The Great Gatsby and the Lost Generation

Nick Carraway, the tale’s â€Å"honest† narrator, is a small-town, Midwest American boy who once spent some time in New York with the greatest man he has ever known, Jay Gatsby.  To Nick, Gatsby is the embodiment of the American Dream: rich, powerful, attractive, and elusive.  Gatsby is surrounded by an aura of mystery and illusion, not unlike L. Frank Baum’s Great and Powerful Oz.  And, like the Wizard of Oz, Gatsby and all that he stands for turn out to be nothing more than carefully crafted, delicate constructs.   Gatsby is the dream of a man who does not exist, living in a world where he does not belong.  Although Nick understands that Gatsby is far from being who he pretends to be, it does not take long for Nick to be charmed by the dream and to believe wholeheartedly in the ideals that Gatsby represents.  Ultimately, Nick falls in love with Gatsby, or at least with the fantasy world that Gatsby champions. Nick Carraway is perhaps the most interesting character in the novel.  He is simultaneously the one person who seems to see through Gatsby’s faà §ade, but also the person who most adores Gatsby and who cherishes the dream that this man represents.  Carraway must continually lie to and deceive himself while attempting to reassure the reader of his honest nature and unbiased intentions.  Gatsby, or James Gatz, is fascinating in that he represents all aspects of the American Dream, from the tireless pursuit of it to the actual embodiment of it, and also, tragically, the realization that it does not really exist. The other characters, Daisy Tom Buchanan, Mr. Gatz (Gatsby’s father), Jordan Baker, and others are all interesting and important in their relationship to Gatsby. We see Daisy as the typical Jazz Age â€Å"flapper† interested in beauty and riches; she returns Gatsby’s interest only because he is so materially advantaged.  Tom is the representative of â€Å"Old Money† and its condescension to but vehement dislike of the  nouveau-riche. He is racist, sexist, and wholly unconcerned for anyone but himself. Jordan Baker, the artists, and others represent the various unspoken but ever-present notions of sexual exploration, individualism, and self-gratification that are indicative of the period.   What typically draws readers to this book, whether or not they come away with the traditional understanding of the novel (a love story, a censure on the American Dream, etc.), is its strikingly beautiful prose.  There are moments of description in this narrative which nearly take one’s breath away, particularly as they often come unexpectedly. Fitzgerald’s brilliance lies in his ability to undercut his every thought, showing both the positive and negative arguments of a situation within the very same paragraph (or sentence, even).   This is perhaps best demonstrated in the final page of the novel, where the beauty of the dream that is Gatsby is contrasted with the disillusionment of those pursuing the dream.  Fitzgerald explores the power of the American Dream, the heart-pounding, soul-shaking evocation of those early American immigrants who looked upon the new shores with such hope and longing, with such pride and eager determination, only to be crushed by the never-ending struggle to achieve the unattainable; to be trapped in a timeless, ageless, persistent dream  that never amounts to anything but the dream. The Great Gatsby  by F. Scott Fitzgerald is quite possibly the most widely-read piece of American Literature.  For many, The Great Gatsby is a love story, and  Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan are the 1920s American Romeo Juliet, two star-crossed lovers whose destinies are intertwined and whose fates are tragically sealed from the beginning; however, the love story is a faà §ade. Does Gatsby love Daisy?  Not as much as he loves the  idea  of Daisy. Does Daisy love Gatsby?  She loves the possibilities he represents.   Other readers find the novel to be a depressing critique of the so-called American Dream, one which, perhaps, can never truly be reached.  Similar to Theodore Dreiser’s  Sister Carrie, this story predicts a bleak fate for America.  No matter how hard one works or how much one achieves, the American Dreamer will always want more. This reading brings us closer to the true nature and purpose of  The Great Gatsby,  but not quite all.   This is not a love story, nor is it strictly about one man’s striving for the American Dream. Instead, it is a story about a restless nation. It is a story about wealth and the disparity between â€Å"Old Money† and â€Å"New Money.† Fitzgerald, through his narrator Nick Carraway, has created a dreamy, illusory vision of a society of dreamers; shallow, unfilled people who are rising too fast and consuming too much.  Their children are neglected, their relationships disrespected, and their spirits crushed beneath the weight of soulless riches. This is the story of The Lost Generation and the lies they must tell in order to continue living every day when they are  so sad, lonely, and disillusioned.

