Here are some pieces that i’ve been working on so far in my art journal this year!

In the well known play, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare typically introduces two characters, Benvolio and Tybalt, that throughout the play will partake important roles in the two feuding families, Montgue and Capulet, by using the method of foiling; two characters who contradict one another so the audience can convey their significances. Tybalt and Benvolio stand as two very different characters… While Benvolio uses his will power to control the problems, Tybalt can’t seem to draw his sword fast enough to intervene. Benvolio, standing as a peacekeeper, a trustworthy friend to Romeo in his distraught affections over love, and a problem solver is first introduced when the servants of the Capulet family pick a fight with the servants of the Montague household as a tribute to their ongoing rivalry. Unlike Benvolio, Tybalt is an aggressive, cocky character that is always looking for a fight. He is first introduced in the same scene as Benvolio when the two conflicting families came to a disturbance in the streets of Verona. While Benvolio attempts to simmer down the firing forces, Tybalt stands in the middle nagging on the fight. Not only does Tybalt attempt to arise a fight in the families, but he tries to start a fight with Benovlio when he says, “Turn thee… Look upon thy death.” Although Benvolio does draw his sword, he continues to pursue his peace keeping; with Tybalt responding, “Talk of peace? I hate the words as I hate hell, all Montagues and thee,” once again enhancing the rage in the air. As one can see, the two most certainly do not favor one another in similarities or in character and in fact contradict each other in almost any way possible.
Another example of characters that have their differences and similarities throughout the play consists of Lady Capulet and the Nurse. Lady Capulet is a woman that was married early and at the age of fourteen gave birth to Juliet… She takes the role of an ineffectual mother, as she often relies on the Nurse for moral support and to raise Juliet. In Contrast, the Nurse is an indecent yet sentimental character in which she provides a comic relief across the board with her commonly inappropriate speeches. Although these two women differ greatly in actions, they do compare in similarity when discussing their love for Juliet. Lady Capulet sees Juliet as more of a “charge” than that of a daughter and understands where Juliet’s role should stand, while the Nurse only desires Juliet’s happiness, thinks more of Juliet as a daughter than Lady Capulet, and perhaps understands Juliet’s heart more than she does. For example, in the play Romeo and Juliet, Lady Capulet and the Nurse are discussing the matter of Juliet marrying Paris when the audience can foreshadow the idea of Lady Capulet seeing Juliet as a “charge”, “Speak briefly. Can you like of Paris, love?” This speech by Lady Capulet conveys a message of pressure… It’s as if she is rushing Juliet to make a life changing decision on her marrying Paris without allowing Juliet much time to evaluate the circumstances. Overall, Lady Capulet and the Nurse both care for Juliet a great deal, but in different ways… The Nurse sees and cares for Juliet as a her own daughter in her experiences, her love for the enemy, Romeo, while Lady Capulet is seeing her daughter as a candidate for marriage, marrying Paris.

Any STAAR test, I think we all can agree, is an excruciating five-hour experience. During that time period, many students undergo stress and exhaustion. However, if schools were to allow students to listen to music while testing, this could make these five hours of torture a little sweeter. Although some may argue that this causes students to be more so distracted, studies have shown that music improves the brain’s function and can prevent student distractions, like boredom or fellow classmate disruptions.
Some will argue that music would be a bigger distraction than the everyday pencil drops and chattering. If a student is distracted easily, music is not advised… Dr. Perham, research of music, stated, “…listening to music may dismay your cognitive abilities… memorizing things in order… thrown off or confused by the various words or notes in the song…” However, music can improve awareness, the ability to do mental math, and even lessens depression and anxiety.
In contrast, music can also improve brain functionally. For example, while taking the math test, music is a major bonus. Music and math are inextricably compatible, from counting rhythms to reading symbols. Information pertained from the “National Education
Longitudinal Study” by the U.S Department of Education, discovered that students involved in music had a higher mathematical achievement and proficiency in high school. Music not only strengthens your academic levels, it also prevents the issue of student interruptions, such as drowsiness, boredom, or other classmate disruptions. When a task is clearly given and repetitive in nature, studies have shown that music is consistently helpful. For example, HelpScout.org presented, “… a series of experiments have investigated the relationship between the playing of background music during the performance of repetitious work and efficiency in performing such a task…. gave strong support.” Also, HelpScout.org stated, “…assembly line workers showed signs of increased happiness and efficiency while listening to music.” While music may be distracting for some, for others, music helps brain functioning attributions.
A five-hour STAAR test could be enlightened with this proposal. Let us, as a society, change the amount of stress that children endure through school, increase their brain activity, efficiency, and mood through the privilege of music.