Whilst two-pass reading Michael Drayton's "Ode. To the Virginian Voyage", there was a strikingly large amount of optimism in the folds of his poem. It is obvious as to why this is, the sailors and crewmen were about to embark on a voyage that was by far one of the most treacherous to date, not to mention costly and nerve-wracking. Positives brought the morale of the sailors up if it were to be read to them and would boost the spirits of those who believed in said sailors.
Going off of a fuller reading, Drayton also made a pretty steep gamble on publishing this work.
Based around just the positive aspects to negative, there are FAR more positives. Every negative point is countered by an overwhelming type of joy or rapture. Whether the words mentioned be "Brave, heroic, merry, securely, cheerfully, success, paradise, ambitious, luscious, delicious, happiest, frolic, heroes or industrious, there are even more lines which dispel disdain. Drayton mentions and insults other people and GODS , claiming that they dont have the power to touch or have any influence on the voyage.
With lines such as "Whilst loit'ring hinds / Lurk here at home with shame" (5,6), "Earth's only paradise" (24) and "When Aeolus scowls/You need not fear" (16) Drayton seems pretty confident that the crew was going to make it across the Atlantic.
Hell, imagine if they hadn't.
His entire life would probably be ruined, his career as a poet ruined, the general populace unable to believe in anything he says because of the tragedy that befell such an "invincible" crew. However, Jamestown was successful, and thus he most likely received quite the praise from everyone whom knew him personally. Quite the gamble in the 1600's.
Let us not forget about the time span in-between the voyage and any semblance off success that would be sent back to Britain. How would anyone have known if Jamestown were successful and not destroyed? Who would be the unlucky person who be sent back across the Atlantic to report? What if he died on the way back? The gambling increases dramatically with that much of an ambiguity to the transfer process. Anyone with power can cry wolf and wreck Michael.
Not to mention the prospect of Virginia itself. Not the land of paradise that anyone would have imagined, nor a land of such riches that gods could not handle it, it seems that as mentioned before, this is merely a morale-boosting piece. It works as it is, but if anyone were to have questioned Drayton on simple things like "how do you know what is in Virginia if you have never been there?" and "How do you know that the Atlantic is not extraordinarily dangerous?" Any of these things could have crushed any credibility for Drayton, yet as mentioned many times before it is a poem meant for morale, so one must suspend their disbelief.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Rumination 2: Shakespeare Redux
Thank god this week is a review-ish. I didnt post a report, ruminations or comments or even do the wildcard last week because of work and schoolwork/exams/tests/homework/GRAH~! Anyway, Rumination time!
--------------
Within Shakespeare's works it seems there is a sense of temporal immortality. Whether it be in the title, such as Midsummer Night's Dream or more importantly in Sonnet 55 where it is lime-lighted into such a topic. The entirety of Sonnet 55 deals with immortality of a person in the work whom is unspecified by Shakespeare. He also demonstrates the insane power and the ability to dominate everything in existence including that of the gods, mentioning "Mars sword nor war's quick fire shall burn"(7) implying that event he mightiest of the mighty have no chance in quelling time. Upon first reading this is apparent, and quite obviously I am simply breaking down the obvious bits for a more dubious interpretation. Not only is time quite the unforgiving mistress, but she is also, as Shakespeare mentions, quite uncouth, citing "unswept stone besmear'd with sluttish time" (4); a strange description, yet fitting due to the unforgiving and self-centered nature of time.
The work itself could be interpreted in two ways for that matter, whether it be that Shakespeare is speaking of his own work or of an unnamed person that will be immortalized, yet anonymous. Due to the ambiguity of the gender of many of Shakespeare's works as to whom he is speaking toward, yet the inclusion of the idea of time being slutty, there is no clear definition as to which, as females are most commonly regarded to as sluts as opposed to men. (no sexism intended)
So what's the outcome, this poem lasting forever or will time overcome?
