Photography Workshop

On 17 August, 2023 onwards in Department of English MKBU a Photography Workshop was conducted where all of the Students, Teachers have also attented the Photography Workshop. And a very keen Wildlife Photographer Mr. Kaushik Ghelani have come to visit and guide us. so first Mr. Kaushik Ghelani showed his photography and discuss the types of photographs like geometrical, golden point ,etc.                                                                               

                              

As we know that photography is An Art of Seeing so let us see some photograph images.

                   " Natural scene "

           

                   "Flower view" 🌹

As above we saw the photographs or pictures which were been shotted on 17 of the August on the special occasion Photography Workshop. Which was one of the useful and a memorable movement for us.

                     And on the day of photography Workshop we took some group combine pics.

On these day we took some photo pics so we learned some photo tips and some of them are here:

1.Golden Point

2.Centre Focus Rule

3.Symmetry

4.Geometrical Shapes

5.Head Leading Room

6.Avoid Negative space

CONCLUSION:

On attending photography workshop liked the most interesting thing during the session was that we should be extrovert and fon rank so we can make a good communication. And we can learn easily the tips or whatever it may be so we enjoyed the photography workshop. And we learned the knowledge about the correct way of how to take a pic or photo.

 

   Dryden's Essay of Dramatic Poesy

Hello everyone!! Welcome to My blog! This blog was a part of Bridge Course on ''Dryden's Essay of Dramatic Poesy'' Which was given by Professor Dilip sir. here firstly we discussed brief introduction on Dryden's Essay on Dramatic Poesy.

Introduction: -

         An Essay of Dramatic Poesy” was probably written in 1666 during the closure of the London theaters due to plague. It can be read as a general defense of drama as a legitimate art form taking up where Sir Philip Sidney’s “Defense of Poesy” left off as well as Dryden’s own defense of his literary practices. The essay is structured as a dialogue among four friends on the river Thames. The group has taken refuge on a barge during a naval battle between the English and the Dutch fleets. The four gentlemen, Eugenius, Crites, Lisideius, and Neander (all aliases for actual Restoration critics and the last for Dryden himself), begin an ironic and witty conversation on the subject of poetry, which soon turns into a debate on the virtues of modern and ancient writers. While imitation of classical writers was common practice in Dryden’s time, he steers the group’s conversation towards dramatic poetry, a relatively new genre which had in some ways broken with classical traditions and was thus in need of its own apologia.

❃ Points to ponder:

    A) Do you any difference between Aristotle's definition of tragedy and Dryden's definition of play?   

     

    B) If you are supposed to give your personal predilection,  would you be on the side of the Ancient or The Morden?                give the reasons.

      

   

  ◄ INTRODUCTION:

Tragedy is the main concern of Aristotle in Poetics, and it is the utmost argued and debated subject. According to Plato, tragedy has a damaging and detrimental result on the soul in that it caters to the feelings and passions that ruin its logical side.


On the other hand, according to Aristotle, feelings, and passions evoked by tragedy have a purgative result on the soul. While Plato regarded tragedy as unimportant, for Aristotle, it was of utmost importance and the most admissible.


❏ Aristotle’s Definition of Tragedy:

     Aristotle states, “Tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious, complex, and of a certain magnitude, in embellished language…arousing pity and fear…its catharsis of such emotion.” (Poetics, Aristotle).


⟶ In his definition of tragedy, Aristotle points out some of the important characteristics of tragedy:


a) Aristotle states that the poet doesn’t merely imitate the external world, instead represents reality itself and provides meaning to that world. So, for Aristotle, imitation is not just copying but recreation.


b) Secondly, Aristotle states that tragedy should include actions that are thoughtful and serious. By serious, he means that actions that are morally, psychologically, and socially serious and which can evoke emotions like pity and terror.


c) Thirdly, Aristotle points out that a tragedy should have “a certain magnitude” and be coherent. According to Aristotle, a tragedy should not be just a sequence of incidents but should have a proper beginning, middle, and end. The concept of imitation is crucial at this moment: the poet doesn’t only blindly imitate everything linked to action but chooses only those facets which provide a form to eternal truth.

d) The fourth point is embellishment. By embellishment, Aristotle denotes songs and verses. Verses are employed for the dialogues particularly in monologues and soliloquies. Songs are used for Chorus. These provide refinement and adornment to tragedy.

e) The fifth point is “act not narration”. Aristotle prefers tragedy over epic by stating that tragedy depends on the staging, and performance not on description or “narrative”.

