Sunday 9 July 2017

Dear Diary...

Hello everyone!

Well, it's been an awfully long time since I've posted anything in here.

Over the past six moths, I've been proof reading for an author that writes short stories for the app 'Episode Interactive'. I've had a great time proof reading these stories so I decided to create my own.

I have published one story so far, 'Dear Diary...'.

Click the link below to read it!

http://episodeinteractive.com/s/5919017556246528

I would love to hear any feedback you have!


Tuesday 23 February 2016

The Concept of Love


The Concept of Love: Shakespeare's definition of love and how it is presented in his sonnets
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is regarded as a literary great, recognised for his many plays that still feature in many educational syllabuses across the world. He has also received adulation for his poetry and sonnets. This essay works on the basis that there are two individual specifications of love; lust and true love. Definitions of these loves can be found embedded within several sonnets and will be explored further on in this essay. Other types of love could also be distinguished and analysed within Shakespeare's collection of sonnets, however, for the purposes of this composition to achieve in depth analysis, the two most prevailing types of love will be focussed on. This essay will seek to determine Shakespeare's definition of both types of love and then also demonstrate how literary techniques are used to illustrate them. The use of pathetic fallacy will be the key allegory analysed that is used to help further the understanding of the two differing types of love and furthermore, distinguish between them.

The Shakespearean sonnet, more broadly classed as an Elizabethan sonnet, first appeared in the latter years of the sixteenth century. It is thought to have been brought to England by Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503-1542), a young courtier of Henry VIII, who spent considerable time in Italy and France, where the Petrarchan sonnet has it's origins. As poetry and literature evolved, select writers and poets distanced themselves from political and religious poetry and instead, love became the key focus of their works, as “the supreme and inalienable individual experience, love necessarily became the central theme of literature during this epoch”. It was also considered that “the leading poets writing in the fifteen-nineties and after were attempting to evolve a treatment of love that accorded with the vision of their time”.1 Shakespeare is thought to have written his sonnets in the early to mid 1590s. However, the collection of sonnets went unpublished until 1609.2 It is thought that, due to the sensitive, personal and deeply emotional content, sonnets were initially circulated amongst friends and select literary groups. The Shakespearean sonnet has strict regulations, in style and rhyming scheme. It consists of two sections, the octave and sestet which comprise of three quatrains and a final couplet. In every sonnet, it is a necessity that the first quatrain proposes a subject; the second develops it. There is then a change in the perspective or notion and the third quatrain further builds upon this and the final couplet will then act as a conclusion, offering a resolution. It is necessary to understand the conflicting and changing perspectives within a sonnet so an extract is not taken out of context or considered a final emotion or idea of the speaker.

For this essay, many commentaries of Shakespeare's sonnets have been considered, however, the primary commentary utilised is the New Cambridge Shakespeare.3 Another text vital to the initial inspiration of the thesis of this composition is The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis. To proceed, it is necessary to outline the contents of this book and Lewis' definition of love. The book examines love and distinguishes four different varieties; Affection, Friendship, Eros and Charity.4 Lewis' idea of Eros establishes this essay's notion of true love and the word Eros will be used from this point onwards. It is defined as “that state which we call “being in love”; or, if you prefer, that kind of love which lovers are “in”.”.5 Lewis also makes a clear distinction between lust and Eros. Lust, which is referred to in The Four Loves as 'Venus' is defined as “the animal or carnally sexual element within Eros... what is sexual not in some cryptic or rarified sense... but in a perfectly obvious sense... what could be proved to be sexual by the simplest observations”.6 It is worth to note that Lewis also states that Venus can be found outside of a state of Eros. Furthering his definition of Eros and also distinguishing the difference between Eros and lust, Lewis presents the following anecdote.
“A man in this state [Eros] really hasn't leisure to think of sex. He is too busy thinking of a person. The fact she is a woman is far less important than the fact she is herself. He is full of desire, but the desire may not be sexually toned. If you asked him what we wanted, the true reply would often be, “To go on thinking of her.” He is love's contemplative.”7

