Monday, May 19, 2014

GLO Portfolio

The ending of another semester begins the creation of another online portfolio. The link below will lead you to my 2nd Semester GLO Portfolio. Please browse through and examine what I accomplished in the MeneMAC English Language Arts program. Then, please answer the following question as a comment.
"What have you learned about my achievements in MeneMAC this past year."

sherylx3.weebly.com

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Merchant of Venice Literary Analysis: FINAL

In the 16th century life was more complicated than it is today. Love, religion, money, justice, and law play key roles in the happiness of those living at the time. In a comedic play taking place in Italy, "Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare shows how the five factors can jeopardize how you see others and who you are as a person. When Bassanio is in need of money to impress the girl of his dreams, Portia, he turns to his good friend Antonio. Shylock, a moneylender, is against everything involving Antonio because of what he did to him in the past. Therefore, a bond is created to sacrifice a pound of Antonio's flesh to Shylock if the money isn't returned in a certain amount of time. In the play he proves himself to be a cruel and relentless Jew unworthy of any respect.

Shylock uses his and other's beliefs as a way to segregate. His treatment towards Christians, specifically Antonio, is often unruly. In act 1, scene 3, lines 143-148, Shylock states, "If you repay me not on such a day, in such a place, such sum or sums as are expressed in the condition, let the forfeit be nominated for an equal pound of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken in what part of your body pleaseth me." If a non-Christian were to borrow money from Shylock there wouldn't be such an intimidating bond. He really knows how to hold a grudge, especially for Antonio. Shylock uses religion as his excuse for his hatred towards others. In act 2, scene 5, lines 13-15, he says," I am not bid for love: they flatter me. But yet I'll go in hate, to feed upon the prodigal Christian." Even when it's not necessary, he always finds a way to put down Christians. He really is a cruel Jew. Shylock shows harsh racism even when it is not the right time for it.

Shylock hasn't showed any respect for others, therefore, he doesn't deserve any. When Jessica took off with Shylock's money he was more worried about the ducats than losing his daughter. In act 2, scene 8, lines 18-22, Solanio says," A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, of double ducats, stolen from me by my daughter! And jewels- two stones, two rich and precious stones, stolen by my daughter! Justice! Find the girl! She hath the stones upon her, and the ducats!" Even from other's point of views, all he cares about is his money. For a person like him that will never change. He almost treats Lancelot like a slave. In act 2, scene 3, lines 94-96, Lancelot states, " My masters a very Jew; give him a present! give him a halter: I am famished in his service: you may tell every finger I have with my ribs." He shouldn't treat Lancelot that harsh, even if he is his servant. You can guess that Shylock takes his anger out on him.  Shylock's interactment towards others is not appreciated.

Shylock wants to make sure he will get his bond, no matter what. He won't even let money get in the way. In act 4, scene 1, lines 85-87, Shylock says, "If every ducat in your six thousand ducats were in six parts and every part a ducat, I would not draw them: I would have my bond!" He doesn't want the bond for the flesh, he wants it for revenge. Justice and law even come to play in his fight for the bond. In act 4, scene 1, Lines 99-103, Shylock says, "The pound of flesh which I demand of him is nearly bought, 'tis mine, and I will have it: If you deny me, fie upon your law! There is no force in the decrees of Venice! I stand for judgement." He is so serious that if he doesn't get his bond he will blame Justice. Shylocks strong hatred towards Antonio makes him want the pound of flesh even more.

In this play Shylock reveals himself to be a harsh and relentless Jew unworthy of respect from others. He uses religion to segregate, doesn't show any respect towards others, and is bitter in his attempts of trying to achieve his bond. His actions have caused everyone to turn against him, even his own daughter. In the end Shylock gained nothing from what he has done since the beginning. Antonio decided his future for him. His money will eventually be given to his daughter, Jessica, and Lorenzo after his death. Worst of all, he demanded him to become Christian. Shylock has lost everything he once had. From family, to money, and to property. He is good example of how the five factors can transform your life.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Merchant of Venice Literary Analysis: Rough Draft

