Midterm blog

My first blog was Unlocking Shylock, where I explored the representation of Shylock in the Merchant of Venice. Summarizing a vague history of Jewish prejudices, this entry pointed to Antonio’s unchristian-like behavior against Shylock. From a later on lecture we had in class, I learned more specifically the views of “English and Otherness” during Shakespearian times. As extended by Sammo Khan’s comment, the prejudices against Jews root from their taking interest during the Middle Ages. The lack of a focus of my blog made it more of a recap then a particular study, and through my next blog I learned from that.

Because I wrote class notes for Richard II, my familiarity with the themes we went over in class allowed me to be really comfortable with the text. My blog post “Pruning Politics” emphasized the gardening metaphors in Act 3 scene 4; England had to be maintained as a Garden, to be weeded in order to protect its fertile soil. The Queen and first lady provide a feminine sphere to observe Bolingbroke’s threat to Richard’s lineage. As commented by Cyrus Mulready, this womanly portrayal of England is found throughout the play: “…Gaunt’s speech earlier in the play that calls England the ‘womb of kings’”. Emily MacBrien highlighted the biblical reference of the fall in the scene, when the Queen calls out the Gardiner, “What Eve, what serpent, hath suggested thee to make a second fall of cursed man?”. The devious influence of “Eve” was ironically casted out by one of the few females in Richard II, as pointed out by Emily’s comment. In finishing the History plays, it is interesting to cast this feminine lens on Henry the VI and V. Particularly with the Lady Mortimer and her seductive otherness explicated by her Welsh lullaby.

In writing these entries and replying to them, I really enjoy the extended classroom discussion our blog provides. The more perspectives I learn from others on Shakespeare the more richer my understanding. It’s definitely helped me become more comfortable taking a view on these play and voicing them, which extends to any written assignment.