Journal 9 - Free Will

Journal #9 - Free Will vs. Determinism

Free Will - The power of making free choices that are unconstrained by external circumstances or by an agency such as fate or divine will.

Iago: “'tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our

gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners” (1.3 361-3).

Determinism - The philosophical doctrine that every event, act, and decision is the inevitable consequence of antecedents, such as genetic and environmental influences, that are independent of the human will.

Othello: “Yet ‘tis the plague of great ones … ‘tis destiny unshunnable, like

death” (3.3 313-16).

Using the above definitions, write a paragraph that argues in support of each of the terms. In your paragraphs, use specific examples from Othello to support your ideas.

1. Free Will is the power of making free choices that are unconstrained by external circumstances or by an agency such as fate or divine will. This definition is played out throughout the play Othello. One is given the gift of free will so that they have the chance to set up and play out their own lives in the ways that they please. No one wants their life to be completely controlled by someone else, so we are given this right to control it ourselves. For example, Othello chooses to kill his wife because he believes that she has committed adultery. This is his own choice and he truly believes that this is the solution to his problems. He makes this decision without fate or divine will.

2. Determinism is the philosophical doctrine that every event, act, and decision is the inevitable consequence of antecedents, such as genetic and environmental influences, that are independent of the human will. This definition is also well explained through the play Othello. One could argue that Othello was driven to kill Desdemona as a result of the human will, and that it was his fate/destiny to kill her and later kill himself. Othello was poisoned by the lives of his “honest” friend Iago. Iago was responsible for all the corruption and lies that made Othello believe that his wife was unfaithful, while in reality she was innocent and naïve.

Journal 8 - Emerson's Aphorisms

Journal 8 - Emerson’s Aphorisms

Write a one paragraph personal response based on three of the following aphorisms. Your responses should address the point Emerson is making as well as your thoughts/feelings about what he is saying.

2. Keep cool: it will all be one a hundred years hence.

This aphorism by Emerson is telling its reader not to worry about mistakes and life troubles to a great extent, for in 100 years you will be dead and nothing will have truly mattered. Emerson wants his readers to live life to its fullest and enjoy every second. He does not want people to get caught up in the little mistakes they make, and waste precious time worrying about the little things. Life is short, so make every minute count!

4. We boil at different degrees.

This aphorism serves as a warning to its readers. It warns us that every person has different tolerances for anger and stress. It teaches us that although something may be a no big deal for one person, another person could think that it’s a huge deal. Emerson warns us to think of the way others look at situations before telling them that they are wrong, for everyone is different and has different views on life.

8. In skating over thin ice, our safety is in our speed.

This aphorism is also somewhat a warning. “Skating over thin ice” is referring to risky and dangerous situations that we often put ourselves into simply for the rush of doing something scary. Emerson warns us that if you are going to take part in a dangerous and risky action, your safety is in how quickly you complete it. Although skating over thin ice also requires speed in order to be safest, Emerson is not only referring to that specific action. He is referring to all dangerous actions as whole. When Emerson says “safety is in our speed” he not only means quickness, but he also refers to how careful one is being through their risky actions.

Journal 7 - Waterfowl vs. Raven

William Cullen Bryant’s “To a Waterfowl” (p.151) and Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” (p.181)

1. Compare/contrast the different views of nature that are being presented in the poems. Refer to the list of classical and romantic characteristics and provide specific examples from the poems to support your analysis.

The poems “To a Waterfowl” and “The Raven” have very distinct differences in many aspects of the writing, but the poems also have several similarities. The “To a Waterfowl” poem contains a didactic message, while “The Raven” doesn’t seem to carry any significant messages. “To a Waterfowl” sends a message that putting your faith in God and following His direction will lead you to a safe and happy place. It sends a message that trust and love in God will get you through life. Both poems talk about birds, but in different ways. “To a Waterfowl” speaks of birds in general, while “The Raven” is directed specifically toward one bird. This is called having definite and indefinite articles. In both poems, the birds seem to be being led by a larger power or being. The raven seems to be led by or on the side of the devil, for it seems to conduct harm and bitterness to the speaker of the poem. The waterfowl seems to be led by God or a positive spirit, as they are simply migrating and continuing their normal routines. They are not harming anyone or anything. Also, in both poems there is only one person watching and commenting on the actions of the bird, but that one person takes each poem into completely different directions. As stated before, “To a Waterfowl” seems to be led in a more positive and upbeat direction, while “The Raven” has a more negative air. “The Raven” is almost an ironic poem, as the bird flies through the window and lands on a statue that represents the goddess of wisdom. This makes the speaker of the poem feel that this bird is going to bring him some sort of wisdom and happiness, while in the end the bird has made him more confused and depressed than he was before.