The Office vs. Volpone

Since I completed all of my Ruminations for the class I still wanted to contribute to the class, and when Professor Calhoun mentioned that the characters in Volpone could be seen as similar to those in The Office it sparked off ideas in my mind. In the play Volpone, the tale of Volpone’s trickery is constantly twisting and turning as the characters in the play are scheming and lying to each other until the whole things blows up in Volpone’s face. This is a weekly occurrence with Steve Carell’s character Michael Scott who would play Volpone. He is always plotting some kind of scheme as he sidekick Dwight Schrute played by Rainn Wilson is at his side, which of course would play Mosca. Nano would be played by Ed Helmes (Andy) who keeps Volpone (Michael Scott) amused with jokes. Castrone who never speaks in the play would obviously be played by Brian Baumgartner (Kevin), as you never can understand when he speaks. Celia who displays goodness would be played by Jenna Fischer (Pam) who in The Office is usually the one who does well by others. The mean and vicious Corvino would be played by Craig Robinson, as he is always curt with his answers to everyone. The deceitful Voltore always looking to climb the ladder of success would be played by Paul Lieberstein who is also looking to knock others over to climb the money ladder. Leslie David Baker (Stanley) would play Corbaccio as he is always complaining of not feeling well. Bonario son of Corbacio who rescues Celia would be played by John Krasinski (Jim) who deep down inside is an honorable man. The very proper Fine Madame Would-be would be Amy Ryan (Holly) she thinks she is better than everyone else in The Office. Creed Bratton (Creed) would be Sir Politic Would-be as he looks like an English Knight. Finally the Hermaphrodite Androgyno would be played by Kate Flannery (Meredith) she just seems to fit that part right.

Creative Engagement- Debate on The Internet as Utopia

The Internet as Utopia: An Overview of the Debate

I found this information from the The New York Public Library website (http://utopia.nypl.org/I_meta_2.html). It is an idea that we have not touch based on during all of our Ruminations and Blogs. I really enjoyed the many insightful thoughts that everyone had on Utopia and am happy that Professor Calhoun gave us the chance to look more into this topic.


In the ongoing search for the ideal society, the Internet has been proposed as a "place" in which a utopia could exist. Parallels to previous notions of utopian thought are discussed in "Cyber-Utopianism" and the Evolution in Utopian Thought. Despite these comparisons, there has been a heated debate on the question of whether the Internet qualifies as a utopia: some argue that it is or should be considered as a possible utopia; others regard it as purely a new form of communications technology and not the basis of an ideal "place" or "community"; still others perceive it to be dystopic, or anything but ideal, as a real or potential threat to man and society.

Cyberspace consists of transactions, relationships, and thought itself, arrayed like a standing wave in the web of our communications. Ours is a world that is both everywhere and nowhere, but it is not where bodies live. We are creating a world that all may enter without privilege or prejudice accorded by race, economic power, military force, or station of birth.

We are creating a world where anyone, anywhere may express his or her beliefs, no matter how singular, without fear of being coerced into silence or conformity. …We believe that from ethics, enlightened self-interest, and the commonweal, our governance will emerge.-- from John Perry Barlow, "A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace," available at the website of the Electric Frontier Foundation, 1996


Proponents of the Internet have contended that with nothing more than access to a computer, modem, and ISP, users can freely create and participate in a community unbounded by the physical limitations of time, space, and being. The unprecedented personal freedom, unrestricted access, and varied modes of communication and communities that this metaworld affords all contribute to the Internet’s consideration as a "place" where a utopia, no longer imaginary or remote but not physically substantive, can be constructed and inhabited.

Those who contend that the Internet is not a utopia argue that a digitally networked world does not provide the elements necessary to create an ideal community. Some consider the Internet to be simply the latest progression in communications technology, and not a revolutionary mechanism that has enabled metaphysical transformations and communities composed of "virtual" identities.


Others consider the Internet to be decidedly dystopic in nature: the perverse melding of real and simulated; the realm of an electronically connected elite made vulnerable by individuals — fanatics, predators, spammers, cybersquatters, and hackers — not to mention businesses, governments, and other organizations. Big Brother — in the form of governments, corporations, employers, teachers, and parents — is indeed watching and controlling access to information and people on the Internet. All these factors have contributed to concerns that the Internet is at best commercial and propagandistic but quite possibly illusory and subversive, or even dehumanizing and life-threatening.

Creative Engagement- Utopian ideals are also not the same as a Utopia

Utopian ideals are also not the same as a Utopia. Leaders in our history such as Adolf Hitler wanted a Utopian world that in his eyes would be a perfect way of life for all to follow. Hitler was mad man who killed and dehumanized entire races of people in trying to achieve his Utopia. François Marie Charles Fourieris a man probably must of you have never heard of was a French utopian socialist philosopher who’s utopian socialist views inspired the founding of the community called La Reunion near present-day Dallas, Texas. Although Fourier did not find the need to kill to achieve his Utopia he still manage to dehumanize the Jewish race “There were incentives: jobs people might not enjoy doing would receive higher pay. Fourier considered trade, which he associated with Jews, to be the "source of all evil" and advocated that Jews be forced to perform farm work in the phalansteries. But Fourier had some good ideas he was a supporter of women’s rights and defended homosexuality.
So throughout history there were and still are men and women who seek a Utopian world. But in all cases their Utopian World is never really perfect in the end it seems that someone always suffers.

