In the wild involves portrayals, in varying contexts, of the individual and the natural world

Analyse two differences or similarities between Wordsworth and Maloufs portrayals, making
detailed reference to your prescribed texts.
William Wordsworth and David Malouf explore both similar and contrasting concerns of humanitys
relationship with the natural world, influenced by very different cultural and social values. Both
Wordsworth and Malouf delve into the idea of gaining understanding and learning about oneself
through actively engaging with the environment, and experiencing this relationship at a spiritual
level. These notions are explored through Wordsworths poetry, Lines Composed a Few Miles Above
Tintern Abbey(Tintern Abbey) and Its a Beauteous Evening, Calm and free, as well as the novella An
Imaginary Life by David Malouf, through the portrayal of characters, imagery and themes developed
in their texts.
Wordsworth, like many other poets of the Romantic era, believed that the communion is ultimately
fulfilling. The progression from childhood to adulthood is evident in Tintern Abbey. Wordsworth
delights in his connection with nature, and he worries for those who spend their lives in the city,
completely apart from the environment, unable to feel the tranquil restoration that Wordsworth
experiences. In times when he experiences difficulty with his life, when alone, tired and frustrated
with the busy city in which he lives, he reminisces of Tintern Abbey, and it calms him, as he says
with many recognitions dim and faint, the picture of the mind revives again, while I stand here, not
only with a sense of present pleasure, but with pleasing thoughts The memories of nature allow
him to be happy, and he becomes even more ecstatic when he realises he does not leave his
memories behind. In his return to the gloom on the city, he can remember the time he spent with
nature, his heart with pleasure fills, and dances with the daffodils. This metaphor creates a
beautiful image in the readers mind, enabling them to empathize with the fulfilling value
Wordsworth receives from nature. The memories of nature are eternal and have a restorative effect
on humanity.
Similarly, Malouf also displays the interaction between humans and nature, and the fulfilling
development of an individual; however, how and what is gained from this communion contrasts
with Wordsworth due to the dissimilar contexts they were written. Ovid experiences a more physical
relationship with nature. Ovid comes to not only accept but embrace the surroundings that are alien
to him. Ovids change is displayed through the contrast of his initial and concluding opinions of the
land he was exiled to. Initially, the description of the surroundings were dull, and lifeless, as shown
through the description I have found no tree here that rises amongst the long, greyish brown shrub.
No flower, No fruit. Contrasting to the end where he describes the surroundings the grasslands,
under the first touch of spring, sway and ripple like the sea. This metamorphosis displays the
ability for nature to change and impact the human heart. Ovids view and of nature has evidently
changed, yet, nature in itself remains very much the same. It is, similar to wordsworths view,
eternal in its existence. Malouf utilises many rhetorical questions such as What lies on the far side
of this grassy plain? which urges the readers to also engage in self- reflection, questioning their
insights into nature. Initially he believed he was in isolation in nature. However, not only does he
accept, but embraces from his alienation from men. He questions who has discovered who, the
Child or Ovid. Did I really discover him or he discovers me? This contemplation of the possibility
and perhaps realisation that nature in fact found him and had an active role in helping him to
experience the comfort it provides, similar to the comfort Wordsworth finds in the perfection of
nature. Although the fulfilment contrasts, there are similar aspects in what Wordsworth and Ovid
gain from the natural environment.
Wordsworth explores the idea that the connection between man and nature can be explored at a
spiritual level as shown through the presence of God in the natural world. Wordsworth uses the
metaphor of God rolling through all things as he gives everything life as a figure who protects the
earth. The communion with nature allowed him to interact with the spiritual presence, as shown
through the religious imagery used in It is a Beauteous Evening, Calm and Free, enhances the effect
of the interaction between man and god in nature. He sees the god in an environment that is
beautiful, whose holy time is quiet as a nun. Breathless with adoration The presence of God is
exemplified through the simile Listen! The mighty being is awake, and doth with his eternal motion
make a sounder like thunder Everlasting. The caesura between thunder and everlasting creates a
sense of delay, emphasising the eternalness of this God.
Although Malouf explores the presence of a spiritual being, his outlook on this being contrasts to
Wordsworths view, as Ovid sees spirituality as a threat to the communion with nature. This is due
to the landscape that Ovid was thrown into, an isolated place that is primitive, inhospitable and vast.
