Hannah Staley
English 9
Mr. Hamilton Salsich
29 January 2009
Servitude vs. Confinment
An essay on the similarities and differences of servitude and confinement shown in characters Caliban and Ariel
Reflecting on “servitude and confinement”, pages 18 through 23 seem to be more about slavery and imprisonment. Describing Ariel and Caliban as servants does not seem harsh enough. The both are really slaves who are controlled by Sycorax and Prospero. Servitude seems like to kind a way to describe their predicament (FAST).
Being trapped in a “cloven pine” by Sycorax and threatened with 12 more years of confinement in an Oak tree by Prospero, tells us that Ariel is destined to a life of confinement and servitude. Arial is a shy and timid character who does not have the courage to fight back against her masters. This may be because she is hoping to be granted a year off. While ending up being in the possession of Sycorax, Ariel learned some lessons. She learned that punishment, like being limited to living in a “space” in a tree, is one way she can be controlled. She also makes the mistake of telling Prospero that she has “a spirit too delicate” for the work she was made to execute (FAST). It would have been smarter for her to be more cunning (FAST) by manipulating Sycorax and Prospero. Perhaps she will figure this out in future Acts. It would be in her best interest if she did.
Caliban is a much different character who similar to Ariel because they are both slaves, but different in how he communicates. He is visibly angry and will do anything to try to get back all that his family has lost to Prospero and Miranda. He even goes so far as to try and sexually assault Miranda in an effort to build his own little army of Calibans. His anger is also visible when he tells Prospero “You taught me language; and my profit on’t is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you for learning me your language.” I don’t think Ariel would have come out with such a bold statement. This is why I think Ariel may be a woman. I doubt that women would speak out as Caliban did in that day and age.
Identifying similarities between Ariel and Caliban is interesting, but more difficult than identifying their differences. They deal with situations and people in different ways but their plights (FAST) are the same. It will be interesting to see if they end up the same way or if either one of them ever escapes servitude and confinement.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Eleanor's Polished Essay #10
Eleanor Hilton
Mr. Salsich
English 9
January 28th, 2009
Consequences
My Thoughts on the Similarities and Differences of Two Characters in ‘The Tempest’ by William Shakespeare
There are two characters in the well known play The Tempest by William Shakespeare that seem to have many reoccurring similarities and differences. (Participle phrase, sentence closer) Many of these have to do with the subject of confinement and servitude.
Ariel, one of the characters experiences a lot of confinement and servitude in the play so far, and I am curious how it will continue. The first of these was created by Sycorax, a witch who tormented Ariel for years and sent her to do Sycorax’s biddings which were neither affable, (FAST) nor exciting. Soon enough Ariel was tired and had become “a spirit too delicate” for the work, which made her mistress quite frustrated. She locked Ariel in a “cloven pine” for a “dozen years” until Sycorax died, but Ariel was not yet free. However soon after the death of the witch, Prospero and his three year old daughter arrived. When Ariel was freed by Prospero’s new found sorcerer talents, she pledges to help Prospero for a while out of gratitude. Unfortunately Ariel hasn't had a day off in twelve years, yet alone the year she was supposed to have off some time ago. Interestingly, the seemingly kind and generous Prospero obviously has some dark secrets to reveal. (Participle phrase, sentence opener)
The Tempest has another character in the play that I find quite intriguing, he is named Caliban. He also experiences interminable (FAST) confinement and servitude, but unfortunately has it harder than Ariel. Being born from the witch, Sycorax, Caliban is a half human creature often referred to as the “freckled whelp hag-born”, which doesn’t make his life easy. Before Prospero and Miranda arrived, he was his own king and lived a life of happiness despite his appearance. However, when Prospero did come, mostly because of his form, but partially because of his attitude, he was sentenced to carry logs for Prospero’s and Miranda’s fires, which kept them warm at night. I find this quite unfair, but it seems that a reoccurring theme in this play is inequitable (FAST) judgment and sentence. Caliban, like Ariel has not had a day off since carrying that first log, but unlike Ariel has not been promised one. It appears that Caliban will be carrying logs for the rest of his years, without a break, but I think it seems as if he is soon going to force a change in this apparent life of misery.
Both Ariel and Caliban have similarities, but different consequences that divide them apart. I can only wonder how all of this will turn out in the coming acts of The Tempest.