In the 16th century life was more complicated than it is today. Love, religion, money, justice, and law play key roles in the happiness of those living at the time. In a comedic play taking place in Italy, "Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare shows how the five factors can jeopardize how you see others and who you are as a person. Shylock is a Jewish moneylender. In the play he proves himself to be a cruel and relentless Jew unworthy of any respect.
Shylock uses his and other's beliefs as a way to segregate. His treatment towards Christians, specifically Antonio, is often unruly. In act 1, scene 3, lines 143-148, Shylock states, "If you repay me not on such a day, in such a place, such sum or sums as are expressed in the condition, let the forfeit be nominated for an equal pound of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken in what part of your body pleaseth me." If a non-Christian were to borrow money from Shylock there wouldn't be such an intimidating bond. He really knows how to hold a grudge, especially for Antonio. Shylock uses religion as his excuse for his hatred towards others. In act 2, scene 5, lines 13-15, he says," I am not bid for love: they flatter me. But yet I'll go in hate, to feed upon the prodigal Christian." Even when it's not necessary, he always finds a way to put down Christians. He really is a cruel Jew. Shylock shows harsh racism even when it is not the right time for it.
Shylock hasn't showed any respect for others, therefore, he doesn't deserve any. When Jessica took off with Shylock's money he was more worried about the ducats than losing his daughter. In act 2, scene 8, lines 18-22, Solanio says," A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, of double ducats, stolen from me by my daughter! And jewels- two stones, two rich and precious stones, stolen by my daughter! Justice! Find the girl! She hath the stones upon her, and the ducats!" Even from other's point of views, all he cares about is his money. For a person like him that will never change. He almost treats Lancelot like a slave. In act 2, scene 3, lines 94-96, Lancelot states, " My masters a very Jew; give him a present! give him a halter: I am famished in his service: you may tell every finger I have with my ribs." He shouldn't treat Lancelot that harsh, even if he is his servant. Shylock's interactment towards others is not appreciated. 
Shylock wants to make sure he will get his bond, no matter what. He won't even let money get in the way. In act 4, scene 1, lines 85-87, Shylock says, "If every ducat in your six thousand ducats were in six parts and every part a ducat, I would not draw them: I would have my bond!" He doesn't want the bond for the flesh, he wants it for revenge. Justice and law even come to play in his fight for the bond. In act 4, scene 1, Lines 99-103, Shylock says, "The pound of flesh which I demand of him is nearly bought, 'tis mine, and I will have it: If you deny me, fie upon your law! There is no force in the decrees of Venice! I stand for judgement." He is so serious that if he doesn't get his bond he will blame Justice. Shylocks strong hatred towards Antonio makes him want the pound of flesh even more.
In this play Shylock reveals himself to be a harsh and relentless Jew that doesn't deserve respect from others. His actions have caused everyone to turn against him, even his own daughter. He is a good example of how the five factors can change a person completely. None of the factors benefited him in any way. He lost connection with all his money, justice and law didn't work in his favor, and being a Jew wasn't an advantage either. The factors could benefit a person in a good way, but in most cases they don't work cohesively. 

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Merchant of Venice pre-reading work

1. Don't rely on outward appearances when making judgements.
Agree. What's on the outside is only one perspecrive. There is still so much to reveal, but it's just hidden. When I was youmger and searching for books I tend to judge how I would like it by looking at the cover. As I get older I learn there is much more than just a picture on the cover.
2. Justice is always blind.
Agree. Life would be alot more fair if people weren't biased on their decisions. People would be treated as equal without discrimination. When having debates in History class, the judges are usually biased to the side they like the best. What they should do is listen to both sides' details and judge by that, not what they prefer.
3. A brotherly love between two friends can be just as strong as an intimate love between a man and a woman.
Disagree. I believe you can love two people, in which you have different relationships with, just as equally, but you can love those two people in different ways. I love my brothers and parents just as equally, but I show it in different ways.
4. You can break a promise as long as you have a good excuse.
Disagree. A promise is given as a guarantee.  It doesn't matter how good the excuse is, a promise can never be broken. Before making a promise I always make sure it is something I am willingly and able to fulfill.
5. Love is blind.
Agree. It shouldn't matter what the person looks like. What matters is how they treat you. When knowing who my friends are I only care about how they act towards me. Everyone is equal in my eyes.
6. Stereotypes are often right.
Disagree. Stereotypes do not apply to everyone. It is a way of discriminating people and I don't believe in it. A stereotype for asians is that their parents are always strict when it comes to school, but my parents are the complete opposite. This shows that stereotypes are not always right.
7. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is a good motto to live by.
Disagree. People should do things with the kindness of their heart. Those who agree with this motto are very ungrateful. When I help someone with homework I don't expect them to give me something in return, like money. I am just doing what I feel is right

Sheryl and Madison:
1. Being sad can be strange for me. I might not even know what I'm feeling most of the time. Sometimes I can be happy, but the environment im in can set off a different mood. Being sad can send mixed messages. It can turn into anger or being depressed. That's why its so hard to identify what you're feeling. Sadness is a strange, and difficult feeling to identify.
2. Attitudes regarding usary have definitely changed since then. People enjoy lending money for inrerest today. The more money the put in, the interest adds up and results in more money being taken out. Money today is desired by all. Everyone wants more money to live the best life they possibly could. Back then they would disagree with usary. This would be becuase they didn't have enough money or experienced bankruptcy, leading to lose trust in banks. Today, usury is a very common thing.
3. It is not right to lend someone alot of money. In most cases you can't trust everyone with a large amount of money. Especially if you don't know their background. Some people will go to extreme measures just for money. It puts everyone else at risk. You should never lend someone a lot of money without knowing who they really are.
4. I don't expect these elements to blend well. Ethnic and religion are two topics that people see from many perspectives. In most cases people don't agree with others. Disagreements could cause conflict even with the people you love. It isn't something that should be played around with.