Summary:
In scene 1 opens with two gravediggers preparing the grave for Ophelia and thay are talking about if she really deserves a Christain funeral. Then Hamlet and Horatio show up and Hamlet goes to talk to one of the men because they are singing while they dig, he finds this extremely unappropriate. When they are talking the man starts talking about Hamlet, not knowing that it is he who he's talking to. Then the king, queen, and Laertes show up; when Laertes dives into the grave Hamlet comes forward and they start fighting because no one believes that Hamlet really loved Ophelia.
In scene 2 we find out that Hamlet opened the letter from the king that said Hamlet was to be killed immediately. After he read it he wrote a new one to be delievered. Then a messenger Osric shows up to tell Hamlet about a bet and in the process praise Laertes. Hamlet accepts the bet, but both Hamlet and Laertes are wounded with poison on the sword and the queen is poisoned with a drink meant for Hamlet. Once Hamlet figures out whats going on he forces the king to drink, and he also dies. So Colonius, Gertrude, Hamlet, and Laertes all die and Horatio is left to tell the story.
Questions:
Yes, Hamlet did love Ophelia.
Yes, the Queen did know.
Ophelia kills herself because she has great greif over everything in her life. She can't have a proper burial because her death was suspicious and could have been suicide.
Hamlet is mad indeed and not pretending.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Act 4 Notes
Summary:
In scene 1 not very much happens, Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet killed Poloinous then Rosencratz and Guildenstern go to get Hamlet and the dead body to bring them to the chapel.
In scene 2 Rosencratz and Guildenstern find Hamlet but he refuses to give them the body, then Hamlet calls them sponges to the king (they seek information for him then he squeezes them dry) and fools.
In scene 3 Hamlet talks to Claudius and is told he has no choice but to go to England, and Hamlet doesn't really put up much of a fight. In a strange way he tells Claudius that he is his mother, because when man and wife marry they become one flesh. Then at the end of the scene we hear Claudius confess that he is going to have Hamlet killed in England.
In scene 4 Hamlet has a conversation with a captain of the army of Norway as they are on their way through Denmark to invade Poland. Hamlet talks about how everything in anyones life has a core of evil and that if he doesn't see the evil in a thought that its not worth a moment of his time.
In scene 5 Ophelia sings a song to the king and queen and it is very obvious that she has lost her mind. When Claudius is complaing to his wife that is when Laertes and a mob come in, because they all believe that he should be kind, not Claudius. However Claudius calms Laertes down somewhat enough to an agreement that he will listen to Cladius's story before seeking revenge.
In scene 6 Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet saying that he is a prisinor on a pirate ship, he says to show these letters to the king and to come save him.
In scene 7 Claudius tells Laertes that he is completely innocent and that the death of his father is all Hamlet's fault and the only reason he hasn't killed Hamlet is because his mother and the public loves him. They decide that they want to trick Hamlet into his own death, by setting up a fencing between the two when he gets back. Then Gertrude comes in and tells them that Ophelia has drowned.
Soliloques':
All of Hamlet's soliloques are very significant because they let us hear what is going on inside his mind. Some people wonder if Hamlet really is mad or if he just wants everyone to think that he is. I think the soliloques' show us that he is not pretending, because it shows us not only what he says to other people, but what is going on in his own head.
Ophelia:
After Polonius dies Ophelia seems to loose her mind, her song she sings to the queen is all about love. Then she presents the characters with flowers-
Rosemary--remembrance, to Laertes: (remeber their father)
Pansies--thoughts, also to Laertes (they must be strong in their minds and hearts to get through the loss)
Fennel--flattery, to King (Because no one except Hamlet ever speaks a bad word about him)
Columbines--thankfulness, to Queen (she should be thankful for the love in her life)
Rue--sorrow, also to Queen (she shouldn't forget the hearache of her lost love)
Daisy--a warning to women who are too easily persuaded to love, to Gertrude (she married her dead husbands brother)
Violets--faithfulness, cannot give--explanation toward Horatio (they all died with the death of her father)
In scene 1 not very much happens, Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet killed Poloinous then Rosencratz and Guildenstern go to get Hamlet and the dead body to bring them to the chapel.
In scene 2 Rosencratz and Guildenstern find Hamlet but he refuses to give them the body, then Hamlet calls them sponges to the king (they seek information for him then he squeezes them dry) and fools.
In scene 3 Hamlet talks to Claudius and is told he has no choice but to go to England, and Hamlet doesn't really put up much of a fight. In a strange way he tells Claudius that he is his mother, because when man and wife marry they become one flesh. Then at the end of the scene we hear Claudius confess that he is going to have Hamlet killed in England.
In scene 4 Hamlet has a conversation with a captain of the army of Norway as they are on their way through Denmark to invade Poland. Hamlet talks about how everything in anyones life has a core of evil and that if he doesn't see the evil in a thought that its not worth a moment of his time.
In scene 5 Ophelia sings a song to the king and queen and it is very obvious that she has lost her mind. When Claudius is complaing to his wife that is when Laertes and a mob come in, because they all believe that he should be kind, not Claudius. However Claudius calms Laertes down somewhat enough to an agreement that he will listen to Cladius's story before seeking revenge.
In scene 6 Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet saying that he is a prisinor on a pirate ship, he says to show these letters to the king and to come save him.
In scene 7 Claudius tells Laertes that he is completely innocent and that the death of his father is all Hamlet's fault and the only reason he hasn't killed Hamlet is because his mother and the public loves him. They decide that they want to trick Hamlet into his own death, by setting up a fencing between the two when he gets back. Then Gertrude comes in and tells them that Ophelia has drowned.
Soliloques':
All of Hamlet's soliloques are very significant because they let us hear what is going on inside his mind. Some people wonder if Hamlet really is mad or if he just wants everyone to think that he is. I think the soliloques' show us that he is not pretending, because it shows us not only what he says to other people, but what is going on in his own head.
Ophelia:
After Polonius dies Ophelia seems to loose her mind, her song she sings to the queen is all about love. Then she presents the characters with flowers-
Rosemary--remembrance, to Laertes: (remeber their father)
Pansies--thoughts, also to Laertes (they must be strong in their minds and hearts to get through the loss)
Fennel--flattery, to King (Because no one except Hamlet ever speaks a bad word about him)
Columbines--thankfulness, to Queen (she should be thankful for the love in her life)
Rue--sorrow, also to Queen (she shouldn't forget the hearache of her lost love)
Daisy--a warning to women who are too easily persuaded to love, to Gertrude (she married her dead husbands brother)
Violets--faithfulness, cannot give--explanation toward Horatio (they all died with the death of her father)
Act 3 Notes
Summary:
In scene 1 Claudius and Polonius put there plan into action by leaving Ophelia alone and spying to see how Hamlet reacts to being around her. Hamlet talks about the rights and wrongs of death and living a life you don't want to. Then he tells Ophelia that he doesn't love her and that all women are heartless whores.
In scene 2 the players preform a play that strangely relates to Hamlet's mother and father. But in the middle of the play, when they start talking about the king being killed by poison in his ears Claudius runs out. When Hamlet is talking to his friends he receives word that his mom wants to chat with him soon.
In scene 3 Claudius is praying and confessing his sins when Hamlet walks in ready with his sword to kill him, but then he realizes that if he dies at this moment he will be sent to heaven, so he decided to wait until Claudius is doing something completely sinful then kill him before he has a chance to ask for forgiveness, just like his father died.
In scene 4 when Hamlet goes to talk to his mother he notices that Polinious is behind the tapestry and kills him with his sword. Then once Hamlet starts giving his mother hell the ghost appears and Hamlet realizes that his mother cannot see him. Then in the end Hamlet asks his mother to stay way from his uncles bed tonight and not to fall into his trap because once you say no once, it becomes easier the next time and the next and the next.
