Literature in No Drama Essays -- Literary Analysis

By nature, Japanese No drama draw much of their inspiration and influence from the classics. Many are based on episodes from the most popular classics, like Atsumori, based on the Tale of Heike, or Matsukaze, which was actually based on a collage of earlier work. Even within these episodes do we find references to yet more classic works of literature, from the oldest collections of poetry to adopted religious texts. That isn’t to say that No is without its own strokes of creativity—the entire performance is a unique adaptation, and the playwrights had to be both highly educated in the classics, yet geniuses at the creative aspect of weaving song/poetry, dance, religion and literature together into a heart-wrenching spectacle. It might be easier to behold the similarities between no plays than the differences. The basic plot changes little: there is a traveler or monk who encounters a restless ghost or ghosts whose restless souls must be put to rest. The religious implications here are major, and become a central theme of No. In both Atsumori and Matsukaze, the monk chants â€Å"Namu Amida Bu,† for the Pure Land sect of Buddhism, as well as recites verses from the Lotus Sutra. The commentary mentions that â€Å"†¦The monk invokes Amida for the spirits of the dead, although the dead are comforted more often with passes from the Lotus Sutra.† (p.41) Atsumori’s ghost, as character â€Å"youth,† and Rensho, a monk, both quote together: â€Å"If I at last become a Buddha/then all sentient beings who call my Name/in all the worlds, in the ten directions/will find welcome in Me, for I abandon none,† which is from the sutra known as Kammuryojukyo. The chorus expands o n this quote until the end of the scene, the song being the playwright’s own creati... ... have a friend.† (p.40) Matsukaze’s text refers to a great deal more older poetry than Atsumori, perhaps simply because it is more relevant and appropriate in the context of the story: Matsukaze is a love story, and there is a lot present in the classics about love. Another kokinshu poem found in Matsukaze: â€Å"From the pillow/from the foot fo the bed/love comes pursuing,† (p.202) for example. The examples of the samples of poetry, and allusions to other works of literature, are so numerous and some so subtle that they are countless in No drama. No could not exist without the classics that it constantly draws upon. This calls for a highly educated audience to enjoy the play in its entirety. However, for the medieval age, it was new and exciting to see these classics woven together in a stage performance, so gracefully and creatively by the playwrights of old.

