they become cynical and treat each other pretentiously.
Cecily: [Severely.] Cake or bread and butter?
Gwendolen: [In a bored manner.] Bread and butter, please. Cake is rarely seen at
the best houses nowadays.
Cecily: [Cuts a very large slice of cake, and puts it on the tray.] Hand that to
Miss Fairfax.
It is so funny. Cecily and Gwendolen try to against each other by using their manners to show their own status. They fight for the wrong guy. They don’t know that they are actually fighting for different guys. Who is deserved to be blamed, Jack, Algernon, or Ernest? So, in this play, I find that the Oscar Wilde raises the issues of name and status. So then, let us think whether name is really important? Is it really important to be Ernest? Is it impressive to be in higher status? Personally I think, we are free to be anyone we want to be. We better think about it.
I find that the play is funny. It really amuses me. The play is about mistaken of identity. It starts with Jack who pretends to be another man called Ernest and then follows by Algernon who also try to be Ernest. The story is simple and nice. It is enjoyable to read.
In the play, Jack has pretended to be Ernest. He pretends to be Ernest just for Gwendolen, a high status girl. For her, being Ernest is better that being anyone else. In fact, she thinks that man named as Ernest has better qualities than other men. That’s why Jack wants to be Ernest so then he can reach the status where Gwendolen be.
Unfortunately, Algernon, Jack’s friend notices about his disguise and tries to reveal the truth to Gwendolen. He forces Jack to speak the truth why he pretends to be Ernest. Jack explains about it by saying that he desires to have a brother and then he creates a man named Ernest. So then, he plays Ernest’s part in front of Gwendolen and he becomes Jack in front of his friends and Cecily, a girl that he looks after. Cecily calls him Uncle Jack. Algernon suspects Jack has an affair with Cecily after Algernon found the lighter that got Cecily’s name on it. Then, Algernon goes to Jack’s mansion to investigate about Jack and when he arrives there, he meets Cecily. He falls in love with her.
Then, Algernon goes to Jack house by pretending to be Jack’s brother, Ernest. Then, Jack comes back from meeting Gwendolen in London. He shocks when he sees Algernon in his house with his new name, Ernest. It amuses me when Jack comes back in mourning suit. He plans to banish his imaginative brother by telling to Cecily that Ernest has passed away. His plan fails. The two men argue about being Ernest. It is funny for me. What’s so special being Ernest?
Another part that amuses me a lot is when Gwendolen meets Cecily. She thinks Cecily seduces Jack or Ernest. Then, Cecily also the same way too by saying that Gwendolen is trying to steal Ernest from her. Because of their jealousy, they become cynical and treat each other pretentiously.
Cecily: [Severely.] Cake or bread and butter?
Gwendolen: [In a bored manner.] Bread and butter, please. Cake is rarely seen at
the best houses nowadays.
Cecily: [Cuts a very large slice of cake, and puts it on the tray.] Hand that to
Miss Fairfax.
It is so funny. Cecily and Gwendolen try to against each other by using their manners to show their own status. They fight for the wrong guy. They don’t know that they are actually fighting for different guys. Who is deserved to be blamed, Jack, Algernon, or Ernest? So, in this play, I find that the Oscar Wilde raises the issues of name and status. So then, let us think whether name is really important? Is it really important to be Ernest? Is it impressive to be in higher status? Personally I think, we are free to be anyone we want to be. We better think about it.
Is it true that Fool is fool?
The Fool is one of the characters in King Lear written by William Shakespeare that I can’t forget. The Fool in the play has his own duties to amuse and company Lear. Is he really fools? He has no brain? The answer is he is not fool even though his name is Fool. The Fool in this play loves to sing and speak in riddles. His riddles are only to amuse people? I don’t think so. It is because in one of his riddle, he says that;
[FOOL: Winter’s not gone yet if the wild geese fly that way.
Father that wear rags
Do make their children blind,
But fathers that bear bags
Shall see their children kind.
Fortune, that arrant whore,
Ne’er turns the key to the’ poor.
But, for all this, thou shalt have as many dolors for thy daughters as
thou canst in a year]
It indicates that the Fool really knows what he talks about. He is not a fool that do not have brain but he has insight that makes him able to see the truth, the truth about Lear’s daughters and his surroundings. The Fool reminds me to Teiresias in Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. Teiresias is a blind seer that able to see the truth even though he is physically blind. The Fool by William Shakespeare is portrayed as a man who supposes to be joker to amuse the king now becomes a wise man who has insight to warn Lear about his two evil daughters, Goneril and Regan. As the readers know, Goneril and Regan make Lear suffers and crazy. As a result, don’t judge a book by its cover!