Themes:
Redemption Questions-
1. King Hamlet was murdered and he never got a chance to confess his sins.
2. Because Claudius is praying and begging for mercy, if Hamlet kills him now then he will go to heaven, he wants him to die while he's living a sin and has no chance to ask for forgiveness.
Examples-
Friendship/Loyalty- Hamlets friends are going with him to England
Revenge- Hamlet plans to kill Claudius.
Regret- Gertrude's obvious pain when Hamlet is confronting her.
Betrayal- During the play when the wife makes her promise to her husband (relates to Hamlet's parents)
In scene 1 Claudius and Polonius put there plan into action by leaving Ophelia alone and spying to see how Hamlet reacts to being around her. Hamlet talks about the rights and wrongs of death and living a life you don't want to. Then he tells Ophelia that he doesn't love her and that all women are heartless whores.
In scene 2 the players preform a play that strangely relates to Hamlet's mother and father. But in the middle of the play, when they start talking about the king being killed by poison in his ears Claudius runs out. When Hamlet is talking to his friends he receives word that his mom wants to chat with him soon.
In scene 3 Claudius is praying and confessing his sins when Hamlet walks in ready with his sword to kill him, but then he realizes that if he dies at this moment he will be sent to heaven, so he decided to wait until Claudius is doing something completely sinful then kill him before he has a chance to ask for forgiveness, just like his father died.
In scene 4 when Hamlet goes to talk to his mother he notices that Polinious is behind the tapestry and kills him with his sword. Then once Hamlet starts giving his mother hell the ghost appears and Hamlet realizes that his mother cannot see him. Then in the end Hamlet asks his mother to stay way from his uncles bed tonight and not to fall into his trap because once you say no once, it becomes easier the next time and the next and the next.
Themes:
Redemption Questions-
1. King Hamlet was murdered and he never got a chance to confess his sins.
2. Because Claudius is praying and begging for mercy, if Hamlet kills him now then he will go to heaven, he wants him to die while he's living a sin and has no chance to ask for forgiveness.
Examples-
Friendship/Loyalty- Hamlets friends are going with him to England
Revenge- Hamlet plans to kill Claudius.
Regret- Gertrude's obvious pain when Hamlet is confronting her.
Betrayal- During the play when the wife makes her promise to her husband (relates to Hamlet's parents)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Act 2 Notes
Summary:
In scene 1 Polonius wants Reynaldo to talk to some people about his son. He wants him to say he barely knows him but has heard of some of the sins he has commited while he has been in Paris. After Reynaldo leaves Ophelia comes in and tells her father that Hamlet was just in her room and she thinks he is crazy in love with her. Then they go see the king.
In scene 2 it begins with the king and queen asking Hamlets old friends Guildenstern and Rosencrantz to try and figure out what has changed Hamlet. Then Polonius goes to talk to Gertrude and Claudius to tell them that Hamlet lost his mind when Ophelia rejected his love and thats why he's crazy. When Polonuis talks to Hamlet he realizes just how crazy he is but Hamlet has no idea that it is Ophelia's father he's talking to. Then Hamlet starts talking to his old friends, one of the first things that he admits to them is that his home is like a prison to him. When the actors come Hamlet requests a specific speech that he once heard about. Then they decide that the next night they actors will preform The Murder of Gonzago.
Love or Game:
I think Hamlet's emotions towards Ophelia right now are more complex than "real or fake" after all this is not the only thing going on in his life right now. A theory of mine is that Hamlet had slight feelings for Ophelia before and ever since his fathers death, he's wanted something or someone else to focus on and think about and that is what deepened his feelings and actions towards her. So I do not think he is playing her I think he is just making himself seem more caught up in her than he really is, he may even beleive this lie himself. I don't think Hamlet is crazy, I think he is just trying to put off some things that he needs to sort through.
Themes:
Loyalty- (Hamlet guilts his friends into the reason they were sent here)
Respect- (For the actors)
In scene 1 Polonius wants Reynaldo to talk to some people about his son. He wants him to say he barely knows him but has heard of some of the sins he has commited while he has been in Paris. After Reynaldo leaves Ophelia comes in and tells her father that Hamlet was just in her room and she thinks he is crazy in love with her. Then they go see the king.
In scene 2 it begins with the king and queen asking Hamlets old friends Guildenstern and Rosencrantz to try and figure out what has changed Hamlet. Then Polonius goes to talk to Gertrude and Claudius to tell them that Hamlet lost his mind when Ophelia rejected his love and thats why he's crazy. When Polonuis talks to Hamlet he realizes just how crazy he is but Hamlet has no idea that it is Ophelia's father he's talking to. Then Hamlet starts talking to his old friends, one of the first things that he admits to them is that his home is like a prison to him. When the actors come Hamlet requests a specific speech that he once heard about. Then they decide that the next night they actors will preform The Murder of Gonzago.
Love or Game:
I think Hamlet's emotions towards Ophelia right now are more complex than "real or fake" after all this is not the only thing going on in his life right now. A theory of mine is that Hamlet had slight feelings for Ophelia before and ever since his fathers death, he's wanted something or someone else to focus on and think about and that is what deepened his feelings and actions towards her. So I do not think he is playing her I think he is just making himself seem more caught up in her than he really is, he may even beleive this lie himself. I don't think Hamlet is crazy, I think he is just trying to put off some things that he needs to sort through.
Themes:
Loyalty- (Hamlet guilts his friends into the reason they were sent here)
Respect- (For the actors)
Act 1 Notes
Summary:
In act 1, Bernardo, Francisco, and Horatio are on guard. Bernardo and Francisco had previously seen a ghost, but Horatio did not believe them. He said he would have to see it with his own eyes. Then... HE DID!!~ They try to talk to the ghost, but he doesn't respond. The next night, they try to talk to it again and as the ghost is about to respond, a rooster crows and he disappears. The next night, he appears again and they try to attack it, but their attempts are worthless.
In scene 2, we meet King Claudius and Queen Gertrude and they are talking about how they need to have the Danish as allies, so they send Voltemond and Cornelius. The king then asks Hamlet if he is still mad about his father's death and not being able to go back to the university. Hamlet says, no I'm all sunshine. Then, the Queen asks why he looks so crappy if he is really that happy. He basically says that he just likes to dress in black. Then everyone leaves but Hamlet and he stays and talks about how he wants to say something about his mom and uncle's marriage, but can't. The three soldiers from scene 1 then enter and tell him about the ghost that looks strangely like his father. He says he will meet them that night to talk to the ghost.
In scene 3, Ophelia and Laertes are talking about how Hamlet was passing Ophelia some love tokens. Laertes warns Ophelia that she should be careful because Hamlet, being a government official, must do what the people say. Then Polonius, their father comes in and basically says that Laertes needs to catch is plane to France. Then, Laertes tells Ophelia to keep it secret until he gets back and Ophelia promises, but then as soon as he leaves, spills the beans to Polonius. Polonius says don't mess around with that bloke and so she says ok, I will obey.
In scene 4, Hamlet and his peeps are waiting for the ghost. Then the ghost wants Hamlet to go off with him and the soldiers tell him not to, but he goes anyway. They follow at a distance.
In scene 5, Hamlet talks to the ghost, who is the spirit of his father, the ghost basically says that he was murdered by poison in his ear that clotted his blood. He asks Hamlet to avenge his death. We also learn that he never was able to confess his sins due to the fact that he was murdered. When Hamlet goes back and sees that the solders followed him, he makes them swear on his sword that they will not tell anyone that they saw the ghost.
Soliloquy:
The soliloquy on pg 29 is basically Hamlet talking about how much he hates his life and about how screwed up his family is. Considerin he has an Uncle Father and a Mother Aunt.