If you are interested in reading more about François Marie Charles Fourier following this link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Fourier

Which Utopia is the Perfect Utopia?

When finding out we were reading Thomas More’s Utopia, almost instantaneously I thought of a couple of books I read in Middle School that related to a Utopian society. For example, one book titled The Giver by Lois Lowry focuses on the combination of both a utopian and dystopian society. In The Giver, the surroundings and environment appear uncorrupted, where all its members are comfortable and cause no harm to themselves or to others. Therefore, the reader views this as a Utopian society, or an ideally perfect state. But there are evident differences in Lois Lowry’s The Giver and Thomas More’s Utopia, such as it is said that there are no animals, (pg. 547 in Book 2 Utopia discusses how farmers feed the animals), there is no nature (pg. 529 in Book 2 Utopia says, “Every house has a door to the street and another to the garden”), and in the The Giver as the story unravels we find that is not a perfect society, but a society that is missing diversity, color and love which demonstrates the idea that their world obtains dystopian characteristics as well. Another story that popped into my head was Animal Farm by George Orwell. A main difference that stood out to me was government. In Animal Farm it is evident that each individual wants full power and no one is willing to share it. In the beginning of their plot of rebellion they decide their government system will be called ‘animalism’ with specific guidelines they all must follow. A main one that causes controversy is, “All animals are created equal” which, as time passes, turns into, “All animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal.” On the other hand, in Utopia there is a representative democracy. Even though both of these stories exerted the idea of a Utopian society all had different occurrences and outcomes within. In my opinion, More’s story appeared to have the most peaceful described cities, and organized leadership and lifestyles, which made me question, whether or not a Utopian society in reality, could ever exist. Therefore I decided to look into what More’s main purposes of writing these books were.
Utopia was written in response to some difficulties More was having within his own life due to the way that England was being run. More’s new idea and way of thinking ignited some chaos. A main one, for example, was between the powers of religion over the power of monarchy, which resulted More being beheaded. A direct quote in Norton shows this, “When More was required to take the oath for the Act of Succession and the Act of Supremacy, affirming that the king rather than the pope was the supreme head of the church in England, he declined.” Overall, I feel like More’s intentions were to open people’s eyes to a life they could dream for and put into actions and not have to be forced under cruel rule filled with malfunction, and misuse of power. I liked the way More put forth his ideas and because of that it definitely opened my eyes to a more positive way of running a society…. if only this did actually happen, I wonder where we would be today.

Newark Clean-Up (Wildcard)

Dear Karen,
         Just thinking about you, and figured I would update you a little bit about what I was involved with this past weekend. On Saturday morning I volunteered to do the Newark Clean-up. I met my friends at the Municipal Building where we signed in, picked up our gloves, and trash bags and headed to our assigned location. We picked up litter for approximately two hours; collecting it off of the grass, sidewalks, and in the parking lots of Library Avenue. Many people stopped us to ask what organization we were affiliated with.  When our time was up we put all of our bags together and were amazed at the amount of trash that we had picked up. We all decided to share the most strange or bizarre thing that we found and after that we headed back to the Municipal Building. The Lion’s Den had hot dogs, drinks, and snacks prepared for us as a thank you for volunteering our time. We all felt amazing that we put our time, energy, and effort into something as simple as picking up garbage. Later that day, I drove down the road and you could honestly see the difference. People carelessly throw smaller things such as their receipts, candy wrappers, and cigarette butts on the floor, thinking that there will be no affect, but in reality these items add up and make places look dirty. Being able to see the success from volunteering is honestly so rewarding. I believe in karma- what goes around comes around, and I hope that when people have the time and opportunity to volunteer they will and as a result, gain the feeling of achievement just like I did. See you this weekend!

Love,

Jamie  

Is this Propaganda in Disguise?

         The OED defines propaganda as “any association, systematic scheme, or concerted movement for the propagation of a particular doctrine or practice”. Moreover, it adds that the propagation of information is carried out “by an interested party, esp. in a tendentious way in order to encourage or instill a particular attitude or response”

Literature in any form is a great way to disguise what a writer wants you to believe so they can gain your trust for their benefit. In Drayton’s Ode. To the Virginian Voyage, Drayton’s main purpose is to present Virginia to England as an ideal place filled with lush and rich land, as seen in line 27  “ And the fruitfull’st Soyle”, his aim potentially was to in turn get the backing from the Queen to pursue future travel and possibly the colonization of the land.  In the prose, Drayton’s slips in the name of Richard Hakluyt in line 68. “Industrious Hackluit.” Hackliut was a great supporter of travel to the New World who compiled explorer’s travels into a book. Did using Hackliut uncover new confidence needed by English explorers not to give up in finding the New World worthy of colonization?  Drayton’s prose and Raleigh works where great tools to find reluctant investors. By declaring on paper and using maps and words such as in line 30 “All greater than your Wish” to lure and create a sense of excitement and curiosity was a propaganda tool so important to the growth and expansion of England’s territory worldwide.

