College Essay

Prompt: In the space provided, please write a concise narrative in which you describe a meaningful event, experience or accomplishment in your life and how it will affect your college experience or your contribution to the UF campus community. You may want to reflect on your ideas about student responsibility, academic integrity, campus citizenship or a call to service.

Derek Frauendorfer

Ms. Morrell

English IV

30 September 2012

            During my early high school years, I greatly appreciated my free time at home.  After a long day at school, there was nothing I wanted to do more than grab a bowl of Goldfish and play video games.  I would sink into the couch, and never wanted to move more than my thumbs.  I felt like I had earned time off because I was very near the top of my class academically.  However, my parents made it very clear that they thought this was not a good use of my time.  They would often remind me that colleges were looking for more than good grades, but I could not grasp the concept and I tuned them out. 

            I continued my after-school tradition until the beginning of my junior year, when our varsity soccer team needed a new goalie.  The goalie from last year was still playing football and therefore was committed to finishing the season.  My friends approached me about filling the position of goalie, because they had known I played soccer in middle school.  But I politely declined the offer – claiming I was too busy with band and AP classes.  Later that night, though, I began to think about how my parents might actually stop harassing me if I joined the soccer team.  I knew it was a huge commitment, but I decided to do it, even though I knew I would have to sacrifice much of my beloved free time. 

            I ended up playing goalie in every single game that season, even when last year’s goalie came back from football.  After finishing the season, I looked back and realized that I was glad I played soccer for my school.  I had helped my teammates in their time of need, and playing soccer again helped me to get into better shape.  It made my former favorite pastime (eating and playing video games on the couch) seem completely insignificant.  I finally realized that time is valuable and I should not continue to waste it.  It turned out my parents weren’t insane for expecting me to do better things with my time.  Who knew?

            During my senior year, I am/will be playing three varsity sports.  I am an executive member of my school’s student government, and a member of two academic clubs.  I am still playing in the band, I am an executive member of my school’s National Honor Society program, and my grades are good.  These are all time-consuming activities, but I regret not being this active in my school earlier in my high school career.  If I get accepted to the University of Florida, I intend to use my time well and be a very active member of the campus community.

Canterbury Tales Addition

Derek Frauendorfer

Ms. Morrell

English IV

17 December 2012

Canterbury Tales Addition

Witty and giddy she will always be

However, she has no remorse for me.

I wanted an “A”, but received a “D”.

She wouldn’t even consider a “C”.

Her knowledge of language knows no borders.

She never sleeps during the school quarters.

Pinning her students against each other,

Competing for points – brother verse brother.

No other teacher could have this much swag,

Because Ms. Morrell goes on her name tag.

Guide in Hell

Derek Frauendorfer

Ms. Morrell

English IV

17 December 2012

Guide in Hell

            I would choose Benedict Arnold to lead me through Hell.  I would choose him because he is one of the few well-known traitors post-Jesus Christ.  He would be a good choice because he would be able to have seen all of the levels of Hell (because he would be in the deepest circle of it), and he would likely be one of the few people in the deepest circle that spoke English.  Because of the common language, he would be very relatable and I would be able to get some valuable insight about why he did what he did, and why I should never do such a thing.

Canto 27

INFERNO

CANTO 27

By: Derek Frauendorfer

Summary:

            After Ulysses tells of his death and his flame dies down, Dante and Virgil hear another flame begin to speak to them.  The soul inside the flame recognized that Dante spoke “Lombard”, which implies that this sinner was familiar with this form of Italian.  He asks how Romagna was fairing since he had died, for he had lived in the mountains of this region.  Dante replies with saying the tyrants that lived there have always had war in their hearts, but no actual open war had broken out yet.  He then goes into further detail about the cities and people until Dante finally asks who this sinner is.  Because the sinner believes that Dante will never leave Hell alive, he tells him.  The sinner is Guido da Montefeltro.  Montefeltro said he was “a man of arms” and a “Franciscan”, but his sins were not those of a lion, but of a fox.  Near the end of his life, Pope Boniface VIII came to him and said he would wash away all of his sins (including the one he was just about to commit) if he would teach him how to destroy Palestrina.  Montefeltro agreed, but the advice he gave was invalid.  When the sinner died, St. Francis came to take him to heaven, but a demon was already in the process of taking him to hell.  The demon did not let Montefeltro go to heaven because the demon said a sin can not be forgiven before it has been committed because that is contradictory.  It was decided that he go the Eight circle of hell in the eight bolgia for trickery/thievery.  The flame then dies down and Dante and Virgil continue to the next ridge. 