Machiavellianism:
The type of government that is demonstrated in Machiavelli's novel The Prince. It basically says that honesty and morality does not matter, I take it as kind of an "every man for himself" type of thing. I think this fits in with Claudius, because in my eyes marrying the widow of your dead brother is not exactly an "honorable" thing to do.
Themes:
Family loyalty (king & queen marriage; brother & sister share secret; fater orders daughter; dead father & son)
Forbidden love (Hamlet & Ophelia)
In act 1, Bernardo, Francisco, and Horatio are on guard. Bernardo and Francisco had previously seen a ghost, but Horatio did not believe them. He said he would have to see it with his own eyes. Then... HE DID!!~ They try to talk to the ghost, but he doesn't respond. The next night, they try to talk to it again and as the ghost is about to respond, a rooster crows and he disappears. The next night, he appears again and they try to attack it, but their attempts are worthless.
In scene 2, we meet King Claudius and Queen Gertrude and they are talking about how they need to have the Danish as allies, so they send Voltemond and Cornelius. The king then asks Hamlet if he is still mad about his father's death and not being able to go back to the university. Hamlet says, no I'm all sunshine. Then, the Queen asks why he looks so crappy if he is really that happy. He basically says that he just likes to dress in black. Then everyone leaves but Hamlet and he stays and talks about how he wants to say something about his mom and uncle's marriage, but can't. The three soldiers from scene 1 then enter and tell him about the ghost that looks strangely like his father. He says he will meet them that night to talk to the ghost.
In scene 3, Ophelia and Laertes are talking about how Hamlet was passing Ophelia some love tokens. Laertes warns Ophelia that she should be careful because Hamlet, being a government official, must do what the people say. Then Polonius, their father comes in and basically says that Laertes needs to catch is plane to France. Then, Laertes tells Ophelia to keep it secret until he gets back and Ophelia promises, but then as soon as he leaves, spills the beans to Polonius. Polonius says don't mess around with that bloke and so she says ok, I will obey.
In scene 4, Hamlet and his peeps are waiting for the ghost. Then the ghost wants Hamlet to go off with him and the soldiers tell him not to, but he goes anyway. They follow at a distance.
In scene 5, Hamlet talks to the ghost, who is the spirit of his father, the ghost basically says that he was murdered by poison in his ear that clotted his blood. He asks Hamlet to avenge his death. We also learn that he never was able to confess his sins due to the fact that he was murdered. When Hamlet goes back and sees that the solders followed him, he makes them swear on his sword that they will not tell anyone that they saw the ghost.
Soliloquy:
The soliloquy on pg 29 is basically Hamlet talking about how much he hates his life and about how screwed up his family is. Considerin he has an Uncle Father and a Mother Aunt.
Machiavellianism:
The type of government that is demonstrated in Machiavelli's novel The Prince. It basically says that honesty and morality does not matter, I take it as kind of an "every man for himself" type of thing. I think this fits in with Claudius, because in my eyes marrying the widow of your dead brother is not exactly an "honorable" thing to do.
Themes:
Family loyalty (king & queen marriage; brother & sister share secret; fater orders daughter; dead father & son)
Forbidden love (Hamlet & Ophelia)
Monday, October 5, 2009
Quotes-Gilgamesh
1. Good vs Evil- "Humbaba said, 'Enkidu, what you have spoken is evil: you, a hireling, dependent for you bread! In envy and for fear of a rival you have spoken evil words."' (83).
2. The hero's companion- In this story I strongly believe the hero is Gilgamesh and it is very obvious that Enkidu is his companion, after all they even preform a ritual to make themselves blood brothers. "Let Enkidu protect his friend, and guard his companion, and bring him safe through the pitfalls of the road" (76). This is a quote from Ninsun, before Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out on their journey to defeat Humbaba. Not only does this quote flat out say that they are companions but it shows how much love they show for each other, after all they want to protect one another. This is a very brotherly and emotional feeling for both of them, because they have never had anyone who they felt so connected to. My theory is that they feel this way because they were created as equals. Gilgamesh has always seen himself as more powerful and stronger than everyone in his life up until this point. Now he has someone he can connect to because he doesn't feel superior to them. For Enkidu he also has never had someone he could connect with. After all up until he met Gilgamesh and learned the ways of a civilized life he had lived among the animals. He was also created to be strong and powerful, so just like Gilgamesh, even if he had been among humans he wouldn't have felt normal. We tend to connect with people we feel equal with, after all no one really wants a strong bond with someone who acts superior or inferior to them, I strongly believe that is why these two create such an insperatable bond. When Enkidu dies it tears Gilgamesh apart, it almost makes him become animal like. "He began to rage like a lion, like a lioness robed of her whelps" (95). When Enkidu dies Gilgamesh feels like he has lost a part of himself more than anything. Not just a friend, but his strongest companion and brother.
3. Love- "Then she placed the amulet for a pledge around his neck, and she said to him 'I entrust my son to you; bring him back to me safely.'" (75).
4. Loss of innocence- "Enkidu was grown weak, for wisdom was in him, and the thoughts of a man were in his heart" (63).
5. View of the after life- "Then he called to Gilgamesh, 'My friend, the great goddess cursed me and now I must die in shame. I shall not die like a man fallen in battle; I feared to fall, but happy is the man who falls in the battle, for I must die in shame'" (93)
6. Legacy- "Then Gilgamesh issued a proclamation through the land, he summond them all, the coppersmiths, the goldsmiths, the stone-workers, and commanded them, 'Make a statue of my friend'" (96).
2. The hero's companion- In this story I strongly believe the hero is Gilgamesh and it is very obvious that Enkidu is his companion, after all they even preform a ritual to make themselves blood brothers. "Let Enkidu protect his friend, and guard his companion, and bring him safe through the pitfalls of the road" (76). This is a quote from Ninsun, before Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out on their journey to defeat Humbaba. Not only does this quote flat out say that they are companions but it shows how much love they show for each other, after all they want to protect one another. This is a very brotherly and emotional feeling for both of them, because they have never had anyone who they felt so connected to. My theory is that they feel this way because they were created as equals. Gilgamesh has always seen himself as more powerful and stronger than everyone in his life up until this point. Now he has someone he can connect to because he doesn't feel superior to them. For Enkidu he also has never had someone he could connect with. After all up until he met Gilgamesh and learned the ways of a civilized life he had lived among the animals. He was also created to be strong and powerful, so just like Gilgamesh, even if he had been among humans he wouldn't have felt normal. We tend to connect with people we feel equal with, after all no one really wants a strong bond with someone who acts superior or inferior to them, I strongly believe that is why these two create such an insperatable bond. When Enkidu dies it tears Gilgamesh apart, it almost makes him become animal like. "He began to rage like a lion, like a lioness robed of her whelps" (95). When Enkidu dies Gilgamesh feels like he has lost a part of himself more than anything. Not just a friend, but his strongest companion and brother.
3. Love- "Then she placed the amulet for a pledge around his neck, and she said to him 'I entrust my son to you; bring him back to me safely.'" (75).
4. Loss of innocence- "Enkidu was grown weak, for wisdom was in him, and the thoughts of a man were in his heart" (63).
5. View of the after life- "Then he called to Gilgamesh, 'My friend, the great goddess cursed me and now I must die in shame. I shall not die like a man fallen in battle; I feared to fall, but happy is the man who falls in the battle, for I must die in shame'" (93)
6. Legacy- "Then Gilgamesh issued a proclamation through the land, he summond them all, the coppersmiths, the goldsmiths, the stone-workers, and commanded them, 'Make a statue of my friend'" (96).
