Grumio as Comic Relief

Shakespeare has been noted in all of his works for including characters that provide comic relief. In the Taming to the Shrew, Grumio is the character that serves this purpose. He is the constant source of berating by his lord Petruchio and often seems the most dim-witted out of all the characters in the play. In the film version of the play that was shown in class, the actor that portrayed Grumio had a Hackney accent and was dressed in worn-out clothing. This further indicates Grumio’s lowly status in the play and his role as the comic relief.

In addition, the lines that Shakespeare writes for Grumio are in plain English and few in number throughout the play. For instance, when Grumio is told by Petruchio to knock on a door, Grumio’s stupidity serves as a foil to Petruchio and is somewhat comical. As the book states, “Grumio: Knock, sir? Whom should I knock? Is there any man rebused to your worship?...My master grows quarrelsome. I should knock your first, and then I know after who comes the worst (Act. I, Sc. II). In this scene, all that is asked of Grumio is that he knock on Hortensio’s door. However, he makes a fool out of himself by not doing as he told and questioning his master’s request. Thus, Shakespeare uses Grumio as a comic relief in the play and as a foil to Petruchio.

Poem Parody

I have devoured
the burrito
That was on
the table

And which
You should have
Kept
with you

Sorry bro,
hit the spot
So warm
and so good

When I was writing this poem, I was just trying to keep the same sarcastic tone that William Carlos William's poem "This is Just to Stay" had. I wrote about something everyone can relate to when something that they look forward to is taken away or tarnished by a friend of their's. I also wanted to mock the supposed reader of the note/poem because I wanted to show that I was just playing with their emotions.

Setting the Stage

In Act II, Scene I, Shakespeare does a very good job of introducing a troubling situation where Bianca has been tied up by Katherine. The wording of the scene shows Bianca’s confusion and desperation to get away from Katherine. Likewise, the wording for when Baptista arrives further shows the overwhelming confusion of the scene. As the story states: “ ‘Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself, to make a bondmaid and a slave of me…unbind my hands…Why, how now, dame, whence grows this insolence?…Why dost thou wrong her that did ne’er wrong thee? When did she cross thee with a bitter word?(Act II, Scene I, Lines 1-27). The wording in this scene demonstrates to the reader the sheer confusion of the whole situation. Both Bianca and Baptista are seeking reasonable explanations for Bianca’s behavior while trying to be compassionate at the same time.

The Shakespeare does a good job in this specific scene of a creating a image of a confused Bianca and an even more confused Baptista. When I first read this scene in the play, I imagined a crazed and wide-eyed Katherine tying a helpless looking Bianca to a chair. Furthermore, I imagined Baptista to be both confused and disappointed by his oldest daughters actions.

Poetic Form

A sonnet is a poetic form that is usually restricted to 14 lines. In addition, a sonnet is mostly written in iambic pentameter, where the lines follow a pattern of ABAB CDCD. Sonnets are commonly found in many of Shakespeare’s works, hence giving way to a Shakespearian Sonnet. In these sonnets, the structure of the poem is arranged in three quatrains, or four-line stanzas, and end with a couplet, or a two lines that rhyme.

Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73 is a classic example of a typical Shakespearian Sonnet. Shakespeare in this sonnet chooses to focus on the theme of old age. He thus writes in the first quatrain about the coming of the fall season and how the trees loose their leaves and the cold sets in. Shakespeare continues the theme aging throughout the sonnet by making references to a ‘sunset,” “ashes,” and a “deathbed.” Likewise, he ends the poem with a couplet that says that his love will only continue as long as he is alive. What makes the form and structure important in this poem is the fact that it is written in only 14 lines. Furthermore, the bulk of the material and allusions to an impending death are compacted into three quatrains. So much about life is said in so few words. In addition, just as life comes to an unexpected end, the poem ends in a couplet that shows reassurance about life. Thus, Shakespeare aptly uses the structure and form of a sonnet to truly express his intended theme of aging in Sonnet 73.

