Overall, my project...

In the end, I would not trade this project for any other assignment. Though at times it was challenging and there was a lot of digging for research involved, I found that I truly feel benefited from the things I am taking away from it.
The blog, itself, was a challenge because I found myself nervous about others' opinions of my writing: what I chose to address, my writing style, the points that I made. This was especially intimidating considering the nature of the course- British Literature. I find that I may have assumed to much that my writing style would be critiqued along the same lines of Spenser or Milton or Webster. Looking back on that fear, I realize that some people are good writers, some are great writers, and some have the ability to take you to another world with words. But regardless of these things, all people's opinions are important, and thus, no matter the style in which they write, it's honorable that they're writing and expressing in the first place.
Now, onto my topic and my findings. I chose lycanthropy and the nature of werewolves during the period and beyond due to the fascination and fear I had in regards to the topic when I was young. The dream mentioned in one of my earliest entries was the motivation for further research, as I have always wondered what others think and have thought of were-beings.
Some of the most striking conclusions that I came to were a) the impact of fear can lead to many illogical and fantastical tales and b) human fascination with the supernatural is not likely to ever cease. This are two very good things, in my opinion. Though I don't advocate the sole dependence on emotion in place of logic, I think it is important to document the role emotion plays in society, as a whole. Whether good, bad, or ugly, emotions can lead a nation from one perspective to its opposite in a very short amount of time. For example, the beginning of the Renaissance was filled with superstitious obsessions and the fears and explanations that come with them, whereas the more scientifically driven end of the period led to the more rational explanations and therefore a decrease in lore-based explanations. As emotional attachment to understanding shrunk, so did the need for the characters of folk-lore as scapegoats and criminals. On the other hand, I did say that human fascination with the supernatural is not likely to ever cease to exist. We, by nature, are inclined to ask questions... As long as we are human, we will continue to ask things that have no clear answer. And therefore, constructs of the human imagination will always be present as explanations for the unexplained.
I believe the greatest concept I will take from this course is the importance of understanding the flaws of human nature. As Faustus and Satan were driven for power, and Red Crosse and Hamlet were seeking honorable heroism, we as normal, everyday people will continue to embody these desires throughout our lifetimes. It is what we do in reaction to these flaws that defines us as moral and honorable.
I can guarantee that I will continue to do research of the concepts we've studied this semester based on the number of unanswered questions our topics inspired (see what I mean about the ever-present need for answers?). Whether or not this blog continues to be a part of my project, I cannot currently say, but a larger part of me hopes that it is something I'll return to in future research.
All in all, this was a wonderful course which has inspired me to strive hard for success and the betterment of my mind. I hope that future courses are equally as enriching and interesting as this has been. Thanks to the path this course has helped me to discover, I am well on my way to being a life-long seeker of knowledge. (Just not knowledge that is not meant for me... Faustus did have a moral to the story. :D)

The results of my research in the world of were-people

Were-people are another common archetype in the history of folklore and storytelling. Whether the possibility of there existence has ever been rectifiable or not, there is no denying that the belief in such creature was many times truly felt by the people of the Renaissance. With the tales of those such as Stubbes Peeter, a serial killer with a bad attitude, and the lores of adulterous wives trapping their men in were-bodies, the belief has continued on and overcome continental divide for centuries.

In all of my findings, the concept was similar to other belief in the supernatural... They served as a scapegoat. Rage, passions and anger which led to murders, rapes, and pillaging were many times explained by labeling the suspect a were-man. Lycanthropy could relate to insanity or rage, and medically was researched to great level. It was consistent that people were accepting of these tales, believing mostly in the mind-altering (rather than physically-transforming) details of werewolves.
Overall, in all of my research, I have found that the Renaissance era was determined to explain all, and those accused of being werewolves were less common but equally observed as sinners alongside the witches.
Stubbes Peeter, in the late 1500s, was sentenced to horrible and torturous death for his gruesome murders and nasty acts. Alongside his burning body, his daughter was also condemned for having an incestual relationship with him.
Overall, what I have found with this study is the presence of prejudice and the lack of understanding that existed during this period in England. If it failed to suit the categorical "norm", it was punishable, with the possibility of banishment.
Whether witches or wizards, angels or demons, werewolves or familiars, Old England found a reason for it all, and the community fell in line for support and acceptance of these beliefs, unless they too wished to be included with the "outsiders".
Transgressions differ from place to place throughout the world. Different societies support different norms. When it came to lycanthropy, the "goodness" of man could not be challenged and therefore the "man" accused had to be part of something more, something supernatural.
There is something to be learned about judging others and punishing them for their unusual traits. It never fails that a human in face of a challenge may act rashly, selfishly, and in pursuit of retribution.