Literary Archetypes-Gilgamesh
1. Hero: Gilgamesh.
It is very obvious in this story that Gilgamesh is the hero, after all he is the prominant character in the story and really the only one that we follow throughout the whole novel. It says in the discription of the hero that they should reflect the views of their society, obviously this is true with Gilgamesh because he is the King of Uruk, therefore his views and his opinions ultimately become the law, or at least the way things are done. Even though in the beginning of the book people don't agree with his views at all. It also says that the hero should be god-directed which can be true with Gilgamesh, after all he is 2/3 God. The hero is suppose to save the society from something I believe ultimately in this story he saves them from himself through a personal journey.
2. Wise Fool: Utnapishtim.
Utnapishtim is the only mortal who has ever been granted immortality, which is why Gilgamesh seeks him out, he wants to achieve what Utnapishtim did. Ea instructed him to tear down his house so he could build a boat big enough to take all of his belongings and loved ones along with him so they didn't die in the flood that Enlil was going to make happen. After the horrible storm Enlil thought he had killed all of mankind, then he realized that because of Ea Utnapishtim has survived, however Eat defended himself because he did it through a dream. "It was not I that revealed the secret of the gods; the wise man learned it in a dream" (113). This quotation makes it very obvious that he is the wise fool. Obviously there were people who thought he was crazy when he talked about the great flood that the gods were planning, which made him seem foolish, but really he was the wisest of them all. This is how he was granted immortality.
3. Devil Figure: Humbaba.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out to destory Humbaba because they believe he is evil, which shows us that he is the devil figure in this book. "When he roars it is like the torrent of the storm, his breath is like fire, and his jaws are death itself" (71). During the whole time when they are trying to defet him Gilgamesh is praying to the gods for help and wisdom on how to defet this monster. When it comes down to it they never had an actual reason that triggered them to go after him, other than its power. He is said to be extremely strong and indistructable. Gilgamesh wants to be the biggest, strongest, and most powerful. So I believe that is the real reason that he wants to kill him, its a power struggle for him more than anything else.
4. Outcast: Enkidu.
Enkidu use to be accepted by the creatures of the wild, he was one of them, he ran with the gazzel and was one of the animals. Then one day a hunter brought a prostitute to tempt Enkidu and weaken him by showing him the love of a woman. Once they laid together for 6 days and 7 nights he was finally satisfied and tried to return to the animals, but they shunned him. Even if they hadn't he realized he couldn't run as swiftly and had been weakened all together, he has been changed. This is where Enkidu is shown as the outcast. He use to feel like the only place he could possibly fit in was running wild and free with the animals and when that was taken away from him he didn't really know where to go and who to become. Luckily the prostitue took him back to Uruk and introduced him to Gilgamesh, where a brotherhood was born.
5. Double: Gilgamesh.
I believe that this story is not only a search for immortality, even though thats what we think throughout the whole book. I think ultimately it is a journey for Gilgamesh to change his values, behavior, and ultimately himself. In the beginning no one in his kingdom thinks he is doing good, they all see him as hurting the city more than helping it. I see the story a lot as a change from evil to good, because in the end of the book he wants to be a good king and treat the people of his city much better, he wants to leave a better legacy for himself than the one he has began. So because of this I see him as the double, because you get to see two sides of him, good in the end and evil in the beginning.
6. Scapegoat: Enkidu.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu fight for what they strongly believe in when they kill Humbaba and then the Bull of Heaven. They do it because they feel it's right and they strongly believe it is for the best. However the gods decide that their actions cannot go unpunished. They cannot kill Gilgamesh because he is the king and he is 2/3 god. So they use Enkidu as kind of a sacrafice for what they have done. These two are equally powerful and strong, after all Enkidu was made to be Gilgamesh's equal and someone so powerful is obviously going to be seen as a threat, its not natural. In the discription it says that they are suppose to be slightly different, even though they give religions, this is true for Enkidu because he wasn't raised like everyone else, he use to be a man of the wild.
7. Temptress- Prostitute.
I see this as an extremely obvious one, after all in the beginning of the book it is her job to tempt Enkidu and bring him to her. The discription says she is to be seductive and beautiful, obviously she does a pretty good job at seducing him. Also it says she brings distruction to someone. Even though it brings him to good things (like Gilgamesh) she does destroy him in a way. She creates something new in his place but destroys what use to be there. A wild and free man with no limits who never new society into someone who now knows the love of a woman, the satisfaction of good food and wine, and the friendship of a soul mate, Gilgamesh.
8. Good Mother- Ninsun.
Ninsun is a very nurturing and loving woman in this book, after all Enkidu is not her son but she considers him one because of the friendship he has made with her son. "Strong Enkidu you are not a child of my body, but I will recieve you as my adopted son; you are my other child like the foundlings they bring to the temple" (75). In this part of the story she is saying that even though she is not biologically his mother she will treat him as a son, not something just anyone would do. Being welcoming would almost be enough in this situation, but she goes a step beyond that here. She doesn't settle with just saying that he can feel safe there but that he can feel part of the family there, something that he never had, something that because of her loving nature she is willing to provide for him.
It is very obvious in this story that Gilgamesh is the hero, after all he is the prominant character in the story and really the only one that we follow throughout the whole novel. It says in the discription of the hero that they should reflect the views of their society, obviously this is true with Gilgamesh because he is the King of Uruk, therefore his views and his opinions ultimately become the law, or at least the way things are done. Even though in the beginning of the book people don't agree with his views at all. It also says that the hero should be god-directed which can be true with Gilgamesh, after all he is 2/3 God. The hero is suppose to save the society from something I believe ultimately in this story he saves them from himself through a personal journey.
2. Wise Fool: Utnapishtim.
Utnapishtim is the only mortal who has ever been granted immortality, which is why Gilgamesh seeks him out, he wants to achieve what Utnapishtim did. Ea instructed him to tear down his house so he could build a boat big enough to take all of his belongings and loved ones along with him so they didn't die in the flood that Enlil was going to make happen. After the horrible storm Enlil thought he had killed all of mankind, then he realized that because of Ea Utnapishtim has survived, however Eat defended himself because he did it through a dream. "It was not I that revealed the secret of the gods; the wise man learned it in a dream" (113). This quotation makes it very obvious that he is the wise fool. Obviously there were people who thought he was crazy when he talked about the great flood that the gods were planning, which made him seem foolish, but really he was the wisest of them all. This is how he was granted immortality.
3. Devil Figure: Humbaba.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out to destory Humbaba because they believe he is evil, which shows us that he is the devil figure in this book. "When he roars it is like the torrent of the storm, his breath is like fire, and his jaws are death itself" (71). During the whole time when they are trying to defet him Gilgamesh is praying to the gods for help and wisdom on how to defet this monster. When it comes down to it they never had an actual reason that triggered them to go after him, other than its power. He is said to be extremely strong and indistructable. Gilgamesh wants to be the biggest, strongest, and most powerful. So I believe that is the real reason that he wants to kill him, its a power struggle for him more than anything else.
4. Outcast: Enkidu.
Enkidu use to be accepted by the creatures of the wild, he was one of them, he ran with the gazzel and was one of the animals. Then one day a hunter brought a prostitute to tempt Enkidu and weaken him by showing him the love of a woman. Once they laid together for 6 days and 7 nights he was finally satisfied and tried to return to the animals, but they shunned him. Even if they hadn't he realized he couldn't run as swiftly and had been weakened all together, he has been changed. This is where Enkidu is shown as the outcast. He use to feel like the only place he could possibly fit in was running wild and free with the animals and when that was taken away from him he didn't really know where to go and who to become. Luckily the prostitue took him back to Uruk and introduced him to Gilgamesh, where a brotherhood was born.
