To Be or Not To Be?

                                >disclaimer<

To be or not to be? That is the question

Whether your heart is troubled

Or full of ecstasy I'll never know

But I presume it's also full of sorrows

I believe so

To be or not to be? That is the question

It's the thought that confuses the mind

It's the doubt that you feel

That labyrinth in your head

That conscience telling you things you should or shouldn't 

To be or not be? A question getting too cliche

Are you really you or are you not?

Do you detest or praise thyself?

Whatever it is in your mind

Never forget to choose whats right.

Reaction: Comedy of Errors

     Another outstanding masterpiece of Shakespeare the ' Comedy of Errors'. What lies behind the title? Everyone is sure that it'll be a comedy but what errors are in it? This week classmates of mine have reported the story and some reactions need to be told.

    In reporting a play, everyone must consider the background of the said play. Was it originally Shakespeare's  idea? or was it someone else'?  Questions that we're in my mind after they've reported it, which was a shame that I didn't even got to ask it to them.  

    From the group, I saw that there were only two people who really understood the story and some not quite. The way they reported in front of the class was somewhat boring. Boring, meaning it's the usual thing everyone does. Read the one on the power point. That's it. For me that kind of way is getting to cliche, can't they all think of another was to report their work? It's not that I'm saying it's a terrible one, but, it's just that it's like wheel that goes round and round over and over.

   But in total, they somewhat reported well. I can't quite say anymore because we might do the same mistakes and who knows' what they'll say. An opinion is an opinion. But honestly, I believe they can do better well like I usually say c'est la vie.

Mother Tongue or Foreign Language?

     

     It has been quite some time since the Americans have invaded our land. They've left so many things that changed us Filipinos; especially in our culture. Those developments have really made us Filipinos act differently, from the way we dress, act and the way parents name their children and the way we talk with each other. And I believe I am one of them.
     Society has really changed, and so did we. People tend to use English more often nowadays. In schools, they teach English to almost every year level including children from the nursery level. Most parents prefer to teach their kids English since they think that it'll be better and they would look smart. In speaking with foreigners we tend to adjust ourselves and use English in our conversations and almost in every conversation that may seem formal. We can't avoid it since it has almost been like a habit for most people.
     Some Filipinos in the farther part of the Philippines, or should we say people who are in the deep parts of provinces are encountering problems like - no read, no write. That has always been a problem, since their are fellow citizens and they must have the right to learn our native tongue. Yet sadly those people who have enough money seem to focus on teaching their kids with an advance education. Not saying that it is wrong but those teaches, would probably focus on the English language. While the Tagalog language, forgotten or if not, they are not that familiar with it.
     Like other people I too am a victim of these changes. Honestly I would prefer reading an English novel than a Tagalog one. It is simply because I was trained or my parents have already taught me English long ago. Even in my first years of studying, English was a must. Since that day, my tongue became quite or somewhat fluent with it. Reading a Filipino story straightly would bore me, not unless the story's about a really catchy love story or just something that could catch my attention. If it's not like that then I would lay that book down and do something else,before, but now I try to comprehend every word and if possible read the whole paragraph or sentence again. Because I assure you, I wouldn't understand it that well but even so I'll keep on trying.
     There are also those people who are very much fluent with our native tongue. They are the people who have been practicing or are well aware of our language. And I salute to them since most of them are not only good with our language but at the same time also with the foreign language like English.
     But even after all of these, we made an event that would let everyone recognize our language, which is called "Buwan ng Wika" where in we celebrate it for that month we do things that would make us remember our culture and literature.
    We are simply leaving in a fast changing and modernized world that makes us adapt to it and slowly adjust to it. If we don't we get left behind, but if we do succeed we get the chance to walk the same path as they do. Just like Mr. Viru said in the movie '3 Idiots' - "...Life is a race...". 

Midnight Stroll

   I wonder, what happens when I'm all asleep and midnight comes? It all makes my curiosity boost up. Well I have waited this long, I should give it a try and observe.