The Consequences of Consequences

Revenge- a detail in our lives that we are forever seeking to comprehend. Why do humans need it, and does it ever truly satisfy?
Hamlet's life was, overall, taken by his desire for revenge. In the end, what came to all was death. Many eyes for an eye, and therefore, not exactly what had been called for.
The appearance of any deceased member of your life can forevermore remain traumatizing- however, Hamlet's experience with the image of his Father coming to reveal that it was a murderous act for which he died, one cannot imagine the mental state that he must have been in.
Every challenge which Hamlet faced following the meeting with the ghost reflected the challenges he emotionally was facing- he felt disheartened by his mother's marriage... to the murderer... He had such remorse, he wished to end his own life. People believed he had become insane with grief and angry intentions.
Even upon the unexpected murder of his own love's father, Hamlet showed no true emotion, but it was raging within him. "A rat." This is his final feeling of Ophelia's father. A conflict in the way of his revenge.
Today's world constantly faces these challenges of revenge, for it is only natural for humans to seek retribution. It is only knowing when to stop, however, that makes one truly innocent. The emotions associated with vengeance are normal, whereas eye-for-an-eye actions are not necessarily always the best case.
Hamlet's emotions had the power to change the face of his world, creating a confused, depressed relationship with all that was around him. It is strange how emotion has this power, and that even in the modernized, intellectual world today, we cannot comprehend the consequences of such feelings.

Human Need for Knowledge, A Different Light

Humans have an insatiable need for answers. Most of us cannot function without an explanation of occurrences, ideas, and concepts that continually occur around us daily.
whether it be the belief in God or gods, the struggle for information in science, or the consistent following of superstition, there is always a push for proof.
This concept was ever-present in the Renaissance era, as people were always finding scapegoats in faeries, witches, hobgoblins, God, Satan, and any other supernatural support they could find. Sins were justified or set aside because they occurred for a reason. Lusty widows were said to be evil, being witches or sorceresses. At the same time, people accused mental retardation and things of the like to be the result of "changelings" or faerie children being exchanged with human children.
Modernly, this need continues, and in exactly the same categories as before. There is always someone to blame, there is always an answer, and when a logical explanation cannot be found, we create one.
As before, the study of the planet and stars are also a place of comfort for those of us wishing to know our fates and our futures, striving to find a way to explain the tides and their actions, the yearly adjustments of our crops, and the changing of our moods.
Any of these theories can be supported and understood by many logical explanations, but the fascination lies in the human "need" for such things.
It is my belief that we will continually question the unanswerable, and due to our impatience and demand for knowledge, we will place fillers in for each answer we don't find.
If God does exist, I can't imagine His thoughts about the theories that we create in order to pacify our minds.

Character Archetypes

Archetypes in writing are always interesting to observe. Whether studying the Villain, the Hero, the Damsel in Distress, the Accomplice, the Comrade, or the Witty Servant or Sidekick, literature and tales consistent follow the same guidelines and ideals for storytelling.
Satan, Voldemort, and Ferdinand are villainous, tricky characters who depict a battle for a "need" that they have, the manipulation to get there, and the utter failure they meet in the end (usually due to the "hero" in the picture). Then, you always have your sub-characters, embodying sidekicks, structural support, or fillers. These can include Una of Faerie Queene, Ron and Hermione of Harry Potter, Rosencrantz and the others of Hamlet, and many, many more. They are almost always there.
It is consistent that we follow these patterns and rules regarding writing, but what about when someone breaks the barrier, as when the "villain" is perhaps the "hero", or the "hero" is not so impressive. These traits can be found in Satan of Paradise Lost as well as in the Duchess of the Duchess of Malfi. When one you are "supposed" to support disappoints you, and the other you are taught to despise makes you express sympathy, it can be a difficult time for many readers.
There will always be archetypes, but there will also always be intelligent minds who may challenge these concepts. As long as storytelling is able to occur, our favorite characters will always be there to be found.