Whilst Lewis' definitions of lust and Eros can give an understanding of love, it is necessary to also consider the Shakespearean definitions of both variations of love. Whilst lacking the simplicity of Lewis' definitions, it is possible to interpret Shakespeare's definition of love through the examination of his sonnets. Firstly, Shakespeare's definition of Eros will be identified and will be done using sonnet 116.8 The definition is easier found 'inbetween the lines', as the sonnet proposes what true love is not, rather than what it is. It can be interpreted that Eros is solid and unchanging, in the first quatrain “love is not love, Which alters when it alteration finds”. The use of the word 'alteration' allows the speaker to encompass all tribulations and trials that two lovers may encounter; time, events, lust or perhaps even death.9 This notion is continued into the third quatrain, “Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But it bears out even to the edge of doom”. 'Doom' could be considered death but could also include a lover's worst fears and the most unfortunate of circumstances; as what is considered doom can be individual. In describing what Eros is not rather than what it is, the emotion, or force, becomes transcendent. Words in a human language simply cannot describe the true definItions of Eros as love surpasses linguistic ability. It is only in the second quatrain in which Shakespeare describes what love is, “it is an ever-fixed mark... whose worth's unknown”, which reinforces the understanding Eros is transcendent, beyond human understanding as it's worth is “unknown” but it's existence is not doubted. “An ever-fixed mark” suggests the notion Eros is a power or force that is beyond any form of measurement and breaches the laws of time and space and leaves a mark that is eternal. J.B. Leishman, senior lecturer at the University of Oxford, commented that in Shakespeare's sonnets, “love appears as the Defier of Time”.10

Shakespeare's definition of lust, however, is vastly different to his idea of Eros. The sonnet that shall be used to determine the definition is sonnet 129.11 It appears lust is considered quite opposite to Eros. “Lust is perjured, murd'rous, bloody, full of blame, Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust”, unlike Eros, the sonnet is largely about what lust is rather than what it is not. Such contrasting use of description between the two loves makes lust appear a instinctual, basic and inferior emotion, easily obtainable with little to no worth. It is entirely negative and can produce nothing of beauty. Despite being deemed a loathsome emotion, there is no doubt of it's strength or power as a force to control one's mind and metaphorically, lead one down an unsavoury and immoral path. This is shown and eloquently described in the final couplet, “All this world well knows, yet none knows well, To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell”. It can be assumed that the sonnet is concerning immoral sex and for the purposes of this essay, will be considered as adulterous sex or premarital sex. Describing the act, and the emotion of lust, as “heaven”, allows the reader to understand the appeal of lust and how the anticipation of the act can be so powerful, it can influence one's actions. However, it is shown as short lived as only a few short words later, the heaven has turned into hell, like the immoral sex and lust that is “Enjoyed no sooner but despised straight”.

The contrast of these definitions is so vast and the key difference to be noted is the definition of what Eros is largely distinguished from what the sonnet describes it is not, yet the sonnet this essay used to define lust does not fall short in vast description of what lust is. It enforces Eros s transcendent and that is has the ability to transgress human capabilities so a human cannot truly define it, it is above the capacity of the human brain and greater than human knowledge can comprehend. Yet lust is one of the basest emotions which can only lead to negativity. This differs to Lewis' definition of lust, or Venus, as he purposely separates any judgmental connotations with lust. Therefore, a lot of emotion is removed and lust becomes definedas simple sexual desire rather than detailing the negative effects this sexual desire can have on man. Another factor worth noting when considering Shakespeare's definition of both lust and Eros and also the following analyses of pathetic fallacy is that the definitions cannot be found until the latter sonnets of the collection. Descriptions of love and lust are observable from the first sonnet, yet the first pallable definition is not found until much later in the collection. There is no proof Shakespeare wrote the sonnetx in this order, however, if he did it could be supposed that whilst he was aware of these emotions and loves, it took significant exploration of them and a lot of time to be able to comprehend and define lust and true love.

Using these definitions of lust and Eros, it is now possible to look at how pathetic fallacy is used in Shakespeare's sonnets to demonstrate these types of love. The sonnets that will be evaluated are 2 and 18.

Firstly, the use of the weather a reflection of mood in sonnet 18 will be examined to see how it represents Eros.12 The sonnet starts “shall I compare thee to a summer's day?”. By using the phrase 'summer's day', the reader instantly has thoughts in their mind of all the wonderful and positive things associated with this time of year; the warm sunshine, the pleasant smells, the long and light days and the beautiful nature that comes into bloom at that time of year. It has been commented that “[sonnet] 18 plays on the proverbial comparative formula “as good as one shall see in a summer's day', meaning “as good as the best there is””.13 This reflects the feelings the speaker has towards to recipient of his love and shows the beauty and warmth of his affections. Nature is also considered be a gift from God, and with the following line “Thou art more lovely and more temperate”, the love, or Eros, the speaker feels is likened to be better than what some consider the most beautiful scenario on the planet. This affirms the interpretation that Shakespeare feels Eros is transcendent. This notion is continued throughout the sonnet, once again using nature as a reference point, “Rough winds shake the darling buds of May...but thy eternal summer will never fade”. Summer appears fragile and breakable, a sensitive form of beauty. However, the 'eternal summer', possibly meaning the internal emotions and feelings of Eros that the speaker has for his love, will never fade and will span time and space. There is no a force strong enough to defeat it, once again suggesting Eros is an emotion that surpasses this world and human understanding. It is to be considered a force that is incomprehensible and unbreakable, never wavering or losing power. Eros lasts for eternity even though a human's life span is only a matter of decades.

