Venus Fly Trap Flower Shoppe

1. Anemone, Sweet Pea, and Violet Bouquet for Polonius. Violets are chosen because they symbolize abandonment and he abandoned Laertes and Ophelia with his hasty death.  Sweet Pea are chosen because they symbolize departure and again, he left quickly. Finally, Violets are chosen because Ophelia said while she was going crazy they all withered when he died.

2. Pink Peony, Lilac, and orchid bouquet for Ophelia. Peony because she is very bashful in the Mousetrap scene with hamlet, and that flower signifies bashfulness. Lilacs are in the bouquet because they symbolize youthful innocence and her father wants her to remain as innocent as possible when dealing with Hamlet. Finally, orchids which symbol a belle and Ophelia is thought to be youthful and beautiful, so it would compliment her appearance.

3. Yellow Daffodils, Chrysanthemum, and statice bouquet for Laertes. Daffodils are chosen because they signify chivalry and he is very respectable in asking to go to school and coming back to avenge his father. Chrysanthemum is chosen because it means fidelity and also goes with the idea of Laertes being faithful to his father and wanting to revenge his death. Finally, Statice is chosen because all his actions are to remember and revere his father, which is what statice symbolizes.

4. Purple Alstroemeria, Chrysanthemum, and Gladiolus bouquet for Horatio. I chose alstroemeria for Horatio, which signifies friendship, because he is hamlet’s best friend. Chrysanthemum was chosen because it signifies fidelity and Horatio has been a helpful and faithful friend to Hamlet. Finally, Gladiolus was chosen because it signifies strength of character because he is a very strong character in what he believes and is noble. 

sites used for flower meanings:

"Meaning of Flowers | FEELINGS Florist | Send Flowers to Pune | Send Flowers to Mumbai | Flower Delivery Pune | Send Online Flowers | Send Fathers Day Flowers | Online Florist | Pune | Flowers4feelings.com." FEELINGS Florist. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <http://www.flowers4feelings.com/meanings_of_flowers.php>.

"The Meaning Behind Your Flowers | WeddingWire: The Blog." Wedding Blog. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <http://blog.weddingwire.com/index.php/weddings/the-meaning-behind-your-flowers/>.

Sonnet

All An Act

Many familiar faces surround me,

Their recondite motives seem very cruel.

Shall I decipher their sincerity,

Or should I turn away and be a fool?

Maybe a mask will make this believable

Seeing as how I’m not the lone being

Who needs to live their life as a fable.

Sometimes believing is more than seeing.

And sometimes those we trust turn the quickest

Into a face that is now distorted.

And just as fast your own self becomes dressed

In a false persona from foot to head.

In the future you very well may be,

A new person than you may foresee.

Barnyard Hamlet

Enter Barnardo, Francisco, Horatio and Marcellus.

Barnardo: Who’s there?

Francisco: Barnardo

Horatio: friends to this ground.

Marcellus:  I have entreated him along with us to watch the minutes of this night, that if again this apparition come he may approve our eyes and speak to it.

Enter Ghost

Barnardo: In the same figure like the king’s that’s dead.

Horatio:  By heaven, I charge thee, speak. If thou art privy to thy country’s fate, which happily foreknowing may avoid, Oh, speak!

Exit ghost

MARCELLUS: It faded on the crowing of the cock.

 Horato: in the gross and scope of mine opinion, this bodes some strange eruption to our state.

Exit all.

Enter Claudius, Gertrude, Hamlet, Voltemand, Cornelius, Polonius, Laertes, and Ophelia.

Claudius: we have here writ to Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras- The lists, and full proportions are all made out of his subject; and we here dispatch you, good Cornelius, and you, Voltemand, for bearers of this greeting to old Norway.

CORNELIUS, VOLTEMAND: In that and all things will we show our duty.

Claudius: And now, Laertes, what’s the news with you?

Laertes:  I came to Denmark to show my duty in your coronation yet now My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France.

POLONIUS: He hath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leave by laborsome petition. 

CLAUDIUS: Take thy fair hour, Laertes But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son—

HAMLET: (aside) A little more than kin and less than kind.

GERTRUDE: Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off, and let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark. All that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity. Why seems it so particular with thee?

Hamlet:'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother, No, nor the fruitful river in the eye, Nor the dejected 'havior of the visage, That can denote me truly.

