Lanval & Joseph
The story of Lanval is similar to the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife in the main story line and personalities of the main characters. The main characters, Lanval and Joseph, are both strong, smart, and loyal young men away from their home land. They both become favorites of their bosses, Potiphar and King Arthur, and both are shunned by their bosses because of a lie told by their bosses wives. The wives lied about the young men seducing them sexually. The men refuse the ladies because it would have meant being disloyal to their bosses and ruining their integrity. Lanval had an inner sense of right and wrong according to the Medieval code of chivalry and honor that went along with his being in King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table. Joseph had his inner sense of right and wrong from his belief in God knowledge of the Judaic laws. However, their stories differ at the end when Lanval goes to Avalon, a place away from the scandal in England, with a mysterious, beautiful woman who saves him from the consequences of the queen's lie. Joseph takes his punishment by getting thrown in prison and gets out on his faith in God.
Salvation
This work is not a feminist piece because of the portrayal of all of the women in the story. The queen, Lanval's secret lover and betrayer, is portrayed as manipulative, aware of her own beauty, and dependent on the King for her daily living. This goes against the views of a feminist, which are that women are self-sufficient, strong, and equal to a man. Women also survive by their intelligence, not just their looks. Lanval having to be saved from a woman does put that woman in a position of power but also portrays her as the "enemy."
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
9/22 Hesiod’s Theogony (#4a)
Myths
The myths teach the Greeks about the superiority and human-like character of the gods. The gods, like humans, wanted power and fought for position among each other before Zeus established his rule. The gods used humans for their pleasure and demanded that they conform to their will or face the consequences. The gods were superior not only power but in intelligence and physical might. The gods followed their own rules and had "morals" only when it suited their purpose.
Greek Values
Zeus followed the example of a Greek hero in his victories and fatal flaw. Zeus was able to gain control of the family of gods and establishes a basically stable rule using his intelligence and great physical strength. He also forestalls the birth of a son who is to overthrow him. He puts in many of the virtues and standards of life to bring balance into the human life, However, Zeus shamelessly uses both gods and humans in order to obtain his goals.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
9/17 The Republic Bog #3b
The Divided Line & the Sun
The world of the sun represents the good and the path to right. There is line between the tangible objects and intangible thoughts and ideas. The sun, or light, helps to bring to light the highest form of truth and the best man can be.
Allegory of the Cave
The allegory of the cave illustrates a man who first lives in ignorance and sin, and then comes to the light and can see what is the right thing to do and how things actually fit together. However, he goes back to ignorance and the dark because it is what he knows. In the cave, it is dark and the man must learn to know things by how they are defined by the shadows around it. The man is a sort of prisoner to the cave and to the wood, stone, and people in it. What the man perceives to be truth is nothing "more than the shadows of the manufactured objects" (822). This corresponds to someone living according to false truths; he knows only what his environment allows him to know and understand. When the man comes out into the light, he can see the objects as they relate to light and it is hard to understand for him since he is used to seeing shadows. The sun would blind him, as the truth would hurt to someone who had lived all his life according to the opposite truth. He would have to give up his beliefs and way of life to understand fully the actual truth. Socrates draw the conclusion that living in a a manufactured life is not worth living when confronted with know a deeper, more abstract truth, although it is easier to live that manufactured life. This shown when the man chooses to return to the cave and shadows since it is what he knows best.
The world of the sun represents the good and the path to right. There is line between the tangible objects and intangible thoughts and ideas. The sun, or light, helps to bring to light the highest form of truth and the best man can be.
