HAN'S THE SHOWTIME...

「The Natures of Tragedy are Expressed in the Great Works of William Shakespeare.」

Shakespeare is renowned as the English playwright and poet whose body of works is considered the greatest in the history of English literature. Since the 18 century, Shakespeareana has been studied by students, scholars, and dramatists. And also, it has been the subject of comprehension criticism principles, and was to be the only door to the play world of dramatic companies.

I will briefly introduce Shakespeare's biography. During the period of Queen Elizabeth I, which was the climax of England Renaissance, he was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. His father was a farmer, a merchant, and at one time, held public office. His mother was daughter of farmer. Shakespeare was the eldest son. When his father had worked for public office, his family was wealthy, so he could study at good education facilities. But, when he was 13 years ago, his family was declared bankrupt, so he could not advance to University. At age 18, he married Anne Hathaway, who was a local farmer's daughter eight years his senior. Their first daughter (Susanna) was born six months later, and twins, Judith and Hamnet, were born in 1585, but they died at early ages.

The life of Shakespeare can be divided into three periods. For the first 20 years were season of staying in his hometown, Stratford-upon-Avon, which include his schooling, early marriage, and fatherhood. The next 25 years, he worked as an actor and playwright in London, and the last five years were retirement period . He came back to Stratford where he enjoyed moderate wealth gained from his theatrical successes. For about 20 years from 1590, he concentrated his whole mind upon writing plays, and showed 37 works on stage 37 works. After 1608, the power of his pen declined, so he went to hometown, enjoyed in comfort for the rest of his days. Finally, William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, and was buried two days later in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church where he had been baptized exactly 52 years earlier.

Shakespeare's works can be divided into four periods. The beginning period is with what is referred to as an experimental period starting around 1591 and ending around 1593. The works of the first period were Titus Andronicus, Love's Labour's Lost, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Comedy of Errors and The Taming of the Shrew. The second period, which was ended around 1601, marked the establishment of Shakespeare and included the tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, several comedies, The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer-Night's Dream, Much Ado about Nothing, The Merry Wives of Windsor and the history plays, Henry IV, Parts I and II, Henry V, Richard II, King John and Julius Caesar. The third period marked perhaps the apex of Shakespeare's works with the 4 great tragedies, Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, and King Lear but also comedies such as Twelfth Night, All's Well that Ends Well and the Roman epic history play, Antony and Cleopatra. The final period ended around 1611. Cymbeline, Henry VIII and romances such as The Tempest and The Winter's Tale were that period's works.

HAMLET

The characteristic of Hamlet is leaving problems that can not be solve forever. This person's characteristic holds an important position in the history of literature. Since the 19th century, Hamlet's characteristic has been compared with Don Quixote's action styles. According to Goethe and Coleridge's comments, Hamlet is pure, introspective, and melancholy man. This view was main stream at that time, but it is quite different from criticism from the early part of this century. Many Shakespearian critics have explicated Hamlet's new characteristics and described him as being a cynical, aggressive, and strong man. One more reason for the appeal of Hamlet, which Hamlet made a deep impression me, is the great lines with his music and imagery.
So tell him, with the occurrents, more and less,
Which have solicited?The rest is silence.
The last line of Hamlet before he died, leaves deep impression of as calmness and sublimity on the reader. And soon, our soul is soaring to the heaven.

OTHELLO

The case of Othello is different from Hamlet's, the point of 솟 tragedy which befalls him is that it is true for him. Despite a big of racial and cultural gap, he married Desdemona secretly, but their happiness was gone soon. Thans, he plays into Iago's hands. In addition, he is a warlike, simple-minded, and innocent man. So, he mistrusts wife's faithfulness and strangles her to death. Later, Othello realizes his foolishness, but there is no way to break the process of self-destruction. True love should be protected by love. If it has weak points, the shield will be broke. But Othello does not die. In the hopelessness, different from Macbeth, his soul can be relieved from darkness. At result, his soul is revived.

KING LEAR

Among Shakespeare's tragedies, King Lear is the saddest play. In this play, the points of focus are love, devotion, and trust in the family. King Lear's characters have universality. Kent, Gloucester, and Cordelia are loyal and noble people. They illustrate the conversion of consciousness which beats wickedness. Goneril, Regan, and Edmund, who are ungrateful and immoral people, descend into ruin. In King Lear, both types of characters have a tragic end. Shakespeare created new types of tragedy. They are marked by a lack of wisdom called darkness. Lear loses everything, but gains eternity. After craziness, he knows true. Humanity's greatness and high ideas can be gain through bearing hardships and divine test. Shakespeare shows human development galvanized by desperation through King Lear's death.