Sin/sinners:

The Sinners being punished here are primarily being punished for ruses and trickery.  Ulysses played a large part in the Trojan horse scheme, and Montefeltro gave wrong information to Pope Boniface VIII and he believed his sins could be forgiven before he even committed them.

Punishment/Contrapasso:

          This punishment does not do a good job of connecting the sinner with their sin.  The sinners in this Bolgia are in there for their ignorance and trickery.  Their punishment is that they are constantly being burned alive due to their souls being stuck inside a flame. 

Characters:

Guido da Montefeltro: The sinner who was tricky in life, but then got tricked by a pope into believing all of his sins could be forgiven in advance if he told him how to destroy Palestrina.

Pope Boniface VIII: Known for reverting back to a very strong tie between church and state, even when secular government was becoming more popular.  He was very power hungry and was portrayed by Dante as a liar/trickster in this Canto.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think it is fair that Montefeltro be put in hell, even thought he was doing the right thing to go to heaven?

2. Do you think it is likely that Dante portrayed Pope Boniface VIII so poorly because they may have had different political agendas?

 

 

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Whose flame dies down at the beginning of the canto?

A. Ulysses

B. Hercules

C. Virgil

D. Homer

2. How did the new flame realize Dante was Italian?

A. He saw Dante’s hair style

B. He heard Dante speaking Italian

C. He heard from other sinners

D. Dante told him

3. Why did the sinner give up his name so easily?

A. He thought Dante would never get out alive

B. He was not ashamed

C. He liked Italians

D. He was with Virgil

4. What part of Italy did the sinner ask about?

A. Rome

B. Florence

C. Romagna

D. Venice

5. What is this sinner’s name?

A. Guido da Montefeltro

B. Pope Boniface VIII

C. Dante

D. Ezio Auditore

6. What is the punishment of this canto?

A. To be thrown into a pit of snakes

B. To live as a dragon

C. To have your soul be burned alive

D. To have your hands cut off

7. Which Bolgia does this canto take place?

A. Third

B. Seventh

C. Fourth

D Eighth

 

 

 

8. Who attempts to take Montefeltro to heaven?

A. St. Francis

B. Beatrice

C. Virgil

D. God

9. Who takes Montefeltro to Hell?

A. Unnamed demon

B. A dragon

C. Satan

D. Brutus

10. Why were Montefeltro’s sins not forgiven?

A. Because the demon got to his dead body before St. Francis

B. Because sins can not be forgiven before they are committed

C. Because the pope was not actually a pope at all

D. Because Dante did not like this man very much

 

 

Works Cited:

Oestereich, Thomas. "Pope Boniface VIII." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 30 Nov. 2012 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02662a.htm>

Canto 2

INFERNO

CANTO 2

By: Derek Frauendorfer

Summary:

            The canto begins with Dante wondering if he has the strength to go through Hell.  He then realizes, as he is talking to Virgil, that a man of intelligence also has the ability to accomplish great things.  Then, shortly after, he wonders if he is destined to make this journey, or whether this journey is futile.  After Dante states his thoughts, Virgil accuses him of cowardice, believing Dante is just making excuses.  In an attempt to comfort Dante, Virgil speaks about why he came to Dante.  Virgil says that a woman of great beauty (Beatrice) spoke to him and request that he go to Dante because he was afraid of the journey ahead of him.  Virgil agrees, but then asks why Beatrice does not shrink in fear when coming from beautiful Heaven and arriving in terrifying Hell.  Beatrice says that she does not fear that which can not hurt her, for she was made in Heaven.  Beatrice then continues and says that she was sent by Lucia to have Virgil help Dante, because Lucia knew that Dante loved Beatrice and that Beatrice should help Dante in his endeavor.  Virgil then turns and asks Dante why he should be scared when there are women in Heaven that care deeply for him.  Dante’s hope and bravery is restored and he is ready to continue on.

Characters:

Dante:  Tempted to refuse his call to learn of Hell.

Virgil:  Spoke of why he was sent and why Dante should continue his journey.

Lucia:  Convinces Beatrice to help Dante because he loved her.

Beatrice:  Realizes Lucia is right and seeks Virgil to help Dante.

