Michael

Michael (Michael, a poem) Michael is the subject of a pastoral poem by William Wordsworth, first published in the 1800 edition of Lyrical Ballads. Michael is a shepherd who has lost most of his land through financial upsets, and sends his son, Luke, off as an apprentice to a merchant so that he might learn a trade and return to regain his father’s land. Luke, however, is corrupted by the life of the big city and ultimately must flee the country. His heart-broken father, Michael, is doomed to walk his acres without his son, knowing that he had sent him from the moral innocence of the land into the satanic clutches of the urban landscape. There he dies, in the bosom of the land, but far from the comforts of the bond with his beloved son.

Michael Cassio (Othello) Michael Cassio is an important character in William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Othello, believed to have been written around 1603. Michael Cassio is a devoted lieutenant to Othello, the Moor. He is young and green, but high in Othello’s affections, even when he missteps, which makes him a prime candidate for Iago’s jealousy and malice. Attractive to women, Michael Casssio is something of a philosopher, as well as just a happy-go-lucky youth. He is light-hearted and rather cavalier in his flirtations with his mistress, Bianca; essentially, he is a young man with a young man’s fondness for pleasure. Enter Iago and his nefarious plots. Iago deliberately schemes to destroy Othello by planting clues to suggest that Michael Cassio is having an affair with Othello’s wife, Desdemona. Of course, this all leads to murder, rape and suicide (it being Shakespeare, after all), but in the end, Michael Cassio triumphs – Othello forgives him and asks for his forgiveness before his own suicide and ultimately, Michael Casio is given the greatest gift of all – the ability to determine his nemesis’ destiny – and knowing Michael Cassio as we do, we know he will deliver the finest punishment possible – one tempered with mercy.

Michael Corleone (The Godfather) Michael Corleone is the youngest son in Mario Puzo’s 1969 bestseller, The Godfather, and is inextricably entwined with the performances of Al Pacino in the three Francis Ford Coppola movies based on it. Michael is the son of Don Vito Corleone, who has destined him for legitimacy, hoping to see him aspire to a governorship or to the Senate. Michael at first seems to be following this path obediently, serving bravely in the military in World War II, and courting a WASP girlfriend. The grand plan is sabotaged, however, when his older brother is killed, his father is forced into retirement and his other brother, Alfredo, is useless in the business. As Michael takes on the mantle of the capo, he shows himself to be to the manor born. He executes the duties of his office with a cold and ruthless determination, sparing neither family nor friend when he deems it expedient. At the end of his bloody career, he fruitlessly strives to regain a measure of self-respect, buying his way into papal awards and distributing his vast wealth to charity. It is too little, too late, however, and Michael pays dearly for the consequences of his sins. He dies alone, having driven off most of his family and friends and having seen his daughter, the most important person in the world to him, killed as a direct result of his nefarious dealings. “For the wages of sin is death…”

Michael Henchard (The Mayor of Casterbridge) Michael is the titular hero of Thomas Hardy’s 1886 novel, The Mayor of Casterbridge. Michael is, as so many, a victim of the demon rum. However, he goes a bit beyond the pale when, in a drunken state, he auctions off his wife and baby daughter to a stranger. Returning to his everyday life, Michael hides the truth of his burden from the townspeople, and swears never to touch liquor for twenty years. He is only forced to face the consequences of his actions when his wife and daughter innocently return to town to reclaim his patronage. Our Michael by that time has complicated things by being involved with another woman and by entrusting his story to an employee. The plot thickens: the employee falls in love with Michael’s daughter, the spurned fiancé sets her sights on the employee, and Michael finds himself up to his ears in conflict. Time to break out that old bottle of rum! After many plot twists, deaths, betrayals and reunions, Michael gets to die the death of the redeemed. In his final will and testimony he asks that he not be buried in consecrated ground and that no mourning be conducted on his behalf. We concur with his wishes.

Michael the Archangel (Paradise Lost) Michael the Archangel as he appears in John Milton’s Paradise Lost is the messenger (and not a reluctant one) who arrives in the Garden of Eden to banish Adam and Eve from their erstwhile paradise. After The Fall, Michael is sent by God to alleviate the suffering of Adam and Eve; to do this, he puts Eve into a deep sleep and takes Adam to a mountaintop, where he shows him the future consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin – the suffering of all mankind for generations to come. Adam is chastised, but also hopeful for the future of his race through the intervention of heavenly redemption. Eve then awakens and tells Adam of her prophetic dream; together they are led out of the Garden of Eden by Michael into a new and uncharted land of suffering and potential redemption.

