CASTING CANTERBURY TALES

Jennifer Hudson as the Prioress

 Hudson would be fit for this character due to the fact that she shares many characteristics of the Prioress. “At meat well y-taught was she withal: She let no morsel from her lippes fall, Nor wet her fingers in her sauce deep.” (Chaucer 7, lines 126-129). Here we acknowledge that the Prioress is very well-mannered. This character is also defined as, “…she was not undergrow.” (Chaucer 8, line 156). Jennifer Hudson has always seen as being a very classy celebrity. When we see her on any award functions, she is dressed very elegantly, similar to the Prioress.  Hudson has most recently become the face of Jenny Craig and lost a lot of weight. The Prioress is known to be very cheerful and as we saw a few years ago, Hudson unfortunately lost her nephew. Regardless of this tragedy in her life, she has come above and stayed positive. 

Jake Gyllenhaal as the Squire 

The Squire is described as being a very sexual human being. He supposedly engages in sexual activity with numerous amount of women which means he may be an attractive fellow, “A lover and a lusty bachelor” (Chaucer 5, line 80). This character is also described to wear very nice clothing. Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in the movie, Love and Other Drugs. His role in this movie would prove him to be fit for this casting because of his part in Love and Other Drugs. Gyllenhaal plays a very attractive womanizer, similar to the type of person the Squire is. The Squire is described as, “So hot he loved that by nightertale, He slept no more than does a nightingale.” (Chaucer 6, lines 97-98). Not only is Gyllenhaal hot and steamy in movies, but in 2009, he was given the title of “Sexiest Man Alive” by the very famous, People Magazine. 

Justin Timberlake as the Franklin 

The Franklin is portrayed as a wealthy landowner. “Of his complexion he was sanguine.” (Chaucer 16, line 333). This allows the reader to think that the Franklin was often cheerful and optimistic, “For he was Epicurus's own son…” (Chaucer 16, line 334). Justin Timberlake is known for his very positive influences on society. He is one of the very few celebrities who have been able to maintain a respectful manner all over the world. Timberlake has a key physical characteristic that fits the Franklin’s appearance, his beard, “His bread, his ale, was always after one.” (Chaucer 16, line 341). The philosophy of Epicurus is to live with pleasure, always happy with friends around. Timberlake demonstrates this, as does the Franklin. Because the Franklin is wealthy, one may assume that he is handsome, as is Timberlake, being voted “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2006. In the movie, The Social Network, Timberlake played an important contributor to Facebook, presenting ideas clearly and taking control. Because the Franklin owns land, we see him of being somewhat dominant. Timberlake would have no problem playing this part. 

Chance Writing Prompt

There was once a chance I didn't take when I was in the ninth grade and I went to Chicago for the summer. My older sister took me to the mall and we went to H&M. My sister found the prettiest blouse ever and asked me if I wanted the same blouse. I hesitated but I really did want this shirt. No matter how high my desire for this shirt was, I said no. I didn't want my sister to pay for a blouse for me. It was kind of expensive and I'd feel so guilty if I didn't get it.

Now that I look back and see my sister wear this blouse that could have been mine, I wish I had it. My sister looks so pretty in it and I could totally wear at a dinner or a party. Oh well. I'm sure there will be plenty other blouses but I really did like that one. I'm sure whenever I go up there, she'll let me wear it whenever I want!

Guide to Hell Writing Assignment 11/7

If I were to go to Hell and pick a guide, I would choose Dante. Because Dante has been through the same process I would be going through, he would be able to sympathize with me and understand my reactions. Dante would already be knowledgable about the levels of Hell because of his guide which means he is well educated about what goes on and what type of people are being punished. Along the way through the circles of hell, Dante and I could have a good conversation. I actually have a lot of questions I would like to ask Dante about his novel. I want to know what was going through his head while he was writing his novel, as well as what he was thinking when he first experienced walking through Hell. Not only will having Dante as a guide be educational, but would also be VERY entertaining! 

BEOWULF AND THE CITY!

Bret and Garrett could not have been closer than they already were. These two boys grew up together in New York City. They went to elementary, middle and high school together. Now, both of them attend NYU. During Chemistry, one summer afternoon, Bret noticed hot-tamale sitting two rows away from him. Her name was Monique. Bret hesitated to nudge Garrett to let him feast his eyes upon this girl, but brushed it off and showed him. Garrett was love struck by this beautiful woman. Both boys decided that they would not try to proceed with this girl because it would ruin their ‘bromance’.

The next day, Bret came late to class and found Monique sitting next to Garrett. When he asked about details later, Garrett simply changed the subject and denied any conversation the two had. The same day, in the cafeteria, Garrett found Bret chatting it up with Monique at their everyday table. When Garrett approached the table, Monique and Bret suspiciously stopped and changed their conversation topic. Bret was a parcel-dispatcher and had to leave anyway for his shift.