Original and Revised Paragraphs

In Gabriel Garcia-Marquez’s short story “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings,” Garcia-Marquez incorporates supernatural elements into an otherwise normal setting. The story begins with a supposed angel falling into a couple’s chicken coop and being stuck because of the weight of the mud on his wings. The story progresses to include other supernatural elements such as a young woman being turned into a tarantula or “a leper who’s sores sprouted sunflowers.” Garcia-Marquez writes in a fantastical tone and puts both the supernatural world and natural world into one. Although there is a tone familiar tone of a family being visited by an angel, he is old, clumsy, and speaks in a language that is foreign to the family. The angel also becomes an attraction to the townspeople, helping the family indirectly through the fees that they charge for the townspeople to see him. Thus, Garcia-Marquez incorporates supernatural elements in an normal setting.

In Gabriel Garcia-Marquez’s short story “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings,” Garcia-Marquez incorporates supernatural elements into an otherwise normal setting. This style of writing is known as magic realism, where magical elements are meshed with everyday settings. The story begins with a supposed angel falling into a couple’s chicken coop and being stuck because of the weight of the mud on his wings. The story progresses to include other supernatural elements such as a young woman being turned into a tarantula or “a leper who’s sores sprouted sunflowers.” Although there is a tone familiar tone of a family being visited by an angel, he is old, clumsy, and speaks in a language that is foreign to the family. The angel also becomes an attraction to the townspeople, helping the family indirectly through the fees that they charge for the townspeople to see him. Garcia-Marquez writes in a fantastical tone and puts both the supernatural world and natural world into one. By mixing the supernatural world with the natural world, Garcia-Marquez shows the original intent of the angel. He had likely come to help the struggling family with the sick-child and their crab infestation. However, he indirectly helps them by attracting the townspeople, who in turn pay the family to see him. Thus, Garcia-Marquez incorporates supernatural elements in an normal setting.

After I read the first paragraph, I realized that I need to add that Garcia-Marquez was writing under the magic realism genre. In addition, I thought it was necessary to explain why Garcia-Marquez chose to have the angel indirectly help the family instead of the performing the traditional miracle.

Thesis

In the story of Young Goodman Brown, Hawthorne implies that the title character succumbs to evil and temptation through the use of imagery and setting. In addition, the man that Goodman Brown meets in the forest represents the devil himself.

Eveline's Epiphany

The epiphany that takes place for the title character in “Eveline” is the realization that she cannot move forward with her life and the fact that she will not be able to find true happiness. When Eveline Hill is at the docks and is about to start a new and promising life in a distant country, she realizes her duty to her family. She fully understands why she has to stay in Dublin even though in the long run she will not benefit from the stay. This becomes apparent as she thinks to herself as she moves through crowd on the docks and hears an organ player: “Down far in the avenue she could hear the organ playing. She knew the air. Strange that it should come that very night to remind her of the promise to her mother, her promise to keep the home together as long as she could” (39-40). Eveline’s promise to her mother in her mind obligates her to stay in a distressing situation and forfeit her chance of ever being truly happy. Thus, Eveline’s epiphany is seen literally when she remembers her promise to her mother.

Joyce also uses symbols through the short story to illustrate Eveline’s static situation. In For instance, her mother’s absence is a sign of a permanent void in her life. Since she is the only woman left in the household, she is expected to take on many of the roles and responsibilities that belonged to her mother. She even goes so far as to promise her mother that she will keep that family together after her mother’s death. Furthermore, the reader becomes aware that Eveline has a tendency to live in the past when the story begins with her recalling all of childhood friends and neighbors. In addition to her mother’s death and her reminiscing, the two most prominent men in her life, her father and her lover Frank, are in disagreement. Her father represents a static life in Dublin that will be full of sacrifice and possibly abuse. In contrast, Frank represents new opportunities and true love in a new country. Thus, Eveline’s epiphany is seen symbolically.

Kafka Citations

Alienation is the primary theme in Kafka's "The Metamorphosis." Indeed, much of early twentieth-century literature takes as its basic premise that man is alienated from his fellow humans and forced to work in dehumanizing jobs. Before his metamorphosis, Gregor is alienated from his job, his humanity, his family, and even his body, as we see from the fact that he barely notices his transformation. Late in the story, he briefly considers what it means to be 'human'; if he can be so moved by his sister's music then surely he cannot be an animal. And ultimately, his acceptance that he must go shows an act of genuine humanity.

Through extensive use of symbolism, Kafka is able to relate the absurd, seemingly arbitrary events of this short story to a general critique of society. The exhaustion of dehumanizing jobs and the recognition that people are only valuable so long as they earn a salary keeps anyone who works isolated from others and unable to establish human relations with them. In, The Metamorphosis, Gregory turns into some sort of insect, while this is something that is very dramatic and would be very hard to deal with, Kafka is trying to show how Gregory’s family rejects him, not only because of his appearance but because he can no longer go to work, no longer will his family be able live off the income he generates, no more material things without a little hard work.

