Creative Engagement: Shakespeare Behind Bars Reviews

Throughout this entire semester, each of us have been writing ruminations, which express our own opinions and beliefs about the readings and films. Since I have read so many of your ruminations, and heard your opinions about the film, I was curious to know what the critics had to say about this documentary. Below is the link to the reviews. This page also has radio interviews to listen to. I thought it was pretty interesting, hope you do as well. :)

http://www.shakespearebehindbars.com/reviews.html

Shakespeare Behind Bars: Should We Forgive and Forget?

After watching, "Shakespeare Behind Bars", as I heard each prisoner's story, I couldn't help but wonder should they really be forgiven? Personally, I am a very forgiving person, but to a certain circumstance. From the beginning of the documentary, I adored Sammie and really enjoyed watching him act and become successful even though he was behind bars, but when he explained his story of why he was in prison, I started to wonder and even thought about changing my mind.

As you all recall, Sammie was in prison for strangling his abusive girlfriend to death. This made me wonder, how can someone who seems so kind and normal do such a horrible thing? Now, I am not a doctor or a psychologist, but I think that his childhood and past had something to do with his madness. Remember, Sammie explained that he was sexually abused, he grew up with alcoholic parents, and an older boy that he knew raped him. Obviously, Sammie had a tough life and did not grow up in, "Pleasantville", but rather a dark, unstable, and scary environment that I cannot even imagine living through. I give Sammie a lot of credit and think he is such a strong person for living through all this. Unfortunately, I think that sooner or later it all came back to him, and this was part of the reason he went mad.

As children, one way we learn is through example, and our primary role models are initially our parents. Believe it or not, most of us are our parents. We have the same beliefs, morals, and sometimes actions, because these influential people are our first teachers. In Sammie's case, these "role models" were the complete opposite. It seems as though Sammie just went through one bad incident after another and never overcame these troubles. Because he never learned to overcome these difficult times, he had more difficult times as he got older, and this lead him to insanity.

The whole purpose of the play was to have the prisoners think about forgiveness and what it means. Sammie, seemed to have understand what he does was not right at all, and seemed like a changed man, a better man. What if he did receive parole? Would he really be a different man? I would like to think so, but then again I never knew the Sammie who killed his girlfriend, the old Sammie. I think to kill another person, and to do it in a way so brutally is not something that should ever be forgotten (and it will never be forgotten), but also I believe that person should not be forgiven. I do not think that he would be a threat to society, but this is a serious case.  Sammie, cannot take back what he did, he cannot bring her back, so I think the right option is for him to live with the consequences. I really wish he could have had help early on in life; this would have prevented this madness, and he could have always been a free, successful man. What do you all think?

Creative Engagement: Come, My Celia sang by high school choir

One of my favorite poems from Volpone, was Come,My Celia. Since poetry is usually turned into music, I was wondering if this poem was ever sang. It turns out that a high school choir performed this. I personally think they do a good job at getting out the deep emotions this poem expresses. Below is the link. Enjoy! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1SLCXAknzQ

A Miserable Con Artist and A Successful Con Artist

               One has to wonder, wouldn't it be great to have millions of dollars and not have to work hard for it? Wouldn't that mean this person lives a happy life? Reality check is that this is not reality! Unless one is a successful con artist. After reading and analyzing the sly fox, main character, and protagonist known as Volpone, I thought of the movie “Catch Me If You Can” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, as the famous con artist known as Frank Abagnale  Jr.  After getting a little money, by successfully conning he becomes greedier as time progresses and loses his own identity.   Like Volpone,  the young Abagnale was indeed a master at his work. He was able to successfully con millions of dollars,  and recreated himself by playing the roles of different characters such as a pilot, doctor, attorney, and prosecutor.  Volpone, a con artist as well, hides his gold and treasures and explains in the very beginning how he did not work hard for any of it. He says, “Yet I glory more in the cunning purchase of my wealth/than in the glad possession, since I gain no common way/I use no trade, no venture.” This quotation explains how greedy he has become and all he wants is more and more, but continues to not work hard for this money, but rather be sneaky and con people. One aspect that both of these con artists are missing and seek is: love. Love is the one concept  that separates these two: love  brings more happiness and makes one man become more successful and the other even more miserable.

                For Frank Abagnale, love finally found him when he met Brenda and the two of them elope, but still Frank does not give up his mischievous ways and continues to forge checks. On the other hand, Volpone is looking for someone to fall deeply in love with and he is a character full of lust. Unlike, Abagnale, who has a family (but not yet his own), Volpone is all alone.  Volpone lusts over Cecilia and eventually, after disguising himself as being sick, and getting caught, Cecilia’s husband allows Volpone to be alone with her. Instead of getting the “love” that he expected that night from Cecilia, who is faithful to her husband and a religious Christian, he gets into much deeper trouble. Volpone, becomes so greedy and overwhelmed with lust that he says he will rape her. So with all of this in mind these two con artists, although similar in their actions and success for gaining money are both very different in the love department. Abagnale was charming and successful by winning over Brenda, and Volpone was insane and violent towards Cecilia.

                Finally, these con artists both get caught and for one his life still turns out pleasant, like he originally planned and for the other, it turns into the complete opposite of his lovely dreams. Abagnale, eventually gets caught in France for forging checks and is put into prison. Similiarly, Volpone is sent to prison for attempting to rape Cecilia. Volpone, is the one who is left with nothing, just like in the beginning of the play. He is left all alone, sad, with no money, and in a dark hole. His days of conning are done. Abagnale, somehow ends up living a far better life. He does spend a significant amount of time in prison, but in the end he works for the FBI, earns millions of dollars (not by conning), and lives happily with his wife and children. His days of conning are long gone too, but one thing is for sure about both of these characters-it took a while for both of them to be caught!

