A brief analysis of William Blake's poems "The Lamb" and "The Tyger." I will explore the concept of two sides of humanity: the purity and impurity. Is there a set, natural state of the world and if so, is the world naturally good or wicked? Is there a way to live and cope with both sides of life, or are our perspectives altered by one side? In this post, I will not offer my opinion-- I am leaving it up to my readers to read and form their own opinions. A side note: William Blake is one of my favorite poets. His eloquence is inspiring to me. Enjoy the poems and my analysis.
The Lamb, by William Blake from Songs of Innocence
Little Lamb who made thee
Dost thou know who made thee
Gave thee life & bid thee feed.
By the stream & o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing wooly bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice!
Little Lamb who made thee
Dost thou know who made thee
Little Lamb I'll tell thee,
Little Lamb I'll tell thee!
He is called by thy name,
For he calls himself a Lamb:
He is meek & he is mild,
He became a little child:
I a child & thou a lamb,
We are called by his name.
Little Lamb God bless thee.
Little Lamb God bless thee.
The Tyger, by William Blake from Songs of Experience
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare sieze the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art.
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
Is the World Innocent or Impure? by Melanie Walker
In the world, there are always two opposing forces: the sun versus the moon, knowledge versus ignorance, and light versus dark. William Blake was an interesting, romantic poet his century because he explored and experienced both sides of human nature: the good versus the evil. When he began writing his poems, he wrote concerning the softer and lighter side of human nature and believed the world to be innocent. As he progressed and began to learn more of the world, Blake began to realize the darker side of life and that it was not as innocent as he once perceived. Blake wrote two poems concerning these differing ideas called “The Lamb” then “The Tyger.” Each poem represents a different idealism that allows readers to study and for their own opinions of their perception about the state of humanity. Is the world naturally pure or naturally dreadful? Can we view the world in light but still be aware and accepting of the atrocity found? In Blake’s two contrasting poems “The Lamb” and the “Tyger”, he presents two very different ideas that compel his readers to believe if the world is naturally innocent or treacherous.
“The Lamb” suggests the world in a state of innocence while “The Tyger” suggests the darker state of the world. In “The Lamb”, the narrator addresses the “little lamb” asking it if it knew its creator. It describes its creator:
“Gave thee life & bid thee feed.
By the stream & o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing wooly bright;” (3-6).
The narrator then describes the lamb’s voice as tender and rejoicing, suggesting a certain soft tone in the poem. In the second stanza, the narrator reveals the loving creator who was once a lamb himself; he is meek and lowly. He ends the stanza blessing the Lamb by the grace of God. “Little Lamb God bless thee/ Little Lamb God bless thee” (19-20). In “The Tyger”, the feel is very different. He describes the Tyger as “burning bright” and with “fearful symmetry” in the first stanza. The tone is harsh and dark. It speaks of the Tyger’s eyes relating to fire:
“In what distant deeps or skies.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes!
On what wings dare he aspire!
What the hand, dare sieze the fire?” (5-8).
In the third stanza, the narrator references to the Tyger’s body parts describing them as dreadful and the Tyger’s claws as “deadly terrors.” The poem ends presenting the interesting question, “Did he who made the Lamb make thee?” (20) and it concludes with an eerie chill to the poem. Readers can assume the symbolism behind the Lamb and the Tyger being the state of the world. Is the world as innocent and pure as the Little Lamb made by God, or is it as frightening and hellish as the Tyger?
So perhaps the world is naturally evil but it also holds purity and innocence. Believing in both possibilities, another question that arrives from these two very different ideals is if a person can have a pure and wholesome perspective of the world they live in but still accept the beastliness of the world. Is that possible? The two poems suggest that each the Lamb and the Tyger are both made from the same creator, so perhaps the world consists of two opposite forces. Each is different but coexists. Blake once believed in the virtue of the world but after seeing the unbecoming reality, he lost all of his faith. It is up to readers if they choose to believe in one side of the world and let that completely alter their perception or if they choose to be accepting of all sides of life and live with truth and reality. With this knowledge, can one still view the world in commendable idealism?
