How is humour created and employed in Episode 6 of Blackadder Goes Forth Essay Example

How is humour created and employed in Episode 6 of Blackadder Goes Forth Paper Episode six of Blackadder Goes Forth is called Goodbyeee. It was written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis. Goodbyeee is set in World War One, at the battle of the Somme; in the trenches. World War one is a difficult subject but the writers decided to add a humorous edge to highlight the serious issues of war. Blackadder was always shown before the nine oclock watershed therefore it is suitable for all ages of viewers. There are many types of humour used throughout programmes over the years: Firstly the physical world letting people down. This is often houses collapsing, or cars running away. An example of this type of comedy is featured in The Chuckle Brothers. Secondly the absurd. This type of humour is typical in cartoons, where injuries are never permanent. Commonly used in The Simpsons or Tom and Jerry. Thirdly sexual innuendos. This is where one character will say something innocent; this could be Show us your jugs love. It is implied to the audience that this is a sexual comment, but as the camera turns to the female, she would be holding two jugs of water. Sexual innuendos are used throughout Carry On films. Fourthly satire. Institutions such as the Government, or the Royal Family, are poked fun at. Have I Got News for You revolves entirely around satire. Finally self criticism or self depreciation. For example, Ronnie Corbett is famous for using this type of comedy. He was constantly cracking jokes about his personal flaws or un-favoured features. The first type of humour that is used in Goodbyeee is; verbal humour. Verbal humour could be puns, sarcasm, insults or wisecracks. Other than in Blackadder, this type of humour is used by Frank Skinner and Paul Merton. The second type of humour that is used in episode six of Blackadder Goes Forth is visual humour. We will write a custom essay sample on How is humour created and employed in Episode 6 of Blackadder Goes Forth specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on How is humour created and employed in Episode 6 of Blackadder Goes Forth specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on How is humour created and employed in Episode 6 of Blackadder Goes Forth specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer It may also be known as slapstick. This could be a custard pie in the face, or somebodys trousers falling down. Other than in Blackadder, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy are famous for using visual comedy in their acts. Overall, Blackadder is known as Black comedy. This means making serious issues or subjects into something amusing. The serious issues may be death, food shortage or war. The first time we hear verbal humour being displayed in Goodbyeee, is when Lieutenant George talks about the Pals Battalion that he signed up for the war with. All of Georges friends had rather strange nicknames, e. g. Bumfluff, Jacko and Badger, Sticky and Drippy and Mr Floppy. We hear Lieutenant George tell us that he and his friends had beaten the Oxford Tiddlywinkers only the week before. George then goes on to tell us that, unfortunately, all of his pals had died during the war, although he talks about their deaths in sporting terms. This tells the audience that George has no real concept of war, and even though he is well educated, he has no real life learnings; he is very nai ve. Due to his naivety, George is like a walking, talking propaganda poster. He is very nationalistic and uses jingoistic language gathered from the propaganda at home. The second time we hear verbal humour, is when Edmund Blackadder, gets cold feet about going to war. He decides that he is going to act like he has mental problems, in order to be sent home. He repeats words such as wooble, cluck cluck gibber gibber pah pah etc. Obviously Blackadder is petrified of going to war, unlike educated, middle class Lieutenant George. Blackadder understands that if he goes over the top he faces certain death. Later on Baldrick demonstrates that he doesnt actually know why the war started, a bloke called Archie Duke killed an ostrich cause he was hungry? he questions. The audience knows that the war started because Austro-Hungary invaded Germany. We can instantly tell that Baldrick is ill educated, and easily confused, but also, Baldrick is very loyal to anyone in a superior position to himself, I think this because he fights in a war that he doesnt even know why it began. In the next section of the scene, we are introduced to General Melchett. He does not have to live in the trenches; he is a higher ranking member of the army. Like Lieutenant George, General Melchett is a public school boy, who is well educated, but has no real understanding of war and death. General Melchett thinks that the men who are fighting in the war are just numbers, not lives that are being thrown away. He talks about war in sporting terms we ducked and we bobbed and we wove and we damn well