change in macbeth character - 1056 Words

Macbeth’s character shows us the tragedy of over ambitious people; it also shows us that negative aspects can overwhelm the good side of our personality. Throughout this piece of writing I will be showing the changes within Macbeths character, which is the only character within the play that has visible changes in his character. I will be describing these points by inspecting the asides and soliloquies, which are both dramatic ironies that place the audience in a privileged position as they are introduced to the characters thought pattern that gives them an insight to how he may be feeling. All of which is unbeknown to other characters in the scene. In Act I, Sc iii, when Macbeth is told that he is the Thane of Cawdor, he is†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and this explains how double-faced and furtive devious he becomes. Act IV, Sc I shows how Macbeth believes only in the witches, he trusts them and makes all his plans and arrangement according to their prophecies. This doesn’t only show us a mental change but also how Macbeth lost his morality, honesty, and nobility and became more frenzied, no more mercy to be thought of or shown and decides,â€Å" The firstlings of my heart shall be The firstling of my hand.† Comparing this to the first soliloquy in my piece of writing we perceive a tremendous development of his personality and attitude. He is not hesitant about killing any more and will do any thing to keep his throne and power. Following his meeting with the witches they tell him to â€Å"be ware Macduff † and macbeth acts upon this warning by sending murderers to kill â€Å"His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls† this act shows in depth how immoral he becomes. It didn’t stop with killing the king, his friend, Lady Macduff and her children; Macbeth has lost even the sense of what does love and family mean and becomes more selfish. In Act V, Sc v, the servant informs Macbeth of the distressing sorrowful news about the death of Lady Macbeth But he replies with cold nerves: â€Å" She should have died hereafter; There would have been a time for such a word† His wife is not one of his main concerns; he does not even respect the sanctityShow MoreRelatedCharacter Change In Macbeth1043 Words   |  5 Pagesthe play Macbeth, William Shakespeare showcases throughout the story as the main character Macbeth slowly changes in consciousness through his conquest for power. Shakespeare manages to portray their change in character through excitement associated with external action. Shakespeare shows through the course of the play as Macbeth changes from loyal general of King Duncan as he transitions to the tyrant king who will do anything to have his way. At first, Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth, plot toRead MoreThe Role Of Character Change In Macbeth1011 Words   |  5 PagesMacbeth is a play by Shakespeare about a once noble man’s influence and desire for power. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a noble general who is considered to be an honorable man by others. However, as the play progresses Macbeth’s character begins to take a turn as his thirst for power grows. The witches have a major role in Macbeth’s character change. They appear a few times throughout the play giving Macbeth prophesies with a vague amount of detail. Macbeths wife, Lady Macbeth, alsoRead More Character Changes in Shakespeares Macbeth Essay1344 Words   |  6 PagesMacbeth:   Character Changes This dead butcher and his fiend like queen(V.viii.80) is the way Malcolm describes Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.   The characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth changed considerably during the course of the play, Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare.   In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is seen as a courageous soldier who is loyal to the King.   As the play progresses, Macbeth is corrupted by the witches’ prophecies and by his and Lady Macbeth’s ambition. Because ofRead MoreChanges in Character in Shakespeare ´s Macbeth1197 Words   |  5 Pages Macbeth a play written by William Shakespeare in the 17th century shows the unexpected happens when it is least expected. In the beginning of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is stronger and more ruthless then her husband Macbeth because her only interested in gaining power. She plans and executes a death with little remorse. Macbeth is soft, kind, loyal and initially has a conscience. Over time, Macbeths character takes a turn fo r the worse. He goes from the scared man that he first was into an evil manRead MoreHow Does Macbeths