MERLIN :: Essays Papers

MERLIN There is bitter controversy among scholars and theologians alike as to whether of not Merlin was a real historical figure or a product of literary imagination. Much of the earlier poetry attributed to him in Welsh manuscripts, it seems, comes from authentic prophetic verse that Merlin himself spoke. Merlin was first seen in Geoffrey of Monmouthà ­s History of the Kings of Britain written c. 1136. Many people do not accept Geoffreyà ­s words as truth. Many say that Geoffrey wrote Merlinà ­s legendary Prophecy referring to twelfth-century politics of King Henry IIà ­ court. Reality or legend, Merlin is still one of the most prominent and popular characters of Arthurian literature. Merlinà ­s close relationship with King Arthur has led him to appear in a large majority of Arthurà ­s stories. There is also dispute as to whether there was one Merlin or two- in the historical context. The archives of Wales claim that, in fact, there were two Merlins. Some say that Merlinà ­s story comes from a combination of Welsh traditions. This combination involves the great bard and prophet Myrddin and Nenniusà ­ story of Ambrious (one with a non-human father who prophesized the British defeat of the Saxons). It is said that the older of the two was King Arthurà ­s Merlin. He was born probably around 450 and died in 536. The longevity of his life span leads more to believe that there were two Merlins. The first of the two was named Merlin, and was a warrior in Arthurà ­s court. The other, Myrddin, is said to have survived the battle of Arthuret, which led him to insanity. Both candidates were authors. Now Merlin and Myrddin have merged into one person. Scholars who do believe that he existed say that Merlin was responsible for the world-famous Prophecy. In Geoffrey of Monmouthà ­s book, Merlin assists Uther Pendragon and in responsible for transporting the stones of Stonehenge from Ireland, a major symbol of Britainà ­s history. The prophecies of Merlin were incorporated into Geoffreyà ­s seventh book. Merlin became very popular in the Middle Ages. Some say that he prophesized the birth of Arthur. The myth of Merlin says that he was Arthurà ­s adviser, prophet, and magician. Merlin, the man, is an enigma. His name is known as the wiser, older man who counseled Arthur. Some say that Merlin arranged for Arthur to be born to defend Britain from invasion. Merlin was counselor to four British kings: Vortigern, Ambrosius, Uther, and Arthur.

