Can One Define Love?

Romeo and Juliet is one of the most famous plays in English history. What makes it so significant is the idea of love that it displays. To think that loving someone so passionately, that even one's own life would not matter more, is not easy to comprehend. Juliet says "If all else fail, myself have power to die." That, plus the illusion that the love was strong after the first sighting. The idea of love at first sight was derived from this great play, but it seems that it could be understood in many other kinds of ways- ways that argue that love was not the only significant emotion that wrapped up the tragic phenomena.

It is clear in the play that Juliet is awfully young at the time, when she meets Romeo. Capulet explains it, "My child is yet a stranger in the world, she hath not seen the change of fourteen years." She also hadn't been married, which means she was new to the idea of love and affection. That is a big detail to keep in mind, since one can argue that the "love" at first sight was actually lust, and that Romeo wooed her before he actually had her fallen in love with him. As a young teenager, being exposed to that feeling of lust for the first time is extremely intense. Another way to define the reality, is that perhaps Shakespeare has shown fate, or destiny to be a greater force than love, as it ultimately succeeds in keeping the lovers apart. The obstacles that it creates. Their love is disallowed by the Capulet and Montagne families, and Juliet is yet to be married to Paris- but they're still inevitably drawn to each other. It had to be a form of love, as the violent empowering force led them to defy all other values, loyalties and emotions.

The play also portrays other kinds of love. The close relationship between Nurse and Juliet, and Mercutio and Benvolio are both as heartfelt and sincere as Romeo and Juliet's. Shakespeare shows that there are other forms of love. There's no saying whether a type is "realer" than the other but some are much more vulnerable. Juliet couldn't stand being separated from Romeo during the time of his banishment- at the time they had both been emotionally invested.

Whether committing suicide is romantic or not, depends on how one would like to interpret it. One can look at it in a way that Juliet had realized that Romeo is no more, and now she'd have to face disgrace from her family and have to live through it alone, and that she'd jeopardized her family's reputation. Also, that she'd worsen matters between the Capulets and Montagues. Or it could've been that Juliet was so passionate about Romeo, that the thought of never being able to see him again made her think it would be wiser to end her life. 

"The learned and the experienced know that love at first sight is not true at all, it is merely a strong desire for each other nourished by mutual physical attraction, sexual desire and magnified passion without reasoning all bonded together and disguised as love." -anon. This quote provides the understanding of one possible form Shakespeare was trying to portray. Even if the love were real, there is no guarantee that it would've lasted, as it progressed very quickly. After all, is physical attraction enough to last a life time? "Strictly speaking- and certainly if we take Shakespeare's other tragedies as a criterion- we cannot admit Romeo and Juliet as a tragedy at all, for the catastrophe depends on chance, the undelivered letter of Friar Lawrence. Without this accident, all might have been well"- E.C. Pettet. 

Sukhleen Bachra

Sources:
http://mathawaada.blogspot.ca/2008/06/romeo-and-juliet-how-real-is-love.html

Mid Term.

Overall, this year I would give my self 85%.

For attendance I would give myself 20% because I always come to class on time. Sometimes I am late to class because I have to talk to my teacher about something important, then I quickly have to go to my locker to get my food and text book. If I were to be late to class, the bell usually rings by the time I am coming up the main stairs. I am usually on task in class, but lately I tend to get distracted very easily and "might" disturb others from doing there work. I think I may have had too much candy leaving me to get very hyper in class, which causes me to not shut up.  But the positive side to this is that I do help others in class that need help with their work or who need a starting sentence. I can control myself at times and stop all the nonsense, I don't constantly check my Ipod for messages or snapchats because Gayle usually has my Ipod so she can do her work and get caught up. I only use my Ipod when we need it tweet or to do our blogs. I hate the HP laptops, they suck! I am always positive in class and ready to learn new things as well as ready to make fun of my friends in class. I love to be part of our class discussions and see what others think and hear their opinions about the topic we are talking about.