There is always an opposing force in life. There are two sides to everything and contrast. Often, once individuals see another side of life, their ideals and beliefs become shattered and altered. “The Lamb” and “The Tyger” propose two extremes of life: purity and atrocity. These two poems offer readers a chance to believe in either of the natural sides of life or in both. Is the world a force for good or evil? Is there a way for readers to be aware and accepting of both sides of life? William Blake has his own ideas concerning the state of humanity, but it is up to each individual to form their own opinions and maintain their own faith.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Frankenstein Versus Society
In the spirit of Halloween tomorrow, here is a spooky post for my readers. For the month of October, I have participated in my share of scary activities. I have watched scary movies at 1 am, finally saw "The Nightmare Before Christmas" for the first time (creeped me out a bit to be honest), went to an Edgar Allan Poe reading, carved my pumpkin, and have put together my costume. For anyone wondering, I am Superwoman undercover, complete with a Superman shirt, Clark Kent glasses, and a tie.
Also for the month of October, I have read the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. Written in 1818, It was an interesting read. Would I recommend it? Yes!
However, this is not the Frankenstein you are probably thinking of with your typical mad scientist who wishes to bring his monster into society with his trustee partner Igor. It is nothing like Gene Wilder's comical "Young Frankenstein," although I do enjoy that movie very much around Halloween time.
Oh no. Shelley's novel is dark and chilling. It describes the dangerous ambition of scientist Victor Frankenstein that brings this monster into the world by terrible means. Shelley explores the darker, deeper side of nature and science and thrills her readers with her famous monster story. There are so many different themes that can be taken from this text, I hardly knew what to write about! I could have written about the nature of unhealthy ambition (something I explore and write about a lot), about the role of science in that time period, or about the pleasure of knowledge. Here is what I chose to write about--
The the Romantic time period of literature, writers focused on these ideas: 1. Pure emotion, 2. The supernatural, 3. The role of nature in man's spirituality, and 4. This question: Are men born good and become depraved from society? Shelley's Frankenstein is a typical Romantic Literature book. So through reading this and pondering, I have decided to write about the monster's struggle in the book to fit into man's society and why it was impossible for him to do so. A brief analysis of Mary Shelley's, Frankenstein:
Frankenstein versus Society, by Melanie Walker
Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley is a haunting and chilling tale about Victor Frankenstein, an aspiring scientist whose ambition to create life thrusts him down to his personal Hell. Frankenstein’s pursuit to create such life leads him to create a monster so terrible and ugly, that Frankenstein turns it away and makes it his fiend. Through the monster’s journey and attempt to be accepted by society, it is rejected and found repulsive to the rest of mankind. This rejection causes it to become a murderer and terror to all. Shelley’s text is an enlightening and thrilling read but also allows questions to rise about the nature of man and his role in society. Through the context of Frankenstein, readers can observe the message about humanity Shelley wanted to convey: men are all born innocent and pure but society makes them evil. If this is the case, what about society makes men evil and leads to their downfall? Shelley’s Frankenstein gives examples that allow readers to conclude that society leads to the downfall of pure men by its resistance to the abnormal and abhorrent, hesitation to anything that is not traditional, and the majority tendency to turn away the needs of strangers thus leading to destruction.
Society as a whole causes man to be evil by its intolerance to anything abnormal. Shelley tries to convey this by her constant description of the monster being abhorrent, sinister, and disgusting. In the book, the monster tells Frankenstein his tale of his pure love for a little family with a blind father he came across in the forest. He told of his desire to meet them in person after many months of observing them and doing kind deeds for them. Eventually the day came when he took courage and went to manifest himself to the family and when the family saw him speaking to their blind father, they cursed him and turned him away in violence, causing angry mobs to hunt for him and rid the world of his ugliness. From that day on, the monster became a menace to society when he began his first days in selfless service and love of others. This proposes an interesting topic about mankind when faced with the harsh reality of society. In the book, the monster states, “Believe me Frankenstein, I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity; but am I not alone, miserably alone?” (52).
The creation of the monster is another example of why he was not accepted into society; generally speaking, society is not susceptible to things that are not traditional. The creation of the monster by Frankenstein was anything but traditional—Frankenstein created his monster in such unimaginable ways that could not even share with his readers what those means entailed. There have been many examples of hesitation to non-tradition, such as when people conceive babies out of wedlock or when children tread on paths that do not follow the traditional lifestyle of the rest of society. The mere fact that the monster was created out of nontraditional means already predetermined that the monster was never fit to blend in normally with natural society.
