Cecilia Saba Essays - Operas, Vocal Music, Music, Sir Orfeo, LOrfeo

Cecilia Saba 14738211 ENG20410 Reading Medieval Literature: Mid-Term Assignment " The concept of kingship in Sir Orfeo" This essay will examine the representation of kingship in Sir Orfeo, taking Orfeo and the Fairy King as the main examples. Specifically, it will focus on how both of them represented a royal figure in different ways. It will compare and contrast the two kings and it will also deeply analyse various kingship elements in the text in order to provide a comprehensive viewpoint on the subject matter. Finally, it will analyse the text and the way the theme of kingship and the loss of it was addressed through the key quotes of the critics who wrote about the topic, while interpreting them as well as challenging some of them in order to obtain a more personal outlook on the topic discussed. Sir Orfeo reworks the classical myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Where the Fairy King is depicted as the monarch of a colourful and extravagant otherworld, the original version features Hades as the king of a dark and subterranean place guarded by a three headed dog named Cerberus. While the Greek otherworld is a lot harder to access, Sir Orfeo seems to luckily stumble on it by simply following the fairies when he finally sees Heurodis amongst them. In this case the beauty of the Celtic world is contrasted with the classical nasty place that the otherworld was always described as. Instead, Orfeo is amazed by the Fairy King's reign, which makes it very different from Hades' one, which is anything but enviable. However, while Orfeo main concern is to get his wife back. Firstly, Hades did not take Eurydice away from Orfeo, she simply died because of a venomous snake's bite, whereas the Fairy King actually kidnapped Heurodis. While the Fairy's king actions were not respectful of the code of honour and therefore it could have caused a feud, his otherworldliness makes him basically untouchable. Similarly, although Hades might have purposely placed the snake near the venue of Orfeo and Eurydice's wedding, the young man does not try to get his wife back by appealing to his status. Instead, he manages to reach the underworld, which is nearly impossible for humans, and just like Sir Orfeo he moves the king through his music. Classical myths were often retold during the Middle Ages and some details were often changed and adapted to better suit the time. However, while Orfeo was often described as a hero who took part to the Argonauts expedition, and a talented poet, he was never a king in the earlier versions, although in some versions he did have divine origins, like in the medieval poem. Some believed he was the son of Apollo's, others mention that he was the result of the love of Oeagrus, king of Thrace, and one of the muses. The medieval poem clearly specifies Orfeo's status from the very beginning: "Orfeo was a kynge" (Bliss, 39). The lines from 39 to 46 provide a portrait of Orfeo's divine genealogy as well as the fact that he is a king, while the lines from 47 to 50 describe Thrace. This first section, from line 1 to 47 can be understood as the poem's prologue (Schwieterman, 46). It was essential to lay down Orfeo's importance to his people to put his duty in relation to his breakdown after Heurodi s went missing. The wilderness of the forest where Orfeo loses his sanity and the use of the word "Fairy" create elements of folklore. It is important to stress the fact that some details were adjusted to suit the British taste and to create familiarity with the story by putting it into a British contest (Hofstee, 2). Of course any supernatural elements are included, but the Orfeo's experiences and feelings are associated with the worldly sphere. Orfeo's life is disrupted by Heurodis' absence, and he experiences self-exile, return to his reign in disguise and a final revelation to conclude the story with. However, it would be wrong to assume that Orfeo was just a madman, he was a man whose world was stolen away to the otherworld (Knapp, 267). One of the main themes is in fact the precariousness of happiness and how it

People Who Can Help You on Election Day

People Who Can Help You on Election Day When voters walk into a busy polling place on election day, they see a vast array of people, most of them rushing around, doing lots of different things. Who are these people and what is their function in the election? Besides (hopefully) lots of other voters waiting to vote, youll see: Poll Workers These people are here to help you vote. They check voters in, making sure they are registered to vote and are at the correct polling place. They hand out ballots and show voters where to deposit their ballots after voting. Perhaps most importantly, poll workers can show voters how to use the particular type of voting device being used. If you have any problems using the voting machines or are not sure how to use the machine to complete your ballot, by all means, ask a poll worker. Poll workers either volunteer or are paid a very small stipend. They are not full-time government employees. They are people who are donating their time to help make sure elections are conducted fairly and efficiently. If you run into any problems while voting or waiting to vote, ask a poll worker to help you. If you make a mistake while filling out your ballot, let a poll worker know before you leave the polling place. The poll worker can give you a new ballot. Your old ballot will either be destroyed or placed in a separate ballot box for damaged or incorrectly marked ballots. Election judges At most polling places, there will be one or two election officials or election judges. Some states require one Republican and one Democratic election judge at each polling place. Election judges ensure that the election is conducted fairly. They settle disputes over voter qualification and identification, deal with damaged and incorrectly marked ballots and take care of any other issues involving interpretation and enforcement of election laws. In states that allow Election Day voter registration, election judges also register new voters on Election Day. Election judges officially open and close the polling place and are responsible for the safe and secure delivery of sealed ballot boxes to the vote counting facility after the polls close. As regulated by state laws, election judges are chosen by a board of elections, county official, city or town official, or state official. If an election judge appears to be â€Å"too young to vote† to you, 41 of 50 states allow high school students to serve as election judges or poll workers, even when the students are not yet old enough to vote. Laws in these states typically require that students selected as election judges or poll workers be at least 16 years of age and in good academic standing at their schools.   Other Voters Hopefully, you will see many other voters inside the polling place, waiting their turn to vote. Once inside the polling place, voters may not try to convince others how to vote. In some states, such politicking is prohibited both inside and outside within a certain distance of the doors of the polling place. Exit Poll Takers Especially at lager precincts, exit poll takers, usually representing the media, may ask people leaving the polling place which candidates they voted for. Voters are NOT required to respond to exit poll takers.