Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
About Me
- Dawn Sparks
- I am currently an adjunct professor at three different colleges: Northwest Shoals Community College, Columbia State Community College, and Itawamba Community College. This means my life consists of all things English related 24 hours a day.
Subscribe To
Posts
Comments
I'm sorry I could not focus on the essays long enough to take in anything. It is pointless to try to write anything about either one of them.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare-
ReplyDeleteThe basic issue in this essay is finding drugs in a pipe where Shakespeare used to live. The author is trying to convince us that Shakespeare shouldn't be shunned for using drugs when they made his work the way it was. The author states that it wasn't that big of a deal especially considering drugs weren't even illegal back then. Then she goes on to explain how artists today who use drugs don't even use as much as Shakespeare did.
A Nation-
The issue in this essay revolves around whether or not history occurred because of some old letters and books and such. I'm not exactly sure what side the author was on. The author goes on to list several different book and letters that supposedly cause important events in history to happen. Personally, I didn't get this article at all.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe basic principle, issue, and value of both arguements is that they focus on problems after the works were published, and after the deaths of the authors. The main claim is that no matter if the authors used narcotics or not, they were still considered genius. The authors argue that Shakespeare was not the only author that made it seem like the characters were using narcotics. There were many other great writers that used characters that hillucinated. The authors use other writer's stories as examples to prove this.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn the Shakespear essay, the argument was on whether he used drugs or not. In his house there was pipes found. Test were run and traces of cocaine were found on them. This is being brought up after Shakespear's death. The argument is based on what is being found after everything. Even if he did use drugs, i honestly do not think it would matter now.
ReplyDeleteIn the second essay, it is also talking about past writings, but this time on how they have influneced movements in America. They used Uncle Tom's Cabin as an example of inluencing the abolshment of slavery. They were alos other writing that influneced a lot that what has happened in America.
Both the essays were very similuar in how it brought up past writings and how they were influenced and what they influenced.
from the essay on Shakesphere i lerned some new things i didnt know before i read it. But if you was to ask me how i felt about people trying to put him down for useing drugs I say let it be. even if he used drugs it should be ok becuse when he lived all that stuff was just a part of everyday life and it was legal. People need to relize that all that is in the past and that all great writers have to get inspirtion somewhere maybe that was his way to find what he wrote about. i mean come on who eles do you know could speak in way he spoke.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare and Narcotics by David Pinching
ReplyDeleteThe claim of this argument is that shakespeare using narcotics should have no effect on how he is viewed. The reasons for this are as follows. Firstly, in shakespeare's time narcotics where not illegal nor seen as bad/harmful. Secondly, Even if he did use narcotics, it should not effect how we view his works.
A Nation Made of Poetry by Joannie Fischer
The main claim is that unofficial documents, such as books or pamphlets, formed our nation just as much as official documents. Fischer claims that the book Uncle Tom's Cabin made people start thinking about the wrongs of slavery. The authors is basically saying that any one can effect the out come of our country by writing or saying something that makes people think deeply.
In Shakespeare and Narcotics, they claim that their were pipes in Shakespeares home that had traces of cocaine and hallucinogenic drugs. In this article, the publisher argues that people have a problem accepting that Shakespeare wrote so much and such good plays.It is easier for people to downgrade him then understand Shakespeare because he did so well in writing and in society and is known as an establishment figure.
ReplyDeleteIn the article,A Nation Made of Poetry, talks about how much of an impact unofficial and official documents had on the U.S. and the nation. Such as, Einstein signing a letter to the president to start the Manhattan Project, and that turned into the creation of the atomic bomb. The value the author presents at the end of the article actually got me thinking. "Freedom: the term Americans say best defines our nation".
