5 Matching Annotations
  1. Oct 2025
    1. What is your pleasure, madam? How is’t with you? DESDEMONA. I cannot tell. Those that do teach young babes Do it with gentle means and easy tasks. He might have chid me so, for, in good faith, I am a child to chiding. IAGO. What’s the matter, lady? EMILIA. Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhor’d her, Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her, As true hearts cannot bear. DESDEMONA. Am I that name, Iago? IAGO. What name, fair lady? DESDEMONA. Such as she says my lord did say I was. EMILIA. He call’d her whore: a beggar in his drink Could not have laid such terms upon his callet. IAGO. Why did he so? DESDEMONA. I do not know. I am sure I am none such. IAGO. Do not weep, do not weep: alas the day!

      It seems to me that this passage reveals Desdemona’s complete innocence and emotional vulnerability. it also shows how her goodness and gentleness make her powerless in the face of Othello’s (rather misplaced) rage.

      When Desdemona says, “He might have chid me so, for, in good faith, / I am a child to chiding,” she is expressing both confusion and humility, comparing herself to a child who deserves gentle correction rather than cruelty. Her tone shows that she cannot understand why she is being punished. This furthers the point that she is innocent and cannot understand why she is in "trouble." This childlike response highlights the tragedy of her situation, her patience and faith in love leave her defenseless against Othello’s false accusations.

  2. Sep 2025
    1. Ther was also a Nonne, a PRIORESSE, That of hir smylyng was ful symple and coy; 120 Hir gretteste ooth was but by Seinte Loy; And she was cleped Madame Eglentyne. Ful weel she soong the service dyvyne, Entuned in hir nose ful semely, And Frenssh she spak ful faire and fetisly,

      This was interesting but also really hard to follow. I was confused on what the "hir gretteste ooth" means in plain English. Understanding the French language and culture would make this easier for me to understand this passage. I also think a bit of background knowledge in nuns and their culture might help me breakdown this passage as well because I think the word Nonne is referring to a Catholic nun.

    1. engage students as the creators of knowledge rather than passive consumers of it.

      I think this is a really important concept especially as a college student. I love the idea that I am not just sitting here but a "creator of knowledge."

    1. “Sire, I have loved one of thy vassals,—the knight who stands in bonds, Sir Launfal. He was always misprized in thy Court, and his every action turned to blame. What he said, that thou knowest; for over hasty was his tongue before the Queen.

      The speaker is Launfal’s mysterious lover and she is addressing King Arthur. She acknowledges her love for Launfal and defends him. She explains that Launfal was unfairly treated in the court. Her goal is to plead his case and persuade the King to understand Launfal’s actions in a more compassionate way.

      The mysterious lady intervenes directly in Launfal’s trial, defending him. The effect on the reader is sympathy and admiration. I really liked these lines because it feels like a really big turning point in the story.

      The things I noticed was tone and repetition. The tone of these lines is respectful and obviously thought out. She says "Sire" and "vassals" these both have an elevated tone of respect. There is also a repetive theme of misjudgment in these lines. She says "misprized," "turned to blame," and "over hasty." All of those words lead the reader to the idea that something morally wrong is going on.

      Overall, these lines were my really good because Marie de France elevates the voice of a woman. She does this not just to defend Launfal, but to critique a system where justice can be corrupted by jealousy!!

    1. Who valuable gift-gems of the Geatmen carried As peace-offering thither, that he thirty men’s grapple Beowulf is reported to have the strength of 10 Has in his hand, the hero-in-battle. 30 men. The holy Creator usward sent him, To West-Dane warriors, I ween, for to render ’Gainst Grendel’s grimness gracious assistance: I shall give to the good one gift-gems for courage. 15 Hasten to bid them hither to speed them, To see assembled this circle of kinsmen; Tell them expressly they’re welcome in sooth to

      The Geats arrived with treasures as a symbol or gift of peace. The leader is a warrior who has the strength of 30 men. This is Beowulf. God sent him to help out the Danes. He is there to save them all from Grendel's attacks. The king of this land promises to reward him with treasures for his bravery in saving everyone. The king then orders a messenger to welcome them and bring them inside.