won the game 15-4 Earlier in the scene, we hear Baldrick tell Blackadder what he has been making coffee from for the last thirteen months; since they ran out of real coffee. It had been made from hot mud, saliva, and dandruff. At this point in the scene, Baldrick offers Officer Darling a cup of coffee. Being unaware of what the coffee is actually made from, Officer Darling gladly accepts, adding that he would like a milky one. This is dramatic irony because only the audience realise what Darling is going to receive in his coffee cup. Baldrick disappears to make the coffee, the camera cuts from the room, but a horrible throaty noise can be heard from outside the dug-out. When the camera returns to the scene, Baldrick gives Darling the cup of coffee; Darling takes one sip and immediately spits it out. This may be very funny, but it is also outlining the serious issue of rationing and food shortage. Whilst verbal humour is used frequently throughout the episode, several references to war are highlighted by visual humour. The first example of visual humour we see in the final episode of Blackadder Goes Forth is Baldrick eating a cigarette. Edmund Blackadder had offered all of the gentlemen present a cigarette. They all gladly accepted, and all except Baldrick, lit their cigarettes and happily puffed away. However, Baldrick willingly chomped his gift. This is uproarious to watch, but also gives an insight into Baldricks character. He is loyal as he doesnt want to refuse a gift from a peer, but also because he is probably starving due to the serious issue of rationing during the war. Further on in the episode, another serious issue is highlighted by visual humour. Blackadder put two pencils up his nostrils and a pair of underpants on his head; trying to demonstrate that he has gone mad and should be sent home immediately. Blackadder had changed his mind about going over the top; he was scared of the certain death that awaited him there. Blackadder was being pro-active, but unfortunately his plan failed. Towards the end of the episode, we see General Melchett talking to Officer Darling. Whilst Melchett is wearing his bed time attire, he is also sporting and unusual looking item: a hairnet covering his moustache. To the audience this reinforces the fact that they think his is disillusioned; an unusual character. A lot of dramatic devices are used to add to the significance of one specific part of the episode. The social and historical context and the serious issues surrounding war. Dramatic devices are added to the visual humour to reinforce the significance of the scene. For example, Field Marshall Haig takes a sweeping brush and knocks down several toy soldiers off a mock battlefield, and into a dustpan. This dramatic device signifies how senior members of the army rank, who were not fighting on the front line, didnt care how many men were being slaughtered by the German soldiers. Serious issues, such as: rationing, water-logged trenches, the Christmas Truce and the fact that Baldrick didnt even know why the war had begun. The serious issue of rationing is highlighted by the previously mentioned coffee scene, involving Baldrick and Officer Darling, and Baldrick eating a cigarette. The Somme Public Baths, no running, shouting or piddling in the shallow end, this entertaining speech that Blackadder recites into the telephone receiver is immediately informing the viewer that is would be possible to swim in the trenches. Again highlighting a serious issue, this time the issue is water-logged trenches. We hear the three main characters Blackadder, Lieutenant George, and Baldrick talking about the previous Christmas, when there had been a ceasefire. The English and German troops played football on no-mans-land. The gunfire had stopped they attempted to swap cigarette cards, and had broken Christmas greetings for each other. When asked if he could remember the Christmas Truce, Blackadder replies Remember? How could I forget? There was no way I was off-side. This again is adding a humorous edge to a serious situation. At the end of the episode, the soldiers take their positions at the bottom of the ladders that they will climb to go over the top. A steady drumbeat is played; this is intended to give the effect of an approaching execution. The whistle is blown and all men advance up the ladders and over the top. All the characters yell, the German soldiers open fire before theyre even off the ladders. The scene changes to slow motion and explosions happen all around them. An echoed piano slowly plays the theme tune; this is a very emotive device, as it creates a sombre atmosphere. The view of the soldiers on the battlefield surrounded by barbed wire, slowly changes into the field as it was in 1989. Overgrown with poppies, grasses and other flowers; peaceful with chirping birds. This emotive dramatic device creates a very dark and sombre atmosphere for the episode and series to end on. I would like to think that the writers purposefully showed the image of the battlefield with poppies, to pay respect to all those who died in the war.