Claudius:  'Tis unmanly grief. We pray you, throw to earth. This unprevailing woe, and think of us

As of a father.  For your intent In going back to school in Wittenberg, It is most retrograde to our desire.

Gertrude: Go not to Wittenberg.

HAMLET: I shall in all my best obey you, madam.

Exit all but Hamlet.

Hamlet: two months dead—nay, not so much, not two. So excellent a king, that was to this

Hyperion to a satyr. My father’s brother, but no more like my father Than I to Hercules.  But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue.

Enter Horatio, Marcellus, and Barnardo.

HORATIO: My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.

HAMLET: The king my father?!

Horatio: Two nights together had these gentleman Been thus encountered: a figure like your father, Thrice he walked

HAMLET: I would I had been there.

HORATIO: It would have much amazed you.

HAMLET: I will watch tonight. Perchance 'Twill walk again.

Exit all but Hamlet.

Hamlet:  All is not well. I doubt some foul play. Would the night were come!

Exit.

Cast of Animals
Hamlet - would appear as a horse because as the main character, he needs to appear strong and sturdy, yet the news of his fathers' ghost troubles him, revealing a weaker side. This is like a horse which are very strong animals but are also quite weak when injuries arise.
Horatio - Would appear as an owl because owls are seen as wise, and he is called upon by Marcellus to help discover what the ghost wants, and he also says for them to tell Hamlet. He makes decisions for the group, and is their spokesperson, and who they call on for assistance.
Barnardo, Francisco, and Marcellus - would all appear as sheep because they are all somewhat helpless and follow the lead of Horatio, as well as look to him for guidance and help.
Claudius - would appear as a cat, because he is sneaky, just as cats are portrayed. Although we cannot tell just yet what he has done or is up to, you can tell in his demeanor and tone that something is amiss.
Gertrude - would appear as a goose because she is not very bright and is unaware that something has gone amiss with her new husband and her old one.
Ophelia - would appear as a pig because Hamlet has ignored her since their breakup (he doesn't even say anything to her when she enters into the scene). Many people use pig as a derogatory word for someone, and Hamlet has been unkind to her, so her being a pig would be fitting.
Polonius and Laertes - would both appear as goats because cows because although they may seem dull or not useful, they actually are very useful, just like a cow. Laertes proves this by choosing to leave and go to school.
Ghost of King Hamlet - would appear as a dog because he was a good, noble king, father, and husband, jsut as dogs are seen as great animals and man's best friend.

The American Dream

As a young woman growing up in today's society, the ideal American Dream for me is most likely different than the ideal American Dream for, example, a young man my age, my parents, or maybe a family member younger than myself. My ideal of the American Dream is a strong woman, who can balance family, career, and her own personal interests as evenly as possible. With that being said, the person that I believe best represents my idea of the American Dream is Tina Fey.
I chose just a picture of Tina Fey herself because it'd be impossible to choose a picture of one of her many accomplishments. She's been acclaimed for her work on SNL, especially her Sarah Palin Skit, 30 Rock(which she helped create), and movies like Baby Mama. She's not only a great comedic actress, but writer. She has received seven Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, four Screen Actors Guild Awards, four Writers Guild of America awards, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. In addition to her great work repertoire, she has been married for ten years, which is nearly a lifetime in Hollywood, and has two young children.
All of these things seem nice, but they are just the fundamental facts for why she is the American Dream. She has achieved success in her work, establishing herself as an actress and a writer, a wife, and a mother. She's independent, but works hard for her family and for her fans. She's achieved the balance of work, family, and self, and is a role model for women everywhere. She's famous for all of the right reasons, something very hard to find.

Costume Design - Oedipus

Tiresias: Blue represents calm and stability. Tiresias would b dressed in blue because he is a seer, someone who can prophesize and guide people though his revelations. his words seem to be the only words that everyone had trusted up until he revealed the truth to Oedipus, whose own hard headedness got in the way. His words provide stability because they are trusted, so people can hold onto them.

Creon: Purple is the color of royalty used time and time again in literature. Creon would be wearing purple because 1) he is the brother of the queen, and third in line for the throne, and 2) will be next king (foreshadowing his rise to power).

Jocasta: Gray is a color that symbolizes maturity and sorrow. This color is perfect for Jocasta because the revelation only brings sorrow into her life, sorrow so unbearable that she winds up taking her own life. Maturity also plays a role because she seems to keep Oedpius calm and helps him see the bigger picture, dispelling his doubts for as long as possible.