*************************************************
Graphic Organiser:
Intro:
Two characters, similarities and differences
1st Body:
SD: Sycorax's wrath on Ariel
CM's: Locked her in a "cloven pine" for not performing evil deeds
SD: Prosperos kindness
CM's: Prospero's unkindness
2nd Body:
SD: Caliban's life is more unfortunate
CM's: born from Sycorax, but was own king
SD: Prospero and Miranda made him merely a slave
CM's: sentanced to carry logs, but it seems is fighting back
Conclusion:
different consequences drive Ariel and Caliban apart
Mr. Salsich
English 9
January 28th, 2009
Consequences
My Thoughts on the Similarities and Differences of Two Characters in ‘The Tempest’ by William Shakespeare
There are two characters in the well known play The Tempest by William Shakespeare that seem to have many reoccurring similarities and differences. (Participle phrase, sentence closer) Many of these have to do with the subject of confinement and servitude.
Ariel, one of the characters experiences a lot of confinement and servitude in the play so far, and I am curious how it will continue. The first of these was created by Sycorax, a witch who tormented Ariel for years and sent her to do Sycorax’s biddings which were neither affable, (FAST) nor exciting. Soon enough Ariel was tired and had become “a spirit too delicate” for the work, which made her mistress quite frustrated. She locked Ariel in a “cloven pine” for a “dozen years” until Sycorax died, but Ariel was not yet free. However soon after the death of the witch, Prospero and his three year old daughter arrived. When Ariel was freed by Prospero’s new found sorcerer talents, she pledges to help Prospero for a while out of gratitude. Unfortunately Ariel hasn't had a day off in twelve years, yet alone the year she was supposed to have off some time ago. Interestingly, the seemingly kind and generous Prospero obviously has some dark secrets to reveal. (Participle phrase, sentence opener)
The Tempest has another character in the play that I find quite intriguing, he is named Caliban. He also experiences interminable (FAST) confinement and servitude, but unfortunately has it harder than Ariel. Being born from the witch, Sycorax, Caliban is a half human creature often referred to as the “freckled whelp hag-born”, which doesn’t make his life easy. Before Prospero and Miranda arrived, he was his own king and lived a life of happiness despite his appearance. However, when Prospero did come, mostly because of his form, but partially because of his attitude, he was sentenced to carry logs for Prospero’s and Miranda’s fires, which kept them warm at night. I find this quite unfair, but it seems that a reoccurring theme in this play is inequitable (FAST) judgment and sentence. Caliban, like Ariel has not had a day off since carrying that first log, but unlike Ariel has not been promised one. It appears that Caliban will be carrying logs for the rest of his years, without a break, but I think it seems as if he is soon going to force a change in this apparent life of misery.
Both Ariel and Caliban have similarities, but different consequences that divide them apart. I can only wonder how all of this will turn out in the coming acts of The Tempest.
*************************************************
Graphic Organiser:
Intro:
Two characters, similarities and differences
1st Body:
SD: Sycorax's wrath on Ariel
CM's: Locked her in a "cloven pine" for not performing evil deeds
SD: Prosperos kindness
CM's: Prospero's unkindness
2nd Body:
SD: Caliban's life is more unfortunate
CM's: born from Sycorax, but was own king
SD: Prospero and Miranda made him merely a slave
CM's: sentanced to carry logs, but it seems is fighting back
Conclusion:
different consequences drive Ariel and Caliban apart
1st Body Paragraph
In the beginning of “The Tempest” Ariel’s confinement and servitude was pretty apparent. Arial is a shy and timid character who hasn’t quite found her place. One thing that confines Ariel is the ability to have magic. While magic may be a cool thing, it can come with a price. Ariel learned that if you act in the wrong way, the mean and nasty Sycorax will come after you. While ending up being in the possession of Sycorax, Ariel learned some lessons. Ariel learned that you will be limited to “space” in a tree as your living quarters and it won’t be fun. You also will be transferred to an “oak” if you don’t obey the rules and commands. While Ariel completed all of her tasks, she didn’t do it gracefully. Ariel was too apprehensive to complete some of the tough jobs that were given to her which is why she ended up living the way she did. Although luckily for Ariel, that experience ended up with the mean guy dead and the world felt like it was her oyster.
