Movie Review - The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe

CS Lewis's adventure and children's fantasy literature, the lion the witch and the wardrobe, has been directed by Andrew Adamson. A 143-minute film was first released in the US on 9^th December 2005. It is naively lucrative, dexterously cast, wittily directed and excitingly impressive. It unfolds the slim book into a rich visual experience that is bold, spectacular and sweeping.

In the momentous days of World war 2 the four siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy– leave for the English countryside during air raids in London. They live with an eminent professor where they find a magic wardrobe during a game of hide-and-seek that leads them to the world of Narnia; a world of fauns and talking animals. In the land of Narnia, the white which is the embodiment of Satan who tricks Edmund into betraying all the good in Narnia. According to the legend two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve would be the saviors of Narnia. Susan (Anna Poppelwell), Peter (William Mosely), Edmund (Skander Keynes) and Lucy (Georgie Henley) must team up with the mighty Aslan (Liam Neeson's voice) - epithet of Christ - in hope of defeating the vicious White Witch (Tilda Swinton). Will the good triumph over the evil?

The costumes were spectacular as they emphasized the characters' personality and status. For instance, the Witch wore a heavy white coat implying that she was an 'icy woman'. The sound tracks evoked emotional response from the viewers; sounds of fear, joy and glory made the movie more sophisticated and edgy. Nonetheless it would be an over exaggeration to say that the movie was impeccable; for instance, when the children were playing hide and seek, trying to find a hiding place, Lucy's dress changed from purple to brown.

However minor technical flaws can neither defeat the grandeur of the plot nor demean its entertainment value.

Book Review - The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe

The most popular of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, the second book in the series of seven and published by Geoffrey Bles, 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' is based on Christian theology. The yummy mixture of fantasy and children's literature was first released in London on 16^th October 1950 under the ISBN 0060764899. In the momentous days of World war 2 the four siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy– leave for the English countryside during air raids in London. They live with an eminent professor where they find a magic wardrobe during a game of hide-and-seek that leads them to another world, the world of Narnia; a world of fauns and talking animals.

Behind the armor of fantasy and fiction Lewis concocts the story so as to turn the eyes of the readers towards the eternal spirituality. The white which, the embodiment of Satan, tricks Edmund into betraying all the good in Narnia while Aslan the epithet of Christ comes to rescue the innocent and punishes the sinners. The readers, who are not aware of the 'Deeper magic before the Dawn', are left with a throbbing heart when Aslan is 'apparently killed' by the Witch. A heart wrenching and extremely poignant scene teaches us lessons of love and self-sacrifice. While Aslan has been brutally slayed the children have to fight the war against the witch single handedly.

Will the good triumph over the evil? Is it possible that Aslan (Christ) could perish? What are the 'Deep' and the 'Deeper magic'? There is no charm in a drab catechism; the only way to seize the thrills and the frills of a piece of literature is to read and construe it! Even theatrical and TV series depictions fail to do justice to the way Lewis brews the characters to life. 

Drawing analogies

 How much land does a man require and The sniper

Leo Tolstoy a contemplative prolific Russian writer has authored gobs of novels and short stories. Being a vocational writer he also written plays and essays. Tolstoy's awe-inspiring heap of literary works sees a tinge of his pensive mind. He stories and novels are full of noble ideas, moral lessons and spiritual enlightenment. Thus he is also referred to as a social reformer.

Liam O'Flaherty just like Tolstoy was an Irish novelist and a short story writer. It is interesting to note that Flaherty started his career as a soldier and participated in World War 1. Thereafter he himself has bitterly criticized war and owing to the fact that pen is mightier than sword he took it!

'How much land does a man need' by Tolstoy and 'The sniper' by O'Flaherty are both exceptionally astounding short stories drafted in simple language but having a profound mettle. Though very different in their plots they share a major trait. They both talk about the fundamental human nature and aim to put it's readers centuries after centuries into a pensive mood.

