Malvolio Analysis

            One major character in Twelfth Night is Malvolio.  He is the servant to the very wealthy Olivia.  Malvolio also has a deep love for Olivio.  He has a very serious temperament.  When talking about Feste, the jester, Malvolio says: “I marvel your ladyship takes delight in such a barren rascal” (Shakespeare 36).   What Malvolio is basically saying is that he cannot believe Olivia enjoys being around Feste, because he is annoying and not funny.  This quote really shows Malvolio’s seriousness because he cannot stand humorous people.  Malvolio also says: “I protest I take these wise men that crow so at these set kind of fools no better than the fools’ zanies” (Shakespeare 38).  This also goes to show that he does not find jesters even slightly funny.

            Malvolio is also very gullible.  Maria hatches a plan to get back at Malvolio.  She is assisted by Sir Andrew and Sir Toby Belch.  Maria wrote a love letter that appeared to be from Olivia.  Once Malvolio saw it on the ground, he took the bait and opened the letter.  Malvolio believed the letter to be addressed to him.  Once he realizes this, he says: “Daylight and champaign discovers not more.  This is open” (Shakespeare 112).  What Malvolio means by this is that the letter is very obvious that it is to him, written by Olivia.  He completely accepts that this letter is legitimate and was dropped on accident.  The fact that he believes this, considering that Olivia does not show a hint of romantic love to Malvolio proves his gullibility. 

            Malvolio is a key character.  He sets the sub-plot in motion by accepting the validity of the fake love letter.  Without him, Shakespeare would not have had as funny a comedy as he does.  Malvolio is just another player in the awkward love polygon that Shakespeare created: what makes the play a comedy.

Link to "The Baddest"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plPsnWFng0w

Song Analysis

     Krispy Kreme is a "Southern Speaking" rapper from Alabama.  Although he is an amateur, his sick beats and nasty rhymes have taken America by storm.  Krispy Kreme allows people of any age to understand and enjoy his masterpieces by using a low diction.  His most famous rap "The Baddest" uses multiple literary elements, whether he knows that or not. 
     "The Baddest" features many hyperboles.  The most apparent usage is in the lyrics:

 

I could beat you up even if you had one-thousand knives

Even if you had infinity knives.



 

Krispy Kreme understands that he cannot actually beat somebody up if they were armed with that many knives.  He also says that he has four hundred of multiple sperate things, two of which are houses and cars.  Krispy Kreme recently said in an interview that he exagerates because his co-rapper, Money Maker Mike, said that if Krispy says he only has one house, that nobody will listen to his music.  Esentially, Krispy Kreme uses hyperbole to increase his popularity. 

       In "The Baddest", Krispy Kreme aludes to a few things.  His lyrics:

 

 I fought two lions and won

 

 are referencing the bible.  A long time ago, Christians were persecuted using lions, and the fact the he won shows his power and that of Christianity.  Krispy also mentions two popular rap artists: Jay-Z and Beyonce.  By comparing himself to these icons of rap, he includes himself as a top artist, thus making him look better.

      Krispy Kreme takes advantage of similies as well.  He raps:

 

 I will punch you up into the air like a kite.

 

By saying this, he asserts his male physical dominance over the listener.  He shows his strength, and physicality, attemping to make himself more attractive to female fans.  He uses another comparison mechanism, metaphors, for the same reason.  Krispy Kreme insults his listeners, calling them slow, which also displays his superiority.  Towards the end, he raps the chorus with a fierce tone, to get his point across that he is the baddest.  Without the beat, it would still make sense, but would be less interesting and he may get off tempo.

     In "The Baddest", Krispy Kreme utilizes different forms of figurative language.  Despite having different words and references, they all have similar underlying meanings: they all point out Kristy Kreme's swagger level and how much better he is than his listeners.  Really, this song is just an ode to himself and Money Maker Mike. 

Journal of French Teen

     March 18, 1790.  It was a horrible day.  All I could this about was how torn I felt about this war.  Should I go?  All of my friends are, but that is not a good reason.
     "King" Louis XIV must not care about us.  We, the French people, do not agree with how he treats us, and apparently he does not care.  Our sides have been clashing for around one year, and nobody has budged.  Many of my townsfolk, here in Bel-Aire, have left to fight the monarchy, some of which are my friends.  Before he passed, my best friend, Optimus Prime, gave me his reasons for going.  He started: "|1- Our friends are 2-Why not? 3-..." thats when they shot him.  One of the king's soldiers overheard us slandering the king, and executed him on the spot.  He told me that I would be next.  So as I write this, I realize: I was meant to do this.  I shall go, in honor of my friend.  Of my townspoeple.  Of my family.  I will fight in this war, and the king will fall.  I will leave when I find the best opportunity.  If I do not write tomorrow, then I have already found my means of escape.  Good bye, and blss your soul- French Prince of Bel-Aire. 

Hero Analysis Revamped

                Heroes have been important for as long as people have communicated.  They appear in books and movies, and play a large role in our childhood and adult lives as a whole.  As history has progressed, so have the heroes and their details, but there are still many links to the heroes of old.

