Blessed rules

The rules laid out by St. Benedict for the behavior of the Abbot or Abbess make somewhat more sense to me than the broad (indeed overly optimistic) ideals expressed in Plato's Republic about the "gold soled Guardians". People tend to look toward a central figure of authority more readily than to group consensus, so it should be the duty of this leader to put the good of others in their charge before themselves. The rules also give more room for true meritocracy, not advancing people of noble birth ahead of those born at the bottom of society simply because of their birth. Other reasons, specific to individual ability, must apply. In fact, the only problems I have with any of the rules come from my own general distaste for organized religion, but I still recognize the merits of faith as an organizing force within a community.

The Power of Womanhood

The Power of Womanhood


For my reflective paragraph I chose to explore the topic of womanhood, and how Queen Elizabeth utilized it as means of exerting her power. As a women, Queen Elizabeth obviously already possessed an immense amount of power. There was a problem however; she was a woman in the Middle Ages. During this time, it was highly uncommon to see a man taking orders from a woman. Clearly Elizabeth's situation was different, as she was the Queen, however that doesn't mean other monarchs/men in power were too happy about the idea of taking orders from a woman. I feel as though Elizabeth was aware of her predicament, that's why she employed a variety of subtle tactics to sway many man. We can see in her private letters that she is a brilliant writer. She writes with an air of eloquence, however at times she seems to overdo it slightly. I believe this is all done in an effort to confuse whoever she is sending letters to, as many of the recipients likely couldn't understand the message.
In other letters we can see Queen Elizabeth being very kind and somewhat flirtatious as she attempts to maintain positive diplomatic relationships with many of her suitors. Here, she utilizes her womanhood as a diplomatic tool, she knows she is attractive to many other foreign monarchs, so if she can keep them waiting on her it is likely that the monarchs will never raise a hand to Great Britain.
Overall, Elizabeth was a master at using her womanhood to manipulate people to do her bidding. She also used her womanhood to sway men to her favor, and maintain diplomatic relationships.

The Death of Brutus: A Fanfiction

The Death of Brutus: A Fan-fiction

*Members of the Senate are convening inside of the Public Forum Building in preparation to hear Julius Caesar speak.*

Caesar- "Welcome, my fellow Romans. I stand before you today to tell you that there is a traitor in our midst. Never before have I been tasked with so difficult a choice, as the traitor is close to my heart. Not only is he like my brother, as I have known him for many years, but he is also my backbone as he always has aided me greatly in my political dealings. So again, I stand before you to announce a traitor, and that traitor is Brutus."

Audience- *Gasps*

Caesar- "Yes, alas it is Brutus. The Senate has made me aware of what he intends to do, as he was actively conspiring to have me killed. Never would I have thought someone so close to my heart would betray me in such a way. But I have come here today to ask advice of you all. What is to be done with the lowly Brutus, surely he deserves punishment?"

Audience- *audience calls for Brutus to be hanged.*

Caesar- "While it does my soul pain to hear that you want Brutus hanged, I understand your pleas. Never before have I been betrayed, and never again will I be as I will never allow another man to get so close to me. It was always my thought that Brutus was an honorable man, but apparently my thought about him were wrong as no honorable man would plot against his friend in order to gain his seat of power. To protect my body and seat I hereby decree that Brutus be hanged until death. Find that murderous bastard and bring him to me so I can serve him his due justice."

It is me, Stan Lee

Elizabeth in Marvel: 1602

Sir Nicholas: I am afraid Armageddon is rather outside my department, majesty

*Dr. Strange walks into the room*

Dr. Strange: Majesty, I come bearing terrible news. The prognosis of your illness has revealed itself to me.

Queen Elizabeth: *Gasp* I regret to hear of unfortunate news 

Dr. Strange: Your majesty, the skies of England are blood red not because Armageddon is ensuing. Rather -- the skies of London are red for our God is prematurely mourning your oncoming death. 

