Sonnet Blog

     Sonnet 73 by William Shakespeare is about a man who is on his death bed. The man is sorrowful and frightened by death, but soon changes his opinion. The man concludes that death makes love stronger. This is revealed in lines 13 and 14, "This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong, To love that well, which thou must leave ere long." The man no longer fears death, because of the love he will experience. If a person becomes ill or endangered, it is difficult for most people to not feel sorrowful. The man would likely feel loved more than ever on his death bed. People who dislike the man would likely be compassionate and kind to him on his death bed.
     I agree with the theme of this sonnet. Examples of this theme are prevelant in hollywood. For instance, many people made cruel jokes about Michael Jackson's personal life, but those same people mourned his death last summer. Tupac Shakur is another classic example. Throughout his career Tupac was criticized by many people for his offensive music, but after his death many people showed pity and love to him. Thirdly Ryan White is another person disrespected during his life, only to be loved more after his death. White was kicked out of school when it was discovered he had been infected with the AIDS virus, but today there are walks done in his honor. There are countless examples of people who have received more love after their death than during their lives. Shakespeare recognized this fact long before the days of large media and celebrities.

Ballad Blog

One of the common topics of a ballad is tragic accidents. This song reflects this theme as it refers to the terrorists attacks on Spetember 11, 2001. The attacks were truly sudden disasters that nobody expected. Thousands of innocent people were killed without warning or reason.This song includes characterisics of a ballad when Darryl Worley explains the fact that terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. Also the story being told in the song is a true story about a historic day in United States history. The reality of the situation reveals the horror and fear experienced that day. Lastly the song also meets the characteristic of a ballad in that the dialogue answers further the story. Worley emphasizes the fact that the events affected the world as a whole, rather than simply one person.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6yLQRF-cEU&ob=nb_av3n



Have You Forgotten
By: Darryl Worley

I hear people saying we don't need this war
But, I say there's some things worth fighting for
What about our freedom and this piece of ground
We didn't get to keep 'em by backing down
They say we don't realize the mess we're getting in
Before you start your preaching let me ask you this my friend

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

They took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbing for you and me
It'll just breed anger that's what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it everyday
Some say this country's just out looking for a fight
Well, after 9/11 man I'd have to say that's right

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And we vowed to get the one’s behind bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember
Just what they're fighting for

Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Yeah, some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry about bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?

Hero Blog

     A personal hero of mine is my grandpa. He battled cancer for  months, before he passed away. Although the cancer was terminal, he never quit. He knew that he wanted to fight as long as he could, and he did just that. My family was able to spend more time with him due to his strength and determination. When I face an obstacle that seems impossible, I often think of my grandpa's battle and how hard he fought even though he knew it would most likely be a losing effort.
     Superman is also a hero, but in a different way. He protected people and fought for them. He always found a way to save the citizens of the town, even if it meant he might not make it out alive. Superman battled many villains such as Lex Luther. Lex knew Superman's weakness, but Superman had to be courageous and fight to protect the city.
     Pat Tillman is a man who I also consider one of my heroes. I obviously did not know him personally, but he gave his life for a cause that he believed in. I believe that if people who had an option to make millions of dollars playing in the NFL, or risk their lives on the front line of a battle field, a majority would choose the NFL. However Pat Tillman sacrificed a career that he had strived and worked for his entire life, so that he could fight for his nation and defend his people. I am forever greatful and forever admire the sacrifice made by Tillman, and all soldiers.