Arthurian and Grail Poetry Essay Example for Free

Arthurian and Grail Poetry Essay In 1871, Swinburne produced a new collection of poems which he entitled â€Å"Songs Before Sunrise†, which echoed a whole generation’s sentiments about Italy’s struggle for freedom. The poet’s stellar piece, â€Å"Hertha†, was yet another offering to the pagan altar upon which he worshipped. Hertha, the goddess of fertility, is written as the speaker of a dramatic monologue that aims to declare her superiority and immortality over the Christian God, a tactic Swinburne used to get the attention of the Victorian audience. He emphasizes, through Hertha, the significance and importance of Mother Nature over God, and provides line after line of physical representations of a â€Å"mother† that gives life and nourishment to her offspring, compared to a God who, in Swinburne’s logic, false and provisional. Also, by centering on the â€Å"body† of Hertha, Swinburne stays true to his established tradition of sensuality and passion. He ends the poem with Hertha saying â€Å"I am man†Ã¢â‚¬â€completing the ultimate pagan principle of man’s harmony and unity with nature. Swinburne’s most celebrated work, among his legendary pieces, is 1882’s â€Å"Tristram of Lyonesse†. A veritable triumph in the technical sense, the poem was skillfully written to feature long romantic couplets punctuated with a brilliant arrangement of vowel sounds, rhythm, and alliteration. Swinburne exposes his concept of passion masterfully in this tale of lovers who care for nothing else but their love, and would go to any length to keep the fire burning. Often referred to as Swinburne’s ode to the English dramatists, â€Å"Tristram† is, to this day, the most exemplary rendition of the English couplet. IV. Other Literary Accomplishments As much as Swinburne was known as an exceptional poet was his reputation as an excellent critic. From 1868, he managed to produce a number of volumes of literary criticism, with the best contained in Miscellanies and Essays and Studies. In this series, the genius and poetics of Swinburne are satisfyingly revealed and explored. He also published A Study of Shakespeare, in which he expressed his own great technical competencies and proficiencies in the areas of music and rhythm in poetry, by praising the iconic master of story, song, and technical excellence. It is quite apparent that Swinburne had intentionally limited his paganistic and atheistic principles to his poetry—the literary criticism that bears his name almost always stays firmly on the positive side, with nary a mention of technical or thematic shortcomings of the authors he discusses. With Swinburne’s passing in 1909, the Victorian society of England lost one of its greatest masters in lyric poetry, whose genius and brilliance were quite overflowing that he found it necessary to go against the tide, and stand by the least accepted constructs of society. V. Conclusion The question regarding Swinburne’s religious influences in his poetry has been clearly answered, and has validated the original logic proposed. There are indeed references to Christianity and traditional beliefs in almost all his poetry, which he strategically decided to use to disprove many of the paradigms established by the Church. With his declared propensity to explore the ideals of physical pain and pleasure, sexual passion, and excessive living, through a great deal of wit, sarcasm, and morbidity, the reading audience is left shocked and astonished way beyond their accepted levels. However, it takes one as talented as Swinburne to effectively realize the relationship between two opposing poles—Christianity and immorality—and use the commonalities to create an ideology that is all at once controversial and unacceptable, but also incredible and brilliant. Bibliography Apiryon, T. ‘Algernon Charles Swinburne’, The Hermetic Library, 1995, retrieved 12 July 2008 from http://www. hermetic. com/sabazius/swinburne. htm Bartleby, ‘The Rossettis, William Morries, Swinburne, and Others’. Bartleby. com, retrieved on 12 July 2008 from http://www. bartleby. com/223/0508. html Cymru, Gordd. ‘Arthurian and Grail Poetry’, Celtic Twilight, 2000, retireved 12 July 2008 from http://celtic-twilight. com/camelot/poetry/swinburne/index. htm Representative Poetry Online, ‘Selected Poetry of Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837- 1909), retrieved on 12 July 2008 from http://rpo. library. utoronto. ca/poet/319. html Sawhney, Paramvir, ‘Gestalt Paganism in AC Swinburne’s Hertha’ The Victorian Web, 2006, retrieved on 12 July 2008 from http://victorianweb. org/authors/swinburne/sawhney9. html Thomas, Edward, ‘A Modern Bacchant’, The New York Times, 29 December 1912.

