Trifles

Summary: Mrs. Wright has killed her husband. She is sitting in her house when Hale discovers her. She is sitting in her rocker and rocking back in forth. She says that her husband has died. Hale then talks to the sheriff and attorney about Mr. Wright and who might have killed him. The attorney and sheriff kind of look down upon Mrs. Wright because her kitchen in dirty. Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale are then talking. Then are noticing little details about Mrs. Wright and her house. Then notice that something is not right like her kitchen and quilt. They then notice a bird. The bird was Mrs. Wrights. and it was strangled. They then talk about how she used to sing. They then realize that Mrs. Wright had killed her husband, but the men do not notice or know. The women then decide to act like they do not know who killed Mr. Wright. When they are leaving, Mrs. Hale takes the box with the bird in it because Mrs. Peters' bag was not big enough for her to take it.

Analysis: It is odd how Mrs. Wright's name is wright. Mrs. Wright isn't really right. She killed her husband and has gone crazy. Also she was obviously oppressed, and when her husband killed her bird that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. He wouldn't let her sing, and then he killed her bird which probably greatly upset her. The women in the story are looked down upon. The men remark on how dirty Mrs. Wright's kitchen is and say that she should have kept it clean. The men look down upon the dirty kitchen, but it is not like they keep the kitchen clean. They also wonder why Mrs. Hale hasn't visited Mrs. Wright. They think she should have, but like Mrs. Hale said, farmer's wives are busy. They also mock the women for looking at Mrs. Wright's sewing. The women notice all the details like her sewing and the jars while the men do not. The men just look at the big picture and are not able to figure out who killed Mr. Wright. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters both feel bad for Mrs. Wright and can empathize with her because they had seen that she had been oppressed which is why in the end they decide to take the bird so there is not evidence for a motive as to why Mrs. Wright killed Mr. Wright. The bird could also symbolize Mrs. Wright's freedom. Birds are a symbol for freedom, and when Mr. Wright killed the bird then Mrs. Wright could have finally realized that Mr. Wright killed her freedom. He wouldn't let her sing and oppressed her. The bird was all that she had left, and when he killed it he killed the last thing that Mrs. Wright had and the only enjoyment she had left in her life. Mrs. Wright probably just snapped and decided to kill Mr. Wright because she could see no other way out because he was so controlling. She probably wanted to end his freedom and life because she felt like that is what he did to her. He wouldn't let her be happy and herself, and he also wouldn't let probably the one thing she loved or got enjoyment from to live.

Hamlet- Act V

Scene 1: Two gravediggers are talking about Ophelia killing herself. She will be given a Christan funeral, but they think only because she is rich. Hamlet and Horatio then enter. One gravedigger leaves, and the other starts singing. Hamlet and Horatio find it odd that he is singing while grave-digging. Hamlet thinks the grave is for a lord and asks the gravedigger whom the grave is for. The gravedigger doesn't answer right away and says that he began his job when Fortinbras was killed. It was the same day that Hamlet was sent to England to be killed. He said that the court jester's skull didn't rot for 23 years. Hamlet knows this person. Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, a Priest, and a coffin then enter. Hamlet watches them. Laertes discusses with the priest about giving Ophelia more rights, but he says he can't because she is already have a gave in the church's graveyard by the king's order even though her death was suspicious. Laertes then jumps into her grave and tells them to pile the dirt on him. Hamlet then jumps into the gave after he finds out that it is Ophelia's body and asks who is the one grieving. Laertes and Hamlet then get into a fight. Hamlet says that he is sadder than Laertes over Ophelia's death because he had such a great love for her. Hamlet then leaves, and Claudius has Horatio follow him. Claudius also remind Laertes about their plan and says a monument will be built for Ophelia.

Scene 2: Hamlet tells Horatio he has discovered Claudius' plans to kill him. He opened the document with the plans it in. He then wrote a new letter in which he told the King of England to kill the ones delivering the letter instantly, so they couldn't confess their sins. He also wrote of his desire for a friendship between the two countries sealing it with his father's ring. Hamlet asks Horatio's advice if is would be right to kill Claudius now. Hamlet feels bad over fighting Laertes because their situations are similar. Osric, a messenger, then enters and says Hamlet the king has a message for him. They have a sort of disagreement over if he should or shouldn't wear his hat. Osric then tells Hamlet about how good Laertes is at fencing. He says the king has bet on it. Hamlet says he will fight Laertes if they bring him a sword. Hamlet thinks he will win, but also thinks that there will be a bad consequence. Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, and Osric then enter. Laertes and Hamlet shake hands and then begin to fight. Laertes has a handicap because he is so good. Claudius drops a pearl into a cup meanwhile since Hamlet has hit Laertes once. He wants Hamlet to drink it, but he declines wanting to wait until his round is done. The Queen doesn't believe that Hamlet will win and gives him her handkerchief. She then toasts to his luck and drinks out of the cup with poison in it. Claudius tells her not to, but she does anyway. Laertes then wounds Hamlet, and they switch swords. Next, Hamlet stabs Laertes, and Gertrude falls. Laertes says he has been killed by his own tricks. Gertrude says that the drink has poisoned her. Hamlet wants to know who poisoned the drink. Laertes says it was him. He tells Hamlet that both he and Hamlet will die because the sword is poisoned. Laertes says that the King is to be blamed. Hamlet then forces Claudius to drink the poison, and then Laertes dies after asking for forgiveness. Hamlet asks Horatio to tell the story of what happened. Horatio wanted to kill himself, but he doesn't because Hamlet needs him to tell the story. Hamlet also says he wants Fortinbras to get the crown. Hamlet then dies. Fortinbras enters and his ambassador says that the king's orders have been fufilled and Rosencrantz and Guildnstern have been killed. A military funeral is ordered for Hamlet by Fortinbras.

