Essays
Ronald Isler
Period 8
10/1/00
Sophocles Believes: Your Fate Cannot be Changed
Sophocles’s message is that life is predestined by the gods. There is no way to stop the future. He used the character Oedipus to get this point across. Oedipus was to kill his father and marry his mother. Oedipus couldn’t acccept his fate and ran away. On the way to Thebes, a neighboring city, he killed a Sphinx that had plagued the city for years. No one else could rid the city of this plague. Once he reached Thebes, he became a hero. Shortly after he marries the recently widowed Queen and is declared king of Thebes. Despite the fact that Oedipus knew his future and believed he could therefore change it , proofs useless. His fate, as predicted by the gods still occurred.
Oedipus was the Prince of Cornith when at a royal party he learned his dreadful fate. “----------------”, a drunken guest told the Oracle told Oedipus. Oedipus couldn’t believe his ears. He loved his parents a considerable amount. Oedipus couldn’t live with himself if he were to fulfill his destiny. Instead of accepting his fate,. Oedipus tried to change his fate. He wanted to control his own destiny. Oedipus was determined and began to march on to Thebes.
When Oedipus left Cornthin he headed towards Thebes, and he encountered a man who was escorted by several other men. They were blocking his way. He killed him ,thinking that the only way to stop his fate was to go get to Thebes. However, he was only making his fate come true. This man was escorted by several men. ” ---------------------------------” Oedipus was a prince and of royal status and that was the main reason why he didn’t move out of the road . Oedipus killed all of the men, but one managed to escape. The man that he killed in the carriage was King Lauis, the King of Thebes, who was Oedipus’s father. However he didn’t know that at the time. Oedipus was King Lauis and Queen Jocasta’s son who they believed was to be killed as an infant. “---------------------------”. Although he speculated he was running away from his fate, he was actually running into it. No matter how hard he tried to stop his destiny, he couldn’t.
Oedipus became king of Thebes, thinking that he stopped his fate when in reality he was only making it come true. Although he was stubborn, he was astute as well. The Sphinx had ruined the city of Thebes not allowing a person leave or enter the city because they couldn’t solved his riddle. If a person was to solve his riddle, then she would commit suicide. If the person answered incorrectly, then the Sphinx would kill them. He meets her on the road. She asked him the riddle “What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs in afternoon, and three legs in the evening? ”Oedipus answered precisely, “a human” His cleverness enabled him to solve the riddle of the Sphinx, and save Thebes. She killed herself by jumping off a cliff. When he reached Thebes he was declared a hero. Shortly after he got married to the Queen of Thebes, Jocasta who was his mother! However Oedipus is blind to this fact. He not only married the Queen, but had children as well. The gods future for Oedipus couldn’t have happened unless he solved the Sphinx’s riddle.. The Sphinx was more of a threat to the city then finding the murderer of their king. ”...... songs forced us to give up the mystery and think about more urgent matters ”.
In conclusion, Sophocles, the author of “Oedipus Rex” firmly believes that life in predestined by the gods. Oedipus does everything in his power to make sure his fate doesn’t come true. He horrible fate of kilingl his father and marrying his mother came true even after he ran away from home, killed the Sphinx that no one else could, and married the queen of a city miles away. However, in the end it did come true. In today’s society people do think that life is not predestined. Today people believe the notion that life is whatever we want it to be. People are given certain skills and do what they want with them. For example, people who are handicapped today don’t give up. They use the skill they have to make the best out of their disabilities. The people at the time when Sophocles wrote had a completely different interpretation on life.
Ronald Isler
period 8
1/1/01
Brutus is the main character in William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar. He is the tragic hero who tries to help the people of Rome. All the main events of this play are based on Brutus’ tragic decisions. In each act, it is his critical decision that unfolds the next event. The conspirators oppose Caesar and Antony . The two crucial decisions Brutus makes in this play are to join the conspirators and to kill Caesar. These acts lead to war and the battle at Philippi. Brutus is an honorable Roman, but he makes errors in judgement as the leader of the Conspirators. Although the play is titled , Julius Caesar, he is not the tragic hero. Even Caesar’s death was base on Brutus tragic decisions as the tragic hero..