❏ Dryden's Definition of Play:

“A play ought to be a just and lively image of human nature, representing its passions and humors, and the changes of fortune to which it is subject, for the delight and instructions of mankind.”


• In this definition Dryden explains, that drama should be presented as it is, without artificial elements.


❖ Which side: Ancient or The Morden?

           John Dryden represented the conflicting claims of the two sides as debate among four friends. One of them Favours the ancient over the modern theater. One modernist prefers the French drama whereas Dryden himself likes the lifelike drama of English theater to French tragedy, which he considers beautiful lifeless.

     Dryden includes the five points in this essay which  are as below:

 1. Ancients versus Moderns

2. Unities

3. French versus English drama

4. Separation of tragedy and Comedy versus Tragicomedy

5. Appropriateness of Rhyme in drama

Discussion of ancients and moderns should not be for who is ‘better’. It should be more fundamentally about how history itself functioned and should be read thus it should be about the relationship between past and present humanity and nature and human understanding and knowledge.

❏ Conflict between the ancients and moderns:

In the age of Dryden, there is the most important and high raged debate on the comparative merits and demerits of the ancients and moderns. Well-known satire writer Swift treated this debate on his famous work “ THE BATTLE THE BOOKS”. Dryden also gives the argument on behalf moderns through the mouth of ’Eugenius’ one of the four debtors in the essay.


The case for the ‘Ancients’ is presented by ‘Crites.’ In controversy Dryden takes no extreme position follows the golden mean and is sensible enough to give the Ancients their respect. Means… Dryden does not disparage the ancients.


Through his dispassionate, balanced and sane attitude; and makes us see clearly the achievement of the Ancients and the indebtedness of the moderns to them as well as significant advances which have been made in modern times.

❖Crites views on The Ancients :


Crites argues in favor of the ancients because he says that they established the unities (Time, Place and Action.) dramatic rules were spelled out by Aristotle which is still now followed by the current and French playwrights.


✽ The superiority of Ancients is established by the very fact that that the moderns simply imitate them, build on the foundations laid by them. The Ancients are the acknowledge models of the moderns.
Ancients are better because they have no models which they follow in giving contribution to literature. Modern playwrights can improve their writing, seeing the ancient’s work.


“Moderns stand on shoulder of Ancients.”


2. It should be remembered that,


“Every age has its own genius, its own inclination for some particular branch of knowledge.”


The ancients had a special genius for drama, and in their particular branch of poetry they could reach perfection. Just as excel them in drama



✽ Ancient Greece and Rome poetry was more honored than any branch of knowledge. In Ancients poets were rewarded according to their merits. And now days, Moderns are neither suitably honored nor are rewarded.

 .   ✽ The ancients followed these rules, and the effect is satisfying and pleasing

ancients could organize their plays well and from this it follows that they must have also written well. We unable to appreciate the art and beauty of their language, only because of many customs, stories, etc. are not known to us.

Crites also gives the example of the famous playwright – Ben Jonson who follows the ancients. Ben Johnson had great admiration for the ancients; he imitated them and borrowed heavily from them. He considered them superior to the moderns in all things.

    

     

Eugenius views on The Moderns :


Eugenius favors the moderns over the ancients, so he replies to Crites that, In the beginning, he believes that the moderns have learned much from the ancients. The moderns are indebted to them for rules of dramatic composition and must be grateful to them for it. The moderns are not followed with blind way, but they excel new things in many ways. He argues that modernist have model so that they learn from that and gives new ideas from their example.


Because of the greater pains they take, they are nearer to perfection than the Ancients. Their greater labor makes them superior in science as well in poetry. But Crites proves that….


“The ancients imitated nature more perfectly than the moderns has not established.”


Eugenius wanted to proceed with the discussion, but Crites could not agree with him in the view that,


“The Moderns were more perfect, but he conceded that they (moderns) have altered the mode of writing.”


Ideas and Values have changed, and this accounts for much of the difference between the Ancients and Moderns. It is not a question of good or bad but of a change in cultural value.

Dryden favors the modern – English plays but does not disparage the ancients. He has some critical things to say of French drama.

“They are indeed the beauties of a statue, but not of a man.”

