Tennessee Williams and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Tennessee Williams has been described as the most literary of the major dramatists and one of America's best playwrights (Bloom, p.2). He has been praised by critics for his compassionate understanding of the spiritually downtrodden (Gale Databases, p. 8). One of his most famous plays, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, has been described as his most powerful, and deals with the then taboo subject of homosexuality (Becker, p. 2). Tennessee Williams, whose
the power and might of the gods. Those familiar with the myth of Orpheus, for example, may question whether he was simply a foil, simply a tool used by the gods, constructed simply to show the power of the gods and death, the foolishness of man, or if his paradigm was meant to glorify his kind. In order to come to a conclusion regarding this question, examination into Orpheus’ life, story, and role must be made. The tale of Orpheus has been retold throughout history, and the critical views and opinions
today resides in Toronto (Academy). Among her works is a poem called, Orpheus, a poem that alludes to the myth of Orpheus. Atwood writes the poem from the female perspective to convey the feelings of manipulation and the selfish needs of Orpheus. In both the myth and the poem the male character is manipulative and disguises his selfish needs as love for the female character. According to classical versions of the myth, Orpheus loses his wife and ruins his attempt to bring her back. “The bride, just
in Nirvana) plays an important role in Buddhism. The same idea shows itself in the belief of "vuslat" (communion with God) in Sufi philosophy. Sufism was also influenced by Orpheus and related beliefs, and consequently by Pythagoras and his teachings, because Pythagoras was closely interested in Orpheus beliefs. Orpheus was a poet who lived in Anatolia in the 6th and 7th centuries BC. He was believed to have divine characteristics such as being able to influence wild animals with his music. He
The Hero Orpheus and His Journey Since the beginning of the Common Era, the story of Orpheus and his love Eurydice continues to echo the importance and power of love and death. The Roman poet Ovid writes of Orpheus and Eurydice in Metamorphoses, one of the earliest examples of the tale in literature. In the last century, however, Thomas Bullfinch recounts the tale in a far more accessible way. In Bullfinch's version, the son of a Muse, Orpheus, travels to the underworld to get his wife, who dies
The Greek myth has influenced western society since hundreds of years ago, and Orpheus and Eurydice is a story, which illustrates this notion. This story records a god’s story, whose name is Orpheus. Orpheus was the god who had genius at singing and writing poets. There was a saying that: “If the Apollo was the greatest musician of the gods, Orpheus was supreme among the mortals.” Orpheus used his singing skills conquer Eurydice’s heart. They liked singing when they stayed with each other, and during
Black Orpheus was a tale about two people that had true love at the first meeting. Orpheus is a fellow that was engaged to a woman, Mira. In the beginning of the movie, Orpheus and Mira go to the courthouse to schedule their wedding. The clerk ask their names when he finds out that the man name is Orpheus he assumes the woman’s name is Eurydice. Mira becomes enraged with Orpheus and assumes he is cheating with another woman. The clerk apologizes while laughing and explains to the woman there is a
The myth of Eurydice is a sad story in which two lovers are separated by death. After his love dies, Orpheus journeys into the underworld to retrieve her, but instead loses her for good. Playwright Sarah Ruhl takes the myth of Eurydice and attempts to transform this sad tale into a more light-hearted story. However, despite humorous lines and actions throughout the play, the melancholy situation of the actual tale overwhelms any comicality present. Although meant to be funny, Sarah Ruhl's “Eurydice”
is located below where people stay during the day illustrates the theme of boundaries that is important in ancient Greek Myths. The idea of an underground club does in fact relate to the underworld due to how it is below ground level. In addition, Orpheus’ cautious journey down the dark entrance leading to the club should be thought of as the modern illustration of the “Taenarian gate down to the Gloomy styx” as told in the original myth. He had to dodge the iron bar and depicts the level of difficulty
multiple excerpts, but just write one response responding to whatever part you find most interesting. I chose the “Vi Ricorda” part of the opera since this was an important and interesting part. It is around the beginning of Act II. In the song, Orpheus describes his past misery, but now it has vanished because he found Eurydice. This song also has a strophic setting and the rhyme scheme is organized in an ABBA format. I really liked this song mainly because the tune in the first two stanzas is the