Queen Elizabeth: Doctor, I admire your prescience regarding my ensuing death. But, I believe the notion that death is knocking at my door is nonsense. For I have brought England their first colony and the first-born English citizen within those colonies: Virginia Dare.

Dr. Strange: Majesty, your relentlessness is commendable. However, you have been diagnosed with blood poisoning. I surmise that you have minimal time left. Therefore, you must identify who your heir will be. Naming your successor is indispensable to a smooth transition of power!!

Queen Elizabeth: Yes, the future of England is in my hands. I shall name a successor within the year.

Leave the Horse Out of This

I was actually expecting this reading (The Virgin's Lover) to be a lot cringier than it ended up being (as the phrase "romance novel" is one I'm always wary of), but still I did find a couple of cringe moments within it. For example, on page 143, as Elizabeth and Robert admire the portrait of Archduke Ferdinand, Robert makes a peculiar, clearly allegorical and not intended to be skeezy but skeezy (to me) nonetheless about how one ought judge a horses' potential the same way they may a man to marry; in short, feeling it up.

"I would want to know how he felt when I gentled him under my hand, smoothed his neck, touched him everywhere, behind the ears, on the lips, behind the legs. I would want to know how responsive he was when I had him between my legs," (p. 143) and so forth and so on.

My comment, then, is this: I find it interesting, though quite unsettling, that this author, and as we observed in Wednesday's class, many authors' want to sexualize Elizabeth, be it allegorically or directly. I guess a powerful, intelligent woman is just not interesting enough for the masses, though that's human psychology for ya, isn't it? I'm not saying that's how it ought to be, but from reading this, that sure is how it is here.

Censorship yet again...

I related todays reading on "The Marriage Game" to a topic less concerned with marriage. On Page 338, Elizabeth is in outrage because of a pamphlet that talks about her religion upon marriage and wants the pamphlet destroyed. This reminds me of the censorship that the Catholic church implemented during the 1500's. The church put out index's of banned books and discouraged enlightened thinkers such as Martin Luther and Galileo Galilei. Their reasoning behind their censorship was to keep people from challenging the beliefs of the church and ultimately to keep their power at the time. Serious actions and punishments were taken by the church and Elizabeth wants similar actions to be taken in the book for similar reasons. "Publish a proclamation condemning this pamphlet as lewd and seditious, and have all the copies confiscated and burned." (the marriage game, 339). The similarities are vibrant to me and I can not help but reflect upon the connection between the Catholic church and their censorship that still exists today, and Elizabeth's censorship in the book.

Love is No Game

In "The Marriage Game", Alison Weir writes skillfully to turn something small into something that will surely stick out to her readers. This is displayed in a scene where Elizabeth reads the letter Robert sent her stating that he married Lettice and they are having a child.Weir makes sure that the importance of this moment is illuminated. In this section of the story, she uses imagery, word choice, rhetorical questions, and stylistic choices to make the readers feel Elizabeth's pain. Imagery is created when she states "...which made her cry out in agony. Weeping torrents, she sank to the floor, beating her breast" (Weir, 304). Not only can we picture Elizabeth on the floor sobbing, but we can hear it. Weir also uses particular diction to emphasize Elizabeth's feeling of betrayal. She refers to Robert's actions as "treachery"(303) as she cries out in "agony"(304). Weir uses her own linguistic style to portray Elizabeth's thoughts on what Robert has done as extreme and completely unforgivable. "He should not have it this time. He would never have it again"(303), "she would go right now and do that, and let him know how deeply he had hurt and displeased her, and that nothing would ever be the same again, ever" (304). She asks rhetorically, "Did he not know how much she had loved him, and still did love him, God help her"(304)? Weir creates a dramatic, human-like, relatable version of Elizabeth's heartbreak using all these components. Pointing out how hurt Elizabeth was shows that she did not see this as some "Marriage Game", she really did love and care for Robert. Someone that only keeps these men close to the kingdom for fun, sure was heartbroken when she found out she was left for someone else.

