The Virgin Queen of England

Elizabeth the Golden Age

Learning the language of drama would have not been complete without actually watching the drama or play itself right? So, throughout this course, the famous drama such as Macbeth and Oedipus Rex was indeed compulsory to be viewed on the screen for better understanding of the text. Talking about better understanding, in order to comprehend the essence of what lies or what actually happened in the past, and the history of certain events that’s shape the pattern of the literature one way another, we were entertained and info enlighten of the history of Elizabethan Era and the settings. We have watched Elizabeth the Golden Age for further insight on the settings of time, society and place in that particular moment. This helps tremendously to the notion of understanding the unrelated issue that may or may not seem relevance to local and present context. In my opinion, the movie has impressive qualities; good actor and actresses, and also good setting of place and props. The brilliant cinematography used was indeed splendid and manage to make the audience to believe that they were actually in the journey with the movie itself. Let’s not forget the wonderful costumes used to convey such believable act by the actresses and actors.

The movie provides a whole lot of input for audience to understand the setting, and how certain things happened those days. Elizabeth as the queen, was, and still is such a strong figure especially for British history and nations. She was indeed the very capable and wise leader who managed to rule such nation with whole lot of betrayal and hardships. The actress, Cate Blanchet, was no more of an ideal woman to portray the character as she was charismatic enough and suits the role pretty darn well. What was more appealing about this history cum movie was the fact that she was just a woman, yet, with the determination of an armada to win. She led her army to the victory despite all the betrayal that was going around even from her people.

There were some parts in the story that I have found most appealing and touching. In my opinion, the fact that she was known as the Virgin Queen of England was not something to be proud of. She may led her life as a Queen that sacrifice herself for the sake of her people, but even queens have their consorts or partner in life, hence, which category she would really fit in? Ok, some people would have said, she was indeed a very capable queen, but let’s looks at the definition of a queen again, shall we? Now, even as queen, she is to be treated as a woman too. A consort to the King who also has her needs in life, her longings. How a woman could be complete without actually be a woman?

From the movie, I have found that the most touching part for me would the part where she actually have feeling for this guy, Raleigh, but ended up this guy was having feeling for her maid, Bess, and to make matter worse, the maid was the one that the Queen has put her most trust of. She was in a way, longings for an obvious rejection that will surely put her down as low as her subject if not lower. Deny her chance at being love and to love. As a woman, this would definitely be such an insult, left alone being it is a queen. Later, when she found out about the truth, I felt as if I could almost feel her suffering and the crash and burn in my heart. However, towards the end, she did portray a trait that should be applauded for and such a very selfless act to be exact. She eventually forgave Raleigh and Bess, even though she was hurt by their action and understand that love could not be force and to love sometimes does not mean to have, rather, the person’s happiness is more important. Another thing I have learnt from this movie would be the courage and determination, and how it would be our source to success even when everything seems almost impossible.

Not Another Intended Tragedy by Shakespeare

Another Play by Shakespeare - King Lear

After done watching Macbeth, we are now facing another great but complex literature text by Shakespeare, King Lear. I do strongly believe that many of us were not able to catch most of the meaning in the text as for the fact that the text was written in such classical Shakespearean language that many of us just can’t really relate. However, after the explanation by Dr. Edwin, as always, we are now at better understanding of the text.

In comparison of the two plays, Macbeth and King Lear, there are several similarities readers could actually note. Both of the plays are plays of tragedy and involved a great deal of emphasizing on the reversal of fortune that took place especially on the two Kings. Anyway, in King Lear, from a steady and solid ruler, the once great King Lear changed into a mad foolish old man. The turning point for King Lear’s solid stand point was probably due to the fact that he was trying to go against the natural order of which was way planned by the gods.

He started of the betrayal towards the natural order when he decided to give and divide his territory to his two hypocrite and disloyal daughters and was blind enough to see the actual love of his other daughter whom he had soon disowned. He was so into listening to the confession of the two daughters and was too blind and ignorance to see the actual feelings and the genuine love. He had then was treated badly by the two supposedly sincerely love him daughters and was turn into a madman by them. However, he had eventually realize that the true feeling from the daughter that he had disowned, Cordelia, was what he worth living for and that sometimes not all could be impart by a speech or beautifully well written poems but rather the genuinely feeling and actions that follows.