'How much land does a man need' talks about the excessive greed and the possessiveness of men, while 'The sniper' refers the futility of the warfare.  In the beginning of 'How much land does a man need' the two sisters talk about the rural and the urban life. Here the clear cut distinction between both of them is seen. The setup in which a person spends a commendable of part of his life affects his thinking pattern. The younger sister was influenced by the rural nature while the elder by the urban. It must be noted here that both of them are trying to laud their own ways of life. It is the nature of humans to have a soft corner for anything, whether living or non-living that belongs to them. However none of them are able to completely pull the other down. Variety is the spice of life. Not all have the same opinion! Everyone has their own style of thinking and are correct in their own ways, for every coin has both the sides! The attitude is all that makes people distinct. Similar is the case with the story Sniper. The people of the same country itself are not ready to accept each others' views. The Free Staters and the members of the IRA (Irish Republican Army) rage a war against one another as the Free staters are happy with the partition of Ireland into the Northern and the Southern as suggested by the British but the IRA are want an undivided nation. This conflict results into a war. Again it is apparent that humans promote their own ideas and want 'em to be thrust upon the others.

Pakhom complaints about the little land that he has and wants more to grow powerful. Here Pakhom doesn't realize that the real happiness in life lies within the humanly life and not in the materialistic. This is one of the greatest attribute of many people living. The Irish civil war wouldn't at all have taken place if this is naive fact was understood. People always are interested in the affairs of the world and often neglect contemplation.

The barina charges the peasants if their cattle happened to break into her land. This too shows that humans are too possessive of money and do not care much about anything else when it comes into the picture. Pakhom too was not happy with this but yet he too did the same thing after coming into power. This is indicative of yet another feature of mankind. The misery makes people sad and lead them to use their brains but victory means sole celebrations! Victory often makes people forget their former condition and make them self-centered. The sniper doesn't even have a tinge of humanity. He is desperate to kill. He shoots an old lady who fall into a gutter. This is simply the heights of viciousness. The agony and fear of death at the moment of being shot then makes him sensitize of his brutal actions. When he kills the old women he is exhilarated but only after being shot he feels the pain himself.

Envy is the ulcer to soul as said by Socretes. Pakhom grows envious at the success of the people around him. He wants to be at the summit and to acquire that position he is ready to do anything and everything. The Republican Sniper as well as the Free Stater sniper pose a threat to each other and thus wants to kill each other for paramountcy.

Being utterly determined and enthusiastic leads one to the terminus only and only if that determination doesn't turn into fanaticism and bigotry! Pakhom was fanatic about acquiring land while the Republican Sniper was fanatic of killing the free staters. Pakhom's greed was fired with successive fulfillment of his desires up to such an extent that he put his precious life too on stake! The sniper too conspired to kill his enemy at any cost though it could also be termed as the survival instinct. But neither Pakhom nor the sniper enjoyed the fruits of their toil.

At the end of life people are not judged on the basis of medals won, estates acquired or property gained but the times they reached out to the ignored, the times they stood by the ones when they were all alone, the love, warmth and the mirth they spread matters. Pakhom was ultimately buried in a grave just the size of his corpse in-spite of having so vast a stretch of land. Pakhom just before dying realizes the disaster his greed had bought. Pakhom's family lay devastated at this and are sure to curse him for his actions, though a little feeling of sadness might prevail. The republican sniper killed his enemy but soon realized that the man he killed was his own brother and was then remorse struck. He too regrets living though his heart craved for killing his opponent; and heaves expletives at the war. In the end he realizes the futility of war.

'The sniper' and the 'How much land does a man need' thus both revolve around the fundamental truths of the life and in a very effective and touchy manner expose the true human nature. They both aim at awakening the human population from their deep slumbers and seek to improvise the society. 

As you like it - My favorite characters

William Shakespeare has been a great literary giant of the sixteenth century. His flamboyant intellect has been and will continue to be the source of attraction for millions of literature freaks, although it is quite disheartening to know that his fragrance has spanned the lengths and breaths of the world posthumously. 'As you like it' is one of the comedies written during the late 1590's. His endeavours to appeal his audience and especially the youth is reflected in this play. The comedy, romance and the penetrating insight into the fundamental human nature all bundled into a single hilarious and exuberant pack is what 'As you like it' is.

The three most endearing character in the play according to me are Orlando de boys, melancholic Jaques and Adam.

