Thursday, February 4, 2010

BARNACLE BOYS: Essay on Dramatic Poesy


“I admire him (Jonson), but I love Shakespeare.”

That is how Mr. Dryden ends this excerpt from his “Essay on Dramatic Poesy.” I, of course, am ecstatic that he gives Shakespeare his props. Ben Jonson is indeed one of the giants in English literature, but Shakespeare was the writer I read that convinced me that we are all connected, that a man writing 400 years ago could still understand exactly what a 15-year-old girl was feeling and explain it so that the words jumped off the page and into my heart. I have a feeling that some of you may not feel the same rapture when you read "Sonnet 18" that I did, though, so I would like you to think for a moment of a writer you do appreciate. Why do you love him/her? What criteria would you use to judge your favorite writer against Shakespeare—and have your choice win? Tell us all who would fill in this blank: I admire Shakespeare, but I love ____________________.” Then explain why. Post your masterpiece by 9 February 2010 here.

26 comments:

  1. ktalley Barnacle BoysFebruary 7, 2010 at 7:17 AM

    I admire Shakespeare, but I love Cecily von Ziegesar. She is the author of the Gossip Girl and It Girl series. I love her because in her books she really describes what teenage life is like. She uses her female characers to portray real life situations and decisions that we all have to go through. She describes and questions love,friendships, and betrayals in her books just like we all have to go through sometimes. She also portrays the cattyness that actually goes on between teenage girls and their friends. She uses characters to show the journey teenage girls go through internally and externally as they strive to fit in. The books she writes are about being either "in" or "out" and what it takes to get there. She shows the different peer pressures girls deal with and how hard we try to fit the certain "look." She is a very good author just like Shakespeare who I slso believe understands what people in the world are going through. He has a deep understanding of people internally, not just girls.He can get inside the heads of his characters to make the real moral of the story come out. My choice would win based on the life of a teengage girl because I don't know how deeply Shakespeare would understand that because times have changed and women are even more conscerned with how they look and what other people think of them. Although in his play Romeo and Juliet he describes Juliet's emotional struggle the world today is not only concerned with love but popularity as well.

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  2. Katlin wins: FIRST! My daughter loved the Gossip Girls books. Stay warm, friends!

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  3. I admire Shakespeare, but I love Art Chansky. Chansky is the author of the book, Blue Blood, which is about the college basketball rivalry between Duke and North Carolina. I like this book not only because I love college basketball, but also because of the way it is written. Games between Duke and North Carolina have always been very heated and competitive. The two schools have a very storied history and the tension between the schools can be felt reading Chansky’s book. Not only did Chansky do a great job of really giving off the emotion and intensity that is felt in the rivalry, but he also allowed readers to feel as if they were a part of the rivalry themselves. Chansky also summed up the history between the teams without giving being biased toward either side. I liked this strategy because by not being partial toward either side, it made the book more agreeable to a wider range of people. Overall, I like Chansky as an author because I love what he writes about and how he presents his topic in his works.

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  4. I admire Shakespeare, but I love J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien is the world-wide known author of the Lord of the Rings Series. The Hobbit is also another literary work by this author. The Hobbit sets the stage for the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and is my favorite out of all four books. What I like about Tolkien’s writing is the pure adventure and intensity of the stories. These tales are unpredictable and extremely deep. There are many different characters in these stories; it takes an experienced reader to soak it all up. If you are at that reading level these books will pull you into their pages like you have never experienced in your life. The story of these books deals with the power struggle between good and evil. In the end of the series there is the classical ending of how good concurs over evil.

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  5. I admire Shakespeare, but I love J.K. Rowling. Rowling probably has one of the most notable and successful series in literature. Her fluid writing style takes you on a journey through the exciting life of Harry Potter and his friends. She has sold thousands and thousands of books causing America to start reading more. With her books she encouraged reading and demonstrated that it doesn't have to be boring. These are some of the reasons why she is among my favorite authors. She came up with a solid story and didn't let it go to waste. She is an example of the fact that anyone can be a writer. If you have an idea, act on it an just start writing. And with the universal theme of good vs. evil the books, as mentioned before, are a huge success. In the past couple years Harry Potter has become a household name, and a world-wide craze. She is truly an inspiration to undiscovered writers out there, and will always be remembered for her great books and getting more kids involved in one of the oldest forms of entertainment, reading.