Brutus’s decision to join the conspirators sets the stage for Brutus as the tragic hero. Without his part in Caesar’s fate, none of the pieces would fit together. Brutus is persuaded to join the conspirators by Cassius. Cassius, like Brutus, is a Roman, except Brutus is honorable, while Cassius is clever and persuasive. He convinces Brutus to join the conspirators when he tells Brutus , “ Caesar cried , “Help me Cassius or I will sink!(act 1 scene 2 p. 385 l.111)”. Cassius also told Brutus that the people of Rome love him and listen to him. Brutus feels flatter by this. That night Brutus finds a letter on his bed place their carefully by Cassius, however Brutus never finds out it was him. He opens and reads , “ Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress.....Shall Rome stand under one man’s awe (Act 2 scene 1 pg. 397 l. 47, 52)” This is what Cassius is saying to him. That Rome shall not be under one man leader like and king and also that the people of Rome want him to lead them against kingship. Brutus now believes Cassius is a bright fellow. Brutus’s decision to join the conspirators is not for self gain, but for the good of Roman. This critical decision leads Brutus to his death, as well as the death of his wife. Without this initial choice of Brutus, to join the conspirators, his tragic death of his wife and well as himself wouldn’t of happen. His patriotism of Brutus for his country causes his tragic death.
Brutus continues toward his tragic failures in the killing of Caesar. Once again it is Brutus’s decision that leads to a tragic outcome. Brutus decides not to kill Antony when he speaks the words, “ Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Cauis (act 2 scene 1 pg. 400 l. 162).” Brutus does not want to be a murderer. This decision haunts the conspirators in the end, but this act of Brutus changes the end of play. When they kill Caesar, it is Brutus’s idea to cover their hands with Caesar’s blood and showing the people. An act the conspirators perform. Brutus also makes another tragic decision by letting Antony speak at Caesar’s burial. This act of the conspirators is used against them in Antony ’s speech to the Roman people. He is able to turn the citizens of Rome against the conspirators. He shows the mob the body of Caesar and the mob is no longer against Antony . “ Then I and you and all of us fall down, whilst bloody treason flourish over us” (Act 3 scene 2 p.426 l.189-190). This is Brutus’s greatest error. His sense of honor leads Brutus to first allow Antony to live, then to speak at the funeral. Antony agreed to Brutus hat he would not say anything bad about the conspirators. However Antony lied and turn mob against them These events that lead to the battle at Philippi. Brutus leads his army against the armies of Antony and Octavius, who is Caesar’s nephew. Brutus loses the battle and kills himself at the end of the battle. A tragic ending to his tragic life. Brutus thought he was doing the Roman people a favor by killing Caesar, but in the end, it cost him his wife and his own life.
Caesar is not the tragic hero, although is the title is named after him. Brutus is the only true tragic hero of the play! Caesar doesn’t make an appearance in any of the five acts. In fact, he doesn’t make any critical decision that affects the play. Brutus is the only character to make critical decision. The fact that Brutus believes he was acting for the good of Rome and not for selfish reasons , makes Brutus the tragic hero. Although Caesar was killed, it wasn’t a tragic death. He was killed because of his cockiness and conceit . This was not a tragic death. He wanted too much power. He was warned many times. “Be wares the ides of March”(Act 1 scene 2 p. 382 l. 16). Caesar responds, “He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass(Act 1 scene 2 pg. 383 l. 24) The reader should have no sympathy for Caesar. He was definitely not the tragic hero. He got what he deserved.
Brutus is the tragic hero for he makes the critical decision and they all haunt him. He intentions were for people of Rome and not for himself. He dies ,as well as his wife, for what he believed was the good of his own country. That’s tragic. Caesar was killed because he refused to listen to anybody. He was too conceited to think that anyone could touch him. That’s not a tragic event. That just stupidity on his part. The only thing Caesar does is die! Without Brutus there is no tragic hero and that’s final!!!
Ronald Isler
period 8
4/10/01
The development of the major character through minor characters in the novel Catcher in the Rye
Holden Caufeild interacts with a numerous amount of minor characters throughout the Novel Catcher in the Rye written by J.D. Salinger. Holden interacts with many minor characters which brings out his thoughts of the world and society. Holdening in is a metal instution he is trying to find out why he is so depressed. The event that set this off was the death to his younger brother and the leaving of older brother. Holden’s view on the world and society change due to his relationship change with his two close brothers as well his relationship with other minor characters such as Jane Gallagher, Spencer, Standlater, phoebe, Mrs. _____.
Holden relationship with his two brother dastricly changes which cause Holden himself into depression state being. Holden thinks that everything is phony. Actors, movies, people and society in a whole. Holden hates everything that is phony. This thinking was not always there. This thinking was brought out due to the death of his close brother Ally and his older brother moving to Hollywood. Holden was close to his brother Ally. His brother had luekima and died. This was a tragic time in Holden’s life. Then later his brother, D. B., moved away. These events put a tremendous amount of pressure and sadness in Holden life. Holden lost his mind, yet he would. Being a 18 teen year old boy losing your best friend, who is also your brother. Then your other closest brother moves. Holden is not a raging child therefore he doesn’t go our beat up people , however he does go against society and starts picking society apart for all it’s wrongs. All Holden can think amount is his two brother. He gets drunk to try to forget these tragic events. He also just tries to think and about girls, especially Jane Gallagher. He tries just to think about pure and happy things. Which in his mind are the children. He does this to cheer himself up but it doesn’t work. In fact he just makes him more depressed. Holden’s characteriat that is brought our from this is how he deals with tragic events. He just tries to forget them and think about enjoyable ideas. This was to depressesing for that to work with him. Also it brings out that he is not a violent person. Otherwise he would of brought a gun and shot someone. Always that he didn’t always think like this. It was just an outburst of a silent rage because his brother died and his other brother moving and this Holden’s way of blaming the world and society for his lost which cuases a change to his character.
