The Odyssey
BOOK 6: THE PRINCESS AND THE STRANGER
"Man of misery, whose land have I lit on now?
What are they here - violent, savage, lawless?
or friendly to strangers, god-fearing men?"
This was spoken by Odysseus, about Nausicaa and her friends, as they are playing ball near the riverbank in which he sleeps. It's interesting to know that religion was, at the time, the number one basis of what would be considered civilized.
Then again, religion, in this story, was a shocking reality. Athena actually might help you if you prayed and sacrificed to her - Zeus actually would make sure you get home safe. In this case, the logical choice would have to be to face the facts and believe in these gods.
Religion, also, made a lot of sense. It really is good to be hospitable, because it helps carry out the golden rule in a much more beneficial way. Religion and respect for the gods is a must in the Odyssey.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Aristocracy is facial
The Odyssey
BOOK 4: THE KING AND QUEEN OF SPARTA
"... Once you've dined
we'll ask you who you are. But your parents' blood
is hardly lost in you. You must be born of kings,
bred by the gods to wield the royal scepter.
No mean men could sire songs like you."
This might suggest that Telemachus and Pisistratus are clean-looking, not unkempt like peasants might be. Then again, I took from this that the aristocracy in Greece at the time was facially apparent, be that a good or bad thing. It's interesting that "blood" can be recognized.
BOOK 4: THE KING AND QUEEN OF SPARTA
"... Once you've dined
we'll ask you who you are. But your parents' blood
is hardly lost in you. You must be born of kings,
bred by the gods to wield the royal scepter.
No mean men could sire songs like you."
This might suggest that Telemachus and Pisistratus are clean-looking, not unkempt like peasants might be. Then again, I took from this that the aristocracy in Greece at the time was facially apparent, be that a good or bad thing. It's interesting that "blood" can be recognized.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
A true hero
"Ah, great goddess," worldly Odysseus answered, "don't be angry with me.All that you say is true, how well I know,Look at my wise Penelope. She falls far short of you,your beauty, stature. She is mortal after alland you, you never age or die...Nevertheless I long-I pine all my days-to travel home and see the dawn of my return.And if a god will wreck me.........................
This quote shows what it really means to be a hero. You must sacrifice pleasure and resist temptation to achieve a higher ideal, even if it means immense suffering and sorrow on the part of the hero. This is what Odysseus does, more than any other man, her suffers, spending decades away from his wife and child, fighting constantly to see them again and being faced with barrier after countless barrier. Yet he still faces them with a steady courage, taking every opportunity he can to make it home, even when it means leaving a paradise with a gorgeous goddess willing to make him immortal with his only hopes resting in small boat that he had to build himself, and knowing full well that as soon as he was at sea, the gods would harass him further.Thursday, October 22, 2009
“I dream a painting, then I paint my dream”
- Vincent Van gogh
This quote represents desire. Anything is possible. If you can dream it you can do it is another quote that explains this one well. No matter how hard there dream is to paint don’t give up until it’s done. As long as you really want to achieve a goal it’s possible
- Vincent Van gogh
This quote represents desire. Anything is possible. If you can dream it you can do it is another quote that explains this one well. No matter how hard there dream is to paint don’t give up until it’s done. As long as you really want to achieve a goal it’s possible
Chasing a Dream
“You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream”
It doesn’t matter how old you are, you can achieve any goal you set your mind too. This quote tells you to never give up on something. If you work hard enough you can do anything you want. The harder you work the better the pay off will be. For example, if you work really hard in school this year it pays off in the long run. The harder you worked this year the better the school. Even when your older even retired if you have a dream you should always try and chase it because you never know what can happen. And if you fail so what, you get on with your life and try to succeed at another one of your dreams. Never give up it will pay off in the long run.
It doesn’t matter how old you are, you can achieve any goal you set your mind too. This quote tells you to never give up on something. If you work hard enough you can do anything you want. The harder you work the better the pay off will be. For example, if you work really hard in school this year it pays off in the long run. The harder you worked this year the better the school. Even when your older even retired if you have a dream you should always try and chase it because you never know what can happen. And if you fail so what, you get on with your life and try to succeed at another one of your dreams. Never give up it will pay off in the long run.
Making a Difference
“be the change you want to see in this world” by Mahatma Grandhi
This quote is used to inspire people and to really motivate people to make a difference in the world. Your not suppose to wait around and wait for someone to make a difference or help the world. You do it yourself to make are world a better place. If you have strong feeling about something you should always go with your heart. Never let anyone take what you want without a fight.
This quote is used to inspire people and to really motivate people to make a difference in the world. Your not suppose to wait around and wait for someone to make a difference or help the world. You do it yourself to make are world a better place. If you have strong feeling about something you should always go with your heart. Never let anyone take what you want without a fight.