Most of the time, in many cases, we as human are so eager believing in what we are listening to but at the end prevail to hear any of the truth. And at the end, action does speak louder than words. In conclusion, upon finishing reading the play, I have understood lots of things in life. The issues in the play was so much so as it is in the reality today, here, I could see how brilliant and wise Shakespeare was when he was writing this play for now, years and years after, the issue of his play is still relevance to our context. There are many things in life that we took for granted, we were too much into our dreams and fantasy of what we want to hear that eventually leads to our own failure in seeing the truth and genuine love that was there all the time.

The Tragic Success of Macbeth

The Full of Nothingness

The play, Macbeth by William Shakespeare was indeed a complicated play in one glimpse. I had the experience of trying to finish reading the text back when I was younger in JB, and this play has play an effect somehow or rather in distorting my compelling years of youth two years ago in foundation years by its more than complicated text. However, needless to say, now, looking back on the text, I think it was made believe that it was difficult when the matter of fact, it was not! I have understood the text further more and able to make sense of the message my best friend, Will, trying to impart to the readers.

The text is indeed one of Shakespeare shortest yet bloodiest tragedy that tells the story of hope, dream and despair of a Scottish General, Macbeth. The story started from the prophecy told by the three horrible looking with skin epidemic problems witches on how they could foreseen that Macbeth will someday be the King of Scotland. This prophecy turned to be a boost of ambition in Macbeth and eventually led to his wildest thought of becoming the king. He had then, murders King Duncan and somehow alter the natural order that the gods have had bestowed upon the line of the Kings. As a not so well accomplished villain, Macbeth had then filled with regrets and guilt of his action. These feelings had then emerged and turn him onto such a tyrannical ruler and involved in whole lot more killings then he intented to protect his throne.

Eventually, the guilt, sense of humanity, and the obligations as a King turn Macbeth onto a total whack madman and yes, his death! This play was indeed regards as one the most powerful and emotionally compelling play by Shakespeare and manages to make readers and audience relate as much as possible. There are many moral values and lesson in this play that we could all benefit from, it is justify in Macbeth’s ambition and hope or dreams. This play illustrates to readers just how much ambition could affect us and how much the feeling of guilt could haunt us. From this play, we could also see how strong the effect of a woman on the man whom totally in love with her. We could see that the source of all strength that Macbeth posses was actually from his wife, Lady Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth was probably the initiative for Macbeth to have committed to all of the crime he have had. It was from her character that we could see that woman may be as quiet and gentle as they may be; they still have ways of achieving their dreams and ambitions. The death of Lady Macbeth was to me the most significant part of the play, where we could see Macbeth start to give in to his guilt and losing his strength. However, to me, this play was rather touching, especially when the recital of the famous poem that refers to the death of Lady Macbeth and what Macbeth was left with. He had went all the crime and trouble in a way just to provide or give his lady the best in life, rather, at the peak of everything, she is not to be able to breathe the glorious moments. This revelation was the most memorable part in the play in my opinion, how dark and empty Macbeth’s life had turned when he lost his wife.

In my opinion, the theme of this story could be relates to our everyday life and situations whereas we are now driven by such ambitions in life and at most of the times, we have taken things for granted. Sometimes, in this life, what would suffice our needs is not material possession rather the sincerity and honesty in a relationship. True, this would not be the only basis towards successful relationship, however, we must bear in mind that most of the times, the simple sweet things called happiness does not lies in how money or possessions we have but in how many people we could share it with.

What a Revelation in Perspective...a blog is mightier than swordfish!

The Swordfish, Then the Concubine

Allow me to be frank here, though this play is supposedly in local context and supposedly be an easier play to read, I have found that of all the plays we are obliged to read, this one was very much befuddling to my mind. Perhaps, I wasn’t really into the main issue addressed by the author, or I was simply looking to high at the stars and forgotten all about the grass I’m stepping on. Anyway, as we were actually not given with so many choices, reading the play was indeed compulsory! Here’s the overall look at the play in my understanding and point of view, it may be varied to what other readers perceived, feel free to correct me.

