From what I have read through the Internet, Tiresias was a blind seer from Thebes. He was Everes and the nymph Chariclo. There are various versions of how he became blind. One of that is Tiresias was born with the gift of foretelling. The gods feared that Tiresias would see too much that the gods wished to keep conceal. So the gods took his eyesight, depriving the seer of physical vision. The second version told that Tiresias became blind after he accidentally saw Goddess Athena was bathing. Athena immediately struck Teiresias blind, without thinking. This upset Chariclo, who happened to be Athena's favourite companion. To compensate Teiresias' loss of sight, Athena gave him several gifts. Athena gave him second sight (gift of prophecy) the ability to understand the speech of birds. He was also awarded an unnaturally long life, which spanned over 7 generations. And after his death, he would still have the ability to retain his memory and his second sight, when he will reside in the Underworld. But the most popular version is by Hesiod and Ovid. According to them, the young Tiresias was out in the country, at the foot of Mount Cithaeron, when he came upon two snakes mating. With his staff, he killed the female snake, which caused him to transform into a young woman. For seven years, he lived his life as a woman. Then he came upon the same snakes and was transformed back into a man.
Adapted from: www.sikyon.com/Thebes/teiresias_eg.html
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Streetcar Named Desire
I do not know why I like this play very much. It is probably because the language is not that ambiguous as Shakespeare’s words. The plays that we learn before this are King Lear which is an interesting story but the language is difficult, Antigone and Anike which are more to warrior story and Pygmalion which uses a few non- standard English . So that’s why I prefer this story rather than others. I read the story quite fast because I just want to get general idea of what the story is about. When I first read the play, I do not like the character of Blanche because I think she is sarcastic in her words. She comments on the way Stella lives her life and the condition of her house. She seems to be a domineering character because most of the times she is the only one who talks. She is not careful with what she said even though sometimes it makes others offended. However, in the middle of the play, when I discover the background of her and why she is like that, I begin to sympathize with her. It is true that she is a chronic liar and most of the times we cannot distinguish whether she is telling lies or the truth. But, she is actually suffers from great depression and loneliness. She lost all the people that she loves and this is why she really desperate looking for companion. All these are just my opinion before we learn the play with Dr. Edwin.
After we studied the play together with Dr. Edwin, there are a few new information that I think I have left out when I first read the play. For example, the use of animal imagery in this play. I do not realize at all that there are lots of animal imagery until Dr. Edwin told us about it. So that helps me in understanding better the character of Stanley, Stella and Blanche as well. Overall, I like the story very much!
After we studied the play together with Dr. Edwin, there are a few new information that I think I have left out when I first read the play. For example, the use of animal imagery in this play. I do not realize at all that there are lots of animal imagery until Dr. Edwin told us about it. So that helps me in understanding better the character of Stanley, Stella and Blanche as well. Overall, I like the story very much!
Simulated Teaching
I have gone through a few presentations before this in Maktab but I am still nervous when it was my time to do simulated teaching. I was among the eight last people who presented our work last Monday. So, I have much time to change my lesson and in fact I had changed it twice. But still I got comments by Dr. Edwin. Actually I do not feel offended at all being criticized by him. This is because he gives negative comments and at the same time positive comments to improve my lesson plan and teaching. In the end, Dr Edwin gave me a B. Actually; I am quite dissatisfied with the mark because my target is at least an A- or a B+. But when I think of it again, I am grateful to get a B rather than a C. This is because my set induction is not as interesting as some of my friends who use LCD. I only use traditional method, whiteboard and furthermore the topic of my set induction is not appropriate. Besides, even though my activity is related to one another, it is too simple for upper secondary. So I question myself “Do I deserve to get even a B+?”
In addition, the way I deliver my lesson is not very smoothly. I am too nervous to the extent that I forget to look on my script even though I have prepared. I guess that is how most of us feel whenever we are asked to speak in front of many people. In addition, I also got positive comments from my peers. Some of them said that I have the potential to be a good teacher. Whatever it is, I appreciate their comments as the comments help me a lot in building my self-confident.
In addition, the way I deliver my lesson is not very smoothly. I am too nervous to the extent that I forget to look on my script even though I have prepared. I guess that is how most of us feel whenever we are asked to speak in front of many people. In addition, I also got positive comments from my peers. Some of them said that I have the potential to be a good teacher. Whatever it is, I appreciate their comments as the comments help me a lot in building my self-confident.
Shakespeare Walla
The word “walla’ sounds like great to me even though I do not know the real meaning. But when I first watched the movie, I saw the name Shashi Kapoor and immediately I thought “what on earth is Shashi Kapoor doing in Shakespeare movie?” Only after that I discovered that the setting of this movie is in India so probably they want to get audiences’ attention by having an Indian actor as the lead actor in the movie.
