Core 3 scene 1
The following poem, or soliloquy as it were, has been
inspired by three distinctive texts and/or events. The first, without a doubt, it Shakespeare’s
Hamlet from whom the original text was borrowed. The second inspirational text is by Janet
Holmes and is entitled “The Ms of My Kin”.
This book was originally “The Poems of Emily Dickinson” to which Holmes
applied the art of erasure poetry.
Thirdly, this poem is inspired by the students in my pre-student
teaching AP Literature and Composition course.
Through them I have come to love Shakespeare all over again.
To be, or not to be,
‘tis Nobler
The slings and Arrows
Against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them.
The natural shocks
That a consummation
Devoutly to be wished.
To dream,
For in that sleep what dreams may
Come,
When we have shuffled
Give us pause.
There’s the respect
That makes so long life:
For who would bear the Whips and Scorns of
Teaching?
Who would bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
The undiscovered Country, from whose bourn
No Traveller returns,
And makes us rather bear those ills we have,
Than fly to others that we know not of.
Thus conscience does make us all,
And thus Resolution
Is o’er the cast of Thought,
And enterprises of great moment,
With this regard Currents turn
And name Action.
Soft you now,
Be all my sins remembered.
Andrew,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your wonderful use of other authors! Your work is classy, elegant, and inspiring. I think you really capture the pursuit of learning and dealing with the 'sling of arrows'. Learning and teaching are challenging. I have come to appreciate the struggle my teachers went through. I think your poem captures the struggle many people feel now. I hope I read this right, none the less, thank you for your inspiring words.
Andrew,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your use of multiple authors through multiple eras. I appreciate the ideas that you have achieved through the work. This gives new light to old, classics that we have all revered for so long. This particular work will allow our students to enjoy the "stuffy" classics that they have to learn. Thank you for sharing your poem. Your idea of struggle really comes through.
Sincerely,
Mary Roseberry
Dear Andrew,
ReplyDeleteThank you again for your awesome erasure poetry! This is really cool how you took Hamlet's soliloquy and completely changed it into some new and exciting. Especially the last line "Be all my sins remembered." Is that from the original text, or is that something you added yourself? Either way, I really felt it added to your poem, and I shall definitely have to make use of this kind of poetry in the near future!
Sincerely,
Jarod
Mr. Martin,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing a new genre of poetry for me. I would have never of thought that there was such a genre! I love the sophistication of this poem, alongside the emotion. I can feel the "whips and scorns." I also love the part "To dream,/ For in that sleep what dreams may/Come." For me that displays a genuine teaching experience that reaches beyond the classroom, literally to ones dreams. Think about all of the great ideas that are sparked outside of the classroom, yet never bridge to a genuine classroom experience. I think those lines are brilliant. Keep doing what your doing Andrew, I would love to read more!! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks again,
Mr. Slattery
Dear Andrew,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your erasure soliloquy “Core 3 scene 1.” What an interesting technique! Did your students also attempt an erasure poem using this particular text? My favorite lines are these: “When we have shuffled / Give us pause. There’s the respect / That makes so long life: / For who would bear the Whips and Scorns of / Teaching?” Thanks for experimenting with a new form and encouraging us and your students to do the same!
Katie