Weather is also used to portray lust, this essay will focus on how this is done in sonnet 2.14 The sonnet starts “When forty winters shall besiege thy brow... Thy youth's proud livery.. will be a tottered weed of small worth”. Completely opposing the Eros imagery of summer, Shakespeare chose to use the imagery of winter. Winter days are short and the majority of the day is filled with darkness, only a few hours of light in which to see. This could symoblise the dangers of lust, as said in the definition, it is no sooner enjoyed as it is despised; a winter's day no sooner has light as there is darkness yet again. Winter also often brings harsh conditions and cold weather which is unpleasant and makes the reader associate lust with such negativity. By writing 'forty' winters, these unpleasantries are amplified as it seems they are never ending... there is no mention of the summers in between but only the harsh, cold winters. Forty simply could mean forty, however, it is suggested that “[forty is] an indefinite number frequently used to suggest what the Elizabethan's thought as the dangerously wrong side of the middle ages”15. To be taken in context, the imagery of forty winters is used to show that all the person has is good looks, and in time, they will fade and this person will be nothing, as pathetic and despised as a lowly weed, meaning either a tattered rag of clothing or an unwanted plant growth that is unattractive and kills the flowers it surrounds. Perhaps it could be the person spoken of is so beautiful and attractive, he inspires many people to lust after him and lead them into 'hell', as described in Shakespeare's definition of lust, but the speaker seeks to remind him that his sinful ways will bring him no happiness as lust is short lived and can and will fade, unlike Eros which is eternal and never changing.

A suggestion for further research could be analysing how pathetic fallacy develops throughout the sonnets; as this essay has previously mentioned, the definitions of Eros and lust came in the latter sonnets of the collection so potentially, pathetic fallacy could be used differently as Shakespeare's understanding of the loves deepen. Symbolism and the use of colours could also be reviewed and analysed to understand further ways in which Shakespeare portrays both types of love. Different variations of love presented in Shakespeare's sonnets could also be identified and analysed, referring closely to Lewis' The Four Loves and perhaps also the Allegory of Love. Potentially, the thesis of this composition could be extended to other Shakespearean works such as his plays, specifically Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet.

After careful consideration and in depth analysis, it is clear there are two types of love shown within Shakespeare's sonnets. The first, Eros, is a love so strong that it is unchanging and transcendent. There is nothing on this Earth that can measure it's beauty. Lust is defined as quite the opposite, whilst still undeniably powerful, it is an awful and despised emotion that can only lead to hell, whether that be a literal hell or metaphorical hell. Shakespeare successfully uses nature and pathetic fallacy to demonstrate his definitions of both Eros and lust, Eros being compared to bright summers and lust to dark winters. Love is complex emotion with many different variants, but it could be argued that the two most prevailing variants of love throughout the history of human civilisation are that which has been detailed in this composition.

2761 words



Bibliography

Bath, Mike, and Tom Furniss, Reading Poetry: An Introduction (2nd Edition), 2nd edn (Harlow: Longman Pub Group, 2007)

Bennett, Andrew, and Nicholas Royle, An Introduction to Literature Criticism and Theory (4th Edition), 4th edn (Harlow, U.K.: Pearson/Longman, 2009)

Bradbrook, M.C C., Shakespeare and Elizabethan Poetry Study of His Earlier Work in Relation to the Poetry of the Time (United Kingdom: Penguin Books, 1965)

Cunliffe, Richard John, A New Shakespearean Dictionary (Norwood, PA: Norwood Editions, 1977)

Felperin, Howard, Shakespearian Romance (United States: Princeton University Press, 1972)

Leishman, J. B., Themes and Variations in Shakespeare’s Sonnets (Routledge Library Editions: Shakespeare) (London: Routledge, 2005)

Lever, J. W., The Elizabethan Love Sonnet, 2nd edn (London: Methuen & Co, 1966)

Lewis, C. S., The Four Loves (London: Collins, 1987)

Lewis, C S, The Allegory of Love: A Study in Medieval Tradition (London: Oxford University Press, 1936)

Schiffer, James, ed., Shakespeare’s Sonnets: Critical Essays (Shakespeare Criticism, 20) (New York, NY: Garland Publishing, 2000)