The essay titled “Shakespeare and Narcotics” was about American’s response to the drugs found on the end of pipes in Shakespeare’s home. The author claims that we want to believe that Shakespeare took drugs because that would make him more sensual and prove he was not a genius. The author argues that drugs were not illegal in Shakespeare’s time, and his consumption of drugs does not make him less of an amazing writer. Proving a man was not a genius who has been praised as one of the greatest writers of all time would be an amazing feat and discovery.
ReplyDeleteThe second essay, “A Nation Made of Poetry,” took on a more celebratory tone about the works done by famous writers of the past. The essay was about the value of the writings not classified as official documents, such as books and letters. The essay claims that these “unofficial” writings are what really built our country. The author argues for this by presenting a number of works that have made a long lasting impression on our country, such as Uncle Tom’s Cabin and The Jungle.
The essays were very different, but both of them dealt with the same underlying issue. This issue was the value of famous historical writings. In the first essay, the author presented the value of Shakespeare’s work although he may have taken drugs, and that the drugs he took should be of no value to the way we view him. The second essay places a value on the many historical writings that have failed to be recognized as key components of our history at certain times. We should value the freedom authors have had over the ages to write.
In the Shakespeare essay the basic issue was whether or not the drugs found in a pipe were used by Shakespeare himself and the media/tabloids attempts to say whether or not it was the cause of his genius writings. The claim was that even if the pipe and drugs belonged to Shakespeare and he took part in it, in his day the drugs were neither illegal or considered dangerous. The author presents the argument that in today's time it is easier for us to say one of a couple things: that he was not a genius and his writings were merely the delusions he had while on the drugs therefor degrading his work, or that he should be looked up to because of his drug use in the United States as are some of our celebrities. They argue that it is not the use of drugs that made Shakespeare famous but his writing. The author places the values on how the United States would want to view and explain the greatness in Shakespeare's writing.
ReplyDeleteThe basic principle in the second essay is how does the written word affect the way things happen in the world. How can they effect certain events. The author argues that point exactly. That without certain articles published in papers or letters written events may not have happened or gone a different way.The author argues the value of words and the they can be deadly, encouraging, enraging or inspiring. Though I am not sure which way the argument held I believe it was very informing.
In Shakespeare and Narcotics the issue was that someone found drugs where Shakespeare lived and thought that is how he wrote everything that he did. The main claim is ‘In early March of this year, some South American researchers explained that their chemical analysis of seventeenth-century pipes had revealed traces of cocaine, compounds created by the burning of cannabis, and hallucinogenic substances.’ The authors point is that people want to believe that someone that great and made that much history had to have some kind of help and he was not just able to do that alone.
ReplyDeleteIn A Nation Made of Poetry the main claim is that unofficial documents pamphlets or books helped formed our nation just like the official documents. The author is saying that what someone writes has a major impact on the way people think and the way people precieve things.
The first essay talks about the possibility of whether Shakespeare took drugs or not. It does not matter whether or not he took drugs he was still a great poetic author.]
ReplyDeleteThe second essay talks about unoffficial writings in U.S. history from "Uncle Tom's Cabin" to "Common Sense".
The Shakespeare and Narcotics essay is presenting arguments for the theory that Shakespeare was consuming drugs at the point in time he was writing his literature. The essay claims that although investigation and research shows evidence of drugs in Shakespeare’s home, that he was not necessarily on drugs, but was just a gifted writer. The essay shows both sides of this argument. The argument for Shakespeare being on drugs, and the argument that he was just a talented and proficient writer that many people are critical about and do not want to read.
ReplyDeleteA Nation Made of Poetry addresses the idea of the United States consisting as much of decrees as the informal writings that resonate like poetry. Fischer states “Sometimes the words in these unofficial manifestos are so powerful that they still echo through time…” meaning that these documents could be more effective and
easily remembered than former decrees. Sometimes when rules and laws were made in
history, “unofficial” writing would arise that would make the people reconsider their previous thoughts.