Character Change? Essay1477 Words   |  6 PagesHow Does Macbeth’s Character Change over the Play? At the beginning of the play, Macbeth’s character starts off as a loyal and brave soldier, who is admired by many people. Throughout the play, however, it is evident that his character and the personality of his character change a lot. There are many aspects that changed his character. What the witches said to him I think changed him the most. Before the witches spoke to him, he didn’t think of what it would be like to be king, or any of the otherRead MoreLady Macbeths Character Changes Throughout the Play Macbeth Essay1902 Words   |  8 PagesLady Macbeths Character Changes Throughout the Play Macbeth In the Shakespearian play Macbeth Lady Macbeth is a very significant character. Written in the 17th century but set in 1050, she was ahead of her time. Lady Macbeth is such a strong, dominant character it would have shocked the audience because women at the time were meant to be subordinate. Her ambition leads to the breakdown of Scotland and the death of her and her husband. There is such a stark contrast Read MoreHow the Character of Macbeth Changes Between Act I Scene iii, and Act III Scene I528 Words   |  3 PagesHow the Character of Macbeth Changes Between Act I Scene iii, and Act III Scene I Shakespeare uses many different methods to show that Macbeth changes greatly between Act I Scene iii and Act III Scene i, these include his use of language in speeches and directional action. Banquos reaction in Act I Scene iii shows that Macbeth is initially afraid of the prophecy. Macbeths own speech indicates that he is unsure of the truth in what he has been told, but is both intriguedRead MoreHow Does Macbeth‚Äà ´s Character Change from Act 2 Scene 2 to Act 5 Scenes 3 and 5?1619 Words   |  7 PagesHow does Macbeth’s character change from Act 2 Scene 2 to Act 5 Scenes 3 and 5? The tragic masterpiece â€Å"Macbeth† by William Shakespeare, starts with the evil curse of three witches. Act 1 Scene 1 introduces the audience to the witches, showing them what malevolence they are capable of, and how then plan to deceive Macbeth, in fact the scene is the crafting of the trick they plot for him. Once the witches decide when they shall meet and when the act finishes with a chorused three lines, creatingRead MoreMacbeth864 Words   |  4 Pagesillustrating the characters. In the play, Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are developed through the use of clothing, sleep, and blood imagery. Through the use of clothing imagery, Shakespeare exposes and develops the character of Macbeth. In the beginning, Macbeth is seen as loyal soldier of King Duncan. When presented with the title of Thane of Cawdor, he says Why do you dress me/ In borrowed robes (I.iii.115). This changes, however after theRead MoreMental Insanity In Macbeth And Hamlet By William Shakespeare952 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeare uses insanity to contrast characters in his tragedies. Shakespeare often uses stress as a trigger to spiral his characters into this state of mind. Shakespeare’s tragedies Macbeth and Hamlet both contain characters that experience a great deal of stress and fall into mental unrest. This mental unrest or insanity is a device used by Shakespeare for contrasting imagery of characterization. The contrast of mental illness with mental wellness within these tragedies is shown in multiple

Obesity in Pregnancy

Question : Describe obesity in Pregnant Women based on recommendation. Answer : The greatest joy of life is perhaps becoming a mother. But with this joy also comes great responsibilities on the part of the parents, and particularly the mother, so that a healthy baby is born. A dream which most women share is getting pregnant. Best experience is to get pregnant but often there arises a few set of problems and complications, if not treated in a proper way. To have a healthy baby is the desire for all pregnant mothers during a womens pregnancy. Complications will arise if a mother gives birth to unhealthy baby and it also decreases the mothers chance of conceiving. A lot of changes occur in the body during pregnancy, both physically and internally (The health site, 2015). Therefore, the best time to get pregnant is in 20s (Dutta Konar, 1998). In 30s, not only do the chances of conceiving decline but also there are more risks involved in getting pregnant. There are numerous ways to have a child, such as, through surrogacy or IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). Medical pr oblems that interfere with the physiological adaptations of pregnancy increase the risk of poor pregnancy outcome. Few of the medical disorders