Reflection

I really liked the Electronic Portfolio assignment. I think it was both very interesting and useful. This was the first time I created my own blog and it was an extremely valuable experience. Now I know what it is like to have an e-portfolio: how it actually works, how to upload my work online, etc. I realized how important sharing your work with other people can be because in this way you can understand what they think about it and they can give you advice on how to improve it. What is really interesting about publishing my pieces of writing online is that it made me work even harder, because I knew that other people will see them and I wanted them to be as better as possible.
I also enjoyed the second part of the assignment - the exchange with the students from Kentucky. I am very happy I was part of it and I am glad I’ve got such a wonderful partner -Jessica Borchers. Her wok is amazing and reading it was not only a great pleasure but also taught me some helpful things I can apply to my own writing. The idea of this assignment is very good because it is a great opportunity for us, Bulgarian students, to keep in touch with native-speakers of our age. This allows us to practice English and by exchanging ideas improve it.
The only thing I think can be improved about this assignment is to make the communication with the US students more regular. I believe it will be even more useful if they comment more often the work that we post and respectively we write comments on theirs.

Infidelity – the Motif, Jealousy – the Weapon, Murder – the Resolution

Act V, Scene ii, Lines 76-96


OTHELLO

By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in's hand.
O perjured woman! thou dost stone my heart,
And makest me call what I intend to do
A murder, which I thought a sacrifice:
I saw the handkerchief.

DESDEMONA

He found it then;
I never gave it him: send for him hither;
Let him confess a truth.

OTHELLO

He hath confess'd.

DESDEMONA

What, my lord?

OTHELLO

That he hath used thee.

DESDEMONA

How? unlawfully?

OTHELLO

Ay.

DESDEMONA

He will not say so.

OTHELLO

No, his mouth is stopp'd;
Honest Iago hath ta'en order for't.

DESDEMONA

O! my fear interprets: what, is he dead?

OTHELLO

Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge
Had stomach for them all.

DESDEMONA

Alas! he is betray'd and I undone.

***

Shakespeare’s Othello is one of the world masterpieces, and the tragic destiny of Othello and his beloved Desdemona has become legendary throughout the course of history. The beautiful love story of the Venetian general and his wife turns into a real nightmare at the end of the play when they metaphorically and literally fall victims of Iago’s evil plan. When Othello is convinced that Desdemona has a relationship with Cassio, his uncontrollable jealousy pulls the trigger to carry out the only possible resolution of this problem – murder. The passage (V.ii.76-96) presents a part of Othello and Desdemona’s dialogue right before he kills her. It clearly demonstrates how the unbearable feeling of jealousy has transformed the once noble and loving Othello into an irrational and vindictive murderer.
Othello is trapped in Iago’s web, and he is so skillfully manipulated that he believes every single word the “honest Iago” says (V.ii.92). Shakespeare uses irony to describe Iago in order to show what a perfect villain he is and how naive Othello is to trust him so blindly. The only proof that the general has of his wife’s supposed infidelity with Cassio is the handkerchief. However, it turns out to be serious evidence because every time he accuses Desdemona in unfaithfulness he mentions it: “By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in's hand” (V.ii.76). The handkerchief has a metaphorical meaning and it symbolizes Othello’s love and devotion to Desdemona. Discovering it with another man makes Othello feel betrayed, and the connection between Desdemona and him is destroyed.
Once Othello finds out about Desdemona’s affair with Cassio, he undergoes a sudden and irreversible transformation. He loses his temper and rational thought, and falls completely under the control of the feelings born from his jealousy.
O perjured woman! thou dost stone my heart,
And makest me call what I intend to do
A murder, which I thought a sacrifice:
I saw the handkerchief (V. ii.78-81 ).
Othello no longer respects his wife but despises her for the betrayal. This is demonstrated by the tone with which he speaks to Desdemona – with disgust and hatred. The Moor accuses his wife of turning his heart into stone and declares that her actions are responsible for the measures he is planning to take. Othello directly states that Desdemona has the blame for her coming death and that her infidelity had sentenced her to it. The general defines the murder he is going to commit as a sacrifice. In this statement there is an obvious dramatic irony because Othello believes to be doing something noble by killing the vicious Desdemona, but in fact he is performing the biggest mistake and injustice in his life.
Othello is blinded by his jealousy, and he sees the only possible resolution of the situation to be the death of those who have deceived him. Throughout the entire dialogue (lines 76-96) Othello does not change his position on the subject even for a second. He is determined in his decision and does not doubt the rightness of Iago’s words and the facts. He does not listen to Desdemona’s suggestions that this might be a trap and that Cassio “is betray'd” (V.ii.96). Seeing her husband’s rage, Desdemona realizes what the consequences of this dramatic situation would be and she exclaims: “Alas! he is betray’d and I undone” (V.ii.96). Desdemona’s behavior throughout the passage demonstrates how much she loves Othello because despite his rude attitude towards her, she still calls him “my lord” and tries to make him see the truth (V.ii.85). Unfortunately, Othello does not believe a single word she says, and is determined to carry out his revenge and punish Desdemona: “Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge had stomach for them all” (V.ii.94-95). The use of hyperbole, “had all his hairs been lives”, in this phrase emphasizes Othello’s determination to carry out his vengeance. This statement plays a key role because it reveals the change in his character and attitude. It shows that the revenge for him is above all, and he will complete it at any price. The Moor is no longer the confident and patient general from the beginning of the play. Instead he has lost his self-control, his consciousness lacks rational thought, and he is going to kill his wife as if she is the worst enemy in his life.
The theme of tragic love is illustrated in another work of Shakespeare - Romeo and Juliet. Even though the plot and the characters are different, in both plays love leads to dramatic consequences – the death of the beloved. Othello and Desdemona, and Romeo and Juliet become the victims of the unfavorable circumstances. Unfortunately, in the end it turns out that their love causes their death.
Desdemona’s last words “he is betray'd and I undone” from the passage foreshadow the tragic ending of the story (V.ii.96). Othello’s actions after finding out about his wife’s unfaithfulness reveal the power of jealousy and how it can influence a person’s character, thoughts, and actions. The final result is that from a loving and committed husband Othello turns into the merciless executer of his wife.

