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!