 In researching Drayton’s ode I found a bit of information that is very interesting.  In 1607 the London Company set out on three ships, the Godspeed, Discovery, and the Sarah Constant to “Earth’s only paradise’, Virginia. Drayton wrote a prose to the group of Englishmen traveling on these ships. I read that the passengers sang during their four and half month journey.

Britons, you stay too long, 


Quickly aboard bestow you, 


And with a merry gale,


Swell your stretched sail, 


With vows as strong 


As the winds that blow you.



Your course securely steer,


West and by South forth keep; 


Rocks, lee shores nor shoals, 
Where Eolus scowls,


You need not fear,



So absolute the deep.


And cheerfully at sea 
Success you still entice, 


To get the pearl and gold,


And ours to hold VIRGINIA,

 
Earth's only paradise!


And in regions far

 
Such heroes bring ye forth 


As those from whom we came; 
And plant our name


Under that star


Not known unto our north

So, can it be safely said that Drayton’s Ode. To the Virginian Voyage was a successful propaganda tool? It obviously enticed the King to fund the trip and to spark the interest to those Englishmen to travel thousands of miles to Virginia sight unseen.

Maps were also an important tool not only for navigational purpose but also to lure people to unknown land for the benefit of the mother country. Looking at a map was a form of communication, which can hide a hidden agenda.  Within the maps borders cartographers scripted symbols that had hidden meanings. Maps provided communication between the ruler of a country and his people. From May 1607 to the fall of 1609, Captain John Smith was a leader of the Jamestown colony, the first permanent English settlement in North America. Smith explored the area zealously and described Virginia in vivid detail in letters, reports and maps. (Novus Orbis: Images of the New World part 3) Was it fair that cartographers used deceit to make their kingdom more valuable? Diogo Riberio’s 1529 world map, drawn for King Charles V of Spain, drew the lucrative Molucca spice islands incorrectly to place them in Spain’s sphere of influence. (Jardine, 1996, p. 274).

Beowulf an Inspiration to J.R.R. Tolkien

 I wanted to dissect Beowulf, as I didn’t get to grasp the entire context of it the first week.  After doing a third pass reading it struck me that I have read a story in high school that reminded me of Beowulf. The book was J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. After doing some research, an interesting fact that I found was that the epic poem Beowulf was indeed a huge influence for Tolkien. He said, “Beowulf is in fact so interesting as poetry, in places poetry so powerful, that any historical value it may possess must always be of secondary importance.” (http://www.sfsu.edu/~medieval/Volume5/Beowulf.html)

It is evident that Tolkien based many of his characters off of the characters and objects in Beowulf. For example, Beorn in Lord of the Rings is compared to Beowulf in Beowulf. Immediately one would notice that they share half of their names (“Beo”). Beorn is a shape changer throughout the book as he can transform into a bear. Beowulf translates as “bee-wolf” which means bear as well. Along with their similar names both men have extraordinary strength and can tear their enemies apart with their strong clench. (http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/papers/Ancalagon/TolkienandBeowulf.htm)

In both the epic poem and the story, there are struggles within their great journeys, and the battles that they fought. Tolkien took the imagery from Herot and used it to create the halls of Beorn and Théoden. Another thing that amazed me was that Tolkien thought of the title of his book from a line in Beowulf. Line 2345 reads, "Oferhogaode ða hringa fengel," usually translated, "Yet the prince of the rings was too proud..." This advocates Beowulf's characteristic of sharing gold rings and other rewards from battle with his men, and therefore, earning their loyalty. It seems that there is strong evidence that Tolkien translated this title into "Lord of the Rings”. (http://moongadget.com/origins/lotr.html)

I believe Tolkien changed the way people viewed Beowulf. In the past, believing in a fantasy world and mythical creatures would be looked down upon. He made it okay to believe in these ideas- to think there is evil even in good men and there is more to life then what is before us. After finding out all this information, I wonder how the author of Beowulf would feel that Tolkien borrowed so many of Beowulf’s characters, weapons, great halls and battles against good and evil. I believe that is okay, as in literature and art, as well as science and math, when something new is formed and put forth to others, it always is based from a previous discovery. More importantly, many people have enjoyed reading both pieces, which is a huge success for both authors as a main part of writing is attracting an audience.

There are very appealing comparisons to be found between the two pieces. Since I am not of avid knowledge of Lord of the Rings, the links that I have focused throughout this rumination will describe in detail the many similarities to Beowulf if any one is interested in looking further into this discovery!