--------------
Within Shakespeare's works it seems there is a sense of temporal immortality. Whether it be in the title, such as Midsummer Night's Dream or more importantly in Sonnet 55 where it is lime-lighted into such a topic. The entirety of Sonnet 55 deals with immortality of a person in the work whom is unspecified by Shakespeare. He also demonstrates the insane power and the ability to dominate everything in existence including that of the gods, mentioning "Mars sword nor war's quick fire shall burn"(7) implying that event he mightiest of the mighty have no chance in quelling time. Upon first reading this is apparent, and quite obviously I am simply breaking down the obvious bits for a more dubious interpretation. Not only is time quite the unforgiving mistress, but she is also, as Shakespeare mentions, quite uncouth, citing "unswept stone besmear'd with sluttish time" (4); a strange description, yet fitting due to the unforgiving and self-centered nature of time.
The work itself could be interpreted in two ways for that matter, whether it be that Shakespeare is speaking of his own work or of an unnamed person that will be immortalized, yet anonymous. Due to the ambiguity of the gender of many of Shakespeare's works as to whom he is speaking toward, yet the inclusion of the idea of time being slutty, there is no clear definition as to which, as females are most commonly regarded to as sluts as opposed to men. (no sexism intended)
Please excuse my switches in topics; I wish to address all the aspects I can with this work so bear with me if I suddenly address something other than the temporal idea. I am simply excited to discuss everything and become out of my usual element of calm and collected.
Trends I happen to notice, and with a bit of thinking my thoughts were given much needed illumination. The multiple references to stonework, whether it be in lines 4, 5 or 6 regarding "unswept stone" (4) "statues" (5) or "masonry" (6) all being destroyed mean that even that which masterful artisans create will eventually tumble to time. Such a strong object such as stone should be mightier than time. Even more so, this poem should be able to withstand time as well.
Ironically, that is not the case.
So what's the outcome, this poem lasting forever or will time overcome?
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Wet Sand / Wildcard
My favorite band of all time, hands down, has to be the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
They are an extremely well known band, and I've listened to all of their albums more times over than I can count.
Even though Californication, By The Way and Blood Sugar Sex Magik are all exceptionally amazing albums, Stadium Arcadium, their most recent album blew them all away.
The mature tastes of John Frusciante's guitar-work, Anthony Keidis' drawling vocals, Flea's haunting bass and Chad's sick beats come together to create more than an album, but a musical experience.
The album contains two CD's, Jupiter and Mars. In my opinion both are equally amazing, but Jupiter takes the cake.
I digress. Onto lyrical and musical connections.
Jupiter begins with Dani California a song that revolves around a girl named Dani (who was mentioned in the album By The Way) who lives the wild life with Anthony:
The songs continue on with Snow, Hey Oh:
and Stadium Arcadium, both of which harbor melancholic tones, yet the themes jump up and down between songs after that, with songs named Strip My Mind, She's Only 18 and Torture Me, all revolving around someone pushing Anthony to do that which he does not.
The big part revolves around the end. The last three songs, Cmon Girl, Wet Sand and Hey are
all interconnected strongly, sharing melodic, harmonic and lyrical resonance. Wet Sand, however, is the most poignant:
The lyrics are a strong argument within Anthony, his choice on whether or not to be with the girl he's wanted so strongly in the past.
With the lyrics :
----
My shadow side, so amplified,
Keeps coming back dissatisfied
Elementary son but it's so...
My love affair with everywhere was innocent,
Why do you care?
Someone start the car time to go...
You're the best I know
My sunny side has up and died,
I'm betting that when we collide
The universe will shift into a low
The travesties that we have seen
Are treating me like Benzedrine
Automatic laughter from a pro
My, what a good day for a walk outside
I'd like to get to know you a little better, baby,
God knows that I really tried
---
The opening shows his conflict, he's clearly been with this person, and still loves her, but as the song goes on he realizes that he has to let her go. In the final verse, right before Frusciante's Guitar solo (which, surprisingly, sounds like a person wailing uncontrollably) he exclaims
"You don't form in the wet sand,
You don't form at all
You don't form in the wet sand,
I do! yeah!"
Which combined with the guitar, shows that he really was torn by the break up.
Hey is far more mellow than the rest of the entire album, as well as slightly depressing, when the idea of breakup hits home.
They are an extremely well known band, and I've listened to all of their albums more times over than I can count.