The Potential Failure of God

Modern belief in the Christian God varies from place to place in defining What, Who, and Why He exists. There are so many new denominations of the church that prove the struggle that people face when trying to establish the guidelines for their own lives.
In Paradise Lost, Milton makes a clear effort to define Satan as a semi-heroic being, describing him in such a way that he is caring, compassionate, persistent, and somewhat naïve. Satan and his troops are defined following the battle with God as fallen, Satan in torturous pain with “baleful eyes”, crying out in defeat and burning on a lake of fire. What could they have done that is deserving of such harsh conditions?
Today’s Christians sometimes find themselves posing the same questions. “If God loved us so, why do some become condemned for simple sins, and others saved?” “If God was a forgiving, loving God, why do they say there is a Hell?” “If our fates are already written, why does anyone end up without faith at the end of their life? Would God desire this?” These are the common questions that arise in today’s society, and equally are represented in the depiction of Satan’s fall in Milton’s first book of Paradise Lost. In Dr. Faustus, it was implied that God had already set it in stone that Faustus would fall. Likewise, there is immediate reaction to Satan’s overthrow in Heaven within Milton’s work. If sinning is equal, and repentance is reachable, how is it that one is able to be condemned?
Satan’s fall is a nine day progression. His landing leaves him looking over a massive collection of his broken comrades. Furthermore, he is banished from God’s goodness and eternally condemned… If God is capable of forever separating one from Him, how “good” is He? This thought doesn’t stem from personal belief of mine, but rather from logical questions people have, clearly, been asking for centuries.
What makes God good? Who does God assist? What does servitude and obedience gain for a follower? And is His love truly everlasting and unconditional? I find it incredibly interesting that these questions have lived on, unanswered and many times unaddressed, in the progressive, intelligent world we live in today.
Lastly, we sympathize with Satan because we constantly are in the position to feel his defeat when we "sin" or are not living up to the standards set by our religion. This is usually the reason for denominational separation, because many believe that the Bible is open for interpretation... It's a pretty curious phenomenon.

Faustus, Poverty & Humility

Even in this twenty-first century world, people from all nations struggle constantly with the dangers of poverty, working to become higher in the social and economic hierarchies. It is and has always been a struggle for those in impoverished conditions to rise out of that category and into something considered more “respectable”.
Faustus was a character who struggled in his youth with the lack of wealth in his own family, growing up in the lower-class areas of Germany. Thus, when he was able to attend Wittenburg for study, it must have been an extreme honor. This honor was quickly followed by his academic and scholarly success in all areas, including sciences, politics, and literature. More than that, he was educated in the complexities of theology, studying the Christian religion with close observation and relaying its facts to others to promote understanding.
Faustus, therefore, was a highly fortunate case, one that would appear most admirable in both modern and ancient times. However, though he had defeated the odds and overcome the restraints of society, he felt that there was more to be attained.
It is this concept of “going further” that led Faustus to commit himself to Lucifer and Mephastophilis without questioning his true control in the situation. He believed himself to have achieved so much that he had no more to learn in the human realm.
Now, all of these things have been discussed before, not only in this blog, but in many reviews of the tale of Dr. Faustus. However, I find that there is much to be desired about the information on the mind of a man who has come from such a low standard and has been blessed in such a great way, and yet he throws these blessings away.
Most who had been granted the finances, the ability to learn, and the correct resources as Faustus had would be more inclined to express humility and appreciation, yet Faustus pursues the opposite. His rise from the depths apparently leads him in the direction of believing that he is worthy of attaining sacred information and unearthly powers. He is prideful, boastful, manipulative, and naïve in so many of his actions, that before he has even realized, he has reversed all of the wonderful things that had come to him in life. By abandoning God, he abandons his charisma and ability to express the theological excellence that he oftentimes conveyed. This had been one of the most respectable qualities about him, and yet they were not enough in his eyes. Furthermore, he was able to, in searching for higher knowledge, disregard his common sense. A sensible man would know that paying a price of servitude in exchange for ultimate power was entirely and completely contradictory. These things are a simple few of the blatant mistakes that Faustus came to make.
Perhaps it is the stigma of religion for the uneducated that motivated Faustus. Only a man who didn’t have control of his life would need to pray. This is part of why I believe it was so seemingly easy for Faustus to initially abandon his faith.
Similar things can be said about Renaissance faerie belief- only those who were poor and uneducated could acknowledge and follow such an absurd thought as little spirits being in one’s presence.
It is this concept of the poor, uneducated believers that persuades the “educated” to sway from faith and “blind” acceptance of something or someone up above.
The peculiarity with Faustus is simply the concept that after everything he has built for himself in life, and the fame and respect he holds within his community, he is insatiable and unfinished in his gain of higher knowledge.
Overall, struggles don’t necessarily define one’s character, as we sometimes are led to believe. Occasionally, there are people who fail to appreciate and understand the miracles which they are a part of. Even those with the most money, the best education, the largest social group, and the greatest “rising up” story ever created sometimes fail to grasp the concept of what we call “luck”, “blessings”, or simply “good circumstances”.