[FOOL: Winter’s not gone yet if the wild geese fly that way.
Father that wear rags
Do make their children blind,
But fathers that bear bags
Shall see their children kind.
Fortune, that arrant whore,
Ne’er turns the key to the’ poor.
But, for all this, thou shalt have as many dolors for thy daughters as
thou canst in a year]
It indicates that the Fool really knows what he talks about. He is not a fool that do not have brain but he has insight that makes him able to see the truth, the truth about Lear’s daughters and his surroundings. The Fool reminds me to Teiresias in Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. Teiresias is a blind seer that able to see the truth even though he is physically blind. The Fool by William Shakespeare is portrayed as a man who supposes to be joker to amuse the king now becomes a wise man who has insight to warn Lear about his two evil daughters, Goneril and Regan. As the readers know, Goneril and Regan make Lear suffers and crazy. As a result, don’t judge a book by its cover!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
King Lear
King Lear is a one of the tragedy drama of William Shakespeare. Why I say it as tragedy? It’s because at the end of the play, many major characters die. The conflicts begin with Lear’s two elder daughters start concerning about the properties. At the beginning, Lear asks his three daughters to express their loves towards him. Goneril and Regan flatter Lear and make Lear believe that they truly love him. On the other hand, Cordelia is unable to put a word in her mouth to express her love to Lear. It is because she loves him very much and she even refuses to get marry so then she can stay with her old father. Unfortunately, Lear gets angry when Cordelia says, “Nothing, my Lord”. He immediately disowns her and does not hand any parts of land in Britain for her. And then prince of French who is touched by Cordelia’s kindness wants to take her hand to be Queen of French.
After Lear divides the lands, Goneril and Regan become cruel and mistreat Lear. Their target is actually to get rid of Lear from his throne and then Lear will become powerless without knights, and servants. Goneril and Regan do not house Lear when Lear is outside with the storm. The lock the door and never let Lear in for shelter. Gloucester who is kind-hearted go out to seek for Lear and gives him shelter. The result of Gloucester’s deed, Cornwall, the husband of Regan takes Glouscester’s eyes out. At first, he only blind one of Gloucester eye, then Regan provokes him to blind another eye. They are cruel. They are not only mistreating Lear but also mistreating Gloucester.
In this play, there is a Fool that always companies Lear. Uniquely, the Fool knows the truth about Goneril and Regan. He also mentions about the two cruel princesses in his riddles. Unfortunately, Lear does not notice it and he still puts his believe in her two cruel daugthers. After he realizes the meaning of the riddle, he's too late. He totally regrets and then becomes crazy. Lear in this play represents the ignorance while the Fool represents the knowledge. It is something interesting to be thought.
Because of properties, Goneril and Regan with the help of Edmund, the bastard, they claim war between Britain and French. Cordelia as the Queen of French tries to help his poor father but she lose to the cruel sisters. Edmund who is the real evil has ordered to hang Cordelia. He himself dies after lose to Edgar the illegitimate son of Gloucester. Goneril who is unable to win Edmund’s heart finally kills herself and before that she also poisons Regan because she does not want Edmund marries Regan. Lear died after he holds Cordelia’s body.
It is pretty much similar to other tragedy plays which are ended with death. The ignorance of Lear leads him to madness and he regrets with his wrong deeds to Cordelia. In this play, the issue of humanity also emerges. It has been shown by Goneril and Regan who have mistreated Lear, their own flesh and blood. They also plan to murder Lear and Cordelia with hope that they will govern Britain fully on their own. The issues of ignorance and humanity are good for readers to think about and take it as a lesson.
After Lear divides the lands, Goneril and Regan become cruel and mistreat Lear. Their target is actually to get rid of Lear from his throne and then Lear will become powerless without knights, and servants. Goneril and Regan do not house Lear when Lear is outside with the storm. The lock the door and never let Lear in for shelter. Gloucester who is kind-hearted go out to seek for Lear and gives him shelter. The result of Gloucester’s deed, Cornwall, the husband of Regan takes Glouscester’s eyes out. At first, he only blind one of Gloucester eye, then Regan provokes him to blind another eye. They are cruel. They are not only mistreating Lear but also mistreating Gloucester.
In this play, there is a Fool that always companies Lear. Uniquely, the Fool knows the truth about Goneril and Regan. He also mentions about the two cruel princesses in his riddles. Unfortunately, Lear does not notice it and he still puts his believe in her two cruel daugthers. After he realizes the meaning of the riddle, he's too late. He totally regrets and then becomes crazy. Lear in this play represents the ignorance while the Fool represents the knowledge. It is something interesting to be thought.
