Newsweek Reflection

The article that I’m going to talk about is “The one word that can save your life”. The article had mainly talks about the risks of certain surgery, such as knee surgery and cardiac CT angiography. It brought out some of the harmful effects of these surgeries as well, such as side effects and more exposure to high levels of radiation. Its main purpose is to tell audience to consider the harmful effects and potential risks of the surgeries before they took them, as some surgeries took more harm than good.

After reading the article, I was appalled by how some research had proven the vast amount of harmful effects of surgeries, yet no result was shown. For example, in a recent study, 1000 low-risk patients who had CT angiography had no fewer heart attacks or deaths over the next 18 months than 1000 patients who did not undergo the screening. Nonetheless, they took drugs and tests, all of which carry a risk of side effects, surgical complications. Therefore, I was really stumbled as I had thought that surgeries were meant to improve a patient’s condition. However, after reading the article, my perspective of the surgeries nowadays had changed. I had learnt to look at the surgeries at an objective point of view, to look at both the benefits and harmful effects.

There is also another example, whereby a 52 year old woman undergoes cardiac CT, but not only did the condition not improved, one of her artery was tore too. I was really shocked at how some surgeries could have proven nothing worthwhile, yet so complicated. This article had really served everyone a warning, to really consider the risk of a surgery before taking it.

Online Lesson 12

Step 2: The common theme present among the scrolls inside each of the caskets is the greed in the person who chose it. For the golden casket, the scroll in it explains that the person who chose it was greedy for money as many men had sold their souls just to get the gold. This is similar to Prince Morocco, as he prefers money and wealth of Portia rather than Portia herself. For the silver casket, it explains that the person who chose it had a little greed of money, as the men who chose it was fools that could only get shadows of joy. This is similar to Prince Arragon as he thought he had made the wisdom choice by picking the silver casket, and get what he deserves. However, he flavours money and rewards than Portia. Lastly, the lead casket’s scroll explains that the person who chose it does not greed for money. This is similar to Bassanio, as he truly loved Portia, and not her wealth or money. Thus, he was not greedy for money and picked the right choice.

Step 3: My parents had divorced. Upon hearing the news, I was devastated. I thought they were a loving couple, but now, it’s all too late. Being the only child of the family, my parents had been arguing and even sued each other on court over the custody of me. The judge had made the decision: It all lies up to the child. I was stumbled. Who should I go with? Should I go with my father to the America, or my mother that stays in Singapore? I had been pondering this decision all this while when my friend suggested me to use logic.

“How am I going to use logic to this complicated question?” I asked. My friend replied calmly,” You need to ask yourself, out of your mother and your father, who would you choose that you think will treat you better? You wouldn’t want to live with one that makes your life hell, that’s common sense. Secondly, out of the 2, who do you think is capable of giving you a better life? Do you feel comfortable with him? What about the surroundings? Do you want to migrate to America, or stay in Singapore with your friends?”

I was appalled by how my friend had broken down my chain of thoughts. I pondered over the questions that my friend brought up. Originally, I had wanted to live with my father. He had the capability to treat me well, or even better, as he was rich. I had also wanted to taste a different culture, and living in a different country, America. But after considering, I had decided to live with my mother instead. My mother was more caring and showered me with lots of love, and that’s the warmth that I have been seeking for. My father had just bought my favourite stuff, but no love was shown. I also could not bear to leave my friends here in Singapore, and I must admit the education system in Singapore was good too. At last, I went to my mother side. God bless me, all will be well.

Reflection on MOV

Today we had went through the Merchant of Venice, Act 4 Scene 1, where Portia was persuading Shylock to take the ducats and ignore the bond. Personally, I felt that the teacher’s teaching was not detailed enough. This is because I think that the teacher, though he had gone through most of the annotations, I think a better way would be to go through every single line, instead of skipping some of the parts. This is to further ensure our understanding of our passage and not only certain part of the passage.