Superstition

Superstition is most likely the main theme of the Renaissance Era and its stories and folklore. With witches, devils, familiars, angels, demons, werewolves, and additional varieties of fictional beings, it cannot be denied that the era was at least responsible for weaving the tales which became the foundation of modern horror stories.

Today, we commonly see those creatures related to the supernatural as fictional or as a part of our spiritual practice. However, it is no longer as common that people live their lives by the omens and ideas produced by superstition. Most likely due to the highly publicized nature of modern "scary stories" and "spiritual happenings", few people feel personally touched by them, but rather, see them as a form of entertainment. It is only in some remote areas in the "civilized" world that we see a reaction to superstitions which may affect a culture as a whole.

Modernly, if we continued to believe in superstition, the abundance of black stray cats would be seen as witches' familiars, comets and meteor showers would predict the coming of something colossal, and the "visions" of drug addicts and mental patients would be taken seriously as predictions for the future of the world. Obviously, this would be a chaotic and uncomfortable time for our culture. I believe that as people became more educated in science, and less led by the generalities of religion, it became more clear that superstition was in fact fiction and was therefore not to be taken seriously... always.

But what is there to say, then, of spiritual practices today, in which so-called prophets make predictions, prayers are answered, and repentance takes place daily? I find that there must be something to say about the purpose of superstition, the supernatural, and the spiritual in the lives of humans.

Each culture embodies something different about the realm of the unknown, in regards to the questions that have consistently remained unanswered. The Whys, Hows, Whats, Whens, Wheres and the like. Who or What created the universe? How was the universe created? Why do certain comets only visit us at certain times of the year, and furthermore, certain times in a decade, a century? Why did Faustus choose to conjure the devil? How was it that Red Crosse was healed by the fountain? What caused people to fear the presence of witches in their communities? When did Ferdinand begin to embody the characteristics of a wolf, for which he then believed he was actually a wolf? And to what extent can science explain all of these questions?

We, as humans, will always have suspicions, and therefore, superstitions. This is probably due to the idea that we will never be capable enough to answer all of the complex questions which the universe and our minds, together, create for us. I believe that the tales of the Renaissance teach their audiences about the dangers of superstitions, though. From Faustus, The Duchess of Malfi, Faerie Queene and the many stories of the witch trials, we come to know that superstitions and overactive imaginations lead to death and loss, and therefore mourning and decline in one's well-being.

Werewolves

Thus far, I'm finding a lot of information on werewolves throughout Europe and generally the tales are very similar. Many of the transformations are due to interactions with the Dark Arts or with the presence of sin in a person's life. Overall, I believe that shape-shifting, wereness, and lycanthropy in general have been noted to occur due to corruption somewhere in one's life.

Noting this, I am very excited to begin reading The Duchess of Malfi, knowing that it will be an interesting tale and in many ways related to my study. I hope to get some information out of it that will lead to additional tales of were-people. I never imagined I would find that much information on this topic, but Europe, as a whole, and truly the entire world (I have found) has at some point been almost obsessed with the idea of humans transforming into animal-like beings. It is a universal idea, found on almost every continent, most certainly Europe, Asia, Africa, and North, Central, and South America. So what's left is Antarctica and Australia. I'll find out more about those eventually. But coincidentally, and unfortunately for me, England does not have the number of cases as some of its surrounding areas in Europe, some say due to the lower (almost extinct) wolf population. However, the stories I am finding are very intriguing and I expect to find a great deal of appealing info in them.