5. Double: Gilgamesh.
I believe that this story is not only a search for immortality, even though thats what we think throughout the whole book. I think ultimately it is a journey for Gilgamesh to change his values, behavior, and ultimately himself. In the beginning no one in his kingdom thinks he is doing good, they all see him as hurting the city more than helping it. I see the story a lot as a change from evil to good, because in the end of the book he wants to be a good king and treat the people of his city much better, he wants to leave a better legacy for himself than the one he has began. So because of this I see him as the double, because you get to see two sides of him, good in the end and evil in the beginning.
6. Scapegoat: Enkidu.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu fight for what they strongly believe in when they kill Humbaba and then the Bull of Heaven. They do it because they feel it's right and they strongly believe it is for the best. However the gods decide that their actions cannot go unpunished. They cannot kill Gilgamesh because he is the king and he is 2/3 god. So they use Enkidu as kind of a sacrafice for what they have done. These two are equally powerful and strong, after all Enkidu was made to be Gilgamesh's equal and someone so powerful is obviously going to be seen as a threat, its not natural. In the discription it says that they are suppose to be slightly different, even though they give religions, this is true for Enkidu because he wasn't raised like everyone else, he use to be a man of the wild.
7. Temptress- Prostitute.
I see this as an extremely obvious one, after all in the beginning of the book it is her job to tempt Enkidu and bring him to her. The discription says she is to be seductive and beautiful, obviously she does a pretty good job at seducing him. Also it says she brings distruction to someone. Even though it brings him to good things (like Gilgamesh) she does destroy him in a way. She creates something new in his place but destroys what use to be there. A wild and free man with no limits who never new society into someone who now knows the love of a woman, the satisfaction of good food and wine, and the friendship of a soul mate, Gilgamesh.
8. Good Mother- Ninsun.
Ninsun is a very nurturing and loving woman in this book, after all Enkidu is not her son but she considers him one because of the friendship he has made with her son. "Strong Enkidu you are not a child of my body, but I will recieve you as my adopted son; you are my other child like the foundlings they bring to the temple" (75). In this part of the story she is saying that even though she is not biologically his mother she will treat him as a son, not something just anyone would do. Being welcoming would almost be enough in this situation, but she goes a step beyond that here. She doesn't settle with just saying that he can feel safe there but that he can feel part of the family there, something that he never had, something that because of her loving nature she is willing to provide for him.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Immortality
*Immortality- endless life or existence; being immortal- not liable or subject to death or undying. Being immortal means that you have been granted eternal life. The concept has changed a lot over the years. For instance in the book we just read "The Epic of Gilgamesh" immortality was a gift given by the gods. In present day reality, it is something we are trying to make scientifically come true, through medicines and other advances coming about today.
*Fountain of Youth- is a legendary spring that reputedly restores the youth of anyone who drinks of its waters. It is said to be found in Florida. The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, even though the actual fountain does not exist there the tourists still drink the water from the fountain that is a tribute there. In 1513 Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon searched for the fountain of youth.
*Fountain of Youth- is a legendary spring that reputedly restores the youth of anyone who drinks of its waters. It is said to be found in Florida. The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, even though the actual fountain does not exist there the tourists still drink the water from the fountain that is a tribute there. In 1513 Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon searched for the fountain of youth.
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Tragic Man- Oedipus
1. A Belief in His Own Freedom-
This fits Oedipus very specifically because its about having to make choices based on dilemmas and obviously Oedipus has a lot of dilemmas in his life. Even though his fate was inevitable once they realized the prophacy has become true (to be killed or banished) he could have fought it, but he basically said "take my life I don't deserve to see anything good every again". That is a choice he made based on the fate he was destined to live.
2. A Supreme Pride-
In the beginning of the story this is very true because they speak of him as more than human, he seems to have godlike powers because he saved them from the Shinx. "But we do rate you first of men, both in the common crises of our lives and face-to-face encounters with the Gods" (161). When he saved them he did something that they were all loosing hope in, making him seem more than any of them, more than human.
3. Capacity for Suffering-
Again this is true because his actions inevitability destroy him. He is suffering more than anybody else in these plays because something didn't happen to him, he did it to himself which is much worse. He can't blame his fate on anybody else because the things that destroyed him (killing his father and marrying his mother) he did by himself.
4. A Sense of Commitment-
I think this comes true the moment he kills his father because his fate has been set in motion. Up to that point he had some sense of hope that he could have a better life than the one laid out for him but the second he killed that "strainger" at the crossroads, his fate was set in motion. The worst part was he didn't even know it was happening. I think he if he knew then he would've either ended his life instantly or spent the rest of his life hiding.
5. Vigorous Protest-
Oedipus shows this when he stabs out his eyes with his mother's broach. He is fighting his fate by refusing to face it. He is so ashamed of what he has done that he doesn't ever want to see anything ever again. I think this is him lashing out to the Gods because he is afraid. Afraid of himself and everything else around him because now that he has faced reality he doesn't believe anything can seem good and happy ever again and if it did, he doesn't deserve to see it.
6.Transfiguration-
I think his soft spot in all of this is his children and what they are have to go through because of him. He is starting to accept that this is who he is now and he cannot change it. When he tried to fight his fate it didn't help anything, if anything it just prolonged it. Also he changed from the beginning to the end and he doesn't fight the punishment. Even though he did horrible things in his life he ends with a good decision to take his punishment no matter how gruesome it may be.
7. Impact-
In the story I think it impacts the entire city, after all they did lose both their King and Queen to a tragic fate. Also Creon has to go through loosing his sister. But I think the biggest impact is on two daughters. "Such disgrace, and you must bare it all! Who will marry you then? Not a man on earth. Your doom is clear: you'll wither away to nothing, single, without a child" (248). Oedipus is saying in this speech that his girls must face a life of rejection and bitterness all because of their father/brothers fate. When you read this story it hits straight to the heart I think because it is about family. I believe family is something close to everyones hearts so this is a very emotional story. Even though we can't exactly relate to it the best, it still has a very big impact.
This fits Oedipus very specifically because its about having to make choices based on dilemmas and obviously Oedipus has a lot of dilemmas in his life. Even though his fate was inevitable once they realized the prophacy has become true (to be killed or banished) he could have fought it, but he basically said "take my life I don't deserve to see anything good every again". That is a choice he made based on the fate he was destined to live.
2. A Supreme Pride-
In the beginning of the story this is very true because they speak of him as more than human, he seems to have godlike powers because he saved them from the Shinx. "But we do rate you first of men, both in the common crises of our lives and face-to-face encounters with the Gods" (161). When he saved them he did something that they were all loosing hope in, making him seem more than any of them, more than human.
3. Capacity for Suffering-
Again this is true because his actions inevitability destroy him. He is suffering more than anybody else in these plays because something didn't happen to him, he did it to himself which is much worse. He can't blame his fate on anybody else because the things that destroyed him (killing his father and marrying his mother) he did by himself.
4. A Sense of Commitment-
I think this comes true the moment he kills his father because his fate has been set in motion. Up to that point he had some sense of hope that he could have a better life than the one laid out for him but the second he killed that "strainger" at the crossroads, his fate was set in motion. The worst part was he didn't even know it was happening. I think he if he knew then he would've either ended his life instantly or spent the rest of his life hiding.
5. Vigorous Protest-
Oedipus shows this when he stabs out his eyes with his mother's broach. He is fighting his fate by refusing to face it. He is so ashamed of what he has done that he doesn't ever want to see anything ever again. I think this is him lashing out to the Gods because he is afraid. Afraid of himself and everything else around him because now that he has faced reality he doesn't believe anything can seem good and happy ever again and if it did, he doesn't deserve to see it.