After today’s lesson, I had understand more about the meaning of certain phrases in that scene, for example, the phrase,” mercy seasons justice” means that mercy will lighten the severity of justice. I was very impressed with Shakespeare capability of expressing some of his concepts through all this words that are not even meant to be the definition of it in the first place. For example, when the word “season” stands on its own, it means the 4 seasons in the year, but Shakespeare had made use of these words to express another definition, such as “temper/lighten the severity of” in the book.

I had definitely learnt a lot more vocabulary and also language use after reading this book. Though I still had some of the parts of the book I do not fully understand, I think my language use and ability to understand double meanings had improve greatly.

Online Lesson 11

Theme: Racism

Racial Harmony Day does not do enough to sensitize students to racial issues. Recall your experience in Racial Harmony Day. After the event, are you more aware of the current racial issues? Does it further enhance your knowledge of racial issues? Unfortunately, the answer is no.

Recall the activities in Racial Harmony Day. The bazaar, auditorium performance and the Indian dance. These activities, in some way or another, taught us the importance of racial harmony and to be fair and equal even to people of other races. We learn the Indian dance culture, and through the auditorium performance, we saw how united and cooperated people from different races could be, through the dance. However, this is only the basic level. The school needs to do more than just educating to us the obvious. We need to know the racial issues globally, to understand the issues and to identify the solutions and cause behind it. Only through then can we keep abreast of the current racial issues, and truly understand the meaning of “Racial Harmony” by applying what we have learnt to come up with solutions for the racial disputes.

Rethink about it. Do you really think that the current programmes for Racial Harmony Day are sufficient to sensitize students to racial issues? Or is it just teaching the obvious – to be open to friends of other races, not to be prejudiced against them, and learnt more about their culture. The real problem here is not that students do not know what racial harmony is. The real problem lies where the students have little or no idea to the current racial issues, which is very important for us, the next generation of leaders, to prevent such mistakes from happening. It is therefore important to enhance our knowledge about the current racial issues, so that we could get an idea of the consequences when racism is present, and know about the current situation in the world. Therefore, a possible suggestion is a discussion about the current racial issues. The school really needs to do more to sensitize us to racial issues. Thank you.

Shakespeare Expository Essay

Shakespeare’s portrayal of Shylock leads me to conclude that Shakespeare himself was anti-Semitic. This was because Shakespeare portrays Shylock as a Jew with viciously negative character, describing and comparing him to a Devil. He also portrays Shylock as a typical racist Jew that hates the Christians. Lastly, Shakespeare had also described and portrayed Shylock as one with immoral values.

Shakespeare portrayal of Shylock leads me to conclude that he himself was also anti-Semitic. This was because in one of the scenes, Shylock was being compared to the Devil, and seen as a horrible person that made use of biblical reference, which is supposed to be holy and contains wise words from the Christ, to justify and make his ugly thoughts and acts seem reasonable. This was supported in Act 1, Scene 3, Line 95, where it says, “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose”. It meant that Shylock, who was being compared and described as the Devil, was being a hypocrite as he tried to made use of the Bible, replaced by the word “Scripture”, to cover his evil deeds. He also used the holy reference to hide away his wicked thoughts, such as cutting off Antonio’s flesh in revenge for the unfair treatment towards him. Thus, Shakespeare is being an anti-Semitic by describing Shylock as a Devil, possessing the evil thoughts and being hypocrite, by misinterpreting the holy Bible to render his immoral acts reasonable.