during pregnancy are: Hypertension, Preeclampsia, Renal disease, Cardiac disease and Obesity in Pregnancy. All these diseases are associated with pregnancy. Hence, it is very essential to understand, if one is going to be a mother, about the risk factors during pregnancy. Obese women, in America, are more than one third of the total number of women, one half or more of pregnant women are either overweight or are suffering from obesity, and 8 per cent of those women who are in their reproductive age, are extremely obese, which puts them at a higher risk related to complications regarding pregnancy (Acog.org, 2015). Assessment as well as counseling are very much encouraged for women who are obese which includes the different provision of some specific information related to the maternal as well as the fetal risks of obesity during pregnancy, and encouraged to take up a program on reducing weight. During the first stage of prenatal visit, a measure of height as well as weight must be taken for every women so that calculation of BMI (Body Mass Index) (Calculated in weight in Kg divided by height in m2) could be done, and also an information about a proper weight gain must be checked in the first visit as well as periodically throughout the pregnancy. A co nsultation regarding nutrition should be given to every overweight or to those women who are obese, and should also be encouraged towards following a healthy exercise routine (Barbeiri, 1977). A woman, who is pregnant, and has had a bariatric surgery must be checked for any deficiency in nutrition along with the requirement of vitamin supplementation, whenever indicated. Patients who are obese, who have undergone cesarean in their previous delivery, might also need thromboprophylaxis with pneumatic compression devices as well as unfractionated heparin and/or those weight heparin which are low molecular. For every obese women, anesthesiology consultation, should be considered in the initial stage of labor and should encourage consultation along with the specialists of weight-reduction before thinking about another pregnancy. The first argument of obesity in pregnancy is complications of Obesity in Pregnancy. Women who are overweight and/or obese are at an increased risk of many complications related to pregnancy, which includes hypertension along with gestational diabetes mellitus preeclampsia, postpartum weight retention, and also cesarean delivery, as mentioned earlier. In the same way, a pregnant woman, who are over-weight or obese, have a higher risk of premature delivery, still birth, congenital anomalies (examples like neural tube defects), macrosomia when pregnancy is associated with diabetes mellitus and obesity with possible injury by birth and childhood and obesity (Repke, 1978). Numerous study regarding pregnancy says that in case of obese women there is more chance of premature delivery. A study conducted on almost 2,900 overweight women shows that obesity before pregnancy was related to a lower rate of a spontaneous pre-term birth. Additionally, potential intrapartum along with operative and post-operative complications as well as difficulties associated with the anesthesia management, are also included. It is also more likely that an obese woman will initiate as well as continue breast feeding. A minimum of three cohort researches suggest, in women who have undergone a treatment related to infertility, obesity played an important risk factor related to spontaneous abortion. As per this recognition of the association, recommendations are to have a regular check up for all obese patients. Data established that risk related to defects in neural tube, which is very common in obese patients, is almost two times in pregnant women who have a normal weight once corrections are done for diabetes, which is a potential confounding factor (Sirimi Goulis, 2010). The second argument of obesity in pregnancy and few other risk factors in pregnancy which include the increase in risk of infertility which is one of the prime causes that affect ovulation and fertility in obese women is by altering the normal hormonal patterns in a woman. This affects the normal functioning of the ovaries. Infrequent or irregular menstrual cycles arise because of it, which disturbs the normal phase of ovulation (Nhs.uk, 2015). One major case is the fat deposition in the abdomen of a woman is known to produce male hormones which prevent follicular matures and results in an ovulation (decreased ovulation). An IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) treatment in obese women have less success rate than that performed on non-obese women. A person needs to lose a great amount of weight to make an