Often, society will turn away from the needs of strangers because it presents an uncomfortable situation for the givers. The monster approached the family in need of companionship and love, and they turned him away because of his abnormality and that he was a frightening stranger. Rarely people in society will take in strangers because of the harm it could impose or the distress of offering up their personal living space. Though justifiable reasoning, it also can lead the needy into having a harsh outlook on society and prejudice thus leading to their downfall in the faith of humanity. Often this can lead to individuals becoming menaces to society because they cannot fit in. The monster himself said, “I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind?” (80).
Hesitation and intolerance to anything out of the norm defines society in many ways. Society causes men to be evil because of its resistance to the abnormal, untraditional, and needs of strangers. Those who do not fit in with society often are led to destruction and downfall, thus causing them to turn against society in wickedness. Shelley wanted to convey to her readers about the purity of mankind and send a message to society to not turn away the abnormal and abhorrent. It is up to readers to decide if they will heed to this message and accept abnormality. Perhaps they will save mankind from evil by doing so.
Happy Hallows Eve!
Also for the month of October, I have read the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. Written in 1818, It was an interesting read. Would I recommend it? Yes!
However, this is not the Frankenstein you are probably thinking of with your typical mad scientist who wishes to bring his monster into society with his trustee partner Igor. It is nothing like Gene Wilder's comical "Young Frankenstein," although I do enjoy that movie very much around Halloween time.
Oh no. Shelley's novel is dark and chilling. It describes the dangerous ambition of scientist Victor Frankenstein that brings this monster into the world by terrible means. Shelley explores the darker, deeper side of nature and science and thrills her readers with her famous monster story. There are so many different themes that can be taken from this text, I hardly knew what to write about! I could have written about the nature of unhealthy ambition (something I explore and write about a lot), about the role of science in that time period, or about the pleasure of knowledge. Here is what I chose to write about--
The the Romantic time period of literature, writers focused on these ideas: 1. Pure emotion, 2. The supernatural, 3. The role of nature in man's spirituality, and 4. This question: Are men born good and become depraved from society? Shelley's Frankenstein is a typical Romantic Literature book. So through reading this and pondering, I have decided to write about the monster's struggle in the book to fit into man's society and why it was impossible for him to do so. A brief analysis of Mary Shelley's, Frankenstein:
Frankenstein versus Society, by Melanie Walker
Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley is a haunting and chilling tale about Victor Frankenstein, an aspiring scientist whose ambition to create life thrusts him down to his personal Hell. Frankenstein’s pursuit to create such life leads him to create a monster so terrible and ugly, that Frankenstein turns it away and makes it his fiend. Through the monster’s journey and attempt to be accepted by society, it is rejected and found repulsive to the rest of mankind. This rejection causes it to become a murderer and terror to all. Shelley’s text is an enlightening and thrilling read but also allows questions to rise about the nature of man and his role in society. Through the context of Frankenstein, readers can observe the message about humanity Shelley wanted to convey: men are all born innocent and pure but society makes them evil. If this is the case, what about society makes men evil and leads to their downfall? Shelley’s Frankenstein gives examples that allow readers to conclude that society leads to the downfall of pure men by its resistance to the abnormal and abhorrent, hesitation to anything that is not traditional, and the majority tendency to turn away the needs of strangers thus leading to destruction.
Society as a whole causes man to be evil by its intolerance to anything abnormal. Shelley tries to convey this by her constant description of the monster being abhorrent, sinister, and disgusting. In the book, the monster tells Frankenstein his tale of his pure love for a little family with a blind father he came across in the forest. He told of his desire to meet them in person after many months of observing them and doing kind deeds for them. Eventually the day came when he took courage and went to manifest himself to the family and when the family saw him speaking to their blind father, they cursed him and turned him away in violence, causing angry mobs to hunt for him and rid the world of his ugliness. From that day on, the monster became a menace to society when he began his first days in selfless service and love of others. This proposes an interesting topic about mankind when faced with the harsh reality of society. In the book, the monster states, “Believe me Frankenstein, I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity; but am I not alone, miserably alone?” (52).
The creation of the monster is another example of why he was not accepted into society; generally speaking, society is not susceptible to things that are not traditional. The creation of the monster by Frankenstein was anything but traditional—Frankenstein created his monster in such unimaginable ways that could not even share with his readers what those means entailed. There have been many examples of hesitation to non-tradition, such as when people conceive babies out of wedlock or when children tread on paths that do not follow the traditional lifestyle of the rest of society. The mere fact that the monster was created out of nontraditional means already predetermined that the monster was never fit to blend in normally with natural society.
