Thursday, December 15, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Jocasta's Diary
Dear Diary,
These past few days have been quite troubling. I walked in on Oedipus and Creon fighting, so I got in the middle of this public outburst by saying, "Aren't you ashamed, with the land so sick, to stir up private quarrels?" (711-712). Thebes is in such a disordered and chaotic state that I felt it necessary to remind those men, both my husband and brother, of their duty to remain composed for the public, for the people were worried enough and needed to see unwavering composure from their respected leaders. I truly did not want to see the fight between Oedipus and Creon continue, so I pleaded with my husband, "Oh god, believe it, Oedipus, honor the solemn oath he swears to heaven. Do it for me, for the sake of all your people," (722-724). I could not bare to see the growing tension between two men whom I love dearly.
I am afraid that my faith in prophecy is surely subsiding. My deceased husband, Laius, was supposed to be killed by my son, but he was killed by others before my son could even try. I even said to Oedipus, to convince him that prophecy is not always relevant or true, "So much for prophecy. It's neither here nor there. From this day on, I wouldn't look right or left," (948-949). Hopefully my husband won't dwell too much on the "accurate" prophecy that Tiresias told him, for these "prophecies" don't always come true.
I guess it all comes down to this: I am worried. I am worried that Thebes will not return to a prosperous state. I am worried that Oedipus and Creon will not reconcile and move on from this, in the interest of Thebes. But most of all, I am worried for Oedipus. He is taking all of this chaos to heart and blaming so much on himself. I worry he will drive himself crazy with guilt until he finds out who killed Laius. My husband, Oedipus, the love of my life, is my biggest concern.
Thank you for listening Diary. I will check in again very soon.
These past few days have been quite troubling. I walked in on Oedipus and Creon fighting, so I got in the middle of this public outburst by saying, "Aren't you ashamed, with the land so sick, to stir up private quarrels?" (711-712). Thebes is in such a disordered and chaotic state that I felt it necessary to remind those men, both my husband and brother, of their duty to remain composed for the public, for the people were worried enough and needed to see unwavering composure from their respected leaders. I truly did not want to see the fight between Oedipus and Creon continue, so I pleaded with my husband, "Oh god, believe it, Oedipus, honor the solemn oath he swears to heaven. Do it for me, for the sake of all your people," (722-724). I could not bare to see the growing tension between two men whom I love dearly.
I am afraid that my faith in prophecy is surely subsiding. My deceased husband, Laius, was supposed to be killed by my son, but he was killed by others before my son could even try. I even said to Oedipus, to convince him that prophecy is not always relevant or true, "So much for prophecy. It's neither here nor there. From this day on, I wouldn't look right or left," (948-949). Hopefully my husband won't dwell too much on the "accurate" prophecy that Tiresias told him, for these "prophecies" don't always come true.
I guess it all comes down to this: I am worried. I am worried that Thebes will not return to a prosperous state. I am worried that Oedipus and Creon will not reconcile and move on from this, in the interest of Thebes. But most of all, I am worried for Oedipus. He is taking all of this chaos to heart and blaming so much on himself. I worry he will drive himself crazy with guilt until he finds out who killed Laius. My husband, Oedipus, the love of my life, is my biggest concern.
Thank you for listening Diary. I will check in again very soon.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Those Afraid Of Being Themselves
Level 8: Fraud
Leaving the dwelling of those who were violent, a
I was worried to see what was next, b
Down another level, Virgil and I descend, cWhat was next, I didn't have a clue. d
Now we’re at the home of those who pretend. c
Never speaking up, never being true, d
These people have died, e
And their minds, no one really knew. d
Virgil said they could have been great, if they only tried, e
Instead of giving up so easily, f
Now along with them their thoughts have died. e
They never let people in, to see who they were.
Of clones and copies no one standing out,
They could have been unique,
There was no doubt.
The fear kept them hidden and confined,
To the likes and ideas of others,
Afraid to take a stand and show their own mind.
Now their minds are blank with a recurring thought,
That of guilt and regret,
Fought for preserving and embracing,
Their individuality was so precious,
But they spent their lives basing,
Basing their opinions and what they say,
On how others would think,
And if it would be okay,
To let people see what they really felt,
But it is too late for that,
The cards have been dealt.
Eternally they will sit in an empty space,
Filled with regret
For their lives were a waste.