IVF treatment a successful one. It increases chances of miscarriages.If nature makes it possible to conceive despite great issues, caring and nurturing the baby can still be a risk. The cha nce of still birth is tripled in case of obesity and miscarriage in women. Obese women who undergo a miscarriage make it difficult for her to conceive a second time (Dutta Konar, 1998). It can lead to PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome).Overproduction of insulin is caused due to obesity which may further cause irregular ovulation too. A link between obesity, excess insulin production and the infertility condition is always present which is termed as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a specific medical condition which is associated with irregular menstrual cycles, either decreased or even stopped ovulation, elevated levels of male hormones and obesity. It can also lead to other lifestyle-related issues.It is noticed in general that obese people also end up having numerous lifestyle related issues like high BP, diabetes, and higher cholesterol levels. Many health issues together makes conceiving a challenge for women with higher waistlines. The third argument of obesity in pregnancy is the recommendations in order to prevent obesity in Pregnancy. Lose weight before planning pregnancy. If a patient knows that she is obese or overweight then she should try and control her weight. A 15 percent weight loss can also help and aid in conceiving without any treatment or medication. Women having PCOD, if they manage their weight well, may not need any medications to conceive and can sail smoothly during pregnancy. Exercises especially aerobics, brisk walking as well as aqua workouts, are among many options from which the beginners can chose, especially which has a lower impact and yield better results soon. Give up all the vices. Smoking and drinking along with weight issues can come in the way of a healthy pregnancy and conception. Pregnant mother who has any of these vices are advised to give it up soon for the sake of a healthy pregnancy (Sirimi Goulis, 2010). Eat a balanced diet.Pregnant women should not miss out her breakfast, lunch and dinner and include two snacks in between meals. Reduce having food or even drinks which contains high levels of sugar as well as fat. Fruits along with green vegetables as well as salads should be eaten. If an obese pregnant woman has tried everything and followed her weight loss regimen and diet alterations with discipline, visit an IVF specialist to check on her health status and chances of getting pregnant. Though obesity can come in the way of personal conception, a pregnant lady should not forget that partners health status is equally important while planning for pregnancy. If the other partner also suffers from same predicament as the obese pregnant woman being overweight, ask to exercise and lose weight, consult a specialist as well as follow a regular lifestyle changes to improve the chances of getting pregnant (Nhs.uk, 2015). Pregnancy is a physiological burden in the child bearing age of a woman and obesity in pregnancy becomes a challenging task on the part of the patient herself as well as the members of the family to the nutrition expert, anesthesiologist and the obstetrician. The health related complications can be disastrous and lead to escalating medical expenses. It is advisable to eat a balanced diet which may help a woman to prevent excess gain in weight. Eating healthy food and doing regular exercise before conceiving should be continued during pregnancy. Great efforts should be made to attain normal weight within a year of delivery which helps prevent long term weight gain as a result of the pregnancy. References Dutta, D. Konar, H., 1998. Text book of obstetrics. Calcutta, India: New Central Book Agency Ltd. Acog.org, (2015). The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - ACOG. [online] Available at: https://www.acog.org [Accessed 10 Jan. 2015]. Nhs.uk, (2015). NHS Choices - Your health, your choices. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk [Accessed 10 Jan. 2015] Barbeiri, Robert L., 1977. Harrisons Principle of Internal Medicine. Harvard Medical School. Repke, John T., 1978. Harrisons Principle of Internal medicine. New York Medical College. Padubidri, Padubidri Vg, 2008. Hawkins Bourne Shaws Text Book of Gynaecology. Elsevier India. ISBN 8131211312, 9788131211311, pp 1-483. The health site, (2015). High-fat diet not good in pregnancy. [online] Available at: https://www.thehealthsite.com/news/high-fat-diet-not-good-in-pregnancy/ [Accessed 11 Jan. 2015]. Sirimi, N. Goulis, D. (2010). Obesity in pregnancy. HJ, 9(4), pp.299-306.