HERO
"As you get older, it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary"
To me this quote is somewhat true. When you’re younger it's very important that you have heroes to look up too. In my opinion when you get older you become your hero because you have idolized them your whole life. a hero teaches you how to handle situations. It is necessary to always have a hero because they are usually older and wiser than you. They give you ideas on how to solve problems.
To me this quote is somewhat true. When you’re younger it's very important that you have heroes to look up too. In my opinion when you get older you become your hero because you have idolized them your whole life. a hero teaches you how to handle situations. It is necessary to always have a hero because they are usually older and wiser than you. They give you ideas on how to solve problems.
a change in order
"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."
-Prince Telemachus
Book 1 Athena Inspires the Prince
[348-78]
This point of the story, the prince is starting to take control of her mother's power as ruler. Without his father as king, Telemachus will take charge in his absent. Athena realised that her son is just like his father.
Book 1 Athena Inspires the Prince
[348-78]
This point of the story, the prince is starting to take control of her mother's power as ruler. Without his father as king, Telemachus will take charge in his absent. Athena realised that her son is just like his father.
Prince Telemachus
"He won't be gone long from the native land he loves not even if iron shackles bind your father down. He's plotting a way to journey home at last; he's never at a loss."
-Prince Telemachus
Book 1 Athena Inspires the Prince
[197-226]
Book 1 Athena Inspires the Prince
[197-226]
I admired this quote because it shows that his father never gives up and will somehow find a way back. Odysseus is believed to be dead, but his son doesn't believe so. Threatening the suitors that have come up to marry Athena, Telemachus's mother. This also starts up the rise of the prince into power, as he starting to become what his father had put upon his kingdom
Plato
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.”
-Plato
I really enjoyed this quote a fair amount cause it shows the difference between the ones persons say. Some people speak in order to form some sort of attention so others will notice them. This are people have no idea how to back up what they have to say or not even making sense. People who have an idea that possibly makes sense will speak and understand what the problem is. They speak because they have a assimilation of whats going on and they think about what the situation is, as opposed to someone who speaks without any knowledge whats so ever
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Importance of Mythology
"Myths are public dreams, dreams are private myths."
-Joseph Campbell, American prolific author
"We can keep from a child all knowledge of earlier myths, but we cannot take from him the need for mythology."
-Carl Gustav, Swiss Psychiatrist
-Joseph Campbell, American prolific author
"We can keep from a child all knowledge of earlier myths, but we cannot take from him the need for mythology."
-Carl Gustav, Swiss Psychiatrist
History
"History is written by the victors."
-Winston Churchill
The Ancient Greeks shaped the realities we currently live within. As one of the first civilizations, they were victorious in becoming pioneers of communication, philosophy, battle strategies, culture, art - including pottery and architecture among several others - and most famously known, their forms of government using democracy.
All of these things live on to this day. We use the English language which originated from Greek. We hear the words of their philosophers on a day-to-day basis and apply them to guide us through the obstacles of modern life. The ingenius ways they fought battles can be used in today's wars and their culture lives through the Olympics and mythical stories they told that can still teach us many of the same lessons. We can drive around our own communities and see the same methods of architecture - pillars, columns. And finally, their invention of democracy gives us the opportunity to live a free life without letting the government take away our ability to voice the way we think our society should be run. With the right to vote, we can't be led by tyrants and justice is allowed for all.
Each and every one of these contributions to our ways of life the Greeks have given us can be considered a victory on their behalves, therefore allowing them to be remembered for the rest of eternity.
-Winston Churchill
The Ancient Greeks shaped the realities we currently live within. As one of the first civilizations, they were victorious in becoming pioneers of communication, philosophy, battle strategies, culture, art - including pottery and architecture among several others - and most famously known, their forms of government using democracy.
All of these things live on to this day. We use the English language which originated from Greek. We hear the words of their philosophers on a day-to-day basis and apply them to guide us through the obstacles of modern life. The ingenius ways they fought battles can be used in today's wars and their culture lives through the Olympics and mythical stories they told that can still teach us many of the same lessons. We can drive around our own communities and see the same methods of architecture - pillars, columns. And finally, their invention of democracy gives us the opportunity to live a free life without letting the government take away our ability to voice the way we think our society should be run. With the right to vote, we can't be led by tyrants and justice is allowed for all.
Each and every one of these contributions to our ways of life the Greeks have given us can be considered a victory on their behalves, therefore allowing them to be remembered for the rest of eternity.
Chaos...
"Chaos in the midst of chaos isn't funny, but chaos in the midst of order is."