Shakespeare had also portrayed Shylock to be a very racist Jew that hated the Christian. Shylock had insulted the Christian (Antonio), with strong powerful words and were being very rude and mean to Antonio. This was supported in Act 1, Scene 3, Line 37 – 39, where it says, “How like a fawning publican he looks. I hate him for he is a Christian; But more, for that in low simplicity”. It meant that Shylock was actually comparing Antonio to a publican, who is a farmer of the taxes and public revenues. As tax collectors, they are usually oppressive in executing and had gained great detestation from the public. Thus, Shylock is actually insulting Antonio to be a mean character, similar to that of a tax collector. He had also expressed his own feelings straight away, stating that he hates Christian, which was prejudice and was immorally wrong. He had also described Antonio to be in low simplicity, to be foolish enough for his straight-dealing. In Act 1, Scene 3, Line 42-43, the passage stated that, “If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him”. Thus, this further explains the absence of moral values from Shylock as he was petty and grumbled upon little things, trying to revenge and make a mountain out of a mole hill. Thus, Shakespeare portrayed Shylock to be a character with a lot of inappropriate moral values, such as rude, nasty, petty, and therefore I can conclude that Shakespeare is being an anti-Semitic by describing such an ugly side of Shylock, a Jew.

Last but not least, Shakespeare portrayed Shylock as one with immoral values. He talked behind people back and only criticised on their negative side, but never praise their virtues. For example, in Act Two, Scene 5, Line 45 to 47, the passage stated,” The patch is kind enough, but a huge feeder, Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day. More than the wild-cat. Drones hive not with me; “ In this 3 lines, Shylock is actually criticising Launcelot, who apparently is not with them, as a servant who eats a lot. He also insulted Launcelot when he stated that Launcelot was a fool who were inefficient in his work. Thus, it showed that Shylock was mean and had no manners as he talked bad behind others’ back. Shylock also tend to use despicable methods to get his goal, and does not care about other people’s feelings. In Act 1, Scene 3, Line 169, the passage stated, “ And I will go and purse the ducats straight,” However, earlier, Shylock mentioned that he had told Antonio that the money is to be borrowed from Tubal. Thus, it was evident that Shylock was lying about the need to borrow money from Tubal so as to make the transaction appear more difficult than it actually was. As we can see, Shylock was portrayed as an evil person with wrong values, such as lying and being rude. Therefore, I can conclude that Shakespeare was anti-Semitic by portraying Shylock, a Jew, as someone with no manners and lack of virtues.

In conclusion, I can conclude that Shakespeare is anti-Semitic as he portrayed Shylock, who is a Jew, as a mean person that had no manners and lack of all the virtues. Shakespeare also compared him to a Devil, and even being racist and prejudice against the Christian. All in all, Shakespeare portrayed Shylock as someone who is comparable to a Devil, someone who was wicked to the core, and from all these negative portrayal, we can conclude that Shakespeare prejudiced against the Jews and was therefore, anti-Semitic.

Reflections:

After doing this expository essay, I realised that I have understand more about Merchant of Venice and also a further analysis of Shakespeare's language. After close readings of the word choice by Shakespeare, I had therefore concluded that Shakespeare himself is anti-Semitic too due to his insulting words that described Shylock.

This expository essay is really efficient in forcing us to make a detailed analysis to the passage, and therefore, further understand the passage. For example, before this assignment, i was only aware of the character’s feelings and characteristics in the passage, however, after the assignment, I had even understood Shakespeare’s characteristic through his description of characters.

Because of this assignment, I had also read up on the term anti-Semitic and ways to reveal that you yourself are anti-Semitic. I had also learnt a bit of background and history of the anti-Semitic that was present in Venice.

Thus, from this assignment, I had gained much new knowledge. Through my friend’s comments on my passage, I had also gotten a lot of advices on my writing style and also my language use. Overall, this assignment is really beneficial to me, as I had understand more about the passages in Merchant of Venice, and also my own writing style and language use.

Expert Circle

Topic 1

1) There is not evidence stating that Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon is the author of Shakespeare’s works. Evidence only shows that he was a businessman and real estate investor.

2) Sir Francis Bacon, Edward de Vere 17th Earl of Oxford, Christopher Marlowe, William Stanley 6th Earl of Derby

3) In my opinion, Christopher Marlowe is the most likely candidate to have written Shakespeare’s works. This is due to the fact that the age gap between Shakespeare and him is very small. In addition, both of their works were very successful. Also, there are many similarities between the works of Marlowe and Shakespeare, and similarities are also present in many hidden meanings that are found in the two’s works and associated texts.