From the movie, I understand that even though they are professional actors, Buckingham’s family live a hard life as they need to struggle for their craft as the English theatre is being replaced by the emergence of Indian film. After all, they are in India and they have to work very hard to win the Indian’s hearts. To me, it is like a meeting of two different cultures, English and India that have their own strength and weaknesses but at the end surely the Indians will support the work of their people. The company travel around the world to perform Shakespeare’s works such as Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet (the rest I can’t remember).
In addition, one thing that I don’t like about the movie is the part where Sanju and Manjula made a grand entrance in the middle of the scene and they received a lot of attention from the audience while at the same time Mr.Buckingham was performing on the stage! It is such an embarrassment for the actors when nobody is paying attention for their performance. Besides, Manjula has not only interrupted the plot of the story, she only shown up for a few minutes. However, at the end of the movie, I respect Lizzie for making a wise decision by leaving Sanju who is a playboy that has an intimate relationship with her but having an affair with Manjula, an actress, at the same time.
From the movie, I understand that even though they are professional actors, Buckingham’s family live a hard life as they need to struggle for their craft as the English theatre is being replaced by the emergence of Indian film. After all, they are in India and they have to work very hard to win the Indian’s hearts. To me, it is like a meeting of two different cultures, English and India that have their own strength and weaknesses but at the end surely the Indians will support the work of their people. The company travel around the world to perform Shakespeare’s works such as Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet (the rest I can’t remember).
In addition, one thing that I don’t like about the movie is the part where Sanju and Manjula made a grand entrance in the middle of the scene and they received a lot of attention from the audience while at the same time Mr.Buckingham was performing on the stage! It is such an embarrassment for the actors when nobody is paying attention for their performance. Besides, Manjula has not only interrupted the plot of the story, she only shown up for a few minutes. However, at the end of the movie, I respect Lizzie for making a wise decision by leaving Sanju who is a playboy that has an intimate relationship with her but having an affair with Manjula, an actress, at the same time.
Ramli Ibrahim
If Dr. Edwin had not assigned us to search information for Ramli Ibrahim, I would not know that he is a Malaysian dancer and choreographer, and has become one of Malaysia’s most internationally acclaimed artists. It is maybe because I am not interested in dancing and so I have no idea about him. He was a young cadet at the Royal Military College in Malaysia in 1970. During the time, he won an engineering scholarship and was the first of the bumiputras-indigenous Malaysians-to be sent abroad. Earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Western Australia provided him with the unique opportunity to pursue his education while simultaneously developing his innate talent for dance.
While in Australia, Ramli was captivated by the classical Indian dance styles of Bharata Natyam and Odissi. He learned from some of the premier classical Indian masters. This training coupled with his classical ballet training earned Ramli a coveted position with the Sydney Dance Theatre. He became the first non-Australian to dance with the company. He remained with the Sydney Dance Theatre for six years. After spending 14 years in Australia, performing and studying dance around the world, Ramli made in his words, his “Malaysian debut performance” in1982 to an audience of more than a thousand people. The following year, he established SUTRA Dance Theatre and choreographed his first contemporary Malaysian work, “Gerhana.” Sutra Dance Theatre initially began as a platform to showcase Ramli’s own productions and has since grown into the training ground for young Malaysian dancers. It is also a vehicle to promote public awareness of traditional, classical and contemporary dance. Ramli has heightened awareness of performing arts in Malaysia through his own interpretation while maintaining the classical tradition of dance.
Adapted from http://www.internationalspecialreports.com/asiapacific/99/malaysia/9.html
While in Australia, Ramli was captivated by the classical Indian dance styles of Bharata Natyam and Odissi. He learned from some of the premier classical Indian masters. This training coupled with his classical ballet training earned Ramli a coveted position with the Sydney Dance Theatre. He became the first non-Australian to dance with the company. He remained with the Sydney Dance Theatre for six years. After spending 14 years in Australia, performing and studying dance around the world, Ramli made in his words, his “Malaysian debut performance” in1982 to an audience of more than a thousand people. The following year, he established SUTRA Dance Theatre and choreographed his first contemporary Malaysian work, “Gerhana.” Sutra Dance Theatre initially began as a platform to showcase Ramli’s own productions and has since grown into the training ground for young Malaysian dancers. It is also a vehicle to promote public awareness of traditional, classical and contemporary dance. Ramli has heightened awareness of performing arts in Malaysia through his own interpretation while maintaining the classical tradition of dance.