Joycean Absences

The fact that James Joyce chooses to create permanent absence in the lives of his characters is significant to understanding the stories. In the stories of “The Sisters” and “Araby,” both young protagonists in the stories live with family members that are not their natural parents. By adding this element to the story, Joyce is able to create a permanent absence or a permanent void within the characters that they feel that they have to fill. In the case of the unnamed boy in “The Sisters,” he turns to Father Flynn as both a father figure and a mentor instead of his uncle. Thus, the boy goes through the story trying not to show how deeply affected by the loss of Father Flynn he is. Furthermore, the absence of the boy’s parents are highlighted even more with rigidness of the uncle’s reaction toward the priest’s death and childhood. As he says to Old Mr. Cotter toward the beginning of the story: “That’s my principle too. Let him box his corner. That’s what I’m always saying to that Rosicrucian there: take exercise. Why, when I was a nipper every morning of my life I had a cold bath, winter and summer (11). The uncle’s remarks about the boy’s situation shows that he cannot reasonably find sympathy for his friend’s loss from his uncle. His uncle completely disregards his feelings and further isolates him emotionally. Thus, Joyce utilizes the absence of parents to show a void within his characters.

Not only does Joyce use the absence of parents to show emotional disconnect in his characters, but he also uses symbolism throughout his work. For example, the fact that the protagonists’ names are absent in his texts significant. The two young boys that Joyce writes about in “The Sisters” and “Araby” go through the experiences of the loss of a loved one and failed expectations about love. Every reader can identity with these important and life-altering stages in one’s life. However, if the reader does not know the name of the character that they are becoming invested in, there is no real connection between the reader and the character. In addition, by not naming the protagonists, Joyce gives the reader the impression that maybe what the boys experience is not significant and there emotions do not matter. This attitude is similar to the attitude that the young boy’s uncle in “The Sisters” has about the boy’s loss of a friend where he does not sympathize or give condolences. Thus, the absence of the protagonists’ names in “The Sisters” and “Araby” further isolate the characters emotionally.

"Young Goodman Brown"

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story "Young Goodman Brown," it is very clear why some critics would choose to argue that the title character succumbs to evil itself. The best example of the impending evil in the story is the nameless figure in the forest that accompanies Goodman on his journey. The traveler's appears in the deepest and "gloomiest" part of the forest. Furthermore, he carries with him a staff that resembles a serpent, a staff that is also similar to the staff that Moses through before the Pharaoh's feet in the Bible. In addition, Young Goodman Brown seems weak-willed and timidly obeys and listens to whatever his traveling companion tells him.

The fact that Hawthorne names Young Goodman Brown's wife "Faith" is no coincidence either. In the beginning of the story, the title character appears to be distraught because he is leaving his newly-wed wife to leave her on "such an errand." Young Goodman Brown also compromises his "faith" after he becomes bewildered and falls into a desperate situation. "'My Faith is gone!' cried he, after one stupefied moment. 'There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil! for to thee is this world given'" (238). Thus, the title character's wife is a symbol of his lost faith and his giving into evil.

The setting for "Young Goodman Brown" plays a major role in the theme of giving into evil. The story takes place in Colonial New England where the society was very religiously-oriented. Even more telling of the nature of the story is the fact that the story takes place in Salem, MA. In those times, compromising one's faith and giving into the temptations of evil meant not only being outcast from social circles, but those actions could also lead to one's death. Witch trials and crusades to "weed out" persons who took pleasure in practicing evil deeds became common occurrences in that society. Therefore, Young Goodman Brown fear of succumbing to evil is better understood because he could possibly lose his life for not complying with the religious standards of the time.

Thus, it is clear why many critics argue that Young Goodman Brown becomes misled by evil in the short story.

Hudgens

In a comparison to both Yeats and Brookes, Hudgins in many ways mocks both of the poems in “The Wild Swans Skip to School.” He uses Brooks’ style of writing of short and very revealing sentences that end with the demise of whoever is being discussed. The poem also incorporates the element of swans that are so important in Yeats’ “The Wild Swans at the Coole.” Hudgins even goes so far as to mention Yeats in the third line of his poem as an apparent show of disrespect. Although the poem Is a parody of both Yeats and Brooks’ poems, the poem does not by itself. In order to truly understand the text, the reader has to be familiar with both “We Real Cool” and “The Wild Swans at the Coole.”

