Hate the Sin & Not the Sinner

"Hate the sin and not the sinner is a precept which through easy enough to understand is rarely practiced, and that is why the poison of hatred spreads in the world."

Mohandas K. Gandhi

Ben Harper: Fight for your Mind

"My choice is what I choose to do, and if I'm causing no hard it shouldn't bother you. Your choice is who you choose to be, and if you're causing no harm then you're alright with me. If you don't like my fire then don't come around. 'Cause I'm gonna burn on down."
- Ben Harper, Burn one Down (Fight for your mind)

Ophelia, Act 4

"Let in the maid, that out a maid. Never departed more." (Ophelia, Act 4, Scene 5 p.101 line 56-57)

Poor Ophelia is always being used. She is used to spy on her boyfriend, Hamlet, by her father. And in used as a lover by Hamlet. She is let into his heart as a virgin and they very well know that they cannot marry because she isn't of royalty. And then she is let out of Hamlet's room not being a virgin. She is used by her father and lover.
Poor Ophelia! :(

The Kingdom of the Dead

“But you, Achilles,there’s not a man in the world more blest than you— there never has been, never will be one.Time was, when you were alive, we Argiveshonored you as a god, and now down here, I see,you lord it over the dead in all your power.So grieve no more at dying, great Achilles.”I reassured the ghost, but he broke out, protesting,“No winning words about death to me, shining Odysseus!By God, I’d rather slave on earth for another man—some dirt-poor tenant farmer who scrapes to keep alive—than rule down here over all the breathless dead.”
- (Book 11, 547-558)
Achilles and Odysseus argue because Odysseus is envious of the strength that Achilles won by and although he is now dead he was strong and did something great. However, Achilles is jealous that Odysseus is still alive and breathing

Dr. Seuss

"Always say what's on your mind. 'Cause those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." Dr. Seuss

This is quoted from Dr. Seuss, a kind of kooky writer, who displays examples of this quote throughout his works. Dr. Seuss shows this is his different children's books, that the only people who matter are the people who care enough to read his works.

I think that this quote is striking because I agree with it. The only people who should care about what you say are the people that really of are importance in your life, and those people who care about you don't mind if you say exactly how you are feeling. Yet those people who put down your thoughts or simply do not care, thus they do not matter and are a complete waste of valuable time!

"Only the insecure strive for security."

"Only the insecure strive for security."

This quote says a lot to me and defines several people in my life. Those who are unhappy with themselves or who are just insecure, constantly find themselves trying to be secure with different people who really could care less about them. It shows when people try too hard! This is why I truly believe that you must be happy and confident with yourself before you can be happy with anybody else!

Bright Eyed Athena

Throughout the Odyssey, Athena, the daughter of Zeus and Metis, is often referred to as "bright eyed". This is because she is known to have had bright silvery coloured eyes. It's said that the city of Athens was owned by Posiedon however he was ruling it poorly and Athena, being the warrior that she was decided to take over Athens. She planted the first domesticated olive tree, which is known to always symbolize Athena and her bright eyes, for when the olive leaves blow the under side of them is a bright silvery colour, just like Athena's eyes. Posiedon challenged Athena to a mortal combat, and Athena would have really hurt Posiedon, after all, fighting is her specialty! So the Gods all voted instead, the males all voted for Posiedon, and the females voted for Athena, however Zues refused to vote, causing Athan to win. She named Athens after her and that is where the first domesticated olive tree originated.

Athena Inspires the Prince: Telemachus wears the pants with his Mother

"So mother, go back to your quarters. Tend to your own tasks, the distaff and the loom, and keep the women working hard as well. As for giving orders, men will see to that, but I most of all: I hold the reins of power in this house" Telemachus, line 410, page 89.
At this point, Telemachus has already met with Athena and she has inspired him to take on an Odyssey of his own. After meeting with Athena aka. Mentes, he feels more powerful, for example, when he says this to his mother he is taking the reins of the household. Telemachus is making this clear to his mother that things are going to change now, that she best go to her room while he gets the suitors out of their home and he takes control of the house.

Hospitality in Greek Society

In Greek culture hospitality is not only important because Zeus is the God of hospitality and will literally kill you if you disappoint him, or sleep with your spouse. Also, because as we know from reading myths in which Zeus disguises himself to look like a swan and mortal man, that disguises are very common with the Gods. Since the Greeks are fully aware of this then they are very cautious and welcoming because they never know if the stranger knocking at their door could be a God in disguise. And for example, Telemachus, of the Odyssey was most definitely making the right move when he was so welcoming to Athena in the disguise of Mentes.

A Lesson from Vanity: Narcissus

Will Narcissus ever learn to stop being vain from his punishment or was his punishment too much of an exile so that he will never learn?

In a way I feel that Narcissus was deserving of death as his punishment for vanity because he wasted his whole life loving only himself and never doing anyhting to appreciate or help things more important to him. Narcissus is now in the Underworld and never will find true love in something or someone other than himself. It was a punishment well- suited for him, he could never reach love becaus ehe was too focused on himself.