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  6. rsimpson barnacle boysFebruary 8, 2010 at 7:48 PM

    I admire Shakespeare, but i love Jane Austen. Jane is also quite the giant in English Literature, more so than Jonson and Shakespeare combined. Most noted for her romance novels Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Predjudice, and Emma, Austen has made her mark in the hearts of many since the 1800s. Not only is she my favorite author but she's also one of my idols. Jane was not afraid to go after what she wanted even if it was looked down upon for a woman to do. She was bold, and did not care about what anyone thought. To me it is important to have that connection with an author, even if they are 100s of years older than you; for them to have such an impact on you, that even in your own life everything about their works and them as a person, inspires you. Though she also wrote a will-known novel entitled Persuasion, i would have to say that my favorite book of hers in Sense and Sensibility. Each and every character, from the Dashwoods to John Willoughby, has thier own story and is developed evenly through out the whole story. Even Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 couldn't compare to the romance displayed in any of Jane's masterpieces. To me, Jane Austen is the true giant of english literature.

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  7. I admire Shakespeare, but I love Roald Dahl. Dahl is the author of many great books including, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the BFG, and Matilda. His books are easy to read and also very entertaining. The reason why I enjoy his books so much are because of his humorous and creative style. I started reading his books when I was little and I still enjoy them today. My personal favorite book of his is The BFG, which stands for big friendly giant. This story is about a little girl becoming friends with the only friendly giant and finding a way to stop all the other mean giants from causing trouble. Dahl uses different ways of describing and naming things for example the giant named, The Gizardgulper and a fizzy, refreshing drink called frobscottle. By him using these new fun words he makes the story more interesting and draws you into the story even more just to find out what something means. His stories are mixtures of adventure and fun, which makes you feel like your right there in the the middle of all his stories. Roald Dahl is definitely an author that will be well known and still loved in the many years to come.

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  8. Mrs. Healey I had computer issues and was unable to send this by due date. If points are taken off that’s understandable. Here is my assignment.

    I admire Shakespeare, but I love Shell Silverstein. I love Shell Silverstein because of his imagery within his poetry. Every person can enjoy his poetry and create wonderful images to each word and each object described in the poems. “Where the side walk ends” is a poem by Shell which is an example of how he creates sound, imagery, and a five sense experience within his poetry. ” And there the grass grows soft and white, And there the sun burns crimson bright, And there the moon-bird rests from his flight To cool in the peppermint wind.” Each line creates a perfect image. The sight and feel of the grass, the feel of the hot sun, the beauty of the birds, and the feel of the cold wind each represent imagery. The peppermint wind imagery sends chills and wonder to the reader. Shell is a childrens’ writer but his writings can touch the hearts of all ages. I’ve read Silverstein’s writing since I was in grade school. I can still remember each library class my class would take out a new library book. Everyone wanted to read Silverstein’s books and be embedded into each of the poems and create images that involved our five senses. When it was finally my turn to receive the book, I couldn’t get enough of it. The book was nothing like I had read before. I could imagine each line, each word being described. I love Silverstein because he’s poems can create a new story and picture for each reader and everyone can easily read but understand differently.

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  9. CMcQuilken Barnacle BoyFebruary 11, 2010 at 5:57 AM

    I admire Shakespeare, but I love Christopher Paolini. He is the Author of the Eragon series, which include Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr. These three novels combine to be by far my favorite novels. I was never able to put them down; I was glued to the books the minute I read the first page. Paolini was only nineteen when he wrote his first book, Eragon, so it is understandable why I appeal to his style of writing. He pulls the reader into this fantasy world here anything is possible and he often puts intense battle scenes in to keep you gripped to the book. He completely makes up this whole world where a boy about my age is thrown into a life full of magic and fighting. It is cool to see how the boy thinks and acts differently at the end of the book then he did at the beginning. Paolini is by far my favorite Author. I have never been too interested into a book before I read Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr. There wasn’t one minute in which I was bored while reading. Paolini is an up and coming young author, and I plan on keeping up with the new novels he puts out.

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  10. Akenney barnacle boysFebruary 12, 2010 at 9:39 AM

    I am sorry this post is late ! My power went out and after that my internet has been going in and out for the past few days. I understand if points are taken off.
    I admire Shakespeare, but I love Ann Brashares. She wrote many young adult novels including the Sisterhood of the traveling pants series. I read these books as a preteen, and they were the books that made me start reading regularly. Ann Brashares style of writing makes it hard to put the book down. The sisterhood of the traveling pants is still one of my favorite series of books today! Two movies were made based on the series; I saw both in theaters and loved them. Brashares wrote a book for an older audience a couple years after the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants phenomenon. The book is called the Summer of You and Me. My cousin turned me onto this book over the summer, and I read it in four days. Ann Brashares knows how to capture life and love in a way that will make you remember the book forever. Shakespeare is also a great writer who will always be remembered. He was the master of human emotion. You can ask any teenage girl though, and she will prefer Ann Brashares. She just has a way to make you fall in love while reading her books! I will be sure to keep up with the books she will write in the future. I love Ann Brashares and will always remember her as the author who got me to love reading.

