Macbeth Performances- Josh Williams

Throughout our last unit in Honor English, our class read and analyzed the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare.  The essay which we wrote for this unit analyzed whether or not Shakespeare's writing was still necessary in today’s classrooms.  I argued that it was not.  One of the reasons that I used to support my claim was that his works are no longer properly portrayed.  I wrote that “One of the most compelling arguments against the use of Shakespeare to educate students is that it is not properly taught.  Instead of being given a performance by experienced actors, like intended by Shakespeare, students are forced to read Shakespeare on their own or listen to their teachers and classmates give a tedious account of it.  As Mark Powell, an experienced modern Shakespeare performer, puts it ‘Shakespeare wrote to put money in his pocket, food on the table and fire in the bellies of his audiences, not strike modern teenagers with fear. Most of Shakespeare's audiences were illiterate. His words were chosen to be spoken or heard, not to be read and deadened behind a desk – they wither when performance is removed’ (Powell).  Therefore, it is no mystery why students choose to skim over Shakespeare's works or read summaries on them.”

At the end of the unit, Mr. Johnson had us do something abnormal from normal Shakespeare curriculums: perform sections of the play.  Our class split up into groups and each performed a scene from the play.  The group I was in chose to perform the fight scene from the end of the play in which Macbeth was killed by Macduff (Act V, Scene VII).  Some other notable performances included the witches first prophecy (Act I, Scene III), the killing of Duncan (Act II, Scene II),and the witches second prophecy (Act IV, Scene I).  It was a great experience being able to perform in front of the class.  Both performing a scene and watching other scenes being performed allowed many of us to better visualize and understand Macbeth.  Even though we were not able to see a professional rendition of Shakespeare's work (a movie or play), acting out the scenes was very beneficial, and was a step in the right direction in regards to properly portraying Macbeth as Shakespeare intended it to be.     

"the A-Z's of the English Language" by Liz Ukstins

The A-Z's of the English Language 

by Liz Ukstins

The English language is subjective. It means different things to different people. For example, the English language could be, to one person, simply the means to communicate, while to another, any sentence is a work of art. Below is an A-Z interpretation of the English language given by an educator of the deaf and blind. She is fluent not only in English, but in Spanish and Sign Language. The 'test subject', so to speak, was asked to give a word about the English language that she associated with the given letter. She was then asked to explain the reasoning behind each answer.

Antonym, Book, Comma, Dictation, Exclamation, Fortitude, Glossary, Highlight, Intense, Juxtaposition, Kinesthetic, Language, Monologue, Natural, Onamonapia, Painful, Question, Racy, Situational, Talk, Unique, Verse, Washing-away, X-treme, Yesterday, Zest

"Antonym, because there is a positive and negative to the English language - a good and a bad, which are ironically antonyms. Book, because thats where words are found. Comma, its an essential to the English language. How awkward would it be to not have commas? Dictation, because words are dictated. We see and hear words to understand them. Exclamation, because English is exciting. Also, because we exclaim things to show emotions. Fortitude, because English can suck sometimes. There are three to's to use, how confusing! Glossary, because thats where we learn new words. If we don't know a word from, for example, a textbook, we just look in the back. Highlight, because the spoken language is the highlight of any culture. If you can speak the language, you can go anywhere. Intense, because the English language is difficult to learn. It can be intense at times. Juxtaposition, because languages are unique. The same word in, lets say, German and English could be contrasting in pronunciation but have the same meaning. 'Ambulance' compared to 'Krankenwagen' is comical, but is a perfect example. Kinesthetic, because there are so many different ways that people learn. It makes me happy to know that in English, we have a word for each of these learning styles. Language, beside the obvious, because languages are art. Words are the pictures. Cultures are the colors. Monologue, because a person talking to themselves shows as much character as talking to someone else. Natural, because it is natural for someone to want to communicate. I have never seen a deaf or blind person refuse to try to communicate. Onamonapia, because thats a word about the English language that starts with an 'O', also because onamonapia is fun! Bam! Painful, because anyone who has learned English as a secondary language will tell you that it was no cake-walk. The English language has been proven to be one of the most difficult languages to learn, next to Mandarin Chinese and Finnish. Question, because we ask questions to learn. We answer questions to spread knowledge. Racy, because we have these things called euphemisms. I can say "She turned on the light switch" and some will interpret it as being sexual, but in reality, 'she', whoever 'she' is, just turned on a lamp. Situational, because depending where you are in the world, you may have to speak another language. Talk, because the basis of communication is verbal association. Unique, because English is made up of more than eleven original languages. Verse, because poetry is the bomb. Washing-away, because words like 'selfie' and 'fleek' are in the dictionary. We are losing the integrity of our language.  X-treme, because the average English-speaker has 20,000 words in their daily vernacular. Yesterday, because the words we say today are based on the words from yesterday. For example, the words nine and eleven did not have the same significance they have today that they did on September 10th 2001. Finally, zest, because to speak English, you need excitement and energy."