Although Jaques seems to be a pessimist, cynical and melancholic his pensive personality throws light upon many untouched angles. As is the sweet supper nauseating exclusive of spice, 'As you like it' would remain shrivelled without Jaques. The flattery arrows sooner or later are bound to prick but that of criticism tend to resurrect mankind. Criticism is an alchemy that brings out the odds in men right from pride, ego, and attitude to the intricate chores of life. Jaques is as witty as is his 'lord'! As we see Jaques in 2, i, 26-63 moralizing upon a 'Sequestered Stag', it's apparent that his heart throbbed for all beings. He is very sensitive, compassionate and loving. He assumes a hard tone for mankind, the 'material fools'. He compares the other rejoicing deer to the apathetic, self-centered mankind. Here duke senior too acknowledges Jaques to be at his intellectual heights when he is melancholic, which indeed is a parody for the 24/7 melancholic Jaques! Although at times he is presumptuous, he brings out the naked truth. His lucid perception of the human life can be well seen in 2, 7, 140-166 where he explicitly compares the 7 stages of the life of a man to a play. Being an adolescent myself it is quite interesting to relate my personal experiences which of course fits the text!

Adam although not seen after act 3, is one of the leading character of the play. He is the servant of Sir Rowland de boys, without whom the play would almost have been baseless. Adam's 'wrinkles' are the results of his chastity and perserverance. If lord Krishna happened to tread in the theatre, he without a wink would acknowledge Adam as the man of perfect self-less nature, utterly devoted and loyal to his 'short errand' (the life). Adam always advocated love and tried to pacify the ever increasing conflicts between Orlando and the vicious, virulent and vehement Oliver. Service these days has become almost a blasphemy! Everyone fishes for an apt opportunity to exploit the other and reap his harvests! Amidst this atmosphere Adam gives up all his grueled treasures in the service of his beloved master, risking his very life! He elicits the sheer truth of life by 'surrendering to the all mighty', keeping up all his virtues (2, iii, 38-55). His ways of life will serve to be source of inspiration until the perpetual bell of time knolls!

Like a tender Magnolia, fresh in the morning rejuvenates the calm, cool breeze with its sublime fragrance, Orlando illuminates the play with his overflowing grandeur. He is a lad with a noble spirit that enchants everyone. The enmity between Orlando and Oliver found its roots in the jealousy that Oliver bore for Orlando's noble character and ethics. Orlando is very well-versed, well-behaved gentleman. Jaques the harshest of the critiques too has regarded Orlando as a 'nimble witted fellow' (3, ii, 270-271). Orlando's compassion is well illustrated in 4, iii, pg 79-81 where he fights a lioness bare-handed to save 'his enemy' during which he himself gets wounded. In the very scene we also see that Orlando is a man of his word. He sends Oliver to Ganemede (Rosalind) for begging pardon for not reaching on time. Orlando is totally committed in his love. He would rather choose to die than to live a life barren of the rosy Rosalind. His love is heavenly and is as chaste as Lucretia! He is kind, loving and caring.  His love for Rosalind is expressed in the verses in 3, ii, 85-92 and 3, ii, 122- 151. Here Orlando's knowledge, love and his stalwart character is mirrored. Orlando is full of great philosophy which is a sure indication of his pensive and contemplative mood.

Jaques's intuitive melancholy, Adam's morality and Orlando's nobility caught my attention. One of the greatest lessons that Jaques has taught me is to become a keen observant. The ecstasy of becoming a witness is flabbergasting preventing us from being screwed on the same cross time and again! It is quite apparent that the optimists can miss the stand that a pessimist can have but also that he can scarcely be inebriated with the elixir of life. Orlando's love and kindness coupled with his acuity and Adam's determination and longing for his service all combined with 'Jaques melancholy' makes the life jubilant!  