He expresses fear of nature, through his description of when he encounters wolves, as a whole pack
will appear, showing their fangs in the moonlight and failing the air with their terrible yowling.
Unlike Wordsworth all protecting God, the fear of the spiritual presence is heightened through the
old womans actions as he says it is demons, the old spirits she mutters to under her breath and
sacrifice to by moonlight, who are the powerful beings of this world. Negative connotation of
demons and sacrifice enables the reader to feel the same negativity towards the spiritual being as
Ovid feels.
-nature provokes fulfilling thoughts,
- Explored deeper than just on the physical realm but also spiritual.

A tragedy, according to Aristotle, is a play in which the chief character passes through a
series of misfortunes leading to a catastrophic ending. A Tragic hero is a noble and virtuous
character, who is destined to be brought down by his fatal tragic flaw or hamartia. These
features are evident in the play Othello by William Shakespeare, in which the hero Othello,
despite being a social outcast, is highly respected for his military skills, has a fatal flaw, his
jealousy that brings about his downfall. With the aid of external forces, that is, Iagos
manipulation and deception, forces Othello to let jealousy take over him which clutters his
mind and good judgement. As a tragic hero, Othello draws pity from the audience, as he
attempts to redeem himself as he falls to his terrible death.
Othello is first introduced as a noble character, who gains the respect of those around him
despite being the moor, a social and racial outcast. When describing Othello, the Duke
uses the epithet valiant which emphasizes how respected he is, as he has receives
admiration from a man of high status. His honourable characteristics are exemplified as he
is contrasted to Iago who is characterised as a racist individual, as he makes discriminative
remarks, such as referring to him as the thick lip or black ram. Iago uses these
animalistic metaphors as if to degrade Othello of human status, which heightens the respect
for Othello as a character of greatness when compared the villain Iago.As he is portrayed as
such a virtuous character, the tragedy of the play will be heightened.
Othellos noble character is challenged by his fatal flaw, his passion, which is used by Iago as
a catalyst to bring about his downfall by exploiting and manipulating Othellos trust in Iago
as he put the Moor at least into a jealousy so strong that judgment cannot cure. Iago
transforms Othellos passionate love for Desdemona to jealousy, by drawing on his
insecurities causing Othello to become easily influenced by Iago. Iago describes the Moor as
of a free and open nature that thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will as
tenderly led by the nose as asses are. He uses a simile to describe Othellos trusting nature
as being as easily led as donkeys are, and plans to manipulate his belief in the honesty of
people and cause him to become jealous. Driven by his jealousy, Othellos gullible nature
becomes evident, as he instantly believes that this was valid proof for Desdemona and
Cassio are having an affair as he is so blinded by jealousy that he accepts Iagos lie as strong
evidence. Othello replies Oh, monstrous! Monstrous! The repetition of such emotive
words heightens his frustration with the situation, in which the audience mirrors his
emotions, when Iago is ironically the one to warn him about his jealousy, when he compares
Othello to the green eyed monster
As a tragic Hero, Othello realises the mistake he has made, thus drawing pity from the
audience. Iago refuses to speak about his actions, as he remarks Demand me nothing, what
you know, you know, from this time forth I will never speak a word. However Othello
wants to be redeemed as a man of valour, as he says almost the opposite of Iago, Speak of
me as I am. This contrast in character brings sympathy from the audience, as they
understand Iagos malicious intent, and how Othello tries to redeem himself by taking full
responsibility for his action of throwing away a Pearl, by killing himself. He uses a
metaphor to compare Desdemona to a valuable treasure, which he foolishly threw away, as
he recognises the ignorance of his actions. He detests himself for the mistakes he has made,
as he condemns himself to roast in sulphur and wash in steep down gulfs of liquid fire His
final speech and action are of honour, as he wishes his death to be painful, for the pain he
has caused Desdemona. He gains the admiration of the audience, in his redemption of a
man who is to be respected
As a tragic hero, Othello gains respect as a noble and valiant character, overcoming the fact
that he is a social and racial outcast. However, with the aid of external forces, the villain
Iago, his judgement becomes clouded by his fatal flaw, jealousy, in which he makes a
profound error of trusting Iago and doubting Desdemonas love for him. However as he tries
to redeem himself before his death, the audience pity him, in which he can die with dignity.
A tragic heros flaw ultimately led to his downfall; however he has gained release from his
mistake, and can die being remembered as a man of valour.