Discussion Questions:

1. Would knowing that there were beautiful women in heaven that cared about you be enough for you to continue your journey through hell?

2. Do you think Dante will ever doubt himself again sometime during his journey through Hell? Why or why not?

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Who doubts himself early in the canto?

A. Dante

B. Virgil

C. Beatrice

D. Lucia

2. What does Virgil accuse Dante of having early in the chapter?

A. Greediness

B. Cowardice

C. Lust

D. Anger

3. How does Virgil Describe Beatrice?

A. Beautiful

B. Ugly

C. Fat

4. Why does Beatrice not fear Hell?

A. Because she knows she was made in Heaven

B. Because she is made of ice

C. Because she has armor

D. Because she is old

5. Who convinces Beatrice to help Dante?

A. Virgil

B. Rachel

C. Homer

D. Lucia

6. How did Dante feel about Beatrice on Earth?

A. He hated her

B. He had never even seen her

C. He loved her

D. They went out once, but he broke up with her

7. Why did Beatrice choose Virgil to help Dante?

A. His great strength

B. His ability to speak well

C. His Agility

D. His Beauty

8. Who sat with Beatrice as Lucia was convincing Beatrice to help Dante?

A. Sydney

B. Virgil

C. Zeus

D. Rachel

9. What greatly touched Virgil about Beatrice’s plea?

A. Beatrice shed a tear

B. Beatrice died after making the plea

C. Beatrice vanished

D. Beatrice did a back flip

10. What was the result of Virgil’s story?

A. Dante went all the way home

B. Dante buried himself in the ground

C. Dante was filled with a new confidence

D. Dante killed Virgil

Beowulf vs. The Dragon

Beowulf vs. The Dragon

            The dragon has awoken.  The old King Beowulf knows the Geat people are in danger.  He thinks back to his glory days when he had slain both Grendel and his mother and believes he still has the power to slay yet another powerful beast.  When Beowulf decided he was tired of watching his people die by the hands of this dragon, he takes 12 well-armed companions that he believed fit for battle up to the mountain where he has been told the dragon rests.  He tells his companions that he will face the dragon alone, because he has no fear.  He walks up to the cave and gets himself mentally prepared for the most dangerous battle of his life…

            As Beowulf approaches the cave, he shouts to alert the dragon.  The dragon makes the first move by breathing his scorching hot flames towards Beowulf.  Beowulf blocked this attack quickly with his large shield and prepared his counter attack.  He went to strike with his great sword Naegling, but the sword broke upon impact.  At this point Beowulf’s companions, who were watching the battle from afar, fled for their lives-all except one.  The brave companion’s name was Wiglaf, and he knew he had a duty to his master to protect him from harm.  Wiglaf attempted to distract the dragon by slashing its side, but the distraction failed as the dragon bit Beowulf’s shoulder with its poison fangs.  It was after this strike that the dragon shifted its attention to Wiglaf.  Wiglaf fought his hardest against this beast, nearly losing his life, while Beowulf crawled to the underbelly of the dragon and stabbed it with his sharp dagger.  The dragon fell almost instantly and died.  The dragon had been defeated! However, this victory came at a cost.  Our great hero, Beowulf, was near death because the poison from the dragon bite was going deeper into his system.  Beowulf knew he would be dead shortly.  His final request to Wiglaf was that he be able to see the great treasure that this dragon was guarding.  Wiglaf did as his master instructed and Beowulf died seeing this treasure.  Beowulf would be praised by all people across the land for his great combat skills and his compassion towards his people.

 

Casting Canterbury Tales

Derek Frauendorfer

Ms. Morrell

English IV

2 November 2012

Casting Canterbury Tales

            I believe Jack Black could play the role of the Friar very well.  “There was a Friar, a wanton one and merry”.  Throughout the movie: School of Rock, Jack Black preaches loose (wanton) and fun behavior to the children and expresses the behavior without flaw.  The Friar is also described with a “gay and sturdy voice, for he sang well and played the hurdy-gurdy”.  Not only did Jack Black prove he can sing in School of Rock, but he also proved he could play the “hurdy-gurdy” (string-instrument).  Between his behavior and his skill set, Jack Black would make a perfect Friar.