The sin described in the canto above discusses those who pretend to be someone they are not, just to fit in with the expectations of society. These people were put in level 8 of Hell because like the others in that level, they were frauds and pretenders. They were not true to themselves, and for that they are punished. Taking their individual thoughts and opinions for granted, the people in this level were not honest to themselves. Too often in society, people are afraid to speak up, stand out, or disagree with others' opinions; that is one of the worst things one can do, for everyone is unique and has something to offer this world. Wasting that gift and that opportunity is a sin that those who committed it needed to be punished for. Their punishment was that all their gifts, talents, and opinions were erased from their minds and all that was left was a feeling of regret and guilt, regret for not taking the opportunity to show the world who they were and guilt for wasting their lives. Their punishment shows that they were no longer worthy of those individual thoughts and for that their minds are emptied.
Leaving the dwelling of those who were violent, a
I was worried to see what was next, b
More people whose lives came to an end. c
Down another level, Virgil and I descend, c
Now we’re at the home of those who pretend. c
Never speaking up, never being true, d
These people have died, e
And their minds, no one really knew. d
Virgil said they could have been great, if they only tried, e
Instead of giving up so easily, f
Now along with them their thoughts have died. e
They never let people in, to see who they were.
They conformed to society,
All of which was a blur.Of clones and copies no one standing out,
They could have been unique,
There was no doubt.
The fear kept them hidden and confined,
To the likes and ideas of others,
Afraid to take a stand and show their own mind.
Now their minds are blank with a recurring thought,
That of guilt and regret,
For the lives they should have fought.
Fought for preserving and embracing,
Their individuality was so precious,
But they spent their lives basing,
Basing their opinions and what they say,
On how others would think,
And if it would be okay,
To let people see what they really felt,
But it is too late for that,
The cards have been dealt.
Eternally they will sit in an empty space,
Filled with regret
For their lives were a waste.
The sin described in the canto above discusses those who pretend to be someone they are not, just to fit in with the expectations of society. These people were put in level 8 of Hell because like the others in that level, they were frauds and pretenders. They were not true to themselves, and for that they are punished. Taking their individual thoughts and opinions for granted, the people in this level were not honest to themselves. Too often in society, people are afraid to speak up, stand out, or disagree with others' opinions; that is one of the worst things one can do, for everyone is unique and has something to offer this world. Wasting that gift and that opportunity is a sin that those who committed it needed to be punished for. Their punishment was that all their gifts, talents, and opinions were erased from their minds and all that was left was a feeling of regret and guilt, regret for not taking the opportunity to show the world who they were and guilt for wasting their lives. Their punishment shows that they were no longer worthy of those individual thoughts and for that their minds are emptied.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Interview with Aeneas
Time Magazine had the pleasure to sit down with Aeneas and conduct an interview discussing everything from the gods to the role of fate in his life:
Q: Aeneas, how would you describe the influence the gods have in your life?
A: Although the gods do not control fate, they still play a major role in my life. For example, it was fate for me to go off and establish Rome. When I ignored Hector's warning about the Greek invasion and decided to fight them, my life was spared while most of my men died. This was a result of the gods protecting me so that my fate could be carried out and I could establish Rome. If it weren't for the gods, I would be dead right now.
Q: Did any of the gods play a role in the downfall of Troy?
A: Yes, throughout many events in this war, Minerva seemed to play an important role in the downfall of Troy. Minerva was the goddess that encouraged us to bring the horse into the gates of Troy. This was a trick, for there were Greek men hidden in this horse ready to attack and invade us.
Q: I understand your mother, Venus, is a god. Has she ever intervened in your life and encouraged you to do something that you wouldn't have done if it wasn't for her?
A: Yes, my mother actually intervened at the perfect time in my life, for she discouraged me from doing something dishonorable that I would later regret. After Priam's death, I was furious. I took out my anger on Helen, whom I felt was the cause of all this death. I was so close to killing her when my mother came down and talked me out of it.
Q: Did any of the gods maliciously contribute to the death of any Trojans you know of?
A: Sadly, yes. Minerva, once again making it clear she was against the Trojans, sent snakes to kill Lacoon and his sons.
Q: How do you know Minerva sent the snakes and they weren't just normal snakes?
A: The way in which the snakes went directly for Lacoon and his sons shows they had a mission and a certain victim to kill. The snakes had burning, red eyes and they coiled their bodies around the men, strangling them and filled them with venom.
Q: Overall, how did you feel about the Minerva's intervention in your life? Venus'?
A: Minerva's intervention in my life was not appreciated at all. She caused more hurt and pain in my life than needed. She tricked my men and I into allowing the horse to come into our city and viciously went out of her way to send supernatural snakes to kill Lacoon and his sons. There was no reason for her intervention, for if it was Troy's fate to fall, it would have happened, with or without her interventions. On the other hand, gods who were on the Trojans side, like my mother, Venus, truly intervened for the best in my life. I am grateful for my mother's intervention and all the other gods that tried to make sure Troy truly fell honorably.