Allegory of the Cave
The allegory of the cave illustrates a man who first lives in ignorance and sin, and then comes to the light and can see what is the right thing to do and how things actually fit together. However, he goes back to ignorance and the dark because it is what he knows. In the cave, it is dark and the man must learn to know things by how they are defined by the shadows around it. The man is a sort of prisoner to the cave and to the wood, stone, and people in it. What the man perceives to be truth is nothing "more than the shadows of the manufactured objects" (822). This corresponds to someone living according to false truths; he knows only what his environment allows him to know and understand. When the man comes out into the light, he can see the objects as they relate to light and it is hard to understand for him since he is used to seeing shadows. The sun would blind him, as the truth would hurt to someone who had lived all his life according to the opposite truth. He would have to give up his beliefs and way of life to understand fully the actual truth. Socrates draw the conclusion that living in a a manufactured life is not worth living when confronted with know a deeper, more abstract truth, although it is easier to live that manufactured life. This shown when the man chooses to return to the cave and shadows since it is what he knows best.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
9/15 Lysistrata #3a
Stereotypes
This play confronts some of the stereotypes of women and their roles in Greek society. Women are accused of being manipulative, crafty, and prone to emotional outbursts. These are some of the mains reasons why women did not participate in politics. Women contradict the stereotypes of housekeeping, doing crafty things, and being addicted to wine and sex. These stereotypes enrage the women in the play and provoke them to anger. They decide to take over the Acropolis and starve the men into submission to show them that they can be just as successful at politics and war as men.
A Women in Power
Lysistrata takes on the more masculine characteristics of aggression, politicing, and giving orders.
This play confronts some of the stereotypes of women and their roles in Greek society. Women are accused of being manipulative, crafty, and prone to emotional outbursts. These are some of the mains reasons why women did not participate in politics. Women contradict the stereotypes of housekeeping, doing crafty things, and being addicted to wine and sex. These stereotypes enrage the women in the play and provoke them to anger. They decide to take over the Acropolis and starve the men into submission to show them that they can be just as successful at politics and war as men.
A Women in Power
Lysistrata takes on the more masculine characteristics of aggression, politicing, and giving orders.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
9/8 Antigone #2a
Moral Conflict
I agree with Hegel that Antigone represents the collision of right against right because both sides have an equally justifiable position for the situation. Antigone was right in standing by both of her brothers and honoring Polynices' body. In Greek culture, people honored the gods by honoring the bodies of the dead with a proper burial. The gods of the underworld demanded equality for all the dead. Antigone followed her beliefs first in her conversation with Ismene, her sister. Antigone chastises Ismene for not wanting to help her retrieve Polynices' body and for being afraid of the king's wrath. When Ismene decides to help Antigone, Antigone declines her help because she saw her as half-hearted. Antigone, after burying her brother's body, then defends her beliefs to Creon, the king, who then threw in jail for her disobedience. Creon could also be seen as justified in his actions. Creon saw Polynices as a traitor since he had used foreign troops to fight his brother Eteocles for sole rule over Thebes. As a traitor, Creon would not allow Polynices to be buried and left his body out as an example. Creon believed that the gods of war and the gods that protected the city would not want a traitor to be buried. Creon was also looking out for the overall welfare of the city and had to keep a strong front against the enemies of Thebes. His loyalty to the state was above any friend or family ties. Sophocles sides with Antigone in the end. Tiresias, the blind prophet, tells Creon the gods were on the side of Antigone and that Creon was in the wrong. Creon repents, has Polynices proerly buried, and orders Antigone freed. However, she, Creon's wife, and Creon's son all commit suicide, punishing Creon for his pride.
To Regret or Not to Regret
Creon insists that Antigone be put to death because of the attitude towards women and his position of authority. In Greek society, women were to be obedient to men and take to servant role in the household. Women were seen as inferior to men could not make any major decision on their own. Creon, being the king, had the right for everyone to follow his order. Anyone who did not could have been put to death for the welfare of the state. Creon's punishment for his decisions humbled him and made him aware to the necessity for grace. Antigone does not regret her decision because she has a strong belief in her gods that she has done the right thing.