The values of both essays are different, but possibly address a similar issue. The Shakespeare and Narcotics essay addresses the different views people have on Shakespeare, but the value could be that Shakespeare was not judged based on what he could have done, but what he did accomplish. A Nation Made of Poetry shows that although the informal writing might not look to be as “important”, they still have a major influence on how people think. The value could be that these writings should not be judged on whether they are official or not, but rather if they have a greater influence.
The main issue with both essays is that they both attack problems from the past.
ReplyDeleteThe Shakespeare essay makes attacks that say they found narcotics and hallucinogens in old pipes in his home. Apparently, it is assumed that Shakespeare was on these drugs when he was writing his works. And the researches thought they found evidence in his works that would prove them correct, but what these people don't realize is that it was perfectly legal and appropriate at the time! It is also stated in the same essay that Queen Victoria used cannabis to relieve period pains. Why bring up something that has nothing to do with now??
The Poetry essay states that the United States has many articles that are informal like poetry and "that they still echo through time..." And this means they can possibly be remembered more easily now than in the past because they are more relevant to now and how the people of now think.
In the first essay, the main issue is pointing out that some circumstantial evidence arose that Shakespeare and others from his time period used drugs. They claim that the use of these drugs allowed him to write so much great, deep, intriguing literature, and if we were given the task, we would be unable to produce writings the way he did without using these drugs. The author goes on to say that all sorts of people from his time were drug users, Queen Victoria herself included. In this time, this type of drug use was not frowned upon and these people would not have understood why we see shame in some types of drug use and not others.
ReplyDeleteIn the second essay, the issue that the author presents is the emphasis placed on the official documents that helped form America, with all the values and beliefs and patriotism that helped make it what it is today, overshadows the writings of great American citizens, and how the nation and the world may be different, had they never been written. The argument is made that these writings, from Common Sense, that helped make The Declaration and The Revolution possible, to the book that highlighted the horrors of slavery, sparking the civil war, to the letter written that began the Manhattan Project, to the words of Martin Luther King, whom without we may still be segregated today, all shaped the nation into the America we all know.
The highlighted values in both essays, I think, are the fact that a certain thing is highlighted and emphasized too much in modern day writings and teachings, likely because it will garner the most attention. We need to recognize things for what they are and see how everything is created and changed. The fact that Shakespeare created all the works that he did, whether under an influence or not, is an astounding feat that is unlikely to be repeated again; and even though there are many famous legal and official documents that helped form the moral values of this country, there are so many others that go unseen that completely changed the course of America's history, and ultimately, it's future as well.
These two essays were a little difficult for me to grasp. They seem to both point out the poetry through our history and its origins. The first essay deals with shakespeare being accused of using narcotics. David Pinching(author of "Shakespeare and Narcotics") argues that even if he was on drugs people of this time did not know what they were and they definitely didn't have the same mindset as we do now about the anesthetics.
ReplyDeleteThe second segment explains the different poetry that helped shaped our nation today. Such as the quote from Common Sense "these are the times that try mens souls" and also the quote by John Adams "Without the pen of Paine, the sword of Washington would have been wielded in vein."
Even though people want to bash shakespeare with his so called narcotics use. He still came up with incredible works of poetry. under the influence or not he still has a spot in history. also each poetry quote used to help set up our nation either originated with shakespeare or was influenced by him somehow. either way people should just accept the fact that ways of life change though time, and that its not wrong to use someone to influence your own minds way of thinking.
In the shakespeare essay I think the author is mad that people just can't except the fact that shakespeare was great. They always knock shakespeare off his high horse. The people saying all the things about shakespeare are always looking for some reason to put shakespeare down. The people of today like it when bad things about someone surface because it is amusement to them.
ReplyDeleteThe author of this essay is arguing that shakespeare was a great playwright because he just was. When narcotics comes into the picture then all of a sudden thats how he wrote all those plays and maybe he didn't even write them. The author of this essay is not on that bandwagon.
