Behind Barbed Wire, Shakespeare Inspires a Cast of Young Syrians

       The article, "Behind Barbed Wire, Shakespeare Inspires a Cast of Young Syrians", written by Ben Hubbard, tells the inspiring story of how Shakespeare changed children's lives in a Syrian refugee camp. These were children whose homes had been destroyed, relatives were killed, and had faced much trauma in their lives. As the article puts it, "for the 100 children in the cast, it [the performance of King Lear] was their first brush with Shakespeare, although they were already deeply acquainted with tragedy". Overall, as I read, I found that what the author was really trying to get across to readers was a message of hope, and change. The overall main idea was that bringing culture and experience is a way to bring happiness and joy to people. This article shows that theatre can change a child's life and give them an experience and feeling that they have never been exposed to before. The article describes their new lifestyle as an "isolated,treeless camp, a place of poverty, uncertainty, and boredom". The director, Nawar Bulbul, had met children in these camps. and made a promise to return, and he did, bringing his plan to put on this production. The article describes the crowd bursting into applause at the end, with lead girls breaking into tears. These details are very moving, and show just how little these children had before theatre was brought to them, and how much positive emotion it left them with.

       The author, Ben Hubbard, clearly wants to make readers feel inspired and moved by the article. He goes into detail about the hardships the children faced before, and then describes their proud, fulfilled emotion afterward to enhance the feelings of inspiration for the readers. For example, he talks about how the parents and aid workers fear that the war in Syria threatens to create a lost generation of children, because they are so scarred by violence, and are forced to be missing years of education and experiences. He then however, introduces director Nawar Bulbul, and goes on the describe the production of King Lear itself, which suddenly brings a more comforting tone to the article. Hubbard also uses direct quotes from people living in the refugee camp, which is a move that makes the article extremely moving. He quotes Bushra al-Homeyid,13, who played one of King Lear's daughters. Her family fled Syria after government shelling killed her cousins. Bushra said that although she had never acted before, she wanted to continue. She says, "I like that I can change my personality and be someone else". For a kid to say that in the situation she is in is pretty remarkable and inspiring.

       For me, reading this article was really moving, and made me realize just how important theater and the arts really are. I take it for granted, the fact that twice a week for two period I get an intensive drama program at my school. But reading this, I realize just how amazing that is. If one play changed so many children's lives, and one play touched so many, I now realize I should appreciate the experience I have access to more. The theater culture is one that gives opportunities for children (and adults) to escape from their realities, and take on a new character. The arts really are spectacular, and seeing kids react to them the way these children did is one of the most inspiring things you can see. 

Literary Essay: Romeo and Juliet

       The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, explores the complexities of love and hate, and all the complications and consequences that go with it. The well known play begins with young Romeo from the Montague family, and even younger Juliet from the Capulets, who cross paths at a Capulet party and fall in love at “first sight". The two rush into a secret marriage, knowing their parents wouldn't approve being from rival households. Their plans to live happily together, however, are disrupted by Juliet's tie to Paris, the man her father feels is best fit for her to marry. The play progresses, and as time moves forward, the events begin to darken, and eventually, result in the death of Romeo and Juliet and their reckless love. In this play, there are an abundance of themes that drive the plot arch, but throughout Romeo and Juliet, the themes of fate, time, and recklessness consistently tie together and shape the events and outcome of the play.