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  11. ddodge barnacle boysFebruary 14, 2010 at 5:47 PM

    I apologize for the late post!

    I admire Shakespeare but I love Mark Haddon. More recently I have read "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the night-time" and it had become one of my favorite books. He also has recently wrote "A Spot of Bother" which I plan to read soon! I am intrigued in this author because his style of writing is very unique. In this book that I have recently read, Haddon speaks through the mind of a young autistic boy. This spoke to me because this young boys point of view and his thoughts on all aspects of life are different than how I look at things. It takes a great author to be able to write a story from a totally different view on life than they are used to. I really felt like I could relate to this story because just like the young autistic boy, I notice all the little details in life. Shakespeare has not written any story like this one that I know of. Shakespeare's dramas and comedies greatly differ from Haddon's story through the eyes of a young boy. I would have like to seen how Shakespeare would take this technique and made it his own. My criteria of judging theses two authors would be who I could relate to more. This would by far be Mark Haddon only because the types of love stories and poems never have happened to me in real life and don't seem very realistic for everyday life. What I have read of Mark Haddon, it is more real and I am able to relate more to it. His book had me hooked and keep wanting to read more and never put the book down, that is how a good story should be.

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  12. Sorry this is so late!! I just totally forgot about it and saw it on power school!
    I admire Shakespeare, but I love J.D Salinger. Last year in English class we had to read Catcher in the Rye and it became one of my favorite books, maybe even my favorite. The story line is very easy to understand and it is straight to the point. Usually I am not very good with finding hidden meanings in stories, but this one I could. This book has had a lot of contradiction throughout the years and some say that it should not be read in high school, but I think it should. It shows all the struggles people go through while growing up. Growing up is tough, but it’s something we can’t stop and we must get through the best we can. Holden, in the story, always talks about everyone is so phony and he is right. There are a lot of people in this world who try to be something that they are not. We need to stop pretending and just be who we really are. I also really like the language in the book, sure there is a lot of profanity, but if you think about it that is how every talks now a days. No one uses fancy language anymore or poetry when they talk. Catcher in the Rye has many deep meanings to it, there is more than what meets the eye, but it is a simple story grasp and to understand what everything means. That is why I enjoyed the book so much and why I love J.D Salinger.

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  13. awernle barnacle boyFebruary 15, 2010 at 4:26 PM

    I admire Shakespeare, but I love Stephen R. Donaldson. I love him because of his style, and work. In his series The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever he builds up every event with tension and intense description. The series is intensely imaginative, with vivid characterizations. When you read his books, you wish you were in the settings he describes. In his books, every green, prosperous land is the most beautiful thing possible, and every cold winter, is the harshest of its time. Everything is intense, and described so. You can feel, touch, taste, see and smell everything in the settings along with the characters. When it comes to description, senses, and imagination Stephen beats Shakespeare easily. Shakespeare’s stories are tragic, and emotional, but don’t compare to Stephen Donaldson’s emotions, and his books have terrible tragedies just as well. The hero of Stephens Series, Thomas covenant, beats Shakespeare’s tragic heroes too. Thomas Covenant is a cynical writer, afflicted with leprosy and shunned by society, and ends up having to save an alternate world. Covenant is an extremely pessimistic, non agreeable character, who not until he rapes a girl, sees thousands die, and give there lives for the land, will chose to believe or help anybody. He is definitely a tragic character.

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  14. Sorry Mrs. Healey, my computer wasnt posting on the due date then I lost power, and I totally forgot about this until now. If points are taken off it's fine!!


    I admire Shakespeare, but I love Nicholas Sparks. He is the author of The Notebook, Dear John, Message in a Bottle, The Last Song, etc. He has written many novels that are all love stories. My favorite one would have to be The Notebook. It is a classic and I think every single girl has either read the book or seen the movie. I know I have done both. These novels of his can relate to a lot of people that are falling in and out of love. I think the main reason that girls are so attracted to them are because in most of his novels portrays the “perfect boyfriend.” I know every girl out there is looking for Mr. Right, and falls in love with the character played by him. The sad part is, in almost every novel Nicholas Sparks writes, someone dies in the end. But sometimes, that is what makes the ending so perfect. In The Notebook the two lovers die, but at a very old age, and together. This shows they will finally live in peace and love each other forever. Nicholas Sparks is a powerful writer and I hope he writes many more novels throughout the years because I truly enjoy reading them and his novels are the only books I will free willingly read and cannot put down.