Topic 2

1) She was the Queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17th November 1558 till her death in 1603

2) She had a pretty strained relationship with the Spanish Armada, she was fearful of Spanish domination

Queen Elizabeth supported Henry the IV when he inherited the French Throne in 1589. She provided more of military support to him

It seemed that the citizens of Ireland were pretty hostile toward her. They weren't very supportive of her and sources even state that they were willing to plot with her enemies against Queen Elizabeth.

Queen Elizabeth also maintained diplomatic relationships which her late brother established.

Thus her international relationships were quite alright, but she had conflicts with Spain and Ireland

3) William Shakespeare helped to build up the Elizabethan age as he was one of the greatest names in English literature who entered maturity in the second decade of

Queen Elizabeth's reign, and the notion of a great Elizabethan age also included dramatists.

4) Portia was a rich heiress, the Lady of Belmont. She was probably a tribute to Queen Elizabeth. Like Queen Elizabeth, Portia has influence and wealth. Queen Elizabeth was often persuaded to get married or to find a successor, but in the end she did not do so.

When her reign began, many expeced that she would marry and the identity of her life partner was often a question. She received many proposals. People speculated that Thomas Seymour had put her off sexual relationships, or she knew that she was infertile. She considered few men until she reached the age of 50. Her last courtship was with François, Duke of Anjou, who was 22 years younger than her. Her subjects often encouraged her to get marrried, so that there might be a heir. But she ignored them. Portia in the end was connected with Bassanio, but before that, she organised "marriage lottery" for several men. It was said that there were 3 boxes, made of lead, gold, or silver. There is a description to each. There is a box amongst the 3 which holds her picture, and it signifies that that man would be wed to her. This shows that she was willing to take chances in the selection of her partner, and that she did not really look out specifically for her life partner.

Thus, out of so many similarities, Portia and Elizabeth I were not very desperate when it comes to romance/selecting their life partners.

Topic 3

1) Poor = The greatest majority of families were poor. Hygiene, at this level, was not important enough to be practiced. Most people took only one to three baths a year. Oral hygiene was not considered.

Middle Class = The yeomanry and the gentry were more concerned with hygiene, bathing as often as once a month. Daily washing of the face, neck and wrists was common. Teeth were cleaned by rinsing with vinegar and water, then wiping each tooth with a cloth. Toothpicks were also widely used.

The Wealthy = The wealthy bathed every other week, and often enjoyed expensive soap. Beards were also washed with soap, and kept trimmed and neat. Ironically, many oral hygiene concoctions were sweetened with honey, causing rapid tooth decay.

2) Elizabethan food and drink did not constitute a good balanced diet, especially not for the rich! The rich ate few fresh vegetables and little fresh fruit - unprepared food of this variety was viewed with some suspicion! Fruit was usually served in pies or was preserved in honey. Vegetables and fresh fruit were eaten by the poor - vegetables would have been included in some form of stew, soup or pottage. Food items which came from the ground were only are considered fit for the poor. Only vegetables such as rape, onions, garlic and leeks graced a Noble's table. Dairy products were also deemed as inferior foods and therefore only to be eaten by the poor.

3) Fairs = The Annual Summer Fair and other seasonal fairs such as May Day were often bawdy affairs.

Plays = Started as plays enacted in town squares followed by the actors using the courtyards of taverns or inns (referred to as Inn-yards) followed by the first theatres (great open air amphitheatres built in the same style as the Roman Coliseum) and then the introduction of indoor theatres called Playhouses.

Miracle Plays = Re-enactments of stories from the Bible. These are derived from the ancient Briton custom of Mystery Plays, in which stories and fables were enacted to teach lessons or educate about life in general. Miracle plays included stories from all ecclesiastic literature, from the Bible to the everyday psaltery or prayerbook.

Festivals = Celebrating Church festivals

Jousts / Tournaments = A series of tilted matches between two or more warriors, by the Elizabethan time period these were more of a show or display of arms than to settle disputes such as we hear of in stories. Unlike our romantic notions of only knights participating in a joust, they were in fact a favourite of many, such as King Henry VIII, who often in his youth showed off his equestrian skills with a lance and a tilt.

