Summary of The Renaissance
English Renaissance or new birth was caused by a cultural change a sudden new belief in human potential new attitude known as humanism. Two big ideas during The Renaissance was humanism and Elizabethan court , humanism being the belief that people could accomplish anything; Leonardo Da Vinci was the best know example of a Renaissance man who could do anything and be good at it. Courtly society which Queen Elizabeth was best know example of living in, explained as the wealthy society, displayed as what everyone in society must aspire for. Cultural boldness as well as Elizabethan drama were big parts of the Renaissances. During this era there was great religious change as well as conflict occurring. There was controversy over whether the bible should be translated into ordinary European language. The biggest religious change being the creation of the King James bible, its creation making an extraordinary impact on the English language and literature. |
How Greek and Latin became apart of the English Language
English does not descend from either Latin or Greek. There is no sense in which you can "trace English back to" either Latin or Greek. Nevertheless, a large percentage of modern English vocabulary comes from classical Latin and Greek--which accounts for the common misconception that Latin and Greek are somehow "earlier" versions of English. The basic reason for the many Latin and Greek words in modern English is that in their own time, international languages with a dominant effect on te educational systems and culture of the rest of their world. Just as it's hard to think of a world language today escaping at least some influence from English, so it's hard to think of any western European language that has evaded the influence of Latin and Greek at some time in its past. |
What is a Tragedy?
Tragedy in literature is an event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as a serious accident, or crime. In Shakespeare's plays his tragedies share a number of common things, such as a hero with a flaw that leads to his or her downfall. Examples of tragedies written by Shakespeare that represent tragedy in literature are Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Macbeth. Shakespeare's definition of tragic figures are of noble figures who are better than we are, who suffer a reversal of fortune, and who recognize the consequences of their actions. The common tragic figure faces are uncommon suffering with uncommon dignity. Shakespeare tragedies reflect the theme of life as a pattern controlled by fortune. www.thefreedictionary.com/tragedy |
The Tragic Structure of Macbeth
Here is a diagram on my take on how Shakespeare's Macbeth can be analyzed in terms of Freytag's pyramid with elements of conflict concepts, and themes. Here is my take on how Shakespeare's Macbethcan be analyzed in terms of Freytag's pyramid with elements of conflict, concepts, and theme added. |
My discussion post on a Modern Tragic HERO: Marilyn Monroe |
I see Marilyn Monroe as a tragic hero, she came from humblest of backgrounds to being rumored the president's mistress. But Marilyn, the beautiful and tragic queen of the fifties has a story of an unwanted child who became one of Americas most famous IT girls. As a young child she was declared ward of the state moved to a dozen foster homes where she was abused, her story is one of a damaged child who grows into a beautiful woman, a story tale icon.
Marilyn's tragic flaws may have been her beauty or passion to be a great star. Her tragic fate was that Hollywood would eventually ruin her. Marilyn had big dreams of becoming something great in Hollywood, she worked hard to make her dreams come true. But those same dreams of being Hollywood’s IT girl came with a heavy price. The world loved and Adored her she was what most girl in america at that time wished they looked like, she was a bombshell phenomenon and a sex icon. Hollywood had only fueled her passion and desire to be one of the most famous stars, which eventually lead to her downfall. Marilyn's stardom and sex image threatened and ruined most if not all of her relationships, which led to her drug dependence and overdose. Marilyn is a tragic hero whose drug abuse and hard life as well as her aspiration of becoming one of the most famous stars lead to her own downfall. For as she once said, "Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents of your soul". www.personal.psu.edu/kmm5323/blogs/.../10/another_tragic_hero.htm/name/nm0000054/bio |