Both boys decided to ignore each other every time the other was with Monique. Then came a wild frat party at NYU. The boys went to the party looking fresh as ever. Bret went to go get them some drinks and came back. When Bret turned around he saw the most unforgivable scene. Garrett and Monique were dancing! “OH MY GOD, YOU DONKEY-GAP! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME YOU HEART-JAILER?” exclaimed Bret. He went over to Garrett and punched him in the face! Garrett was knocked out on the floor. He got back up, yelled “YOU, LINT-LICKER!” Bret again punched Garrett, but this time it was so hard that he fainted!

The police soon arrived. They were stunned to find two NYU students caught up in a brawl. Garrett was rushed to the hospital and Bret followed feeling as guilty as ever. He kept praying that his finest-comrade would regain consciousness. After about two days, Garret woke up. Bret of course, was by his buddy’s side. The two childhood friends were able to talk out the situation and agreed that neither have them would have Monique. Bret and Garrett were able to overcome this obstacle. The two decided that they’d have a code name for the next girl they both found attractive, “Non-grenade”.

Bold=kenning

Red=foreshadowing

20 minute writing assignment-ISLAND

Thank God I have my sister, Aeliya with me! Ael is very strong and smart. She knows how to get through the wild. We found a suitcase. We don't know who's it is but there are men's clothing. We took showers in a nearby lake. We put on the man's jeans and t-shirts. Why would he pack t-shirts in December?! Being concerned, we went through the suitcase. We found a tiny iPod shuffle. This man must have been a teenager because all the songs were by Pitbull! Listening to the songs and looking for more things, we found a book. It was "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". Ugh, we've seen the movie only 300 times! Oh well. I take the book while Ael listens to Pitbull. I begin reading "Harry Potter" and get so intrigued by it. Before I know, it's sundown. Ael goes into the lake and catches some fish. We end up changing into the ugly man's clothing while the previous clothes dry. It was hard to imagine our lives being like this forever. But with Aeliya, Pitbull, some stranger's suitcase and "Harry Potter", it was all possible!

RIDDLE

I am pleasing to your mentality.
My contrasting sounds laze many.
The vibrations bounce off fyour gold jewlery.
The melodic harmony soothes the heart.
I do not appreciate when I have been mimicked,
Because my melody is often diminished.

FINAL COLLEGE ESSAY

“Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough” – Og Mandino

            Every single person has experienced a time in their life when it seemed easier to just give up than to try harder. The human mindset leads one to believe as being unable to reach the impossible. Therefore, this limits us from the profound opportunities that are to come in the future. I used to think, “What’s wrong with people? Why can’t they just suck it up and try harder?” Then, I soon found myself in a similar situation when I took on the challenge of Extemporaneous Speaking for debate tournaments.

            Extemp is known to be one of the harder events of debate competition. Participants are to go into a tournament without any knowledge of the topic to be spoken about. When a judge hands you a topic, you are given thirty minutes to come up with a seven minute speech using news articles previously read. Seems impossible, right? I didn’t think so. I saw myself as blowing through Extemp with flying colors.

Until my first debate practice.

            I’ll never forget my first question, “What’s next for Egypt?” I was very confident with my knowledge about the protests going on in this region. I would quickly make an outline with facts and supporting evidence. Finally, I stood in front of my debate coach and classmates to give this speech. I confidently spoke my opening attention getter and suddenly froze.

            I couldn’t believe it! I completely forgot the topic and main arguments that I had so boldly constructed. Someone would read me a little of the next sentence which would get me going but not for long. I’d forget what comes next and freeze. My only form of stalling was to “ummm” between each sentence. A classmate counted the amount of times I “umm”’ed and it was up to thirty-one times in one speech!

            I thought it was a onetime incident, but as weeks went on, I showed no improvement. I told myself I was done. There was no way I was going to be able to make a perfect speech. The inability to properly deliver a speech convinced me that I was going to make a fool out of myself at the upcoming competition

            After giving up for weeks and being completely bummed about the situation, I came across a YouTube video of a girl participating in Extemp for a national tournament. That’s when it really hit me that I wanted to go to a national competition, participating in Extemp. I went to school that week determined as ever, receiving many topics and giving as many speeches as possible.

            Tournament day came and I had never been more nervous. I went into my first round and came out feeling as confident as ever. I ended up being a semi finalist that weekend and went home with a trophy. I felt like I had just accomplished something that once seemed impossible. Instead of believing that my goal was unattainable, I proved myself wrong.