As you like it Act 1 and 2

The rain drops chaste as its origin fall from the eternal vastness, rest upon the steep slopes ready to flow down, pacing swiftly ahead, meeting other brooks on the way, obliterating obstacles, mingling with mud, meandering but moving and ultimately emptying into the cosmic reservoirs. An intricate mystery understood by none! The inceptions most sorrowful, then a tottering youth and a steady maturity finally blending into the feeble age of peaceful demise. Being born a human is purely a luck by chance but building and sustaining humanity throughout the course life is not everyone's cup of tea! Alas this world! The most essential elements of life can neither be beheld nor can be touched in contrast to the illusive avarice for the materialistic possessions that we all cease to seize! However they can be felt and sensitized. Perhaps the abstractions of these underpinnings of nature was destined to shield the living beings from their own greed, malice and collusions that might have threatened their very existence. The traits of human nature may be diverse but beat around the same mulberry bush! Atrophied of love, this mesmerizing world have been desolate and gloom would lay predominant. Unconditional love out-powers even the most lethal of the weapons. Love is the universal heartbeat with which every soul throbs, though its manifestations may seem diverse. As the air flowing from the East to the West and the mighty waves dashing against the shingle, "Love knows no bounds". The powers of love may be awe-inspiring, one only needs to surge them to action!

Yet it is a great to pity to see a prodigious amount of hypocrisy brewing about every niche. The only sin possible in my eye is to deny your own inner calling. Not to respond to its impetuous urge causes all sorts of complexions. The typical stereo-typical society has certainly enthralled the budding minds with their ‘perverse impossible ideals’. The condemnation of sex and love puts at war against our own energy – and a double minded man is unstable in all his ways – as most of us are!

The dictionary has fallen into the hands of masochists’ vectors who have marred one the most beautiful words. Trust, fidelity and ‘chastity’ have been reduced to what is called virginity in a bawdy language. A deeper psychological insight reveals jealousy, the offspring of insecurity.

Today is a world where you can ping your fiend sitting right at the North Pole in a mere fraction of a second. We have become a global village but with this contraction in a virtual sense have our beings also started to contract only to be reduced to a malodourous trickle? A branch severed from the trunk hurts both equally – men and women are no exceptions! Peace is but a dream until the ‘complements’ do not merge into one another, unconditionally, having casted off all the trash of untold centuries. It is time to tickle the ‘vast unused network’ of billions of electrical connection of biological computer……..

The rain drops chaste as its origin fall from the eternal vastness, rest upon the steep slopes ready to flow down, pacing swiftly ahead, meeting other brooks on the way, obliterating obstacles, mingling with mud, meandering but moving and ultimately emptying into the cosmic reservoirs. An intricate mystery understood by none! Atrophied of love, this mesmerizing world have been desolate and gloom would lay predominant. Love is the universal heartbeat with which every soul throbs. As the air flowing from the East to the West and the mighty waves ramming against the shingle, "Love knows no bounds". Perhaps the epicenter of every teen is love and sex.

Yet it is a great to pity to see a prodigious amount of hypocrisy brewing about every niche. The only sin possible in my eye is to deny your own inner calling. Not to respond to its impetuous urge causes all sorts of complexions. The typical stereo-typical society has certainly enthralled the budding minds with their ‘perverse impossible ideals’. The condemnation of sex and love puts one at war against one’s own energy – and a double minded man is unstable in all his ways – as most of us are, trying to fish for a relationship and at the same time shying away from it!

The dictionary has fallen into the hands of masochists’ vectors who have marred one the most beautiful words. Trust, fidelity and ‘chastity’ have been reduced to what is called virginity in a bawdy language. A deeper psychological insight reveals jealousy, the offspring of insecurity. We have tried to captivate love/sex and channelize to a single person. But is the nature of a river to be dynamic or static?

Today is a world where you can ping your fiend sitting right at the North Pole in a mere fraction of a second. We have become a global village but with this contraction in a virtual sense have our beings also started to contract only to be reduced to a malodourous trickle? A branch severed from the trunk hurts both equally – men and women are no exceptions! Peace is but a dream until ‘these complements’ do not merge and melt into one another, unconditionally, having casted off all the trash of untold centuries. It is time to tickle the ‘vast unused network’ of billions of electrical connection of our biological computer……..

Much ado about Nothing - Beatrice vs Benedick

Much ado about nothing is a comedy written by William Shakespeare full of acute insight into the human psychology and behavior. There is a lot to take from the text even today in the 21^st century. How grand and noble of a text to survive through centuries and centuries of wild winds of renaissance!