6.Transfiguration-
I think his soft spot in all of this is his children and what they are have to go through because of him. He is starting to accept that this is who he is now and he cannot change it. When he tried to fight his fate it didn't help anything, if anything it just prolonged it. Also he changed from the beginning to the end and he doesn't fight the punishment. Even though he did horrible things in his life he ends with a good decision to take his punishment no matter how gruesome it may be.
7. Impact-
In the story I think it impacts the entire city, after all they did lose both their King and Queen to a tragic fate. Also Creon has to go through loosing his sister. But I think the biggest impact is on two daughters. "Such disgrace, and you must bare it all! Who will marry you then? Not a man on earth. Your doom is clear: you'll wither away to nothing, single, without a child" (248). Oedipus is saying in this speech that his girls must face a life of rejection and bitterness all because of their father/brothers fate. When you read this story it hits straight to the heart I think because it is about family. I believe family is something close to everyones hearts so this is a very emotional story. Even though we can't exactly relate to it the best, it still has a very big impact.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Quotes
1. Proper Burial- "But the body of Polynices, who died miserably-why a city-wide proclamation, rumor has it, forbids anyone to bury him, even mourn him." Pg 60
2. Conscioentious Objection- "No, he has no right to keep me from my own. Pg 61
3. Individual vs State- "I am on my way, I will raise a mound for him, for my dear brother." Pg 63
4. Consciences vs Law- "Who on Earth alive in the midst of so much grief as I, could fail to find his death a rich reward" Pg 82
5. Moral Law vs Human Law- "Not ashamed for a moment, not to honor my brother, my own flesh and blood" Pg 84
6. Hubris- "You my lord are the one sheild, the one savior we can find." Pg 176
7. Purpose of Prophesy- "That day you learn the truth about your marriage, the wedding march that sent you into your halls, the lusty voyage home to the fatal harbor!" Pg 183
8. The blind "see"- You with your precious eyes, you're blind to the corruption of your life, to the house you live in, those you live with- who are your parents? Pg 183
9. Loyalty- "But look, we're both guilty, both condemned to death" Pg 87
10. Free will vs Fate- "If you are the man he says you are, believe me, you were born for pain" Pg 232
11. Ritual- "No matter-death longs for the same rites for all." Pg 89
12. Despair- "What can I ever see? What love, what call of the heart can touch my ears with joy? Nothing friends." Pg 241
13. Integrity- "But if I had allowed to let my own mother's son rot an unburied corpse-that would have been agony!" Pg 82
14. Ignorance is an exuse- "Die, die- whoever he was that day in the wilds who cut my ankles free of the ruthless pins, he pulled me clear of death, he saved my life for this, this kindness- Curse him, kill him! If I'd died then, I'd never have dragged myself, my loved ones through such hell" Pg 242
2. Conscioentious Objection- "No, he has no right to keep me from my own. Pg 61
3. Individual vs State- "I am on my way, I will raise a mound for him, for my dear brother." Pg 63
4. Consciences vs Law- "Who on Earth alive in the midst of so much grief as I, could fail to find his death a rich reward" Pg 82
5. Moral Law vs Human Law- "Not ashamed for a moment, not to honor my brother, my own flesh and blood" Pg 84
6. Hubris- "You my lord are the one sheild, the one savior we can find." Pg 176
7. Purpose of Prophesy- "That day you learn the truth about your marriage, the wedding march that sent you into your halls, the lusty voyage home to the fatal harbor!" Pg 183
8. The blind "see"- You with your precious eyes, you're blind to the corruption of your life, to the house you live in, those you live with- who are your parents? Pg 183
9. Loyalty- "But look, we're both guilty, both condemned to death" Pg 87
10. Free will vs Fate- "If you are the man he says you are, believe me, you were born for pain" Pg 232
11. Ritual- "No matter-death longs for the same rites for all." Pg 89
12. Despair- "What can I ever see? What love, what call of the heart can touch my ears with joy? Nothing friends." Pg 241
13. Integrity- "But if I had allowed to let my own mother's son rot an unburied corpse-that would have been agony!" Pg 82
14. Ignorance is an exuse- "Die, die- whoever he was that day in the wilds who cut my ankles free of the ruthless pins, he pulled me clear of death, he saved my life for this, this kindness- Curse him, kill him! If I'd died then, I'd never have dragged myself, my loved ones through such hell" Pg 242
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Oedipus- Act 1
-Oedipus lifted the Sphinx from the land of Thebes and is now their king, but he is more than a king to them, he is seen as a God, the highest of all man can be. (pg 161)
-Creon tells them that the reason the plague has hit their town is because of the murder of their previous kind Laius. After this murder the man who did it went free so until he is killed the plague will continue. (pg 164)
-Oedipus is astonished that they let the man go free after such a thing happened (pg 166) but vows that he will not rest until this man is given what he deserves (pg 171).
-Tiresias confesses that he knows something he will never tell any of the others (pg 177). Then him and Oedipus go back and forth with accusations for awhile, Oedipus says he is the one who killed Laius then Tiresias says he is the curse of their land.
-Right before Tiresias leaves he gives a few hints to who the murderer in a riddle (pg 185)
-Creon tells them that the reason the plague has hit their town is because of the murder of their previous kind Laius. After this murder the man who did it went free so until he is killed the plague will continue. (pg 164)
-Oedipus is astonished that they let the man go free after such a thing happened (pg 166) but vows that he will not rest until this man is given what he deserves (pg 171).
-Tiresias confesses that he knows something he will never tell any of the others (pg 177). Then him and Oedipus go back and forth with accusations for awhile, Oedipus says he is the one who killed Laius then Tiresias says he is the curse of their land.
-Right before Tiresias leaves he gives a few hints to who the murderer in a riddle (pg 185)
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Od.-Book IX
>Cyclopes-->Aeolia-->Almost to Ithica-->Aeolia-->Laesrygonians-->Aeaea
>In Aeolia Aeolus give Od a bag of magic wind to help get him back to Ithica. They almost make it to Ithica, so close that it is in sight. But Od's men think its a bag of gold so they rip it open which unleashes a storm. Which sends them back to Aeolia.
>They row to Laesrygonians but only stay breifely because a few of the men get killed.
>Then they stay on the Laesrygonians because Od becomes a lover to the Goddess Circe. They live their for a year until Od's men convince him to start heading back to Ithica. She then explains to them they must sail to the land of death (Hades) and ask for the way home from there.
>Od's men are very dissappointed in this but they must do what is needed to continue their journey home.
>In Aeolia Aeolus give Od a bag of magic wind to help get him back to Ithica. They almost make it to Ithica, so close that it is in sight. But Od's men think its a bag of gold so they rip it open which unleashes a storm. Which sends them back to Aeolia.
>They row to Laesrygonians but only stay breifely because a few of the men get killed.
>Then they stay on the Laesrygonians because Od becomes a lover to the Goddess Circe. They live their for a year until Od's men convince him to start heading back to Ithica. She then explains to them they must sail to the land of death (Hades) and ask for the way home from there.
>Od's men are very dissappointed in this but they must do what is needed to continue their journey home.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Od.-Book IX
>Od starts telling the royal family of his journey after he and his crew left Troy. First he talks a little about being trapped on the island with Cal and how she wanted to make him her husband. But he tells them that when a man leaves his home and his family nothing seems as sweet as what he left behind.
>They traveled from Troy-->Ismarus-->Lotus eaters-->Cyclopes
>In the land of the Cyclopes they find a cave full of goods such as cheese. Even though some of the men want to eat and leave fast they stay and spend a little more time there.
>Then Polyphemus son of Pos finds them in his cave, he immediately eats 2 of them. Od wants revenge right there but he knows it is a battle he would loose. So when Pol is doing his afternoon chores Od heats a wood steak.