The hero nobody knows Essay Example For Students

The hero nobody knows Essay With 37 plays in the Shakespeare canon to choose from, the chances of four American theatres staging one of his most obscure works Pericles, Prince of Tyre all during the same winter would seem awfully remote. But to listen to the actors who performed the title role, this convergence of Peticleses isnt really a coincidence. Synchronicity is the word theyre more likely to use. For Jung is in the air, and Joseph Campbell too. And Pericles is seemingly a play whose time has come round again. As the first of Shakespeares four romances those fantastic, often mystical tragicomedies which rounded out his career Peticles enjoyed a popularity in its day which was rivalled apparently only by the likes of Hamlet and Henry V. We can merely speculate on why the Jacobeans adored this episodic play, written in a style so archaic even then that rival Ben Jonson derided it as a mouldy tale. But to those actors who recently played Pericles, the appeal to modern audiences is clear. This is an archetypal heros journey of adventure, great loss and finally redemption. The complex, navel-gazing prince of Denmark still holds us rapt, of course. But it seems that society in the late 20th century is also yearning for the mythic simplicity and hopefulness of Shakespeares prince of Tyre. We will write a custom essay on The hero nobody knows specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Because this romance is so unfamiliar to playgoers, even to Shakespearean actors, these four American companies were free to explore Pericles unencumbered by the often oppressive stage tradition that attaches to the better-known works. But it also meant having to figure out on their own an especially difficult play. Not the least of the hurdles they had to overcome was persuading audiences to accept the improbable actions and miraculous feats of its characters. Such, then, was the challenge facing those five actors who undertook the role of Pericles this winter: Campbell Scott at the New York Shakespeare Festival, Peter Aylward at Shakespeare Repertory in Chicago, Charles Shaw Robinson at Baltimores Center Stage, and, at the Guthrie Lab in Minneapolis (where the role was split), Charles Janasz as the young Pericles and Richard Iglewski as the old Pericles. In the interviews I conducted with these men during the runs of Pericles, they described the vexations and rewards of playing the role, and responded to what their peers had to say as well. Their comments prove illuminating not only with reference to this particular Shakespeare work and to how actors approach an obscure part; their firsthand experiences also give us clues as to what kinds of theatre and stories our culture seems now to be hungering for. When analyzing tragic heroes such as Macbeth and Othello, actors tend to focus on the characters psychology their motives, weaknesses, Passions. Players of Pericles, however, seem invariably to begin by describing the characters journey-not what he thinks, but what he does, and especially what happens to him. They find a parallel to Pericles in myths and folk tales, where characters tend more to be types, even symbols, and where the meaning resides less in a characters individuality than in the action. Indeed, Pericles is so eventful that one almost needs a scorecard to keep track of the action as it ranges across six cities in the Mediterranean and more than 16 years of time. After being introduced by a figure, Gower, Pericles drops the first of its many bombshells. A young prince from Tyre is trying to win King Antiochus daughter by solving a riddle. If he fails, as have many princes before him, it will cost him his life. Pericles deciphers the riddle correctly, but to his horror it reveals that the king to incest did provoke his daughter. This initial incident establishes the tone of this character and propels him through many vicissitudes of fortune. Charles Janasz: Its a play about a hero who right away confronts a taboo like meeting a dragon he needs to kill. This taboo he meets, incest, is completely appalling to him. Yet at the same time he has to deal with the fact that he is attracted to this woman. After hes interpreted the riddle, he says, Fair glass of light, I loved you and could still, so hes forced to examine his feelings about incest. Charles Shaw Robinson: Pericles is very direct, and very pure in how he encounters the world. His natural choice is joy. Thats why hes so disturbed when he encounters the evil in Antioch. Life is never going to be the same for him, because hes seen that its possible for the worst kind of evil to present itself as honorable and as something to be attracted to. Janasz: I saw it somewhat like the story of Siddhartha becoming the Buddha. Like Siddhartha, Pericles starts out having everything, being protected, wealthy, insulated. He goes out into the world, sees evil in his encounter with incest. Knowing his lifes in danger, he flees to Tyre, but cant stay there because Antiochus is still after him. So he sets out again and encounters suffering, in the famine in Tarsus, deals with that by giving them aid, gets shipwrecked, loses everything. He meets the common man in the fishermen and is revived by them, discovers in Pentapolis a kingdom where joy is, where relationships are healthy. He falls in love, gets married to a princess, Thaisa and not because of his status or caste, since they dont even know hes a king, but on his own merits. He finds out hes going to be a father, and can safely return home, but theres another storm. The baby is born, the mother dies and has to be thrown overboard, and he must leave his baby in Tarsus, since she wont survive the journey home. Wham, wham, wham. .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05 , .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05 .postImageUrl , .