            I believe Elijah Wood would play the role of the Squire very well.  Elijah Wood and the Squire both have “locks as curly as if they had been pressed”.  They both also have “wonderful agility and strength”, which Elijah proved he had throughout his endeavors as a hobbit in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.  It also says the Squire “was some twenty years of age”, which can easily be portrayed by Elijah Wood because he always looks young in whatever role he plays.  Elijah Wood and the Squire could both “sit a horse and ride”.  This can also be proven with various scenes in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  Between his appearances and his abilities, Elijah Wood would make a perfect Squire. 

            I believe Chris Evans would make a great knight.  Although Chris Evans’s list of movies where he plays noble characters is short, I believe there is enough evidence that he can play a knight within the Captain America and the Avengers movies.  The Prologue to Canterbury Tales says that the knight had “chivalry, Truth, honor, generousness, and courtesy”, all of which Chris Evans showed he could portray well in Captain America.  The Prologue also speaks of the Knight being a very powerful adversary in battle.  He “always killed his man”.  Chris Evans showed he can do great fight scenes in The Avengers and he also has a strong enough body to portray a strong knight.  Between his appearances and his ability to play an honorable character, Chris Evans would make a perfect knight.

 

(All quotes were taken directly from the Prologue to Canterbury Tales)

Last Week Event

Derek Frauendorfer

Ms. Morrell

English IV

9 October 2012

Last Week Event

            The clouds layered the sky in flat, light grey, pillow-like formations and the sun was no where in sight.  It was perfect weather for running, which was just what I was about to do.  I lined up timidly at the starting line at Disney’s Wide World of Sports for my first Cross Country meet.  I had never run 3.1 miles before; in fact I had barely ever run half of that.  However, I was excited to see how I would compare to my other competitors.  There were over 100 other competitors running this race, and I was certain all of them had more confidence and experience than I had with distance running.  Their faces were so determined, and most runners were squinting their eyes in anticipation.  On Your Marks, Get Set, Go…

            The gunshot was not as loud as I expected, but perhaps I was too focused to get the full effect of the loud pop.  I began at what I thought was a pretty fast speed, just to soon discover I was greatly outmatched.  At least half of the competitors got off to a better start than me, and it appeared as if they would stay ahead.  However, I was warned by my teammates before-hand that this would not be a race against other competitors, but more so against my own body.  We were not trying to win, we were just trying to finish and possibly beat our previous times, which was something I did not have yet.  As I continued on, the race got harder and harder to run.  My legs began to get heavier as if weights were constantly being strapped to my ankles.  I am not proud to admit this, but I did have to stop to walk a few times to catch my breath. 

As we got to the two mile mark, I started feeling raindrops on my face.  The coolness felt good because it was a contrast to my scorching sweat droplets.  But then, the raindrops began pouring down harder and faster, and before I knew it, everyone was being called under a tent and the race was to be cancelled.  I ran about 2.5 miles out of 3.1.  At first it felt like a relief to have the race end early, but after I had recovered from my heavy breathing and sore calves, I wished I could have finished the race, just to say I could.  However, there will be other races, and now I know what to expect.  

Earth Without People

Derek Frauendorfer

Ms. Morrell

English IV

4 October 2012

Earth Without People

            The concept of this essay was different and interesting, but what really draws the reader in is the exuberant imagery.  One often thinks of the creations of man as dull and rigid compared to the rest of the world.  This idea was actually very well exemplified in this essay.  Alan Weisman used very colorful adjectives to allow you to feel like you were a part of his “Earth Without People”.  He described nature and civilization with great detail, differentiating the two very well.  Imagery was important in this work because it allows people to truly feel a difference between Earth with and Earth without people. 

            An example of Alan Weisman’s use of imagery is when he is describing Earth with people and says that the Earth has “overheated air”.  This is imagery because it allows one’s mind to feel and understand the issue of overheated air on Earth.  Another example of imagery is when Alan Weisman is referring to the animals that inhabit the DMZ in which he speaks of “dazzling white squadrons of red-crowned cranes”.  These colors allow you to imagine the crane as it is even if you have never heard of it or seen it before.  Another example of imagery is used when Weisman is describing the vegetation that would appear in New York City after humans had left Earth.  He says “Sweet carrots would quickly devolve to their wild form…” which allows you to realize the significance of Earth’s transformation when something as simple and delicious as sweet carrots would cease to exist.  

Derek Frauendorfer

I'm Derek. I'm 16. I was born on Halloween.