Role Play Reflection

Today, we had our role play CA's and I am proud to say that I believe I did quite well this time. I stayed in character and clutched my cop belt buckle, like a real detective. I am also proud of the other classmates; without their excellence our play is bound for awkwardness and speechless moments. I believe our teacher is also proud of us, despite her obvious ill-health conditions.

I particularly think Jacelyn did excellent; with her vocal skills and amazing choice of language she managed to make us stare in awe. However I think we could improve on our rehearsing moments. We almost forgot a particular scene which was supposed to lead us to another scene. Thankfully we managed to cover up our mistakes and move on as planned.

Role Play - My own personal targets

The last role play I did was a disaster, in ways. I was confident I did fairly well, and so did the teacher. But due to bad karma I forgot what I was about to say and stumbled on it. I think I was too into my character, therefore forgot what I was supposed to say. Four marks were robbed from me because of that silly mistake, and I vow never to repeat history again. I guess I'll have to earn good karma to score this time.

FRANKENSTEIN

 How did Shelley create the atmosphere using language in Chapter 5?

           

            Mary Shelley describes the monster he has created with phrases that are used to describe animals or other living species that are not human. Shelley calls his creation a ‘creature’ or a ‘thing’, which contradicts his previous statements on how beautiful it looked and how marvelous it was when life surged into the corpse. Shelley also refers to the movements of his creation as ‘convulsive’, which creates a sickening atmosphere with the intention of making the readers illustrate the creature as a frightening demon.

            Mary Shelley used religious or phrases of divinity to project the thought of fear and helplessness in the readers. Shelley included that ‘no mortal’ could stand fearless against the facial expressions of the monster. The word ‘mortal’ categorize the audience as a whole, giving them the impression that there are other laws of nature out there that are not meant to be disturbed with. Shelley even compared the horror Frankenstein experienced with a Christian icon. “Even Dante could not have perceived”. Dante is a poet known for his journey through the nine stages of hell in search for his lover. To face something more terrifying than what Dante had faced would certainly prove how horrendous Frankenstein’s creation is.

            Mary Shelley describes the monster through Victor Frankenstein thoughts even when Henry Clerval came to visit him. Thoughts and imagination of Frankenstein’s creation stirred in his head even when his friend came to ask about him. “I imagined that the monster seized me.” This creates a tense feeling in the audience. Although a close friend of the protagonist came to console him, he still feels the horror that burns within his creation, giving the audience the impression of lingering terror.

            The arrangement of events in chapter 5 also adds to the effects Mary Shelley intends to put the audience under. The sudden arrival of Henry Clerval creates a suspension in the audience, which are all horrified and excited about the creation. The arrival of Clerval distracted Frankenstein’s thoughts of the monster, thus creating a sudden halt in the audience’s imaginations and illustrations. 

The Ending

After weeks of reading the play and analyzing the text, we have finally came to the end of the play. Throughout the play, we have seen Iago in his most evil times. His plans and thoughts were shared with us, and the outcome of his actions always goes to his liking. Throughout the play we have seen how Othello, Roderigo and Michael Cassio fell into Iago's tricks. I knew that the play ought to end up in violence. True enough, after reading the whole play, there were many unnecessary deaths.

I thought the ending was ridiculous. To summarize it all: firstly, Roderigo gets killed by Iago (to cover up Iago's plans, Roderigo must die) after a failed ambush which left Cassio wounded by Iago instead. Secondly, Othello confronts Desdemona and told her Cassio has confessed having an affair with Desdemona and is already dead. Thirdly, Othello then kills Desdemona without hesitating. Fourthly, EVERY other character intervened and proved Othello wrong, especially Emilia, backstabbing her husband Iago. And finally, the worst part of the whole play, Othello kills himself.

Although it was expected; Othello kills himself because he realized he was such a fool, but who in the right mind would stab himself, and then lay down and kiss the woman he just murdered? That's way too dramatic, not to mention pathetic. Why did he kill Desdemona before investigating it himself? He has placed too much trust in Iago.

And Iago. What I don't get is what happens to Iago. In the play, he is just left with injured Cassio. We know that Othello wounded Iago, and then kills himself. Thats it? Thats the end of the mighty and evil Iago? The mastermind of the whole evil plan is just left with Cassio? The end of Iago seems pretty uncanny. I personally feel unsatisfied that Iago's character just ended there. Ridiculous, ridiculous ending. Shakespeare can get everything right, the play, the characters and the language. But just like every Malaysian dramas, he can't get the ending right.

THE PLAY UP TO ACT TWO

1. Opinions on the main characters
   
   I like the fact that every character have different personalities; evil people, idiotic people, proud people... Sometimes i find myself supporting Iago and his dirty plans. I don't now why but I WANT Iago to succeed. Othello can get into my nerves at times. He compliments Iago like he's the good guy! What, is he blind? Othello is really shortsighted.
   
2. Your thoughts on the story line
   
   I think some really big crap is going to happen soon. Iago's going to plot a plan that would destroy everyone. That's how it's going to end.

Initial Learning

1. Something you've found interesting so far
   
   Well, the teaching method of Mr. Martin's very helpful so far. His understanding of Shakespeare's language and emotions made it a lot easier for me as a student. As weird as he may look, his ridiculous-looking acts of certain confusing scene help give us a better illustration of the play, especially the fact that Shakespeare's language almost seemed alien to our understanding. The fact that we get to act out the whole play also urge us to understand the play better so that we don't make a fool out of ourselves while acting in front of Mr. Martin.

1. Anything you'd prefer to do instead
   
   For now, I think we need direction for our notes. The last time I checked someone's notes, it was completely different than mine. Maybe Mr. Martin could give us some examples in jotting down our notes, I don't know.