Shakespeare, William, and Stephen Orgel, The Sonnets, ed. by Gwynne Blakemore Evans (CAMBRIDGE: Cambridge University Press, 2006)

Shakespeare, William, Shakespeare’s Sonnets (Arden Shakespeare, Third Series Revised), ed. by Katherine Duncan-Jones (London: Thomson Learning, 2010)

Shakespeare, William, A New Variorum Edition of Shakespeare The Sonnets, ed. by Hyder Edward Rollins (Philadelphia, USA: George Banta Publishing Company, 1944)

Stallworthy, Jon, Margaret Ferguson, and Mary Jo Salter, eds., The Norton Anthology of Poetry, 5th edn (New York: Norton, W. W. & Company, 2005)




1 Lever, J. W., The Elizabethan Love Sonnet, 2nd edn (London: Methuen & Co, 1966), p141
2 Bradbrook, M.C C., Shakespeare and Elizabethan Poetry Study of His Earlier Work in Relation to the Poetry of the Time (United Kingdom: Penguin Books, 1965), p141
3 Shakespeare, William, and Stephen Orgel, The Sonnets, ed. by Gwynne Blakemore Evans (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006)
4 Lewis, C. S., The Four Loves (London: Collins, 1987)
5 Lewis, C. S., The Four Loves, p85
6 Lewis, C. S., The Four Loves, p85
7 Lewis, C. S., The Four Loves, p87
8 Shakespeare, William, and Stephen Orgel, The Sonnets, ed. by Gwynne Blakemore Evans, p84
9 Shakespeare, William, and Stephen Orgel, The Sonnets, ed. by Gwynne Blakemore Evans, p215
10 Leishman, J. B., Themes and Variations in Shakespeare’s Sonnets (Routledge Library Editions: Shakespeare) (London: Routledge, 2005), p102
11 Shakespeare, William, and Stephen Orgel, The Sonnets, ed. by Gwynne Blakemore Evans, p91
12 Shakespeare, William, and Stephen Orgel, The Sonnets, ed. by Gwynne Blakemore Evans, p35
13 Shakespeare, William, and Stephen Orgel, The Sonnets, ed. by Gwynne Blakemore Evans, p123
14 Shakespeare, William, and Stephen Orgel, The Sonnets, ed. by Gwynne Blakemore Evans, p27
15 Shakespeare, William, and Stephen Orgel, The Sonnets, ed. by Gwynne Blakemore Evans, p110

Wednesday 21 May 2014

How To Get A Job

Regardless of what every one on Jeremy Kyle says, there are ALWAYS jobs available. They might not be the best jobs in the world but I can guarantee you in every town or city there will be at least one job available to someone willing to do it. All there is is the matter of actually getting it.

First of all, you've got to get decent CV.



Above are examples of some CVs I have used previously for a range of jobs and work experience - feel free to use them as templates!

Don't think you have to have one universal CV - you can amend it dependant on what job you're applying for. For instance, I have three CVs. One that I use for anything creative or media based, one that I use for waitressing and bar jobs and another that I use for retail/selling.

It's not about lying, it's about telling your potential employer what you have done that suits this job. If you're applying for a job as a receptionist at a dentistry practice, they're going to be more interested in the admin work experience you did at school then the Saturday job you had as a babysitter.

I've always been told I'm bad at analogies, I think I've just realised why...


You've got to exude confidence
Take note from one of my favourite fictional television characters - Leonard.


The bottom line is, if you don't believe in yourself, how can you expect an employer too? Walk up into that interview like 'YEAH, I deserve this job, I want this job and I can do this job'. That's what like they to see.

Never doubt yourself.

Obviously, there are some limitations; don't apply for a job as a professor at a university if you've only got 5 GCSEs and then wonder why you didn't get a call back.

BUT, there are many jobs of all levels on the market if you look thoroughly.

You've got to be persistent
Don't get disheartened if you don't get a job, just keep trying.

If I apply for jobs, I'll apply to maybe 20-30 at a time, get a call back or an interview for around 5 and then get offered something like 2. I don't focus on the 28 jobs I didn't get, I rejoice at the fact five companies read my CV and thought I was worth talking to and even those two who liked me that much they offered me a job.

I know it's cliché, but if it doesn't happen, maybe it wasn't meant to be.

Just APPLY, APPLY, APPLY. There are very few unemployable people. Some of the world's worst people had great jobs. You just have to look at Nick Clegg.

You've got to know where to look 
One of the biggest troubles is actually getting started. How do you know where to find a job? Google is wicked but doesn't always bring the most helpful things up.