Adapted from http://www.internationalspecialreports.com/asiapacific/99/malaysia/9.html
Pygmalion
I have heard about this story before we start doing this course. From my point of view, Pygmalion is quite similar in certain aspects to Educating Rita, the play that we did when we were in Foundation Course. So, even though I have not read the story, I still can guess what is going to happen. Both characters come from lower class status so they speak non-standard English. However, they are willing to change themselves and the only way to change themselves is through education. Besides, I am familiar with this play because when we were in maktab, our juniors did this play and we were lucky to be invited to watch their performance. Even though I had no idea what the play was all about at that time, I enjoyed watching my juniors because almost all of them act well! Their costumes are gorgeous and their props are amazing. Apart from that, they had no problems in memorizing their lines. I was amazed by the actresses who play the role of Eliza because I think it is not easy to speak using a lot of non-standard English. So, I am proud of them.
Back to my experience when I watch this movie, I do not know why I felt very sleepy. It is probably because the play had no subtitle and Eliza, the main character speaks non-standard English which I cannot understand what she is trying to say. Moreover, they speak quite fast. For me, I prefer to watch drama or play with English subtitle because sometimes I hardly hear what the actors said. So, if there is subtitle I can follow the story well. Or maybe I couldn’t focus my attention to the play because I slept late last night so that is why I felt very sleepy. Overall, Pygmalion is really a good play and that is why I felt tensed and regret because I had fallen asleep in the middle of the play. As a result, I missed a few scenes.
Back to my experience when I watch this movie, I do not know why I felt very sleepy. It is probably because the play had no subtitle and Eliza, the main character speaks non-standard English which I cannot understand what she is trying to say. Moreover, they speak quite fast. For me, I prefer to watch drama or play with English subtitle because sometimes I hardly hear what the actors said. So, if there is subtitle I can follow the story well. Or maybe I couldn’t focus my attention to the play because I slept late last night so that is why I felt very sleepy. Overall, Pygmalion is really a good play and that is why I felt tensed and regret because I had fallen asleep in the middle of the play. As a result, I missed a few scenes.
Mak Yong
Mak Yong is an ancient dance-theatre form that include the elements of ritual, stylised dance and acting, vocal and instrumental music, story, song and formal, as well as improvised, spoken text.
The origins of Mak Yong are not clear however; but it is believed to have had divine inspiration, to have started before the 15th century and to have animistic and shamanistic origins. Originally, mak yong was used for healing rituals and harvest celebrations. The influences of Hinduism, Buddhism and animism can be seen in mak yong. The influence of Islam is seen mostly in the music. The Mak Yong orchestra consists of three instruments: the three-stringed rebab; a pair of double-headed barrel drums (gendang) and a pair of hanging gongs (twak-tawak or tetawak).
Principally performed in Kelantan and Patani, in southern Thailand, Mak Yong is also associated with Kedah on the West Coast of the Malay Peninsula and northern Sumatra. The most important story in its twelve story repertoire is "Dewa Muda." All the stories, mythological in character, are based on princes and princesses who are descended from gods. During a brief period in the early 20th century, Mak Yong was instituted as a court entertainment in Kelantan. This period brought several innovations to the art form including the use of females to play the lead male roles. The most beautiful and accomplished female actress usually plays this role.
In the past, Mak Yong was performed in the villages in an open-sided hut created just for the performance. It often lasted for three or more consecutive nights, beginning about 8:30 pm and ending well after midnight. Performances were kept very simple. The actors and actresses never left the stage. When they were not performing they sat around the edge of the stage joining in the chorus. There were no entrances and exits. Walking in a circle indicated a change of scene or location. The few props used were simple and multi-functional. However, it is very rare to see a traditional Mak Yong performance today.
Adapted from - http://www.malaysianculturegroup.com/oldnewsl/napr02.htm
The origins of Mak Yong are not clear however; but it is believed to have had divine inspiration, to have started before the 15th century and to have animistic and shamanistic origins. Originally, mak yong was used for healing rituals and harvest celebrations. The influences of Hinduism, Buddhism and animism can be seen in mak yong. The influence of Islam is seen mostly in the music. The Mak Yong orchestra consists of three instruments: the three-stringed rebab; a pair of double-headed barrel drums (gendang) and a pair of hanging gongs (twak-tawak or tetawak).
Principally performed in Kelantan and Patani, in southern Thailand, Mak Yong is also associated with Kedah on the West Coast of the Malay Peninsula and northern Sumatra. The most important story in its twelve story repertoire is "Dewa Muda." All the stories, mythological in character, are based on princes and princesses who are descended from gods. During a brief period in the early 20th century, Mak Yong was instituted as a court entertainment in Kelantan. This period brought several innovations to the art form including the use of females to play the lead male roles. The most beautiful and accomplished female actress usually plays this role.
In the past, Mak Yong was performed in the villages in an open-sided hut created just for the performance. It often lasted for three or more consecutive nights, beginning about 8:30 pm and ending well after midnight. Performances were kept very simple. The actors and actresses never left the stage. When they were not performing they sat around the edge of the stage joining in the chorus. There were no entrances and exits. Walking in a circle indicated a change of scene or location. The few props used were simple and multi-functional. However, it is very rare to see a traditional Mak Yong performance today.
