The Burden of Opinion

Obviously, the perceptions of the Middle East depend on so many variables it's almost impossible to form an opinion. However, it's safe to say that the hardships over there have drastically increased over the past two decades. I find it tough to understand how innocent people can be merged into a category with lethal killers based on a childish stereotype. When you search Google Images for "Middle East," you get page after page of violent hate-seeking terrorists, and poor helpless refugees. It may be me, but everywhere I look it's one or the other. And the fact that we associate the Middle East primarily with a blood stained battlefield is a little sad. Yes, we're in the middle of a war, but does a war have to be the motivator in learning about a culture?

My "Rubaiyatic" Attempt:

1. Morning is here, violating her visits,
Clearly doubting my love for our kids;
To watch them sleep so sound through the night,
Is all that I get-but she rose before six.

2. Why, might I ask, is it so hard to speak?
Seeing someone so stunning, I'm left without speech
Can beauty truly leave a man mute?
They've locked up advice and eaten the key.

3. It can't be found in music class,
This outlook so sincere and vast
Just lay on a car, pen in hand
With Springsteen, Dylan, and Mr. Cash.

Paper 1

Of the readings we've done, it's apparent that the Moors have differing representations. In Othello, he's described as some sort of "tramp," marrying Barbantio's daughter in secrecy. Othello is looked down upon by the higher class, and singled out/disrespected because of race.

The Vitkus article reveals another description of the Moors. In one part, we hear about the Barbary Pirates, viewing some Moors as much more violent as they enslave Europeans and demolish coastal villages.

My paper is going to be on these varying depictions of the Moors. The change in description between stories is somewhat dramatic, and also being viewed from different angles. I found a site with information on Present Day Moors as well, which I think could tie in with what we've learned in the previous readings and research.

Literary Carpet Ride

KING SHAHYRAR AND HIS BROTHER

This story was very interesting, and it definately kept my attention throughout the entire thing. I read the Wikipedia "rundown" of The 1,001 Nights which I feel helped out alot when I began to read this story. I liked how Shahyrar's initial decision to go visit his little brother Shah Zaman was easily skewed by his "Wazir" (reminded me of a butler?). It showed the traditionality of brotherly relationships that we still see today. Think about it:

(2007, Anywhere)
Big Brother: "Hey man, I miss my litte bro, let's go see him."
Big Brother's friend: "No way dude, tell him to come over here instead."
Big Brother: "Little Bro! come over!"

Another thing that sort of tied together with Othello was this term "cuckold," which we talked about Monday. It comes up the first time when Zaman leaves, forgetting the gifts for Shahyrar, only to walk in on his wife partaking in post-intercourse "spooning."...with a lowly cook. However, that issue was easily solved with one fell swoop of his "scymitar." Point being she "cuckolded" him.
Later on, we see it again once Zaman is at Shahyrar's. Shahyrar's wife is in the garden (I think) accompanied by handfuls of other naked horny slaves. Eventually, Zaman witnesses the Queen having "relations" with a black guy that fell out of a tree.
This all relates to the wives' actions we discussed in Othello, who intentionally play the field to humiliate their husbands. A.k.a., "cuckolding" them.


OTHER "NIGHTS"


One of the other stories I read was "The Thief and His Monkey." Sound familiar? Now I'm not quite sure if it's actually the story of Aladdin (I know we were looking for it Monday), but it sounds pretty damn close. It describes a man (the thief) who never enters the market, but frequently makes subtle "visits" with his monkey to steal stuff. However, he resells these items. That was either forgotten in Disney's Aladdin, or left out so kids wouldn't go on a looting rampage at the mall with wild animals for sidekicks.

I read another titled "Woman's Trick Against Her Husband;" another fine display woman making man look like a complete idiot. The man comes home to his wife with a fish, and asks her to prepare it. The man goes out and finishes his business for the rest of the day, and she puts the fish in a jar of water then leaves for a week. When she comes back, he's furious. However, she's convinced the people of the village to play along with her little prank. The man sees a fish in a jar, doesn't believe it's the same fish and is imprisoned for going crazy. That sounds like the plotline for "Mr. & Mrs. Smith II."

The Barbary Pirates

After reading the Vitkus article, I noticed a particular part in which the Turks were referred to as Barbary Pirates. My Y-chromosome kicked in immediately after seeing the word "pirate," causing me to find this Wikipedia article on these Jack Sparrow-esque coast strikers.

The article describes the Barbary Pirates as being mainly from North Africa, attacking many coastal European villages. The focus of these attacks was the capturing of Europeans, to sell them as slaves. The numbers of those captured between the 16th and 19th century is said to have exceeded 1 million Europeans. Whoever the Pirates didn't capture, they are said to have slaughtered. Leaving many settlements uninhabited, ship-less and enslaving the survivors. Violence and kidnap are two forms of piracy that are seemingly the most devastating.

Othello/S'Moors

OTHELLO

Unfortunate at the time, I lived with a theater major last year who was in WMU's production of Othello. He felt it beneficial to keep me awake all night reading lines with him, and not a more enthusiastically qualified insomniac such as himself. Long story short I was familiar with the play in the same way that Taco Bell is healthy for you.

Othello first reminded me of Spiderman; a lover-boy adored by the citizens, but despised by Jonah Jameson and Harry Osborn (in our case, Barbantio and Iago). Yet when dispute is at hand, he's picked to lead the battle.

Iago and Roderigo are two very distinct characters. Iago seems to have Roderigo "by the hair" being that he has the undeniable ability to control Roderigo, and eventually, Cassio. Iago spews rumors about Desdemona, resulting in a fact-less fight between Cassio and Roderigo...Much like any drama queen...on any reality TV show...ever.

THE MOORS



When I heard the term "Moor," I didn't have the slightest idea what it meant. I know there's a certain cliff range on the coast of Ireland with a similar name, but not even close. I found this site:
http://www.mrdowling.com/703-moors.html

Decameron: Take 2

So I've read The Decameron over again, and very slowly. I now understand it much more than before. The discussion in classed helped as well.

I think i recall someone saying it in class, that Saladin is viewed as a "Robin Hood" type of character in The Decameron. Regardless, I agree. He's disguised as a merchant in the beginning, alongside his comrades as they traveled through Lombardy. They meet Torello, who gives them great hospitality and proceed to go on their way. Torello, doubtful as to their true identities, later decides to join Saladin-only to find out who he really is. Upon leaving, Torello makes his wife promise to re-marry if he doesn't return in the amount of time he describes, implying he will be dead.
Torello eventually meets up with Saladin once again, gets sick, Saladin "saves" him, and he returns home in enough time to be reunited with his wife.
Saladin seems to share the same heroic qualities as any other "good" guy in a classic saga. As was said in class, a knight in shining armor.
Torello returning to his wife is similar to almost every love story of a war movie that's hit the box office...with a touch of "The Notebook."