Edward Zwicks Film, Glory Essay -- Zwick Films Movies Glory Essays

Edward Zwick's Film, Glory â€Å"Glory†, the excellent war film about the first black regime, showed how a group of black men who first found bitterness between each other, rose above it and became one to form a group of black men that marched with pride not animosity. When dealing with a great film that involves African Americans, the roles have to be filled by strong black actors. Edward Zwick falls nothing short of this. The two black roles are filled by Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman. This war film seemed to be just like every other war film. Meaning that mostly all war movies have the singing among troops and playing cards or in this case, craps. This helps the viewer see past the soldier, and see the real person and notice their human as well. This paper will show how Zwick used different characters, racial wars, music, and camera to portray what really goes on during a time of war.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In â€Å"Glory† there are very different meanings to all the unique characters. Matthew Broderick, who plays Colonel Shaw, has many different meanings behind his character. The opening scene when he is lying on the battlefield he is feeling like he is in a living hell. When he is awakened the next morning, the first thing he sees is the sun. The sun looks like a narrow path of light, maybe resembling new life. Colonel Shaw, believing he was in a living hell, was awakened by a new heaven. Shaw, believing that he should of also died for his country, takes the responsibility of leading the first black regime and going back to the living hell for where he once was. Denzel Washington plays the next character, Private Trip. Trip is the rebel of the crew and talks like he has been through everything. Throughout the film, Zwick emphasizes Trip’s feet, which are badly scared, bruised, and cut. The bruised feet symbolize the journey that he has gone through si nce the age of twelve when he first ran away from home. This is very deep because since the age of twelve he has been on his own and there had to be bigger battles to fight than the war he was in getting himself into at the time. The feet also symbolize all the training that the troops are doing and they are not being rewarded with proper attire such as uniforms. The third main character is Sergeant Major John Rawlins played by Morgan Freeman. He at first is part of the regime and then is appointed Sergeant. He is the i... ...stage and the troops being on the ground, this shows that Shaw has the power over them and that the troops are inferior to him. Throughout the movie Shaw is on and off his horse. When he is on his horse doesn’t talk to the soldiers and when he does the camera angle shows him looking down, again showing more power. When off the horse he talks to the troops and treats them as not only troops but also as human beings the camera now is at conversation level, showing that Shaw and the troops are both there for the same purpose which is war.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Glory† is an excellent movie not only on the screen but also behind the scenes. A better understanding is developed when the movie is watched from a critical point of view. There is a better understanding of the racial issues and how Zwick portrays the white and black issues by the different positions of the camera. Zwick shows an incredible camera view at the end when they all are one running for the fort and all the racial issues are erased. There is no better movie to review when you have to look behind the scene and get the true meaning, and in â€Å"Glory† the war against each other is erased and the unity rises above all negative issues.

Locked in the Cabinet

Written by the 22nd Labor Secretary of the United States Robert Reich, Locked in the Cabinet appears to be written with noble goals and intentions. That is, â€Å"to bridge the widening gap between the rich and the poor.† Robert Reich is a friend of former United States President Bill Clinton for 25 years and ended having extremely opposing views. He turned out to be a disillusioned member of Clinton’s cabinet. He pointed out the failure of Clinton’s administration to fulfill its intended aims and roles for the benefit of its constituents. The book was packaged like a journal with entries with their specific dates. The journal was dated on the four year span of the first term of Bill Clinton. The book displays a fragmentary-like form of a daily account with the specified time when the event occurred. In this book, he used a string of metaphors to present his points in a creative way, perhaps. In the book, Clinton was treated with hesitation. Reich did not deliberately stated â€Å"President Bill Clinton† in the book. He would refer to a certain â€Å"Bill† who, he said, his longtime friend. He was, perhaps, also considering their friendship while criticizing the leadership of his very own close friend. It is commendable that Reich aims for bridging the gap between the rich and poor. He stressed his being a liberal who has always been ready to fight for the rights of their constituents. For him, being liberal is giving an individual his rights. He stressed the importance of giving such because it is the main role and function of the government, anyway. As a liberal labor secretary, he advocated the rights of every worker especially their right for a wage increase. He even tried to convince company owners and manufacturers not  to use their powers against the striking workers. These workers are just airing their rights and sentiments, in the first place. Pertaining to the legitimate role and functions of the government in a private enterprise economy, he stressed out the role of the government on giving the outright benefits that a worker should have. He pushed for wage increase among the workers in the United States. He stressed the importance of some sort of â€Å"government intervention† in pushing for the rights of the workers. Even if Clinton is his longtime and close friend, it did not stop him in voicing out his criticisms towards Clinton’s unsatisfactory leadership through his book. He said that Clinton’s administration did not know what should be prioritized and seemed to forget what the purpose of his coming to Washington. He related that Clinton had the leadership but did not have the enough courage to take effect what is best for the people. But then, his disappointment over Clinton’s policies and administration has always been overshadowed by his affection towards his longtime friend. He views contemporary American policies as a â€Å"disaster† which does not actually respond to the actual needs of their constituents. He bluntly criticized everything he thinks not in the right place. I totally agree with his concept of liberalism. He cares for the â€Å"liberation† of every individual’s rights. He put forth the importance of giving everyone of what is due to him. As a statesman, it just right for him to have the heart for the oppressed and not for the oppressor. He has showed concern for the advantage of the people. It is just that he was â€Å"locked in the cabinet.† He implied that limitations of being a member of a cabinet. It might appear that cabinet members have all the power to take effect pro-people policies and actions, but then, they are subjected to the bureaucracy’s approval. He used many underlying themes in his book. This somewhat gave a twist on the sharp opinions that he wants to present. He admitted that he is indeed a frustrated secretary who wished that everyone would hear his and the society’s plight. Reich’s book is really informative. It is amazing how he is able to present such controversial revelations given that Clinton is his very close friend. He presented his point bravely leaving no missed point behind. I guess he just showed an objective setting of the situation of Clinton’s administration and the United States government system in general, particularly to the labor sector. With no doubt, he showed, through his book, his deep concern for people. On the other hand, the book, behind its impressing underlying themes, also received criticisms, perhaps from those who were behind the administration of Clinton. They claimed that Reich’s work was just like a fictional work and even claimed that it is a mere propaganda. They added that Reich’s claim were not realistic at all. Well, I guess, they just have to see the bigger picture. I believe that Reich has noble goals and aims as he presented his points in the book. Undeniably, Reich’s book deserves a commendation. He did his work well as the labor secretary fighting for the workers’ rights. People in the government should get a copy of his book immediately. Reference: Reich, R. (1997). Locked in the Cabinet (1st ed.). Norwalk, CT: Easton Press.                     