Response: Hamlet sees to change what he thinks and his emotions very quickly. Before in the play, Hamlet told Ophelia that he didn't love her, but when he finds out that she has died and tell Laertes that he loved Ophelia more than 40,000 brothers could have loved her. Now Hamlet says he has a great love for Ophelia, but before he said he had no feelings for her. This really makes you think that Hamlet was just telling Ophelia he didn't love her because he didn't want his future actions to hurt her. Hamlet still hates Claudius to the end. He says that Claudius whor'd his mother which is not a very nice comment. He also makes Claudius drink the poison while he tells Claudius that he is incestuous, a murderer, and damned. Hamlet also tells Laertes that he was mad and wasn't really acting like himself. Hamlet could be pretending that he is no longer crazy, but still is. A real crazy person though wouldn't be able to know that they were crazy. At the end of the play, the King uses the word union to mean pearl and so does Hamlet in the end when he makes the King drink the poison. Hamlet says "Is thy union here? Follow my mother" (300-301). Union could also be a pun for marriage and dying at the same time because Gertrude and Claudius both died. Even when Hamlet is dying after his mother has died, he it seems to have a hate for her because he calls her a wretched queen. Hamlet was obviously very angry at his mother for marrying Claudius because he still could not forgive her even after she had died.

Hamlet- Act IV

Scene 1: Gertrude tells Claudius Hamlet has killed Polonius. Claudius feels that Hamlet is threatens everyone, and he will blamed for it. Claudius asks where he is, and Gertrude says he is getting rid of Polonius' body. Claudius says that he will be shipped to England, and he orders Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to go and find Hamlet and to bring him and Polonius' body back.

Scene 2: Hamlet hids the body. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ask Hamlet where the body is, but he won't tell them because they listen to the King. He won't tell them, and then goes to the king.

Scene 3: Claudius says Hamlet can't be sent to jail because the people love him. When Hamlet comes, Claudius asks him where Polonius' body is. Hamlet says that worms are eating it. They will look for it upstairs because they will begin smelling it in a month. Next, Claudius tells Hamlet he is being sent to England, and Hamlet then leaves. After he has left, Claudius has people follow him because Claudius is going to have him killed.

Scene 4: Fortinbras has his captain ask the King of Denmark if they can travel across their land to Poland, and Hamlet comes upon them and asks them what their plans are. The Captain says they're fighting for land that is worth nothing because of this encounter Hamlet thinks that he needs to hurry up on his revenge. Hamlet becomes inspired by Fortinbras to use action against Claudius.

Scene 5: Gertrude won't talk to Ophelia because she thinks Ophelia is crazy. Ophelia is upset over Polonius' death. When Gertrude and Ophelia talk, Ophelia begins singing like a crazy person and sings about death and betrayal. Ophelia says that her brother will hear of the murder and then leaves. Horatio follows her. Claudius is upset over Ophelia's new madness. He feels Laertes will blame him for Polonius' death, and then Laertes comes in very angrily having his followers wait outside. Gertrude tell him to calm down and that Claudius didn't kill him. Laertes says he will avenge his father's death. When Ophelia is brought in, her craziness makes Laertes sad. Ophelia starts singing again, and Laertes her nonsense makes more sense than normal talk. Ophelia then sings about flowers and gives them to different people. They mean many things. Gertrude's mean adultery, flattery, and deceit. Ophelia's mean rememberance and thoughts. Claudius' mean repentance and unhappy love, and she would have given him faithfullness, but they were all dried up. She then leaves, and Claudius tell get others in order to find out if Claudius is really the killer.

Scene 6: Horatio is given a letter from Hamlet. It says Hamlet has boarded a pirate ship and will return to Denmark. Hamlet wants Horatio to give letters to the king too. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern also return.

Scene 7: Claudius is given a letter about Hamlet's return. He is in the middle of a conversation about innocence. Claudius asks Laertes to help him plan another way to get rid of Hamlet. Laertes says he'll stab Hamlet with a poisoned sword, and if that doesn't work, Claudius will give Hamlet poison to drink. Gertrude then rushes in and says that Ophelia has drowned.