Often, society will turn away from the needs of strangers because it presents an uncomfortable situation for the givers. The monster approached the family in need of companionship and love, and they turned him away because of his abnormality and that he was a frightening stranger. Rarely people in society will take in strangers because of the harm it could impose or the distress of offering up their personal living space. Though justifiable reasoning, it also can lead the needy into having a harsh outlook on society and prejudice thus leading to their downfall in the faith of humanity. Often this can lead to individuals becoming menaces to society because they cannot fit in. The monster himself said, “I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind?” (80).
Hesitation and intolerance to anything out of the norm defines society in many ways. Society causes men to be evil because of its resistance to the abnormal, untraditional, and needs of strangers. Those who do not fit in with society often are led to destruction and downfall, thus causing them to turn against society in wickedness. Shelley wanted to convey to her readers about the purity of mankind and send a message to society to not turn away the abnormal and abhorrent. It is up to readers to decide if they will heed to this message and accept abnormality. Perhaps they will save mankind from evil by doing so.
Happy Hallows Eve!
Sunday, October 27, 2013
A Woman is Man's Downfall: Chaucer
A brief synthesis paper comparing Geoffrey Chaucer's "Shipman Tale" from the Canterbury Tales and his poem, "Merciles Beaute" (translated into Merciless Beauty). I will speak about the downfall of men to the beauty of women and what exactly that downfall entails. First, a little about Chaucer:
Geoffrey Chaucer was born in medieval times dating 1343 in London, England. He is known by many as the father of English Literature writing many famous poems in Middle English dictation. I had the opportunity to see his small, ancient grave in Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey. He was the first to be buried there in that corner and is honored even to this day. He is most famous for "The Canterbury Tales", "Parliament of Fowls", "House of Fame",and many other signature poems and short stories within his works. He makes strong points in his writing about humanity and sin relating to religion in his time.
Merciless Beauty, by Geoffrey Chaucer (translated into modern English)
Your eyes two whole slay me suddenly;
I may the beauty of them not sustain
So wounds it, throughout my heart keen.
Unless your word will heal, all hastily,
My heart’s wound while it is yet green,
Your eyes two whole slay me suddenly;
I may the beauty of them not sustain.
By my truth, I tell you faithfully
That you are of my life and death the queen,
For at my death the truth shall be seen:
Your eyes two whole slay me suddenly;
I may the beauty of them not sustain,
So wounds it throughout my heart keen.
So has your beauty from your heart chased
Pity, that it avails not to complain,
For Pride holds your mercy by a chain.
Though guiltless, my death you have purchased.
I tell you truly, needing not to feign,
So has your beauty from your heart chased
Pity, that it avails not to complain.
Alas, that Nature has in you placed
Such great beauty that no man may attain
To mercy though he die from the pain,
So has your beauty from your heart chased
Pity, that it avails not to complain,
For Pride holds your mercy by a chain.
Since I’m from Love escaped yet so fat,
I never plan to be in his prison lean;
Since I am free, I count it not a bean.
He may answer and say this and that;
I care not: I’ll speak just as I mean.
Since I’m from Love escaped yet so fat,
I never plan to be in his prison lean.
Love strikes my name from his slate flat,
And he is struck out of my books clean
For evermore; my sole course it has been.
Since I’m from Love escaped yet so fat,
I never plan to be in his prison lean;
Since I am free, I count it not a bean.
A Woman is Man's Downfall, by Melanie Walker
“Your yen two wol slee me sodenly;
I may the beautee of hem not sustene,
So woundeth hit throughout my herte kene” (Merciles Beaute, Chaucer).
Understanding Geoffrey Chaucer is an arduous expedition but once readers get to the fruit of Chaucer’s language, the taste is sweet and his message is clear. Chaucer, the father of Middle English has written many works of literature that give readers and scholars, inquirers and thinkers, material to feast on and reflect about. Author of famous “The Canterbury Tales” and many other poems, Chaucer shows readers many different themes in his workmanship that allow writers to compare ideas and definitions between his clever drafts. A common theme found with Chaucer is about women and the essence of their beauty. Between “The Shipman’s Tale” in the Canterbury Tales and his triple roundel poem “Merciles Beaute”, Chaucer explores the concept of a woman’s beauty leading a man to his downfall and what that downfall is.