>When Pol returns Od gets him drunk off of wine. When he falls down from too much Od and a few of his other men stab Pol in the eye with the steak they heated. Od told him that his name was no one so when he yelled for help he said "no one is killing me".
>In the morning Od and his crew sneak off because Pol is now blinded and can't go after them. However Pol does ask for revenge from his father, Pos.
>They traveled from Troy-->Ismarus-->Lotus eaters-->Cyclopes
>In the land of the Cyclopes they find a cave full of goods such as cheese. Even though some of the men want to eat and leave fast they stay and spend a little more time there.
>Then Polyphemus son of Pos finds them in his cave, he immediately eats 2 of them. Od wants revenge right there but he knows it is a battle he would loose. So when Pol is doing his afternoon chores Od heats a wood steak.
>When Pol returns Od gets him drunk off of wine. When he falls down from too much Od and a few of his other men stab Pol in the eye with the steak they heated. Od told him that his name was no one so when he yelled for help he said "no one is killing me".
>In the morning Od and his crew sneak off because Pol is now blinded and can't go after them. However Pol does ask for revenge from his father, Pos.
The Od.-Book V
>Athena describes why she feels so sorry for Od on pg 95 Then Zeus tells his sun Hermes to go tell Od he is free to go home as long as he sails home alone with no helps from any God or man.
>Calypso says she has no boast or supplies to help Od get home but she will help him in any way she can because if he can't be happy there she still wants him to be happy somewhere.
>Cal helps Od get supplies to go home after she promises to him that she won't do anything to make his journey more difficult.
>When he is beginnning his travels Pos sees he has been set free. He sends a huge storm to make it harder for him to get home. Ino comes and tells Od that he must abandon his boat and swim to shore. At first he doubts this advice but after one more huge crash of waves and wind he jumps and starts swimming.
>In the end of this book Od is landed in a rivermouth on land and goes to sleep there.
>Calypso says she has no boast or supplies to help Od get home but she will help him in any way she can because if he can't be happy there she still wants him to be happy somewhere.
>Cal helps Od get supplies to go home after she promises to him that she won't do anything to make his journey more difficult.
>When he is beginnning his travels Pos sees he has been set free. He sends a huge storm to make it harder for him to get home. Ino comes and tells Od that he must abandon his boat and swim to shore. At first he doubts this advice but after one more huge crash of waves and wind he jumps and starts swimming.
>In the end of this book Od is landed in a rivermouth on land and goes to sleep there.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Od-Book II
>Pg. 23 *threshold*
>Tele called a gathering to discuss his fatehr and tells them all the the suitors are ruining his wealth and fortune.
>Antinous tells him his mother is to blame because she gives the men false hope when her heart is still hoping for Od to come home. She tells them men that she has to finish sowing something for him but every night she undoes the work she did that day so it is never finished.
>Tele vows to never send off his mother pg 27
>Halitherses warns the suitors of Od's return and that will give them a very painful death for trying to steal his wife.
> Ath the town meeting Tele is denied his request for a crew and boat so he prays to Ath. When she answers him she promises to find him a boat, a crew, and also says she will join him on his journey to find Od.
>Tele called a gathering to discuss his fatehr and tells them all the the suitors are ruining his wealth and fortune.
>Antinous tells him his mother is to blame because she gives the men false hope when her heart is still hoping for Od to come home. She tells them men that she has to finish sowing something for him but every night she undoes the work she did that day so it is never finished.
>Tele vows to never send off his mother pg 27
>Halitherses warns the suitors of Od's return and that will give them a very painful death for trying to steal his wife.
> Ath the town meeting Tele is denied his request for a crew and boat so he prays to Ath. When she answers him she promises to find him a boat, a crew, and also says she will join him on his journey to find Od.
The Od-Book I
>All of Odysses men were killed by Posiden and Od was bannished to a life at sea.
>Other God's were taking pity on him because he was longing for his family.
>Pos celebrates his revenge with a feast amoung all other God's.
>Zeus belives people put more punishment upon themselves then the Gods/fate does.
>Athena expresses her sorrow for Od because he is longing for his home and family. Then Zeus reassures her that Pos can't have his way forever.
>Athena arrives in Ithica to talk to Telemachus. He is very polite and invites her to feast with them.
>After the feast they sing, dance, and chant while Ath tells Tele his father is still alive and she wants him to go on a journey to find his father. She tells him to get a crew together and go to the island where he is being held captive because he is still alive.
>Other God's were taking pity on him because he was longing for his family.
>Pos celebrates his revenge with a feast amoung all other God's.
>Zeus belives people put more punishment upon themselves then the Gods/fate does.
>Athena expresses her sorrow for Od because he is longing for his home and family. Then Zeus reassures her that Pos can't have his way forever.
>Athena arrives in Ithica to talk to Telemachus. He is very polite and invites her to feast with them.
>After the feast they sing, dance, and chant while Ath tells Tele his father is still alive and she wants him to go on a journey to find his father. She tells him to get a crew together and go to the island where he is being held captive because he is still alive.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Literary Archetypes
Heros and Antiheros- The hero is Luke because he never doubts the force and always does what is right for everyone, not just himself. The antihero is Han because even though in the beginning he only goes along for the reward money he does end up doing a lot of good helping Luke accomplish his missions.
The Wise Fool- This is represented by Obi. In the beginning the only thing we hear Obi refered to is "the crazy old wizard" this shows that no one takes him seriously. However he holds much more knowledge than most give him credit for. Luke does value everything he has to say though because he knows that Obi has more secrets that Luke could dream of.
The Devil Figure- Darth Vador is the main figure of evil in Star Wars because he was a good guy turned bad. So he represents what can happen with one decision. He tries to defet all the Jedi which shows he has his best interest involved.
The Outcast- I belive that C3PO is the outcast because a majority of the time he is only translating for R2D2 instead of speaking his own thoughts. In a way these two droids are outcasts together, because they have eachother throughout the whole ordeal.
The Double- This could also be represented by Darth Vader. This is because in the beginning his heart was mainly good but got taken over. Then in the end a tiny bit of good shines through when he saves his son. I believe this shows that even when someone seems to be pure evil, they can always surprise you.
The Scapegoat- This is also Obi because he sacrafices himself to save all the others once they have rescued the Princess. He gives up the fight with Darth so the rest of the bunch can escape safely to the ship and finish what they came their to do.
The Temptress- I don't believe this is a character, I think it is the force. After all the force is what keeps Luke fighting. Its what drove all the Jedi. Without the force there is no mission and there is nothing to fight for.
The Good Mother- It seems to me that the princess always has the best interest in mind. For instance when they were rescuing her she ended up taking charge and leading them to a safe place. She is always encouraging them and stands by them through all the struggles.
The Wise Fool- This is represented by Obi. In the beginning the only thing we hear Obi refered to is "the crazy old wizard" this shows that no one takes him seriously. However he holds much more knowledge than most give him credit for. Luke does value everything he has to say though because he knows that Obi has more secrets that Luke could dream of.
The Devil Figure- Darth Vador is the main figure of evil in Star Wars because he was a good guy turned bad. So he represents what can happen with one decision. He tries to defet all the Jedi which shows he has his best interest involved.
The Outcast- I belive that C3PO is the outcast because a majority of the time he is only translating for R2D2 instead of speaking his own thoughts. In a way these two droids are outcasts together, because they have eachother throughout the whole ordeal.
The Double- This could also be represented by Darth Vader. This is because in the beginning his heart was mainly good but got taken over. Then in the end a tiny bit of good shines through when he saves his son. I believe this shows that even when someone seems to be pure evil, they can always surprise you.