Response: Gertrude doesn't really seem to care for her son anymore because she goes right away to tell Claudius that Hamlet has killed Polonius. I would think that Gertrude would want to protect her son, but it doesn't seem that she wants to. In Scene II, Hamlet seems to going even crazier. He says that he won't talk to Rosencrantz because Rosencrantz is a nobody. He also says, " what replication should be made by the son of a king?" (11-12). Hamlet is calling himself the son of the king, but what king? Hamlet could be acting now that Claudius isn't king, but he isn't because the reason he won't talk to Rosencrantz is because the King (Claudius) rules him. When Ophelia comes in and sings to Gertrude, she sings "He is dead and gone, lady. he is dead and gone;.." (29-30). Now it seems that Ophelia too has gone crazy. She is singing and acting like a crazy person. Maybe she has gone crazy because Hamlet said he didn't love her, and she thought that he did. Polonius then died on top of that which made Ophelia even more upset. Now she doesn't have her father or the one that she loved which is why is has probably gone out and killed herself. The women in this play are portrayed as weak. Ophelia kills herself because she is so distraught, and then Gertrude goes and marries her husband's brother very soon after her husband's death because it seems like she would be unable to live by herself. Gertrude didn't grieve over her husband for a very long time period. That was probably greatly looked down upon in that time because a woman was supposed to do everything for their husband and be very upset and distraught then when they died.

Hamlet- Act III

Scene 1: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern return to Claudius and tell him that they do not know why Hamlet has gone crazy. Hamlet also won't answer their questions.They also say that Hamlet wants Gertrude and Claudius to come see his play. They and Gertrude then leave, and Claudius and Polonius listen to Ophelia and Hamlet talk. When Gertrude leaves, she says how she really hopes Hamlet will return to his old self. Polonius and Claudius hid while Ophelia is reading a prayer book, waiting for Hamlet. Claudius also says he feels a little guilt. When Hamlet comes in, he is wondering if it is better to be dead or alive, or if he should just kill himself. He says how fear of death makes you a coward. Ophelia wants to give Hamlet back the gifts he has given her, but he says he hasn't. Hamlet then declares that he is no longer in love with Ophelia, and she should become a nun. He curses her if she marries anyone else, and he also says that women disguise the face that God gave them. He leaves, and Ophelia says that he has gone crazy even though he used to be sane. Claudius says that love is not the reason Hamlet has gone mad. He will send Hamlet to England to demand for their country's money back. The trip will return him to normalcy. Polonius agrees with Claudius' plan, but he still believes that Hamlet is crazy because over his love for Ophelia. He also thinks that Gertrude should talk to Hamlet before he leaves, and Claudius agrees.

Scene 2: The play is performed, but with new lines written by Hamlet. Hamlet also instructs them on how to act. Horatio then enter, and Hamlet tells him that he has been a good friend. He asks Horatio to watch the king with him because one of the scenes depicts his father's death. Horatio says he will. When Hamlet talks to Claudius and Polonius next, he sounds more crazy. Hamlet sits by Ophelia, even though his mother asked him to sit by her, and he asks Ophelia if he may lay his head in her lap. He also remarks on how his mother and others have forgotten his father's death. The play is performed like King Hamlet's murder in the way that Hamlet thinks it is before and after. Claudius then asks the name of the play, and Hamlet says, "The Mousetrap." When King Hamlet is murdered in the play, Claudius leaves and so does everyone else but Horatio and Hamlet. This reinforces the ghost story for Hamlet. Guildenstern then informs Hamlet that the King and Queen are upset. The Queen is astonished and wants to speak to Hamlet. Hamlet says that he will speak sharp with her, but he won't harm her.

Scene 3: Claudius says he does not like how Hamlet has been acting. He wants him sent to England. Polonius then enters and says he plans on spying on Hamlet and Gertrude's conversation. He will tell Claudius what he has heard. Claudius then talks about the guilt he has over his brother's death, and he prays. He wants forgiveness, but don't think he will be given it because he is still reaping the rewards of his actions. Hamlet then comes upon him. Hamlet is going to kill him, but doesn't because then Claudius will die with his sins off of his chest and instead will kill him when he is committing a sin.

Scene 4: Polonius and Gertrude are talking. Polonius wants Gertrude to tell Hamlet that his actions have caused harm, and she is being blamed. He then hides, and Hamlet enters. When Gertrude and Hamlet are talking, she thinks he is going to kill her, so she screams. Polonius comes out to help her, and Hamlet stabs and kills him thinking he was Claudius. Hamlet then tells his mother she is horrible for marrying Claudius because it was incestuous. The ghost then enters and reminds Hamlet to kill Claudius. Gertrude thinks Hamlet is crazy because she can not see the ghost. Hamlet says that it is his father's ghost, but she still doesn't see. Hamlet tells her to leave Claudius, and Claudius is also sending him to England. He feels they are plotting against him. He leaves dragging Polonius' body.

Response: When Hamlet tells Ophelia to go to a nunnery and then he bashes women, it makes me think that Hamlet is just saying bad things about women because he dislikes how his mother reacted to his father's death. He says that no one should get married again, and the ones that are married are to live- all but one (his father). He is angry at Ophelia it seems for the actions that his mother did. It seems like he thinks that all women will act like his mother did if their husband died, and he does not like that,so that could be why he is saying he does not love Ophelia. He could also be planning for later times, and he does not want her to be hurt. He could also be doing it as a defense mechanism because he does not want to be hurt like he feels his father was by his mother Gertrude when she married Claudius so soon after King Hamlet died. Hamlet's choice for the title of the play was also quiet comical because he was trying to trap Claudius. Hamlet's hate of Claudius is still evident when he is crazy. He tells his mother to go to the bloated king's bed, and he also says that his mother is wanton. He also says that Claudius' kisses are dirty. Hamlet also seems to not even caret that he killed Polonius because he is like, " I'll lug the guts into the neighbor room" (219). He is acting like Polonius is nothing and garbage, and Polonius is the father of his girlfriend. Either Hamlet is really good at acting or crazy, or he has probably driven himself mad.

