12/22/06
Lit 231 MW-7:50 Take-home Final
Part I 1a) What is Machiavelli’s idea of human nature? Machiavelli’s idea of human nature consists of people as a whole are generally self-centered and can betray as easily as they can be trusted. People usually do things out of self-interest even if they are negatively affecting the person who is helping them. According to Macchiavelli, humans are naturally evil with evil instincts because it is lead by egocentrism. 1b) How does Machiavelli’s idea of human nature determine the advice he gives, and why is that advice amoral than immoral? Machiavelli’s idea of human nature determines the advice he gives by stating that one must act the same way towards others because they will eventually do it to you; an example of this would be in the quote, “but as men are naturally bad, and will not observe their faith towards you, you must in the same way, not observe yours towards them” This advice is amoral rather than immoral because it is being clever and cautious about ones own stake at power. If a ruler is too moral his kingdom/power is at stake and the same goes if he is immoral. 1c) Give a modern example of a public figure that fits Macchiavelli’s idea of a “fox” and explain what he/she is doing what Machiavelli advises. A modern example of a public figure who gives Macchiavelli’s idea of a fox would be Fidel Castro. Castro has been in power since 1959 because of his cautiousness with foreign help and relations. He is what Macchiavelli advises by not trusting just any offer that is put on the table and refusing any that he perceives would harm his power. 3a) Why does Ariosto call all love a “madness”? Ariosto calls all love a “madness” because it makes an individual lose themselves as a person and in the realms of reality. Sometimes humans in love will forget themselves and will put themselves in situations and deal with obscene consequences due to their “madness” in love. 3b) Besides Orlando, give another example of the “madness” of love in Orlando Furioso. “Madness” in Orlando Furioso would be Angelica’s effect on men. Angelica’s beauty drove every man who saw her in a state of uneasiness and would automatically fall in love with her.
3c) Do you think Ariosto’s view of love is the same as Chretien’s? Explain how their views are the same and/or different. No, I believe Ariosto’s and Chretien’s view of love are very different. Ariosoto’s view of love is more magical and exaggerated in some sense. He shows love as an obsessive fashion while Chretien’s view of love is more realistic and romantic. Examples of this would be love between Angelica and all those who fall in love with her and Erec and Enide.
Part II 1a) What is Prospero’s revenge exactly? Prospero’s revenge is to have Miranda and Ferdinand married, which is a strong strategy for power. 1b) Are Propero’s enemies—who are his own brother, Antonio and King Alonso of Naples sorry for what they did to him? Prospero’s enemies, Alonso and Antonio are sorry for what they did to him. This is seen from their reactions in Act V when Prospero forgives them for their wrong doings and neither Antonio nor Alonso responds back. Also, Alonso’s reactions to Ferdinand’s whereabouts show the reader his weak (human) side and forgiveness to his brother.
1c) Ariel gets his freedom but what will you thinks will happen to Caliban when all the Italians return home? When the Italians return home Caliban will remain on the island because he has shown the reader how power hungry he has been. Caliban was the only habitant on the island before anyone arrived at the island and Sycorax, his mother owned the land. Caliban now will have no competitors to challenge his power. 2a) Why does Prospero compare the “great globe” to his magic “pageant”? Prospero compares the “great globe” with a “pageant” because the “great globe” represents the world as a place where people act out their daily lives. 2b) What is Prospero saying about human life? Propero is saying that human life is like a dream and our minds are clouded with illusions. We are here for an instant and then we are gone.
2c) Why do you think Prospero gives up his magic arts at the end of the play? Prospero gives up his magic at the end of the play because he created his dream where the audience was going to experience it.