Othello and Iago Essay

The books do not have the same power as they used to have in the previous centuries. Nowadays, many books or written stories have been made into screen adoption . William Shakespeare wrote Othello the Moor of Venice to be performed. There are more than fifty movies, ballet performances and musicals about Othello. Each of them is different and shows a director’s unique perspective. What is it about this piece that makes people perform it so many times? In each generation people are trying to visualize the immortal theme of how manipulation and jealousy can change people’s lives. For example, in the movie Othello (1995) Oliver Parker contradicts with the text and shows the audience his view and understanding of the literary text. In the movie Othello (1995) with Laurence Fishburne, Parker, the director, uses actor’s performance, symbolic scenes and decor to help the audience emotionally understand the text. Parker’s production of the movie is very close to the original play. He uses the same language and wording, but visualization and his perspective of the play helps the audience experience empathy towards characters. For example, in the text Desdemona’s father describes her, â€Å" A maiden never bold / of spirit so still and quiet that her motion blushed at herself †(I. III . 94-96). In the movie the actress is young, beautiful and seems very innocent. Othello is described in the text as an exotic character, who shows an animalistic side. Roderigo says about Othello, â€Å"To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor / †¦An extravagant and wheeling stranger†. (I. I. 126, 136). When Iago talks to Brabantio and tries to convince him that his daughter is with Othello he compares Othello to an animal. Iago says, â€Å"You’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse†. I. I. 112). Or he also says, â€Å"Your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs† (I. I. 116). In the movie Othello has an intimidating appearance. He has pierced ears, wears jewelry and has tattoos. The right casting of characters helps to reveal them and grow parti cular attitude towards these characters in the movie. The audience when looking at beautiful and young Desdemona will most likely take her side and have compassion towards her. In contrast to Desdemona, Othello is more brutal and reveals bellicosity and rigidity. In the text Shakespeare describes Othello as a great warrior, who has suffered a lot. He doesn’t know much about love or peaceful life without battles. Othello says about himself: â€Å"Rude am I in my speech, / and little blessed with the soft phrase of piece†¦ The story of my life / from year to year-the battles, sieges, fortunes / that I have passed†¦ (I. III. 81-83, 129-131). This describes Othello as unexperienced, impulsive person, who is more used to violence than love. In the text when Iago tells Othello that Desdemona is not honest with him, Othello burst out at Iago: â€Å"Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof; or, by the worth of mine eternal soul, thou hadst been better born a dog than answer my waked wrath! (III.. III. 361-364). Othello is jealous of Desdemona but because he has no proof of it, he works his anger on Iago. In the movie Parker introduces a scene where Othello tries to drown Iago in the sea to emphasize Othello’s anger. Another scene where Othello shows his violence is when he slaps Desdemona across her face. One thing that can explain Othello’s inability to control anger and be violent is that he is left without his duty. He was send to Cyprus to defend people from the Turks but the war has never happened because of the storm that killed the Turks. Othello is left with himself, his thoughts and relationships with Desdemona. Marriage is a new experience to him, he does not know how to behave. Othello doubt his decision of getting married to Desdemona. He says, â€Å"Why did I marry? †¦O curse of marriage, / That we can call these delicate creatures ours, / and not their appetites! † (III. III. 242, 268-270). He is not used to a peaceful life, but violence and anger. Iago is using Othello’s frustration and strategy to convince Othello in Desdemona’s unfaithfulness. In the movie Parker makes Iago talk to the audience that helps develop and understand his plan, how is going to implement it. His ideas are clear and make sense, but audience still doesn’t know how the other characters will react to it and whether he will be successful or not. Parker leave that to the last scene when wounded Iago lies on the dead bodies of Othello, Desdemona and his wife. In this production Parker chooses and correctly considers the historical element by using the medieval costumes corresponding to that time, settings and decor of Venice with old buildings and canals with gondolas. However, he adds couple scenes that changes the audience’s perception of the text. In the beginning of the movie the audience see a couple in the gondola. The man covers his face with a mask, and then the young woman runs on the empty streets of Venice covering her face. This shows the audience that this couple are involved in some kind of a secret. Parker uses a cliche of a secret relationship by making the first scene happened at night, covering man’s face with a mask. This scene intrigues the audience and make it believe that this could be a love story movie. Compare to the text where Iago and Roderigo are the first ones to be presented in the text. They talk about how Iago didn’t get position of the lieutenant and how both of them hate the Moor. Iago says: â€Å"Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago. / In following him, I follow but myself; / Heaven is my judge, not I for love or duty, / but seeming so, for my peculiar end;†(I. I. 58-60). Only in the middle of the act I scene I, readers understand that Brabantio’s daughter secretly got married to the Moor and that is how Iago and Roderigo can use this against him. Iago says: â€Å"I m one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs†. (I. I . 116-117). Parker’s deviation from text catches the viewers attention better than just dry talks of Iago and Roderigo. Another movie innovation is when Parker makes Othello dream about Desdemona and Cassio being together. This emphasizes how much Othello is moved by that news. In the text Shakespeare makes Othello fall into epilepsy instead. Parker is also using symbol of the handkerchief. The symbol of handkerchief is important in the play. Othello gives special power to it. He says: That handkerchief Did an Egyptian to my mother give. She was a charmer, and could almost read The thoughts of people. She told her, while she kept it, Twould make her amiable and subdue my father Entirely to her love; but if she lost it Or made a gift of it, my father’s eye Should hold her loathed, and his spirits should hunt after new fancies. †( III. IV.. 50-58). In the movie Parker makes the handkerchief fly or fall on the black background in a slow motion. By doing so, he shows the audience the end of Othello and Desdemona’s love and predicts their death. Another symbolic scene that Parker introduces into the movie and doesn’t exist in the text is when Iago stands next to a pit and makes two figures that represent Othello and Desdemona fall into that pit. Parker compares Othello and Desdemona to the figures on the chessboard that were played and manipulated by Iago. Basically, he says that all that it was just a tactical game. He though connects that scene to another scene when Othello’s and Desdemona’s bodies are dumped to the sea. This parallel shows the audience hopelessness of the situation. This symbolic scene with figures explains how Parker understands parallels and hidden tips shown in the play. Shakespeare uses words and repeats phrases in the text to predict the end and guide the reader through the play. For example, in the text when Brabantio says to Othello, â€Å"Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: / She has deceived her father, and may thee. † (I. III. 291-292). Othello responds to him, â€Å"My life upon her faith! † (I. III. 294). Later in the text, Iago mentions it again to Othello. He says, â€Å"Look at your wife; / wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure†¦ She did deceive her father, marrying you;( III. III. 197, 198, 206). At the end of the play Othello does exactly what he said before- he gives his life upon Desdemona’s faith and kills himself. Movies that are based on the plays or the books are showing the audience only one perception of that play or book, which is presented by the point of view of the director. Talented directors know that it is very hard to present the correct idea better than the original text. However, by making minor changes such as introducing symbolic scenes, choosing the right actors or the appropriate decor, the movie can guide the audience to a better understanding of the play. It can also help to develop new interpretations of the text.