Hamlet- Act II

Scene 1: Polinius and his servant are talking. Polnius wants Reynaldo, his servant, to go to Paris to inquire about his son Laertes. He wants to know what Laerets is doing. He wants Reynaldo to act like he knows of Laertes, but he doesn't know him. He tells Reynalod he can make up stories about how Laertes acts, but he shouldn't make up ones that would ruin his reputation. By seeing other people's reactions, Reynaldo can see if they are true or not in order to find out Laertes actions in an indirect way. Reynaldo is also supposed to physically spy on Laertes. He leaves then, and Ophelia arrives. Ophelia retells a frightening experience she just had with Hamlet. Hamlet had come to Ophelia's sewing room looking disheveled. Polonius wonders if Hamlet had gone crazy over his love for Ophelia. Ophelia says that Hamlet had grabbed her wrist, and then looked at her like someone about to paint her portrait. He then just left. Polonius instructs her to come with him in order to tell the King. Ophelia remarks about how she had sent Hamlet's letters back, and Polonius says that must be the reason why he was mad.

Scene 2: Claudius and then Gertrude want Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet to see why he has gone crazy. He says he wants them to spy in order to try to fix the problem. They then exit, and Polonius enters. Polonius tells him that the ambassadors are back. Also, he tells Claudius that he too thinks Hamlet has gone crazy because of his love for Ophelia. The ambassadors then come and say that the King of Norway has stopped his nephew's plans by arresting Fortinbras. The King of Norway was happy, and then declared he would never attack Denmarks, and he would let his nephew attach the Poles if Claudius would allow them to cross over Denmark's land . Claudius says he will think about it and thanks them. Polonius then reads a letter written to Ophelia where Hamlet declares his love for her. Gertrude agrees that Hamlet's love for Ophelia could be why he has gone crazy. Polonius then devises a plan to hid behind tapestries in order to listen to Ophelia and Hamlet to discover if that is the reason he is crazy or not. Hamlet then enters and asks Polonius if he sells fish, which makes Polonius believe that Hamlet has certainly go mad.

Response: In the beginning of the act, you can tell that Polonius is kind of sneaky. He is having someone spy on his son for him. He obviously does not trust him. Polonius' distrust and sneakiness is more evident then later in the act when he devises a plan to spy on Hamlet. In Scene II, Gertrude says " I doubt it is no other but ht main, His father's death, and out o'erhasty marriage" (56-57). This makes you kind of assume that Gertrude is now regretting her quick marriage to Claudius. She may now see her son's point of view and agrees that she should have waited a little bit to marry Claudius. When Hamlet says "whilst this machine is to him, Hamlet" (123-125) in his letter to Ophelia. It makes you think that Hamlet doesn't really plan on being alive for much longer. When Hamlet and Polonius are speaking, Hamlet says, "Let her not walk i'th' sun. Conception is a blessing, but as your daughter may conceive, friends, look to't" (184-185). Hamlet uses language once again like sun which could mean he is telling Polonius to not let Ophelia walk with him, and he is referring to himself once again as a son. When he says conception, it could also mean understanding or pregnancy which could be confusing because others may not know what he is meaning. Hamlet saying that Polonius is a fisherman and asking who he is definitely adds to Polonius' case that he has gone crazy. Some of the things that Hamlet says though seem really thought out, so it kind of makes you think that Hamlet has not really gone crazy and is instead just trying to act like he has.

Hamlet Act 1

Scene I: Bernado and Francisco are two sentriles that are standing guard. Horatio and Marcellus have come to replace them. They ask them if they have seen a ghost again. Horatio does not believe them that there is really a ghost. That is why Horatio is there. He wants to see if there really is a ghost or not. The others have seen it two times before. The ghost comes though. The ghost is King Hamlet. Horatio demands it to speak, but it won't and walks away. Horatio says it looks like the king because it wore the same armor that the king wore when fighting Norway. He even had a similar facial expression from one he wore in the past. Horatio thinks that the ghost is a bad omen. Marcellus wants to know why there are so many guards, and why the shipbuilders never get a day off. Horatio tells him they are getting ready for battle against Fortanibus who wants the land that was taken from his father. Bernado thinks that is why the King has come back. Horatio mentions the ghost coming out when Juilius Cesar was going to be killed. The ghost then comes out again. Horatio wants it to speak to him but it wont and once again leaves. They decide to go tell Hamlet about the ghost.

Scene II: This begins with Claudis speaking to the court. He is talking about the saddeness of his brother's death, but they still need to move on. He also mentions marrying his sister-in-law, his brother's wife. He has mixed emotions about it, but thanks the crowd for their support. He also mentions Fortinbras plan to take back the land. Claudius then gave Cornelius a letter to deliever to the current leader of Norway, Fortinbras's uncle, asking him to stop his nephew's plans. Laertes is also there, and Laertes asks him if he can go to France. Lauis has already been given permission from his father Polonius, so he can go. Hamlet then comes in, and he is sad. His mother Gertrude does not want Hamlet to mourn over his father's death. Claudius doesn't want him to either. Hamlet is disgusted over his mother's sudden marriage. The guards then enter. Horatio and Hamlet are friends, and Horatio tells Hamlet about the ghost. Hamlet then goes with them to see for himself because he agrees that it is not a good sign.