Even though Californication, By The Way and Blood Sugar Sex Magik are all exceptionally amazing albums, Stadium Arcadium, their most recent album blew them all away.
The mature tastes of John Frusciante's guitar-work, Anthony Keidis' drawling vocals, Flea's haunting bass and Chad's sick beats come together to create more than an album, but a musical experience.
The album contains two CD's, Jupiter and Mars. In my opinion both are equally amazing, but Jupiter takes the cake.
I digress. Onto lyrical and musical connections.
Jupiter begins with Dani California a song that revolves around a girl named Dani (who was mentioned in the album By The Way) who lives the wild life with Anthony:
The songs continue on with Snow, Hey Oh:
and Stadium Arcadium, both of which harbor melancholic tones, yet the themes jump up and down between songs after that, with songs named Strip My Mind, She's Only 18 and Torture Me, all revolving around someone pushing Anthony to do that which he does not.
The big part revolves around the end. The last three songs, Cmon Girl, Wet Sand and Hey are
all interconnected strongly, sharing melodic, harmonic and lyrical resonance. Wet Sand, however, is the most poignant:
The lyrics are a strong argument within Anthony, his choice on whether or not to be with the girl he's wanted so strongly in the past.
With the lyrics :
----
My shadow side, so amplified,
Keeps coming back dissatisfied
Elementary son but it's so...
My love affair with everywhere was innocent,
Why do you care?
Someone start the car time to go...
You're the best I know
My sunny side has up and died,
I'm betting that when we collide
The universe will shift into a low
The travesties that we have seen
Are treating me like Benzedrine
Automatic laughter from a pro
My, what a good day for a walk outside
I'd like to get to know you a little better, baby,
God knows that I really tried
---
The opening shows his conflict, he's clearly been with this person, and still loves her, but as the song goes on he realizes that he has to let her go. In the final verse, right before Frusciante's Guitar solo (which, surprisingly, sounds like a person wailing uncontrollably) he exclaims
"You don't form in the wet sand,
You don't form at all
You don't form in the wet sand,
I do! yeah!"
Which combined with the guitar, shows that he really was torn by the break up.
Hey is far more mellow than the rest of the entire album, as well as slightly depressing, when the idea of breakup hits home.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Rumination Number 1 : A Lovers Redemption
PREFACE:
My name is Nicholas Bisignani, in British Literature at the University of Delaware.
I'm using the avatar of a pug, the small dog.
I am a silly man.
Do not ask why.
---------
Upon first glancing upon just the title "Delia", a sonnet by Samuel Daniel, I can already assume that this is a poem about love, or about a lover that has passed or left Samuel for another. My initial assumptions were indeed correct; this poem revolves around a woman, Delia. My initial assumption was that this would be like many other sonnets, a sappy, heavy-hearted and contain much pining for the opposite sex.
I was quite wrong, and yet quite right at the same time. However, just by glancing at the numbers of the sonnets, I discovered a disturbing correlation, that of which will be explained later.
Within the first few lines of 33, which is assumed to not be the first of the sonnets as shown by the number, Samuel mentions how Delia has rejected him, evidenced by "Fresh shalt thou see in me thou madest"(5) and "thou hast scorned my tears" (14). It is not shown or mentioned exactly what he has done to garner such a rebuff.
However within the next sonnet, 45 he mentions his "shipwreck of my ill-adventured youth"(6), possibly pertaining to how he himself was the cause of the mess he is in. The aforementioned line also shows another interesting aspect, that time has passed between 33 and 45. It is safe to say that a substantial amount of time has passed since his rejection, and he still feels remorse for it. What I found a bit striking was his resolve. Throughout the ages (supposing that a long time has occurred) he still yearns for and holds remorse for something so far past. He begs the night to "relieve my languish and restore the light" (3) so that he may eventually forget about this person. Eventually, I say. I doubt that eventually will never come.
So strong was his love for Delia that he created over 630 (estimated) lines of prose for her.
Yet through the end, even without her consent, he creates these poems for her (evidenced in lines 1-4 of 46), to show the world what an amazing person she is.
Or was. Even if she is dead.