I found that this "experiment" was an interesting outlook of the English language and revealed a lot about the person providing the answers (the words she chose showed intelligence and confidence). I, personally, challenge everyone reading this to perform the experiment on themselves. It may reveal some truths about yourself or even our ever-expanding English language; you may learn something new. 

Dress Code "Rebellion" by Hannah T

Over the past week or two, administration has made it very clear that the dress code is going to be very strictly enforced this year. And it was noticeably more strict for the girls of the school. It was already very frustrating for all girls, and even more after a few friends decided to do a "test" to see how strict they would be for the boys.

In the dress code it specifically states that boys are not allowed to wear muscle shirts or shirts that show their shoulders. So one day at lunch, when a boy was wearing one, a friend of his (a girl), called over administration and complained that his shoulders were distracting her to see what the reaction would be. And shockingly, the girl was told to just get over it. Very unfair based on the fact that girls had been getting in trouble throughout the whole day for having too much of their shoulders showing and being forced to change into another shirt.

After this incident, a few girls decided that the very strict code for girls was not right. One girl wrote, "As female students, we should not have to compromise our comfort so that the male students' education won't be 'disrupted'. Instead of sexualizing a woman's choice of dress and freedom of expression, teach the maturing boys of this school what are appropriate and inappropriate times/places to express their attraction to women. We will not let this school body shame and blame women". So they began a group called #freetheshoulders, which encouraged all girls to wear off the shoulder shirts or tank tops to school the next day. And as expected, a huge amount of girls participated.

At the beginning of the day, many girls were being asked to change or put on a jacket to cover their shoulders because apparently they are "distracting". But later in the afternoon, the administration called down two of the girls who helped organize this "protest" and had them explain their problem with the dress code. Administration listened to their explanation and were very understanding of the girls' point of view, and even agreed to make changes to the dress code so it would be more fair for girls.

This whole situation goes to show that when a group of people come together, they really can achieve things (maturely and peacefully).

 

What it's Like to Speak a Different Language- Claire Riley

A question our class has taken a day trying to answer has been: "Do the conventions of our language shape our perceptions of reality?" Using the resources given by Mr. Johnson and a special friend of mine who happens to be native to the French language as well as the English, I intend to get to the bottom of this question.

First, I'd like to look at the idea of being bilingual and the effects that may have on someone's mind and thoughts. To go in depth, I asked my friend Sarah Pineau who is fluent in French what language she thinks in.

"I think in English. I think I think in English because my really early childhood was in America, and I spend a lot of my time relating with my American friends. My parents...I know they think in French. Probably because they grew up in France. And I'm pretty sure my brother thinks in English because he also spent his childhood in America"(Pineau). So from Sarah's standpoint, the language a person would speak is most likely connected with what language they learned first.