Olivia's Essay
Olivia Denison
Mr. Salsich
English 9
1 February 2009
Confinement and Servitude:
Similarities and Differences in Ariel’s and Caliban’s Situation
When you have wanted something so badly, or miss something you once have had, it can be difficult vocalize it, especially when there was something that you were afraid of standing in your way. Ariel and Caliban, from Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”, both confronted this problem. Ariel’s dilemma was slightly easier than Caliban’s, because she was not ordered around doing Prospero’s dirty work. Caliban was a slave. Being ordered around, and being told what to do, he could not control his situation. (Sentence opener, participle phrase) Caliban had a glorious life before Prospero came to the island and wrested it away; whereas Ariel was given some control over her life, resulting in a slightly better life than Caliban’s.
Ariel’s position was gradually elevated from a powerless prisoner to a subordinate protégé of Prospero. When Ariel was with Sycorax, she could not obey “her earthy and abhorr’d commands.” Sycorax had “immitigable rage” that she confined Ariel in a pine tree for twelve years. When Sycorax died and Prospero arrived, he heard Ariel screaming to come out of the tree, so he freed her of her confinement. From that point on Ariel was thankful that Prospero freed her from the tree and obeyed him. Although he used her for her powers, Prospero was a great deal better to her than Sycorax ever was, treating her with respect. (Sentence closer, participle phrase) After she created the storm to strand the sailors, she wanted a break, because she “told [Prospero] no lies, made [him] no mistakings, served without or grudge or grumblings”, but Prospero replied if she complained anymore, he would put her in an oak tree. Ariel did not want to end up in a tree again, especially an oak tree since they were even stronger and harder to get out of. Ariel had more say and was not confined by Prospero; however, if she followed his orders, maybe she would have even more say. She also understood that Prospero would not make her do horrible things like Sycorax, which she was thankful for. Ariel was happier than before, but still would want to be completely free from anyone’s rule.
The relationship between Prospero and his slave, Caliban, disintegrated until Caliban became completely subservient and powerless. Although a native to the island, Caliban was a very ugly, freckly and deformed creature, who was generally disliked by most who knew him. Prospero always referred to Caliban as a “slave” or a “tortoise” who was “got by the devil himself”. Furthermore, the power of Prospero’s curses always outmatched Caliban’s curses. However, none of these reasons for the poor relationship between Caliban and Prospero compared to Prospero’s outrage over Caliban’s attempted rape of his daughter, Miranda. Of course, Prospero brought this up and Caliban retorted with, “O ho O ho! Would’t had been done! Thou didst prevent me; I had peopled else this isle with Calibans.” Before all this happened, Prospero and he once lived in peace. Caliban showed Prospero the island and its resources and Prospero taught him his language. However, that was all destroyed in the end. Caliban was banished to the forest, far away from Prospero and his daughter, and Caliban was only summoned when Prospero wanted to make fun of him or had a dirty deed for him. Caliban conceded to the higher power even though he was a native, because he realized that he could never match a mighty man like Prospero.
Ariel and Caliban were both confined, because they were fearful of what Prospero would do if they did not obey him. They both longed for a better life, not to be threatened and ordered around, but they had no choice. Caliban, a completely powerless slave wanted to return to the freedom that he once enjoyed before Prospero came to his island. Ariel on the other hand, was somewhat satisfied with the life that Prospero had granted her, but like Caliban, longed for freedom and self-determination.
Intro:
Want something bad, miss something you once had, hard to vocalize when you are afraid, A and C both have problems A’s problem is better C used to have a glorious life before Prospero
1st Paragraph:
TS: In the beginning Ariel had no say in her life and was with told what to do
SD: Sycorax could not obey (use quote)
CM: Sycorax puts her in a tree
CM: Sycorax dies Prospero comes
SD: Prospero takes Ariel in
CM: uses her for her powers but better than Sycorax
CM: wants a break after creates the storm
SD: follows orders less confined but still is
CM: doesn’t want to end up in another tree
CM: know he would do terrible things
CS: Ariel is happier but still could be happier
2nd paragraph:
TS: Caliban Prospero’s slave, native
SD: curses against each other
CM: ugly deformed creature nobody likes
CM: tried t rape Miranda
SD: retorts at the subject
CM: once lived in peace
CM: lives in forest away from everything
CS: can’t fight Prospero
Con:
Both confined because afraid, would like a better life, C wants old life back, A wants the life she has but with more freedom
Self-assessment
The writing issues I am continuing to work on are punctuation and smoothness. I think with better punctuation skills my writing will become smother, so it’s kind of two in one.
I think I did a good job with blending my quotes into the sentences. It has always been a problem for me, because I usually use a quote as a sentence or the use of the quote isn’t right.
I don’t think I explained the similarities and differences of Ariel and Caliban very well. I feel as though I just explained what happened to them rather than comparing.