For assignment completion I would give myself 25% because I always have my assignments done before hand and I finished all 15 tasks. I love to write a lot because I have so many ideas and thoughts I want to share in my writing. So much goes through my mind that I have to let it out. I try my best to fix my writing by reading what my peers commented below. But I need to try harder because yesterday Mr. Neufeld told me to add more to my soliloquy, which I did for, "the sun", part but I didn't understand what he meant for writing if people are all good or bad. I understand why he wouldn't comment it but I should of noted it down on my Ipod.

For quality of assignments I would give myself 20% because everyday is a day that I can improve on. Lately, I try to write professionally on my work and expand my vocabulary. Which is improving a lot and I mean A LOT. I would say I have done my best work but that doesn't stop me from making it better. As I mentioned before, there is always more room to improve. I put my full efforts in all my assignments but every time I it over and over again I do noticed some areas in my writing where I can do better and put more effort in. For instance, I sometimes don't explain things well enough and leave it sort and brief. I noticed I like to explain things in depth. Everyone has there own writing styles, some like to write a lot like me and some like to write less. My work can be improved by taking the comments seriously and fixing my work. I can improve by fixing my grammar mistakes, being more detailed and go more in depth, connecting, etc.

For class contribution I would give myself 20%. My presence in class has improved others learning because I like to participate in class and share my thoughts and opinions. For example, when we were analysing the poem, "To a Stranger", I participated in class by searching up personal information of the author and sharing it with the class. Whenever I finish my assignment I always go comment on my class mates work that' s why I am known as the few kids that names always pop up in the comments. I remember when we first made our personal blogs and I didn't embed my video properly so I learnt how to do it with Mr. Neufeld's help. Which later, I was able to help my fellow class mates how to embed a picture and video. When one of my class mates don't understand something in class I try my complete best to help them out, but sometimes I can't help everyone because I may not understand it and need help myself. "I like the idea but maybe re-read your story and use different words other like "enjoy". I think this comment was helpful because after that post, that person did a very good job on their next assignment. They didn't repeat the same word over and over again and there was a fair amount of grammar mistakes. But most importantly, I could see the improvement and it was awesome. Just their recent post was detailed and well written. I am very proud of this person, keep up the good work!

Soliloquy- Act 2, scene 2

"It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!" -Romeo

This soliloquy may refer to a variety of meanings but, in this case Romeo overheard Juliet talking about him. Which he thinks is a great idea to stop hiding and face Juliet. Leaving them to poor out there feelings about each other and how deeply they love each other. Therefore, leading him to say this to her, "It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!". At that moment Romeo must be looking up at Juliet's window and sees her light turn on, he is saying that he is looking eastwards and seeing Juliet would be seeing the sun coming up in the east. He is also referring to her beauty and all those things associated to the sun.
Another meaning of this metaphor can be that, through the late night, Juliet's exquisiteness makes Romeo image that she is the sun, transforming the darkness into daylight. Romeo objectifies the moon, calling it, "Sick and pale of grief", making Juliet the sun, which is far more brighter and beautiful. Without the sun there would only be darkness. Making Juliet, "the sun", darkness will never exist.
http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/romeojuliet/quotes.html

This soliloquy comes from the most memorable and famous scene from the whole play. In this scene Romeo as well as Juliet are purifying there love for each other. By describing the way they feel about each other through words. The significance of this scene is that Romeo is going to see his significant other for the first time in the orchard, which represents his joy in seeing her and how much he loves her. Knowing that she is, "the sun", means that she is the gleam of his dark and depressing mood. Due to that she quickly has changed his world over the course of just one day. This scene today has impacted on how women think men should be, by poring their hearts out to them and honestly sharing how they feel about their relationship as well as how devoted they are to each other. It tells women how men aren't as tough as you think, they always have that warm and tenderness in their hearts, you just have to reach out to them.

I like this speech because it impacts ones thinking of something, in this case love. Not all love is just lust and enticement. You have to be able to communicate and prove your love for each other. The best way is to talk about it, is with your significant other. Everyone has a moment in their lives where they just can't wait. They have to get that feeling or news out as fast as they can by meeting or talking to that person ASAP because it is killing you and making you insane. There's too much going on in you mind and your heart feels like its getting heavier and heavier every second. Therefore in this play, this scene is very prominent because it is genuinely heart-felt and true to the soul. It is more affectionate to women because they are known for being the too soft and delicate ones.