In the Nation essay Joannie Fischer argued that if it were not for documents or sayings then we would probably not be here today. Small words can sometimes make a big difference. She gives examples like in Betty Friedan's book The Feminist Mystique sparked women's rights movements that still exist today. Joannie Fischer said that "whether official documents or unofficial documents they will always intersect."
Shakespeare And Narcotics-
ReplyDeleteThis eassay pointed out that some drug residue was found in some pipes in the home of William Shakespeare.It was suggested in the essay that maybe he was under the influence of such drugs while he was writing. Others have tried to say that some of the phrases Shakespeare used were references to drugs. The author is basicially saying that the drug use was common in those days and credit should not be taken away from susch amazing writings.
A Nation of Poetry-
The main claim in this essay is that some of the most memorible phrases and sayings do not come from declarations but rather from songs and poetry. The author said " Sometimes the words in these unofficial manifestoes are so powerful that they still echo through time..." I think this is a very valid statement when you look at literature lists for classes today.
In Shakespeare and Narcotics, the issue was that they found traces of drugs in his house. The cannot exactly prove that Shakespeare took the drugs nor that his work was effected by the drugs. The value of Shakespeare and his work is that it is amazing and has influenced the world in many ways.The drugs did not have any influence on his work because those kinds of drugs were common and legal back in that time period.
ReplyDeleteIn the nation essay argued the value of woeds, poetry, books,etc. This essay had many examples about how the influence of words can make a difference. Such as, Dr. Marin Luther King, Jr. in the civil rights acts, he was a major component in the civil rights act. He changed many hearts in his speeches. Words have influenced the word, and is worth having values.
In Shakespeare and Narcotics, I believe the author is hammering in that it is so easy for the mediocre to attempt to tear someone of greatness down to their level. Accusations of scandal and unbased ridicule are generally easier to vomit out at someone than acceptance of their accomplishments - especially when it’s such a degree of success that might coerce someone into facing forced-dormant feelings of inadequacy in their life. Haters gonna hate, yo.
ReplyDeleteIn A Nation Made of Poetry, the author is arguing that, as static and upfront as our loving government would like to present our written past to us, the real American story is varied, wildly disjointed in action, but ultimately, thoroughly, rooted to our Nation’s best principle – freedom.
Reading these two essays, relating them to each other, makes me think of the true nature of success and the true nature of freedom in our society. Success, I believe, is living a life according to what you value, diminishing as little of yourself as possible, and maximizing the areas in your life that are driven by love. But, of course, compromise must be made when dealing with other folk attempting to do likewise. This is freedom – living, and letting live. The balance of give and take, of ebb and flow – the balance of mutual respect – must be embraced if we are to truly live free.
The first one about shakespeare using drugs. Just becuase they found traces of drugs does not mean he took him. Meds by in those days was hard core and not made with the things we have. The fact is no one will ever know the truth about it about he is died. I believe people try to find "bad" thing in people lives to make that person look bad. It still does not any good, becuase he is still one of the best writer to this day. If he was on drugs are going to remove one of the greatest writer out of history.
ReplyDeleteIn A Nation Made of Poetry the author made a point that the value of word or book can make a diffences. I believe that is true, because look as the Civil Rights. Dr. King Jr. made ton of speechs in his time. He rallied the poeple together in hard times. His words give the poeple hope and the will to stand up for him selves. That is having values of words.
The principle of David Pinching's argument is that one's lifestyle doesn't always define the person. The main claim is that the discovery of this drug tainted clay pipe has caused a crazy debate. The way drugs are used today as recreation greatly contrasts how the same drugs were used in Shakespeare's day. It shows that some will argue only to make drug usage more appealing or acceptable because of the status of the user.
ReplyDeleteThe basic value at the root of Fischer's arguement is that words and how they are spoken have had such an impact on defining America and its amazing history. The claim is that opinions and voices are the very fabric of what has shaped every signficant moment in U.S history. It seems certain individuals have a gift in speech strong enough to unify and rally people to fight a cause.