Blog Babble

After assessing all of my prior blog submissions, I have concluded that I seemed to focus my posts on themes of “power.” If I had to guess which topic I would be prone to writing about, I would have most likely considered my concentration to center around gender issues or something of that nature. In all honesty, before re-reading my works, I had no idea that I was focusing on such a topic. Whether I am talking about fathers and daughters, kings and lords, or nuns and sinners, I have typically built an argument that revolves around the questions of power.

In my first post on Monday, February 1, 2010, my blog reflected on Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. This post focused on Portia’s role in the play and what kind of character she was. I questioned whether or not she was a strong or weak female figure. During my argument, I commented on what seems to be a powerless Portia. Portia’s future husband was to be chosen with the help of her father’s will. With that said, Portia was powerless in her future.

My second post on March 8, 2010, commented on Richard II’s view of a King’s power. My blog specifically questioned whether Richard or Henry would be a better ruler. It asked that questions of who would use their power most effectively in order to make the best king. The post asked the readers to think about which character is the best candidate for king? Who would be the best ruler? Who would successfully use their power for good, instead of for his own motives?

The third post before the half way marked was posted on February 20, 2010, and took a look at power in Measure for Measure. This post specifically focused on the character of Isabella and how the only way in which she had power throughout the play was through her own sexuality. In fact, she was given complete power, but would she give up her own purity and innocence in order to save her brother’s life? This decision was undoubtedly in her hands, and her hands alone. I raised the point that it is significant that her only chance to use her power was when she was asked to use her sexuality.

As one can see, all three of my posts focused on issues of power. Even though each entry commented on power, each was completely different scenario where power played an important role. I suppose that subconsciously, during my readings, I mdrawn to aspects of power and how power plays out in Shakespeare’s works.