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  15. I admire Shakespeare, but i love Cecily von Ziegesar. She writes a handful of series, but my personal favorite is the It Girl. It follows four girls and their adventures at an elite boarding school. Brett, Tinsley, Callie, and Jenny find themselves in a heapes of trouble when they are blamed for taking ecstacy to burning down a local barn. These novels are fun to read because it takes you on fun adventures that teenage girls are going through. Her writings are real, and have to do with our high school experiences. It's exciting to read about boarding school, a life that not many people know. Her books bring about a sense of curiosity about boarding school life. Ziegesar's books are exciting and always keep you guessing. Her writings can help people relate with many things in their lives. Everyone has different things going on in their lives and her books are fun to connect your life with. Shakespere's stories were adventures and something exciting and new was always happening. The It Girl series is a group of books that I will never get tired of because of all of the drama going along in these girl's lives. I love it!

    Sorry I'm late, Mrs Healey. I was snowed in at my dad's these past few days and he doesn't have a computer.

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  16. My bad I totally forgot that this was due sorry.

    I really am fond of shakespeares works of literature but, I prefer J.D. Salinger's work of art. Otherwise known as the catcher in the rye. I really like this work especially because, even though this work is over fifty years old it can still relate to people of Holden Caufield's age because, Holden uses language and themes that many still use today. This is very clever writing because, it still keeps readers interested because, they can relate to all of the problems he encounters and the situations that he finds himself in. This is why this is such a good book because, it is an adaptable book for readers both young and old because, either way no matter how old you are everyone has probably had school problems along with their parents and relationship problems such as what happens to Holden. Eveeryone both young and old can relate this story because, they have all experienced them and that is what makes this book a true work of art.

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  17. I admire Shakespeare, but i love Nicholas Sparks. He is probably one of my favorite authors and has become even more popular as his novel, Dear John, was recently made into a movie.He wrote the novels The Notebook, Dear John, Nights in Rodanthe, and A Walk to Remember, all of which i loved reading. Most of his books are about love, whether it may be love at first sight, finding love again, or even falling out of love. His books are appealing mainly towards teenage girls because all girls want to find love at some point in their lives and his books are about the perfect relationships that are so hard to find these days. The first book I read by Nicholas Sparks was The Notebook, and it was one of the most gripping novels novels i've ever read. It was a classic love story, and since then I have read several of his other books. Many of his books are tear-jerkers and keep you on the edge of your seat always wanting to know what happens next. I have currently bought two more of his books called The Guardian and The Rescue and I cannot wait to read them. Nicholas Sparks is one of the best known writers in America and 6 of his novels have been made into major motion pictures. His accomplishments are outstanding and I hope he continues to write more novels throughout the years. I truly enjoy reading his novels on my free time.

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  18. I was not here on Friday so I did not know we had a blog. Sorry.

    I admire Shakespeare, but i love Nicholas Sparks. Nicholas Sparks has written many books from the most famous of them all, The Notebook, and Dear John. Romance is his most popular genre for his books. It is nearly impossible to read or watch the Notebook all the way through without crying at least once. I have read Dear John, but i have not yet seen the movie. I think Dear John is more of a tear jerker then Notebook. I am a hard person to tell to go sit down and read. I am not the type to openly go sit down and read a whole book. Sparks's novels really kept me entertained and kept we waiting to sit down again and finish the book. Before I read The Notebook and Dear John I did not think it was possible to cry during a book but I stand corrected.

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  19. I admire Shakespeare, but I love Stephanie Myer. She is the writer of the Twilight Saga and a few other unkown books. I love the way she writes because her books never mainly focus on just one theme; they are a combination of romance, action, science fiction, and comedy. I admire her work and the struggle it took to get to where she is today. It took her a long time to get published and today her books are on many best-sellers lists. Each one of her books are very unique and have a charm that makes you never want to put them down. Though most of her books are fictional, they still contain many attributes of what is important in life. For example, how important love is in the world. Love is crucial not just for finding that one special person but also the love for your friends and family. Without love, what would really be left? Stephanie's books are what have inspired me to become a writer. I hope she continues to write many more books because she is such a different and unique writer.