It took me a couple of reads to see that she has seemingly passed away since 33.
"Thy glory pass" (33, line 1) refers to flowers, the morning glory. In the language of flowers, the morning glory stands for "love in vain" and are used to adorn gravestones.
"Though spent thy flame, in me the heat remaining/ I that have loved thee thus before thou fadest" (33, line 6-7) regards her life being gone, yet his love for her still strong.
"And these thy sacred virtues must protect/Against the dark and time's consuming rage" (46, lines 11-12) regards her being devoured by time, buried where nobody would be able to see her, in the dark.
And he still loves her, even though she has passed, "I lived and was thy lover" (46, line 14), the was not pertaining to his lack of love, but the lack of her being alive.
My name is Nicholas Bisignani, in British Literature at the University of Delaware.
I'm using the avatar of a pug, the small dog.
I am a silly man.
Do not ask why.
---------
Upon first glancing upon just the title "Delia", a sonnet by Samuel Daniel, I can already assume that this is a poem about love, or about a lover that has passed or left Samuel for another. My initial assumptions were indeed correct; this poem revolves around a woman, Delia. My initial assumption was that this would be like many other sonnets, a sappy, heavy-hearted and contain much pining for the opposite sex.
I was quite wrong, and yet quite right at the same time. However, just by glancing at the numbers of the sonnets, I discovered a disturbing correlation, that of which will be explained later.
Within the first few lines of 33, which is assumed to not be the first of the sonnets as shown by the number, Samuel mentions how Delia has rejected him, evidenced by "Fresh shalt thou see in me thou madest"(5) and "thou hast scorned my tears" (14). It is not shown or mentioned exactly what he has done to garner such a rebuff.
However within the next sonnet, 45 he mentions his "shipwreck of my ill-adventured youth"(6), possibly pertaining to how he himself was the cause of the mess he is in. The aforementioned line also shows another interesting aspect, that time has passed between 33 and 45. It is safe to say that a substantial amount of time has passed since his rejection, and he still feels remorse for it. What I found a bit striking was his resolve. Throughout the ages (supposing that a long time has occurred) he still yearns for and holds remorse for something so far past. He begs the night to "relieve my languish and restore the light" (3) so that he may eventually forget about this person. Eventually, I say. I doubt that eventually will never come.
So strong was his love for Delia that he created over 630 (estimated) lines of prose for her.
Yet through the end, even without her consent, he creates these poems for her (evidenced in lines 1-4 of 46), to show the world what an amazing person she is.
Or was. Even if she is dead.
It took me a couple of reads to see that she has seemingly passed away since 33.
"Thy glory pass" (33, line 1) refers to flowers, the morning glory. In the language of flowers, the morning glory stands for "love in vain" and are used to adorn gravestones.
"Though spent thy flame, in me the heat remaining/ I that have loved thee thus before thou fadest" (33, line 6-7) regards her life being gone, yet his love for her still strong.
"And these thy sacred virtues must protect/Against the dark and time's consuming rage" (46, lines 11-12) regards her being devoured by time, buried where nobody would be able to see her, in the dark.
And he still loves her, even though she has passed, "I lived and was thy lover" (46, line 14), the was not pertaining to his lack of love, but the lack of her being alive.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
"Nay" I say.
*Sigh*
I feel bad about not posting another rumination, but this time it's because I didn't really feel any connection to the texts we read. I realize that there are only 6 ruminations total, and theyre spaced apart, so that means I'll probably have to post in 2-break-2-break-2 fashion.
Nonetheless, next week. Nexxxxt. Weeeeek.
I feel bad about not posting another rumination, but this time it's because I didn't really feel any connection to the texts we read. I realize that there are only 6 ruminations total, and theyre spaced apart, so that means I'll probably have to post in 2-break-2-break-2 fashion.
Nonetheless, next week. Nexxxxt. Weeeeek.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Rumination? Not today...
Tomultuous weekend, unable to read desired texts.
So tired... Urgh.
Still going to read Beowulf over the week, yet no rumination from me this week.
So tired... Urgh.
Still going to read Beowulf over the week, yet no rumination from me this week.
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