`` O Brother Where Art But `` Is A 2000 Comedy By Joel Coen

â€Å"O brother where art though† is a 2000 Comedy by Joel Coen. The plot of the film is constructed around three escaped prisoners and their sharp cunning leader Ulysses Everett McGee. We get to see the picturesque adventures of Ulysses and his companions Delmar and Pete in the settings of 1930s Mississippi. Trying to reach Everett s home to recover the buried treasure of a bank heist they get confronted by a series of strange characters: sirens, a cyclops, bank robber George Baby Face Nelson, a campaigning governor, a Ku Klux Klan lynch mob, and a blind prophet who gives them a prophesy. â€Å"O brother where art though† is loosely based on Homer’s Odyssey. It is a cunning intellectual screen adaptation of Homer’s timeless work. The links to the Odyssey are puzzling and it took me more than one viewing to notice some them. I will describe every scene, point out the parallels between film and the book, and then explain each one of them in detail. Cohen starts his film with words: O muse! Sing in me, and through me tell the story Of that man skilled in all the ways of contending, A wanderer, harried for years on end... Just like Homer starts his first book of Odyssey: â€Å"Tell me, O muse, of that ingenious hero who travelled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy†... â€Å"Tell me, too, about all these things, O daughter of Jove, from whatsoever source you may know them.† After falling from a train Ulysses (Roman name of Odysseus) and his companions are chased byShow MoreRelated O Brother, Where Art Thou? - From Greek Classic to American Original3139 Words   |  13 PagesO Brother, Where Art Thou? - From Greek Classic to American Original In the winter of 2001, American audiences initially paid little attention to Joel and Ethan Coens Depression era, jail-break, musical buddy comedy O Brother, Where Art Thou? The films reputation lingered, however, and over the next seven months O Brother eventually grossed a significant $45.5 million (imdb.com). Loosely adapted from Homer’s The Odyssey, the film focuses on Ulysses Everett McGill’s (George Clooney’s) journeyRead MoreO Brother Where Art Thou1597 Words   |  7 PagesApril 12, 2008 Film Analysis â€Å"O Brother Where Art Thou† This old time musical theatrical movie clip was an insightful blast from the past that made you cherish those days where it was inconceivable to not be a gentlemen, and it was a down right shame to be anything less then an honest women. This old time movie with a new age attitude definitely strikes the funny bone of any modern day movie watcher. â€Å"The opening titles inform us that the Coen Brothers O Brother, Where Art Thou is based on Homers