            There are a multitude of aspects of heroes that have not changed.  The majority of hero stories follow the same journey structure, which people have subconsciously adopted into their story.  There are still characteristics of ancient heroes that can be found in modern ones.  For instance, both Batman and Odysseus, heroes from very different eras, are brave and courageous, neither of them back down in the face of danger.  Heroes are often very intelligent, and can use their surroundings to benefit themselves.  Many heroes are also well-off, Batman has a mansion and Odysseus has a palace because he is a king.  Heroes are similar throughout history.

            A lot of characteristics have changed as well.  Nowadays, the consumers really enjoy antiheroes, or just people that are not liked by their cities.  Batman is hated by most of Gotham, the police are always after Spider-Man, and nobody liked Shrek.  It is common for heroes to be very technologically advanced.  For example, Iron-Man has a bulletproof flying suit.  In modern times, hospitality is not as important as it was in ancient Greece.  This is because our society does not hold it as a must-have trait.  Also heroes tend to not have much family, at least not that they talk to.  Of course, history has taken its toll on aspects of heroes.

            Part of these details that have changed is the obstacles that heroes face.  Heroes from ancient times battled against very different things versus now.  People like Odysseus more often fought uncontrollable phenomena like nature and the gods’ wrath.  Modern heroes fight similar things, but not as often.  Now, more often than not, people are fighting physical objects, namely technology.  This ranges anywhere from guns, to armor, all the way to giant, advanced, magical robots from another dimension.  Odysseus never fought technology.  He was too concerned with the gods, usually Poseidon, the qualities of the native people, and how to get home.  None of these deal with technological advancement.  The driving details of heroic stories have changed greatly.

     Heroes have been important throughout history.  The qualities of heroes differ because the hero often has qualities that are highly revered by that civilization.  Through this, we can infer a society's high qualities based on their heroes.  Odysseus is the embodiment of the Ancient Greeks.
     Homes describes Odysseus as almost a demigod.  He is an excellent leader, although his crew attempts a mutiny.  According to Nausicaa, Odysseus has "... looks like the gods..." (Homer 92).  Odysseus is very mercurial; he tells the cyclops that his name is Nobody, so that the cyclops will not know who has hurt him.  Odysseus is resourceful.  Circe calls him "Odysseus of the many devises" (Homer 153).  As are many characters in the Odyssey, he is hospitable, to every guest.  He is distraught when the cyclops does not welcome Odysseus and his crew with the customary gifts and food.  Odysseus talks with a level of eloquency that is unmatched by mortals.  Numerous times, this saves him.  It proves to Nausicaa that he is not a savage, and shows her father, the king, that he is a well educated man, which makes him even more valued than a "normal" guest.  Odysseus is very well-rounded individual.
     Many heroes follow catharsis, meaning that they have one fatal flaw.  Odysseus is no exception.  He suffers from hubris, or excessive pride.  His pride gets him into some sticky situations.  The whole reason that Odysseus cannot get home safely is because he could not help but tell the cyclops his name as Odysseus escapes.  It is also why Odysseus's crew despises him, to an extent.  Hubris is not a good quality, especially not in a hero.

Hero Analysis

                Heroes in media have been important ever since people could communicate.  They appear in books AND movies, and play a large role in our childhood and lives as a whole.  As history has progressed, so have the heroes and their details, but there are still many links to the heroes of old.

            There are a multitude of aspects of heroes that have not changed.  The majority of hero stories follow the same journey structure, which people have subconsciously adapted their story to.  Besides that, there are still characteristics of ancient heroes that can be found in modern ones.  For instance, both Batman and Odysseus are brave and courageous, neither of them back down in the face of danger.  Heroes are often smart and can use their surroundings to benefit themselves.  Many heroes are also well-off, Batman has a mansion and Odysseus has a palace because he is a king.  Surprisingly, heroes are similar throughout history.

            A lot of characteristics have changed as well.  Nowadays, the consumers really enjoy antiheroes, or just people that are not liked by their cities.  Batman is hated by most of Gotham, the police are always after Spider-Man, and nobody liked Shrek.  It is common for heroes to be very technologically advanced; Iron-Man has a bulletproof flying suit.  In modern times, hospitality is not as important as it was in Ancient Greece, this is because it is not thought of as a must for an honorable person.  Also heroes tend to not have much family, at least not that they talk to.  Of course, history has taken its toll on aspects of heroes.

            Part of these differing details is the obstacles that heroes face.  Heroes from ancient times battled against very different things versus now.  People like Odysseus more often fought uncontrollable phenomena like nature and the gods’ wrath.  Yes, modern heroes fight those same things, but not as much.  Now, more often than not, people are fighting physical objects, namely technology.  This ranges anywhere from guns, to armor, all the way to giant, advanced, magical robots from another dimension.  Odysseus never fought that, he was too concerned with what Poseidon had in store for him.  The driving details of heroic stories have changed greatly.