Act 2-Relationships

An example of two characters that have a healthy relationship are Nurse and Juilet because Nurse was a mother that Juilet never had. Nurse was a servant/nanny that took care of someone else's daughter like her own blood. Juilet felt that warmth and love that she never got from her actual mother. Nurse cherished her with unconditional love and support throughout all her decisions in life. Nurse was a mother figure and best friend to her. "Now good sweet Nurse- O Lord why lookest thou sad? Though news be sad, yet tell them merrily, If good, thou shamest the music of sweet news By playing it to me with so sour a face." - Juilet. 

Another example of two characters that have a healthy relationship are Mercutio and Romeo because they have this brother like relationship. Knowing that Romeo is the only heir of the Montague household. He doesn't have a sibling so the closest brother figure and best friend to Romeo is Mercutio. There always have each others backs. When they get into an argument they will go over and beyond to protect each other, even if they don't agree with each others opinions or thoughts. Mercutio will never let Romeo be a disgrace to his household name. "This gentleman, the Prince's near ally, My very friend, hath hot this mortal hurt In my behalf- my reputation stained With Tybalt's slander- Tyblat, that an hour Hath been my cousin. O sweet Juilet, Thy beauty hath made me effeminate And in my temper softened valour's steel." - Romeo.

An example of two characters with an unhealthy relationship are Capulet and Lady Capulet because Lady Capulet isn't a typical mother to Juilet she is more like the wicked witch from the south that doesn't really care about her child. She has more interest in wealth and partying by hosting big parties and getting wasted. She likes to be under the spot light and have all eyes on her. On the other hand Capulet has a drinking problem where he is always drinking and yelling at his family. He is more like the monster of the family that beats and threats his wife when he feels she isn't listening to him as well as his daughter. These to both have issues which causes them to have a poor relationship with each other and most importantly with their daughter. "Hang thee, young baggage, disobedient wretch! I tell thee what- get thee to church a Thursday Or never after look me in the face. Speak not, reply not, do not answer me! My fingers itch. Wife, we scarce thought us blest That good had lent us but this only child. But now I see this one is one too much, And that we have a curse in having her. Out on her, hilding!" - Capulet.

Another example of two characters that have an unhealthy relationship are Juilet and Paris because Paris is an old man that wants to marry a young girl so he can have more children. But Juilet refuses to marry him because he is old and she is in love with Romeo the foe of the Capulet household. She is not in love with Paris and she can't see herself living a happy life with him. Which causes her to go against her dad's will to get married to Paris. On the other hand Paris can't wait another moment for them to finally get married. In this situation, one person is left to give all their rights away just to satisfy their loved ones which leads that person to live a miserable life. While the other person is getting what they want just because of their wealth and social status. "Younger than she are happy mothers made." - Paris 

I think there are both good and bad people in this world because people do good things as a choice as well as bad. A quote that some people believe in is that, "All good things are difficult to achieve and bad things are very easy to get". In this play Shakespeare tells the audience the bad side of each person because not everyone is innocent and sweet. They all have a burden past or problem they are facing which makes tem uneasy or addicted to something like Lord Capulet's drinking problem. 

Act 1-Love

As a messenger of god, I believe the purest form of love is the love meant for god. However, concerning love between two people is another story. The thing with young people, is that they're feelings of 'love' may only be lust.

Interim Report

English 10 I would say is quite different in a way because this year we are using technology as a guide and it is the most essential thing of our course. We are using it to interact with others and their learning and connecting it to your learning by giving your opinions to help better one another's work.