Claudius in Hamlet Essay - 909 Words

Claudius in Hamlet â€Å"Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the majesty of the state to defend them.† - Nicolo Machiavelli, from The Prince Italian political theorist Nicolo Machiavelli speculated that the strongest leaders are ones who are able to carefully balance appearances to his benefit, strategically using them to strengthen his regime. If Machiavelli was indeed correct, then Claudius, from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, starts off as an ideal Machiavellian prince. However, as the play develops, Claudius’ loses his previously immovable command and composure, largely due to his concern over the potential threat posed by his stepson,†¦show more content†¦The oxymoronic phrases â€Å"mirth in funeral† and â€Å"dirge in marriage† recall Machiavelli’s words, for Claudius demonstrates his ability to express whatever emotions make him look wise and ju st, showing that he is in command of Denmark, despite his limited experience as king. Claudius fortifies his majestic appearance by taking decisive and positive action. When faced with the threat of Fortinbras, he immediately takes diplomatic measures, sending Cornelius and Voltemand to protect Denmark’s borders and create an alliance with Norway. Later, Laertes asks for permission to return to France. Knowing the value of the advice of Laertes’ father, Polonius, Claudius gives his consent in a jovial manner, thus strengthening his position with the courtiers. The King even senses the troubled state of Hamlet, and rather than letting things run their course, Claudius immediately sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as spies. Most importantly, in every decision he makes, Claudius appears confident, maintaining a balanced temperament in the public eye. Yet underneath this smooth facade lies a man who is concerned above all about Hamlet. A full two months after the death of his father, Hamlet continues to mourn, thereby keepingShow MoreRelatedHamlet : Claudius And Hamlet1008 Words   |  5 PagesPaternal-Parental-Uncle-Father-Figure-Claudius and Adopted-Nephew-Cousin-Son-Hamlet A parental figure and son conflict in Hamlet is Claudius and Hamlet. In Hamlet’s dysfunctional family Claudius has taken the place of Hamlet’s father after killing his brother the king. Hamlet refuses to acknowledge Claudius as his father because Claudius took the place of his father a month after his dad died . Another source to the conflict is that Claudius killed Hamlet’s father. After Hamlet found out about his father’sRead MoreEssay On Hamlet And Claudius1238 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout the play Hamlet, many different opportunities arise for individuals to take responsibility for themselves or others, but it is what motivates them to take that responsibility that can influence their outcome in life. From the beginning of the play, Claudius’ selfish desire when seeking responsibility inevitably leads to his death, as it causes him to take the life of his innocent brother, as well as trying to cover his tracks by acting like a father figur e for Hamlet. While Hamlet’s motivationRead MoreCharacters in Hamlet and Claudius1750 Words   |  7 Pagesroom Hamlet barged in with dirty and messed up clothes, looking pitiful and insane. He then went up to Ophelia and held her wrist while stroking the side of her face, nodding three times and sighing profoundly, then subsequently leaving her. It was surprising to involve Ophelia so directly in Hamlets play at insanity, as I figured he would act around Claudius and Polonius instead. But by acting as a distraught lover, the source of his insanity is clearer and easily acceptable by Claudius,  GertrudeRead MoreHamlet As A Jealous Of Claudius1417 Words   |  6 PagesOn William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, after the assassination of his father, Hamlet thinks he is living in a world full of corruption and deceit, where everything is falling apart and everyone is against him. An imminent, exaggerated, and passionate love for his mother is his main feature. Although others argue that Hamlet’s obsession to murder Claudius is strictly to claim revenge for his father’s death, it is Hamlet’s obsessive desire to possess his mother in an unhealthy and, perhaps incestuous,Read MoreHamlet V. Claudius Essays1181 Words   |  5 PagesHamlet vs. Claudius: A Fight to Remember In the literary classic, Hamlet by William Shakespeare, controversy meets corruption. The monarch of Denmark, King Hamlet, is murdered by his jealous brother, Claudius. While the son of the king, Prince Hamlet, is away at school, Claudius seizes the throne and marries the adulterous Queen Gertrude. Hamlet returns to Denmark finding his father dead, his mother remarried, and his uncle the king. Grief succumbs Hamlet and his only relief is from theRead MoreThe Fallible Mastermind Of Claudius : Hamlet864 Words   |  4 PagesFallible Mastermind of Claudius: Hamlet In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, King Claudius is widely understood to simultaneously be both well-spoken and extremely intelligent, two characteristics that, added up, complement his dangerous and manipulative motives and nature. However, it is his truly his loud conscience that contributes to the complexity of Claudius as a villain. Though he seemed to have pragmatically planned and executed his goal to take the throne from King Hamlet, he still encounteredRead More Shakespeares Hamlet - Claudius Essay2442 Words   |  10 PagesClaudius of Shakespeares Hamlet’s G. Wilson Knight in The Embassy of Death interprets the character of Claudius in Shakespeare’s Hamlet: Claudius, as he appears in the play, is not a criminal. He is - strange as it may seem - a good and gentle king, enmeshed by the chain of causality linking him with his crime. And this chain he might, perhaps, have broken except for Hamlet, and all would have been well. But, granted the presence of Hamlet - which Claudius at first genuinely desiredRead More Hamlet: The Character of Claudius in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay1330 Words   |  6 PagesHamlet: The Character of Claudius  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Of all the characters in Shakespeares Hamlet, perhaps the role of Claudius is the most intriguing and crucial. Claudius is the most controversial, the most mysterious and the most talked about character in this play. Many people look at Claudius and only see a villain, but there are additional sides to him that are often overlooked: Claudius the father, the husband, the ruler and the mortal individual. In this play the characters are not super-humanRead MoreEssay on Claudius of Shakespeares Hamlet1872 Words   |  8 PagesClaudius of Hamlet  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   A close second in nobility to the protagonist in Shakespeare’s Hamlet is the incredible King Claudius. His superior qualities render him a worthy antagonist capable of a plummeting downfall at the climax.    G. Wilson Knight in The Embassy of Death interprets the character of Claudius:    Claudius, as he appears in the play, is not a criminal. He is - strange as it may seem - a good and gentle king, enmeshed by the chain of causality linking him withRead MoreComparison of Hamlet and Claudius Essay1031 Words   |  5 PagesComparison of Hamlet and Claudius Relationships are very important today and they where very important in the past. Each relationship is different, some are good and some are bad. Good relationships can last a long time and sometimes forever but bad relationships can end very quickly. In some cases, relationships determine the direction life will take and they can change everything. Although love and relationships can sometimes be wonderful and happy, they can sometimes lead to things such

The Trial Of The Mill Farm - 1883 Words

â€Å"In the spring of 1886 the plaintiff, learning that the defendants had some polled Angus cattle for sale, was desirous of purchasing some of that breed, and, meeting the defendants, or some of them, at Walkerville, inquired about them, and was informed that they had none at Walkerville, but had a few head left on their farm in Greenfield, and they asked the plaintiff to go and see them, stating that in all probability they were sterile and would not breed. In accordance with said request, the plaintiff, on the fifth day of May, went out and looked at the defendants cattle at Greenfield, and found one called Rose 2d, which he wished to purchase, and the terms were finally agreed upon at five and one-half cents per pound, live†¦show more content†¦2. Where, in such a case, the thing actually delivered or received is different in substance from the thing bargained for and intended to be sold, there is no contract; but if it be only a difference in some quality or acciden t, even though the mistake may have been the actuating motive to the purchaser or seller, or both of them, the contract remains binding. 3. Where a cow was contracted to be sold upon the understanding of both parties that she was barren and useless for breeding purposes, and it appeared that such was not the case, -- Held, that the vendors had a right to rescind the contract, and refuse to deliver the property. Further reading on the American case of Sherwood v. Walker shows that, â€Å"Tthe contract made was not within the statute of frauds, and that payment for the property was not a condition precedent to the passing of the title from the defendants to the plaintiff. Furthermore I agree that the plaintiff was entitled to a delivery of the property to him when the suit was brought, unless there was a mistake made which would invalidate the contract; and no such mistake can be found. There is no pretense that there was any fraud or concealment in the case, and an intimation or insinuation