    I am now walking around my room and found a knave person staring back at me; it was me, a reflection of myself in the mirror. I crept slowly and opened my door and found my brother lying on the couch who was just in a baccalaureate an hour ago, better not disturb him. Passing through the hallways that seemed to be an unending path I over heard my older sister talking garrulously on the new phone she got last month, the rapport bond between my sister and her friend must be really strong since not even I could listen to her tales that seemed to be forever. I finally reached the stairs and found my father in front of the television. The epithet words my father was using was directed to the epitaph; he is currently watching a zombie movie. The moonlight on the Diamond Chandelier somewhat enlightens our living room and it somehow makes me feel good to see clear light. The unanimous decision of my parents regarding the arrangement of the house is good. I am now by the window and a conspicuous group of cats where in some queue, I bet they're waiting for fish or something. I also think that that trash bin is their rendezvous every midnight. Walking around the house made me thirsty for milk, so I went to the kitchen to open the fridge. The milk in my mug was a bit superfluous so I just quaff and guzzle it down, like someone's even gonna take it away from me. I think that's enow, I have already quenched my thirst. I now overhear mother and father talking about my auntie's wraith which was somewhat disturbing since its already past twelve. I notice the assemblage of the cats and their number is somewhat increasing and this thoughts came up to my mind - it's like their giving a plebiscite about the fish and who will receive it. They all seemed to "meow", I guess they all acquiesced to the decision perhaps. Doing a surveillance on this feline friends of mine suddenly makes me crave for a parfait; it's very uncommon for me to crave for something this late. I then stumble upon my brothers rambunctious room, he really is a buffoon for making his room look like a circus. The uncouth feeling that my brother never did stayed too long in his room made me wonder, why did he even beg for a room of his own. I can remember how he always disturbs mother, he was a bit tautology for asking the same question or phrase over and over again. A vociferate noise of a girl suddenly awakens my senses. I then found my father watching a Sleuth marathon and the girl was currently being chased. I am now looking for some accommodation since that really creeped me out. I guess I was never that auspicious in life, sigh, many unlucky things are currently happening to me. I believe it's because of me being vacuous or a wit since I am a bit juvenile. But I'm usually taciturn, I mean my family members haven't seen me said a hundred words straight at them. Well I believe it's because I am a connoisseur; not that I'm being proud or anything but I like to do conversations on the paper. I'm getting ennui from staring at this Sleuth show, I'll just head back to my room. I am a bit coy to pass by my sleeping brother; weird 'cause his my brother, since he's soundly sleeping and I might disturb him and he looks really grungy. And this unpleasant look of him is very obnoxious to my sight and I know myself that I am more punctilious than him, well I should really get going.
     I am now appeased and becoming a bit faineant since it's already 2 o'clock in the morning. My piffle talking sister and my somewhat contumacious brother makes me wonder what am I then? Well that's for me to answer next time, but right now I'll be shutting my eyes and get myself a goodnight sleep. I am but an ephebe child in this fast changing world and many people like to courtier to get something; like my sister, but I bet I won't change (I hope). Well good night stars that twinkle in the sky, good night my shimmering and glimmering moon and good night to everyone that has life and still breathes.

Romeo and Juliet with a Twist

     Putting a twist in the tragic story of Romeo and Juliet is somewhat hard for me. First and foremost, what is a comic relief? How do I even come up with such a humorous situation that everyone would seem to enjoy and have that feeling that it was worth it. Well I remember when Ma'am May once said that when you're a born joker you don't have to exert effort to make everyone laugh or something like that. Easier said than done, for my case.

     Romeo was about to take the poison which was placed on the table. Not knowing that there were two bottles he took the blue colored one and took off. On his way there Paris was uncontrollably crying his eye out that he even wept on the ground were Juliet's body lies.
 In minutes Romeo come's to the scene where Paris is. Paris was currently holding a crowbar when Romeo came.

Romeo: Speak nothing of the truth! What lies beyond, is it true?

Paris: I believe ye is Romeo? Are you not ? I blame all that has happened to you!

     Paris attacks Romeo with a crowbar, he didn't even bother to get his sword. But as he runs to Romeo he trips over his sword that fell a while ago. He rolls over to Romeo's feet and gets up while raising the crowbar over his head and falls again backwards.

Romeo: Are we to start the duel or not?

Paris: I surrender. Thou cannot withstand this any longer. Romeo my dear, the truth is, it is you whom I love!

Romeo: Paris all this commotion is getting in to you - 

Paris: I beg thee to not speak anymore, such harsh words might tremble thy fragile heart of mine.

Romeo steps backwards as he crossed his eyebrows and looked at Paris' peculiar actions.
But then Paris throws his crowbar hitting the ground where Juliet's coffin is.

Juliet: Oh my. Has it been time yet?

Juliet tries to kick her way out and because of that the ground above her seemed to move which caused Romeo's attention.

Romeo: My Lady!