Games and Sports = Sports and games which included archery, bowling, cards, dice, hammer-throwing, quarter-staff contests, troco, quoits, skittles, wrestling and mob football

Card Games = Cards appeared in Spain and Italy about 1370, but they probably came from Egypt. They began to spread throughout Europe and came into England around 1460. By the time of Elizabeth’s reign, gambling was a common sport. Cards were not played only by the upper class. Many of the lower classes had access to playing cards. The card suits tended to change over time.

4) The most common manor plan for Elizabethan times housing was an E shape, with the vertical line of the E being the main hall, and the shorter horizontal end lines the kitchens and living rooms. The shorter central line was the entry porch. On the upper floor of the main hall there was a long gallery, used for entertaining as a family area, for exercise on dull days, and as a portrait gallery, the long gallery was an almost universal feature of Elizabethan manors. It featured windows on three sides and fireplaces along the fourth, and it usually ran the entire length of the floor.

5) For women:

Underclothes

Smock or shift, also called a chemise made of linen

Stockings or hose

Corset or bodice

Farthingale - a hooped skirt

A Roll or Rowle

Stomacher

Petticoat

Kirtle

Forepart

Partlet

Over Clothes

Gown

Separate sleeves

Ruff

Cloak

Shoes

For men:

Underclothes

Shirt

Stockings or hose

Codpiece

Corset

Over Clothes

Doublet

Separate sleeves

Breeches

Belt

Ruff

Cloak

Shoes

Hat

Topic 4

1) In the 15 century, although Venice faced constant wars and political instability in the Europe contingent, the devotional painting had very important role to play, as it served as a reminder to the people the importance of prayers and to lead a humble, honest life. At that time, people mostly wore dull garments. By the end of the 15th century, Venice had become the European capital of printing; Venice had 417 printers, and was one of the first cities in Italy to have a printing press after those established in Germany. The Aldine Press of Aldus Manutius was the most important printing office, and it printed the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili in 1499. It was considered the most beautiful book of Renaissance, and established modern punctuation, the page format and italic type since then, and the first printed work of Aristotle.

During the 16th century, Venice became one of the most important musical centers of Europe. In the early 16th century, also, there was argument over whether Venetian painting should use disegno or colorito. The Paduan School and Antonello da Messina, who introduced the oil painting technique of the van Eyck brothers, influenced the Venetian painting. Venice was also the early center of music printing. Music is being published as soon as this technology was available, and the publishing enterprise helped to attract composer. By the end of the century, Venice was famous for the splendor of its music, as exemplified in the "colossal style" of Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli, which used multiple choruses and instrumental groups. Some of the famous composers during the baroque period are Antonio Vivaldi, Ippolito Ciera, Giovanni Picchi, and Girolamo Dalla Casa.

Lifted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice

2) Venice was important during the 15^th and 16^th century as the paintings at that time was very important. They play a role in ensuring and reminding people the importance of prayers and to lead a humble, honest life. It was also the start of Venice printing service, and it soon became a hit after it became the capital of printing. The 16^th century was the important start and beginning of Venice’s music printing as well. With the help of many famous composers, Venice’s music printing progress and improve.

3) Venice, during 15^th and 16^th century was the time where its music culture was at its peak. Thus it would be appropriate to use Venice as a setting as through the poem, as they could express the story in a very musical way and prove to the audience that Venice music culture was progressing well at that time.

Topic 5

1) In England, it was Catholics who dominated first. After that it was overtaken by the Christians. In Venice, it was always the Jews who were dominant.

2) The Jews did not convert to Christianity, and they were accused of actively rejecting Christ, and even of murdering Jesus himself. Also, as Jews were the richer population of the medieval times, the Christians begrudged them and this coupled with the assumed rejection of Christianity and the proclaimed murder of Jesus, it leads to the animosity between the races.