Robert Master Strategist

“Anjou had been more than ready to make concessions; she could have loved him, she told herself, yea, and make a success of the match. But Robert had made it his business to suborn many who would have been in favor of it…” (341)

This quote seemed important to me because it shows the “games” being played by Robert. He is already married, but disapproves of Elizabeth’s future marriage. You don’t see this type of strategy every day.

Elizabeth and Robert

Do you think that Elizabeth's anger towards Robert for marrying someone else is justified?

Lettice's Sydney Opera House

“She would picture Robert and me together and she would know that what we shared was something, by which her very nature, she could never enjoy.” (244)

            Elizabeth, though her heart told her otherwise banished Robert, and I to Australia. For she could no longer stand the thought of us being together, and seeing it killed her inside. Before I had left she made sure her opinions of me were expressed. She deemed me with various nicknames, one in which was a she-wolf, however, these names never bothered me. Robert, and I could not be separated from now on, him and I would be together forever. Although saddened by not being able to set foot in England again I knew it was for the best. My life had been fulfilled by my lovely Robert. For we would raise our children in Sydney, and establish the Sydney Opera House for the entertainment of others. Our love never died, and the passion remained. I often think about Elizabeth, and the hatred we had for each other, yet a bond still remained. I am saddened about how things had gone, but very happy with the results.  Without the confusion, and frustration of the love triangle, Robert had finally laid all thoughts of Elizabeth to rest, and we lived happily ever after.

Peering Through

(When Lettice meets with Robert to tell him she is having his child and they should get married)

"That's true, said Robert. I will arrange it...There will be no more delay". (Holt 222)

Listening through the crack of the door Lettice and Robert were in, Elizabeth heard every word. She gasped when she heard that Lettice was with Robert's child. She had realized she had lost her one true love. She broke down in tears. All this time she had wasted on Robert, never truly going after what she wanted. She was not surprised that Lettice and he had been lovers because she always noticed the way those two looked at each other. It was the same way she would look at Robert. She thought for a second if there was a way for her to stop everything and turn back the clock. She could banish Lettice and their unborn child, and finally give into Robert. She could confess her love to Robert and put herself first for once. But she wouldn't, and she didn't. As much as she wanted too, she knew she was better off without him and would not let herself be with him. She had decided to pretend as if she never heard their conversation and let the two lovers be. Although the sight of Lettice made her nauseous and hateful, she had bigger things to worry about. And so she walked away from her regret hoping that one day if it was meant to be, Robert would find his way back to her. Until then, she spent her days in love with England. 

If Only You Would Have Told Me...

Major Challenge- FanFiction
 I  really  liked  reading  "My  Enemy  the  Queen"  by Victoria  Holt,  so  much  so  that  I  could  not  stop  reading  once  I  started.  Regardless,  I  felt  like  a  lot  of  the  conflict  in  this  book  could  have  been  avoided  if  Lettice  and  Robert  Dudley  had  told  Queen  Elizabeth  the  truth  about  their  love  affair.  This  is  how  "My  Enemy  the  Queen"  should  have  ended...

I  wanted  to  see  Robert  to  tell  him  that  I  was  with  child,  for  I  was  certain  of  it.  I  was  thrilled  to  be  a  mother  again,  and  bare  the  child  of  the  handsome  Robert  Dudley,  Earl  of  Leicester.  But  I  was  too  anxious  to  be  happy  now.  I  wondered  what  Robert  would  do  when  I  told  him  the  news.  Would  he  be  thrilled,  as  I?  Or  would  he  disown  the  child?  Then,  the  most  dreaded  anxiety  of  all:  telling  Queen  Elizabeth,  my  cousin,  that  I  was  going  to  bare  the  child  of  the  man  she  loved.  Although  my  love  for  Robert  was  as  deep  as  the  ocean,  and  I  knew  he  felt  the  same  way  about  me,  I  feared  the  queen's  wrath  worse  than  death.
When  Robert  finally  arrived  at  Durham  House  and  I  told  him  the  news  of  our  child,  his  smile  lit  up  the  room.  We  embraced,  and  in  that  moment  I  knew  that  everything  would  turn  out  okay  if  Robert  would  take  me  as  his  wife  now,  before  my  pregnancy  began  to  show.  I  told  him  this,  and  he  readily  agreed.

