But I would like to examine a few other lines in context with, "The first thing..." one being said by the Second Rebel, "True; and yet it is said 'Labor in thy vocation'; which is as much to say as 'Let the magistrates be laboring men'; and therefore should we be magistrates." IV.II.17-20. which fuels...
"Then is sin struck down like an ox, and iniquity's throat cut like a calf" (IV.II. 28-29.) which is said by the First Rebel. These quotes remind me of what Dr. Sexson said yesterday about Bottom having one admirable quote during A Midsummer Night's Dream. King Henry Part II, from what I am able to tell from a synopsis I read online is about a rebellion which is shunned away with little effort; showing the significance the First and Second Rebel as well as the Butcher have in the play. Although they produce the influential lines to gain support from peasants and fuel a revolution in which they ask to be put in the place of the magistrates and likewise, putting magistrates in the place of laborers. This is common amongst revolutions which typically start from the bottom up and attempt to strike down the higher classes who have imposed anguish upon lower citizens. The uprisers drive to kill the lawyers, or the teachers-the ones who teach the word instead of the method. Something I feel Dr. Sexson attempts to do through his lectures where he does not tell us what to think but instead how to think. So in classrooms the iniquity's throat must be cut like a calf which it seems to have been done in most collegiate classrooms across the country but the high-schools still are stuck reading the same texts which are censored according to the topic. Most people across the country still think of Columbus as one of the most admirable people in our short American history whereas he may possibly be the worst. It is through teachers (or revolutions) or maybe education in general that our eyes are opened to the negative effects individuals have on our communities. This is one of the best ideas our founders had when they wrote our "Declaration of Independence" in July of 1776 but as our country continues to hide information from us what shall we do? Especially as we watch an Egyptian government which we have supported for decades fall apart and turn the internet and cellular services off, what shall we do? Start by grabbing a hand held radio because our own government is pushing through a similar clause enabling them to turn off these services without warning...
As I read the first couple sonnets and we discussed them in-class mostly everyone came to the conclusion that they encourage marriage. Well in one of my classes our teacher read us a letter written by Benjamin Franklin on July 25, 1745. In this letter he states eight reasons for marriage. The reasons may be a bit offensive... Also the entire letter can be found at http://grammar.about.com/od/classicessays/a/franklinmis.htm
But if you will not take this Counsel, and persist in thinking a Commerce with the Sex inevitable, then I repeat my former Advice, that in all your Amours you should prefer old Women to young ones. You call this a Paradox, and demand my Reasons. They are these:
1. Because as they have more Knowledge of the World and their Minds are better stor'd with Observations, their Conversation is more improving and more lastingly agreable.
2. Because when Women cease to be handsome, the study to be good. To maintain their Influence over Men, they supply the Dimunition of Beauty by the Augmentation of Utility. They learn to do 1000 Services small and great, and are the most tender and useful of all Friends when you are sick. Thus they continue amiable. And hence there is hardly such thing to be found as an old Woman who is not a good Woman.
3. Because there is no hazard of Children, which irregularly produc'd may be attended with much Inconvenience.
4. Because thro' more Experience, they are more prudent and discreet in conducting and Intrigue to prevent Suspicion. The Commerce with them is therefore safer with regard to your Reputation. And with regard to theirs, if the Affair should happen to be known, considerate People might be rather inclin'd to excuse an old Woman who would kindly take care of a young Man, form his Manners by her good Counsels, and prevent his ruining his Health and Fortune among mercenary Prostitutes.
5. Because in every animal that walks upright, the Deficiency of the Fluids that fill the Muscles appears first in the highest Part: the Face first grows lank and wrinkled; then the Neck; then the Breast and Arms; the lower Parts continuing to the last as plump as ever: So that covering all above with a Basket, and regarding only what is below the Girdle, it is impossible of two Women to know an old from a young one. And as in the dark all Cats are grey, the Pleasure of corporal Enjoyment with an Old Woman is at least equal, and frequently superior, every Knack being by Practice capable of Improvement.
6. Because the Sin is less. The debauching of a Virgin may be her Ruin, and make her for Life unhappy.
7. Because the Compunction is less. The having made a young Girl miserable may give you frequent bitter Reflections; none of which can attend the making an old Woman happy.
8. They are so grateful!!
Thus much for my Paradox. But still I advise you to marry directly; being sincerely Your affectionate Friend,
Benjamin Franklin.
1. Because as they have more Knowledge of the World and their Minds are better stor'd with Observations, their Conversation is more improving and more lastingly agreable.
2. Because when Women cease to be handsome, the study to be good. To maintain their Influence over Men, they supply the Dimunition of Beauty by the Augmentation of Utility. They learn to do 1000 Services small and great, and are the most tender and useful of all Friends when you are sick. Thus they continue amiable. And hence there is hardly such thing to be found as an old Woman who is not a good Woman.
3. Because there is no hazard of Children, which irregularly produc'd may be attended with much Inconvenience.
4. Because thro' more Experience, they are more prudent and discreet in conducting and Intrigue to prevent Suspicion. The Commerce with them is therefore safer with regard to your Reputation. And with regard to theirs, if the Affair should happen to be known, considerate People might be rather inclin'd to excuse an old Woman who would kindly take care of a young Man, form his Manners by her good Counsels, and prevent his ruining his Health and Fortune among mercenary Prostitutes.
5. Because in every animal that walks upright, the Deficiency of the Fluids that fill the Muscles appears first in the highest Part: the Face first grows lank and wrinkled; then the Neck; then the Breast and Arms; the lower Parts continuing to the last as plump as ever: So that covering all above with a Basket, and regarding only what is below the Girdle, it is impossible of two Women to know an old from a young one. And as in the dark all Cats are grey, the Pleasure of corporal Enjoyment with an Old Woman is at least equal, and frequently superior, every Knack being by Practice capable of Improvement.
6. Because the Sin is less. The debauching of a Virgin may be her Ruin, and make her for Life unhappy.
7. Because the Compunction is less. The having made a young Girl miserable may give you frequent bitter Reflections; none of which can attend the making an old Woman happy.
8. They are so grateful!!
Thus much for my Paradox. But still I advise you to marry directly; being sincerely Your affectionate Friend,
Benjamin Franklin.
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