Perceptions-American Beauty and King Henry Iv Part One
- Submitted by: elliekatewade
- Views: 279
- Category: English: Shakespeare
- Date Submitted: 05/23/2014 10:40 PM
- Pages: 6
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We create perceptions of others due to our expectations and personal values. Perceptions can be defined as the expectation of someone or something through superficial understandings and judgements. When studying texts we often learn similar values in them, although due to their context they are depicted and represented in different ways. King Henry IV Part One written by William Shakespeare and American Beauty directed by Sam Mendes are two texts which explore similar values and concepts of perceptions. The concepts explored throughout these texts include the extent to which perceptions define and contextualise relationships and the consequences of being consumed by perceptions.
During both texts, King Henry IV and American Beauty responders are confronted with the concept that perceptions define and contextualise relationships between individuals and to others. Looking from an outside perspective Lester Burnham lives the perfect life, but once you break down his facade of being the perfect husband and father you immediately learn that his life is anything but. Lester is living a life of disconnection. At the beginning of the film we are confronted with Lester in the shower masturbating, from this shot it suggests that Lesters physical needs are not being met. The use of his voice over in this scene supports this suggestion as he says “This will be the high point of my day, it’s all down hill from here” this voice over establishes an immediate judgement from the responder as it suggests that his life is nothing out of the ordinary. The Burnham family puts up this facade that they all live the perfect life. In the late 20th century suburban life in America qualities that were valued were successful careers and valuable assets. A major theme in the film American Beauty is desire. Throughout the film we discover that Lester desires a connected and loving family. This is represented in the first scene when we are shown a shot of the Burnham household which is white...
During both texts, King Henry IV and American Beauty responders are confronted with the concept that perceptions define and contextualise relationships between individuals and to others. Looking from an outside perspective Lester Burnham lives the perfect life, but once you break down his facade of being the perfect husband and father you immediately learn that his life is anything but. Lester is living a life of disconnection. At the beginning of the film we are confronted with Lester in the shower masturbating, from this shot it suggests that Lesters physical needs are not being met. The use of his voice over in this scene supports this suggestion as he says “This will be the high point of my day, it’s all down hill from here” this voice over establishes an immediate judgement from the responder as it suggests that his life is nothing out of the ordinary. The Burnham family puts up this facade that they all live the perfect life. In the late 20th century suburban life in America qualities that were valued were successful careers and valuable assets. A major theme in the film American Beauty is desire. Throughout the film we discover that Lester desires a connected and loving family. This is represented in the first scene when we are shown a shot of the Burnham household which is white...