Biography of William Bligh, Captain of the HMS Bounty

Biography of William Bligh, Captain of the HMS Bounty William Bligh (September 9, 1754–December 7, 1817) was a British mariner who had the bad luck, timing and temperament to be aboard two ships- HMS Bounty in 1789 and the HMS Director in 1791- on which the crew mutinied. Accounted in his own time as hero, villain, and then a hero, he retired as a Vice-Admiral to the Lambeth district in London and died peacefully. Fast Facts: William Bligh Known For: Captain of the HMS Bounty during the 1789 mutinyBorn: September 9, 1754 in Plymouth (or perhaps Cornwall), EnglandParents: Francis and Jane Pearce BlighDied: London on December 7, 1817 in LondonEducation: Shipped as captains servant at the age of 7Published Works: The Mutiny on Board HMS BountySpouse: Elizabeth Betsy Betham (m. 1781–his death)Children: Seven Early Life William Bligh was born on September 9, 1754, in Plymouth, England (or perhaps Cornwall), the only son of Francis and Jane Bligh. His father was Chief of Customs at Plymouth, and his mother died in 1770; Francis remarried twice more before dying himself in 1780. From an early age, Bligh was destined for a life at sea as his parents enlisted him as a captains servant to Captain Keith Stewart at the age of 7 years and 9 months. That wasnt a full-time position, that meant occasionally sailing aboard HMS Monmouth. This practice was fairly common as it allowed youngsters to quickly accrue the years of service needed in order to take the exam for lieutenant, and for a ships captain to make a bit of income while in port. Returning home in 1763, he quickly proved himself gifted at mathematics and navigation. After his mothers death, he re-entered the navy in 1770, at the age of 16. William Blighs Early Career Though meant to be a midshipman, Bligh was initially carried as an able seaman as there were no midshipmans vacancies on his ship, HMS Hunter. This soon changed and he received his midshipmans warrant the following year and later served aboard HMS Crescent and HMS Ranger. Quickly becoming well known for his navigation and sailing skills, Bligh was selected by explorer Captain James Cook to accompany his third expedition to the Pacific in 1776. After sitting for his lieutenants exam, Bligh accepted Cooks offer to be sailing master aboard HMS Resolution. On May 1, 1776, he was promoted to lieutenant. Expedition to the Pacific Departing in June 1776, Resolution and HMS Discovery sailed south and entered the Indian Ocean via the Cape of Good Hope. During the voyage, Blighs leg was injured, but he quickly recovered. While crossing the southern Indian Ocean, Cook discovered a small island, which he named Blighs Cap in honor of his sailing master. Over the next year, Cook and his men touched at Tasmania, New Zealand, Tonga, Tahiti, as well as explored the southern coast of Alaska and the Bering Straight. The purpose for his operations off Alaska was a failed search for the Northwest Passage. Returning south in 1778, Cook became the first European to visit Hawaii. He returned the following year and was killed on the Big Island after an altercation with the Hawaiians. During the fighting, Bligh was instrumental in recovering Resolutions foremast which had been taken ashore for repairs. With Cook dead, Captain Charles Clerke of Discovery took command and a final attempt to find the Northwest Passage was attempted. Throughout the voyage, Bligh performed well and lived up to his reputation as a navigator and a chart maker. The expedition returned to England in 1780. Return to England Returning home a hero, Bligh impressed his superiors with his performance in the Pacific. On February 4, 1781, he married Elizabeth (Betsy) Betham, the daughter of a customs collector from Manx: he and Betsy would eventually have seven children. Ten days later, Bligh was assigned to HMS Belle Poule as sailing master. That August, he saw action against the Dutch at the Battle of Dogger Bank. After the battle, he was made a lieutenant on HMS Berwick. Over the next two years, he saw regular service at sea until the end of the American War of Independence forced him onto the inactive list. Unemployed, Bligh served as a captain in the merchant service between 1783 and 1787. Voyage of the Bounty In 1787, Bligh was selected as the commander of His Majestys Armed Vessel Bounty and given the mission of sailing to the South Pacific to collect breadfruit trees. It was believed that these trees could be transplanted to the Caribbean to provide inexpensive food for slaves in British colonies. Departing on December 27, 1787, Bligh attempted to enter the Pacific via Cape Horn. After a month of trying, he turned and sailed east around the Cape of Good Hope. The voyage to Tahiti proved smooth and few punishments were given to the crew. As Bounty was rated as a cutter, Bligh was the only officer on board. To permit his men longer periods of uninterrupted sleep, he divided the crew into three watches. In addition, he raised Masters Mate Fletcher Christian to the rank of acting lieutenant so that he could oversee one of the watches. The delay off Cape Horn led to a five-month delay in Tahiti, as they had to wait for the breadfruit trees to mature enough to transport. Over this period, naval discipline began to break down as the crew took native wives and enjoyed the islands warm sun. At one point, three