King Lear response

I do not particularly enjoy Shakespeare due to my struggle with interpreting the language he uses, even though he is indeed, Shakespeare. However, I did enjoy King Lear. I thought it was plainly arrogant on Lear’s part how he decided to divide his land between his daughters solely on how much each daughter “says” they love him. Actions speak a lot louder than words in my opinion, and I think he should have challenged them a little more, perhaps even more discreetly.

I liked how Cordelia refused to profess her love for her father and says, “I cannot heave my heart in my mouth” (page 4). While her other sisters say they love their father more than words can express, Cordelia is the only one who actually does not use words to express her affection for the king.

The absence of a mother plays an important part in the play. The readers have no insight on the queen; she is simply not mentioned. The king does not have a wife and the daughters do not have a mother figure. Goneril and Regan only have their husbands, which whom probably made them even more hungry for power and status. Cordelia on the other hand, is the only daughter and sister unwed. She only has her sisters and her father. She is the only one who seems feminine. Goneril possesses “masculine” qualities in her scheming and plotting against her own father, her sister, and even her husband. Cordelia is the only one who is pure. Perhaps Lear did know this about his youngest daughter and that is why she is also his favorite.

Cordelia is everything that Lear is not. She is sensitive and motherly and feminine. Lear is prideful and arrogant and unmoving. Lear is the king, and he knows his standards. Cordelia and her father are complete opposites, but they complemented each other’s personalities. Yet, Lear banishes her when she does not express her love for him in words. I think he did this because he expected much more from his favorite daughter, and he did not know what to make of her silence, though she is the only one who truly means it.

It is only when he sees his daughter again, Lear allows his feminine side to come forth. He begs Cordelia to forgive him, something he would never have done in the past when he was king. He does not beg forgiveness as a former king; Lear speaks strictly on a father daughter standpoint. I think that Lear thought there was somewhat of himself or his two evil daughter’s personality in Cordelia when he expected her to want to kill him. I think he truly realizes how pure of heart she is and how much she loves him when she simply forgives him. She does not want to kill her father, unlike her sisters. Lear had a problem letting his feminine side show, especially to his own family, and that resulted in many deaths and deceits.

Persepolis

I really enjoyed reading a graphic novel; it was a nice change. Persepolis was an easy read and it was also quite humorous, as well as touching. I enjoyed the movie as well, especially the contrast between the black and white scenes and the colored scenes. I thought that was very creative.

Question: “Politics and sentiment don’t mix.”

I agree with Marjane’s father when he says, “Politics and sentiment don’t mix.” I think that Marjane and the women in her family believe that as well. However, it doesn’t mean that politics and sentiment don’t come hand in hand. The war and the revolution has a great effect on Marjane and her family. When Marjane is younger, she is not 100% aware of the situation between her country and her parent’s political actions. Her family fought against the Shah by completely disobeying the law. Her parents drank wine and held parties and allowed Marjane to wear Western clothing and listen to rock music. They raised her to stand for what she believed in, even at the risk of being arrested or killed.

Politics and sentiment never mix well together, but the politics of Iran greatly affected Marjane and her family’s emotions. I think that Marjane’s father wanted to believe that politics and emotions are not suppose to comingle, but I don’t think he quite believed that himself. The war and the revolution had a huge impact on the Satrap’is lifestyle. Even with the deaths of so many loved ones, including Marjane’s uncle and grandfather, they tried their best to carry on living their lives in revolt. They still disobeyed the laws. I think they did this partially in a way so that their loved ones did not lie in vain. The Satrapi family is very proud. I think that Marjane’s father was trying to persuade himself and his family that you should not get your feelings and emotions so caught up in the war because the world is the way it is. But that’s pretty much an impossible standard to live by when so many of the people in your life are affected by the revolution.

When Marjane goes to Europe, she is told to never forget where she comes from and who she is. The war back home has made her who she is, so yes, the war has a huge impact on her lifestyle and her outlooks on the world, as well as life itself. While in Europe, she had trouble making friends at first because of the cultural differences. When she returns home, Marjane is reminded of exactly that difference. Even with the end of the war, the aftermath effect is the same for her and her family. So many people she knew have been murdered or killed, and it’s something she’s most certainly never going to forget.