People vs. Larry Flynt

After watching the film the people vs. Larry Flynt, it is clear that the major message is that all Americans have rights under the constitution. Although in some cases many Americans may not always agree with each other, it is their right and freedom to do so under the Bill of Rights. In particular the first amendment is a major focus of the film.Throughout the entire movie the Larry Flynt character (Woody Harrelson) defends the fact that he is an American, therefore like all other Americans he is protected by the bill of rights and is entitled, specifically, to freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The film is a good portrayal of how our society and government perceive things as right or wrong. One of the most notable parts of the film is where the Flynt character argues with activists saying, â€Å"Murder is illegal but if you take a picture of it you may get your name in a magazine or maybe win a Pullitzer Prize.He continues his argument by saying â€Å"sex is legal, but i f you take a picture of that act, you can go to jail. † The point the film makes relates directly to the text in chapter two under â€Å"institutional adaptation† which states that in order for the constitution to remain viable , it must be able to adapt to changing times and deal with matters the authors could hardly have anticipated (p. 33). The film points out many weaknesses and flaws in the way courts are operated in America.There is one part in the movie where Flynt’s lawyer Alan Isaacman (portrayed by Edward Norton) tries to present what he feels as evidence to the jury, the judge refuses to let him show the evidence (other pornographic magazines. ) Although it is completely legal for a judge to refuse evidence, it shows that a man who is entitled power can still be very biased towards their own ideas and beliefs. The film is a very accurate portrayal of the true events since the film is based in part on the U. S. Supreme Court case Hustler Magazine v.Falw ell. The United States Supreme Court held, in a unanimous 8-0 decision Justice Kennedy took no part in the consideration or decision of the case, that the First Amendment's free-speech guarantee prohibits awarding damages to public figures to compensate for emotional distress intentionally inflicted upon them. Thus, Hustler magazine's parody of Jerry Falwell was deemed to be within the law, because the Court found that reasonable people would not have interpreted the parody to contain factual claims, leading to a reversal f the jury verdict in favor of Falwell, who had previously been awarded $200,000 in damages by a lower court. The First Amendment is the recognition of the fundamental importance of the free flow of ideas and opinions on matters of public interest and concern. The freedom to speak one's mind is not only an aspect of individual liberty but also is essential to the common quest for truth and the vitality of society as a whole. The First Amendment envisions that the p olitical debate that takes place in a democracy will occasionally yield speech critical of public figures.The Court held that the First Amendment gives speakers immunity from sanction with respect to their speech concerning public figures unless their speech is both false and made with the knowledge of its falsehood or with reckless disregard for the truth of the statement. Although false statements lack inherent value, the breathing space that freedom of expression requires in order to flourish must tolerate occasional false statements, lest there be an intolerable effect on speech that does have constitutional value.Falwell argued that the Hustler parody advertisement in this case was so â€Å"outrageous† as to take it outside the scope of First Amendment protection. But â€Å"outrageous† is an inherently subjective term, susceptible to the personal taste of the jury empanelled to decide a case. Such a standard â€Å"runs afoul of our longstanding refusal to allow d amages to be awarded because the speech in question may have an adverse emotional impact on the audience†. So long as the speech at issue is not â€Å"obscene† and not subject to First Amendment protection, it should be subject to the actual-malice standard when it concerns public figures.Clearly, Falwell was a public figure for purposes of First Amendment law. Because the district court found in favor of Flynt on the libel charge, there was no dispute as to whether the parody could be understood as describing actual facts about Falwell or events in which he participated. Accordingly, because the parody did not make false statements that were implied to be true, it could not be the subject of damages under the New York Times actual-malice standard. The Court thus reversed the judgment of the Fourth Circuit.

Driving Is The Most Dangerous Activities - 1110 Words

Driving become one the most dangerous activities we do on a daily basis. We all play apart in creating a more hazardous environment for drivers and passengers, either by choosing to answer that text message, or a call, or driving under the influence of alcohol. So why do we risk it? Why do we risk our lives and other human lives while driving? There are things out of our control that can cause accidents, such as weather, or car problems. Paying attention while driving is a key factor of getting home safe. Anyone who drives a vehicle knows that it needs all of your attentions and reflexes. It is easy to get distracted while driving like, daydreaming, a billboard, or just a view can get our eyes off the road for a second and that could cause an accident. Both driving under the influence of alcohol and using a hand held device can causes distraction and impaired driving that can result in following too closely, not being able to brake on time or weaving into oncoming traffic. Going out with some coworkers after work for a drink can turn deadly. Checking a text message from a love can cause a live. We put more lives in danger while distracting ourselves with technology, so why do we make the bad decisions of doing that. Is a hand held device more dangerous than driving under the influence? Driving under the influence of alcohol has been a problem for generations, and it’s a major problem throughout most of the world. I believe it is becoming more of a problem due to theShow MoreRelatedRhetorical Analysis1479 Words   |  6 Pagesand driving is one of the most debated topics in society. Whether it affects all people or whether or not you’re just good at multi tasking. Yet, all people would come to the agreement that it is one the most dangerous activities to participate in and ends millions of lives yearly. Drivers and Legislators Dismiss Cellphone Risks† published in New York Times by Matt Richtel and LOL? 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She looks up at the road before she replies to him and she is head on with another car 10 feet away from her, she slams on the breaks and swerves to try to miss the car. She rolls her car three times, landing in the ditch, where the car is upside down. The gentlemen in the other car calls 911. Police, ambulanceRead MoreTexting While Driving As A Social Problem1575 Words   |  7 Pages† Texting While Driving The use of cell phones while driving has become a serious threat to society. Texting is especially dangerous because of the attention it demands from our eyes, hands, fingers and brain. Despite laws, media campaigns and prevention awareness programs, texting while driving still, raising the question of â€Å"Why do people do it?† Society has become aware of the social problem and that this behavior exist and labels them as social problems. Texting while driving will be discussed