Because of properties, Goneril and Regan with the help of Edmund, the bastard, they claim war between Britain and French. Cordelia as the Queen of French tries to help his poor father but she lose to the cruel sisters. Edmund who is the real evil has ordered to hang Cordelia. He himself dies after lose to Edgar the illegitimate son of Gloucester. Goneril who is unable to win Edmund’s heart finally kills herself and before that she also poisons Regan because she does not want Edmund marries Regan. Lear died after he holds Cordelia’s body.
It is pretty much similar to other tragedy plays which are ended with death. The ignorance of Lear leads him to madness and he regrets with his wrong deeds to Cordelia. In this play, the issue of humanity also emerges. It has been shown by Goneril and Regan who have mistreated Lear, their own flesh and blood. They also plan to murder Lear and Cordelia with hope that they will govern Britain fully on their own. The issues of ignorance and humanity are good for readers to think about and take it as a lesson.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Teiresias
Teiresias is one of important character in Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. In Oedipus Rex, Teiresias is a blind prophet and he represents insight in this play. Teiresias is physically blind but he himself is actually can see the truth contrast to Oedipus who thinks he is knowledgeable.
Teiresias is the one who tells the truth to Oedipus about the murderer of Laios and he also reveals that Oedipus is actually the murderer of Laios. He is blind but he is not morally blind so then he knows the truth.
I think we better recall his history. Teiresias was the son of the shepherd, Everes and the nymph, Chariclo. In seven generations in Thebes, he fully participated in that period for Thebes, started as advisor to Kadmos.
In Greek mythology, Teiresias is a prophet of Zeus. He had experienced woman life after he had been transformed to be a woman for seven years. The incident happened when he saw two copulating snakes on the Mount Cyllene in the Peloponnese. Then, he hit the snakes a smart blow with his stick. Hera, was not pleased and she immidiately punished Teiresias by transforming him into a woman. After that, Teiresias became Hera's priestess, he was married and had children. One of Teiresias's child also posssesed the gift of prophecy. After seven years, Teiresias met two copulating snakes again. This time, he just left the snakes alone and according to the myth, if he left them alone, he would be released from the cursed. Finally, he released from the curse and became man again.
Teiresias didn’t born blind. He was actually blinded by Athena’s curse. Teiresias accidently saw Athena was bathing naked at the lake of Pallas. Teiresias’s mother begged Athena to undo her curse but unfortunately Athena couldn’t do so. Then, she exchange Teiresias’s eyesight with ability to understand birdsong by cleaning his ears, thus the gift of augury.
In separate episode, the reason why Teiresias became blind was different. In that episode, Teiresias was drawn into argument between Zeus and Hera. They argued which gender had more pleasure in sex. Hera said ‘man’ and Zues said ‘woman’. Teiresias who had experienced both genders answered that ‘woman’ had more pleasure in sex. It led Hera to get angry and immediately blinded Teiresias. Zeus couldn’t do anything to stop Hera but he did give Teiresias the gift of foresight and a lifespan for seven lives.
Teiresias became a blind prophet with other extra abilities such as foresight, lifespan, clear ears and gift of augury. With the abilities, he was not an ordinary blind man but he was a prophet who has knowledge. For instance, in Oedipus Rex, even though he was blind, Oedipus and people of Thebes need his help to investigate the murder of Laios. Oedipus as a king who can see and proud with his power still couldn’t solve the oracle. Teiresias was the one who told the truth in front of Oedipus’s face.
Teiresias was important in that play and he represented the idea of wisdom. He was physically blind but he was not morally blind. I think, to really understand who is Teiresias, I need to read all plays that he appeared in them. That’s the only way to help me figure out and really understand who Teiresias is.
Teiresias is the one who tells the truth to Oedipus about the murderer of Laios and he also reveals that Oedipus is actually the murderer of Laios. He is blind but he is not morally blind so then he knows the truth.
I think we better recall his history. Teiresias was the son of the shepherd, Everes and the nymph, Chariclo. In seven generations in Thebes, he fully participated in that period for Thebes, started as advisor to Kadmos.
In Greek mythology, Teiresias is a prophet of Zeus. He had experienced woman life after he had been transformed to be a woman for seven years. The incident happened when he saw two copulating snakes on the Mount Cyllene in the Peloponnese. Then, he hit the snakes a smart blow with his stick. Hera, was not pleased and she immidiately punished Teiresias by transforming him into a woman. After that, Teiresias became Hera's priestess, he was married and had children. One of Teiresias's child also posssesed the gift of prophecy. After seven years, Teiresias met two copulating snakes again. This time, he just left the snakes alone and according to the myth, if he left them alone, he would be released from the cursed. Finally, he released from the curse and became man again.