Oedipus: Black is a color that represents death, so it would only be fitting that Oedipus wore black. His life began with a prophecy that concluded he would cause death to those closest to him. He wound up killing his own father, and causing harm to those around him. The truth of his life ultimately also caused the suicide of Jocasta, who could not live with her guilt.

Shepard: Green because green is seen as the color of nature and a healing color. The shepherd would be wearing this color because the revelation he gives (where he finally has Oedipus realize the truth of his birth and life) finally “sets things straight”, and heals the disarray and confusion. He also lives out in the fields, so he works with nature.

Messenger: Orange represents balance and enthusiasm. This color is perfect for the messenger because at first he comes thinking his bringing good news: that Oedipus will be the king of Corinth. He, however, does just the opposite.

Jocasta's Diary

Dearest Diary,

My heart feels as though it is truly breaking within my chest. I feel as though I am withering away.  The state of Thebes is appalling – stillborns, mothers dying, no crops.. how can I survive when the pain in my chest is overflowing. It serves as a reminder to my past, as well; every mother who loses a child reminds me of my own loss of my ill-fated baby.

And oh, how can I dispel the words by old Tiresias and the Prophets? I told Oedipus "so much for prophecy, it's neither here nor there. From this day on, I wouldn't look left or right." (948-949). Although their words pain me (how can my dearest husband be at fault for such a horrid thing), they have always been revered and admired. Laius, rest his soul, trusted Tiresias with his entire being… should I dishonor him in such a way, by not trusting Tiresias as well? His words pain me. I feel however, that I would be doing a disservice to my people and my own conscience if I completely dispel what he is saying, without even considering it.

My brother is another sore spot. Being accused by my own husband of attempted assassination? My dear Creon would never. I must talk sense into Oedipus, and urge him to spare Creon and listen to him, if it’s the last thing I do. I pleaded with him, saying "...honor the solemn oath he swears to heaven. do it for me, for the sake of all your people." (722-724)

What this all boils down to, however, is the fear that this may all be true. My husband’s temper and reluctance to even listen to what others are saying point to something deeper.. maybe he fears it may be true as well. Although i urged him to "free yourself (Oedipus) to free himself of every charge" (789), all the pieces of the puzzle seem to fit… the three roads converging.. the prophecy’s timing…Oedpius might be the downfall of us all. I think he may be.

Sin of Hindering Life due to a Guilty Conscience

*Rhyme is throughout poem*


Drudging solemnly forward through wrath and despair
my guide directed my eyes towards a herd
of men and women sinking quickly into the ground.

At once I heard screams, although slurred,
as the ground swallowed them up, as if they'd drowned
'Do not be alarmed, although these sinners are seldom heard.

These souls are drowning by stones to which they are bound
of guilt from an incident which they have failed to accept.
And from that precise moment, have constantly carried around.

In their hearts this sorrow has been secretly kept
And this weight has held them in the past.
Oblivious to the present, it's almost as if they'd slept.

If you look closely, though you must look fast,
You can see how their body turns to stone
until the weight sinks them at last.

Although not heinous, it's a sin He does not condone.
For to pause your life and stop living
is against what he has taught and we have known.'

I could see now that there are two sides in forgiving
and you must be at peace in your heart.
One's life is squandered is you just keep reliving.

'But sullen is how they've chosen to depart,
and now this is their eternal fate.
I'm sure looking back, they see that was not smart.'

How can he be saying this with his face straight?
Questions in silence I dare not speak.
'It is time to venture forward, we must not wait.'

As I left, I took one last peak
to the souls bound to a foregone mistake,
When suddenly I felt very weak.

I gripped Virgil's shoulder as we crossed another lake
'Do not crumble now, Dante,
For the fate of your soul is at stake.'

This canto would appear in level 5, or the level for wrath and sullenness. The reason for this (the sin) is because this canto depicts the fate of the souls of those who have succumbed to sullenness due to guilt that has held them in the past. They were never able to truly to live after falling into this guilt, and stopped living altogether- they just existed. The punishment for these sinners is that they turn to stone as they walk through hell, and sink into the ground. This fits the crime of guilt consuming their life because just as the guilt held them in place in their life and stopped their life, in a sense, turning to stone stops them and then sinks them into the ground where they are stuck forever.