A messenger in Act 1 scene 1 comes to inform Leonato that Don Pedro is just about to arrive. In this scene we see Beatice asking,

"Has Signor Montanto returned or no?"

This question is of immense significance as we can infer that Beatrice must have known Benedick from long and might as well have had some relation in the past. One gets a license to mock the other only after a long acquaintance! Moreover Beatrice here asks only for Benedick and no one else. This suggests of some relation between them.

Beatrice ridicules Benedick severely, for instance she calls him a stuffed man, "He is a stuffed man - but for the stuffing well we are all mortals." She meant to say that he is a man full of vices and no concrete matter. She undermines his dignity by saying, "He has a new sworn brother every day." and "He changes his faith as the fashion of his hat." Beatrice indirectly abuses him attacking on his loyalty saying that he is never consistent in his relations and changes his partners just in the manner we cast off the old clothes for the new ones!

When Don Pedro arrives Beatrice and Benedick again get a chance to play the merry war of wits! Here we see that it is Beatrice who initiates the conversation with Benedick. It strengthens our conviction that the two are in some relationship. On the surface we see that Beatrice is absolutely acrid and caustic when it comes to talking to benedick but well for that matter the very theme of the play comes into picture - Appearances are always deceptive! But nothing can be concluded from these skirmishes of wits. Benedick begins with "My lady Disdain!" In Elizabethan time women were to be respected and one could never use such abusive or offending language. But she answers, "How could disdain die when she hath such meet as Benedick?" Here we see that she accepts the otherwise humiliating title. Thus it seems that they both must be inclined towards one another. Benedick gets weary of the "rare parrot teacher" and rests. This is not liked by beatrice who pops in to say, "You always end with the Jade's trick." This sentence also reveals that they both had known each other from a long time as she is aware of the traits of Benedick (to leave a conversation uncompleted) It implies that she wanted to talk to him even after he stopped. No matter what the body of the conversation be, it is the feeling and the desire to be with the partner and to talk to him/her is what really matters - all else is just an excuse on the way!

Whenever we see Benedick and Beatrice together they are always quarrelling. The next instance proving the above assertion happen to be when Benedick and Beatrice dance in the reveling at night. She threw words like pots and pans at Benedick not knowing his identity. These sane words coming out of her mouth seemed like "poniards" (daggers) to Benedick. She calls him, "My uncle's jester" (A gross fool), an utter idiot always fooling around. She also said that "he amuses a few people by angering others" and thus a few laugh at his jokes while others beat him.  And beating someone of such a noble lineage as such as Benedick is the very pinnacle of insult. She also mentions that only "libertines" (useless fellows) and "squarers" (Hooligans) "rejoice in his company." Listening to all this he was hurt beyond reason but was helpless as he was not supposed to reveal his identity by displaying his satiric wit.

The deep incision which Beatrice's poniards have made in Benedick's heart is exposed when Pedro pities him. There he exaggerates and conveys that even inanimate objects would have to come life (eg the wiser he was wearing) to scold her. Even Hercules the most powerful of the gods would have to light the fire at her charge (do all sorts of feminine activities.) The environment around her was so poisonous that people by will would commit sins in order to get a ticket to hell which was still a better place to live than earth where we have the Legendary Beatrice!

However as Beatrice approaches Pedro and Benedick he turns sober or to say turns into a hypocrite and starts to use more polite language.

"Hath thee any service for me?"

"Send me to the antipodes."

"…Pluck a hair from the great Cham's beard,"

"I can bring the length of Paster John's foot"

"bring toothpicks from the east"

"Hath thee any embassage for the pigmies?"

"Send me on the slightest errand rather than holding a conversation with this harpy."

Beatrice in this scene is seen making a vile comment when Don Pedro says, "You have put him down lady, you have put him down." This she takes in a literal sexual sense and replies that if Bendick was to get on top of her she would begot fools. (Hinting that benedick was a fool)

However the condescending attitude of Beatrice is for the first time justified at this instant. Here she confesses to Don Pedro that she was in relation with Benedick.

"I gave him use for it."

But Benedick won his heart back from her by a "false dice" and "thus my lord may well say that I've lost it". This infidelity on the part of Benedick could be one of the reasons for her being harsh to benedick. Having revealed so much of valuable information this scene in Act 2 can be termed to be one of the most important of all!

