King Lear Journal #4

"This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me

That which my father loses -- no less than all.

The younger rises when the old doth fall." (3.3.23-25)

This passage by itself shows that when the old lose something, it is usually falls to the young. In the context of the play this passage shows that Edmund now plans to get rid of his father as well and take his place as ruler. This highlights on the idea that the children in the play are often taking power away from there fathers. This is show in the beginning with King Lear, although it is voluntary it is still that passing of power. I personally think this passage shows the eagerness of the young to take away power, not realizing the responsibility that comes along with it. The young people in situation like this often think of power as a trophy or something like wealth that is meant to be accumulated and horded.

King Lear Journal # 3

I am tracking the insecurity of old age. This really only relates to Lear himself since there are not any other old people in the play. Lear is obviously concerned that as he grows old, people will no longer respect him. "'tis our fast intent to shake all cares and business from our age" (1.1.40-41)
In this passage, Lear acknowledges that he is old and that because of this he is giving up his land to his daughters. This however proves not to be a sign of acceptance because he does not give up his power, only his responsibly. This shows that he is unwilling to let go of his power, even when his old age demands it. Later, Lear's daughter Goneril comments on her fathers age, "You see how full of changes his age is...what poor judgment he hath now cast."(1.1.334-337) In this passage Goneril show how people are aware of the Kings deteriorated state and shows that he has lost the respect he once had.

King Lear Journal # 2

The role of the fool in King Lear is to be someone who continually points out Lear's shortcomings. He is not the only one who does this but unlike the others he does not incur Lear's rath. The reason for this is not all clear but most likely it is because he uses a very poetic and comedic tone which Lear seems not to take seriously. The fools also acts as the chorus in the way he speaks and acts. The fool is also one of the few characters who's life is not directly effected by the events in the play. He does not appear to be emotionally involved and this makes the audience trust him more.

King Lear Journal # 1

The speeches given by the three sisters in Act 1 Sc 1 tell a lot about their personalities. King Lear demands that in order to receive a part of his kingdom as a dower. Goneril is the first to speak and tells him that she loves him "Dearer than eyesight, space and liberty" (1.1.62). These words, although powerful sound empty because she has been commanded to do it. Regan is next and mimics her sister and ventures to say that her love is even greater. The idea that someone can prove through words who's love is greater if foolish and the fact that Lear treats their empty words as gospel shows that he is deluded. Finally when Cordelia is asked to speak she refuses to follow the path of her sisters. She instead tries to point out that no matter what words she used to describe her love, it is meaningless.

Blood Wedding Journal #2

Diary entry written by the Mother in Blood Wedding

Now it is over, I need not fear the loss of another son, for I have no more sons to loose. Curse the man who first thought it right to kill his fellow man. His heart was black as ash and ashes is what he should become. Why is it me who must suffer, why is it my sons must die. Why does god choose to take away all who would keep me company. Oh if only I had one daughter to sit by the fireplace with. To hold close to me and not have to worry about her flying off to death. But in the end it is not met to be. I am destined to live alone, to sleep alone, and to die alone. This is the punishment for a crime I know not of. My one hope is that when I die, my life will be as it should have been, with my sons and husband at my side.

Blood Wedding Journal #1

"Not rounding off, but opening out." The ending to both Blood Wedding and Wild Duck the ending is used to show the consequences of secrets. Whether it is a forgotten love that was so forgotten or an old affair that produced a child, secrets are shown as a serpent that waits to be forgotten, then strikes. In this way both writers open up to the audience, the dangers of these secrets and motivates them to not let them penetrate their lives. It is the primary function of a tragedy to comment on a flaw in human behavior or culture. Both authors choose secrets as the the poison their characters must swallow.

Wild Duck Journal #4

The gap between the audience and the charters in both Oedipus and The Wild Duck is extremely important. Its primary function is to show the reader or audience member how foolish people can be when they don't now all the facts. Oedipus pushes the messenger to reveal the truth about his origins. Oedipus has no idea the pain the answer will cause him, but since the audience has been able to look at the facts with an unclouded mind they see the truth before Oedipus does. This causes the reader to become more emotionally involved in the story as they see the charters on the stage destroy themselves. Likewise The Wild Duck shows Gregers insisting that he tell Hjalmar the truth about his fathers guilt and why Werle has been so kind to him. The audience has heard Gregers plan ahead of time and knows what pain it will cause Hjalmar. Again the audience is pulled into the story and come to pitty the ignorance of the charters and how it ultimately leads to their despair.