Compare and contrast the ways in which different poems have presented the theme of love Essay Example

Compare and contrast the ways in which different poems have presented the theme of love Essay The Elizabethan era was a time one links with the reign of Queen Elizabeth. It was a time known as the Golden Age, and allowed for a great expanse in English literature, poetry and music. It was the epitome of the English renaissance, and with it came many great artists, including William Shakespeare who changed Elizabethan theatre more than anyone of that era.Like Shakespeare, many English writers were influenced by the Italian sonnet, and these became heavily incorporated into the way poetry was written. Also with the renaissance of the English era, there came a greater interest in the Christian belief, and understanding the meaning behind it. This also influenced many writers, most notable being John Milton and Edmund Spenser.William Shakespeares Sonnet 130 demonstrates that he is one of the few love poets of his era whose style is so different to that of others. In most Renaissance love poems a woman is praised for her beauty, and adored for her godlike and perfect features. This involved comparing a womans beauty to that of nature. One such poem which emphasizes this technique is Epithalamion by Edmund Spenser, who uses the conventional methods of poetry during that era.His methods include comparing his love to nature and describing her with heavenly characteristics. However in contrast, Shakespeares description of his mistress seems unadorned and simple, although many found it shocking, the simplicity in her description, conveys his love for her as it shows that she is rare because she seems real, unlike the transcendent portrayal of Spensers beloved.At the very beginning of Shakespeares sonnet, one immediately realizes that it is very different to the love poems of that era. This is because there is an almost immediate distinction between the ways in which he describes her actual beauty-simplistic-, to that of Spenser. For example, whereas Spenser contrasts her goodly eyest to that of Saphyres shining bright Shakespeare simply implies that he will not dr aw exaggerated parallels to her eyes, but will adore them just as they are; simple;- My mistress eyes are nothing like the sun.Furthermore, Shakespeare continues with his simple description of his mistress when he describes her lips as faded, because Coral is far more red than her lips red. Whereas, Spensers elaborate description project an idealistic image of a woman whose appearance seduces and entices the likes of men this can be seen as very sexist as it objectifies and demeans her. Another common technique of that era was to describe woman as food- he praised her lips lyke cherryes charming men to bite this again could be seen as objectifying as the poet is a likening her to food, and not to a human being.Comparisons like the prior continue throughout the poems, not only is there contrast within Shakespeares poem ; I have seen roses damaskd, red and white, but no such roses see I in her cheeks or even if snow be white, why then her breast are dun. These not only portray contr ast within the poem, but also contrast with the contemporaries, like Spenser. For example, Spensers comparison of his loves cheeks is that lyke apples which the sun hath rudded , this comparison and the use of vibrant red to portray a womans cheeks- was a trademark of love poems during this era, showing, and portraying another distinction between Shakespeares poem direct in description and Spensers poem exaggerated in style.Another comparison can also be drawn with the contrasting quotes of each poets description of their loves breasts. Spensers description, follows the norm in describing them as white, like to a bowle of creame uncrudded whereas Shakespeares, strays again strays away from the norm, when describing his mistress as having dun coloured breasts, again the poet uses food to describe his mistress, if one reads it in a feminist light, it seems as she is an object to him, something he lusts for, and not something he loves and cherishes.The way in which Spenser describe s his mistress, can be seen as false, this is because his description of her is so blissful that it has to be fake, just like how fairytales are;- although beautiful, are all made up and are essentially lies. However, Shakespeare is blunt and to the point when describing his mistress makes her seem not only plain and simple, but also real. This is because through his sonnet, one realizes that although it lack of adorning, her beauty is not exaggerated, and thus one comes to a conclusion that there is beauty in simplicity.Furthermore, Shakespeares controversial opposing technique, seem to mock that of his contemporaries, and their exaggerated comparisons, which can at time seem insincere because a real girl is better than the false elevated comparisons of beauty portrayed by Spenser . Additionally, Shakespeares sonnet can seem controversial in the sense of society, as its unflattering view is rebelling, and even opposing the idealized view of woman.Both poets use blazon, however thei r approach differs, Spenser, as discussed previously, goes with tradition, by using the normal, conventional approach towards the theme- starts to embellish the woman with praise, starting with her eyes, and moving down . However, Shakespeare approach is unconventional as it mocks the tradition set during that era, by the use of simple contrasts. Shakespeares mocking of tradition, changes the effect of the blazon, and makes it argumentative, as to question the foundations of tradition set up by the petrarchan convention.One can blatantly see that a comparison between the two poems shows definite contrasting ideas, like their approach to their adoration of women, because although Shakespeare seems to undermine his mistress outer, materialistic beauty, one can clearly see that his love for her is not skin deep because he realizes that although, the description of her may be uncomplicated, he realizes that his love is as rare as any she belied with false compare. On the other hand, Spe nser seems to only notice her beauty, and not the beauty she conveys within.Also, it seems that Shakespeares approach is more honest, which could be seen as more appealing to the younger audience of todays generation. This is because his language, although Elizabethan, appears fairly uncomplicated, and his comparison seem stark black wires additionally, his poem to others is more candid, and thus, more generally accepted in todays society.Another of Shakespeares sonnets, Sonnet 116 depicts an extended personification of love. It contrast to sonnet 130, as instead of mocking the techniques of his era, he follows the norm with his basic sonnet form which has three quatrains and a rhyming couplet, also the poem itself seems more graceful, not only in the way the poem is laid out, but also the language used seems the promote love, however in an elevated and respectful style. He uses imagery to emphasise nothing can change their love, this is projected in lines three and four, when alt eration is altered which adds to circumstance and remover is removed takes it away, thus essentially canceling each other out; emphasisng that nothing can corrupt and alter their love for one another.In austere contrast To His Coy Mistress, by Andrew Marvell, the narrator portrays his love to his mistress, yet his mannerism seems crude and slightly ignominious. This is evident in his use of elevated imagery, for example, in his use of hyperbole simple yet effective imagery, with a hint of shock tactics when he states that if she doesnt have sex with him before she dies, worms shall try that long preservd virginity.Marvell also seems to uses imagery that attempts to convey the potential they would share if she were to fall for him as his argument against her coyness; one example is the line that states My Vegetable love should grow vaster than empires and more slow. This could be seen as phallic and undeveloped, but it could also suggest that he will nurture his love for her; just li ke that of a farmer to his vegetables, which takes time. One could also examine that within these lines, is the use of enjambment, which is mimetic of the idea that there is plenty of time for him to love her.In Sonnet 116 it seems unclear what the gender of the speaker is. This allows for universality within the poem where due respect is given; an element totally lacking in To His Coy Mistress.The very first line shows that the speaker is recognizing both his and his lovers intellectual and spiritual union with the bond they share between them. He goes on to say that this union should not be interfered with as what they have is special, like marriage. This is emphasized by the use of a caesura, after the word impediments- which also suggests mimeses. The first line of the second quatrain strengthens the first the point originally portray by the bond that is shared between the two, this is accomplished by the use of similes, It is the star too every wandering bark, suggesting that t heir love gives confined humans an anchoring point and sense of direction that offers purpose.In comparison, To His Coy Mistress seems less elegant and even blunt, which is further highlighted by the use of couplets. Additionally, its iambic tetrameter makes it seem shorter and more humorous, as if the speaker is not taking their love seriously. The first two lines are in subjunctive mood, which I rare and shows that the man pretends to play along with her plans to wait and postpone their physical relationship. It then continues to show alliteration; the use of w in which way to walk and also portrays mimetic enjambment, which underlines the fact that they have a lot of time.Marvell lived soon after the time of the reformation, thus many were knowledgeable about religion, which is shown in is poem, as he states that his love for her has been there since the beginning of time; his reference to the ark, concerning Noah and the flood, and his love will continue till the end of time; wi th the conversion of the Jews which refers to Revelations, the last book of the bible.Although it seems as if he is professing his love to her all the time, his crudeness almost eradicates any sense of emotion as it makes it seem that the only reason for his flattery is to get her into bed. Also at times his patronization her seem stupid, for example, when he uses the out dated convention of the blazon, as it pokes fun at her fine sensibilities and her coyness.Both poems use hyperbole; Shakespeare uses it to exaggerate the point that their love is so strong that it cannot be corrupted. Whereas Marvell uses hyperbole to show how impossible it is for him to play along with her, this adds a sense of persuasion by allowing him to use hyperbole to make an opposite point.Shakespeare states that loves worth unknown and bears it out to the edge of doom, which suggests that he is linking his love to something which is bigger than we can comprehend; suggesting that it is eternal and t transce nds time, because God is love, as Renaissance Christians had read their version of the Bible.Shakespeares Sonnet 116 seems more sincere and ultimately the most persuasive in comparison to Marvells. This is because he recognizes and respects the beloved intellectually without reference to gender, whereas Marvell only seems to recognize his Mistress because he wants to have sex with her.When one takes in to consideration all the poems and their approach to the theme of love, one can see clear distinctions. Sonnet 116 and sonnet 130-although written by the same author- vary, and are interpreted differently. It appears that Sonnet 130 focuses the most on love, and the how bonds that are created between two people, overcome any obstacle that is thrown at them. Whereas in Shakespeares Sonnet 116, one can see an indication that he loves his woman, however the focus-like Edmund Spenser- is on the beauty of their beloved. Marvell on the other hand, seems to play around with the theme of love , his ways of persuasion seem atypical, and this could allow for the interpretation that he does not love his mistress, but that his love for her is in actuality is facade or pretence for sexual intercourse.