Romeo swiftly runs forth to Juliet and helps her out. But then Paris starts to shout things about him uncontrollably which made Juliet feel glad that she never fell in love with such a questionable person.

Paris: I cannot withstand this! Hence forth I shall leave you both but be warned my beloved Romeo, I am like a shadow that follows ye when the sun is high and at night when the moon is full. Well bon voyage!

Juliet: That was a bit awkward do you agree not ?

Romeo: Ay. And a bit creepy for my situation.

The Capulet's and Montague's arrive as they here the outrageous story from Paris. The Apothecary was also on his way by that time.

Capulet: Juliet step away from that horrid thing!

Montague: You watch your words!

Foul words came out from both families. Romeo and Juliet then decided to commit suicide to end the senseless fight between the feuding families. 

Romeo drank the solution that was in the small blue jar. It was already a second too late before they could stop Romeo from drinking the what they thought was poison.

Apothecary: My Lord stop!

Romeo coughs hardly and throws the bottle away. Juliet pats Romeo at the back.

Romeo: What foul taste! What was that?

Apothecary: That was my Horse's urine your majesty, it was supposed to be used for some sort of experiment.

Romeo: My word, next time do be careful of what you hand me!

Friar Lawrence then enters and explains everything to the feuding family and tries to stitch everything up.

Capulet: Terribly sorry dear friend. Here is your toy wooden train that I snatched away from you before.

Montague: Keep it as a peace offering.

Capulet: Thank you. I shouldn't have stolen this before from ye. Though I am truly happy that we're even.

Montague: True, let's us never fight again.

The whole misunderstanding finished and the two families became one big happy family. They had promised to themselves to never fight over choo - choo the train ever again.

     The comic relief I've just made wasn't that convincing. But I do hope it did make you laugh, even if it was a second of giggle. I think making the story turn into a humorous one doesn't quite fit the whole plot. I would still prefer the tragic ending that made me amazed and gave me inspiration to not always make my stories a happily ever after. But I must say it is sort of fun putting a twist in Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare has indeed created such tremendous works such as Hamlet, The Tempest, Macbeth and many more. From those works of him "Romeo and Juliet" was the first story I've known and read. Fascinatingly I finished the whole book without hesitation and how amazed was I when I reached the ending; regardless of the fact that I somewhat know the plot of the story, reading it from the start till the end was somewhat breath taking. Well it is a very tragic story indeed, but that's what makes the story more interesting. It makes me want to dig deeper and try to fully understand the true meaning behind Shakespeare's unique masterpieces.

Full of woe's. That's how I would simply explain the dreadful story of "Romeo and Juliet", which is what makes it turn out to a beautiful work of art. As I read through the story I already knew that the ending would be a tragic one, because I've already heard of it before somewhere.But if I haven't known of it I'd be curious. Of course I would expect the ending would be like the one in fairy tales "Happily ever after", like any ordinary person would.

If I were to somehow divert the ending I would probably do the same, a miserable ending, but at least there you'll find the lesson in life and you'll be able to understand that sometimes you have to learn your lesson the hard way.

If I would change the parts in "Act five, Scene three", I would let Romeo reach the tomb late. Only a few minutes left, Juliet would awaken. So as Romeo reaches the grave he would still meet Paris and have the deadly fight; which Romeo won. Romeo would then hear Juliet's voice. He then opens the tomb and hugs her tightly, but then Page see's Paris' dead body on the ground and quickly calls fort Capulet and his men. With all the commotion, it made the Montague's come fort too. When both families reach the place a loud uproar was made. The nurse tried to pull Juliet away from Romeo, same with Montague pulling his son away. The two resisted and were able break free from the constrict. Romeo and Juliet then decided to drink the poison after trying to explain things to their families; which no one tried to listen to. Romeo placed the poison in his mouth and kissed Juliet causing the two to fall on the ground. Friar Lawrence then came and saw that he was too late, he explains the story behind of how the two young lovers became true to one another,excluding the fact that their names are enemies. And same with the original ending the two families then realize what they have done and finally, after so many years, became friends.

Still a tragic ending. That's how I would define my style of the ending. The story "Romeo and Juliet" gives a very interesting lesson. Not that you have to get married at the age of 14. It's that we shouldn't be too high on ourselves. Lessen that pride that makes you want to climb on top and look down on others as you step on them. It's the love and passion you must give to your beloved one's not cruelty and ignorance to others. And it's the joy of being with those persons that you love so dear. I really salute to William Shakespeare, for he has created stories that no ordinary person would. Let his works be a lesson to all of us.