3) Expulsion, forced conversion, book burning, property confiscation, synagogue (place for Jewish congregation) burning, holocaust (mass slaughter), stake burnings, enslaved, Judaism outlawed, land confiscation, ban on sea travel, massacre, Jews burned alive, 1/3 of Jewish population murdered in Germany and Northern France, pogrom (massacre of the race), mob attacks, badge of shame, mass arrest, Talmud (religious book) confiscation, public torture, public executions.

Topic 6

1) Shakespeare’s plays were mostly performed in the Globe Theatre which was some sort of a medieval building. The outer view of the building has a much simpler design while the inside holds a much more intricate design which brings out a mystical atmosphere. The Globe Theatre had no roof, allowing sunlight to enter the building during the day. The building had no lighting equipment thus plays were mostly scheduled in the afternoon where there is light.

2) The theatre that Cuthbert Burbage built for the Chamberlain’s Men had a total capacity of between 2,000 and 3,000 spectators. Because there was no lighting, all performances at the Globe were conducted, weather permitting, during the day (probably most often in the mid-afternoon span between 2 P.M. and 5 P.M.). Because most of the Globe and all of its stage was open air, acoustics were poor and the actors were compelled by circumstances to shout their lines, stress their enunciation, and engage in exaggerated theatrical gestures.

The language of Shakespeare’s plays is also descriptive as the theatres are open air without much scenery. The scenery are being described through dialogues and actions of the actors. Therefore the language of Shakespeare’s plays is often descriptive.

3) Shakespeare’s fellow members of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men acted in his plays. Among these actors were Richard Burbage (who played the title role in the first performances of many of Shakespeare’s plays, including Hamlet, Othello, Richard III and King Lear), Richard Cowley (who played Verges in Much Ado About Nothing), William Kempe, (who played Peter in Romeo and Juliet and, possibly, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and Henry Condell and John Heminges, are most famous now for collecting and editing the plays of Shakespeare’s First Folio.

4) People from all classes went to see Shakespeare’s plays in Shakespeare’s time. Anyone who could afford the minimum price of one penny could go and stand in the yard in front of the stage. They were known as ‘groundlings’ or ‘penny stinkers’; they stood all through the play. Those who could afford two pennies could sit on the covered benches; there were three tiers of covered seating around the edge of the yard. Rich people could sit above, or above and just to the side of the stage in the ‘Lords’ rooms’.


5) The Mayor and Corporation of London banned plays in 1572 as a measure against the plague, and in 1575 they formally expelled all players from the city¹ This prompted the construction of playhouses outside the jurisdiction of London, in the liberties of Halliwell/Holywell in Shoreditch and later the Clink, and at Newington Butts near the established entertainment district of St. George’s Fields in rural Surrey



6) In the past, Shakespeare worked in places like the theatre….

The Theatre was an Elizabethan playhouse located in Shoreditch (in Curtain Road, part of the modern London Borough of Hackney), just outside the City of London. It was the second permanent theatre ever built in England, after the Red Lion, and the first successful one. Built by actor-manager James Burbage, near the family home in Holywell Street, The Theatre is considered the first theatre built in London for the sole purpose of theatrical productions. The Theatre’s history includes a number of important acting troupes including the Lord Chamberlain’s Men.The design of The Theatre was possibly adapted from the inn-yards that had served as playing spaces for actors and/or bear baiting pits. The building was a polygonal wooden building with three galleries that surrounded an open yard.

However, the modern Globe theatre is different in…

Shakespeare’s Globe is a reconstruction of the Globe Theatre, an Elizabethan playhouse in the London Borough of Southwark, located on the south bank of the River Thames, but destroyed by fire in 1613, rebuilt 1614 then demolished in 1644. The modern reconstruction, of the 1614 building, was founded by the actor and director Sam Wanamaker and built approximately 230 metres (750 ft) from the site of the original theatre. The theatre was opened to the public in 1997, with a production of Henry V. The site also includes a reconstruction of the Blackfriars Theatre.