How can a man who doesn't know the full extent of his life reflect and look back to examine his life? The Greeks believed that one could recieve answers from an oracle, a mystic, or a priest to ask questions of the gods, who, surely for a king would give answers.
The prophecy of Oedipus stated that Oedipus would grow up, kill his father, king of Thebes, then marry his mother and become king himself. His parents send him away as a baby to be killed in the fields, but he is spared by the shepard. Oedipus grows up not knowing he is the Prince of Thebes, travels to Thebes, and kills his father when he refuses to move out of the way of his son when the cross eachother on a thin road. Oedipus reaches Thebes, where he unknowingly fulfills the prophecy by marrying his mother.
After hearing of the prophecy, he puts out his own eyes. But, before that, where did Oedipus look back and assess how he had gotten there? Nothing in his life would have indicated that he would commit such an act. Was it the oracle who revealed the prophecy? Was it Oedipus' own action? How could a man decide that his eyes should be put out for his pre-determined path?
I could then ask, "Can a man control his own destiny? Or is fate and predestination the true 'deciding' factor in life?" but i will save that for another blog
Friday, January 21, 2011
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Odysseus Wrecks
Why is it that when a figure of elevated status (Odysseus in Homer's The Odyssey) can always manage to escape mass amounts of guilt and carnage because they are Heroes?
For example, a very modern model is Lindsey Lohan. (any more need be said?) She was released from prison days after being sent there... Because she is a star. In a more literary context, the Greek hero Odysseus returns from the epic Trojan Waronly to find his home overrun with unwelcome guests; suitors competing for his wife's hand. In Greek society at the time, a value known as Xenios was critical to society. Xenios was the fair and elevated treatment of guests in a person's presence or home. (Also valued by Christians, as the Ninth Circle of Hell is dedicated to those who betrayed friends family and guests.) Regardless of this, Odysseus strikes many of these men down. However, he is not punished by the gods. Does his status as a hero absolve him of the guilt of murdering his guests?
For example, a very modern model is Lindsey Lohan. (any more need be said?) She was released from prison days after being sent there... Because she is a star. In a more literary context, the Greek hero Odysseus returns from the epic Trojan Waronly to find his home overrun with unwelcome guests; suitors competing for his wife's hand. In Greek society at the time, a value known as Xenios was critical to society. Xenios was the fair and elevated treatment of guests in a person's presence or home. (Also valued by Christians, as the Ninth Circle of Hell is dedicated to those who betrayed friends family and guests.) Regardless of this, Odysseus strikes many of these men down. However, he is not punished by the gods. Does his status as a hero absolve him of the guilt of murdering his guests?
What Causes People to Look Back And Analyze Their Lives?
In the 13th century, a man named Dante Alighieri wrote a series of three stories, which he called The Divine Comedy.In his Inferno, Dante is led through Hell by the Roman poet Virgil. during his journey, he encounters many people he knew as well as many significant political figures of that era.
What would inspire a medieval man to think and write about his past experiences as if he were walking through Hell? What inspires man to question his past and analyze his previous experiences, think of his actions, and ultimately address his demons?
What would inspire a medieval man to think and write about his past experiences as if he were walking through Hell? What inspires man to question his past and analyze his previous experiences, think of his actions, and ultimately address his demons?
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