The play starts with the mention of the two characters, Demang Lebar Daun and Sri Tri Buana. From the portrayal of things, Demang seemingly could never be disloyal nor shall his descendant. The issue or conflict arises when the Sultan’s favorite concubine, Nurhaliza, was accused of taking part in the deviationist sect perpetuated by Ibu Zin. Though later on the play, Nurhaliza was found not guilty to the accusation, the Sultan was having too much pride and so egoistic to admit and withdrawn the sentence. The Sultan had also violated the covenant by publicly parade Nurhaliza’s punishment. Due to this action, Sang Rajuna Tapa, who is also Nurhaliza’s father, decides to seek revenge and go against the Sultan by taking Majapahit sides to attack Singapura. However, because of his betrayal, Sang Rajuna Tapa and his wife, Kesuma was turned into stone.

In the play, it seems as if the author was trying to impart the issue of the misused of the power or post a person is holding for personal interest or personal gain. For example, the effort of Nurhaliza to be a better and knowledgeable person was then backfired on her and became the reason for her sentenced. Her actions of wanted to progress and learnt more was seen as being a threat to certain people who were holding power and policy. The portrayal of the Maharaja and his son, Iskandar, somehow give readers the idea of how ignorant a leader can be in order to save their own reputation and could really care less about the people who are suffering. For instance, he, the Maharaja came up with such foolish and insane idea of asking the people to use their legs as shield from the Todak to indirectly show solidarity. Now, who’ll agree with me if I say, the Maharaja is a madman? Besides, the killing of Hang Nadim, a too brilliant for his own good in the play suggest to the readers just how ignorant the Maharaja and his battalion of fools could be. They had put a death sentence on the boy just to cover up their stupidity and save their positions.

As a conclusion, this play was indeed provocative as it may also reflect the situation in this nation and trigger people to think on several issues that are related to our local context and may just appear to be the reality in our country, though as reluctant as we are to believe or accept. Most of the times, things does not appear as what they are actually should be, we just have to make a thorough analysis and judge it for ourselves – p/s : I’m not suggesting anything here…at the end, the reading of the play does make me reflect on my perception towards certain perspective in life, in this case, the political structure of Malaysia or the mind set and mentality of our people.

The One-Act Writing Reflection

Writing reflection

When we were inform that we need to write our own one act play complete with all the details such as stage directions and notes for teacher, I was like, boy, I’ve got this in my sleeve… and then,..a week later, man, I’ve got to leave… oh yes, what appears to be simple and easy to accomplish at first, now seems so befuddling and just darn hard for me to actually give my best to complete the play. My creativity suddenly seems to have gone away.

After submitted our act to Dr. Edwin and our tutor, then only I have gained back my confidence in writing the act as for our story was not listed as yawn, or boring by them both. Later, upon receiving back our draft, we modify several elements in the story and add on more stage directions to give readers clearer view on the act. My partner in writing this act is Nor Razmi Ismail, we had similar idea on writing the story so we have decided that I would personally do on the first half of the story and he will continue the rest. We have also agreed that after receive back the draft, he would do on the first part of the act and I would do the next. However, allow me to be frank here, I have absolutely no idea on how I would like to end the act just yet, hence, I had just allowed my writing partner to end the act his way first and we will try to invent a better ending soon.

Our act was about a young, spoilt and rich girl from big city who had lost her mum when she was young and growing up with such rebelliousness towards her father and the world. She felt as if nothing in this world understands her, as if she had a war with the rest of the world. This act is in a fairy tale structure where girl meets boy, girl’s life get complicated and at the same time her life change for the better but it is not in a happy ending mood of act. After this girl met a boy from the village, then she realized how truly magnificent life of loving someone could be. However, as she is falling in love with this boy, she found out a truth that starts another revelation in her life and she is then face with another larger than life issue that will affect her entire life.

In a conclusion, the writing process of this act was actually rather fun and exciting. This is because we as writers could sometime put forward issues that we have suppressed all this while and openly discuss it with lots of other people through our writing.

The Sight in Blindness

Teiresias

The name Teiresias was always associated with great premonition, prophecy and blinded sight – that is the sight of those mere mortal could not reach. He was indeed one of the most renowned soothsayers in Greece back in the days. He was the son of Eueres, the shepherd, and his mother, Chariclo, is the nymph. Teiresias’ name appeared in many Greek tragedies in the history of Thebes such as in ‘The Bacchae’, by Euripides, in ‘Oedipus the King’ by Sophocles, and in Aeschylus' ‘Seven Against Thebes’. Nevertheless, though there were several differences in these three plays, however, in all of these plays, Teiresias great insight of the future is always the same. There are several versions of how he was losing his visual sight and received such great insight of the future.