Adapted from - http://www.malaysianculturegroup.com/oldnewsl/napr02.htm
Macbeth
Someone says to me that it is not complete to study English without learning the works of Shakespeare. Before this, when people mention about Shakespeare, the only plays by him that I am familiar about are Romeo and Juliet and Midsummer Night Dream. The rest like Macbeth, Hamlet, and so on are popular, but unfamiliar to me. I have no idea what the plays are all about. When I discover that we are going to watch Macbeth, I am excited because it is one of the fastest ways to know the story instead of reading a book about it. This is because I can learn faster and understand better if I learn through visual instead of reading text. However, my excitement is distracted at the beginning of the story because I cannot identify the characters in the story. I do not know who Macbeth is because there are so many men characters in the story. I get confused Macbeth with Macduff. After all, their names are quite similar. Only after 30 minutes watching it, I recognize who Macbeth is. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is represented as a brave, kind-hearted and capable warrior. Besides, the actor who plays the role of Macbeth is quite handsome. That keeps my attention to watch the movie till the end. However, when his ambition and his passion to have power go beyond his moral values, he commits evil deeds by killing Duncan, the King. I don’t like the character of Lady Macbeth because her character somehow gives a bad impression of women. This is because in this story, she is the one who pushes her husband to kill Duncan so that he can be the next king and rule the kingdom. Her role indirectly gives implication that women are sources of evil and violence. One more thing that I would like to comment on this play is the battle between Macbeth and Macduff. I personally think that Macbeth can win the fight because he had been informed earlier that no man who was born by woman can harm him. However, when he knew the fact that Macduff was not born through natural birth he seems to bit afraid as he knew that no matter how hard he tried, he will die in Macduff’s hands. He seems to gives in to Macduff. This situation reflects my life as a Muslim. I am grateful that I do not know my fate because if I know it already, I might not work hard to accomplish my goal and just leave it to God.
King Lear
Actually, King Lear is a good and interesting play because it talks about family relationship. From my point of view, Lear is not only a father but also a king, and when he gives away his authority to the unworthy and evil Goneril and Regan, he delivers not only himself and his family but all of Britain into chaos and cruelty. From the play, I learn that we sometimes can be blind by our moral judgement. Lear disowns Cordelia because she cannot show how much she loves him through words and falls for Goneril and Regan’s flattery. Here, we cannot fully blame Lear for his action because he is morally blind and furthermore we as human are not perfect creature. We often make mistakes in our life and we learn from that. That happens to Lear when he realizes that he had misjudge Cordelia and regret for his action. This play had touched my feelings because I do not expect that two daughters can do such thing like that to their own father and responsible for their father’s madness. Both of them are cruel because all they think is just power and wealth. I sympathized with Lear because he used to be a great and powerful king but lost his power in his daughter’s hands. The moral values in the story remind me that love can’t be measured by words and it does not mean that we do not love somebody if we don’t say we love him. I personally won’t do that to my father..I mean telling lies to win his heart and stab him in the back.
Thanks to Dr. Edwin for helping me to understand this story because as we know, Shakespeare’s words are difficult to understand and have ambiguous meanings. Besides, I like the book that we had because it has summary and glossary of the scene on the left page.
Thanks to Dr. Edwin for helping me to understand this story because as we know, Shakespeare’s words are difficult to understand and have ambiguous meanings. Besides, I like the book that we had because it has summary and glossary of the scene on the left page.
Anike
This is my first time watching a play so I am a bit excited to watch a play by Malaysian playwright. I have never been to any theatres before. Since I do not have a car, my friends and I went there by public transport. Our journey to Wisma Kebudayaan SGM is quite challenging because we were caught in traffic jam. At first, I thought I am going to be late but luckily we managed to be there on time. I do not have problems in understanding the plot of the story because I have read the story the night before. But, I also brought the book just in case if I missed one or two scenes in the play. A great credit should be given to Jayaram Menon who played the role of Maniaka, the King. I think he performed well as a king. His voice is loud and his dialogue is clear because even though I was sitting at the last three rows, I can still hear his lines. The same thing goes to other actors such as Anike played by May Kung, Nadim played by Lim Yao-Han, Bendahara by Joel Jayaruben and many more. They really put themselves into their roles and delivered their lines with feelings. Only one or two actors that disappoint me because they spoke too slow. However, the weakness of this play is its props. They only used a few props and the props are not really look amazing. For example, the king’s throne is very simple to me and it does not represent the luxurious life of a king. Moreover, there is nothing to say about their costumes because they suit the characters well. The transition of the actors is smooth and the make-up is overall satisfied.
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