The Scapegoat- This is also Obi because he sacrafices himself to save all the others once they have rescued the Princess. He gives up the fight with Darth so the rest of the bunch can escape safely to the ship and finish what they came their to do.
The Temptress- I don't believe this is a character, I think it is the force. After all the force is what keeps Luke fighting. Its what drove all the Jedi. Without the force there is no mission and there is nothing to fight for.
The Good Mother- It seems to me that the princess always has the best interest in mind. For instance when they were rescuing her she ended up taking charge and leading them to a safe place. She is always encouraging them and stands by them through all the struggles.
The Cycle of the Hero
Call to Adventure:
After Luke realizes what he must do to save the princess he goes to find Obi Wan. After they get past the sand people and find R2D2 again the real call to adventure comes. Obi tells Luke that he needs his help and he thinks Luke could become a great Jedi. Obi asks Luke to come with him to help save the princess. This is Lukes call to adventure that he accepts, which starts the cycle of the hero.
Threshold of Adventure:
Soon after Luke, Obi, R2D2 and C3PO begin their mission they have to find someone to fly their ship to Alderaan. Which is when they come across Han Solo and Chewbacca who after a conversation of payment agrees to take them to Alderaan in his ship. Now Luke has his helpers and can begin his mission to save the princess.
Tests: There are many tests in this story. Their first mission seems the hardest and that is to rescue the princess from her cell. When they get trapped and are forced to fight they end up in the garbage dump. However they sneak past all the gaurds and make it back to the ship. But when they leave the space station they are one short, because Obi was killed by Darth before he made it to safety.
Triumph: The triumph is when after all the other fighter ships have gone down and died Luke is able to save them all and destroy the space station. The most amazing part is he used only the force to help him decide when to shoot.
Threshold Struggle: They have accomplished their mission in reaching the space stations weak point. But Luke is very upset that R2D2 seems to be injured from the fight. However he is restored and back to good as new!
After Luke realizes what he must do to save the princess he goes to find Obi Wan. After they get past the sand people and find R2D2 again the real call to adventure comes. Obi tells Luke that he needs his help and he thinks Luke could become a great Jedi. Obi asks Luke to come with him to help save the princess. This is Lukes call to adventure that he accepts, which starts the cycle of the hero.
Threshold of Adventure:
Soon after Luke, Obi, R2D2 and C3PO begin their mission they have to find someone to fly their ship to Alderaan. Which is when they come across Han Solo and Chewbacca who after a conversation of payment agrees to take them to Alderaan in his ship. Now Luke has his helpers and can begin his mission to save the princess.
Tests: There are many tests in this story. Their first mission seems the hardest and that is to rescue the princess from her cell. When they get trapped and are forced to fight they end up in the garbage dump. However they sneak past all the gaurds and make it back to the ship. But when they leave the space station they are one short, because Obi was killed by Darth before he made it to safety.
Triumph: The triumph is when after all the other fighter ships have gone down and died Luke is able to save them all and destroy the space station. The most amazing part is he used only the force to help him decide when to shoot.
Threshold Struggle: They have accomplished their mission in reaching the space stations weak point. But Luke is very upset that R2D2 seems to be injured from the fight. However he is restored and back to good as new!
The Tragic Man
The Tragic Man: (Darth Vador)
1. A Belief in His Own Freedom- I think Darth Vador is usually conflicted with the choices he makes. However even though I don't think he makes the right choices I think he might be unconsiously making them for the right reasons. For instance he turned to the dark side when given the choice, but he did it to protect his wife, someone he loves. Then again he did gain from this choice in a selfish way, because he became more powerful than he had ever hoped to become.
2. A Supreme Pride- Darth Vador is very proud of the fact he is so powerful. It makes him feel like no one can come within 100 miles of him. Without this power he would feel weak and fragile. Which is why he hangs on so tightly to it. This is proven when he dies at the end, because he lost his power.
3. Capacity for Suffering- He had to make the choice to leave his family or gain all the power he ever wanted. He had to live with that guilt with no escape from it. Which is why I think he kept trying to contact Luke. It was a tie to his past that he made the choice to give up. It was almost like a window into the past of what he could have had, but will never have the change to experience.
4. A Sense of Commitment- He chose to be on the dark side, because he wanted the power and to save his wife. It was a split-second decison that dedicated him for life to one force. This is proven for when he saves his son from the dark side, he dies.
5. Vigorous Protest- This is represented when Darth is fighting against Luke. Not because he wants to but because it is what is expected of him. He has to fight against himself to fight is son. But he uses all of his anger to direct it at Luke hoping it will shadow the pain of risking his own sons life.
6. Transfiguration- This moment to me was when Darth asks to see Luke in his own eyes. So he doesn't always have to remember his son through the eyes of someone he never was and never really wanted to be. He realizes this and wants to end his life in his own eyes not in the eyes that someone else gave to him.
7. Impact- In a way even though Darth turned evil he could still be considered to be a hero. If you think about it, yes he went to the dark side, but he was willing to come back for his son. Granted he never got the chance to because he died but I fully believe that if he had lived he would have gone back to the good side.
1. A Belief in His Own Freedom- I think Darth Vador is usually conflicted with the choices he makes. However even though I don't think he makes the right choices I think he might be unconsiously making them for the right reasons. For instance he turned to the dark side when given the choice, but he did it to protect his wife, someone he loves. Then again he did gain from this choice in a selfish way, because he became more powerful than he had ever hoped to become.
2. A Supreme Pride- Darth Vador is very proud of the fact he is so powerful. It makes him feel like no one can come within 100 miles of him. Without this power he would feel weak and fragile. Which is why he hangs on so tightly to it. This is proven when he dies at the end, because he lost his power.
3. Capacity for Suffering- He had to make the choice to leave his family or gain all the power he ever wanted. He had to live with that guilt with no escape from it. Which is why I think he kept trying to contact Luke. It was a tie to his past that he made the choice to give up. It was almost like a window into the past of what he could have had, but will never have the change to experience.
4. A Sense of Commitment- He chose to be on the dark side, because he wanted the power and to save his wife. It was a split-second decison that dedicated him for life to one force. This is proven for when he saves his son from the dark side, he dies.
5. Vigorous Protest- This is represented when Darth is fighting against Luke. Not because he wants to but because it is what is expected of him. He has to fight against himself to fight is son. But he uses all of his anger to direct it at Luke hoping it will shadow the pain of risking his own sons life.
6. Transfiguration- This moment to me was when Darth asks to see Luke in his own eyes. So he doesn't always have to remember his son through the eyes of someone he never was and never really wanted to be. He realizes this and wants to end his life in his own eyes not in the eyes that someone else gave to him.
7. Impact- In a way even though Darth turned evil he could still be considered to be a hero. If you think about it, yes he went to the dark side, but he was willing to come back for his son. Granted he never got the chance to because he died but I fully believe that if he had lived he would have gone back to the good side.
Hero Qualities
I think there are many characteristics that a hero needs to have. They have to be very dedicated and persistant or else when they meet struggles or difficulties along they way they would give up. They also need to be very passionate about what they are fighting for, because if they don't feel strongly about their mission they won't take it seriously and will give up. Obviously they need to be leaders. No hero can accomplish what they are aiming for alone which is why they need helpers. They have to be able to lead these helpers and convince them to follow their orders. Last but not least they have to be brave because when it comes down to it every mission is going to take some courage. They will have to face something along the way that they don't want to or have been avoiding. In star wars there are a few minor themes but they all come from one main one. Which would be good vs. evil. It shows a good guy gone bad and then a following generation that was able to resist the temtation of evil to follow what he knew was right in his heart. In a way Darth Vador was following his heart too when he turned to the dark side. I think the only did this to protect his wife. If he didn't have a soft spot for family and love then he wouldn't have saved Luke from being killed.
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