several Mardi Gras traditions such as the word "Krewe" which is the name for the parades members. Comus also chose mythological names for the Parades for more of a rich tradition. Many of the Popular Parades are named after Greek Gods such as Bacchus, Orpheus, Endymion, and even the African parade, Zulu. Nowadays, the actual Parades are organized mainly of large colorful floats pulled by tractors or Mack trucks. These floats are usually two stories with large statues and decorations, telling the story
Parallels in the Orpheus Myth and Conrad's The Secret Sharer The myth of Orpheus and his descent into the underworld is paralleled in Joseph Conrad's "The Secret Sharer," revealing a common theme, the narrator's self-fulfillment through the conclusion of his symbolic and inward quest. This parallel, which may be called archetypal, serves to increase the reader's sense of identification with Conrad's narrator, and it lends an otherworldly tone to the work as a whole. Likewise, these echoes of
explores in great detail throughout book 10 is the idea of love, both tragic and the madness of it. Orpheus is the secondary narrator of most of book 10. At the beginning of the book we are introduced to the tragic love of Orpheus and Eurydice, the result being Orpheus losing his love to the underworld for a second time after a failed attempt to get her back. As a result most of the stories Orpheus tells are of tragic love, like his and his doomed love Eurydice’s. The effect is that the stories of
The Visual Re-Creation of Orpheus Jean Cocteau’s film Orpheus (1949) is an adaptation of the Greek mythological figure of the same name. The alteration of the story into the visual medium of cinema is an interesting one. The use of cinematography in the film is creative, and it incorporates the essence of the myth with Cocteau’s own allegorical imagery. The symbolism of characters and events accompanied by the use of visual effects create a message that is uniquely significant. The special
At a very young age, Anne and Mina already find themselves in difficult circumstances. At the age of thirteen, Anne together with her whole family escape from the Nazis by going into hiding in an attic of an office building where Anne’s father, Otto Frank, works. During their stay, Anne struggles with the adult residents of the Secret Annex. For example, Anne’s relationship with her mother, Edith Frank, goes astray because of their differing personalities. She claims, “Mother’s personalities are
Liszt’s interpretation into the world of Orpheus and Eurodice is very melodic and transitive. The use of the harp to represent Orpheus is clear from the start as you listen to the melodies slow crescendo. String instruments in the composition play well with the harp as it allows for some back and fourth between the two. This may represent the pain Orpheus has after loosing his beloved Eurodice. Liszt symphonic poem really outlines Orpheus’s journey into the underworld to reclaim his wife. It is a
different meanings of her poetry, Margaret Atwood expects her readers to discover both figurative and literal translations. She uses allusions and metonymy in her popular poem “Orpheus” to encourage her readers to draw meaning from their own personal interests. If one’s area of expertise is Greek mythology, the reference to Orpheus is prevalent; however, if one is enthusiastic about revolutionary history, then he may perceive this poem as a tribute to martyrs in history. Though interpretations may differ
The Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice embodies a contrast between how man acts and how man is expected to act. An interpretation of the mythological characters Orpheus and Eurydice disprove male gender expectations, while the biblical figures of Lot and his wife affirm female gender expectations. In the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, Orpheus is the one that looks back before instructed to, and in the story of Sodom and Gommorah, Lot’s wife looks back but both actions led to extreme consequences
The Personification of Death in Jean Cocteau’s Orpheus The personification of Death is done by means of a princess of the Underworld in Jean Cocteau’s Orpheus. This Princess is very powerful, yet surprisingly vulnerable. For no one is allowed to love in the Underworld, the Princess falls in love with a famous poet named Orpheus and goes to drastic measures to be with him. But in the end she cannot be with her love, and she realizes this and does what is forbidden in the Underworld and defies time
Amidst the glittery throng of South-Asian Literature, Nadeem Aslam’s Maps For Lost Lovers rises to a stature of its own. Aslam, in his novel, builds characters whose lives revolve around a plethora of symbols. These symbols not only help in deciphering all of his characters, but it also adds depth and substance to their personalities. The three-dimensional nature of these characters, uncovers their complexity. Interestingly, these abstract symbols and signs can be linked to the ancient tradition