Kitchenette Building

"Kitchenette Building," by Gwendolyn Brooks, is a poem describing what it was like to live in a community house for African Americans. She describes the scene with such strong detail and imagery, it makes the reader feel an intense sense of sympathy for the poet. She portrays the people in the home as "grayed in, and gray," which makes everything seem boring and the same. She goes onto say that although dreams seem nice and joyful or "giddy," words like "rent,” “feeding a wife,” and “satisfying a man," were all much more practical at the time. 

Next, she describes smells and foods in the building, "onion fumes," fried potatoes," and "garbage ripening." These nasty descriptions are beautiful examples of imagery as they truly touch the reader's senses. One could almost smell those onions, and what the potatoes would've tasted like. And most definitely, one can smell what the garbage must've smelled like! Imagery creates visions inside of one's head to experience the described scene in a more meaningful way. Imagery  is very beneficial in telling the story of the, "Kitchenette Building."

What is Poetry?

I find it hard to define poetry into one simple meaning because poetry itself has endless meanings to it. Poetry comes with a different definition for everyone because poetry is supposed to make every individual person feel something different. So I can tell you all the things poetry is to me, but I cannot put it into one definition.

To me, poetry is beautiful, no matter what. Whether poetry makes me cry, whether it makes me laugh, whether it makes me smile, or whether it makes me angry, its beauty comes from the feelings and emotions it gives to the reader. That's why people fall in love, get their heart broken, become depressed, or happy again. It's not because of the way anything looks or seems, it's the feelings that come with it all. Poetry is beautiful because it makes people feel something that ordinarily would be hard to get in touch with.

Additionally, poetry is universal. It can be found anywhere, and through anyone. Some poems may have more depth to them than others, but a poem is a poem. Anywhere, and everywhere you go, you can find a poem. Poems can be pulled out of nature, out of cities or literally out of the blue. You can find poems in other people, places, anywhere you can imagine. That's what makes poetry such a cool concept.

One of the best things about poems is that poems are for the weak, and for the brave. People who are weak, or seem to have no courage at all, find their voices in a poem. Poems speak the words that people are often times too scared to say out loud. The perfect poems can say more than you could ever speak and do a better job of it than you could. But poems are also for brave people, because putting your feelings down on paper is harder than it seems. Letting your thoughts spill out onto a page can be very difficult. Poetry is for everyone- no matter who you are.

Act 3 Scene 1: Macbeth

     In this scene, Banquo stands on stage alone. He speaks to the audience, as if they were Macbeth. He says, "Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, as the Wëird Women promised, and I fear thou played 'st most foully for 't." By this, Banquo means to say that Macbeth is now getting all that the witches promised him, and he suspects that Macbeth had something to do with the killing of the king to get what he wanted, or what the witches told him would happen. Next, Banquo says, "Yet it was said, it should not stand in thy posterity, but that myself should be the root and father of many kings. If there come truth from them- As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine- Why, by the verities on thee made good, May they not be my oracles as well, and set me up in hope? But hush, no more." Here, Banquo is saying that the witches had also said that Banquo's sons would be kings and if the prophecy came true for Macbeth, it should come true for Banquo too.

Just before Macbeth walks in, Banquo says, "But hush, no more." It was decided earlier on by Macbeth, around line 37 in Act 2, Scene 1, that Macbeth would have to kill Banquo. Banquo reaffirms his loyalty to the king by saying, " In seeking to augment it, but still keep my bosom franchised and allegiance clear. I shall be counseled." Because Banquo said that he would be loyal to King Duncan, and because he was with Macbeth when the witches told Macbeth that he would become king, Banquo couldn't be around to find out the truth about the murder of King Duncan. Here, in Banquo's speech, Macbeth's prediction about Banquo discovering it was him who killed the king, came true (even though Macbeth doesn't know that Banquo knows about the killing.) This foreshadows that Macbeth must kill Banquo.