Well, here are a few sources to get you started:

  • Your local newspaper - either in the physical paper or online. I got my current job through an advertisement on the Leicester Mercury website, and it's amazing
  • Adverts in shop windows - walk around your town or city and make a little note
  • Store/Restaurant websites - know where you'd like a job? Companies usually advertise jobs on their own website, check the website for local vacancies
  • Agencies - there's usually agency offices in most cities, go in and see what they have to offer
  • Online job search engines - such as indeed.co.uk, reed.co.uk, totaljobs.com and jobsite.co.uk
  • Word of mouth - if you have little to no experience, it's good to talk to family and friends to see if they know anyone employing then they may be able to put a good word in for you

I've had numerous jobs in almost every sector; retail, hospitality, office work - and it's not like I'm amazingly qualified or really good at any of the above things. Just follow my four step plan and with a bit of luck, you'll land yourself a job.

Good luck :)

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Cats in Adverts

So it looks like the Cats blog post was not a one off but part of the Cats Collection. TRADEMARK COPYRIGHT BRONTE DAWSON ONE STEP BRONTE IDST XOXO

This week I bring you Cats in Adverts.

1. The McVitie Kitty
See what I did there?


2. The Three Cat
I'd like to point out that this cat is actually named Bronte. Yeah, Bronte. That's my name too.


3. The Smarties Cat
Blue is back.


4. The Crusha Cats
My beautiful milkshakey kitties.


5. The Keyboard Cat
Well, I can safely say this cat is more talented than I am.

Monday 14 April 2014

Tetrapharmakos

I was a wandering across the internet and I came across this little philosophical gem. Tetraphramakos, known as the 'four part cure', is an idea by Greek philosopher Epricus. It's is essentially the philosophy of living the happiest possible life.

Life can be super hard sometimes, and seem overwhelming - but there is always an answer or a solution.

This is a simple four step philosophy to living the happiest possible life. Think about it.


Don't fear god,
Don't worry about death;

What is good is easy to get, and
What is terrible is easy to endure


or as it was originally in Greek


Ἄφοβον ὁ θεός,
ἀνύποπτον ὁ θάνατος

καὶ τἀγαθὸν μὲν εὔκτητον,
τὸ δὲ δεινὸν εὐεκκαρτέρητον




Monday 31 March 2014

Life Lessons Clerks Taught Me

Clerks - one of my favourite films of all time. It's the first appearance of Jay and Silent Bob but surprisingly, they're not what makes the film as incredible as it is... for me, it's the beautiful life lessons taught in a blunt yet amusing way.

You want to know what they are? Watch the film.




Just kidding, I wrote that out for you. You're welcome xoxox

Quit blaming everyone for your problems, if you're not happy then do something about it.







Working in retail has a serious downfall; customers.


It's important to appreciate the little things in a relationship.

Your walk defines you as a person.


Sometimes, you have to learn to let go.

You must appreciate DVD stores whilst they're still here.

And finally, it teaches Kevin Smith is one hell of a director.



Sunday 30 March 2014

Film Review H; Horrible Bosses (2011)


Rating: 

"It's relatable; everyone has had a boss at some point that's a total asshole."

Running Time: 1 hour 38 minutes
Rating: 18
Release Date: 8 July, 2011
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Jennifer Anniston, Kevin Spacey, Jason Bateman
Director: Seth Gordon
Writers: Michael Markowitz


Plot: Three mates decide to murder their intolerable bosses. Problem is, these three friends aren't exactly cut out for crime.

Review: It's relatable; everyone has had a boss as some point that's a total asshole. It was almost to the point where it frustrated me at the start; seeing how horrible these bosses were to their employees. It wound me up thinking about how it actually happens in real life, so many people are stuck in jobs they hate whilst being degraded and treated like crap by their bosses for a rubbish wage.

However, when the lads conspire to get revenge against these unbearable bosses, the film starts to get fun. It's an adventure - and definitely a feel good one. It's definitely a high quality and high budget film, everything is done well. The acting is fantastic, the filming is great, the editing is perfect - it's a really well made film. Comedy just isn't my genre, and despite the storyline being entertaining, it wasn't amazing.

Horrible Bosses was a good laugh with a few surprises, a couple of twists and turns. All in all is was a pretty good film, the plot is definitely something I bet almost everyone can relate to from some point in their lives.

Still not sure whether you could relate to this film? Well just ask yourselves these questions.


If the answer to any of the above is yes, this film could show your potential revenge.

DISCLAIMER: I do not recommend killing your boss...


Unless you don't get caught.