Saint Michael the Archangel (Christian Tradition) In Christian tradition (and to some extent in Jewish and Islamic cultures), Michael is one of the great princes of heaven, a leader in the army of God and good against the evil forces of Satan and his minions. Since his overthrow and banishment from the heavens, Satan continues the campaign for evil upon earth. Michael is also anticipated by Revelations as one who will herald the end of days and the rising of the righteous with the thundering of his trumpet. In spite of all this sword-wielding, Michael also carries the mantle of protector of the Jewish peoples, having appeared to the prophet Daniel, identifying himself as one who “stands up for the children of your people”. In addition, he is often looked to as a healer and consoler of the sick and dying, as well as being a guide to heaven for those souls preparing to meet their Maker. All in all, a good guy to have on your side!

Crazy man Michael - a song by Natalie Merchant

Dear Michael - a song by Michael Jackson

For Michael Collins, Jeffrey And Me - a song by Jethro Tull

Message to Michael - a song by Dionne Warwick

Michael - a song by Son of Sam

Michael And Heather At The Baggage Claim - a song by Fountains Of Wayne

Michael from Mountains - a song by Joni Mitchell

Michael, Row the Boat Ashore - a song by Harry Belafonte

Keeping a Christmas Secret (Phyllis Reynolds Naylor) - "Don't tell, don't tell," everyone keeps saying to Michael. And boy is it annoying. Of course he's not going to tell his dad what they got him for Christmas! Michael can keep a secret. Recommended for ages 4-8.

On Mother's Lap (Ann Herbert Scott) - Michael has just gotten a brand new sister and is worried about his place in the family. Soon he discovers however that there is still plenty of room. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Peter Pan (JM Barrie) - Peter Pan, the book based on J. M. Barrie's famous play, is filled with unforgettable characters: Peter Pan, the boy who would not grow up; the fairy, Tinker Bell; the evil pirate, Captain Hook; and the three children-Wendy, John, and Michael-who fly off with Peter Pan to Neverland, where they meet Indians and pirates and a crocodile that ticks. Recommended for ages 9-12.

Skellig (David Almond) - Everything in Michael's life seems to be in limbo - a new home, a new neighborhood, a new school, and a very sick baby sister. Then he discovers a man-owl-angel in the dilapidated garage who may be able to stabilize his world if Michael takes some risks. Recommended for ages 9-12.

The Fire Station (Robert Munsch) - Michael and Sheila visit a fire station. But then the Munsch flair for imaginative insight and humor take over. While the two kids are exploring a fire truck, an alarm goes off, and away go Michael and Sheila to the rescue!! Recommended for ages 4-8.

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story (Mary Downing Hahn) - Molly and Michael have a new step-sister, Helen, who they are not very fond of. But when Helen is taken in by a ghost, they try to save her. Recommended for ages 9-12.

Famous Michaels - Michael Jackson (musician); Michael Jordan (basketball player); Michael Phelps (Olympic swimmer); Michael Andretti (Indy car driver); Michael J. Fox (actor); Michael Caine (actor); Michael Douglas (actor); Michael Landon (actor); Michael Bolton (musician)

Famous People who Named their Son Michael - Barry Gibb *musician); Bette Davis *actress); Bruce Boxleitner (actor); Charlie Chaplin (actor/director); Colin Powell (politician); Conway Twitty (musician); Damon Wayans (actor/comic); Dan Marino (football player); Dave Brubeck (jazz musician); Dom Deluise (comic); Ed McMahon (entertainer); Elizabeth Taylor (actress); Gerald R. Ford (U.S. President); James Gandolfini (actor); Jennifer Jones (actress); Jill Clayburgh (actress); Jimmy Stewart (actor); John Stockton (basketball player); John Wayne (actor); Julio Iglesias (musician); Kasey Kasem (DJ); Kelly Ripa (entertainer); Kirk Douglas (actor); Liam Neeson (actor); Marie Osmond (entertainer); Mario Andretti (racecar driver); Mark Wahlberg (actor); Mark-Paul Gosselaar (actor); Maureen O' Sullivan (actress); Melissa Gilbert (actress); Michael Landon (actor); Mike Ditka (football coach); Natasha Richardson (actress); Oliver Stone (director); Patty Duke (actress); Paul Sorvino (actor); Phil Donahue (entertainer/journalist)