Scene III: Laertes is about to leave and is talking to his sister Ophelia. He warns Ophelia about her and Hamlet's relationship and says it won't last, and she will never marry Hamlet. Ophelia says she will remember his words. Polonius, their father, then enters and Laertes leaves. Polonius also warns Ophelia, and she once again says that she will follow his wishes.

Scene IV: Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus have come to see the ghost. While they are waiting, they can hear party noises from the King's party, and Hamlet remarks about how the parties give them a bad reputation. The ghost enters then. Hamlet questions him, wondering why he has come back. The ghost does not want the others to hear, so he and Hamlet go off by themselves. Horatio and Marcellus don't want him to, but he does and Marcellus then follows him.

Scene V: The ghost wants Hamlet to get revenge on someone for him. The King wants Hamlet to get revenge on Claudius for murdering him. Everyone thought, King Hamlet had been killed by a serpent, but he was actually posioned. Claudius had put posion in his ears. The King wants Hamlet to hurt Claudius, but not his mother even though she was seduced by Claudius. King Hamlet also remarks on how he was not even able to ask for forgiveness for his sins. He then leaves. Horatio and Marcellus come up to Hamlet and ask what happened. Hamlet won't tell them though in fear that they will tell others. They swear they will keep it a secret though. He makes them swear by his sword to tell no one what they have seen, and then they leave.

Response: I think Hamlet might be a little crazy. If he is really going to try to injure Claudius, then he may have some problems. He doesn't even seem to question the ghost. He just listens to him. Nowadays, you would be considered insane if you said you killed someone because a ghost told you to. Also, why would his father want him to kill someone? That is a big sin, and it is also a lot to ask of another person. Ophelia's brother and father don't seem like they think she can stand up for herself. They keep advising her on what to do. They should maybe let her do what she thinks is right in order for her to make her own decisions. Why would she just listen to them? She should stand up for herself, unless if she agrees with them, then she should follow what they say. Gertrude also seems to have some issues. She married someone a month after her husband die. She obviously did not mourn for very long. She must not deal with her grief well, or maybe she never really cared for her husband. Otherwise you would think that she would still be in mourning like her son is. Hamlet maybe should also try to lighten up a little. He should try to move on from his father's death, and it wallow in it because there is no way that he can bring his father back from the dead even if he did kill Claudius. Claudius is obviously twisted too. He killed his brother in order to become king and be powerful. He is power-hungry and jealous of his brother. He obviously wanted to get back on his brother for being king by not just killing him, but by then marrying his wife less than a month after he died. How is Claudius able to live with his actions? He probably does not feel very bad about what he has done, or he has no soul, morals, or feelings.

Oedipus Rex- Exodus

Summary: Another messenger comes in and says how Iokaste is dead. She had killed herself. She was very distraught over what she had just learned. Oedipus then came into her room and discovered her. When he discovered her, he was very upset and took her brooches and stabbed them into his eyes, blinding himself. The messenger then says how Oedipus has exiled himself. Oedipus is then let in. He is disgusted by himself and his actions. He says how he will always live with his terrible memories. Oedipus also says he blinded himself because he could not stand seeing the horror around him. He could also not stand looking other men in the eyes. Kreon then comes in. Kreon says that Oedipus should go inside and only family should see him. Oedipus asks Kreon to give Iokaste a proper funeral. He also asks Kreon, the new king, to take care of his daughters Ismene and Anitgone because they will never marry. Oedipus then talks to his daughters. Oedipus tells them that they will have a horrible life because of him, but he wants them to try to be happy. Oedipus then tells Kreon to send him from Thebes. Kreon also tells Oedipus that he is no longer king. The chorus then sings about Oedipus' ruin and destruction and how fate got to him. They also says that man will only be happy when he is dead because then he will not have memory or pain.

Response: Even though Oedipus has committed many wrongs, he is still kind of portrayed has a strong man that is able to handle his punishments. He does not think that his daughters will be able to have a good life and take care of themselves. He says that his sons will be fine, but he begs Kreon to take care of his daughters. He is just assuming that his daughters will be weaker than his sons and won't be able to take care of themselves. Maybe it was because of the time period that Oedipus felt like his daughters needed to be protected. He knew that men could take care of themselves, and women would have a harder time. They would be judged more for the actions of their father and mother than a man would be. When Oedipus stabs his eyes out, he is kind of being a coward. He can't stand looking at his daughters or others, but if he really wanted to punish himself I would think that he would make himself look at the people he punished. It probably hurt a lot when he stabbed his eyes out, but that was more momentary pain than the pain it would cause him to always see the people that he hurt. Maybe he felt like he wasn't deserving of ever seeing the ones he loved again or nature and its beauties. He also might have felt that he wanted to forever live with the last image of his mother/wife dead in order to punish himself. I don't think that Oedipus will ever forgive himself for what he did to his family. It is sick, but it is not like he knew who his parents were. He didn't intentionally kill his father and sleep with his mother which would have been a lot wronger.