MACBETH

Macbeth is my favorite works among all of Shakespeare's tragedies.
This play has a tragic focus. Originally a loyal and honest man, Macbeth descent into murder and betrayal is the tale of how ambition can tarnish even the purest of souls. Driven by loyalty to King Duncan, his own "Vaulting ambition," leads to him killing King Duncan to secure his own destiny. The man at the end of play is one we would barely recognize from the loyal Macbeth we meet at the beginning.
"As a man sows, so he shall reap." This play's topic is it.
Greed leads to ruin. Finally, Macbeth can not control his really garganthan ambitions. Only the way to escape is death. In this play, Lady Macbeth is an interesting character who is a "Femme Fatal." She lures Macbeth into an evil world, and also falls into darkness. Lady Macbeth's ambition for power leads her into an unnatural, phantasmagoric realm of witchcraft, insomnia and madness. But while Macbeth responds to the prophecies of the play's famous trio of witches, Lady Macbeth goes even further by figuratively transforming herself into an unnatural, desexualized evil spirit. The current trend of critical opinion is toward an upward reevaluation of Lady Macbeth, who is said to be rehumanized by her insanity and her suicide.

Oh! My Gwang Ju. (3 OF 6)

I re-begin to criticize about Korea politics. From now, I will say about 5.18 Democracy movement of Gwang Ju. Gwang Ju situation was tragedy of modern Korea politics. After the President Park Jung Hee was murdered, most Koreans’ heart swelled with democracy’s hope. That period was called “the spring of Seoul.” This name was given from “the spring of Prague,” it was the famous democracy movement of the Eastern Europe.

BUT, Koreans’ such hope did not last long, it was broken only 2 months later. December, 12. 1979, Korea democracy fell into the dark. Jean Doo Hwan and his supporter carried out coup d’etat. After the President Park was murdered, Korea was laid a political vacuum. They seized the moment and assumed the reins of government using guns, and tanks. Korea government fell into their power. It was the disaster of Korea democracy. After that situation, demonstrations happened one after another every place in Korea and these demonstrations was going to extreme. Among of place, Gwang Ju’s demonstration was the biggest. In original, these demonstrations were fallen under the jurisdiction of police, but Jean Doo Hwan’s government dispatched an army, so created a scene of bloodshed. Really many citizens were killed by the army. The extreme case was that a ranger-commando force was dispatched. Plainly speaking, it situation was “the Killing Field.” There were two factor of that situation. First, Jeon Doo Hwan’s government needed to encroach on opposite power such as democracy movement quickly. Second, they needed to eliminate the opposite party, at those days; there were two leader of opposite party, Kim Dae Jung, Kim Young Sam. Kim Dae Jung’s public interest menaced to them. Gwang Ju was Kim Dae Jung’s support place.

Gwang Ju situation was really tragedy. For a long time, that situation was in veil because all an organ of expression was under government. As time goes by, it became clear, but accused them of a crime. That government’s politicians still take the power. I think that we must solve Gwang Ju situation for making democracy.

Due to break Gwang Ju situation, Korea democracy was fallen into dark. Korean needed to hope. Kim Dae Jung and Kim Young Sam fought for Korea democracy. AND, two Kim’s period was opened.

The great detective Sherlock Holmes.

I like Sherlock Holmes. Since I was children, I would like to read Holmes’ mystery novel. Sherlock Holmes’ creator was Arthur Conan Doyle. He wrote 38 Holmes short stories of all. 38 series can separate 4 parts. First part is “The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes.” Second is “The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.” “Silver Blaze” is first short story of it. Third part is “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” Among of all parts, I most like 3rd part. Final part is “The Return if Sherlock Holmes.” There is mystery novel’s the season, is the summer. The summer is very hot, so it is hard to concentrate something. Mystery novel give thrill and cool, and interesting.

The great detective Sherlock Holmes.

I like Sherlock Holmes. Since I was children, I would like to read Holmes’ mystery novel. Sherlock Holmes’ creator was Arthur Conan Doyle. He wrote 38 Holmes short stories of all. 38 series can separate 4 parts. First part is “The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes.” Second is “The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.” “Silver Blaze” is first short story of it. Third part is “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” Among of all parts, I most like 3rd part. Final part is “The Return if Sherlock Holmes.” There is mystery novel’s the season, is the summer. The summer is very hot, so it is hard to concentrate something. Mystery novel give thrill and cool, and interesting.