Good work, good effort, creative thoughts!
Mr. Murphy

Act 1: Scene 5 Macbeth

                   In this passage from Macbeth (lines 45-60), Lady Macbeth has just read Macbeth's letter about the Weïrd Sisters' predictions for Macbeth about being Thane of Glamis & Cawdor AND King. Since Macbeth tells her that one of their predictions has already come true, Lady Macbeth is ecstatic. She wants Macbeth to be king more than anything at this point, which would allow her to become queen. However, she doesn't believe that Macbeth has the heart to go through with the plan that would have to take place in order for him to become king, which is to kill King Duncan. So, Lady Macbeth calls out to the evil spirits, asking them to turn her into a man so that she can be in charge and kill the king herself. "...unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood." (Line 48) She wants to break the natural order, a theme in the play, and take control (which is not what a woman should be doing.)
                         This part of scene 5 demonstrates in what way the play is a Greek tragedy. A Greek tragedy contains a Greek hero, who in this case would be Macbeth, who has everything he wants at the beginning of the story. At this point in time, Macbeth has saved his country and is crowned Thane of Cawdor. His ranking is going up, and up until he becomes a king. However, in all Greek tragedies, the hero always goes through a tragic period of time where all of his/her power is taken from him/her. Macbeth will experience this as well. Additionally, this part is an example of a Greek tragedy because every hero has a tragic flaw. Lady Macbeth tells the audience that Macbeth's tragic flaw is his mortal side taking over his hero side and that he is too kind-hearted to go through with their evil plot. Although he is hungry for power, like all Greek heroes, his mortal side tends to overpower his desire to kill the king to get his wish.

Macbeth: Act 1 Scene 3

In Act 1, Scene 3 of Macbeth, the witches gather once again to talk about their plot to mess with Macbeth. The three witches are discussing how their day went when suddenly one of the witches announces that Macbeth is coming. This is the first point in time that Macbeth actually meets the witches, and he cannot decide if they're mortal or not, for they don't appear to be, and because they have beards like men. This meeting is a form of the theme,"false appearance." This is because the witches' true identity is not revealed when Macbeth & the witches first meet.
       Additionally, the witches rant on "hailing" Macbeth and praising him for being the Thane of Glamis, Cawdor and the king. Macbeth, although confused, reads this as his prophecy. What the witches have done now contributes to the theme of fate vs. free will, where Macbeth's future is now being told to him by these three witches. However, the witches don't give Macbeth any more additional information, despite his asking for it.

Macbeth: Act 1, Scene 1

1st Version: TV
I thought this version of the first act of Macbeth was interesting. I liked that there were two things happening at once that both seemed to cross paths with the other. Between the king praying and the three witches, there was a connection. This was an interesting way for the director to view how the beginning should go. This director seems to like the style of things connecting, which is a fascinating way to think about Shakespeare plays because everything in Shakespeare does connect in a way, whether that be between two different Shakespeare plays, or symbols within one play itself. Also, I think that the way that this scene was portrayed had a lot to do with the theme of fate vs. free will and that these witches and the praying king must have something to do with Macbeth's fate.

2nd Version: Palansky
This version of the first act of Macbeth involved a lot more of symbolism than the first. The witches on the beach were casting a spell involving a hand, a rope and a dagger. Personally, I'm a fan of the use of symbolism because I think it makes a plot line a lot more fun to put together. I liked that this version gave a sense of traditional witch craft over the others. By casting spells, this version touched more on the theme of breaking the natural order than the others as well. I liked this version, but it wasn't exactly my favorite.

3rd Version: Freaky
This version was especially intriguing because it was so much different than the previous two performances. First of all, it was completely backwards. Instead of starting with the witches and then moving on to the line about the bloody man, it ended with the witches. Also, it took place during a war which was quite different. The witches didn't appear to be witches at all, but nurses "caring" for wounded soldiers instead. This highlights the theme of false appearances. But I have to say, my favorite part about this version was that the "witches" all say Macbeth's name at the same time. For some reason, that's how I think it should be done in my head, so hearing/seeing them all say his name like it's of high importance to their plan, is crucial in getting the point across that Macbeth is going to get into some trouble later on.

Oedipus the King 7

         In today's class we read the final section of Oedipus The King. This part of the story is the resolution the climax, or when Oedipus realizes that he fulfilled his prophecy by murdering King Lauis and by marrying Jocasta, his mother. Before he knew that HE was the one who killed his father, he cursed the man who had committed the murder. In doing so, he cursed himself. Thus, as he learns the truth behind everything, he must welcome his new fate and become a blind beggar for the rest of his life. The most shocking part of the ending was when Jocasta hangs herself and Oedipus gorges out his eyes because of this. He never wants to look his family members in the eye again because of the shame he feels, or so he says on line 1500. "I, with my eyes, how could I look my father in the eyes when I go down to death? Or mother, so abused... I have done such things to the two of them, crimes too huge for hanging. Worse yet, the sight of my children, born as they were, how could I long to look into their eyes? Not with these eyes of mine, never." Oedipus is so hurt by everything that has happened and now he must live a life of pain and suffering as he leaves Thebes and never talks to anyone again. He cannot kill himself as well because his job as a Greek hero is to prove to all that the Greek will survive and prosper through their most tragic times.