                  Dryden criticizes French drama and ancients' drama for its smallness because French drama has one plot without sub-plots and due to this tendency, the play shows little action, the servile observation of the Unities, dearth of plot and narrowness of imagination are all qualities which render it inferior to ENGLISH DRAMA.

In short, English drama has sub-plots; broadness in imagination and unities (rules of Shakespeare). Dryden stands for his criticism of French drama into his reasoning for his preferences for Shakespeare over Ben Jonson.


“Shakespeare had the largest and most comprehensive soul; while Jonson was the most learned and judicious writer which any theater ever had.”


Dryden gives the first priority to Shakespeare because of his greater scope his greater faithfulness to life as compares to Jonson’s relatively small scope and classical tendency to deal in “the beauties of statue, but not of a man.” He admires Ben Jonson but he loves Shakespeare.

Thank you!!

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Hello everyone!! Welcome to my blog!! This blog is based on Thinking activity task of The Importance of Being Earnest.

The Importance of Being Earnest:-

"The Importance of Being Earnest" is a classic comedic play written by Oscar Wilde. First performed in 1895, it is renowned for its wit, humor, and satirical exploration of Victorian society. The play revolves around the use of false identities and deceptions as characters navigate the social norms and expectations of the time. Wilde's clever wordplay, paradoxes, and sharp social commentary are hallmarks of the play, making it a timeless and enduring work that continues to be celebrated for its exploration of societal pretenses, the duality of human nature, and the pursuit of love and marriage in a society obsessed with superficial appearances and trivial concerns.

Thinking Activity:- 

Questions:-

  1) WILDE ORIGINALLY SUBTITLED THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST “A SERIOUS COMEDY FOR TRIVIAL PEOPLE” BUT CHANGED THAT TO “A TRIVIAL COMEDY FOR SERIOUS PEOPLE.” WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO SUBTITLES?

2) WHICH OF THE FEMALE CHARACTERS IS THE MOST ATTRACTIVE TO YOU AMONG LADY AUGUSTA BRACKNELL, GWENDOLEN FAIRFAX, CECILY CARDEW, AND MISS PRISM? GIVE YOUR REASONS FOR HER BEING THE MOST ATTRACTIVE AMONG ALL.

3)THE PLAY REPEATEDLY MOCKS VICTORIAN TRADITIONS AND SOCIAL CUSTOMS, MARRIAGE, AND THE PURSUIT OF LOVE IN PARTICULAR. THROUGH WHICH SITUATIONS AND CHARACTERS IS THIS HAPPENING IN THE PLAY?

4) QUEER SCHOLARS HAVE ARGUED THAT THE PLAY'S THEMES OF DUPLICITY AND AMBIVALENCE ARE INEXTRICABLY BOUND UP WITH WILDE'S HOMOSEXUALITY AND THAT THE PLAY EXHIBITS A "FLICKERING PRESENCE-ABSENCE OF… HOMOSEXUAL DESIRE" DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS OBSERVATION? GIVE YOUR ARGUMENTS TO JUSTIFY YOUR STANCE.

5) WRITE YOUR CRITIQUE ON VARIOUS ADAPTATIONS OF THIS PLAY. 

∆ Questions and Answers:-

1) WILDE ORIGINALLY SUBTITLED THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST “A SERIOUS COMEDY FOR TRIVIAL PEOPLE” BUT CHANGED THAT TO “A TRIVIAL COMEDY FOR SERIOUS PEOPLE.” WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO SUBTITLES?

Answer:- 

The change in subtitles for Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" is a brilliant reversal. The original, "A Serious Comedy for Trivial People," paradoxically suggests depth beneath humor, targeting a less serious audience. The revised, "A Trivial Comedy for Serious People," humorously inverts it, emphasizing the play's humor while implying it's meant for sophisticated, discerning viewers. Wilde's wordplay highlights the play's satire, where triviality becomes serious, and seriousness turns trivial, reflecting his wit and social commentary on Victorian society's superficial values and pretensions.

2) WHICH OF THE FEMALE CHARACTERS IS THE MOST ATTRACTIVE TO YOU AMONG LADY AUGUSTA BRACKNELL, GWENDOLEN FAIRFAX, CECILY CARDEW, AND MISS PRISM? GIVE YOUR REASONS FOR HER BEING THE MOST ATTRACTIVE AMONG ALL.