"I  will  arrange  it.  Come  to  Kenilworth  and  the  ceremony  shall  take  place  there.  There  will  be  no  more  delay."  I  knew  he  meant  what  he  said  this  time.  There  was  no  doubt  in  my  mind  now  that  he  would  take  care  of  my  children  and  I.  That  was  the  biggest  blessing  of  all:  knowing  my  children  would  not  live  without  a  father.

Before  I  could  make  the  journey  to  Kenilworth  to  get  married,  there  was  something  I  had  to  do.  I  knew  Robert  would  argue  with  me  and  possibly  break  off  our  engagement  if  I  told  him  my  plans,  so  instead  of  rushing  to  Kenilworth,  I  went  to  the  queen's  bedchamber.

"Your  Majesty,"  I  began,  feeling  butterflies  dance  a  waltz  inside  of  my  stomach.  "There  is  a  pressing  matter  in  which  I  need  to  discuss  with  you."

"Yes  Lettice?  What  can  I  do  for  you?"  she  asked,  sounding  bored.  I  took  a  deep  breath,  and  said:

"Your  Majesty,  I  have  a  confession  to  make.  I  am  with  child,  your  grace.  The  father  of  the  child  is  Sir.  Robert  Dudley.  Before  you  speak,  please  let  me  explain."  Her  eyes  widened  and  her  face  began  to  turn  red,  but  she  held  her  tongue  until  I  was  finished  telling  her  Robert  and  I's  love  story.  "Your  Majesty,  I  could  not  help  falling  in  love  with  Robert  anymore  than  you  can  help  breathing.  If  you  call  him  here,  he  will  not  deny  his  love  for  me  either.  Please  let  us  be  married  in  peace.  If  you  wish,  I  will  step  away  from  court  forever  and  you  will  never  see  my  face  again.  Just  please,  your  Majesty...please  let  us  be  married.  I  can  not  have  my  child  be  a  bastard  or  I  a  common  whore."  Elizabeth  was  quiet  for  several  minutes,  but  her  stony  glare  told  me  she  was  thinking  my  request  over  grudgingly.

"I  should  have  you  banned  from  court  forever,"  she  began,  and  my  heart  dropped.  "I  should  wish  that  your  child  will  be  stillborn  or  a  hunchback.  I  should  whip  Robert  'til  the  point  of  death  for  betraying  me.  I  should  have  you  jailed  for  life  for  betraying  me.  But,"  she  paused,  with  a  frown.  "I  will  not.  I  can  not  let  my  people  see  me  in  such  a  way.  You  are,  however,  banned  from  this  court  forever  and  I  will  speak  to  Robert  on  this  matter.  If  he  doesn't  deny  you  or  your  child,  you  can  do  whatever  you  want  with  each  other.  Frankly  I  don't  care  so  long  as  your  traitors  are  removed  from  my  presence.  I  never  what  to  see  your  faces  again.  Do  you  understand?"

"Yes  your  Majesty,"  I  replied,  dumbstruck.

"Now  go.  Take  my  words  as  a  blessing  from  a  death  sentance."  I  turned  and  hurried  out  of  the  bedchamber.  Down  the  hall  I  heard  her  add  loudly:  "And  don't  you  ever  come  back!"

It  didn't  matter  to  me  whether  or  not  I  came  into  this  place  again:  I  had  everything  I  could  ever  want  and  more.  I  was  finally  going  to  have  the  happiness  I  deserved.  I  walked  out  of the  castle  a  happy  woman,  and  I  never  looked  back.

Meanwhile,  in  the  queen's  bedchamber,  Elizabeth  began  to  cry.