Sound and Sense #4

In The Forge, by Seamus Heaney, the speaker uses imagery and metaphor to describe the mamdane art of a blacksmith with a sense of reverence and wonder. The first eight lines of the poem describe objects and create a sense of place. Poetic descriptions of the sensory sensations associated with being in a forge such as "short-pitched rings" and "unpredictable fantail of sparks" place the reader in area. Then the anvil is described as the center of the room and "Horned as a unicorn, at one end square, Set there immovable: an altar". The metaphorical comparison to a mythical creature may serve to highlight the wonder of the work done with the tool, and the comparison to an altar shows an importance similar to that of religious ceremony. The last six lines of the poem describe the the smith himself, comparing this actions to those of an artist. He "expends himself in shape and music" like an artist or a musician creates a piece.

Othello 3

In this section of the play, Iago's plan to get revenge on Othello begins to come to fruition as he manipulates the people around him into opposition. Most signifigantly he convinces Othello to take revenge on Desdemona and Cassio with out any evidence. What is notable about this is that he was able to convince Othello using only insinuation. He tell Othello things such as "She did decive her father,  marrying you" and "O, beware, my lord, of jealously" to plant the idea of Desdemona's unfaithfulness in Othello's mind without saying something outrageous enough to offend him. This is a situation somewhaat parallel to Iago's, in which he believes that Othello has slept with his own wife. By making an ally of Othello and giving them both a common enemy, Iago puts himself in a situation where he and Othello, his hated enemy, are in fact the closest together. This is highlighted by the perverse vows they take at the end ot the scene. To which Iago says "I am your own forever".

Sound and Sense #3

In the poem The World Is Too Much With Us by William Wordsworth presents a newly strained relationship between modern people and nature. In the first eight lines to the poem the speaker presents the situation of modern people. The line "getting and spending, we lay waste our powers" (Wordsworth) demonstrates the greed of modern man and his ability to lay waste to, or destroy nature. The following line "Little we see in Nature that is ours" (Wordsworth) shows how modern man now has little reason to value nature. With the general situation defined, the speaker uses the last six lines to present the favorable alternative. They with for the regression of society into "pagan" times when superstition allowed man to view nature with wonder and awe. Seeing such thing as "Proteus rising from the sea" (Wordsworth) that give purpose to nature.

Othello 2

This section of the play Iago distinguishes himself by making it clear that he is completely detached from a regular person's perception when it comes to matters of morality and social relationships. For instance, when he is consoling Cassio about his recently damaged reputation, he says "Reputation is an idle and most false impositon: oft got without merit, and lost without deserving" (II.iii.286-289). This statement, though originally intended to comfort, can also be see as a statement about Iago himself. He is clearly a person will an undeserving reputation, because he is well liked by both Cassio and Othello despite the fact that he is plotting against both of them. His belief that many reputations are underserved could serve as explaination for when he so readily despises people. Iago also displays a warped sense of morality when he attempts to justify his manipulation of Cassio, saying "How am I then a villain to counsel Cassio to this parallel course, directly to his good?" (II.iii.368-379). To any normal person Iago's attempt to decive Othello by using Cassio is clearly wrong, but Iago interprets this as a positive act beacuse it happens to benefit Cassio. However Iago call his conviction into question immediatly afterwards by comparing himself to the devil. A comparison that most people would struggle to see themselves positively in.

Othello 1

Poem

Shooting, small green, and supple
From the nurturing ground.
While the others are sown
Onto pebbles and rock.

Growing taller and strong
It surpasses its peers.
While the other withers
And falls to the ground.

Spreading its leafy boughs
Casting a wide shadow.
While the other laid down
Crumbles and rots away.