Something else I failed to realize was the abundance of biologically founded tales of how and why were-people occur. Some believed it was due to different salves that could be applied to the skin, some rituals including wearing the skin of the animal one wishes to transform into, and others simply involving an attack from a previously established were-person. On a more "logical" (if you will) level, the people of Europe especially found the risk of becoming werewolves high based on the common attacks (or at least more common than you would expect) from packs of rabid or hybrid wolf-wild dogs. The hybrid state of these animals caused them to be highly unstable in mind and would therefore lead to their pursuit and assault on especially women and children.

As I continue to study, I consistently discover more common beliefs on continents separated by oceans. I find that extremely fascinating that these ideas could be conjured or observed (if you find them true) across huge uncrossed barriers which at that point prevented transmission of these tales.

Obviously, I am very excited about this project as it continues. Any information anyone has to contribute, feel free. Whatever information I can gather that will contribute to my own personal knowledge and study of this topic would be greatly appreciated!!! :D Thanks.

Claudius and his usage of Laertes

I have to admit I am surprised by the way Claudius takes advantage of the rage Laertes is feeling in regards to his father's death. Throughout Act IV, I am taken aback time and time again at the rapid growth of the web of vengeance and anger. It began with the ghost seeking vengeance through Hamlet, who lashed out at Claudius with The Mousetrap, who in return became suspicious of Hamlet (especially when Hamlet killed Polonius) and thus utilizes the need for revenge in Laertes to his own kingly advantage. It is this endless web of unaddressed human emotion.

Act IV, Scene VII, lines 60-69

King : Will you be ruled by me?

Laertes: Ay, my lord, so you will not o'errule me to a peace.

King: To thine own peace. If he be now returned, as checking at (running away from) hs voyage, and that he means no more to undertake it, I will work him to an exploit now ripe in my device, under the which he shall not choose but fall; and for his death no wind of blame shall breath, but even his mother shall uncharge the practice (not charge the device with treachery) and call it accident.

Laertes: My lord, I will be ruled; the rather if you could devise it so that I might be the organ.

And just after this agreement is made and Laertes is very enthusiastic to follow through, more devastating news follows that Ophelia has died! And thus, more motivation for the murder. What is to come, I don't yet know, but I am extremely ready to finish it this evening. More posts soon...

Hamlet's Father, Debatable Ghost

This is truly the first time that I have seen the true text of Hamlet. Otherwise, I have only seen spoofs in television shows and high school plays.
Thus far, I have really enjoyed it, though it can be a bit misleading at times. The vocabulary leads me to footnotes over and over again. However, the message is usually relatively clear, overall.

The previous debate in class was regarding the reality of the ghost: is it or is it not Hamlet's father? Thus far, as I am mostly through the third act, I am still questioning the being. Even Hamlet understands the ghost's potential untruth as he states in Act 2, Scene 2, line 610b: "The spirit that I have seen may be a devil, and the devil hath power t' assume a pleasing shape, yea, and perhaps out of my weakness and my melancholy, as he is very potent with such spirits, abuses me to damn me."
I do not believe that with the information I have thus far gained that I am able to form an opinion of the true identity of the ghost. However, if it were not Hamlet's father, I am curious about the motive for revenge in that case. Or would the "Devil" merely be searching for conflict within a society, with no particular political or ethical drive? Perhaps the potential devil-in-disguise is a way to cast downward glances of judgment on those who marry quickly after the death of a spouse (though this doesn't seem likely, as Shakespeare is the playwright).

It all leaves me with much to think about.... opinions?

Monsters, Fairy Tales, and Moral Punishment

Growing up, each child is typically exposed to various fairy tales, full of knights and damsels and witches and ghouls. To children, these are simply stories, meant to entertain and, sometimes, spook. However, now being a member of the adult world, it saddens me to observe that most, if not all, fairy tales are created with the purpose of teaching children what is right and wrong. Now, this action doesn't seem to be negative! But the truth of the matter is, most stories are based on superstitions of everyday life and religion. Religion is not always relevant to multiple cultures at once. Not to mention, superstitions can be confusing to kids who are gullible. Sure, it's entertaining to have the daylights scared out of you, but is it realistic that in the ancient times, when these tales were written, they were meant for children? Think back to early England, when the forests were still full and the days were often dreary. Don't you think your playtime as a child would have been littered with disturbing visions from your gruesome and vibrant fairy tales? Modernly, when frightened, we can just change the TV channel, put down the book, or leave the storytelling event. But in the ancient times, when the tales were used as moral teachings, the visualizations could not be avoided.