Steve Martin, Comedian
Steve Martin, Comedian
Odysseus Held Captive
"Atlas' daughter it is who holds Odysseus captive, luckless man - despite his tears, forever trying to spellbind his heart with suave, seductive words and wipe all thought of Ithaca from his mind. But he, straining for no more than a glimpse of hearth-smoke drifting up from his own land, Odysseus longs to die ..."
Athena,
Book 1, lines 65-71
The Odyssey
Athena,
Book 1, lines 65-71
The Odyssey
Do myths accomplish their purpose?
Myths do accomplish there purpose and much more . Myths teach people about there culture and way of life . Also it teaches everyone about why the world is like this and what people had to overcome in order for us to be here today. (example why we have lighting and thunder is because of Zeus.) This applies to everyone not just one culture and that's why I believe myths accomplish there purpose.( They didn't want to focus on only one culture but to all)
Developing Courage
“You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.”
-Epicurus
This is a great quote for relationships that are in some sort of trouble. The meaning of this helps us realize that you have to fight and maintain your relationship, and to defeat the adversity that may come. All relationships are very difficult to keep blissful, you have to attempt to work though the difficult times that may soon come sometime. All relationships have roadblocks in life, and by solving your way threw this roadblocks, courage will develop and will be easier to nurture that bond for the future to come.
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.
Key of Civilization
"The true civilization is where every man gives to every other every right that he claims for himself." Robert Ingersoll
This quote is like the key of The Civilization, that nobody seems to have understand yet. I think it is due to the fact that people always want to control others, so civilizations are never equals for anybody and can't last. Men always want a little more rights, or a little more freedom that their neigbours. They always want to control others rather than considering the peace of their own country or civilization.
This quote is like the key of The Civilization, that nobody seems to have understand yet. I think it is due to the fact that people always want to control others, so civilizations are never equals for anybody and can't last. Men always want a little more rights, or a little more freedom that their neigbours. They always want to control others rather than considering the peace of their own country or civilization.
Self Interest Vs. Common Good
"Not even the man who betrays his fatherland is more to be condemned than the man who deserts the common good for the sake of his personal good or security."
-Cicero (Classics in Translation; Volume II, Page168)
This type of statement-more so an emphasis on responsibility to others and the common good, than the state or country- is fairly prevalent in our society. It is expected that one put the needs of others before those of themselves. The problem is that this is unnatural for humans. We have been taught, forced, to look out for ourselves since the beginning of time. Darwinism is founded upon "survival of the fittest"; those who are best equipped to succeed will. Thus, it is not natural for us to sacrifice ourselves for the good of others; it takes courage to do so. I think most would agree that they would put the needs of their loved ones ahead of their own, if it was necessary. If an emergency situation came, I am certain many parents would put themselves in harm's way in front of their children. In everyday situations, many people follow their own agenda instead of adapting to those close to them, much less a random person. It is admirable, yet rare, when people such as firefighters truly sacrifice themselves for the good of strangers.
-Cicero (Classics in Translation; Volume II, Page168)
This type of statement-more so an emphasis on responsibility to others and the common good, than the state or country- is fairly prevalent in our society. It is expected that one put the needs of others before those of themselves. The problem is that this is unnatural for humans. We have been taught, forced, to look out for ourselves since the beginning of time. Darwinism is founded upon "survival of the fittest"; those who are best equipped to succeed will. Thus, it is not natural for us to sacrifice ourselves for the good of others; it takes courage to do so. I think most would agree that they would put the needs of their loved ones ahead of their own, if it was necessary. If an emergency situation came, I am certain many parents would put themselves in harm's way in front of their children. In everyday situations, many people follow their own agenda instead of adapting to those close to them, much less a random person. It is admirable, yet rare, when people such as firefighters truly sacrifice themselves for the good of strangers.
Irony of Life
"The supreme irony of life is that hardly anyone gets out of it alive." Robert Heinlein,
Are we slowly chipping away at civilization?
After reading the odysseys book one about how they are losing civilization at odyessus home it made me think. Are we as a society slowly chipping away at civilization i mean back then if you did a crime you would get sacrificed. But over the years we have been fighting these rules and actually winning forcing them to make the consequences less. Another example would be uniform years ago people would obey and not ask questions about why and how they must dress , but today at school people decide to choose against these rules and actually get away with it because its becoming a habit . If anyone in ancient Greece didn't fallow the rules they would probably be banished . That's why i believe we are chipping away at civilization.
The Value Of Myths
"For modern man, the Greek myths reflect the attitudes and priorities of the ancient cultures which produced them. Yet they are relevant today because many of these ancient social, ethical, and religious attitudes continue to be important." The Value of Myths
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
