MsLecieyLou 4th pd
Final Blog Post - POSTMODERNIST TAKE
Shakespeare, "Sonnet 116"
Summary:
In an effort to define love, this sonnet describes what it is and what it is not. The speaker states in the beginning that love is "perfect and unchanging". It represents "the marriage of true minds" and does not "admit impediments" or change when the one it loves experiences changes. The poet uses a metaphor to explain what love is in the second part. Love that "looks on tempests and is never shaken" and serves as a guiding light for lost ships. The speaker emphasizes what love is not in the third part. It is not affected by the passage of time. Love is constant throughout the hours and days, even when beauty fades with time as red lips and cheeks fall under "his bending sickle's compass."
A DUMBED DOWN VERSION
I refuse to believe that anything can separate a couple who genuinely love one another. If love diminishes itself or changes when times are hard, it isn't true love. No, love is a constant guide that remains unwavering even in the midst of a storm. It is the star that leads ships on their voyagings at sea; sailors use it to aid in navigation even though its significance is immeasurable. Time may fade cherry cheeks and lips, but love is not misled by it. Love endures unaltered till death itself and doesn't alter as the hours or weeks pass.If I'm mistaken, and my actions prove that I'm mistaken, then no one has ever loved and I've never written a poem.
Beliefs in Society and Anti-Convention
Sonnet 116, written by William Shakespeare, presents a timeless and idealized view of love that contrasts with the often superficial and ephemeral portrayals of love on social media today. On social media platforms, love is frequently showcased through carefully curated images and posts that may not accurately reflect the complexities and challenges of real-life relationships. There is often a focus on the external trappings of love, such as grand gestures, expensive gifts, or lavish vacations, rather than the deeper emotional connection and commitment emphasized in Sonnet 116. Social media can contribute to unrealistic expectations and comparisons in relationships, as individuals may feel pressured to live up to the romanticized portrayals of love they see online. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy or dissatisfaction in real-life relationships that do not meet these inflated standards.
Link to Jonathan Haidt, "WHY TNE PAST TEN YEARS OF AMERICAN LIFE HAVE BEEN UNIQUELY STIPID. It’s Not Just A Phase. "
Summary:
This article, in my opinion, highlighted many of the factors contributing to the growing toxicity of American politics and culture. The widespread harm that social media and the internet cause to our relationships, institutions, systems, and culture is explained in Haidt's article. Also, he compares the present events to what happened at the tower of Babel.
Anti-Convention
Like other tools, social media has its purposes. It has been turned over to companies, who never really care about what is best for society as a whole. Hence, in practice, it is bad, but that is adjustable.
Protest and Parody of Cultural Hegemony
“So cross-party relationships were already strained before 2009. But the enhanced virality of social media thereafter made it more hazardous to be seen fraternizing with the enemy or even failing to attack the enemy with sufficient vigor.” Party lines are so far apart in society as a result of this. The fact that people throw missiles not only at the opposing party but also at any disagreement inside the party is another important factor. You will be publicly shamed if you do not agree with everyone in your party. I've noticed this in motion on social media. People who don't agree with everything expressed by one side are regularly accused of aligning with the enemy.
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Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare can be examined through the lens of both maximalism and minimalism, albeit in different aspects.
Maximalism:
Language: Shakespeare shows the depth and unchangeability of love in Sonnet 116 by using complicated and elaborate language. He communicates the idea that love is constant and unwavering through the use of complex metaphors and lyrical methods. Phrases such as "Love is not love / Which alters when it alteration finds" are an excellent example of the depth and range of phrasing typical of maximalist writing.
Conceptual Depth: The sonnet explores the timeless characteristics of love and how it survives the test of time, diving deeply into its core qualities. Shakespeare examines a number of aspects of love, including its reliability, endurance in the face of hardship, and transcend above wealth or beauty. This thorough examination gives the poem additional layers of complexity and reflects a maximalist view on the subject.
Minimalism:
Structure: Sonnet 116 follows the traditional structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, comprising of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter and following a strict rhyme scheme (ABABCDCDEFEFGG). This flow to a structured form reflects a minimalist approach in terms of poetic structure, as the poem reflects its message within a tightly controlled framework.