Q: Well that concludes our interview. Is there anything else you'd like to say?
A: I'd like to take this time to honor all those who died throughout this war. Priam, Lacoon and his sons, Hector, and many other brave men all lost their lives trying to defend Troy and change its fate. Fate is inevitable, and it is imperative that everyone remembers that and honors its influence in our lives.
Please Check Previously Revised Post
Q: Aeneas, how would you describe the influence the gods have in your life?
A: Although the gods do not control fate, they still play a major role in my life. For example, it was fate for me to go off and establish Rome. When I ignored Hector's warning about the Greek invasion and decided to fight them, my life was spared while most of my men died. This was a result of the gods protecting me so that my fate could be carried out and I could establish Rome. If it weren't for the gods, I would be dead right now.
Q: Did any of the gods play a role in the downfall of Troy?
A: Yes, throughout many events in this war, Minerva seemed to play an important role in the downfall of Troy. Minerva was the goddess that encouraged us to bring the horse into the gates of Troy. This was a trick, for there were Greek men hidden in this horse ready to attack and invade us.
Q: I understand your mother, Venus, is a god. Has she ever intervened in your life and encouraged you to do something that you wouldn't have done if it wasn't for her?
A: Yes, my mother actually intervened at the perfect time in my life, for she discouraged me from doing something dishonorable that I would later regret. After Priam's death, I was furious. I took out my anger on Helen, whom I felt was the cause of all this death. I was so close to killing her when my mother came down and talked me out of it.
Q: Did any of the gods maliciously contribute to the death of any Trojans you know of?
A: Sadly, yes. Minerva, once again making it clear she was against the Trojans, sent snakes to kill Lacoon and his sons.
Q: How do you know Minerva sent the snakes and they weren't just normal snakes?
A: The way in which the snakes went directly for Lacoon and his sons shows they had a mission and a certain victim to kill. The snakes had burning, red eyes and they coiled their bodies around the men, strangling them and filled them with venom.
Q: Overall, how did you feel about the Minerva's intervention in your life? Venus'?
A: Minerva's intervention in my life was not appreciated at all. She caused more hurt and pain in my life than needed. She tricked my men and I into allowing the horse to come into our city and viciously went out of her way to send supernatural snakes to kill Lacoon and his sons. There was no reason for her intervention, for if it was Troy's fate to fall, it would have happened, with or without her interventions. On the other hand, gods who were on the Trojans side, like my mother, Venus, truly intervened for the best in my life. I am grateful for my mother's intervention and all the other gods that tried to make sure Troy truly fell honorably.
Q: Well that concludes our interview. Is there anything else you'd like to say?
A: I'd like to take this time to honor all those who died throughout this war. Priam, Lacoon and his sons, Hector, and many other brave men all lost their lives trying to defend Troy and change its fate. Fate is inevitable, and it is imperative that everyone remembers that and honors its influence in our lives.
Please Check Previously Revised Post
Thursday, November 10, 2011
POV Helen and Cassandra
Helen Feels Guilt
Is this all my fault?
The tears upon his return
My beauty, the cause.
Inevitable Disbelief
No matter what I do I'm not believed. I saw this tragedy coming, but I couldn't prevent it. I'm cursed, for now he is dead.
Point of View (POV): the vantage point/stance from which a story is told; the eye or mind from which the action is perceived and filtered.
Is this all my fault?
The tears upon his return
My beauty, the cause.
Inevitable Disbelief
No matter what I do I'm not believed. I saw this tragedy coming, but I couldn't prevent it. I'm cursed, for now he is dead.
Point of View (POV): the vantage point/stance from which a story is told; the eye or mind from which the action is perceived and filtered.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
I Am Hector
Hector
Lone Defense of Troy (Hector Returns to Troy Line 17)
Relative of Andromache (Lines 5-6)
Resident of Troy
Who loves his son, Scamandrius
Who fears hearing his wife's cries as she is brought into slavery
Who needs to fight with his men and die without shame of being a coward
Who wishes the gods bless his son and make him a better man than his father (Lines 107-111)
Who admires the courage of a warrior
Lone Defense of Troy (Hector Returns to Troy Line 17)
Relative of Andromache (Lines 5-6)
Resident of Troy
Who loves his son, Scamandrius
Who fears hearing his wife's cries as she is brought into slavery
Who needs to fight with his men and die without shame of being a coward
Who wishes the gods bless his son and make him a better man than his father (Lines 107-111)
Who admires the courage of a warrior
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