Works Cited

http://innocenthalfdevil.deviantart.com/art/Broken-Heart-38249254

Movies and Popcorn

December was one of the most exciting months of 2009 in terms of watching fascinating movies.
It had been a whole year since I was waiting for this particular film to come up. I could not believe that the moment of truth had finally come until I saw New Moon written with big letters on the black screen. I was so excited to watch the second part of my favorite Twilight Saga. I really liked the movie and I have to admit that it was much better than the first one. The special effects were improved, the action was extremely dynamic, and the actors’ play was more professional. The best part of the movie was Jacob Black who was one of the werewolves. This guy was absolutely amazing especially when he walked around half-naked, showing off his huge muscles. One thing is for sure – I cannot wait to watch the next part!
One of the movies that caused a lot of attention is 2012. In the beginning I did not even want to watch it because I was tired of apocalyptic films. However, after watching the trailer several times, I noticed that the scenes were really impressive. So I decided that it was worth seeing it. The subject of the movie is very banal and there are many other movies based on it. However, this movie is created in such an amazing way, with so many highly technological effects that it grabbed my attention from the first minute until the very end. What I liked was that at times it was extremely dramatic, but also there were some very comic moments that made me laugh. In general, I liked the movie, and I hope that it will never ever come true!
The last movie I watched is actually the one I loved the most - Avatar. The first time I saw its trailer, I realized that it would be a great film. Besides, when I found out that it was directed by James Cameron, I was absolutely positive about its success. The movie is glorious! The characters, the Pandora planet, the scenes, the animation… Everything is done perfectly and you fall in love with the smallest details. I really like how the action is developed and the transformation of the main character who from a simple marine becomes a true fighter. The film not only brings great enjoyment but also raises some important questions and makes the audience think about them. I believe that this movie will have a big impact on the movie industry and will define what films should be like in the future!

Special thanks to http://wolfskin.deviantart.com/art/The-Empty-Cinema-20923181 for the picture!

Home is where the heart is…

I still remember the day I left Bulgaria. This was the happiest and most exciting moment in my life. Most people would not feel like that when they leave behind everything they know and love – their home, their relatives, and their friends. However, I did not have even a slight hesitation when my parents informed me that we were going to move to another country. I felt like I had always been waiting for this journey to begin.

***

After 18 hours of traveling and after crossing the borders of three different countries, we successfully reached the final destination. This was the moment I had been waiting for so long. I imagined it thousands of times but it did not even slightly resemble my dreams. It was better than everything I expected. It was perfect!

***

It is almost a whole year since the first time we arrived here. In the beginning everything felt so strange and unusual. I felt like an alien – I did not speak the language, I did not know anyone and anything about this country. Nevertheless, gradually I got acquainted with the people and the environment. Now everything is so familiar that sometimes it seems to me I have spent my whole life in this place.

***
It’s summertime. Dad is having a holiday. We are leaving tomorrow, returning to Bulgaria for the first time since we moved. I cannot wait to get there. I want to meet my friends, visit my grandparents, and do everything I used to.

***

We are back from the holiday. I am exhausted by the trip. The journey to Bulgaria was exciting but being home always feels better.

***

I am in my room, packing my baggage. Tomorrow is my flight to Bulgaria. September 15 is in a week and the new school years starts then. I have to return to Bulgaria because I will study at the American College of Sofia.
My classmates (actually my ex-classmates) have already started going to school – here the school year begins on the 1st. I went to visit them but it felt unbearably strange. I was there but I was not part of it anymore; I was only a spectator, a bystander. Besides the pain and unhappiness I felt, there was another feeling burning me from within – jealousy. I envied them for staying here. Why couldn't I stay too? I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to leave everything I loved.

***

It is September 15, 2005. I am standing in a crowd of strangers. It feels as if I don't belong here. I just wish I was in another place. I wish I could go home…