I put all my effort in my work and always try my best by really understanding the task and let the creative juices flow. For example, the teenager post was very personal and it took time and perfection to critic that essay. I am a hard-worker, sometimes it doesn't  look like it in class but I always complete my assignments and hand them in on time. I am one of those people that get distracted very easily which is my weakness I would say and I try my best not to get distracted but what can I do. Therefore, that leads me to do my homework at home and many ideas come to my mind where I end up with ideas like this, "I understand the parents' need to be strict, because they're afraid that their kids will get out of control. But the thing that my parents don't realize, is that they're the reason it happens. I know my right from wrong, but it almost always differs from my parents, which leads me to resentment, and I choose to rebel and I end up doing things I know I will regret. Every bad decision I make is driven from something that is frustrating me, but others will always just assume that it's because I somehow WANT to be an immature teenager."  I need a quiet place to study and do my work because that silence is pretty rare to find these days when you come from school all tried and you have homework, hence you get frustrated when you have two loud siblings at home as well as a loud mother on the phone. But I always try my best not to waste time in class and to get the job done. I guess since I am not a fan of the HP laptops we have at our schools, I really don't like using them cause' they suck. Thankfully that I have my IPod so I can work in class and if I need to post something on my personal page I can go home and copy and paste it. I love to work in groups as well because I like to interact with others and listen to there point of view of the whole situation and just learn from it. 

I always come to class on time and so for I have no late's nor absences for this semester I think. I always come prepared mentally and physically. I am ready to learn something new each and everyday. I contribute to this class by participating in class activities and volunteer to answer questions in class.For example, I didn't embed my song on our personal page correctly and Mr. Neuf taught me how to embed the song properly and I took that lesson to help out my fellow classmates that made the same mistake that I did. I also ask for help when needed. I think just this year I came out of my comfort zone of being that quiet shy little girl that sits in the back to this loud, talkative girl that never shuts up. My goal this semester is to contribute as much as possible in this class and to pass this course because the way we are being marked this year is very different to what teachers usually  mark their students by. 

As I mentioned before, this class is different but different in a good way because now I have two point of views of how English can be taught. There are good and bad to both teaching styles but it never hurts to stay positive and think about all the good of the way this course is taught. 

Sukhleen Bachra.

Relationships

There are a variety of relationships people have with one another. In this unit we were speculating on different types of relationships. Therefore, we came to cross three different poems from three auspicious times.

The first poem we analyzed was, "How Is Your Heart" by Charles Bukowski. The poem is filled with complexities, and dysfunctional thoughts. When you read it, you know that it isn't exactly positive or pleasant type of story, but it is mentioned many times in the poem that he feels content. The poem talks about all the difficult times he has been through, yet it somehow seems like he enjoys the misery of the life he lives. Enjoyment of difficulties. Since things were never good for him, after all the bad experiences, all that matters to him is how well he survives it all. In the end, what is gathered by the poem from most, is that if you have a good relationship with yourself, you can go through the toughest of times.

The second poem we discussed as a class was, "To A Stranger" by Walt Whitman. This poem is about someone who has difficulty expressing himself. The person knows how he feels, but he also feels like it's wrong to feel that way. The entire poem seems to be a dream. It clearly talks about his addiction to the presence of a stranger, yet the stranger is familiar. It says "you must be he I was seeking, or she I was seeking" then it contradicts with "I ate with you, and slept with you.." It seems as if this person has a deep attraction to this stranger. It's all played out in his head, his imagination running wild into a fantasy. This kind of relationship happens to people with dysfunctional pasts.

The third poem we read was, "Unentitled" by Jennifer L'Hirondelle.  This poem is the least alike to the other two. It is more positive. Throughout the poem Jennifer talks about how she is in a place far away from home, but she feels like she is still at home. There is someone with her, whose presence makes her feel like home. She feels the kind of love that makes you forget the big things, and lets you focus on the little precious details in life. She seems to be aware of her surroundings, as it clearly states, "the salt of this place on our tongues, and in our nostrils"

Relationships can be very complex, or very simple- depending on the kind of person you are, and how your life was in the past. It effects people in all kinds of ways. There's a very thin line between love that is good for you, and love that is bad. Either way, everyone has some kind of it in their lives.

Sukhleen Bachra