Answer:- 

 the female characters in "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde:-

1. Lady Augusta Bracknell: Lady Bracknell is a formidable and dominating character. She is known for her strong-willed and witty personality. Her attractiveness lies in her commanding presence, sharp humor, and her role as a symbol of social conventions and authority. Some may find her confidence and no-nonsense attitude appealing.

2. Gwendolen Fairfax: Gwendolen is a charming and self-assured young woman. Her attractiveness comes from her confidence, beauty, and her humorous interactions with other characters. Her pursuit of love and her witty exchanges with Jack make her an engaging character.

3. Cecily Cardew: Cecily is depicted as innocent, imaginative, and full of youthful enthusiasm. Her attractiveness lies in her naivety, her romantic fantasies, and her playful interactions with other characters. Some may find her innocence and humor endearing.

4. Miss Prism: Miss Prism is a more reserved and intellectual character. Her attractiveness could be attributed to her intelligence and the contrast she provides to the more lively and whimsical characters. Her secret past and her connection to the plot make her an intriguing character.

The most attractive character among these four is Cecily Cardew is an attractive female character in "The Importance of Being Earnest" due to her combination of innocence and playfulness. Her youthful exuberance and romantic daydreams make her a captivating character. Her genuine nature and her ability to see the best in people, including her love interest Algernon, endear her to both the characters in the play and the audience. Cecily's charming qualities lie in her readiness to embrace love and her belief in the possibility of an ideal romantic relationship, making her a delightful and alluring figure in Oscar Wilde's classic comedy.

3)THE PLAY REPEATEDLY MOCKS VICTORIAN TRADITIONS AND SOCIAL CUSTOMS, MARRIAGE, AND THE PURSUIT OF LOVE IN PARTICULAR. THROUGH WHICH SITUATIONS AND CHARACTERS IS THIS HAPPENING IN THE PLAY?

Answer:- 

In "The Importance of Being Earnest," Oscar Wilde makes fun of how things were done in Victorian times. Characters pretend to be someone they're not, like Algernon and Jack using fake names. Lady Bracknell cares more about money and status in marriage than real love. Gwendolen and Cecily love the name "Ernest" more than the actual people. Miss Prism and Dr. Chasuble, who are supposed to be good role models, aren't what they seem. Wilde uses clever talk to show how silly and fake these Victorian customs are, making fun of the way people acted when it came to love and marriage.

4) QUEER SCHOLARS HAVE ARGUED THAT THE PLAY'S THEMES OF DUPLICITY AND AMBIVALENCE ARE INEXTRICABLY BOUND UP WITH WILDE'S HOMOSEXUALITY AND THAT THE PLAY EXHIBITS A "FLICKERING PRESENCE-ABSENCE OF… HOMOSEXUAL DESIRE" DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS OBSERVATION? GIVE YOUR ARGUMENTS TO JUSTIFY YOUR STANCE.

Answer:- 

I agree with the observation that "The Importance of Being Earnest" can be seen as reflecting Oscar Wilde's homosexuality. The play's themes of hidden identities and the necessity for duplicity parallel the experience of concealing one's true self in a society that was hostile to homosexuality. However, it's important to note that the play's meaning can be multifaceted, and while elements of Wilde's personal experiences may be present, the play also addresses universal themes of societal hypocrisy and duality. It's a matter of interpretation, but the connection between the play's themes and Wilde's homosexuality is a valid perspective.

5) WRITE YOUR CRITIQUE ON VARIOUS ADAPTATIONS OF THIS PLAY. 

∆ The Importance of Being Earnest (1952 Film 📽️)

The 1952 film adaptation of "The Importance of Being Earnest" is a classic and faithful rendition of Oscar Wilde's play. 

 The film stays very close to the original play, keeping the same Victorian-era setting and using Wilde's clever and funny dialogue. This faithfulness means that the humor and social commentary of the play are preserved.

 The cast, including Michael Redgrave, Michael Denison, Joan Greenwood, and Dorothy Tutin, does a great job. But it's Dame Edith Evans, playing Lady Bracknell, who really shines. Her timing and the way she delivers Lady Bracknell's famous lines are fantastic.

 Even after all these years, the 1952 adaptation is still appreciated. It's a classic way to experience "The Importance of Being Earnest" on screen while staying true to the original play.

This film is a great choice for those who want to see Wilde's work on the big screen while keeping the heart and humor of the play intact.