       Although Oedipus did commit some horrible crimes, I cannot help but feel truly sorry for him. He wishes that the man who spared his life instead of killing him as a baby, would have left him to die. "Die, die- whoever he was that day in the wilds who cut my ankles free of ruthless pins, he pulled me clear of death, he saved my life for this, this kindness- Curse him, kill him! If I'd died then, I'd never have dragged myself, my loved ones through such hell." He wishes that he had died when Jocasta and Lauis gave him up the first time, years ago, so that he could have avoided his fate that he is coming to now. Poor Oedipus had no idea that he had, in fact, killed his father. He did not know that the man he murdered, was King Lauis, or was his very own dad. And with this, how could Oedipus have known that he had ended up marrying his mother and having children with her? There was no way for him to have known that! But as fate should have it, he ended up fulfilling his prophecy and now must continue to live his life in pain.

Lexi: nice work on the blog. In the future, spend less time on re-telling the story and more time on your interpretive thoughts -- which are pretty good, by the way!
Mr. Murphy

Oedipus the King 6

       In the reading from today's class, Oedipus finally realizes that his prophecy came true and that he did end up killing his father and marrying his mother. It took Oedipus a long time to come to this realization but after calling in the old shepherd who was said to remember Lauis' death, Oedipus found out that Jocasta and Lauis gave up their baby boy once Tiersias told them that their prophecy was that their son would grow up to murder Lauis and marry Jocasta. Oedipus' parents gave him to the messenger to leave to die but he didn't have the heart to do it. Instead, he gave Oedipus to another shepherd to kill but he couldn't do it either. Instead, Oedipus was adopted and as fate took its place, he ended up fulfilling his prophecy in the end.

       Now, Oedipus' only option is to leave Thebes and never speak to anyone again. He cursed himself and cannot commit suicide because he is a Greek hero, after all. On line 1306, Oedipus says, "O god- all come true, all burst to light! O light- now let me look my last on you! I stand revealed at last- cursed in my birth, cursed in my marriage, cursed in the lives I cut down with these hands!" Oedipus knows what lies ahead of him. He knows that he will become a blind beggar and now he has to accept his own fate.

Oedipus the King 5

Today's

Oedipus the King 4

          From lines 950 to 1145, there were some very key, important points regarding dramatic irony and Oedipus' fate and identity. On line 1036, Jocasta says, "Your prophecies of the gods, where are you now? This it the man that Oedipus feared for years, he fled him, not to kill him- and now he's dead, quite by chance, a normal, natural death, not murdered by his son." This is a great example of dramatic irony, because Polybus', Oedipus' adopted father's, death has nothing to do with the prophecy. Oedipus' prophecy was that he would kill his birth father, Lauis, which he did, but has not yet realized that he killed his own father. Jocasta and Oedipus have not pieced it together that they both were given the same prophecy when Oedipus was born because they are related (mother/son). Because they have not yet realized this, Jocasta basically thinks she is proving Tiresias and the gods wrong, and that their prophecy didn't come true. Little does she know, they actually were correct.
         Also, Oedipus' identity is brought up once again on line 1002. "Oedipus is beside himself. Racked with anguish, no longer a man of sense," (Jocasta) Oedipus' Greek hero side takes over when it comes to discussing his prophecy and his murder of Lauis. His arrogance clearly overpowers his mortality when he has to deal with difficult situations. Because of this, his fate does not look very pretty. On line 971, the chorus says, "but if any man comes striding, high and mighty in all he says and does, no fear of justice, no reverence for the temples of the gods- let a rough doom tear him down, repay his pride, breakneck, ruinous pride!" The chorus is talking about what should happen to Lauis' murderer, or evidently, what will happen to Oedipus in the not-so-distant future.

