Julius Caesar and Antigone, King Arthur and Sundiata - Essay Example

 English 2 Lesson 4 and 5 Lesson # 4 1. In "Antigone," Haimon has a difficult relationship with his father. Explain how he relates to his father for the following: What he wants from his father at first and how his feelings toward his father change during the play: In the beginning, Haimon is shown to have great love and regard for his father, Creon, who he follows closely. Antigone refuses to marry Haimon the first time around, but later agrees. When the sons of Oedipius (and Creon’s nephews) Eteocles and Polynices die in a duel against each other, the throne passes to Creon. Oedipius’ sons had agreed that they would rule each alternatively for one year after their father’s death, but the elder brother Eteocles did not step down after a year and was challenged by Polynices, who marched on Thebes with six foreign princes. All were defeated and the two brothers challenged each other but end up killing each other. Though it may be seen that Polynices in terms of the agreement had every right to claim his position on the throne, King Creon chose to deem Eteocles as the rightful King and upon their death, decreed that the elder son be given a soldier’s funeral while the younger be left on the hillside outside the gates to rot and be eaten by worms and vultures. As she tells Ismene: “But his body must lie in the fields, a sweet treasure; For carrion birds to find as they search for food” (Lines 21-22).This was displeasing to Haimon, the son of Creon, and he begins to change his opinion of his father. When King Creon’s decree is challenged by Antigone, who wishes to bury her brother Polynices respectfully as well, she tells her sister Ismene: ‘Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way’ (Line 35). When the guards find that the body has been taken and buried, they inform King Creon who is enraged. He immediately sentences Antigone to death too, giving her the benefit of a day’s food and water to lie in a cave awaiting her final fate. Haimon is appalled at his father’s change of character and appeals to spare Antigone’s life, which is denied. He begins to hate his father from this point. 2. At several points in "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar," a character has to make an important decision. Identify a choice one of the characters in the list makes, explain why he makes that choice, and list the consequences of the decision. Please be sure to identify what character you are discussing. In “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar," Brutus had to make a decision whether or not to join in the plot to kill Caesar. He does so at the last moment because though he loves Caesar, he knows that Caesar has become too powerful for the good of the Republic. He must be eliminated because he would never resign from the seat of power. So he joins the plot and is the last to attack Caesar, in effect striking the fatal blow. Caesar in his death throes calls out: ‘Et tu, Brutus?’ He cannot believe what he is seeing. The consequences are that the Republic is free of Caesar and absolute power vested in one personality. Though Brutus is remorseful for his actions, Marc Antony in his impromptu speech tells the crowds that ‘Brutus is an honorable man’. 3. Write an essay in which you argue whether Antigone did the right thing. Should she have buried her brother or obeyed the decree by her uncle? Support your answer with at least two specific references to the play. In my opinion, Antigone did the right thing by burying her brother even though she challenged her Uncle King Creon’s royal decree. The message of the play is that the quest for what is right must never be made subservient to whoever is in power. Thus truth and justice shall prevail and Antigone the main protagonist goes on to make just this point. She chooses to kill herself rather than wait for her inevitable fate, and in doing so is again challenging the fate that her uncle (or the powers that be) have decreed for her. In fact the entire play of Antigone is a study of right versus wrong. While King Creon and Ismene would bow to the powers that be, Antigone prefers to do what is right and just. She is clearly on the higher moral ground. 4. Robert Anderson, in his essay that opens Collection 12, recalls a saying about the theatre: all you need is a "platform and a passion or two." Several passions are dramatized in "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar." Choose one of them (such as justice, vengeance, ambition, love, or honor) and write a paragraph about how that passion is illustrated in the action of the play. Support your argument by referencing two scenes in which that passion is particularly evident. The passion of ambition is clearly evident when Caesar enters Rome after his victory at Pompey and the crowd wants to crown him King. Although they offer him a crown thrice, he refuses it every time. Though it is Caesar who is being offered this honor and rightly so, it is Cassius and Brutus who are concerned about the consequences. “ What means this shouting? I do fear, the people; Choose Caesar for their king” (Act 1 Scene II). Caesar is aware of the regard that people have for him and his word and Marc Antony also acknowledges this when he states: ‘I shall remember: When Caesar says 'do this,' it is perform'd.’ If anything, it is Caesar who is least concerned with the power he wields. But Cassius, Flavius and Marcellus are jealous and envious of Caesar’s power and succeed in their conspiracy to bring about his death. Lesson # 5 5. The selections in Collection 13 illustrate various philosophies of life by means of stories and parables that teach lessons. Choose two selections from the list below and describe the situation presented in each. Then, state the lesson taught in each story or parable you chose. For both selections you will need the following: Selection Title: Abraham and Isaac Situation Presented: The situation presented in the lesson is when God tells Abraham to go to a certain place on a hillside and sacrifice his only son Isaac. According to the Bible, Abraham and his wife Sarah were childless until she was miraculously able to conceive a son at the age of ninety. Their joy must have known no bounds but here God is testing Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his only son in God’s name. Abraham must have complied with a heavy heart, but just when he is about to do the deed, God sends a ram which he tells Abraham to sacrifice in place of his son. God is pleased with Abraham’s faith and compliance. Lesson Taught: The lesson taught here is that faith and obedience are rewarded. Abraham did not let his love for his son stand in the way of God’s command. But God saw his faith and trust and sent a ram in exchange (Jewish Pub. Soc, 904). Selection Title: Muddy Road Zen Parable Situation Presented: Two Zen disciples Tanzan and Ekido were walking along a muddy road in the rain when they saw a young woman in a silk sash and kimono at the intersection, who could not cross. Tanzan immediately lifted her in his arms and carried her across the mud. Ekido did not speak about the incident until later that night at a lodging house, where he reminded Tanzan that it was dangerous to help young females. At this Tanzan chided Ekido, stating that he had left the young woman long ago, while Ekido was still carrying her image in his mind. Lesson Taught: Take life as it comes, and do not slow yourself down by carrying emotional baggage. It is best to deal with a situation once and forget it (Moss, 931). 6. Arthur and Sundiata are both heroes. List the name of the character then list the characteristics that are unique to each figure (excluding their names). Then, list the qualities that the two characters have in common. Arthur: Characteristics unique to Arthur: Bravery, chivalry, considerate, sense of justice, mentally strong, physically strong. Sundiata: Characteristics unique to Sundiata: Introspectiveness, slow to react, physically weak but mentally strong, resourcefulness, considerate of mother’s feelings. Both: Characteristics common to both: mentally strong, sense of justice. 7. Write an essay that explains why you think one of the philosophies or views of life presented in Collection 13 is useful in today's world. Include details that show the benefits of applying the teachings of this philosophy to modern, day-to-day living. Support your opinions with at least two examples from selections representing that philosophy or set of values. The parable of the Prodigal Son is a useful philosophy because it shows us that as parents, we have to have the capacity to forgive the follies of our sons, even foolish and incompetent ones. God’s love and forgiveness are unconditional, and He is ready to take us back in his fold as soon as we show we have learned our lesson. Although some would think that the faithfulness of the older obedient son went unrewarded, yet the father tells him that he already stands to gain much for his obedient service. It is far better to adopt a forgiving attitude and get a sinner back in the fold, and as a father who could admonish a long lost son who has returned home ready to repent and serve his father again (New English Bible, 916). Life is often too short to keep grudges yet we often do so and this stands in the way of forgiveness and making up. If we find that one truly wants to make amends with a sincere and contrite heart, we should forgive him. This would put us at peace with others. The same message is presented in the muddy road Zen parable. Letting bygones be bygones and leaving our emotional baggage behind makes life a lot simpler. 8. Which hero's story, King Arthur's or Sundiata's has the more relevant message for young people today? Compose an essay that answers this question, giving at least two examples from the selections and applying them to issues today's young people face. I would think that the message of Sundiata and his story is more relevant for young people today. This is because it is shown that despite the prophecy, his early life did not appear extraordinary. Rather, he was extremely slow and backward compared to the other kids. But he had the gift of leadership, and was able to invite other kids to come to play with him. He was thoughtful rather than hasty, and preferred to take into account all aspects of a situation before acting. No doubt this would have been invaluable in later life, as both politics and battle involve strategic thinking and choices. He was able to make Mali a place of renown for many centuries. Quite often we are disgusted at the slow pace of development of some kids, but these late bloomers often prove highly successful in life, often surpassing everyone’s expectations. Works Cited The Jewish Publication Society. Abraham and Isaac, 904. Roberts, Moss (trans.) Taoist Anecdotes, 931. Read More