The great detective Sherlock Holmes.

I like Sherlock Holmes. Since I was children, I would like to read Holmes’ mystery novel. Sherlock Holmes’ creator was Arthur Conan Doyle. He wrote 38 Holmes short stories of all. 38 series can separate 4 parts. First part is “The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes.” Second is “The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.” “Silver Blaze” is first short story of it. Third part is “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” Among of all parts, I most like 3rd part. Final part is “The Return if Sherlock Holmes.” There is mystery novel’s the season, is the summer. The summer is very hot, so it is hard to concentrate something. Mystery novel give thrill and cool, and interesting.

It is pretty cold.

Last week's weather was really good. It was warm and sunny even pretty windy. While, to begin this week, the weather was getting cold. There is a proverb about it weather. I do not know there is such proverb in English. It is "a chill weather in the blooming season." The winter is jealous to bloom spring's flower, and gives cent to winter's bad temper, so blows cold wind. Depend on year; a chill weather's period is from ending of March till middle of April. Also, some years' chill weather is colder than the winter. In Korea, this period is pretty cold. People put on thick clothes instead of short sleeves. Also, the temperature changes to get cold a sudden, so people have trouble because of a cold. In spite so far away between Korea and the USA, there is chill weather in here. It is an irony.

The long and winding road
that leads to your door
Will never disappear,
I've seen that road before,
It always leads me here,
Lead me to your door.

The wild and windy night
that the rain washed away
Has left a pool of tears
crying for the day
Why leave me standing here,
Let me know the way

Many times I've been alone
and many times I've cried
Anyway you'll never know
the many ways I've tried

But still they lead me back
to the long winding road
You left me standing here,
a long long time ago
Don't leave me waiting here,
Lead me to you door

But still they lead me back
to the long winding road
You left me standing here,
a long long time ago
Don't keep me waiting here,
Lead me to you door

When I had a hard time, I often heard this song. I am walking on hard way. Nobody can help me. When I was a child, I had many dream. I wanted to be a justice robot, the President, and the great scientist. BUT, I have no dream at now. What do I become? If I walk on really hard road, I will success in my life?

I took a tutoring from Liz Williams and Fu-Chiao Yang. After finished tutoring, they answer something about my profile.

1) Have you already finished university?
No, I am still university student. I am a senior.
2) What was/is your major?
I have been studying two major, English Literature and Business.
3) How long have you been studying English?
For 13 years, I have been studying English since 1st year of middle school. Almost of Korean are, too
4) Do you like to write?
Yes, I really like to write something in Korean and English.
5) Why do you like to write? or Why do you NOT like to write.
There are so many topics about Korea’s issues, and I want to explain my opinions. In these days, I have a plan to write about Korea’s political issue.
6) Have you ever taken any writing classes in Korean writing?
No, but I am not sure. When I was really too young maybe in Kindergarten season, there were some writing classes, but I had not ever taken any writing class in recently.
7) Have you ever taken any writing classes in English writing?
Yes, my major is English literature. I had ever taken two writing class in Korea. At that time, my textbook was “Ready to Write” and “Paragraph Exercise.”
8) Do you write much in Korean?
Yes, I like to write my opinions on-line. Recently, there was Election of National Assembly Members, so I wrote really many essays in my support party’s website.
9) Why have you chosen to study English?
It is difficult question. In Korea, English is not optional subject in public school It is alike to Latin of ancient age. If I did not study English, I would not to be a college man. English is one of the most important subjects in public school in Korea. Therefore, English is very required subject to me. Also, my dream is to be a president of own company, and so I will come back and sell my items in the USA. If I can not speak English, I will never sell any items. I will study continuation.
10) What English class level are you in at in the ELC at MSU?
Lv 2.
11)When are you planning to return to Korea?
I will leave for Korea in the middle of May.

Long island Ice tea

I like to enjoy cocktails. There are really many kinds of cocktails in whole world. In fact, cocktails were made for drinking easily. Some alcoholic drinks are hard to drink. Cocktails are easy to drinks. Among of them, I like Long island Ice tea. It is very cool and fresh. Also, it is easy to blend. For blending it, something need. First, I should prepare whiskey which is based for cocktail. Long Island Ice tea's base whiskey is Vodka, but it is not important. I can blend any whiskey. Next, I should prepare sour source. It can buy at store. If I didn't have it, lemon juice is pretty good. Finally, I should prepare ice cubes. Ice cubes are very important. I want to enjoy with you!!!