An Auteurist Critique of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou free essay sample

Wes Anderson is a world-renowned filmmaker known for creating vividly colorful films that are consistent with his auteur signature. Though he has only directed 7 films (not including his upcoming film and two short films), he is a perfect example of how even a small body of work can demonstrate auteur theory. Anderson’s films have frequent themes, visual and methodological style and he even uses a lot of the same actors in most of his films. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) is a great example to demonstrate Wes Anderson’s stylistic use of pastel color schemes, symmetrical shot composition, and thematic use of story elements such as trust, acceptance, child-like behavior in adulthood, dysfunctional families/ relationships, and death. All of Anderson’s films have an easily recognizable color-scheme. Red and beige are definite colors in all of Anderson’s films from The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) to Moonrise Kingdom (2012). In The Life Aquatic, the oceanographer’s outfits are a bright baby blue, complete with yellow accents, and red berets. The submarine aboard Steve Zissou’s ship the Belafonte is yellow. Even the various sea creatures follow this same pastel color palette. This specific color palette unites with the amazing amount of detail Anderson puts into his films. Complete with a Steve Zissou inspired pinball machine, Zissou’s ship is full of tiny trinkets, pictures, and countless memorabilia that the average moviegoer would never see. These tiny details that Anderson puts in the mise-en-scene add a remarkable amount of detail to the universe of the film. Of course a cinematic universe is nothing without its characters. Like any of Anderson’s main protagonists, Steve Zissou is flawed, egotistical, and reckless with certain child-like attributes. From the beginning of the film Steve exhibits resentment and smug behavior to the critics who question his work. His melancholy attitude towards life is ever persistent throughout the film. When his wife leaves him and openly informs him that she will be staying with his archenemy, Steve shows neither regret nor grief towards the situation. When confronted by a reporter aboard his  ship about his latest documentary, Steve resorts to childish name calling instead of accepting the fact that his opinion is not the only opinion. Steve Zissou shows no hesitation risking his own life and that of his crew when searching for a mysterious shark that ate his friend and fellow colleague. Anderson commonly uses family issues as a thematic device in all of his films. Steve Zissou’s long for gotten son, Ned Plimpton, suddenly shows up to a screening of Steve’s documentary, and shortly after they begin a â€Å"deep search† for a real relationship. This relationship is short-lived, however, due to Steve’s neglect to replace the old helicopter atop the Belafonte. Near death experiences are very common in Anderson’s films, Sam Shakusky being struck by lightning in Moonrise Kingdom, and Francis’ near-death experience in The Darjeeling Limited (2007) are two examples. In the case of The Life Aquatic the whole crew aboard the Belafonte comes face to face with their death. While carelessly lounging in the onboard spa, Steve inadvertently lets his ship be taken over by pirates. Steve (and his ego) take it upon himself to save the crew single-handedly. At this point in the film, the cinematography takes a different turn than what is usually portrayed by Anderson. Wes Anderson is known for his use of the camera stylistically. His films are full of symmetric set design with the camera sitting perfectly in the middle of it all. The Life Aquatic is full of shots like this; from the grand theatre at the beginning of the film, all the way to the office of Steve Zissou, and even the rooms inside the Belafonte. Anderson also uses an ample amount of tracking shots throughout his films. The most notable scene that takes advantage of the tracking shot is the scene where Steve and Ned argue while walking about the ship. The camera follows the characters as they go through rooms, doors, climb ladders and stairs until they end up on the top deck. Anderson also tries to fit as many people into frame as possible in every film. Near the end of The Life Aquatic is a medium shot of 11 people sitting in Steve Zissou’s tiny submarine. These shots are a trademark of any Anderson film. In fact, he uses this framing at least 5 other times in the film. These types of shots often have a lot going on inside of them. The foreground is usually where the key action takes place but Anderson takes full advantage of his framing. Often times there are minor characters interacting with the scene elements behind them. For example, in the scene where Steve is talking to his producer, one of the crewmembers in the background is tinkering with an electrical box and causes a blackout on the ship. Behind the producer a child is reaching his hand inside a fish tank and antagonizing Steve’s pet fish. Lastly, Anderson uses over-the-head-shot when showing a message or words of importance. This can be seen in Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), Moonrise Kingdom, and of course The Life Aquatic. Wes Anderson’s thematic and stylistic elements are tremendously established across the 7 films that he has made over the past 13 years. From his symmetrical shots, to his desaturated pastel color palette, to his flawed, dysfunctional characters, Wes Anderson has certainly proved his status of being an auteur. Anderson has showed that he can rise above what Hollywood considers the standard, and without compromising his artistic style in the process.