Journeys Essay/speech

I think that journeys are a really important aspects to all of our lives because they apply to everybody, once a journey starts you cant escape it, all journeys big and small can be unpredictable but all have a positive aspect of being a learning experience. Today’s speech will focus on imaginative journeys and how I have used three different perspectives to develop the concept of a journey.

Imagination refers to a persons mind forming images or concepts of external objects not immediately present to the senses or not directly experienced. Journeys can change values, ideas and aspirations. Imaginative journeys can lead to discoveries beyond the physical, being unpredictable and dangerous at times. They can be seen as catalysts for change.

My concept of journeys has been developed through the study of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”, the movie “Click” and the song lyrics “In the arms of the angel”. These texts have shown that imaginative journeys can be inspired by magical elements, and can be thought provoking and dangerous.

Shakespeare’s use of stage direction, motif and rhetorical question leads the audience to examine the relationships between the physical experiences and the imaginative journey of memory and journey in their aftermath.

“A tempestuous noise of thunder and lightening heard.” This opening scene of a life threatening, violent tempest dramatically demands the imagination of the audience. The storm is symbolic of destruction of the natural order and is the beginning of the journey for the passengers of the vessel. The audience’s imagination is immediately engaged in a scene that generates a sense of mystery and imagination to speculate what events will follow.

When the boatswain yells at Antonio “A plague upon this howling! They are louder than the weather or our office. Yet again? What do you here? Shall we give O’er and drown? Have you a mind to sink.” and Antonio angrily replies “Hang Cur, hang you whoreson” this

makes the audience aware of conflict in social hierarchy. The tiresome and physically demanding journey that the boatswain and Antonio are experiencing at sea exemplifies how journeys can be unpredictable and dangerous, leading the characters and the audience to question their next immediate path. The master/servant relationship is used as a motif in the play.

Shakespeare’s ability to capture his audience’s attention was partly due to his ability to combine a range of language techniques. He successfully used rhetorical questions to redirect the play wherein Miranda starts to question her father’s purity and intention to bring enemies onto the shore. The question

“For still вЂ?tis beating in my mind your reason for raising this sea storm?” points to the catalyst for the imaginary journey and leads to discoveries beyond the physical. Miranda’s speculation behind her father’s actions positions me to consider that mental developments and strategic plans throughout a journey lead to discoveries beyond the physical.

I found that Frank Coraci used the main character in the fantasy comedy movie “Click” to explore the concept that imaginative journeys can be speculative and have the ability to change a persons values and aspirations. Coraci used editing, irony and flashback to convey Michaels imaginative journey.

The beginning of Michaels imaginary journey was when he started to speculate about how much easier his life would be with the remote. After Michael starts to realise the functions of his new remote he begins to fight with his wife. Editing

is used to skip Michael straight past the fight to after it was finished. At first it is thought that the ability to skip certain stages in our lives is a bonus but this movie made me realise that it is the experiences and challenges that are overcome throughout a journey that can enhance our personal values.

There is a particular scene in the movie where there is a close-up of a tombstone that Michael realises that family should take priority in his life. The flashback technique and the function of the remote

made Michael realise that his choice to have work as a priority would cost him his valued relationships.