First, there is this legend that related to the goddess Athena. It was said that, Teiresias was blinded from his sight after he had accidentally saw the Goddess bathing. Athena was furious and splurges the water to his eyes and as the punishment, he took away his sight. When Teiresias mother found out about this, she begged the Goddess to withdrawn her curse, however the curse could not be withdrawn, so instead of healing him, she soon blessed him with the great insight of the future.

Second legend derived from the legend of which it was being said that Teiresias had killed two snakes while they were mating. Hera, the Goddess cursed him into a woman. Teiresias then became priests to Hera and got married and got children. However, soon he repeated his action and he was again turn onto man.

Third legend derived from the second legend, after that, Hera and Zeus was having an argument on who has more pleasure in sex, male or female. As Teiresias experienced both, he was asked to answer this, Hera then was not contend with Teiresias’ answer had turned him blind. Zeus could not undo them so he had bestowed upon Teiresias the gift to foreseen future and life of seven generations.Eventually, Teiresias lost his life after drinking the water from the spring Tilphussa, where he was struck by an arrow of Apollo.

Let's Dance My Way Follow The Zapin

The Utmost Confusing Traditional Dance, Zapin

When god had decided to put us all human into a great test, He must have the Zapin Confusing Steps in mind. Oh yes, it was a great torture not only to body but to my mind as well having to memorize all the difficult steps. I’m personally extremely into dancing, but this particular dancing is really challenging my sanity. Well, needless to say, though there are many other type of dancing such as Indian Traditional Dances, Mak Yong and Chinese Traditional Dances which I have tried before, I have eventually mesmerized to the details in the steps of Zapin. I have had tried Chinese Traditional Fan Dance few years back, the whole experiences were absolutely memorable. We have to perform on a Night of Cultural Performances and boy was it not memorable?? We have been practice for quite some time and though there were so many ‘drama’ in the middle of the ‘telenovela’ we had eventually sorted them out. Anyway, back to Zapin, there were lots and lots of new things I have gained in IPTI, bad and good. I’m not quite sure which category will fit Zapin though. Well, needless to say, being in Johor, without the Zapin would almost be impossible, especially when you are studying in a hardcore, big time patriotic college!

Anyway, back to Zapin, again, though it may bring along some dreaded memories to some, the dance itself is not at blame. From my recursive research, I have found out several interesting facts about Zapin. Among Them would be the fact that now I’m well aware that Zapin is originally from Arab and Middle East during the 14^th century. I had also found out that there were some restrictions to the dance as for it was affected by religion elements before that determined only male were allowed to dance. But it is not the case today, unfortunately! Traditionally, Zapin is only performed during prestigious ceremony or in a big event, but now, you could go to a teaching institute and see a whole bunch of Zapin-Fanatic fans, practice this dance as early as 07.30 in the morning! That’s how much they love the traditional dance.

Fundamentally, it was not that hard to learn all the steps in the dance. In order to successfully cope with the technically challenging steps, we just have to have such a strong determination and good memory. This is because; most of the steps are just a repetition of the steps before. If ever someone asks me was it worth it to have to learn the dance? I would definitely say without any doubt that it is worth it, in a sense that, this is something new that I have gained and it will be with me most probably my whole life time. The difficulties and the challenges were the key reason why was the experience memorable in my opinion. And, oh yes, as a dedicated teacher, having the knowledge of this sort of cultural dance will definitely come in handy in the future should we are given the opportunity to ‘torture’ our students.

Epidemy of a Total Reversal of Fortune - Oedipus Rex

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

Having the reading material in possession, Dr. Edwin must have thought that we have read the play by now. However, I profoundly believe that, after the kick starts he had given us on the play, most of us start to browse through the play right after that. This week, students who were seating on the left area of the class were asked to imitate the way Oedipus Rex would have been walking based on their own interpretation.

Of almost 15 students tried to imitate, only one was close enough to real deal. He was walking a little limp, and not as what I had expected a king should have been walking like. These tiny details eventually made sense as it actually altered my point of view on the king himself. I was at first, thought that as a king, Oedipus would have been walking with his head up high, with arrogance in his looks, however, this was not the case when he could not only walk up right, rather, he needed a staff to help him walk.

Dr. Edwin had also made a point for us to pay close attention to the terms such as wisdom and wise, the significance of hands and eyes and the irony in the play especially on sight and blind.