Oedipus The King 3

            The section we read today in class mainly focused on Oedipus' identity. We learn more about Oedipus' tragic flaw and how he is arrogant, ignorant and very stubborn. He refuses to believe Tiresias' and Creon's argument that Oedipus killed Lauis, who happened to be his own father, and married his own mother. He isn't patient enough to really evaluate the situation and think about the possibilities. Instead, he continues to be arrogant and attacks Creon and Tiresias' claims against him. Additionally, we learn that Oedipus was adopted. On line 496, Tiresias says, "Absurd, am I! To you, not to your parents: the ones who bore you found me sane enough." To which Oedipus replies, "Parents-who? Wait... who is my father?" This hints at the fact that Oedipus was not only adopted, but he was unaware that he has two sets of parents. He remains oblivious to the fact that perhaps his birth parents don't recognize him (or, how he ended up marrying his mother.) I predict that Tiresias gave Oedipus' parents a prophecy telling them what would happen to the future, or their son marrying his mother and killing his father, making Oedipus' birth parents give him up for adoption.
          Also, at the end of today's reading, Creon, Oedipus' uncle/brother-in-law, turns out to be a foil for Oedipus. Both Creon and Oedipus have royal duties to fulfill. However, they handle their jobs very differently. Oedipus is extremely irrational, while Creon is more understanding and reasonable. The two of these characters have similar background, with very different outcomes.

Oedipus The King 2

                    Based upon what my group mates and I discussed in class today, I have found the following examples of dramatic irony, fate and identity in the story of Oedipus. The first example, line 469, was when Tiresias says to Oedipus, "So, you mock my blindness? Let me tell you this. You with your precious eyes, you're blind to the corruption of your life." This quote is dramatically ironic because in the end of the story, Oedipus physically becomes blind, as he is getting scolded for being figuratively blind to the truth now by Tiresias. Following this line, Tiresias also says, "...darkness shrouding your eyes that now can see the light." With the same analyzation, we know that Oedipus is going to end up blind, even though he can see now because he is still blind to the truth. On line 451, Oedipus says one simple line that is very significant to both his identity and is another example dramatic irony. He gives himself the title, "Oedipus the ignorant," and although he uses it in a way of mocking Tiresias' claims against him, Oedipus' tragic flaw is his arrogance and his ignorance. He doesn't understand a lot of what has happened to him, and rightfully so for he does not know that he is the one who killed Lauis, his father, and married his own mother.
                    Additionally, Oedipus' fate is discussed once again on line 482, when Tiresias continues to retorts Oedipus' argument. He says, "That day you learn the truth about your marriage... and a load of other horrors you'd never dream will level you with yourself and all your children." This quote talks about what will happen to Oedipus in the future, therefore determining his fate. To add to this, on line 488, Tiresias says to Oedipus, "No amn will ever be rooted from the earth as brutally as you." This is yet another example of Oedipus' fate, which at this point can definitely be determined that it will NOT be pleasant.
                   

Oedipus The King

              Beginning with line 295 of Oedipus The King, I found many examples of dramatic irony, identity and fate. The first example, from line 295, is, "Why, our seed might be the same." This quote, said by Oedipus, is an example of dramatic irony because Oedipus really IS related to Lauis. Oedipus is the Lauis' son. Additionally, on line 300, Oedipus says, "So I will fight for him as if he were my father." This is another example of dramatic irony because, once again, Lauis truly is Oedipus' father, even though Oedipus doesn't know that. However, on line 401, Tiresias reveals to Oedipus that he is the one who murdered Lauis after all. "You are the curse, the corruption of the land!" Tiresias tells Oedipus. This is an example of identity because it shapes who Oedipus is as a Greek hero.
             There are also many examples of fate in the text. On line 270, Oedipus says, Banish this man -whoever he may be- never shelter him, never speak a word to hi, never make him partner to your prayers, your victims burned to the gods. Never let the holy water touch his hands. Drive him out, each of you, from every home."This is an example of fate because Oedipus is talking about what should happen to the man who is responsible for Lauis' death. At this time, Oedipus doesn't know that he is really talking about what should happen to himself, as he gives instructions to the Leader about what to do to the killer. On line 283, Oedipus says, "Let that man drag out his life in agony, step by painful step," and on line 350, he says, "Uncover the murderers of Lauis, put them to death or drive them into exile." Both of these quotes also talk about what Oedipus thinks fate should hold for Lauis' killer, without knowing that it is in fact, Oedipus' own fate that he is discussing. (Making it an example of dramatic irony as well.) And finally, on line 388, Tiresias says, "What will come, will come." The old man tells this to Oedipus who demands to know who the murder of Lauis is. This quote hints at what Oedipus' fate will be in the end.