Essay about An American Attack on Iraq Was Not Justified

An American Attack on Iraq Was Not Justified The 2003 Iraq War lasted less than three weeks. It began in the early morning hours of March 20, when American missiles struck Baghdad. By April 9, U.S. forces had advanced into Baghdad. By April 15 Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein had vanished, and U.S. and allied officials pronounced the end of major combat operations. Although the war itself was short, arguments over whether it was justified had been made for months and years prior to the attack, and still continue today. Going to war in Iraq was not justified on many levels. One of the main reasons for the attacks on Iraq was to disarm them of any weapons of mass destruction that they have. This makes sense to prevent future terrorist†¦show more content†¦Not only is Iraq not a threat, but there is no evidence linking Iraq or Saddam Hussein to the 9/11 attacks. The United States claimed to be fighting the war on terrorism, yet there has not been any terrorist threats from Iraq. There is no credible evidence linking Iraq to 9/11. There is also no credible evidence linking Iraq to Al Qaeda (Farley 30). Bin Laden and Al Qaeda are the terrorists linked to the 9/11 attacks. Therefor, why would the 9/11 attacks force us to go to war in Iraq? Since there is no connection and no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, there is no justifiable reason to be in Iraq. We should be in Afghanistan going after the true terrorists, Al Qaeda. This preoccupation in Iraq detracted from our efforts to dismantle Al Qaeda and bring Bin Laden to justice. Al Qaeda and Bin Laden remain at large and are by far the greater threat to the United States. Al Qaeda has taken over 3000 lives on U.S. soil, while Saddam Hussein has taken none (Boron 5). The attack on Iraq has created an atmosphere that helps terrorists attract new recruits. By attacking Iraq, we may have created many more Bin Ladens, who could present a threat of terrorism to the United States for decades to come. By being preoccupied in Iraq, Al Qaeda is simply running loose and could be regrouping for a counterattack (Corn 45). Furthermore, morally and ethically, an attack against Iraq was wrong. It is not acceptable in aShow MoreRelatedWar on Iraq Was Not Justified1560 Words   |  7 Pages War on iraq was not justified The 2003 Iraq War lasted less than three weeks. It began in the early morning hours of March 20, when American missiles struck Baghdad. By April 9, U.S. forces had advanced into Baghdad. By April 15 Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein had vanished, and U.S. and allied officials pronounced the end of major combat operations. Although the war itself was short, arguments over whether it was justified had been made for months and years prior to the attack, and still continueRead MoreCritique of Article Titled An American Attack on Iraq is not Justified606 Words   |  3 PagesAn American Attack on Iraq is Not Justified was written by John E. Farley in 2002 when congress was considering a resolution to the 9-11 attacks. Farley is a professor of sociology at Southern Illinois University and still participates in war protests to this day. Farleys argument is exactly what the title states, a war in Iraq is not justifiable. The United States ultimately went to war against Iraq on March 19, 2003. Sin ce then, the question of whether or not the war is ll, showing that he caresRead MoreThe Just War : The Iraq War1132 Words   |  5 PagesThe date was March 19, 2003, people sat beside their television sets and radios to listen to U.S. President, George W. Bush, announce, â€Å"At this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger† (â€Å"War in Iraq Begins,† 2003). Bush and his advisor’s actions were based on the information that the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, was building weapons of mass destruction. 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But times have changed and today U.S. Presidents make public appearances to make sure that the public approval rating of them is favorable. These public appearances allow the president to show off positive characteristics like integrity and courage which makes the President likeable to the American people. The president’s public displays to the American people has essentially turned him into a spectacle. The change of the