The Scale of Values in Alexander Popes Poem The Rape of...

The Scale of Values in Alexander Popes Poem The Rape of the Lock I found Alexander Popes The Rape of the Lock a delightful, amusing poem. Throughout the poem, trivialities are compared with events and objects or consequence and the insignificant is treated with utmost importance. Its very title gives the reader an immediate clue; rape and all its connotations bring to mind a heinous crime of physical and spiritual violation. Perhaps this description could apply to the theft of a lock of hair, but only in a world where normal morals are perverted. This skewed scale of values is shown repeatedly throughout the poem, and supporting this alternate world are the sylphs. As the souls of former coquettes, the sylphs exist solely to†¦show more content†¦Here, the word militia brings to mind an imposing, well-regulated army, rather than a gossamer grouping of sprites bent on protecting beauty and virginity. It is sylph Ariel that foresees the dread event of the poems title. Ariel says to Belinda: Warned by the Sylph, O pious maid, beware! / This to disclose is all thy guardian can: / Beware of all, but most beware of man! (1.109, 112-14). Man, of course, is the coquettes eternal adversary. A lady must be very careful; men may be allured and teased, but as prey they can be unpredictable. Following this warning Belinda wakes and begins the transcendental toilet, one of my favorite scenes in the poem. Pope elevates Belindas morning preparations to the level of High Mass; a mystical, spiritual experience in which miraculous transformation takes place. In this ritual, however, cosmetic powers rather than cosmic powers are relied upon. (1.124). With the aid of the sylphs, Belinda begins her grooming: And now, unveiled, the toilet stands displayed, Each silver vase in mystic order laid. First, robed in white, the nymph intent adores, With head uncovered, the cosmetic powers. A heavenly image in the glass appears; To that she bends, to that her eyes she rears. The inferior priestess, at her altars side, Trembling begins the sacred rites of Pride. (1.121-28) Here we see an example of the utmost importance of the superficial in the absurdShow MoreRelatedAlexander Popes The Rape of the Lock Essay1296 Words   |  6 PagesAlexander Pope’s The Rape of the Lock is a satirical poem that features a theme of gender roles. Throughout the poem, Pope uses his protagonist Belinda, to poke fun at the superficial nature of aristocratic women. He focuses on the ritual of womanhood and approaches it like a trivial matter, and her reaction to the offence is hysterical. Through this portrayal, he reveals that the Baron has a childish quality in his need for revenge for Belinda’s stab at his ego. The speaker’s view does come acrossRead MoreDiscuss Alexander Popes The Rape Of The Lock as a Mock Heroic Poem.2174 Words   |  9 Pageswas composed after John Caryll, a friend of Popes, informed the poet of an incident regarding two land owning, Catholic families, the Petres the Fermors. The young lord Petre had cut off a lock of hair from the fashionable society lady Arabella Fermor, and both she and her family had taken offence. Caryll suggested that Pope should write a poem to to make a jest of it, and laugh them together again. The result was the publication of The Rape of the Lock, in May 1712. However due to a favourableRead MoreAlexander Pope Essay6204 Words   |  25 PagesThe Rape of the Lock Context Alexander Pope was born in London in 1688. As a Roman Catholic living during a time of Protestant consolidation in England, he was largely excluded from the university system and from political life, and suffered certain social and economic disadvantages because of his religion as well. He was self-taught to a great extent, and was an assiduous scholar from a very early age. He learned several languages on his own, and his early verses were often imitations of poets