Thus Benedick and Beatrice were constantly engaged in a "merry war of wits" as Leonato puts in. On the periphery we always see these two hailing insults at one another but deep down there had been sprouts of love that couldn't blossom or perhaps are yet to blossom! The embers glow even when the fire is extinguished! There is something that is still stirring deep within them that is trying to bring both of them under the very wrath of love! These are two most paradoxical and enigmatic characters of the entire play. 

Much Ado About Nothing - Scene 1 detail Analysis

Much ado about nothing is one of the all-time favorite comedies of Shakespeare. The text apart from its regular jocular mood delves deep into the human psychology and behavior which makes its study relevant not only today but unto the incarnation of 'men of some other mettle than earth' as Beatrice puts in!

The play begin with Leonato the governor of Messina, his 'short daughter' Hero, his niece Beatrice and a messenger. The initial scene is set in the orchard of Leonato where a messenger brings forth the news that Don Pedro the price of Aragon was soon going to arrive at his place.

"Messenger: He was hardly three leagues off when I last left him."

The messenger intended to inform Leonato that Pedro was just about fourteen kilometers away and would arrive at any odd moment. This piece of information was vital, as per the customs of the 16^th century England the prince must be entertained in the most extravagant style. For if he displeased, he rages a war against the opponent who then is completely shattered. Although Pedro was not such a stereotypical king. The facet will be illumined later on.

"Leonato: How many men have been killed?

Messenger: None, and a few of any sort."

These two dialogues show the entire social structure at that time. It was not only essential to conquer but also to bring back full numbers.

"Leonato: A victory is twice itself when the conqueror brings back full numbers."

As without those high class officials the kingdom would again be at stake. But it also should be marked that commoners at that time were not even considered as people or counted in number of deaths.

Then as the conversations progresses the bravery, courage and exceptional service of the 'young Florentine Claudio is discussed. The joy of his uncle who is never again mentioned in the play is expressed. He was also rewarded by Pedro.

Meanwhile Breatice asks, "Has signor Montanto returned or no?"

This question baffles the messenger but Hero chips in and says, "My cousin means Signor Benedick of Padua."

This particular statement shows the intimacy shared by the two cousins. Hero overtly is a very modest, reserved woman of 16th century. But in the presence of her cousin she expresses the deepest mysteries hidden in the heart of her heats. The bond that they share is noteworthy.

Before the prince arrives Beatrice shows her wit and humiliated Benedick severely. This shows that she wasn't a 16^th century women. She was outright and acrid in her speech. She didn't care of the social norms and was a rebel. Upon the arrival of price he is welcomed.

"Leonato: ….For trouble being gone happiness remains. As your liege takes his leave, happiness also take its leave and sorrow abides."

This is demonstrative of the upper class people. They were rather snobbish and took on to flattery.

"Pedro: Your hand Leonato."

This line indicates the amicable behavior of Pedro at earlier.

There also happen a 'skirmish of wit' between Benedick and Beatrice. Benedick makes use of the word 'My lady Disdain!' which is heartily accepted by Beatrice. To respect ladies was a courtship and to call someone disdainful was a sin that probably even Satan wouldn't have ever come across! This indicates that these two might have been in relation. The fact is backed up when Beatrice says, "You always end up with a Jade's Trick."

As Pedro and with him everyone except Benedick and Claudio leave, Claudio expresses his heats desire to marry hero which is mocked at by Benedick by calling her 'Short daughter of Leonato' (short in all respects) On the contrary Pedro appreciating his love confirms the virginity of Hero and arranges for his marriage with hero. The key point to be noted here is that marriage was less a business of love. People were mad after prestige, reputation and property. For if love was the criterion the question of virginity or being the sole heir of property shouldn't have ever arisen. But nonetheless Pedro arranges to propose hero in during the reveling that night and break with his father. But there are also two instances of noting that occur in the consequent scenes.

Thus the first scene opens up the play by introducing all the major character. All of them are more or less exposed right in this scene. The entire play in the most intellectual manner possible. The connections to the later parts of the play are well established and the readers are prompted to think and marvel and anxiously wait for the play to unfold itself!