Vir inculpatus
Attemptans admonere
Nunc necatus est.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Sinon's Story
What elements of Sinon's story are particularly effective on the Trojans?
When the Trojans first encounter Sinon, he is miserable, beaten up, and in very poor condition. Anyone with a heart would feel sympathy for him, and spite toward the mistreater.The fact that even though Sinon is a Greek, he is treated so wretchedly, plays on the Trojans' already strong hatred for the Greeks. Furthermore, Sinon highlights Odysseus as one of the major villains, who is infamous for being very deceptive and clever. He also blames Calchas, Odysseus's accomplice, for interpreting Apollo's oracle in that Sinon must be sacrificed. By providing support for Odysseus's deceptive reputation, the Trojan's feel pity for Sinon and do not question his presence. At this point, Sinon has the Trojans in the palm of his hand, with them believing his story, especially the part of him escaping his sacrifice.
The tactic of Sinon, to include bits of truth into his larger, overall lie, makes his story very believable to the Trojans. For example, he claims that the reason the Greeks could not sail home on previous attempts were due to the stormy seas and fierce winds: Sinon convinces the Trojans, "Several times the Greeks, wearied by so long a war, wanted to abandon it, leave Troyland, and somehow effect a retreat...But each time as they were starting tempestuous seas checked them and contrary winds filled them with alarm" (54).
When the Trojans first encounter Sinon, he is miserable, beaten up, and in very poor condition. Anyone with a heart would feel sympathy for him, and spite toward the mistreater.The fact that even though Sinon is a Greek, he is treated so wretchedly, plays on the Trojans' already strong hatred for the Greeks. Furthermore, Sinon highlights Odysseus as one of the major villains, who is infamous for being very deceptive and clever. He also blames Calchas, Odysseus's accomplice, for interpreting Apollo's oracle in that Sinon must be sacrificed. By providing support for Odysseus's deceptive reputation, the Trojan's feel pity for Sinon and do not question his presence. At this point, Sinon has the Trojans in the palm of his hand, with them believing his story, especially the part of him escaping his sacrifice.
The tactic of Sinon, to include bits of truth into his larger, overall lie, makes his story very believable to the Trojans. For example, he claims that the reason the Greeks could not sail home on previous attempts were due to the stormy seas and fierce winds: Sinon convinces the Trojans, "Several times the Greeks, wearied by so long a war, wanted to abandon it, leave Troyland, and somehow effect a retreat...But each time as they were starting tempestuous seas checked them and contrary winds filled them with alarm" (54).
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Question, page 63
The great man in verse 151 prompts us to compare him with Aeneas himself, because of his leadership qualities. In the extended simile, Neptune is described by Vergil: "Just as often, when a riot breaks out in a huge crowd, and the common people rage, torches and stones fly, madness providing arms, if they catch sight of a revered man of deserved respect and duty, they become silent, and stand there listening attentively. He moves their minds with his words and soothes their hearts." The great man is comparable to Aeneas himself, because Aeneas has the same quality that is so revered of Neptune, he is able to captivate and control a large audience. For example, as we have read in our translated text, once Aeneas and the remainder of his fleet get washed upon shore, they are disheartened and discouraged, to say the least. However, Aeneas takes control and presents an inspiring, optimistic speech. He encourages the seven ships of the fleet to remain hopeful, despite all the obstacles they have been burdened with. He basically preaches that at the end of this long, dark tunnel, there will be, and must be, a bright light; just as Third Day sang in their song, Tunnel, "Just remember what I've told you, there's so much you're living for. There's as light at the end of this tunnel."
Aeneas's leadership qualities, his ability to captivate an audience, and his persona which demands respect, after surviving the war, allows us to compare him to the "great man" in verse 151.
Aeneas's leadership qualities, his ability to captivate an audience, and his persona which demands respect, after surviving the war, allows us to compare him to the "great man" in verse 151.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Modern Day Epic
One of the most popular contemporary epics is the Lord of the Rings series, originally the three volumes: The Fellowship of the Rings, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Lord of the Rings can be considered an epic because first of all, the novels are so long. The novels, all together, exceed over 1,100 pages, which is a typical characteristic of an epic.
Furthermore, the subject of the series is very serious: Frodo, the hobbit, among with his fellowship, risk their lives to destroy the ring of Sauron, the Dark Lord, who looks to control all of Middle Earth. The quest Frodo undergoes, to destroy the ring categorizes it as a modern day epic, because the novels are saturated with many heroic deeds. For example, in the first novel, when Frodo's uncle, Bilbo, can no longer take ownership and responsibility of the ring, because it is too tempting and powerful, Frodo agrees to take hold of it, though he is aware what dangers come by association. At the end of the Fellowship of the Rings, Frodo realizes that he must separate from the group, in order to keep everyone else safe, and to prevent the self-destruction of each other member of the fellowship. The many heroic deeds Frodo, and even other members of the fellowship, are characteristics that compose the epic.
Epic poetry is comprised of one single combat, and in the Lord of the Rings, though there are many, small battles, in the second novel, The Two Towers, there is by far, the most notable battle. The battle is the focus of almost the entire second half of the movie, between the Uruk-hai and King Theoden's force.
Furthermore, the subject of the series is very serious: Frodo, the hobbit, among with his fellowship, risk their lives to destroy the ring of Sauron, the Dark Lord, who looks to control all of Middle Earth. The quest Frodo undergoes, to destroy the ring categorizes it as a modern day epic, because the novels are saturated with many heroic deeds. For example, in the first novel, when Frodo's uncle, Bilbo, can no longer take ownership and responsibility of the ring, because it is too tempting and powerful, Frodo agrees to take hold of it, though he is aware what dangers come by association. At the end of the Fellowship of the Rings, Frodo realizes that he must separate from the group, in order to keep everyone else safe, and to prevent the self-destruction of each other member of the fellowship. The many heroic deeds Frodo, and even other members of the fellowship, are characteristics that compose the epic.
Epic poetry is comprised of one single combat, and in the Lord of the Rings, though there are many, small battles, in the second novel, The Two Towers, there is by far, the most notable battle. The battle is the focus of almost the entire second half of the movie, between the Uruk-hai and King Theoden's force.
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