We also have to look at the idea that Sarah and her family have 2 complete sets of vocabulary to identify with. Does this mean that she knows words in French that she can't understand in English...or vice versa? I wanted to expand on this idea from besides simple metaphors that Lera Boroditsky, associate professor of cognitive science at UC San Diego from our Slate.com article discussed. Sarah explains: "I didn't know what the word 'crush' meant 'till I was in like fifth grade...'cause I never heard of it before. So like some words I didn't know and I had to adjust." Hearing this I was dumbfounded since I grew up with the word 'crush' being thrown around everywhere! Sarah on the other hand had only known French until about third grade. This means that Sarah never quite thought about some boy she liked the same way kids like me did when we were young. She never actually had a word for that, changing her perception.

There may also be differences in thoughts and ideas when talking about a single KNOWN word in every language. For example, the "key" experiment that was used in the Psychology.com article. German speakers used harsher words when describing the word key, such as hard, heavy, jagged, metal, or useful. Spanish speakers, however, used graceful words like golden, intricate, little, and lovely. I wanted to use this test on Sarah to see if I could get an idea of what a French speaker might say. I asked her to describe the word "key," and she stated, "Old, rusty... I don't know... I think of it as simple. Americans have such complicated keys. But in France most of their keys just have like one little square at the bottom." Sarah's words were, in obvious words, simple. She also gave us the idea that she believed American keys to be much more complicated than the first idea of a French key to her. I agree with her, because the first idea for a key in my American mind is something intricate and puzzling. The contrast between the French idea and the American idea is larger than you may think.

My last question for Sarah was one further bringing out the differences between the English and the French speakers. In France, every noun is either masculine, or feminine. This is the same for many languages, like Spanish and German. Psychologytoday.com really went well in depth, but I wanted to see for myself how people who spoke this way thought differently.
I asked, "Do you often find yourself comparing feminine or masculine features to words due to the French making those words masculine or feminine? For example, do you see boats as a boy because they are masculine in French compared to Americans typically seeing them as feminine?"
Sarah responded, "I mean, I don't think of it as like my first response to a word. In French class, it just comes to my mind really easily. I don't have to think about it. I don't see boats as a boy, no." So maybe for Sarah, she just doesn't let the masculine and feminine pronouns get to her. To her they are like part of the noun, as if they could simply be written in the dictionary.

I can conclude this interview saying that, yes, the conventions of our language shape our perceptions of reality. Gaps and different pronunciations of words can really change the way a person thinks, and languages will always stand as barriers between different worlds.

Due May 8th

Sophia Oelkers

A Day in New York

With the summer right around the corner, those of you that do not go on vacation may find yourselves bored at home. The summer blues tend to kick in for many people simply because there is so much time on our hands once school is out! This summer, instead of moping around the house, you, your friends and family have the opportunity to visit one of the greatest cities in the world!. With thousands of sights to see and things to do and less than 75 miles away from home, you will find yourself truly amazed with the city of New York. Some of the possible activities to do and places to visit include:

• The Statue of Liberty
• The Empire State Building
• Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
• See a Broadway show:
• The Lion King
• Wicked
• Aladdin
• Phantom of the Opera
• Visit The World Trade Center Site, Ground Zero, 9/11 Memorial
• Central Park
• Ice Skate in Rockefeller Center
• The Museum of Natural History
• Radio City Music Hall
• High Line
• Madison Square Garden
• Little Italy
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Shopping in Times Square
• Eating at some of the finest and most delicious restaurants:
• Pasta Lovers
• The Sugar Factory

Ever since I was young, New York City has and always will be one of my favorite places to return to. I can personally say that every attraction listed above is a must see. This mind blowing place has a special kind of captivating aura to it. Once you experience the wonders of New York City, you will be wanting to make this an annual summer trip!

Why Shakespeare Never Existed

        Shakespeare is known today as one of the greatest writers to have ever existed. His poems and plays are still passed around today and are considered to be the greatest works ever written. But how? How could one man be so brilliant that he is still a household name 450 years later. Some experts have tried to find what made him so unique and uncovered something terrifyingly jolting. Shakespeare may never have existed.