The Shipman’s Tale
“The Shipman’s Tale” is about a merchant man and his beautiful wife who are hospitable to all people that come to stay and commune with them. The husband’s childhood friend Brother John is a monk from a nearby town who has come to stay a night after a long journey. During Brother John’s early arise and uniform walk in the gardens, the beauteous wife goes to speak to him and manifests a secret in him that she does not find her husband suitable in any emotional and physical aspect of marriage. She also confides in Brother John about her one hundred frank debt she owes and asks for funds. Entranced by her beauty, Brother John agrees with a small favor to him in bed where she hastily agrees to use her body for his money. Swearing his secrecy and sealing their agreement with scandal in the gardens, they depart and carry out their deal later on while the husband is away on business matters. During the departure, the monk and wife’s scandal executes a few extra times until the wife has the necessary funds she needs. The husband returns and learns of the wife’s secret exchange in funds with Brother John and becomes angry with her and she proposes that she will, again, use her body to smooth over her husband’s anger and redeem herself. The tale concludes quoting, “The merchant saw none other remedy; and for to chide, it where but a folly, Since that the thing might not amended be” (7), and the husband agrees ending the tale. This tale’s plot exemplifies Chaucer’s idea about a woman leading a man to his downfall. Brother John is a leading example of this: he is a monk who supposedly leads a life of virtue, but his chastity is bequeathed when he engages in secrecy and sin with the mesmerizing attractiveness of the merchant’s wife. The husband is a minor example of this, as he loses his pride and justifiable anger to his wife’s beautiful charm as she settles all her debts with her body. Perhaps Chaucer uses his tale to admonish his male readers to not fall under the spells of beautiful women that will use their feminine nature for wickedness or selfish gain.
Merciles Beaute
“Merciles Beaute” is another example that speaks of the downfall of men to beauty. The poem’s narrator is a person that addresses a lady whose eyes “slay” him hastily and whose beauty causes pride that refuses any type of mercy on him. In the three-roundel timeline of the poem, the narrator begins by telling the lady about her incomprehensive and “unsustainable” beauty that wounds his heart so keen and leaves no physical marks. He professes to her the oxymoron of being his life and death as well as his queen. In the second round, he tells her that her beauty chases any pity on him from her, and that her pride does not leave room in her heart for any mercy on him. The third round speaks of his freedom from her, as well as his downfall. It reads:
“Sin I fro Love escaped am so fat, I never thenk to ben in his prison lene; Sin I am free, I counte him not a bene” (Roundel III, line 1-3).
His escape from her grasp leaves a sort of redemption for the narrator, but his downfall is that he vows never to enter into such a prison as love again. This can be viewed as his downfall because this lady tainted love for him to where he will never admit himself to feel the pure and elated effects of love again. Readers conclude from the narrator about the harsh effects of beautiful women that snipe the purity and selfless gain that can be obtained from love.
In my study abroad trip to England, we came across a beautiful vista called the Stourhead Gardens. The grounds of these gardens were spacious and spectacular, holding pristine lakes, rushing waterfalls, replicas of Greek temples, and forestry pathways. In my exploration of the gardens, I came across this grotto with hidden fountains inside and which held a pronounced and masculine statue of King Triton as well as a coy nymph to his side. I kneeled down a looked at the nymph with her faded inscription at the base of this statue and found myself mesmerized by her beauty. Mythological nymphs are infamous for using their soft looks and harsh charm to entrance sailors and lead them to their watery downfall. I find this memory of the nymph’s statue in connection to Chaucer and what he tried to convey as well as warn his readers about falling under the spell of sin by beauty that intends to destruct peace or salvation. Whether from his experience or observation, Chaucer found this to be a repeatable theme in his day and it quite possibly could be a theme found in modern day as well.
Geoffrey Chaucer was born in medieval times dating 1343 in London, England. He is known by many as the father of English Literature writing many famous poems in Middle English dictation. I had the opportunity to see his small, ancient grave in Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey. He was the first to be buried there in that corner and is honored even to this day. He is most famous for "The Canterbury Tales", "Parliament of Fowls", "House of Fame",and many other signature poems and short stories within his works. He makes strong points in his writing about humanity and sin relating to religion in his time.
Merciless Beauty, by Geoffrey Chaucer (translated into modern English)
Your eyes two whole slay me suddenly;
I may the beauty of them not sustain
So wounds it, throughout my heart keen.
Unless your word will heal, all hastily,
My heart’s wound while it is yet green,
Your eyes two whole slay me suddenly;
I may the beauty of them not sustain.
