I thought it would be a witty title seeing how our wildcard for the week deals with random acts of kindness. I was thinking about my week trying to figure out what was the nicest thing I did for another person. I have to say that the nicest random act of kindness I can recall was standing on line just so I could get my girlfriend a dish she really wanted from the dining hall. She didn’t want to go up because the line was too long and I had decided to go and see what else Russell had to offer. While browsing for more food I glanced over at the line and thought, “What the hell, I’ll get on the line for her”. I waited for a while and then I brought the plate back. At first she was jealous thinking that I got it for myself but was elated when she found out that it was actually her plate. A smile was really all I needed in return for an act of kindness that I hadn’t even planned on doing.
Although my deed was somewhat minuscule, it really made her day, which in turn made mine as well.
OH and I just remembered while typing it that I brought my ENG101 teacher’s Teacher Evaluations to the English Department for him. That was another good deed I hadn’t planned on doing.
Whoop whoop, two good deeds for Joshua S.!
I had read Chelsea’s comment about the movie reminding her of the play “Our Country is Good” and it brought back happy memories. I loved that play and I can definitely see why she saw some similarities between the film and the play.
Good connection Chelsea!
I think that every character involved in the story was at fault. I mean, think about how everyone acted like they cared in order to get Volpone’s money. The characters are really a trip because it seems like everyone wanted something from someone else. The only innocent one was Celia.
Oh and PS…Celia, your husband is an ass…off subject, but I had to say it.
You suck Corvino, you really suck.
“Happy Cinco de Mosca” — hahahaa see what I did there?
I have to say, I really didn’t imagine Mosca like this. I was thinking more old school kind of clothing, then again what do I know.
He looks like the type of dude that would be a follower. I wonder what his voice sounds like, I might have to look up some clips of this play on Youtube.
I’m sure most of you guys are familiar with the term “devil’s advocate”. Well for some reason I couldn’t stop thinking of that word while reading Johnson’s “Volpone”. Personally I saw the character Mosca as the prototypical devil’s advocate. In a game of trickery he was the one in charge of execution. Volpone’s job was much easier and for the most part, he kept his hands relatively clean. I was saddened to find that the definition of devil’s advocate is quite the contrary to what I had assumed. In fact it is defined as a person joining a side of the argument that they don’t necessarily agree with. I don’t know about you all, but I had originally thought it was more of an active role, taken by someone who is serving another in full accordance. With this in mind, Mosca really wasn’t a devil’s advocate. During all of his trickery he never showed remorse, in fact he found it quite enjoyable, congratulating himself as he threaded the fictitious plot to an even more intricate design.
One section in particular that exhibits Mosca’s complete compliance with the whole situation can be found on pages 1370-71. Mosca begins to speak about directly the giddy feeling he gets from weaving a web of deception early on in his speech. “I fear I shall begin to grow in love/ With my dear self and my most prosp`rous parts,/ They do so spring and burgeon. I can feel/ A whimsy i`my blood. I know not how” (1370). These are not the words of a man who feels remorseful for his actions.
Mosca was at his best on pages 1403-04 where he juggles each character after Volpone’s fortune. It was almost scary to see how effectively he was able to manipulate each character into thinking he was their faithful comrade. The saying, “once a rat, always a rat” really holds true. At the end of it all he attempts to betray his master. Volpone responds by exposing the truth and putting himself in the crosshairs along with Mosca. I guess everyone got what he or she deserved to some extent, but I could make a whole other rumination dealing with that topic.
I guess my parting questions are, who do you think was more at fault, Mosca or Volpone? Have you ever had a friend who ended up being a manipulator like Mosca?
Talking about V for Vendetta really got me thinking about iconic movie masks. After downloading three images I found a site that had a really cool list with a lot of the masks I was going to post up. Take a look if you guys have a free moment! I agree with the ones they had, and I didn’t even think of the classic Gladiator mask!
http://unrealitymag.com/index.php/2009/02/11/the-15-most-iconic-movie-masks-of-all-time/
“A building is a symbol, as is the act of destroying it. Symbols are given power by people. Alone, a symbol is meaningless, but with enough people, blowing up a building can change the world.” This quote is from the infamous character V from the movie “V for Vendetta”. I chose to open up with this because as the words implicate, something radical is about to occur. Using him as a comparison to More’s “Utopia” is quite paradoxical seeing how V pushed for a society that wasn’t regulated by the government. My reason for choosing him as an opening is because like Raphael Hythloday, V believed that a change was necessary, although he envisioned a more active role of obtaining it.
When More suggested that Hythloday should join the king’s council his response caught my eye. “In the first place, most princes apply themselves to the arts of war, in which I have neither ability nor interest, instead of to the good arts of peace. They are generally more set on acquiring new kingdoms by hook or by crook than on governing well those that they already have” (528). Tell me this doesn’t sound like something V would say if someone asked him what he has against the government.
Book 1 also shows some interesting views on punishment. Hythloday supports the view that someone who steals out of necessity should not be punished as severely as a person who has committed murder or rape. In V for Vendetta censorship was at an all time high. If you guys remember Natalie Portman’s character, her friend Deitrich was killed for making fun of Adam Sutler during his late night show. In no way shape or form did Deitrich deserve a fate so cruel for speaking his mind artistically. During the time of this writing England was much the same as far as severe punishments went. Was V a criminal, or was he the embodiment of justice whose philosophies could save society? Were Hythloday’s ideas too radical, or was he on to something? Who do you guys side with more in Book 1, More or Hythloday?
If you could create your own Utopian society what would be five items that MUST be there? If you have any more “dream items” feel free to reply to this with a few, I’d love to see what you guys would include out there.
My List::::: Drum rolll pppppppllllleaaaasssseeeee
Badump-Bump
Item Number 5: Notebook and pen
Perfection for me HAS to involve a way to write down my thoughts and feelings. With writing you are able to have a conversation with your spirit that talking doesn’t allow. I know I’m cheating by including a pen but I mean, they go together like peanut butter and jelly. This might even be a higher number up on my list of necessary items but as long as they are there, I’m content.
Item Number 4: Internet Connection, only at two times a week
Weird right…just ponder on that idea for a second lol. The reason why I would want internet is just so I could stay connected as far as current events. I’m sure everyone can agree that we spend an obnoxious amount of time on the computer. I know I can admit to my worldwide web addiction but in my Utopian society viewing the internet would be moderated. Not to punish kids but to free them from their seats and allow them to enjoy the world outside. I feel like children today are removed from playing outside. The internet isn’t everything (says the boy writing his post on a website). OH another part to the moderation is that once you use one of your “passes” you can view the internet for as long as you please during that 24-hour period. I think that would be fair.
Item Number 3: Spotify Premium
Seriously though, no music? Like I’d lose my, excuse my language, I’d lose my shit if I couldn’t listen to music. Spotify is AWESOME because you can go into offline-mode which wouldn’t go against the item I previously mentioned. This one is pretty self-explanatory. Music equals life, period.
Item Number 2: The best speakers money can buy
It’s a Utopian Society, so I’m going to need my music concert-type loud. I need some speakers that’ll make sand move when they are on. And hopefully they would come with a nice headset as well. I’m a sucker for a good pair of headphones. By the way, I’d suggest Bose headphones to anyone in need of something a bit better than the iPod standard earbuds.
Item Number 1: Sketchbook
I really love sketching in class when I’m not paying attention lol. I figure why not have a handy sketchbook at my side so I can draw something new from time to time. It’s funny because I don’t consider myself talented with the pencil by any means, at least not in drawing, but I find it relaxing. It’s another way of having a conversation with your spirit. Art rules!
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