Pixton Blog

The link thing isn't working :/ so, just copy this into the URL
http://Pixton.com/ic:7gi3gf2g
This should work!!

An Original Poem about an Eagle

Percy Bysshe Shelley An Original Poem about an Eagle While walking outside, I noticed a bird A bird unlike any I'd seen before It was a rare bird, one eagle, not four And it cried a call so that all would stir This eagle came flying, soft and unheard A majestic creature, no feelings were bored As it swooped down and a mouse was done for And the bird flew, as if nothing occurred Oh, how I wish to join you and fly Fly away from my troubles and misdeeds For if I could, never again would I Fear the world as I have, as you would lead And away I'd go, soaring through the sky Never looking back, with a new found speed --- Being free like you, and as royal too Would lay both blessing upon me For having that freedom, now mine, could be Disastrous on my soul, for this I knew Long ago, power can go way askew And change me into a beast, now set free Hurting for pleasure, yes, only for glee And abusing this strength, I know it's true We humans aren't meant to be one with clouds Nor are we able to control this gift That you, eagle, hold above all the crowds Of animals, who watch you as you lift Yourself away, and fly towards the shrouds Of night, with winds that carry you adrift This poem reflects Shelley's fascination with the animal world. It's a complete coincidence that he happened to write "To a Skylark" which inspired mine about an eagle. Also, it follows his form of the Petrarchan Sonnet, an iambic pentameter, with an octet and a sextet, forming a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCDCD.

Xtranormal Blog

Shakespeare and Macbeth
by: StoutBR

The Power of Women

I believe that Shakespeare was correct in some ways on his views of women in power, but not 100 percent. It is true that many women, in order to gain authority and respect, must not act like so much of a woman and more like a man, as shown in the preview for The Iron Lady. Through the preview, she is shown to have become like a man, and gain respect the way that men do, through their words and actions. A man, in order to gain power and respect, must act like the tough man; yet at the same time, they must act like a proper gentleman at the same time. People respect the power that a man that acts tough presents, but they do not want it to consume him, so they must also have the politeness and delicacy that the modern day gentleman is shown to have. Women are the same way. It seems like in order for a woman to gain the same respect that a man can have, they need to act the same, thus losing their femininity in the process. I believe that in the modern world today, women should not have to act like a man in order to gain respect and authority. Many women gain a lot of respect by acting like women should, for example, Oprah Winfrey does not act like a man at all, and still has a lot of respect throughout the country. And still, Oprah acts very different than men of today: in today’s world and economy, men would not simply hand out gifts like whales and school districts. However, it took Oprah a long time to get to where she is today. If a woman is “Iron” such as the woman portrayed in the trailer, Margaret Thatcher, was, then respect can be earned a lot more quickly than acting as a woman does. I believe that in today’s world, people are becoming a lot more sensitive than they were back in Shakespeare’s time, or even forty years ago. People are now focusing on the person as a whole, and what they would bring to the position that they are attempting to earn or receive. Today, it’s a lot easier for a woman to be who she really is and still gain respect than it was back in the older times, when they had to portray the emotions and strength of a man, and thereby being somebody that they really weren’t, and in a sense, losing themselves to power.

Banquo Playlist

Well, this is the playlist I believe would be appropriate for Banquo
http://open.spotify.com/user/1219122316/playlist/0sB2PzNnaC0qbSfzFptkQJ

• Gives You Hell - All American Rejects - After Banquo dies, obviously his very ghostly presence traumatized Macbeth, thereby giving him hell

• This Means War - Nickelback - Even after death, Banquo still tries to get even with Macbeth

• Your Betrayal - Bullet For My Valentine - This song, although directed to a woman, more or less describes Banquo's predicament, when Macbeth orders him killed

• My Sacrifice - Creed - Banquo, in some sense, sacrifices himself so that his son, Fleance, might get away and continue his bloodline

• Indestructable - Disturbed - This song represents Banquo in so many ways. Even after having Banquo killed, Macbeth cannot rid himself of him. And, as the witches predicted, Banquo's bloodline shall inherit the throne

