Looking Through a Different Lens

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Trailer from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rz4h0AT5iY

There are billions people in the world and each look at pieces of work differently. Additionally, each piece of work sends out different sub-conscious messages to people depending on numerous characteristics such as their gender, race, or social class. For this assignment, we have to choose some sort of “work” like a movie, piece of art, or book. We then have to look at it from different points of view and see what the sub-text says to each person. I will use the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest for this assignment

I’m a Chinese-Malaysian fourteen year old. My family’s class is pretty ordinary with nothing really special. To me this movie might send messages such as you have to do dangerous stunts and be handsome to get a girl. I think that it also says that in order to get what you want in the world, you have to commit crimes like the pirates. You also have to pay highly for objects you want like when Jack got the Black Pearl, but had to work for Davy Jones. Additionally, this message may also say that it’s better to do things the easy way, instead of the proper way.

Throughout the movie, Elizabeth is pictured as attractive and she captures the hearts of Jack and Will. From the lens of a female, this may make her think that you have to be beautiful and attractive to be loved and find a spouse. The movie also says to girls that they should do whatever they can to find their beloved boyfriend. By saying this, it also says that all females like and need boys. Finally, the movie shows that girls are dependant on males because Elizabeth asked for Jack’s help when she wanted to find Will.

Most of the characters in the movie are British and it shows that the British are rough, steal, and commit crimes. It also depicts the British as “pirates” who don’t live a very civil life except for higher class men. Although this may be true, even the rich are also pretty mean to the lower classes. An example of this is when the richer characters try to destroy Jack, Will, Elizabeth, and the other pirates. They might also think of them badly, simply because they aren’t as wealthy. Overall, this depicts the British as people who are either outlaws or are always trying to put others down.

Lastly, in terms of different social status, it shows that rich and important people are pretty arrogant. They’re always trying to arrest or destroy the poorer people, even those who are connected to the lower class like Will and Elizabeth. In the beginning scene, the governors and soldiers are trying to arrest Will and Elizabeth for helping Jack. Furthermore, the movie shows all poor people, such as the pirates, as criminals and outlaws. It also illustrates them as useless and only causing trouble in the world.

Act 1, Scene 2 Translations and Questions

Two sentences I found hard to understand:
• Act 1, Scene 2 (Lines 186 – 188)
Prospero talking to Miranda:

“Under my burden groaned, which raised in me
An undergoing stomach to bear up
Against what should ensure.”

• Act 1, Scene 2 (Lines 592 – 600)
Ferdinand talking to Prospero:

“So they are.
My spirits, as in a dream, are all bound up.
My father’s loss, the weakness which I feel,
The wrack of all my friends, nor this man’s threats
To whom I am subdued, are but light to me,
Might I but through my prison once a day
Behold this maid. All corners else o’ th’ earth
Let liberty make use of. Space enough
Have I in such a prison.”

Two sentences I understood with my modern English translation:
• Act 1, Scene 2 (Lines 558 – 561)
Prospero talking to Ferdinand:

“I’ll manacle thy neck and feet together.
Sea water shalt thou drink. Thy food shall be
The fresh-brook mussels, withered roots, and husks
Wherein the acorn cradled. Follow.”

I’ll cuff your neck and feet together. You’ll drink sea water. Your food will be inedible fresh water mussels, dried roots, and the husks which held acorns. Follow.

• Act 1, Scene 2 (Lines 406 – 411)
Caliban talking to Prospero:

“Cursed be I that did so! All the charms
Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you,
For I am all the subjects that you have,
Which first was mine own king; and here you sty me
In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me
The rest o’ th’ island.”

Curse myself! May Sycorax’s magic throw toads, beetles, and bats upon you. I am the only subject that you have and you were my first king. How could keep me in this cave while you keep me away from the rest of the island.

Two questions about the plot/discussion questions:
• If Prospero is a wizard and has slaves, why doesn’t he ask them to build him a boat to sail back to Milan? Additionally, why doesn’t he use his magic or Ariel’s to teleport himself back?

• Is Prospero or Ariel stronger in the art of magic? Both have done some magic in the play, but who is better? If Prospero is more talented, then why does he require Ariel’s service? Additionally, if Ariel made a mistake in destroying the ship and leaving the survivors on the island, then Prospero may never get another chance to work his plan. Finally, if Ariel is stronger, then why is he always tolerating Prospero and still working for him?