"The Red Wheelbarrow"

The poem “The Red Wheelbarrow” by William Carlos Williams is a very strong example of the use of imagery. The poem is only eight lines and sixteen words long and does follow conventional writing traditions by using grammar and punctuation. However, Williams uses specific words and phrases such as “glazed with rain” and “white chickens” to illuminate the poem. The author displays to the reader a portrait of the red wheelbarrow and the rest of the scenery in so few words. The poem seems to indulge in the simplicity of things.

"Harlem"

Langston Hughes’ poem “Harlem” is a great example of how well imagery can convey a message in a poem. The poem starts by asking the question “What happens to a dream deferred?” The response to the question is a medley possible outcome to the broken dream. Hughes uses words and phrases such as “dry up,” “rotten meat,” and “sags” to describe what happens to someone that gives up their dreams or must put the dream aside for more important things. What Hughes is saying about what happens when people give up on their dreams is that much hope that is associated with the dream is replaced with bitterness and resentment. In addition, the void left by the dream may be filled with other emotions such as defeat and disregard. The latter emotion is especially evident when he writes “Or crust and sugar over – like a syrupy sweet?” Hughes is telling the reader that once dreams are given up or deferred, the void that is left by the broken dream will only be filled with negative feelings.

An even greater message that Hughes may be telling in his poem is about the dreams that many transplanted African-Americans have about their new lives in Harlem. They come to New York from small Southern towns in search of a new life and better opportunities for their families. The Black people come from all over with dreams of being successful in the city. However, many of their dreams are “deferred” because they must work in menial jobs and live in the slums. Their dreams fade away because Harlem was not what they expected it to be.

Thus, Langston Hughes does a very nice job of conveying his message through the use of imagery in his poem, “Harlem.”

"Ode to a Nightingale"

Upon reading “Ode to a Nightingale,” I was amazed at how much depth that John Keats chose to give the poem. The poem is composed in a Shakespearian quatrain and some stanzas are packed with references to Greek and Roman mythology. For instance, in line sixteen Keats makes reference to Hippoocrene, the old Grecian fountain where many famous poets were said to have acquired inspiration for their works. Keats likely included a reference to Hippocrene to demonstrate just how disconnected and out of touch he is with life in general.
“Ode to a Nightingale” also does a fine job of expressing the overwhelming sense of fear that the writer has about his own death. Keats uses imagery for drunkenness and weariness to show that life is slowly and painfully slipping away from him. The speaker in the poem even goes so far as to say that he has courted death and has found a comfort in death’s looming presence. “…and, for many a time I have been half in love with easeful Death, Called him soft names in many a mused rhyme, to take into the air my quiet breath” (Lines 51-53).
The nightingale in the poem symbolizes the speaker’s only true connection to the real world and even life itself. The “immortal” bird is attempting to rescue the speaker of the poem with its majestic song. Keat’s also references that the bird’s song may have led the Old Testament figure of Ruth back to her home country after the death of her husband. However, the speaker becomes “forlorn” at his situation and ends the poem with the question of “Do I wake or sleep?”

"Time of Passage"

In the short story “Time of Passage,” James Falkman chooses to have the element of structure play a very important part of the story. He aptly names to the story “Time of Passage” instead of the often used phrase passage of time to display just how the structure of the story unfolds to the reader. After James Falkman’s wife passes away, his life and all of his material possessions begin to dissipate. He also seems to revert back almost into a child-like position towards the end of the story when loses his house and his previously lavish life and goes to live with his ailing parents. Falkman seems to be so bothered by his age and his coming death that all he can is prepare himself.
What the story does well is demonstrate the futility of James Falkman’s life. The story starts out with the scene of tombstones, symbolizing the imminent end of all men. The author also shows just how much of an impact the death of his wife had on Falkman by writing that he prefers not to social right after she is buried. Each paragraph almost represents the dissent that Falkman takes toward his eventual demise. Even when he recovers from his depression and starts making drastic adjustment in his job and social life, that all fades as he gets older. Thus, the “Time of Passage” shows just how a prominent man can fall from grace and how everything that is worked so hard for is lost over time.