Grade: 85
Mr. Salsich
English 9
1 February 2009
Confinement and Servitude:
Similarities and Differences in Ariel’s and Caliban’s Situation
When you have wanted something so badly, or miss something you once have had, it can be difficult vocalize it, especially when there was something that you were afraid of standing in your way. Ariel and Caliban, from Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”, both confronted this problem. Ariel’s dilemma was slightly easier than Caliban’s, because she was not ordered around doing Prospero’s dirty work. Caliban was a slave. Being ordered around, and being told what to do, he could not control his situation. (Sentence opener, participle phrase) Caliban had a glorious life before Prospero came to the island and wrested it away; whereas Ariel was given some control over her life, resulting in a slightly better life than Caliban’s.
Ariel’s position was gradually elevated from a powerless prisoner to a subordinate protégé of Prospero. When Ariel was with Sycorax, she could not obey “her earthy and abhorr’d commands.” Sycorax had “immitigable rage” that she confined Ariel in a pine tree for twelve years. When Sycorax died and Prospero arrived, he heard Ariel screaming to come out of the tree, so he freed her of her confinement. From that point on Ariel was thankful that Prospero freed her from the tree and obeyed him. Although he used her for her powers, Prospero was a great deal better to her than Sycorax ever was, treating her with respect. (Sentence closer, participle phrase) After she created the storm to strand the sailors, she wanted a break, because she “told [Prospero] no lies, made [him] no mistakings, served without or grudge or grumblings”, but Prospero replied if she complained anymore, he would put her in an oak tree. Ariel did not want to end up in a tree again, especially an oak tree since they were even stronger and harder to get out of. Ariel had more say and was not confined by Prospero; however, if she followed his orders, maybe she would have even more say. She also understood that Prospero would not make her do horrible things like Sycorax, which she was thankful for. Ariel was happier than before, but still would want to be completely free from anyone’s rule.
The relationship between Prospero and his slave, Caliban, disintegrated until Caliban became completely subservient and powerless. Although a native to the island, Caliban was a very ugly, freckly and deformed creature, who was generally disliked by most who knew him. Prospero always referred to Caliban as a “slave” or a “tortoise” who was “got by the devil himself”. Furthermore, the power of Prospero’s curses always outmatched Caliban’s curses. However, none of these reasons for the poor relationship between Caliban and Prospero compared to Prospero’s outrage over Caliban’s attempted rape of his daughter, Miranda. Of course, Prospero brought this up and Caliban retorted with, “O ho O ho! Would’t had been done! Thou didst prevent me; I had peopled else this isle with Calibans.” Before all this happened, Prospero and he once lived in peace. Caliban showed Prospero the island and its resources and Prospero taught him his language. However, that was all destroyed in the end. Caliban was banished to the forest, far away from Prospero and his daughter, and Caliban was only summoned when Prospero wanted to make fun of him or had a dirty deed for him. Caliban conceded to the higher power even though he was a native, because he realized that he could never match a mighty man like Prospero.
Ariel and Caliban were both confined, because they were fearful of what Prospero would do if they did not obey him. They both longed for a better life, not to be threatened and ordered around, but they had no choice. Caliban, a completely powerless slave wanted to return to the freedom that he once enjoyed before Prospero came to his island. Ariel on the other hand, was somewhat satisfied with the life that Prospero had granted her, but like Caliban, longed for freedom and self-determination.
Intro:
Want something bad, miss something you once had, hard to vocalize when you are afraid, A and C both have problems A’s problem is better C used to have a glorious life before Prospero
1st Paragraph:
TS: In the beginning Ariel had no say in her life and was with told what to do
SD: Sycorax could not obey (use quote)
CM: Sycorax puts her in a tree
CM: Sycorax dies Prospero comes
SD: Prospero takes Ariel in
CM: uses her for her powers but better than Sycorax
CM: wants a break after creates the storm
SD: follows orders less confined but still is
CM: doesn’t want to end up in another tree
CM: know he would do terrible things
CS: Ariel is happier but still could be happier
2nd paragraph:
TS: Caliban Prospero’s slave, native
SD: curses against each other
CM: ugly deformed creature nobody likes
CM: tried t rape Miranda
SD: retorts at the subject
CM: once lived in peace
CM: lives in forest away from everything
CS: can’t fight Prospero
Con:
Both confined because afraid, would like a better life, C wants old life back, A wants the life she has but with more freedom
Self-assessment
The writing issues I am continuing to work on are punctuation and smoothness. I think with better punctuation skills my writing will become smother, so it’s kind of two in one.