By my truth, I tell you faithfully
That you are of my life and death the queen,
For at my death the truth shall be seen:
Your eyes two whole slay me suddenly;
I may the beauty of them not sustain,
So wounds it throughout my heart keen.
So has your beauty from your heart chased
Pity, that it avails not to complain,
For Pride holds your mercy by a chain.
Though guiltless, my death you have purchased.
I tell you truly, needing not to feign,
So has your beauty from your heart chased
Pity, that it avails not to complain.
Alas, that Nature has in you placed
Such great beauty that no man may attain
To mercy though he die from the pain,
So has your beauty from your heart chased
Pity, that it avails not to complain,
For Pride holds your mercy by a chain.
Since I’m from Love escaped yet so fat,
I never plan to be in his prison lean;
Since I am free, I count it not a bean.
He may answer and say this and that;
I care not: I’ll speak just as I mean.
Since I’m from Love escaped yet so fat,
I never plan to be in his prison lean.
Love strikes my name from his slate flat,
And he is struck out of my books clean
For evermore; my sole course it has been.
Since I’m from Love escaped yet so fat,
I never plan to be in his prison lean;
Since I am free, I count it not a bean.
A Woman is Man's Downfall, by Melanie Walker
“Your yen two wol slee me sodenly;
I may the beautee of hem not sustene,
So woundeth hit throughout my herte kene” (Merciles Beaute, Chaucer).
Understanding Geoffrey Chaucer is an arduous expedition but once readers get to the fruit of Chaucer’s language, the taste is sweet and his message is clear. Chaucer, the father of Middle English has written many works of literature that give readers and scholars, inquirers and thinkers, material to feast on and reflect about. Author of famous “The Canterbury Tales” and many other poems, Chaucer shows readers many different themes in his workmanship that allow writers to compare ideas and definitions between his clever drafts. A common theme found with Chaucer is about women and the essence of their beauty. Between “The Shipman’s Tale” in the Canterbury Tales and his triple roundel poem “Merciles Beaute”, Chaucer explores the concept of a woman’s beauty leading a man to his downfall and what that downfall is.
The Shipman’s Tale
“The Shipman’s Tale” is about a merchant man and his beautiful wife who are hospitable to all people that come to stay and commune with them. The husband’s childhood friend Brother John is a monk from a nearby town who has come to stay a night after a long journey. During Brother John’s early arise and uniform walk in the gardens, the beauteous wife goes to speak to him and manifests a secret in him that she does not find her husband suitable in any emotional and physical aspect of marriage. She also confides in Brother John about her one hundred frank debt she owes and asks for funds. Entranced by her beauty, Brother John agrees with a small favor to him in bed where she hastily agrees to use her body for his money. Swearing his secrecy and sealing their agreement with scandal in the gardens, they depart and carry out their deal later on while the husband is away on business matters. During the departure, the monk and wife’s scandal executes a few extra times until the wife has the necessary funds she needs. The husband returns and learns of the wife’s secret exchange in funds with Brother John and becomes angry with her and she proposes that she will, again, use her body to smooth over her husband’s anger and redeem herself. The tale concludes quoting, “The merchant saw none other remedy; and for to chide, it where but a folly, Since that the thing might not amended be” (7), and the husband agrees ending the tale. This tale’s plot exemplifies Chaucer’s idea about a woman leading a man to his downfall. Brother John is a leading example of this: he is a monk who supposedly leads a life of virtue, but his chastity is bequeathed when he engages in secrecy and sin with the mesmerizing attractiveness of the merchant’s wife. The husband is a minor example of this, as he loses his pride and justifiable anger to his wife’s beautiful charm as she settles all her debts with her body. Perhaps Chaucer uses his tale to admonish his male readers to not fall under the spells of beautiful women that will use their feminine nature for wickedness or selfish gain.
Merciles Beaute
“Merciles Beaute” is another example that speaks of the downfall of men to beauty. The poem’s narrator is a person that addresses a lady whose eyes “slay” him hastily and whose beauty causes pride that refuses any type of mercy on him. In the three-roundel timeline of the poem, the narrator begins by telling the lady about her incomprehensive and “unsustainable” beauty that wounds his heart so keen and leaves no physical marks. He professes to her the oxymoron of being his life and death as well as his queen. In the second round, he tells her that her beauty chases any pity on him from her, and that her pride does not leave room in her heart for any mercy on him. The third round speaks of his freedom from her, as well as his downfall. It reads:
“Sin I fro Love escaped am so fat, I never thenk to ben in his prison lene; Sin I am free, I counte him not a bene” (Roundel III, line 1-3).