        On May 13, 1593, Christopher Marlowe dies. Before Shakespeare, everyone knew Marlowe as the "head playwright" because he wrote extravagant plays for Elizabethan audiences, just like Shakespeare. However, due to his belief in atheism, some of the public wishes for his demise and no the 13 of May, he is killed in a bar fight. Then, one year later, Shakespeare is performing at the Global Theatre for the exact same audience. However, records of Shakespeare show that his family was illiterate and that he never went to school for writing. Thus, most question how Shakespeare would know to write as well as he did. 

        What if Marlowe was Shakespeare? By faking his death, Marlowe would cease the public ridicule and by changing his name, he could continue to write famous works. Shakespeare never existed, just a famous playwright who wanted to clear his name from the public.
-Evan Silberstein

The Day They Came By Caitlin Scarpa

The Day They Came

Short story

By Caitlin Scarpa

Day Two:  Government Secrets

The next day, Sean went back to work.  Most people were too scared to leave their children, but his job doesn’t allow him to miss very often.  Plus, he is working with the government, and right now they need all the help they can get.  

I was reluctant to let Mae go back to school but she insisted.  I wasn’t letting Mikey leave the house, that was for sure.  He begged me to let him go, but I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if something happened to him while I wasn’t around.  I took off the next few day from work just to keep an eye on Mikey.

The government hasn’t explained what is happening to the children, but I think everyone has an idea; even if it sounds crazy.  Before Sean left for work that morning, I overheard him on the phone with his boss; their conversation confirmed my theory.

“Ma’am, how am I supposed to keep this a secret from my family?  Shouldn’t the public have the right to know what is happening to their children?”  Sean spoke is a hushed voice, obviously trying not to be heard by Mae or myself.

The voice on the other side of the phone was muffled and choppy, but a few words came through,

“...it’s classified...We..don’t know...if it is...safe...”

“But Ma’am!” Sean butted in.  “If it really is...aliens...or whatever, shouldn’t the public know about it?  You said it yourself, this isn’t the first time this has happened.  Can’t we at least ease their anxious minds with some hope? Some hope that the government knows what it is doing?”

“...no idea what we are doing...Didn’t work...last time...can’t tell...-one...or you’re fired, Understand!” The line went blank on the other end.  Sean  slowly lowered the phone from his ear, and looked at it with disappointment.  He sunk himself in one of the kitchen chairs and buried his face in his hands, rubbing his temples to relieve stress.

I waited outside the kitchen for a few seconds before I went in to see how he was doing.  

“Sean Honey, whats wrong?  Shouldn’t you be going to work?” I didn’t bring up the call, I didn’t want him to know I was listening.

He was deep in thought, my voice had snapped him out of it, “huh, what?   Oh...Yeah.  I-I was just leaving.” He got up, grab his keys, and shuffled his way out the door,  “Bye Amy, I’ll see you after work..”

* * *

At around three in the afternoon, it started again.  I heard Mikey’s voice echo into the kitchen.  

“We. Are Coming. We. Are Coming...” Mikey was frozen.   They had taken control of the children again.  I wasn’t hysterical like the last time, it’s strange to think that I had almost gotten used to this.  I held his hand the entire time, waiting for him to come back into reality.

“We. Are Coming. We. Are Coming. We. Are Coming. Tomorrow!” and with that, Mikey was back to normal.  Just like last time, the last word hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity. Tomorrow.

“Mummy?   Why are you staring at me like that?  Did I do it again?”  Mikey looked as worried as I did.

“Yes, honey.  Yes you did.  But let’s not worry about that right now.  How about an ice cream?”  I needed a distraction.  I can’t keep racking my brain with all of these questions.

* * *

Sean got home at around five, earlier then I would have expected.  He sped into the kitchen, looking worried about something.

“Sean, what’s wrong?  You look anxious,” I said, trying not to sound too concerned.

“It’s fine, I just...” He trailed off for a second.   “Look, Amy.  I need you to know something.  I need you to know, that everything I do at work is completely classified, and I could get into some serious trouble if I said anything about it to anyone, including you.”

“I know, you’v-”

“Which is why,” he interrupted.  “Which is why you cannot tell anyone what I’m about to tell you.”  A little wave of relief went through my entire body.  I’m finally going to get some answers.