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  20. I admire Shakespeare but Nicholas Sparks is one of the best writers of this century. I'm not one to like all the mushy, love stories but Nicholas Sparks' books have something special about them. Whether you are reading The Rescue, the Last Song, the Notebook, or Dear John, you will always love his stories. He has the ability to keep readers hooked until they have finished the book then to even start wondering more after it's done. His books have amazing quotes and deep thoughts. Whether you love reading or hate it, if you start reading one of his books you will never be able to put it down. Most of his stories are all about love but you don't have to be a hopeless romantic to get hooked. Something about Nicholas Sparks catches everyones attention. In fifty and thirty years, Nicholas Sparks will be the writer that the next generation studies in school.

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  21. I admire Shakespeare, but I love Ellen Hopkins. She doesn't write about mushy love stories that never happen in real life. She writes about real life problems that many teenagers go through in secret. She is the author of Crank, Identical, Burned and many more... She writes about teens who struggle with drug addiction, cutting, family troubles, and suicide. These scary topics keep you guessing and wondering the whole time your reading. She also has a unique writing style that appears to look like a poem, but has no rhyme scheme or pattern. Every so often, a random word will be out to the side in each "stanza", separated from the rest. But when you read each word that was separated, it creates another sentence. I was amazed when I first started reading her books at how much thought it must have taken to create this complex writing style. With the short amount of writing on each page, you can read the books fast and I like that because I get bored easily with books. My favorite book that she has written is Identical. It has a very complicated storyline that keeps you interested and you can’t figure out what’s going to happen until the very end. It describes sexual abuse in a family that you never imagine can happen, but it does. All her stories really open your eyes to what’s out there and catch your attention. I recommend them to all teenagers, boys and girls!

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  22. Celesta Smith,

    I admire Shakespeare but I love P.C. cast and Kristen cast. They write the series the house of night. Although you might think vampire books are lame or over done, this is more of a high school drama, like the hit show secret life of the American teenager. They write about how the main character, Zoey, has to take on average life as being a teenager and also being the most powerful “high priestess.” The series is very well written, you just can’t put the book down because of the drama packed pages. Although they aren’t world known like the other authors people wrote about them, they are very good writers. And I kind of like that they aren’t famous, it more fun to have your own author.

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  23. I admire Shakespeare but i love J.K. Rowling. J.K. Rowling has an incredible imagination and wrote the amazing series of Harry Potter. She has an incredible writing style and a great imagination. I would rather read Rowling over Shakespeare. Rowling has a bigger intrest in my generation then Shakespeare. Shakespeare will have a much bigger impact on the world. There are already classes that study Shakespeare. I don't think Rowling will ever have as big of an impact as Shakespeare but she has definitly drawn a big intrest in this generation and in future generations. Rowling has a great imagination and I am amazed at how someone could think of a story like that. Her writing style is very impressive and I think her books will be around and very popular for many years to come.

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  24. I admire Shakespeare I love Louisa May Alcott. Little Woman is the original coming-of-age story. The character I most identify with is Jo because she's a huge tomboy, has a bit of a temper, and doesn't conform to what people (i.e. Aunt March) think of her. These are qualities I also possess. Besides Laurie is like the best friend/boyfriend everyone always wanted

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  25. MDudkewitz Banacle Boys

    I admire Shakespeare, but I love Francesca Lia Block. She is most well known for her series Dangerous Angles and her many standalone novels. Block, usually targeting a teen audience, tackles a variety of controversial issues including teen pregnancy, drug abuse, and even incest (in novel Wasteland where a girl has a complex relationship with her adopted brother). What is different about her is that the majority of her writing relates back to and ties in with Greek mythology, the understanding of human emotion, and the question faith (dealing with god-like creatures). Block is known for her use of very descriptive imagery and in depth description of emotion. Like Shakespeare, Francesca Lia Block delves into the mystery of human emotion and makes you think as you're reading. I do however, believe that Block attacks different topics from her own point of view, which people can relate to easier than the works of Shakespeare. Also, I don't think it's completely fair to judge Block against Shakespeare because they wrote in two completely different time periods. People now are different than those who were around during Shakespeare's time. Looking at the two author's side to side, I would have to say that Block is easier to relate to and easier to understand. She is my favorite author, by far. I believe I like her so much because she helps you to see a topic from all different perspectives, as many of her novels tell the same story from different points of view. Her work helps others to understand the troubling things that are going on in their lives.

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  26. I love the Weetzie Bat stories!!

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