I agree with Hegel that Antigone represents the collision of right against right because both sides have an equally justifiable position for the situation. Antigone was right in standing by both of her brothers and honoring Polynices' body. In Greek culture, people honored the gods by honoring the bodies of the dead with a proper burial. The gods of the underworld demanded equality for all the dead. Antigone followed her beliefs first in her conversation with Ismene, her sister. Antigone chastises Ismene for not wanting to help her retrieve Polynices' body and for being afraid of the king's wrath. When Ismene decides to help Antigone, Antigone declines her help because she saw her as half-hearted. Antigone, after burying her brother's body, then defends her beliefs to Creon, the king, who then threw in jail for her disobedience. Creon could also be seen as justified in his actions. Creon saw Polynices as a traitor since he had used foreign troops to fight his brother Eteocles for sole rule over Thebes. As a traitor, Creon would not allow Polynices to be buried and left his body out as an example. Creon believed that the gods of war and the gods that protected the city would not want a traitor to be buried. Creon was also looking out for the overall welfare of the city and had to keep a strong front against the enemies of Thebes. His loyalty to the state was above any friend or family ties. Sophocles sides with Antigone in the end. Tiresias, the blind prophet, tells Creon the gods were on the side of Antigone and that Creon was in the wrong. Creon repents, has Polynices proerly buried, and orders Antigone freed. However, she, Creon's wife, and Creon's son all commit suicide, punishing Creon for his pride.
To Regret or Not to Regret
Creon insists that Antigone be put to death because of the attitude towards women and his position of authority. In Greek society, women were to be obedient to men and take to servant role in the household. Women were seen as inferior to men could not make any major decision on their own. Creon, being the king, had the right for everyone to follow his order. Anyone who did not could have been put to death for the welfare of the state. Creon's punishment for his decisions humbled him and made him aware to the necessity for grace. Antigone does not regret her decision because she has a strong belief in her gods that she has done the right thing.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
9/3 Iliad #1b
Greek Gods
The gods play the roles of dictators over the humans. Humans in the Iliad overall showed honorable characteristics. Hector, one of the main characters, was painted as a hero. He fought bravely, unselfishly, and with all his might against Achilles, a god, and come close to defeating him. Hector fought for the honor of Troy and his family. Upon his death, Hector's father begged first with Achilles, then Zeus for his body to honor his son for his sacrifice. Achilles, however, took pride in and overly celebrated his kill of Hector by stabbing his body many times with a spear. Also, Achilles refused to give back his body to Hector's family until Zeus stepped in. Zeus demanded a bounty be paid to appease the pride of Achilles, Apollos, and the majority of the gods. The gods showed that they were to be obeyed and that their desires were based on greed, pride, and personal satisfaction. In most decisions, the gods were at odds with each other and Zeus had to settle many of arguments, as he did with Hector.
Achilles
At the beginning of this story, Achilles was portrayed as strong, prideful, and not merciful in order to win the fight with Hector. After Hector is killed, Achilles revels in his victory and his pride turns to arrogance as he desecrates Hector's body. Achilles is unwilling to change his mind when Hector's father and several other gods ask him to return Hector's body. He finally relents when Zeus asks him to in return for a large gift from Hector's father. He still threatens Hector's father with not returning the body should he upset him. Achilles is most defined by his arrogance, which only gives way when a greater power, such as Zeus or Apollo, demands him to.
The gods play the roles of dictators over the humans. Humans in the Iliad overall showed honorable characteristics. Hector, one of the main characters, was painted as a hero. He fought bravely, unselfishly, and with all his might against Achilles, a god, and come close to defeating him. Hector fought for the honor of Troy and his family. Upon his death, Hector's father begged first with Achilles, then Zeus for his body to honor his son for his sacrifice. Achilles, however, took pride in and overly celebrated his kill of Hector by stabbing his body many times with a spear. Also, Achilles refused to give back his body to Hector's family until Zeus stepped in. Zeus demanded a bounty be paid to appease the pride of Achilles, Apollos, and the majority of the gods. The gods showed that they were to be obeyed and that their desires were based on greed, pride, and personal satisfaction. In most decisions, the gods were at odds with each other and Zeus had to settle many of arguments, as he did with Hector.