* * *

He first started telling me about the history of all of this.  Apparently this has happened before, 50 years ago, but on a much smaller scale.  He was not told what exactly happened, just that these aliens communicated with a radio frequency.   The radio frequency number is now what these aliens are referred to as, 456.  

456 has figured out a way to control the minds of children, and get them to relay their message for them.  It’s their way of scaring us into listening to them.  The British government was told, by 456, to build a glass chamber.  The chamber is filled with a mixture of gases, all poisonous to humans.  They don’t know why they are building it, they just know that they have to.

Everyone has been told that it is only children being affected by this, thing, but it isn’t.  There has been reports of a man, named Clement McDonald, who has been affected by 456, just like the children have.  He is 59, and has been in a mental hospital since he was 9.  Clement McDonald isn’t even his real name, no one knows his real name.  He was found in a field in the middle of Scotland, November 1965.  He had no idea who he was, so he was given a name.

The Cardiff Water Tower was blown up as an order from his boss.  Sean wasn’t told why, just that it had something to do with a group of people named Torchwood.  Sean did his own research for this; Torchwood is a group with the highest authority in Britain's detective agency.  If they show up to a crime scene, they get automatic priority.  They are extremely valuable to the government, and specialize in extraterrestrial activity.  This begs the question to why the government wants to blow them up.  If they know how to handle everything, then why kill them?  That’s not all there is to Torchwood either; it is comprised of three people, Captain Jack Harkness, Gwen Cooper, and Ianto Jones.  Only Captain Harkness was killed in the explosion, the others escaped.  But the weirdest part is that the government took whatever they could find remaining of Captain Harkness and are keeping it under lock and key.  Like it might get up and walk away on its own.  

This was all he knew about the situation, at the moment.  Who knows what may change in 24 hours.

Day Three: The Arrival

This whole thing has gotten everyone even more shaken up.  All schools have been closed, and the British government has enacted a new curfew for anyone under the age of 18. Everyone is trying to remain calm even with this threat lingering in the air.  They, are supposed to arrive today, according to the children.

For the most part, the day went on normally, or as normal as it gets at a time like this.  I made breakfast, did the laundry, watched some tele.  Mikey was watching cartoons in the living room when I left for two minutes to bring him some lunch.  When I returned, he was standing in the center of the living room pointing out the window.

“What are you looking at?” I walked over to him and placed the plate on the coffee table.

“Mikey?  Can you hear me?  Mikey look at me.”  He wasn’t responding.  It was happening again.  I followed where he was pointing and looked up at the sky.  A few seconds later a tube of fire shot down from the atmosphere, like a tornado.  A huge bang, like thunder, followed as it touched down right in the center of the city, the capital building.

“We. Are. Here.” Mikey’s voice bounced around my head, like an echo in a cave.  They have arrived.

* * *

Sean burst through the door at around seven that evening.  He was sweating buckets.  He looked as if he had just ran a mile.

“Amy!  Amy, you need to leave right now.  We need to get Mikey and Mae out of here.”  He was shaking.  

“Sean, you’re scaring me, what is going on?”  

“The alien...456 it is here and...” He trailed off.

“Sean, tell me what is going on!” I demanded.

“Come here,” Sean lead me to the living room, away from the children, and sat us both down on the couch.  He forced himself to calm down to get the next few words out.

“Amy, you need to promise me that you will leave after I tell you this, okay?  You need to go up to your grandmother's cabin in Ireland, and stay there until this is all over.  I need you to lay low for a week or two.  I need you to promise me this.”

“I’m not promising anything until you tell me what is going on.  Now tell me, Sean!”

“The alien has been communicating with representatives from Earth, specifically Mr. John Frobisher.  The alien trusts him, and will only speak with him.”

“And?”

“456 has demanded a gift from the human race.”

“What did they ask for?”

“The children, Amy.  456 has demanded 10% of the Earth’s children.”

End of Day Three

To Be Continued...

Inspired by the hit TV show, Torchwood.  Story retold in the perspective of a mother, with her family being in the heat of the matter.