Teiresias didn’t born blind. He was actually blinded by Athena’s curse. Teiresias accidently saw Athena was bathing naked at the lake of Pallas. Teiresias’s mother begged Athena to undo her curse but unfortunately Athena couldn’t do so. Then, she exchange Teiresias’s eyesight with ability to understand birdsong by cleaning his ears, thus the gift of augury.
In separate episode, the reason why Teiresias became blind was different. In that episode, Teiresias was drawn into argument between Zeus and Hera. They argued which gender had more pleasure in sex. Hera said ‘man’ and Zues said ‘woman’. Teiresias who had experienced both genders answered that ‘woman’ had more pleasure in sex. It led Hera to get angry and immediately blinded Teiresias. Zeus couldn’t do anything to stop Hera but he did give Teiresias the gift of foresight and a lifespan for seven lives.
Teiresias became a blind prophet with other extra abilities such as foresight, lifespan, clear ears and gift of augury. With the abilities, he was not an ordinary blind man but he was a prophet who has knowledge. For instance, in Oedipus Rex, even though he was blind, Oedipus and people of Thebes need his help to investigate the murder of Laios. Oedipus as a king who can see and proud with his power still couldn’t solve the oracle. Teiresias was the one who told the truth in front of Oedipus’s face.
Teiresias was important in that play and he represented the idea of wisdom. He was physically blind but he was not morally blind. I think, to really understand who is Teiresias, I need to read all plays that he appeared in them. That’s the only way to help me figure out and really understand who Teiresias is.
Observing my friends' simulated-teaching
In our tutorial class, we are in the process of doing simulated-teaching. I've done it; so now I participate as student to observe my friends' presentations. I notice that many of them do pretty well and some of them really talented as future teachers. what I notice is that many of my friends provide similar activity or many of them use the same extract. Even though the extracts are same or the activity are quite similar, i don't think it a big matter because the simulated-teaching is for individual.
I like when Ms. Kathoori comments after a few friends done their presentations which is good for us to see the strengths and weaknesses in the presentations because her comments are holistic. By giving the comments, other friends who do not present yet can learn something and they can take notes or consider it as tips to make their future presentations better.
Most of my friends us technology in the presentations. Just like I did before, they also use powerpoint presentations to do their set inductions. Only a few of them use manual aids like showing printed pictures. Personally, i think it's alright.
Another thing that provokes me to think is the handwriting. As a teacher want to be,I really think that we need to improve our handwriting. Can you imagine if we write on the whiteboard and then students are unable to read the handwriting? It will be a big problem. I don't say my handwriting is better than others' and for sure I also need to work hard to improve my handwriting. It's just one thing that I think it important. Am I right? Maybe it is a minor thing, but for me it will be helpful if the handwriting is better and does not irritate others' eyes.
I like when Ms. Kathoori comments after a few friends done their presentations which is good for us to see the strengths and weaknesses in the presentations because her comments are holistic. By giving the comments, other friends who do not present yet can learn something and they can take notes or consider it as tips to make their future presentations better.
Most of my friends us technology in the presentations. Just like I did before, they also use powerpoint presentations to do their set inductions. Only a few of them use manual aids like showing printed pictures. Personally, i think it's alright.
Another thing that provokes me to think is the handwriting. As a teacher want to be,I really think that we need to improve our handwriting. Can you imagine if we write on the whiteboard and then students are unable to read the handwriting? It will be a big problem. I don't say my handwriting is better than others' and for sure I also need to work hard to improve my handwriting. It's just one thing that I think it important. Am I right? Maybe it is a minor thing, but for me it will be helpful if the handwriting is better and does not irritate others' eyes.
Oedipus The King in movie version
After read whole play of Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, I watched Oedipus the King in movie version. I got a picture of how the story was about. It was pretty similar to the play. But I noticed about something when I watched the movie; I found that Oedipus did not have club foot. It was the most obvious thing that I noticed. Some of dialogues in the text of the play were used in that movie. It showed that the movie was followed the real story line of the play. Since I read the play, I had knowledge about the story. So then I could predict what would happen next after certain part of the movie. The setting did attract me because it showed me where and when it took place. The place was in Athens and the time was ancient Greek. The costumes really showed that Oedipus and the other characters were Greek people. It was interesting because it assisted me to imagine how they looked like or how were they at that period. The movie showed reversal of fortune of Oedipus had brought Oedipus as a mighty king to become a common pathetic blind man. It was tragic to see a powerful king kept losing his majestic power and suffered in the end due to his ignorance. Over all, it was great.
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