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05 , .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05:hover , .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05:visited , .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05:active { border:0!important; } .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05:active , .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05 .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ud13c890dbe1028437bb77e42b390be05:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The wild west meets the wild east EssayBut the Worst and most fantastic is yet to come. His sea-born daughter, Marina, is given into the care of the rulers of Tarsus. Sixteen years later, however, the jealous foster-mother plots her murder. At the point of death, Marina is captured by pirates and then sold to a brothel, where she succeeds in preserving her virginity and reforming the licentious clientele. When Pericles at last comes to Tarsus to collect her, he is told that Marina has died. This final trial causes him to lapse into a catatonic state of grief. The last act overflows with miraculous coincidence and divine providence. In the most moving scene of the play, Pericles spirits are restored when his daughter is serendipitously brought to him. Thou, he tells Marina, begettest him that did the beget. His joy leads him to hear, as no one else in the play is able to, the music of the spheres. What this represents, Peter Aylward explains, is a coming together with the cosmos. finally, guided by the goddess Diana, he is reunited with his wife, Thaisa, whom a physician at Ephesus had restored to life several scenes earlier. Campbell Scott: Youre always afraid, especially in the times we live in, of playing the miraculous scenes. You always think that everyone is a cynic. Its just a matter of protection, especially in a city like New York. But of course, everyone needs and wants to see something like this. To see miracles, to see resurrections, huge passions, coincidences, and to be nourished by that hope. You dont have to believe it, exactly to still be nourished by it. At first I thought, theres no way I can do this. Certainly, my feelings about those scenes have changed. Now they are the best scenes to to, the ones the audiences respond to most powerfully. Richard Iglewski: We have the hope in Pericles that when things get so bad, maybe the gods intervene out of kindness, for the betterment of man. This is something that our contemporary cynicism and chic attitudes marginalize in favor of practical, technocratic, down-to-earth choices. But one is never more than a step away from magic. When a play like this erupts in so many productions at one time, I think synchronicity is at work. Its because we have mutually sensed we wish to explore this kind of journey. With a Play as spectacular and action-filled as Pericles, one might suspect that an actors job would be relatively easy just learn the lines and hang on for the tide. Pericles, after all, has very few of the soliloquies that his counterparts in Shakespeares tragedies have, and none of Ins speeches plumbs the depths of his psyche. Nevertheless, these performers considered the role to be rife with its own unique difficulties. One such problem the sometimes wooden, uninspiring verse of the first two acts seems not to be Shakespeares fault. Several of these early scenes are thought by scholars to be by another hand. Shakespeare or not, though, the actors have to slog through it. Aylward noted the clunkiness of the verse, and Scott that some of the lines feel like a piece of concrete. When the master finally kicks in, Robinson offers, its like Ive been treading water and then I suddenly reach solid ground. But a more formidable challenge arises, paradoxically, out of the relative simplicity of the character. When trying to figure out what makes Pericles tick, these actors were faced with some potentially unanswerable questions: Whether Pericles is essentially passive a mere cog within a grand, cosmic pattern. Whether he develops as a character. And whether his apparent passivity, a trait so denounced in our society, is in fact the key to his final redemption. Peter Aylward: Its true that the episodic nature of this play robs the character of some of his complexity. Pericles has often been thought to be a bland, passive role. He certainly doesnt have the undercutting wit and flashes of genius of Hamlet. But he does have a great capacity to suffer and to bounce back finally from his greatest calamities. Still, it is a tough challenge. Pericles must react to whats given to him. Its always difficult to wait until the time when you get the information or the emotional charge from the other person that then wakes him up. Some roles you feel as if youre in charge, but Pericles has to wait. A good example of this comes at the end. You have to find the right state of being for a person who hasnt spoken for three months, and then, as Marina speaks to him, he slowly wakes up and has this incredible emotional discovery dawn on him. Curiously Enough, each of the actors pointed to Hamlet as a useful antithesis to this role. Scott found himself far more exhausted and wired at the same time after a performance of Pericles than after Hamlet, even though the latter role has nearly twice as many lines. Scott: I always end up comparing him to Hamlet, for some reason. If that role is internal, then Pericles is sort of external. After he leaves Tyre and goes off into vast Neptunes ocean, he begins to be acted upon, and never seems to have time to get his bearings the way Hamlet constantly does. You have a feeling of not quite finishing something. We joke about how Pericles has to do it all, he dances, he sings, he bleeds. But essentially hes just reacting to so many outside events. He barely has time to catch his breath and then hes in another storm. Thats one reason why Hamlets so wonderful to watch, because we see someone asking questions, solving problems, or trying to solve them. But Pericles says, We cannot but obey the powers above us. The solution really comes from Marina, she is the one who is resurrects him. She is the moving force of the play. .