• Just To Get High - Nickelback - Although this song deals with drug abuse, it has the same sense that Banquo had for Macbeth. He was worried for Macbeth, worried that he was doing terrible deeds to inherit all of the power.
• Devour - Shinedown - The main verse in this song is "It's your final hour", which very clearly describes Banquo's situation
• World So Cold - Three Days Grace - This song describes how Banquo must have been feeling before and after death.
• The Good Life - Three Days Grace -This describes Banquo's desires, what he wishes, if not for himself, than for his descendents
• Running Out Of Days -3 Doors Down - Obviously, this song describes how Banquo must have been feeling the days before his death, the days when Macbeth became king

Brandon Stout
Blog #2

                            Power, although needed in most situations, can prove to be a terrible thing. Power can turn once true and honest men into tyrannical beasts, searching for more and more power. This is the case in both the article and Macbeth. In Macbeth, Macbeth turns from being an honorable soldier, into something of a dictator. Who would have thought that this could have happened to the noble and honorable Thane of Glamis? He ruthlessly murdered in order to achieve his ultimate goal, which was just more and more power. Although he was influenced, this does not make him, or anybody for that matter, less guilty of a murder. Being controlled by power is something that can be controlled, and therefore, they are just as guilty for committing the murder as they would have been for killing in cold blood. The Nazis in the article were the same, they wanted more and more power, and the more they got, the more people had to die. There was a quote in the article, of a Nazi trying to justify his actions “Out of respect for human life I excise an ulcerated appendix; the Jews are the ulcerated appendix in the body of Europe.” This statement merely shows what power can do to the mentality of any normal person; it can give them the illusion that they are God, that they get to decide who lives and who dies.  This creates an evil in the person, and the only way to combat that evil is to maintain your moral convictions. The person must stay true to who they really are inside, and attempt to battle the evil that power has the ability to create within them. Of course, if the person is inherently evil, then the battle is worthless. And if there are any bystanders who witness this type of evil within the people around them, they should take it upon themselves to try to help. Now, obviously this would have been difficult during the Holocaust, and it is difficult in any modern day trial as well; no one wants to argue with their friends, or anyone close to them. But, if it is possible for someone to be helped or even saved, that person must try to help. It should be in our human nature to want to save others who we know can be better than the evil that power creates, and we should attempt to save those that can be saved.

 Brandon Stout
Blog #1
                      The Globe Theater. I love coming here to watch the plays that this man, Shakespeare, creates. Being in here just gives a sense of wonder, the theater itself is a work of art, not including the plays that are performed here. I love the atmosphere in the theater, although it is loud, everyone is having a great time being with their friends and watching the actors upon the stage. Speaking of the actors, I should probably address the play that they are performing. The tragedy being performed today is the favorite, Romeo and Juliet. This is one of my favorite plays, and since it's themes are so outright, it's quite easy to understand. The people around me seem to be in love with the tragedy as well. My seat is quite close to the stage, so I can clearly hear every word, and not be so distracted by all of the rowdy behavior behind me. Coming to the Globe Theater on a Sunday is my favorite activity of the week. I am able to relax, sit back, enjoy a comedy or tragedy of some sort, and eat peanuts. Being a nobleman, I can afford to do this every week. However, I do not throw my money around like its nothing, like those people who spend an incredible amount to sit up on the stage. I have never been up on the stage, nor do I think I will ever; it costs a ridiculous sum of money, and I would feel like I am distracting the actors on the stage, who already have to try to work with the roar of the crowd, not to mention people sitting right under their feet. It just seems like a waste of effort and money to me. The man that makes these plays, Shakespeare, I believe, must have plenty of spare time on his hands, in order to make these works of art. His plays are so in depth, and are so long as well. But the characters are so well developed, it’s quite incredible as to how he does it. The man is either a genius, or a magician. A new play is coming out next Sunday. I believe Shakespeare announced that the play is called Macbeth, and is based on a Scottish nobleman. I may have to go see it, if time allows, but I’m sure it will. I always seem to find time to enjoy a play at the Globe Theater.