Okay, I just finished reading Shakespeare’s The Tempest . Not a modern translation, the old English style. I became interested in this story after hearing that it involved shipwrecked passengers and a wizard. Being a Harry Potter and Gilligan’s Island fan, I began reading. I overlooked the fact that Shakespeare was before both of these franchises, but it was still a good read. My first thoughts on the play were a little confused, mostly because I kept mixing up all of the characters. But as the story continued, I got things settled straight. I found the history of Prospero and Miranda and Caliban being on the island very interesting. I was intrigued that Prospero learned sorcery on the island, and that Caliban was the son of the sorceress on the island before him. Caliban’s appearance is described as, “Thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself…” (I.ii). He also said to be a disfigured monster in the text. When Ferdinand is introduced into the text, he can be seen as an oppos...
Okay, I am beginning to read a modern text and translation of Oedipus Rex. I was interested in Oedipus Rex because I had done some class work on Antigone, and I was intrigued on the stories leading up to Antigone, mainly, the story of her father, Oedipus. I only have a limited knowledge on the story at the moment, so I’m excited to learn more about the story. My source is: Sophocles'. Sophocles (C.496–C.406 BC) - Oedipus Rex: Translated by George Theodoridis, www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Greek/Oedipus.php . My first thoughts on Oedipus are that he is a very patient and gracious king, who is willing to help his kingdom. The people love their king, and give him much respect and reverence, and Oedipus constantly puts the people before himself, even telling Creon to speak his news to all the people, saying “I mourn for their lives more than I do for my own”. The city’s issue is an interesting one. The murderers of the former king must be murdered for their actions. I am ...