       The theme of fate is the most powerful force in Romeo and Juliet, and what is “meant to be” – or predetermined, regardless of the characters’ thoughts and actions-- is a theme that is carried from the start to end. For example, even from the first monologue that is said at the beginning of the play in the Prologue by Chorus, the theme of fate has already shown itself to be prominent. Chorus says, "From forth the fatal loins of these two foes/A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life" (Prologue). Already from the first minute of the play, Shakespeare makes the fate of these two lovers very clear to his audience. Also, the theme of fate ties into the fact that Juliet is being forced to marry Paris and doesn't have a say in the matter. Towards the end of the play, Juliet confronts her parents about not wanting to marry Paris. This results in a massive fight between Capulet and Juliet. In fact, she has already married Romeo at this point in an effort to change her fate. Capulet says to her, "I tell thee what: get thee to church o' Thursday,/Or never after look me in the face." (3.5.167-168). Juliet's fate is sealed with Paris, or so according to her father it is. It is sealed so much so that he says either she marries Paris or leaves their family. Finally, the theme of fate shows itself right before the Capulet party, when Romeo declares to Montague that he has a lingering feeling that something is going to happen that isn't going to end well. He says, "I fear too early, for my mind misgives/ Some consequence yet hanging in the stars/ Shall bitterly begin his fearful date/ With this night's revels, and empire the term/Of a despised life closed in my breast/By some vile forfeit of untimely death." ( 1.4.114-118). Romeo has a feeling that at the party, something-he is not sure of what- is going to happen and will end in his death. This sheds light on the theme of fate, because readers know this is in fact what happens. This is the start to the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet itself. Fate is always hanging over the characters’ heads like a cloud that follows them around. No matter what happens Shakespeare always brings back this idea of whether what's happening is actually supposed to be happening, and whether fate will stand in the way of the characters getting what they want. 

       Fate, however, is not the only thing that determines the outcome of the events in the play. The sequence of events within Romeo and Juliet is completely based on unfortunate timing, and the theme of time also shapes the play. There are many moments in Romeo and Juliet where if the timing had been just a little different, a massive tragedy could have been avoided. One example of this is when Friar Lawrence sends his message to alert Romeo of his and Juliet's plan that would help them to escape Juliet’s marriage to Paris and be together. However, the plan gets ruined because the messenger doesn’t get to Romeo in time, and not knowing the set-up, he believes that Juliet is truly dead. This makes me wonder whether perhaps if Friar Lawrence had sent the message a few hours earlier, maybe Romeo would have received the message and the two would end up living happily together. This is where fate connects to time, because this leads me to believe that fate must be controlling time in the play. Why did Romeo have to miss the letter? Why couldn't the outcome have been lighter, and avoided all the deaths? Another example of how timing shapes the sequence of events and outcomes is at the very end of the play, when Romeo shows up at the tomb which Juliet had been put in (asleep-- not dead). Romeo, thinking Juliet is dead, says, "Here's to my love. O true apothecary,/Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die." (5.3.119-120). Not more than a few seconds later, Friar Lawrence shows up at the tomb, knowing the plan went wrong, and enters to try to find Romeo. But, as we know, Friar Lawrence is too late, for Romeo has already taken his life. If he had shown up just minutes before, he could have informed Romeo of what was going on before Romeo killed himself. The theme of time is frustrating, because it sounds so simple, that only a few minutes can change everything. But that is the truth, and that is why time plays a huge role in Romeo and Juliet. 

       Finally, the theme of recklessness is very important in the play. This theme relates to the characters in Romeo and Juliet because it's Romeo and Juliet's recklessness which leads them to trouble. Because of their lack of responsibility and knowledge, the two rush into decisions, not thinking through the consequences and possible outcomes.  Romeo's recklessness really comes through at the beginning, when he rushes from one girl to another. In the beginning, Romeo is head over heels for Rosaline, saying, "O, she is rich in beauty, only poor/ That, when she dies, with beauty dies her store." (1.1.224). Romeo believes he will be living in grief for the rest of his life because this girl doesn't love him back. But yet, just a few hours later, Romeo sees Juliet at a party and immediately declares his love for her. Did Romeo forget about Rosaline? Did he forget that he was so-called in love with her just a few seconds ago? This makes me question his responsibility, and this shows how Romeo is just a child, impulsive and reckless, jumping into his feelings and being overly passionate when that passion might not actually be there. Another example that shows the recklessness of Romeo and Juliet is their marriage; the marriage that takes place within 24 hours of first laying eyes on each other. Even Friar Lawrence warns them, saying, "Therefore, love moderately. Long love doth so./Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow." (2.6.14-15). Friar Lawrence is advising Romeo to love moderately, and not rush his love. He is saying that long-lasting love only comes from moderation. Romeo and Juliet do not follow this advice however, and rush into their marriage. Perhaps if they had been less reckless, and more responsible, their love wouldn't have had such tragic consequences. 