Holden Colfeild is a stubborn person who at this point, just wants “to hear what he wants to hear” and nothing else, however in the end of the book his starts to change . In the beginning of this novel Holden goes to his teacher house. Mr. Spencer was his teacher at one of the many schools holden was kicked out of. Holden looks for guidence. However all Holden hears is Mr. Spencer asking why Holden was such a trouble maker and listen to Mr. Spencer tell him how disap-pointed he is in Holden,”________________________” Holden does not like this one bit and leaves disappointed and still lost. He is also angry at what Mr. Spencer said to him. He wanted to hear that he smart kid and to keep to try make something of him self. Or at least something that would rise his confidence. Holden didn’t listen to the advice Mr. Spencer gave him which was “______________________” . The author, J.D. Salinger, has Holden go in circle. At the end of the book he talks to anther former teacher who is still named___________________. He gave him advice, but in a more tone down way than Mr. Spencer. Holden listen to the advice, but still isn’t happy with what he says. __________ was just trying to help Holden, but at this time Holden head was to far up his butt to realized this. He leaves in angry. After Holden leaves he starts to think and realized that maybe he was just trying to help him out. This where Holden stubbornness change into less stubbornness person. Which is holden’s first change in charcter in a postive way in the entire book.
Pheobe, Holden’s sister, symbolize innocence in Holden’s mind. To Holden children are innocent. Their blinds for the phoniness of society. Also that their happier than adults. Holden’s is trying to save phoebe as well as the other children of the world from the phoniness. Holden’s wants to grow up. That’s why he drunks and smoke to look older. However he fears the sadness and the responsibilites of an adult. He fears of losing the innocence of being child. People when their young are easily pleased. When someone gives a 6 years old kid a Lego construction, he is over joyed and will love that person for days. However an adult when he given a new running shoes is not nearly as happy. It’s much harder to please an adult than a child. This is what Holden fears. He wants to saved the children from becoming like that. That’s what the title, “The Catcher and the Rye”, means. This bring out how Holden is afraid of growing up for that reason. But wants the previligaes of being an adult such as drinking and smoking. Jane Gallagher representives innocent too to Holden. “____________________________” Holden wants to fight Strandlater because Holden feels that Strandlater is taking away the innocence of Jane. Jane represented hope for Holden. He always thought about her to cheer him up and it gave him hope. Jane also help holden block out what was really bother him and depressing him, which was the death of his younger brother. This tells the reader that holden doesn’t face his fears. That why he so afraid to grow up. He is so panic that he will lose his happiness with age. He afraid to face the fact that his brother, who was best friend.
J.D. Salinger uses minor character thought out “Catcher in the Rye” to develop the main character Holden Colfeild. Each minor character bring out one of his characteristics. Mr. Spencer, a teacher at the beginning of the novel, brings out the stubbornness in Holden. Holden refuses to listen to him. Other minor characters symbolize ideas to holden. Jane Gallagher symbolize innocence as well as hope. This represented how Holden thought. Holden believe that children were innocent and Jane was young hope to him. He always thought about her when he was depressed. J.D. Salinger uses this unique way to develop his main character because when someone knows some thing about someone, it from their interacts with that person or someone else. Holden himself doesn’t gave the reader any of his characteristics. The reader learns all of his characteristics from Holden interaction and his own action with other people.
Diplomcy
This was a great and fun game. I had a lot fo fun doing it. I learn about
teamwork and who you cann't and can't trust. I was Germany and and I was allied
with Derek miles who was France. He basck stab me by double teaming me with
russia who was troy. I lose Lost many palces with this attack. I had no suport <
and feel very alone without any aliied. My confindence went down as I lost my
peices slowly yet surely. I then jion up with Truekr who was juile neich. We were
able to slow the attack of Russia and even take back sme land that I had
lost. In the end I lost but I was not wipe out of game for I was able to keep
even aliies on my side that I wasn't attack by eeven one. They key to game is to
have no enmeies except for those who you attack. By the attacker not the one
being attack upon. Germany I had many fronts to defense with russia had only 2 I
had 4. I was in the center of the game broad. This was a great dissavanagte to me
to have I had to keep on eye on everyone and doidn't what to laevave any parttof
my land other wise I would die.
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