Oedipus Rex- Scene 4/ Ode 4

Summary: The shepherd then comes in. He is the man that the messenger remembers. The shepherd says that he does not remember the messenger. The messenger then refreshes his memory and says how they spent three years together. The shepherd denies giving the messenger a baby and does not want to talk about it. Oedipus then threatens the shepherd. The shepherd confesses to giving the baby away and not following orders. The shepherd then says that the baby was Laios' and Iokaste's. Oedipus then realizes that all of the prophecies are true and his whole life is damned. He killed his father and married his mother. He rushes into the palace. The chorus then says how Oedipus was so great, but he has now fallen. They question how this could have happened.

Response:Oedipus' whole life he was trying to trick or beat fate, but the whole time he was actually fulfilling it which is kind of sick, wrong, and sad. It is ironic that Oedipus was finally able to solve the greatest riddle of all, the riddle of his life. He was finally able to figure out who the murderer of Laios was, but in the process he caused his life to become ruined. Would Oedipus have been punished in his later life he had not known what he had done on earth? Would the prophecy have been fulfilled if Oedipus or Iokaste had never found out the truth? Did Oedipus and Iokaste have to know the truth in order to have the prophecy be fulfilled? It wouldn't have really mattered if Oedipus and Iokaste had never found out the truth. They would have continued living their lives in ignorant bliss unaware of the sins they were committing. It would have never mattered then if they had never found out. If they had never found out, they still would have fulfilled the prophecy, but it seems like it wouldn't have been fulfilled because they would have not known. It was probably part of fate that they discovered the truth otherwise they would have never realized what they had really done in their lives, so their sins would have meant nothing because they would have been unaware of them.

Oedipus Rex- Scene 3/Ode 3

Summary: Iokaste gives a sacrifice to Apollo. A messenger then comes in and tells her how Oedipus's father, Polybus, has died. He has died from old age. Oedipus is then very happy because the man he feared he would kill has now died of natural causes. He is still concerned though because his mother is still living. The messenger then asks Oedipus why he would be scared of his mother Merope. The messenger then goes on to say that Merope and Polybus are not his real parents. The messenger says how he gave Polybus Oedipus. The messenger had saved Oedipus because Oedipus's ankles were pinned together. The messenger says how one of Laios's men gave him Oedipus. They then have to wait for the shepherd that was already sent for. Iokatse begs Oedipus not to inquire about his real parents, but he insists that he must. Oedipus thinks she doesn't want to know because his parents may have been poor, but she knows the truth. Iokaste then leaves very angrily. The chorus then sings to place where Oedipus was found. They also wonder if a god or goddess could have given birth to Oedipus.

Response: Iokaste just wants to live in ignorance. It seems sick. Would she have still slept with Oedipus afterward if he had never found out? Why would she not want him to know the truth? Maybe she thought that if she was the only one that knew the truth then it wouldn't be that bad. She is trying to protect Oedipus and her family, but it was probably in the best for them to find out the truth instead of their whole lives being a lie. It is sad how Iokaste was willing to sacrifice her child for her husband. Mothers usually love their children very much and would not have them killed. You think that would cause Oedipus even more turmoil to find out that his mother was willing to have him killed rather than to have her husband die. It is odd how Iokaste and Oedipus tried to trick fate. They should have realized that fate is fate. You can't change it. By trying to change it, you are just fulfilling it. Oedipus also stereotypes Iokaste. He thinks that she does not want to know who his real parents are because he was born poor or in a low class. He thinks that all she thinks about are wealth and positions and that she would not love him or like him anymore if he were poor, but in reality Iokaste didn't want him to know because she was trying to protect him from his wrongdoings and mistakes.

Oedipus Rex- Scene 2/Ode 2

Summary: In the beginning, Kreon denies plotting against Oedipus. Oedipus then goes on repeating his accusations against Kreon. Kreon then says how it would be stupid of him to try to overthrow Oedipus. Kreon has all of the luxuries of a king, but he does not have the stress. Kreon and the chorus leader both agree that Oedipus is being irrational because of his anger. Oedipus still does not believe Kreon. Iokaste then comes in. She is Oedipus's wife and Kreon's sister. She stops the fighting and sends Kreon away. Iokatse tells Oedipus to believe Kreon. The chorus leader also tells Oedipus to believe Kreon. Iokaste then asks Oedipus why he is so angry. When she finds out that a prophet said he murdered Laios, she says that prophets are untrue. She says how a prophet said Laios's son was to kill him, but that was untrue because his son was killed and Laios died where three highways met. When she mentioned the three highways, Oedipus was disturbed. He then asks what Laios looked like. He goes on to ask for more details. He becomes kind of worried, wondering if he could have been the murderer. He then asks for the only living witnessed to be summoned. Oedipus then tells about a prophecy he was once told. The prophecy said that he would kill his father and sleep with his mother, so he left his home. He then says how on his trip he killed a man like Laios where three highways met. He will know when the shepherd comes if he did it or not if the shepherd says Laios died at the hands of one man or many. The Chorus then says how the world is ruled by destiny, unlike what Iokaste said and it also says how pride ruins men.