Achilles
At the beginning of this story, Achilles was portrayed as strong, prideful, and not merciful in order to win the fight with Hector. After Hector is killed, Achilles revels in his victory and his pride turns to arrogance as he desecrates Hector's body. Achilles is unwilling to change his mind when Hector's father and several other gods ask him to return Hector's body. He finally relents when Zeus asks him to in return for a large gift from Hector's father. He still threatens Hector's father with not returning the body should he upset him. Achilles is most defined by his arrogance, which only gives way when a greater power, such as Zeus or Apollo, demands him to.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
9/1 Oedipus Blog #1
Greek Values
Oedipus reveals several Greek beliefs, mainly ones that center around the character of the gods and the glory and shame of man. The Greeks believed that the gods were all powerful and had to be obeyed or they, the humans would suffer the consequences. The gods were known to play tricks on humans or unleash their anger for any sort of reason. In the beginning of the play, the people of Thebes are desperate to appease the god Apollo and rid the city of the plague it had fell under. After Oedipus discovers that he really did kill the previous king, his father, he exiles himself according to his own decree so that Apollo would be satisfied. The Greeks also believed in fate as designed by the gods and prophecies. Just as Oedipus was prophesied to kill his father and marry his mother, so he did, even though he tried to run away to prevent that fate. The Greeks view of humans, and heroes in particular, was that they were usually self-righteous, arrogant and prideful often to their own demise. Oedipus believed that he had beaten the prophesy by moving away from where he had been brought up and did not think twice about who he killed or who he married once in Thebes.
Heroism
Oedipus can be seen as a hero according to Greek standards. Oedipus was born of the king of Thebes and given to the king of a nearby kingdom. He performed the extraordinary feats of killing the monster of Thebes and ridding the city of the plague. The way he rid the city of the plague also makes him a hero as he inflicted exile upon himself, showing a nobleness in his character. All of his actions were noble except one, which was brought on by his pride. He had assured himself that he had beaten the prophesy and was thus blind that he had killed his father, the former king of Thebes, and married his mother, the queen of Thebes. Oedipus can be seen as the epitome of Greek heroes as he has all of the qualifications, most importantly, his fatal flaw.
Oedipus reveals several Greek beliefs, mainly ones that center around the character of the gods and the glory and shame of man. The Greeks believed that the gods were all powerful and had to be obeyed or they, the humans would suffer the consequences. The gods were known to play tricks on humans or unleash their anger for any sort of reason. In the beginning of the play, the people of Thebes are desperate to appease the god Apollo and rid the city of the plague it had fell under. After Oedipus discovers that he really did kill the previous king, his father, he exiles himself according to his own decree so that Apollo would be satisfied. The Greeks also believed in fate as designed by the gods and prophecies. Just as Oedipus was prophesied to kill his father and marry his mother, so he did, even though he tried to run away to prevent that fate. The Greeks view of humans, and heroes in particular, was that they were usually self-righteous, arrogant and prideful often to their own demise. Oedipus believed that he had beaten the prophesy by moving away from where he had been brought up and did not think twice about who he killed or who he married once in Thebes.
Heroism
Oedipus can be seen as a hero according to Greek standards. Oedipus was born of the king of Thebes and given to the king of a nearby kingdom. He performed the extraordinary feats of killing the monster of Thebes and ridding the city of the plague. The way he rid the city of the plague also makes him a hero as he inflicted exile upon himself, showing a nobleness in his character. All of his actions were noble except one, which was brought on by his pride. He had assured himself that he had beaten the prophesy and was thus blind that he had killed his father, the former king of Thebes, and married his mother, the queen of Thebes. Oedipus can be seen as the epitome of Greek heroes as he has all of the qualifications, most importantly, his fatal flaw.
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