Resistant reading to Al Gores documentary An Inconvenient Truth

Resistant reading to Al Gores documentary An Inconvenient Truth Attention all rational, clear thinking people here before me. Al Gore is back, and he is crazier than ever. I am here today to speak to you about the relentless advertising campaign Gore has instigated in an attempt to help revive the public support for his failed attempt to convert the world to his irrational, science fiction fable of manmade global warming, in his documentary An Inconvenient Truth. Many people have been inundated with an onslaught of Gores cleverly marketed commercials that have attempted to persuade you and me to ignore the true scientific facts and evidence, in hopes that we will support his misguided views on manmade global warming. For many years the lies, hype, hypocrisy and hysteria surrounded by Gores fallacy of manmade global warming has done nothing but instil fear and anger into the eyes of innocent people who unfortunately, have little knowledge of our world and its state.Al gore giving his global warming talk in Mountain...Within the documentary, Al Gor e misleads his audience by presenting rather contradictory evidence that either backs up his own blatant lies or is missing vital pieces that make the puzzle and disagree with his theories. Along with providing the viewers with misleading evidence, Gore has also developed a keen likeness of emotive tactics, using many visual and audio visual techniques in an attempt to enthral you all with his utter lies and rubbish.I would first like to start of today with Al Gore's presentation of evidence, which plays a major role in his documentary. Throughout the film, Gore has used a wide range of facts, images and statistics that consequently support his own claims and inconvenient theories. However, when digging deep to find the cracks and crannies that appears in his slideshows, it is clearly evident that he has bluntly manipulated scientific proof to justify his...