His escape from her grasp leaves a sort of redemption for the narrator, but his downfall is that he vows never to enter into such a prison as love again. This can be viewed as his downfall because this lady tainted love for him to where he will never admit himself to feel the pure and elated effects of love again. Readers conclude from the narrator about the harsh effects of beautiful women that snipe the purity and selfless gain that can be obtained from love.
In my study abroad trip to England, we came across a beautiful vista called the Stourhead Gardens. The grounds of these gardens were spacious and spectacular, holding pristine lakes, rushing waterfalls, replicas of Greek temples, and forestry pathways. In my exploration of the gardens, I came across this grotto with hidden fountains inside and which held a pronounced and masculine statue of King Triton as well as a coy nymph to his side. I kneeled down a looked at the nymph with her faded inscription at the base of this statue and found myself mesmerized by her beauty. Mythological nymphs are infamous for using their soft looks and harsh charm to entrance sailors and lead them to their watery downfall. I find this memory of the nymph’s statue in connection to Chaucer and what he tried to convey as well as warn his readers about falling under the spell of sin by beauty that intends to destruct peace or salvation. Whether from his experience or observation, Chaucer found this to be a repeatable theme in his day and it quite possibly could be a theme found in modern day as well.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Part III: London, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Dublin, Final Remarks
"Her hair was long, her foot was light, and her eyes were wild." -John Keats
London, England
"London was everything I dreamed it would be. It is one of my most favorite cities in the world."
The British Museum
"My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!'
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away".
The British Museum was so great! Home of the Rosetta Stone and different artifacts from all over the world. Honestly, anyone can spend a week in that place and explore the entire world. It is sectioned off by every continent in the world and gives their history. It was fantastic.
Windsor Castle
As one of the many homes of the queen, these grounds were spectacular! The history here was marvelous. It's been home to the royal family for centuries and it was incredible witnessing the artifacts of this castle! Inside there were thousands of portraits, historical weapons, knight armor, and beautiful rooms with vibrant colors. It was fantastic! I loved the mote around the main building of the castle.
Big Ben and the River Thames
Woke up in London yesterday
Found myself in the city near Piccadilly
Don't really know how I got here
I got some pictures on my phone
New names and numbers that I don't know
Address to places like Abbey Road
Day turns to night, night turns to whatever we want
We're young enough to say
Oh, this has gotta be the good life
This has gotta be the good life
This could really be a good life, good life
-One Republic
Big Ben and the River was my favorite place in all of London. Big Ben stands as the Landmark of London--the one thing I have looked forward to seeing for as long as I can remember. I can honestly say that Big Ben is my new love and I'm counting down the days until I can go back to him.
Cruising on the River Thames
Telephone booth fun!
Trafalgar Square
Dicken's London
"... and from the death of each day's hope another hope sprung up to live to-morrow" -The Old Curiosity Shop
I loved walking the London streets of one of my favorite authors and being inside his home! I felt such a great connection to him treading the halls of his home.
A little Dickens anyone?
Westminster Abbey
"Wednesday was my favorite day-- got to see one of my favorite author's homes (Charles Dickens) and afterwards we went to Westminster Abbey. Now THAT was cool. Being able to stand with the graves of some of England's earliest kings and queens, famous scientists such as Newton and Darwin, and then Poet's Corner. Wow. What to even say about Poet's Corner? I can't even describe what it felt like to be physically surrounded by my favorite writers and inspirations. Charles Dickens, Wordsworth, Austen, John Locke, Coleridge, Chaucer, Handel, and Percy Shelley were just a few of the ones that were laid and honored there. Again, I could have stayed there forever. I feel their spirits and legacies resting there and inspiring young writers such as me to write and live my dreams."
London Broadway
We had the chance to see two Broadway plays while in London. I saw Les Miserables for the first time live one night, and the next night I saw my absolute favorite play: The Phantom of the Opera.
St. Paul's Cathedral
"Another London point that was my favorite was St. Paul's Cathedral. What a beautiful and spacious cathedral!--built by faithful Christians honoring Paul and God by building such a sight. I was able to climb all 575 stairs to the top and look for miles across the city of London. That sight will forever be imprinted on my mind. I was so high up that my ears popped from the elevation! I also had the chance to see William Blake's grave in the crypt which is also another one of my favorite poets. At that moment I knew I fell in love with London."