       All in all, Romeo and Juliet explores many themes, but fate, time, and recklessness really drive the outcome and events of the play. These themes are all very connected in the sense that they all determine each other in a way. William Shakespeare seems to be telling readers and viewers that you can't escape fate- not in this play at least. And although it may seem that time can be easily altered and controlled, Romeo and Juliet pushes the idea that timing happens for a reason, and people have no power to stop that. Recklessness only speeds up the outcome that is pre-determined and over which the characters have no control. The character of Chorus, to me, represents more than just an outside voice. Chorus to me represents fate, and time, and the voice of reality in this reckless play. I personally am not sure how much I agree with Shakespeare's message about fate, however. I do strongly think that recklessness and time have a connection in reality, and not just in this play. When people say, "think before you act", that is a comment on those themes. Jumping into decisions without thinking can stand as a very reckless move, and the results of well thought out decisions versus quick and reckless decisions are influenced on the timing of them. The theme of fate ties it all together in Romeo and Juliet and is the "ruler" of all themes. No matter what happens, fate is always in charge, and is always going to curve the story so that the events fall into place the way they are fated to happen. In reality however, I believe people decide their own fate; therefore, fate doesn't exist. I believe in consequences, and that every decision creates consequences. Something as small as deciding whether to go straight home or to stop at the grocery store can change a whole path of life, depending on what happens versus what could have happened. Romeo and Juliet is an important play that shows us how “should”, “could”, and “did” are three words that really take over our life course; what should have happened, what could have happened, and what did happen. Ultimately, it is that which “did happen” that becomes our reality. 

The Bell Jar pt. 2

      The book, "The Bell Jar", by Sylvia Plath is an amazing book that explores many deep, complex issues surrounding the time period of the 1950s. In the book, Esther Greenwood is torn between two paths in life; following her career and devoting her time to writing and work, or starting a family and settling down-- what is much more common and expected of women at the time. One of the main ideas that is carried throughout the text is that society, and the ideas and expectations from society, can have negative effects on citizens and those who live in that society.
      In the 1950s (when The Bell Jar takes place), women were expected to settle down young, marry, and start a family. They were expected to be housewives. Esther, however, is torn in her life between her passion for literature and work, and those expectations that are following her wherever she goes. She assumes she can't have both the job she loves and a family. This choice is primarily what leads her to her breakdown.
      Esther ends up trying to kill herself, a definite extreme, but not far off from what many woman probably felt like doing who were in similar situations. Esther wants to break free of the expectations that she feels are forced on her. In the book, she says, "The last thing I wanted was infinite security and to be the place an arrow shoots off from. I wanted change and excitement and to shoot off in all directions myself, like the colored arrows from a Fourth of July rocket." Esther doesn't want her future to be defined by a man. She wants to explore all the possibilities that life has to offer. And because of society and those ideas that are forced on her, Esther feels like she can't do this; she can't follow her dreams. This is why she goes to the extreme of trying to kill herself, because she is so miserable with her endless confusion and frustration of what to do with her life. 
      This book really opens my eyes up to how society really defines people against their will. Because of expectations and ideals, people change themselves, and limit their freedom so that they fit in. Just like Esther, many woman now and then went against their dreams and wants because of what society thought was the "right" way to live. It's unfair, that people (woman especially) feel pressure to be something they're not. It's important to not  let anybody or anything make you think or act a particular way. Because the more you let other people and things define you, the more you lose sight of your actually self, and what your ideals and values are. And as Esther proves, letting yourself be changed by society can only result in you feeling like you lost yourself, and cause meltdowns and breakdowns, and endless misery. Sylvia Plath is telling readers--warning them-- to hold on to themselves, and not let society or people alter who you are, and what you want to do in life.