I don't mean this with intent to say that fairy tales were used as torturous teachings, I am just pointing out the fear they must have evoked in the youth of England and surrounding countries. I am sure that this relates to the Monsters and Monster-Babies that we have read about. The religious leaders in the early European communities, especially the Protestants and Catholics, used monsters as punishment for sins, or as a way to prove the fault in the beliefs of others. Stories in this time couldn't just be stories- they had to have a moral. As in the Hog-Faced Woman tale, the knight was rewarded for overlooking her ugliness and giving her the choice of when she would appear beautiful, day or night. But in this example, the moral is somewhat faulty because he still reflects selfish reasoning. If he asked her to stay beautiful in the daytime, he would have to endure sleeping at night with a hideous woman, versus if she was beautiful in the nighttime, he would have no reason to brag about his affairs with her beautiful self in the night. It's quite a sad story, as are many of the fairy tales. In modern society, it is very interesting how the demented details of fairy tales are left out, and they no longer reflect the foreboding, horrifying ideas that they once did so strongly.

Faerie Queene, Collectively

I found that I really had less appreciation for the elaborate, dramatic style of writing used in Faerie Queene than I had expected. The idea of an author complicating a language to make it more authentic seems to make it much less authentic, in my eyes. However, I have true respect, along with fascination, for the vocabulary that has now influenced the English language of today. I can't imagine some of the words, concepts, and imagery in Spenser's books not existing today. What I also found intriguing was the idea the Spenser influenced Tolkien and many other writers of both the old and new eras. The idea that visions breed new visions is very inspiring to me. That works of greatness can rebound off of each other and remain completely seperate in concept is wonderful. Overall, though I struggled with the complicated text, I have come to appreciate Faerie Queene for its ageless influence.

End of Paradise Lost : Book One

From around line 525 until the end of Paradise Lost : Book One, I found it very interesting the presence of remorse and pride in arms. The majority of this section in the book speaks of the pride of the cherubs, grouping them into something of an army against God and for themselves.

Satan is found to be remorseful of the fact that he brought these angels down to the depths of Hell with him. However, he is full of pride because they remained faithful to him as a leader. Lines 600-606 state "...But his face deep scars of thunder had [e]ntrenched, and care sat on his faded cheek...cruel his eye, but cast signs of remorse and [com]passion to behold the fellows of his crime..."

Satan is also depicted as such: "...he stood like a tow'r...". To me, this implies a very high position which is to be commended and revered. He is so respected, that after his speech which sends morale to his troops, it is delivered as the following: "He spake: and to confirm his words, out flew millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs of mighty Cherubim." (664-665)

And then the story continues to describe the temple in Hell as a place of riches and luxury, related to the beauties of Heaven as far down as the depths of Hell, created by "Vulcan" who had been cast from Heaven many years before. The temple held a grand hall, and there the elected seraphims of great would be seated/throned in power.

It is amazing to me how Milton builds Satan as an epic hero, caring for his troops, feeling remorse but pressing on, preaching morale and hope to the fallen angels whom he himself brought down to Hell... I found myself relating to and feeling for Satan as he felt "remorse" and "pride" for his troops/followers. Mind-boggling how a person in such a critical society could depict such a controversial character so positively...

More on modern literature and werewolves...

OK, so after reading the second book of the Twilight series, New Moon, I found that the description of why and how werewolves existed was even more interesting.

why: to kill off the "cold ones", aka vampires
how: ancestors of a certain Native American tribe on the west coast
Stephenie Meyer, in her fiction novel, I might add, describes the werewolves as massive, larger than bears, and able to change at the first sign of anger or defense. She describes the men capable of this change as large and burly, quick to anger, and very defensive. It's just so interesting to see a non-stereotype (for the most part). No howling at the moon, no hunch-backed, two-legged, awkward gangly things. These beasts are terrifying!!! I am looking forward to researching modern day fictional werewolves in comparison to ancient interpretations.