Directness: Despite its thematic heavyness, Sonnet 116 communicates its message with clarity. Shakespeare's language is precise and straightforward, and doesn't use unnecessary large language in favor of direct expression. The sonnet's language contributes to its minimalist aesthetic, conveying beautiful ideas with a minimum of words.
In conclusion, Sonnet 116 reflects minimalism in its commitment to a structured form and its straightforward, bare statement of ideas, while also displaying traits of both minimalism and maximalism. Maximalism is mainly demonstrated by Sonnet 116's language variety and logical depth.
Link to e.e cummings, "[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]"
Summary
E.e cummings was a poet, writer, and artist from America who gained popularity for his unique punctuation and capitalization choices. The writer greets his lover directly in the poem, calling her "my darling" and "my dear." The poem expresses his love and admiration for his beloved throughout, assuring her that she is his universe and destiny (If only men today could get this correct). Lines like "and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart" are only one example of the poem's imagery that will stick with the reader. (Me and all the ladies who wish their boyfriends would do better).
Minimalism:
Here, it is important to note that Cummings uses the pronoun I multiple times and that it is always written in lowercase. He doesn't capitalize a single letter throughout this poem. Although there are many explanations for this decision to not capitalize the pronoun, one possibility is that he wanted to be treated equally to his lover. If he had capitalized “I”, he would have been elevated above his lover in some way. I think that's a cool take on this but it's probably not likely since all of his works are lowercase. But a girl can only dream. The unpunctuation strengthens the connection between cummings and his love, and he once more seems to be affectionately "cradling" her heart in the space between the parenthesis. He tells his love that the sun's song is also performed for her and that whatever the moon means, it has always been for her. Pay careful attention to how Cummings personifies the sun, who is singing his song to the speaker's love.
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World Building
The sonnet's emphasis on the permanence of love also builds a world where true connection and intimacy are valued above all else. By asserting that love is not subject to alteration or diminishment, Shakespeare constructs a vision of a world where authentic love forms the foundation of enduring relationships. while "Sonnet 116" may not present a conventional world-building narrative, it constructs a rich emotional and philosophical landscape that shapes our understanding of love and relationships. Through its depiction of love as enduring, steadfast, and timeless, the sonnet contributes to the world-building of a universe where love is the cornerstone of human experience.
Link to Gorillaz, “Humility”
World-Building
2D: In their music videos, Gorillaz, a virtual band consisting of musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, use character animations that represent themselves in order to highlight the idea of a "virtual band." They get to play with different personalities and styles due to this idea, which frees them from the limitations placed on them by conventional band members. Also, it gives their music a visual storytelling element that gives their audience a special experience.
Citations
“LitCharts.” LitCharts, www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-shakespeare/sonnet-116-let-me-not-to-the-marriage-of-true-minds.
“Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 Is Not What It Seems.” Www.youtube.com, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRLcZTr6Z0Q.
“Gorillaz - Humility (Official Video).” YouTube, 31 May 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5yFcdPAGv0.
Shakespeare, William. “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds.” Poetry Foundation, 1609, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45106/sonnet-116-let-me-not-to-the-marriage-of-true-minds.
“6 Take-Aways from “Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid” by Jonathan Haidt.” Mark Vroegop, www.markvroegop.com/blog/6-take-aways-from-why-the-past-10-years-of-american-life-have-been-uniquely-stupid-by-jonathan-haidt.
Chiang, Casey. ““Uniquely Stupid:” Dissecting the Past Decade in America.” Amanpour & Company, www.pbs.org/wnet/amanpour-and-company/video/uniquely-stupid-dissecting-the-past-decade-in-america/. Accessed 13 May 2024.
“LitCharts.” LitCharts, www.litcharts.com/poetry/e-e-cummings/i-carry-your-heart-with-me-i-carry-it-in#:~:text=carry%20it%20in%E2%80%9D-.
Spacey, Andrew. “Analysis of Poem “I Carry Your Heart with Me (I Carry It In” by E.E. Cummings.” Owlcation, 24 Sept. 2023, owlcation.com/humanities/Analysis-of-Poem-i-carry-your-heart-with-me-i-carry-it-in-by-EE-Cummings.
E.E. Cummings. “Poetry Magazine.” Poetry Foundation, 2019, www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/49493/i-carry-your-heart-with-mei-carry-it-in.
“Gorillaz - Humility (Official Video).” YouTube, 31 May 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5yFcdPAGv0.