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf , .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf .postImageUrl , .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf , .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf:hover , .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf:visited , .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf:active { border:0!important; } .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf:active , .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u8ee6838e597df5fce207b6570ea54abf:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Artists out front in anti-9 battle EssayAnd While The actors in fact disagree with each other on the question of just how helpless Pericles is in bringing about his ultimately happy ending, all concur in finding this part an emotionally taxing one. It may well be that actors, and our culture in general, are more comfortable with characters who actively control their destiny, for better or worse. To portray Pericles effectively, a few of the actors suggest, a performer must virtually become as vulnerable and emotionally reactive as Pericles himself. Robinson: In tragedy theres this sometimes wonderful, sometimes terrible feeling, that the heroes are the prime movers in the story. That by their choices and actions their entire lives can be defined. They choose evil, and something terrible happens to them, or they make the wrong choice, and theyre destroyed. But its their own doing. We all want to believe that thats the way life works. But the truth is, more often than not, youre given a set of alternatives, some worse than others, and were not sure why things turn out as they do. Iglewski: Very often, Pericles wants to be in control but finds that he isnt really in control of much. Marina embodies a different kind of control, in her faith and in her purity. Its ultimately more real. This was the really challenging part about playing Pericles. Like so many of us who exhaust ourselves trying to be in control, I found that perhaps giving up control is the best way of really finding it. If These Actors comments on Pericles so often verge on the mystical, that seems only natural. Shakespeares romances display little of the anxiety and existential doubts that run through the great tragedies. Instead, the final works with their many miracles and divine interventions demonstrate a certain serenity about humanitys position in the universe. Life is full of great losses, Pericles and the other romances insist, but we are not alone in a void. Instead, that which has been lost is very often restored to us in one way or another. Above all, what is cherished   and even invested with magical properties is the simplest of gifts: the love of a child for her parent and a husband for his spouse. As our culture grows more and more disenchanted with a materialist, technocentric model of life, the alternative view that these romances offer would seem to be particularly welcome. This seems, in fact, to be the case. Although The Tempest has never been long-absent from the stage, the lesser-known romances, Cymbeline, The Winters Tale and Pericles, are becoming increasingly popular. Popular, but not necessarily widely understood. Interpreting these plays intelligibly to a modern audience is not an easy task, as these actors can attest. The romances arent the escapist works of a doddering playwright a mere recycling of fairy magic from his youthful A Midsummer Nights Dream. Rather, they are unique and, to us, often elusive. Robinson: The spiritual journey is what fascinated Shakespeare in all the romances. But its the most difficult thing to dramatize. Its too easy to turn into pomposity or preciousness. Perhaps the only way to suggest it is through symbolism and folk tale rather than through realism. Its important to keep in mind that this play is related to the morality plays that an Elizabethan audience would be very familiar with. They were deeply interested in plays relating an individual to a kind of larger moral landscape. Obviously in 1992 we have trouble with those morality tales. It tends to instantaneously feel like melodrama to us. Were more comfortable with a Lear, who screams at the gods, than a man who suffers and yet wont let go of his faith in spite of it all. Janasz: At first I wasnt all that thrilled with the play. I had only seen it once before, and that production was only able to deal with it through a kind of campiness, very jokey. Cerimon, who brings Thaisa back to life, was played as a type of mad Dr. Frankenstein. I suppose its because our modern, cynical audiences find it so difficult to enter into a world where faith is so powerful. Yet we are a society right now that is facing so many crises, and feels so battered by reality. Maybe to us too it can be, as Gower calls it, a restorative. The Great Challenge to performers of Pericles, then, is to convince us how it can be that the magical is also real. Happily, this is something our symbolic, non-naturalistic stage would seem to be well-equipped to explore. And it may also be that our audiences arent as skeptical as some of these actors fear. Certainly, a production that trots out the sentimental readings of previous centuries or sends the play up with contemporary spoofing is unlikely to bridge that gulf between the miraculous world of Pericles and our own. But many theatregoers do seem eager to be moved by Shakespeares romances and other equally mythic stories and, as this group of actors makes clear, a performance style befitting these stories is still evolving.