Civilized or Savage???

Today's class really had me thinking about the ideals that define civilized and savage. Both have normal connotations, civilized seems to always have a "good" feeling when savage always has a "negative" one.  Those who are civilized are normally at the top of the pyramid while those who are savage are more like animals just surviving.
The actual definition from the Oxford English Dictionary are as follows:

Civilized: At an advanced stage of social and cultural development, usually marked by the existence of organized communities and an adherence to established conventions of behavior; highly developed; refined and sophisticated in manner or taste; educated, cultured.
Savage: That is in a state of nature, wild

Now, in order to get a feel of who is really savage and civilized in Oroonoko it takes a little thought with those definitions. Of course when I thought of savage, I thought of the African people in the story. They seemed like the most wild and lacked the "ideals" of a civilized nation. But then again, I thought of the Indians. Actually they are those most savage only because they are so obvious to the ideals, morals, corruption, and evil that always seems to come with those civilized. The Indians are indeed ones with nature. They don't sell their people for slaves in hope of gaining benefits in the end. The people don't even have a word for a lie. 
As for the Africans, I would then place them to be in second to most savage. Their lifestyle is one that is scary and far from something that would be considered civilized. This leaves the English to be the most civilized. Out of the three, yes, they are most civilized, but I feel some of their actions towards the natives and especially the Africans make them savage bullies. They use their whits and position on the hierarchy to take advantage of all those below them. The Africans only do what they do because they don't know any better nor could they comprehend another lifestyle. The English however do know, yet they still play dirty. On a connotation level, I would put the English and Africans most savage only because the two play so dirty in the slave trade. Even though the natives are so oblivious to outside culture, that lack of knowledge makes them more civilized. 

Things Could Be Worse

Even though Belial is clearly a lazy, but also clever, demon, I actually kind of agree with what he says. On line 109, it says that he is both graceful and humane before his speech. This isn't something I would think of a demon even potentially being called. It then continues to say that afraid and slothful. Throughout his speech, he is referred as slothful multiple times.

He says that the demons of Hell should not siege war on Heaven for multiple reasons: Heaven is way too fortified for even an attempt to infiltrate. Belial knows the power of God and that is should not be tested, especially so quickly after their recent failure. He continues to say "what is the point?". We are in Hell with some potential opportunities, why go risk angering God so that it can all be taken away. His go to phrase would be "things could be worse". The demons could still be chained to the fiery lake with no where to go or nothing to do. Why go out of their way to take over Heaven when they all know that there is no chance of winning. 

Things could be worse

Ultimately, Belial thinks they should stay put. Wait it out. He wants to stay slothful and try to make the best out of the shitty situation that they've all been put in. Even though his words are only wrapped in garments of reason and don't hold any actual meaning, he has a point. If I would be down there with them, his idea would have gotten my vote. I would actually be more comfortable with Belial's and Mammon's ideas combined. The labor/attempt for redemption and keeping to myself sounds like a way better idea than pissing off the most powerful being in the universe. 

Next On Jerry Springer: Do You Have A Duke Ruining Your City With His Self-Glory Plan???

This play is supposed to be a comedy. I was not amused! It had its funny parts but the humor is seriously comparable to Jerry Springer. I mean come on, name one other show that has just as much sex drama. Measure for Measure could seriously have its own episode. They need some professionals after the whole thing was over. 

If you've ever seen Jerry Springer, the Duke would definitely be the guy who comes out last that all the girls or guys try to beat up right when they get on stage. 

Why not Angelo? 

I'm sure he would have gotten his fair share before the Duke shows up, but I see that the Duke should get most of the blame. 

This entire play, the whole thing, the madness is caused by this single man. He doesn't want to be the "bad" guy and punish his people, so he hands all of his authority to Angelo with hopes he will take care of things. Then the Duke takes a "vacation, when he really just dresses up like a friar ready to start some shit.

We all know that Angelo takes his power to extremes and can be seen as a slimy hypocrite throughout the entire play. However, the duke the whole time was causing drama on his own. He made this entire plan to get Angelo for the same crime, he "saved" Claudio, and doesn't harshly punish any of his people for breaking the law (except Lucio). He was the hero! Yipee.

Not impressed.

This guy had this plan the entire time. He wanted to look good in his people's eyes and try to get the girl at the end. Poor Isabella. If I was her, I would have stayed just as silent. With my luck I would have said something that got my head and Claudio's head cut off real quick. 

It's kind of disgusting how the Duke got his attention and "glory". He caused all of that drama for people just to come out looking better than he did before. 

If I had a say, I would say off with his head.

#TeamClaudio or #TeamIsabella

After reading Act 3, Scene 1, I'm not exactly sure how I feel about the outcome. We just found out Angelo's proposition in e last act. If I was in Isabella's shoes, I would have said HELL NO, just like she did. But then I would seriously have to think about it because my sibling's life would be on the line.

Once Isabella goes to the prison to talk to Claudio, she finally tells her brother what Angelo said. At first, Claudio totally agrees with Isabella's decision. He says "thou shalt not do't" (Line 116). It's up for debate on how this line would be performed. I felt the sincerity and that he knows how important Isabella's chastity is to her. He had to know she was working on becoming a nun. This makes me very much Team Claudio. For him to say this first before questioning Isabella's descion, means a lot in my eyes. Once he does question the proposition, it's not like he's mean or harsh to Isabella. He basically says "it wouldn't be too horrible if you slept with Angelo". 

If my sibling was in a terrible situation and that was my only option, Angelowould definitely have to be decent looking for me to consider it. I'm sorry, but if I'm saving your unlawful ass the man better be somewhat good looking. I do, however, understand why Isabella chooses not to follow through with the plan. Their time period and today's time period are EXTREMELY different, especially with perceptions of premarital sex. If Isabella chose to sleep with Angelo, her life would be literally over; no nunnery or even respect from anyone. It would even get better after life; hell for eternity!!!

Overall, I understand Isabella, but I would totally save my sibling regardless. It would be different if Claudio had committed a horrible crime. All he did was sleep with a woman he loves and plans on marrying. It's not right that Isabella is being asked to break the very same law to save her brother, but what other choice is there?

Doctor Faustus just wants a friend!

After reading the first two acts of this, disturbing?, play I can actually say I feel bad for Doctor Faustus. At first, I didn't like this guy and I definitely didn't like his ego. He's accomplished so much and helped so many people, yet he still wants more. Envy and greed are clearly two sins friendly to Doctor F. 

I can relate to Doctor Faustus's sudden emptiness. He doesn't have anything, or more importantly anyone, to live for. Sure you should always do things for yourself, it's the first rule of self-esteem; and lesbihonest, Doctor F. Has no problem boasting about himself.

Besides that, he's alone. No one is there to tell him they're proud of him or anything. No wonder he's having this self absorbing crisis. 

I can relate to this fully, but I would not sell my soul just because I'm upset. That's what ice cream or a bottle of liquor are for! Instead he sells his soul and is given a demon, Mephostophilis. He has this demon for exactly twenty four years, (I don't know why twenty four) in service.  Despite the fact Doctor Faustus sold his soul, he does however gets what I think he needed most. A friend. Even though he is a demon and doesn't really fit with the ideals of the definition of "friendship", he is still there for Doctor Faustus.