My life is the long and winding road.

My life is the long and winding road. I thought about my life deeply during last weekend. First, what is the most important thing of my life? If I got a married, my most value things were my family, my wife and my children, but I am still a bachelor. What is it? Second, what is my best? I really want to be a good man. For being a good man, I must have strength skill than others, but I have nothing except of just my body. Finally, what does my future become? I really want to be a person who I am never ashamed to myself. I am walking on the long and winding road. I believe that it will make a sacrifice of oneself for my future. Goodbye….my girl.

Baseball season was opened.

I like to watch baseball game. I had gone to stadium several times when I was in Korea. MLB is also good, but I had not gone yet. MLB season was opened at last week. My favorite team is RedSox. RedSox is really unlucky team. It is known happen about Babe Ruth. Also, they lost a close at last season’s playoff game. This season’s RedSox is one of the winners, they are reinforced many things. They traded a good pitcher and had many good batters. I am happy because ball’s season is opened.

Finished short term break.

I enjoyed short term break since last Wednesday. In fact, my feel was so bad from last week. I got a homesick. About a month later, I will leave for Korea. When I leave, I will have a hard time. I will have to graduate and get a job for my future. My springtime of life will be finished. To advance the real world, I am not enough to prepare. I am not still capable enough, and wanting in experience. I am afraid my future. During break, I could not get a sleep well. Also, my feeling is still too bad.

On line shopping's merits and demerits

On-line shopping has several merits and demerits. When I bought high price items, I would order at On-line shop such as Camera, Laptop, and Cigarettes. To me, On-line shopping is useful. First, on-line shop's items are cheaper than Off-line shop in general. Off-line shop's item price is included personnel expenses, so it is more expensive than On-line shop. Next, price comparison is easy. When I bought and saw some items, I mainly used in Yahoo's shopping mall. If you will visit at there, you can search each mall's presented price sort by price. It is pretty convenience. Also, there is no closed time at On-line shop. It is possible to order at anytime.

On the other hand, there are some demerits. First of all, if you order at On-line shop, you have to give attention. You can be defrauded. Also, refund and return are inconvenience. Finally, On-line shopping is good despite of some demerits. Cheap price is so good to me.

I like to write in Korean and English in both languages. In my opinion, most important thing to write is experience. Of course, one person never does all experience. For example, there is a book; its title is “The Lord of Ring.” This book is written by J.K Tolken in 16th century. Was that period in fantasy world? It was really not. To get lots of experiences, the best way is that it reads many books. If you read one book, you can get author’s experiences and ideas throughout reading that book. Also, writing many times, it is important to make good essays. It is about an interest. I have been written really many love letters to my girlfriend when I was teenager. At those days, I wrote 4 or 5 letter a week for her. It experience made a sacrifice of myself for interest of writing essay. Next, writing skill is also important. It is pretty hard to write in English. I did not used to leave out of consideration before such as the indent, signal words, topic, and synonyms. Until now, my essay’s audience is very simple, me, my girlfriends, or friends. Therefore, I did not need to take the form of writing.

BUT, it is became the wall to write me. Of course, there are some rules about making essay in Korean, but I could learn in natural. It is so difficult to write in English to me because I have been studying English, and also my English is not complete. Throughout tutoring, I realized my three deep-seated problems. One was that I did not have enough vocabularies. In fact, I want to increase my English vocabulary, but it is troublesome work. Second problem is that I have a tendency to write essay delicately. I did not to do brainstorm and make structure rarely. Finally, my essays have some Konglish (Korean style English) patterns. I sometimes first made some paragraphs in Korean, and later I would translate in English. If I translated Korean into English when I wrote an essay, I could write essay in fast. It is really bad habit. I am trying to overcome even it is not easy. I can realize my problems from tutoring and I will make my effort to break these. Practice is most important thing.

Sherlock Holmes.

At last I finished to read one book. The book's title was Sherlock Holmes. Maybe almost people have been heard Sherlock Holmes once at least. In fact, I have been already read all series of Holmes in Korean. This book is wrote in English. I bought this book for last winter break, but I did not read it. This book had too bulky volume. It had all series of Holmes. Among of the series, my best is "The House of the Baskervilles." It was really interesting. Sherlock Holmes is a famous detective.

The Spring comes

After it was rain, the Spring came. I went out and walked around campus yesterday's afternoon. It was sunny and really warm. I was sweat before long. If this Spring will be gone, I will have to leave for Korea. Therefore, this Spring is last season of my the USA living. Luck to me!!!