Response: Kreon and the chorus leader are right. Oedipus is being irrational because he is angry. The beginning of this scene shows how anger could make you blind to the truth and logic. Oedipus is so angry that he is not even able to see that it would make no sense for Kreon to overthrow him. He was also so angry that he didn't even realize that he was the one that made Teirsais say who the murderer was. Teirsais didn't want to say who it was, but Oedipus threatened him, so he had no other choice but to say what he thought. Oedipus just lets the anger consume him. He is not able to be rational. When Iokaste tells how Laios was killed where three highways met, Oedipus has started to come back to his senses. He remembers how he killed someone where three highways met. Oedipus certainly had anger issues. He killed someone because they forced him off the road. That would be something to be angry about, but no one should get so angry that they would kill four people because of that. It also seems like Oedipus can change his mood easily. When Iokaste talked to him, he was able to become more rational and calm. When he and Iokaste are talking, Oedipus is also able to become more logical. He comes to realize that he could have killed Laios and Teirsais might have be telling the truth and wasn't really plotting with Kreon to overthrow Oedipus.

Oedipus Rex- Scene 1/ Ode 1

Summary: Scene 1 opens up with Oedipus asking the citizens of Thebes to come forward if they know who killed Laios. He says that the murderer will be exiled. If the murderer does not come forward, then Oedipus will curse him. He tells the citizens to never receive the murderer in their home or speak to him. He also says that he hopes the murderer's life is filled with evil. He also curses the people who don't help him find the murderer. The leader of the chorus says then that he does not know the murderer. Teiresias is then sent for. Oedipus then asks Teirsias to help him find out who the murderer is. Teiresias does not want to say who it is. Oedipus then gets angry and says that Teiresias must have helped commit the murder. Teiresais then tells Oedipus that he is the murderer of Laios. Oedipus gets really angry after this. Teirsais says that Oedipus also lives in shame with the ones he loves. Oedipus then accuses Teirsais of plotting with Kreon to take him down. Oedipus then says that they can not destroy him because he was able to solve the riddle of the Sphinx. Teirsais tells Oedipus to curse him of he wants, but Oedipus is one of the worst men who has walked earth. Oedipus then orders Terisais away. The chorus then does not know what to think about Teirsais accusations. They are confused, but they still stand behind their king because they do not know if they can believe Teirsais.

Response: Even though Teirsais is blind, he is the only one that is truly able to see. He knows the truth while Oedipus is denying it. Teirsais does not want to tell the truth, but Oedipus demands he does. Teirsais did not want to cause turmoil or despair because he knew that is what the truth would cause. Oedipus sort of led to his own downfall. He was so determined to find the murderer that he threatened Terisais if he did not tell Oedipus. Oedipus is very angry when Teirsais accuses him of killing Laios which is understandable, but he should also realize that it would have been stupid of Teirsias to make it up. Oedipus feels like people are jealous of him because of his position and intelligence. He thinks that the only reason they would want to bring him down is because he is king. It seems like he thinks that Kreon also doesn't like him because he wasn't able to solve the riddle of the Sphinx and Oedipus was. It is ironic how Oedipus was able to solve the riddle of the Sphinx, but he is not able to solve the riddle of his life. He looks past things. You would think that he would maybe think he killed Laios after Teirsais accused him because he had killed someone is his past, but he wasn't able to. Why would Oedipus question the prophet? Wasn't Teirsais sort of like a spiritual leader? You would think that someone wouldn't be so rude to their spiritual leader, but Oedipus was. This could reflect Oedipus' arrogance and ignorance to the truth.

Oedipus Rex- Prologue/Parodous

Summary- The play opens with Oedipus the King and a priest talking. The priest says how there is a plague taking over the city. He asks Oedipus to once again save the city like he did before when he solved the riddle of the Sphinx. Oedipus says how he has been very concerned about the plague and has already sent his sister's brother Kreon to Delphi to the oracle in order to find out how to end the plague. Kreon then enters and says how the oracle told him that they needed to find the person who murdered King Laios and expel him from Thebes. He said that the murderer is living in Thebes. All of the men who witnessed the murder are dead, but one ,who left the city soon after. Oedipus then asks how Laios was killed. Kreon says he was killed when he went on a trip, but they didn't search for the murderer because they were concerned about solving the riddle. Oedipus then declares that he will find the murderer. The chorus then comes in. They pray to the gods and say how bad the plague is and how it has affected Thebes. They also want the murderer to be punished, but they are worried about what could happen when they find out whom the murderer is.

Response: At the beginning of the play, Oedipus seems like a good leader. He has the qualities that are valued for a king. He is intelligent and powerful. He has the typical role of a man. He saves the city and is able to rule them. He also seems very certain in his ability to find the murderer. Oedipus has hubris because he was able to solve the riddle of the sphinx and no one else was able to. Since he thinks he is so smart, he believes that he will be able to solve anything. Its odd how they didn't search for Laios murderer after he died and were more concerned about solving the riddle of the Sphinx. I would think that they would be concerned about who killed their leader. I think it is also odd how the city believes a plague could be caused by one person. I guess thought that was just their culture and view point at the time though. They believed in prophecies and many different gods, so that is why the story was probably believable for the time. The play was also able to depict their culture well and helps you understand why they believed the things they did and also all of the different gods they worshiped. Did the plague stop when Thebes was ridden of Laios' murderer? Laois was probably a strong and good leader which makes it kind of hard to believe that one man could kill him and his men. Also, the chorus in the play seem like the voice of the people or the town and reflect what they think and feel.