crewmen attempted to desert but were captured. Though they were punished, it was less severe than recommended. Mutiny In addition to the behavior of the crew, several of the senior warrant officers, such as the boatswain and sailmaker, were negligent in their duties. On April 4, 1789, Bounty departed Tahiti, much to the displeasure of many of the crew. On the night of April 28, Fletcher Christian and 18 of the crew surprised and bound Bligh in his cabin. Dragging him on deck, Christian bloodlessly took control of the ship despite the fact that most of the crew sided with the captain. Bligh and 18 loyalists were forced over the side into Bountys cutter and given a sextant, four cutlasses, and several days food and water. Voyage to Timor As Bounty turned to return to Tahiti, Bligh set course for the nearest European outpost at Timor. Though dangerously overloaded, Bligh succeeded in sailing the cutter first to Tofua for supplies, then on to Timor. After sailing 3,618 miles, Bligh arrived at Timor after a 47-day voyage. Only one man was lost during the ordeal when he was killed by natives on Tofua. Moving on to Batavia, Bligh was able to secure transport back to England. In October 1790, Bligh was honorably acquitted for the loss of Bounty and records show him to have been a compassionate commander who frequently spared the lash. Subsequent Career In 1791, Bligh returned to Tahiti aboard HMS Providence to complete the breadfruit mission. The plants were successfully delivered to the Caribbean without any trouble. Five years later, Bligh was promoted to captain and given command of HMS Director. While aboard, his crew mutinied as part of the greater Spithead and Nore mutinies which occurred over the Royal Navys handling of pay and prize money. Standing by his crew, Bligh was commended by both sides for his handling of the situation. In October of that year, Bligh commanded Director at the Battle of Camperdown and successfully fought three Dutch ships at once. Leaving Director, Bligh was given HMS Glatton. Participating in the 1801 Battle of Copenhagen, Bligh played a key role when he elected to continue flying Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelsons signal for battle rather than hoisting Admiral Sir Hyde Parkers signal to break off the fight. In 1805, Bligh was made governor of New South Wales (Australia) and tasked with ending the illegal rum trade in the area. Arriving in Australia, he made enemies of the army and several of the locals by fighting the rum trade and aiding distressed farmers. This discontent led to Bligh being deposed in the 1808 Rum Rebellion. Death After spending over a year collecting evidence, he returned home in 1810  and was vindicated by the government. Promoted to rear admiral in 1810, and vice-admiral fours years later, Bligh never held another sea command. He died while visiting his doctor on Bond Street in London on December 7, 1817. Sources Alexander, Caroline. The Bounty: The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty. New York: Penguin Books, 2003.Bligh, William and Edward Christian. The Bounty Mutiny. New York: Penguin, 2001.Daly, Gerald J. Captain William Bligh in Dublin, 1800-1801. Dublin Historical Record 44.1 (1991): 20–33. OMara, Richard. â€Å"Voyages of the Bounty.† The Sewanee Review 115.3 (2007):462–469.  Salmond, Anne. Bligh: William Bligh in the South Seas. Santa Barbara: University of California Press, 2011.

Tourism in Turkey Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Tourism in Turkey - Essay Example Also, the industry provided employment to around 7% of total employed workers (estimated 1.8 million) either directly and/or indirectly. These people include transporters, artisans (who produce and sell traditional Turkish handicrafts), tour guides, airline(s) employees, commercial agencies, hotels’ and restaurants’ workers and others etc. In addition, the number of tourists in turkey has jumped from around 5 millions in 1990 to over 20 millions in 2005 which is mainly attributed to improvement in infrastructure, tourism regions and sites. The growth rate of this industry remained over 10% in the recent years, despite the fact that economic meltdown and credit crises deteriorated the business outlook. More specifically, Hotel Industry has observed tremendous growth of nearly 6% per annum from 1998 to 2008 as the owners or groups have continuously expanded their bed capacities. The country has an intention to increase the tourists’ arrivals and revenues to 63 mill ions and US $86 billion respectively by 2023. Various new projects are in pipeline to hasten the development of tourist regions that will be discussed below. (Eco Report, p.14), (Invest Support and Promotion Agency Report, pp. 4-9) and (Aslan, Kula and Kaplan, pp.66-67) The country enjoys the reputation of having culturally and historically rich places (its ancient civilization and archeological sites), enticing lakes as it has long (5,000 miles) coastline / sea shore, mountains, a relatively well-developed infrastructure and recent improvements, innovations and updating in hospitality. The major cities that have attracted more than 60% of tourists include Istanbul (federal capital), Ankara, Konya, Bursa, Adana and Ä °zmir (‘with destinations such as Antalya MuÄŸla and AydÄ ±n’). As highlighted in Investment Support and Promotion’s report, Turkey is ‘surrounded by 3 different seas with