I think I did a good job with blending my quotes into the sentences. It has always been a problem for me, because I usually use a quote as a sentence or the use of the quote isn’t right.
I don’t think I explained the similarities and differences of Ariel and Caliban very well. I feel as though I just explained what happened to them rather than comparing.
Grade: 85
Monday, January 12, 2009
Hannah's Polished Paragraph
Hannah Staley
English 9
Mr. Salsich
12 January 2009
Prospero vs. Antonio
An Eleven Sentence Paragraph on Betrayal and the Use of Literary Elements
TS: In Act I, Scene II, Shakespeare uses hyperbole to emphasize betrayal, which is the main theme of the passage. SD: “Of all the world I loved and to him put/ the manage of my state” is a dramatic overstatement of Prospero’s love of the world and his generosity in handing over his position to his brother. CM: To compare love of the world to his love of his brother is a little exaggerated. CM: This literary element is used again when Prospero overstates how “rapt” Antonio was in working against him. SD: Another literary element that is apparent in this passage is foreshadowing. CM: We are lead to believe that Antonio has died in the shipwreck, but we don’t know that for sure. CM: It could be that Prospero is setting the stage for a battle with Antonio. SD: Prospero’s description of betrayal by Antonio to Miranda is another reason why a fight with Antonio may happen in the future. CM: “The government I cast upon my brother/And to my state grew stranger…Thy false uncle” Prospero’s way of getting Miranda to understand the situation, to hate her uncle, and to make himself look impressive. CM: It could be that Prospero is concerned that his daughter might think he is not as important as Antonio. CS: There are many ways this story could go, but betrayal is definitely part of the picture and Shakespeare has used many literary elements to show it.
English 9
Mr. Salsich
12 January 2009
Prospero vs. Antonio
An Eleven Sentence Paragraph on Betrayal and the Use of Literary Elements
TS: In Act I, Scene II, Shakespeare uses hyperbole to emphasize betrayal, which is the main theme of the passage. SD: “Of all the world I loved and to him put/ the manage of my state” is a dramatic overstatement of Prospero’s love of the world and his generosity in handing over his position to his brother. CM: To compare love of the world to his love of his brother is a little exaggerated. CM: This literary element is used again when Prospero overstates how “rapt” Antonio was in working against him. SD: Another literary element that is apparent in this passage is foreshadowing. CM: We are lead to believe that Antonio has died in the shipwreck, but we don’t know that for sure. CM: It could be that Prospero is setting the stage for a battle with Antonio. SD: Prospero’s description of betrayal by Antonio to Miranda is another reason why a fight with Antonio may happen in the future. CM: “The government I cast upon my brother/And to my state grew stranger…Thy false uncle” Prospero’s way of getting Miranda to understand the situation, to hate her uncle, and to make himself look impressive. CM: It could be that Prospero is concerned that his daughter might think he is not as important as Antonio. CS: There are many ways this story could go, but betrayal is definitely part of the picture and Shakespeare has used many literary elements to show it.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Olivia's Essay
Olivia Denison
Mr. Salsich
English 9
12 January 2009
Revenge:
An Analysis of a Theme in “The Tempest” and Shakespeare’s Use of
Literary Terms
TS In Act 2, Scene 1 on page ten of The Tempest, Shakespeare’s theme is revenge. SD Miranda is confused about why her father, Prospero, created a storm and sunk a ship; she is distressed hearing the people scream as it goes down into the waves. CM Prospero enlightens her of their past and how they became stranded on an island. CM He tells of how he was, “Reputed in dignity, and for the liberal arts without a parallel; those being all my study, the government cast upon my brother”. SD When he was duke of Milan, he only read books about geography and the arts; he did not pay attention to what his brother was plotting. CM At one point, Prospero loved his brother. However, he soon discovered that his brother could “be so perfidious”. CM One day, his brother usurped his position of Duke of Milan and “Transported and rapt in secret studies” Prospero and his daughter out to sea in a small dilapidated boat. SD Ironically, Antonio and The King of Naples once sent Prospero out on a boat. Now Antonio and The King of Naples are on a ship and Prospero is controlling the storm that strands them on the island with him. CM Also, tempest itself is a symbol. CM The tempest refers to the army that expelled Prospero and his daughter much like the storm that has stranded Antonio and the King of Naples on the island. CS Who knew one’s brother could be so deceiving?
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