I love London! I could see for miles. By far, the best view possible in London. Anyone that travels here, go to the very top of the cathedral. It is worth it.
J.K. Rowling's London
We had the opportunity to go to the Harry Potter studio and visit some sights around London that were Harry Potter themed. In this generation, what's London without Harry Potter? Check out these fun pictures:
"No story lives unless someone wants to listen." -J.K. Rowling
Other fun places visited in London:
Piccadilly Circus
Winston Churchill Monument
Big Ben, of course.
Baker's Street
Bond street
"The name's Bond. James Bond."
The London Beatles Store
"All we need is love, love. Love is all we need."
The Millennium Bridge
The London Eye
The Globe Theater
We saw a matinee showing of Macbeth in the Globe theater. It was such an experience! The performance was excellent and so authentic.
"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more."
Night London
London will forever be in my heart.
Stratford-Upon-Avon
I absolutely adored Stratford. I was the cutest little town ever! I defined it as quiet and romantic. Everything is named after Shakespeare. This is where Shakespeare grew up and had his family here. We saw "Hamlet" in the Royal Shakespeare theater by the company and it was fantastic! For the rest of the weekend we explored his town holding his home, Anne Hathaway's cottage, and his grave in the Holy Trinity Church:
"... even though his grave wasn't that big or glamorous, it's endearing that he paid for his entire family to be buried with him. If only he knew how he has changed the world to this day in 2013. It was cool to walk the paths he did and fall in love with his little town."
"This above all-- to thine ownself be true." -Hamlet
Oxford
Oxford was a historic and prestigious town! Holding one of the oldest colleges in Europe, it was a beautiful city with the best artifacts.
Ferry back to Ireland
"And now here I am, sailing on the Irish Sea back to lush Ireland. I was thinking on my drive through Wales today about the things I will miss most about England. I will miss the beautiful landscapes and the pristine mist in the air. I'll miss the food and how light and natural it tastes here. I'll miss hearing the Irish and English accents and trying to decipher what part of England they might be from. I'll miss the way old English folks' eyes sparkle when you smile at them. And I'll miss the connection I felt to my heritage here and the exploration of this journey I have been on. It's time for another adventure."
Last day in Dublin, Ireland
The Book of Kells and Chester Beatty Library
Last night in Dublin at Quay's Bar
My last night in Dublin was one of the most fun nights of my life. The girls in my group and I got all dressed up and went out on the town to our favorite pub we discovered our first night in Dublin three weeks previously. These musicians were playing Irish Folk music in the bar, everyone was laughing, and I danced with some Belgiums. They said I danced like a Miley Cyrus American girl, hahaha. They were so fun! Not to forget, that one of the musicians was making eyes with me and winking at me the whole night. He was so cute! We introduced ourselves: his name was Daraq (Derek in America) and he complimented me. It was one of the best nights of my life.
Final remarks
"I've been reflecting a lot about the things I have learned and seen on my adventure. I came and did what I went on this adventure to do-- I found things to marvel at, expanded my education, enhanced my skills, wrote poetry, and explored a new part of the world. I'm still the same person, but with the confidence now that I can go out and travel and do great things. I have the confidence that I can achieve my dreams and life aspirations. I have the confidence that I can make a difference, even if it's only in my own life sometimes.
I think most people get caught up in the moment and get distracted, forgetting the most important lessons to bring home. Eventually, self-confidence begins to fade and they forget that it was only that experience that made them confident. But, building on what we already have and advancing in certain aspects of our lives by exploration and discovery-- those are the lessons that last forever. That is the confidence in ourselves that continues to grow and will stay.
Coming home, I'm not going to focus on keeping the memories alive I've had over the past month. That's exhausting and a waste of time. Rather, I am going to take these experiences and use them as tools to further progress in my life and making it even richer. One dream conquered, a million more to pursue. I loved this beautiful and self-fulfilling travel I have endeavored. My eyes and heart have been opened to all the many opportunities life has to offer me. The world is so big! And how close-minded we are if we don't even feel an inch of desire to go out and discover it. Make it happen. It's so worth it. It's selfish to be content staying in our little homes and sticking to the same routine. Follow your dreams and the rest of life will follow. Cheers to a safe journey, an incredible adventure, and a beautiful world."
"She turned her can'ts into cans and her dreams into plans."
A special thank you to the support from friends and families that made this trip possible for me. I send my love and everlasting gratitude to each and every one of you. Cheers!
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