Will There Ever Be an Utopia?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary states that an Utopia is, "an imaginary and indefinitely remote place; often capitalized : a place of ideal perfection especially in laws, government, and social conditions." Sir Thomas More's depiction of Utopian society is exactly that-pure imagination and ideal in laws, government, and social conditions." Since, writing Utopia, the world has changed so much, and there are some similarities that we share with Utopia, but will we ever be a complete an utopia? Would we benefit if everything and everyone was the same and "perfect"?

In a sense modern society, is like Utopia. For example, in Utopia, the idea that there are many religions is similar to the numerous religions we have today. (Similar in the sense that there are many, not that the religions are similar and treated the same). Unlike, in More's time, where predominantly one religion was accepted. 

Education is also something that is considered to be similar to today's society. For example, every Utopian child is given the right to receive an education, and these people valued education and thought of it to be a necessity. Today, thankfully, we think the same. Education is the most valuable aspect of life, and no one should be deprived of it. Being educated is what molds young minds, and these young minds are the future leaders of tomorrow. The people of Utopia thought of education as not just an academic aspect, but something that instills values, beliefs, and culture into people. Education is thought the same today-it is more than just math, reading, and writing.


Of course there are elements in Utopia that are very different in our modern society. For example, marriage must be done when a woman is 18 years old and a a man is 21 years old. Also premarital sex, is not allowed, and people are punished if they are caught. This is where imagination comes into play. In today's society, people are not forced to get married at a certain age, a young age, or forced to get married at all. People have the choice to marry who they want, when they want, and do whatever they want to do before marriage. If we lived in a Utopia today, so many young people would already be executed, for sexual reasons. Along with marriage, the idea of emotions and love is not included in More's "perfect society". Does he not think that love is meaningful? I understand that emotions and love can cause one to be sad and heartbroken, and in Utopia they focused on happiness, and happiness might be considered to be "perfect", but in today's society emotions is what makes up a person, and most people would not get married if they did not love someone.


I believe that we, human beings, will never have an utopia like the one More had in mind. What human being would want to give up his freedoms, rights, individuality, sex, emotions, and love? Nothing or no one in society will ever be perfect; perfection is just something that is "pure imagination" and Utopia is just a fantasy, not reality.

*What do you all think about this idea of Utopia? Could it become reality?

Rumination Three: Were These Young Men Ready to Be “Fathers”?

In Robert Filmer’s “From Patriarcha, or The Natural Power of the Kings Defended Against the Unnatural Liberty of the People”, there was one main point that stuck out to me after reading the article closely. New rulers, sons, which were given the throne and role of control over the country, had one main goal: “Honor thy Father”. These new rulers, had a lot of responsibility. Were they ready to be fathers’ of a whole country and still be able to do the same as their own fathers’ did for this country?

Filmer pointed out many similarities between the role of the king and the role of a father. For example, he wrote, “…as the father over one family, so the king, as father over many families, extends his care to preserve, feed, clothe, instruct, and defend the whole commonwealth.”  This simply means, that just like a father cares and works hard to provide and protect his own family, the king has the same responsibilities, but just a larger family.  Now, when a King dies, his eldest son becomes the new ruler, was this young man really qualified and mature enough to handle such a big responsibility?

Think about why there were so many problems in England. There were young men inheriting the throne who were not ready or capable of this responsibility. All they did was mock their own father’s actions because they did not want to disobey them and they had to keep up with the tradition. Filmer says, “ His war, his peace, his courts of justice, and all his acts of sovereignty…”. A new king had to preserve all of this, so that he kept his father’s reputation. For successful kings and their fathers this was a good idea; but what about a king who destroyed England? Should his son, follow in his footsteps? Obviously not, that is not the best idea for the good of all the people living in that country, but a new king  felt as if he HAD to continue his father’s reign, and not necessarily be his own person.  

*Side Note*: When I think about this idea of inheriting a position, I find it to be similar in a slight way today. We have all heard the expression, “It is not what you know, it is who you know.” When applying for jobs, I see this to be true most of the time. Two people can walk into an interview, for the same position, they could both have the same experiences, intelligence, and abilities, but when it comes down to who gets hired, it often is the one that has a father, sister, relative, or friend working there already. Just like, in the 1600s, things have not changed. Back then, sons were immediately inherited a position, and today, some  sons or daughters “inherit” a position too. Again, just like the role of a king, is this son or daughter hired for this job, because they are qualified and right for the position, or because “it is a family tradition”?

Changes on Main Street Letter (Wildcard)

Dear Jodi,

We have not spoken in over two weeks. Our lives are so hectic. I'm becoming a "real person" and applying for job, while you're starting a family. Where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday I was a Freshman and you were dropping me off at school with Mommy and Daddy.

I am writing you this letter to inform you of all the changes that are going on at UD, specifically on Main Street. Since Freshman year, Main Street has changed so much! It seems like this year, especially, so much more has been built. We now have an IHop, Sliders, Cheeburger Cheeburger, a new woman's boutique (which I think has great clothes, but is too expensive. Who shops there when they're in college?!), Chipotle, and Barnes and Noble is coming soon. When I first visited UD I loved Main Street because it had unique and family owned businesses, like Kate's (your favorite). Now it is being transformed into "Chain Street". Don't get me wrong, I really think that it is for the best and these new places will be successful, but why all chain restaurants? Can't someone be original?

I guess I am really upset because I feel like UD will be so different after I graduate. I am sure it is so different from when you came here. What do you think about all these changes?

I can't wait to finally see you, Derek, and baby Jack in May. Leave Jack with Mom and Dad, and you and Derek can come out! Can't believe I will be a UD Alumni, like you, so soon. :( Miss you and love you so much! Talk to you soon.

Love always,

Jackie