My Papa's Waltz-Theodore Roethke

The boy in the poem is dancing with his father. He is not really dancing, but his father is leading him around. His father is probably drunk because of the whiskey on his breath. The dance seems kind of violent. The boy describes it like hanging on to death. They danced for a long time, and he would scrap his ear on his dad's buckle when his dad would miss a step. His father would keep time on the boy's head. The mom also did not seem too happy about the dancing. His father could have also been in fights though because the boy remarked how his knuckle was battered, but that could have also been from a hard days work because his father's head was caked with dirt. The poem could also go through the process of the boy growing up. In the first stanza, the boy says how he was a small boy. In the second, he remarks on how they romped around. This could mean that the boy and his father had fun during his childhood and didn't really take anything too seriously which was why the mom would frown upon them. In the third, the boy says how he would scrap his ear when his dad would miss a step. This could have been because his father taught him many things, and when his father didn't tell him some things, he would have a hard time. In the last stanza, the boy says how the father waltzed him off to bed even though he was still clinging to his father's shirt. His father could have sent the boy out into the real world even though the boy did not think he was ready or prepared for it, and he still wanted his father's guidance.

My Last Duchess- Robert Browning

The Duke is walking around talking to a visitor it seems. They stop though to see a portrait of his first wife. He then goes on to describe her. He says how she was always smiling and flirting with other people. He says how she was also easily pleased. He says that she did not really appreciate his name which was old and really prized since he was a Duke. He then says how after his commands all smiles stopped which implies that he commanded that she be killed, but he never really says it. He seemed jealous of the attention that she paid other people, but you don't really know if he killed her or not because he never comes out and says it. Then you also find out that he is looking for a new wife. At the end when he says to look at a statue, you kind of feel like he might have killed his wife because he says it so casually making you think that he thinks the portrait of his deceased wife is just like any other piece of art. This poem is different than other poems. It is more of a story. The poem is also a series of couplets instead of being separated into stanzas. The way it is written without many brakes makes it seem like the Duke is nervous about talking about his dead wife. He also seems like he is sort of proud of it though because he had to open the curtain in order to show the painting to his visitor.

Annabel Lee- Edgar Allen Poe

The narrator in the poem describes his intense and eternal love for Annabel Lee. They were young lovers, and she died at an early age. Their love was deeper than anyone elses no matter how old or wise they were. The narrator says how the angels were jealous of their love, and that is why they took her from him. He says how nothing, even her death, could end his love for her though. He thinks about her all the time and even lays by her in her tomb every night even though she has been dead for many years. He even says how their love was more than love. He seems to believe that they are only to be separated for a short time, and they will be reunited when he dies. This poems seems like other poems written by Poe where a young beautiful girl dies like in 'The Raven'. Does the sea have more meaning than the actual setting? The sea could symbolize the many different things and people surrounding the couple. The immense amount of other people than could have been with, but instead they were with each other. The rhyme scheme in each of the stanzas differ. In the first stanza the rhyme scheme is A,B,A,B,C,B, but no other stanzas have the same rhyme scheme. The last four lines of the poem end in two couplets. Why did Poe do this? Was it to show how the death of Annabel Lee was strange and different than others, or the Annabel Lee was different?

I wandered lonely as a cloud- William Wordsworth

The poem starts out with the poet describing himself as lonely, like a cloud. He is floating over the earth. He is even distant from nature. He then sees a field of daffodils. They are dancing. The poet is personifying nature giving it human qualities. The daffodils went on forever he said. He watched them for awhile but did not really think about how much joy and pleasure the experience brought him. When he goes home though, he remembers seeing the daffodils, and he becomes happy once again, dancing with the daffodils not being lonely. This poem I believe means that people do not always enjoy nature when they are in it. They take it for granted, but when they aren't in it anymore, they realize how happy and joyous it made them feel. It also shows how nature can uplift a person. If someone goes out in nature and appreciates it, then they will become happier and maybe less lonely. The daffodils also symbolize the richness of life. They are able to dance around and be happy embracing life and living it. I believe the poet wanted to convey this message to the reader in order for them to go out and appreciate nature and their life and live it to the best of their ability like the daffodils.

To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time- Robert Herrick

To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time is about living life to its fullest. You should seize the day because life is short. You should also enjoy all life's experiences and embrace them because you may not know what tomorrow brings. The first stanza compares the young to roses. Just like roses the young are beautiful for a moment and full of life, but they will eventually die. Also, you should be happy with your life because it could be over very quickly. In the second stanza, the sun is mentioned. The longer it is rising the sooner it is to setting. This is just like in people. The older you are;the closer you are to dying. In the fourth stanza, age is mentioned. The poet writes how the best time of your life is when you are young, and times will keep getting worse as you get older. In the last stanza, you are told to go and marry. If you do not marry when you are young, then there is more of a chance that you will live alone. You need to use the time that you have and find someone to love in order to live a good life. The title also explains whom the poem is attended for. I believe, 'To the Virgins,' means to the young and inexperienced in life. The poet wants the youth to enjoy life maybe because he believed he didn't live his life to the fullest like he should have.