Blogging

I have never had to blog for a class before. Judging from my confusion with dates and my blatant distaste for anything technological, I would say I’m also not very good at it. I had a Live Journal when I was in high school, but neglected to maintain that and after a few months it pretty much fizzed out. That being said, I don’t hate this. I find that knowing that I have to blog on what I’m reading makes me pay more careful attention to the text and think while I’m reading. I jot down little notes in the margins for upcoming responses, reminding me of lines to quote and questions or thoughts I have about the material.
Looking back, I often find myself with so much to say on my blog posts that picking one thing often feels too confining. In order to say what I need to say, I usually find myself writing reactions to the beginning or the end of the play. This way, I can say all the things in my head in an organized fashion instead of throwing them in the post in an unrelated way.
My first post was the nature of Shakespeare’s comedies and how The Merchant of Venice ended up in such a category when it really isn’t funny at all. I was upset about the ending of the play and particularly upset about the romantic relationship between Portia and Bassanio. I was concerned about the validity of the romantic relationship and wondering if Shakespeare really intended for us to believe that the two were “in love” or if perhaps he was saying something about the nature of romantic relationships. Shylock’s end was equally disturbing to me because he had to have literally everything stripped from him. I was concerned about what anti-Semitism was really taking place in this play.
My next post was about my first impressions of Richard II, and how I felt about King Richard. I originally felt that he was perhaps a good leader but as I continued to read I found that he really wasn’t. I then reflected on his relationship with his Uncle Gaunt and the nature of prophecy in Shakespeare’s history plays.
My last legitimate post was about Acts I and II of Henry IV. I first said that I didn’t like that no one in the aristocracy is even remotely likeable, and continued on to discuss the likeability of King Henry and then Lady Percy, who I liked a lot. I wanted to know more about her (small) role in the play and if her presence meant anything more than simply demonstrating the cruelty of her husband. Women in these plays are almost always used as vehicles to deliver their lovers/husbands/family members into higher positions of power.
All together I would say my posts have been a great way for me to explore my thoughts and feelings on characters and plot and everything in between in an organized, fun way.