Stephen Simmons
English Honors 10/Mr. George
12/12/08
Final draft
A Separate Phineas
In our every day lives as human beings something bad is always happening. Whether it is a war in a foreign country or a natural disaster here or in a country we have never heard of, something is always happening. Despite all of these things, it is human instinct to escape the madness and search for joy in our own lives. It is like an infections disease, while everyone else is infected and organizing their funerals there is always one optimistic person who builds an invisible barrier from it all and lives his life like he won’t see the sun rise the next morning. Phineas, from A Separate Peace is that optimistic person. He lives in an indestructible bubble which the world’s issues can’t penetrate. It is almost like Finny represents or sets up this separate peace; something miraculous coexisting with something bad. He symbolizes a separate peace in the way he lives his life, views the world and how he tries to create this world for others.
With the war approaching the Devon school, the boys are frightened by the idea of taking a life and possibly losing one. It emotionally cripples the minds of some students at Devon and the society around them. Unlike many other people, Phineas lives in his own world, untouched by the threat of war and the brutal training to come. Finny is an optimist, he doesn’t see any evil and he doesn’t let what happens in the world penetrate his bubble of optimism. He lives his life like he will die the next day, and nothing can stop him. He also lives cleverly, by sneakily conveying messages to people, “The winter loves me…I mean as much as a season can love” (Knowles 110). The way he lives resembles this idea of a separate peace because while society and everyone else lives in the war, he lives on his own, untouched by the worries of others and untouched by the global issues. He is instead, inspired by his own thoughts and ideas about the people around him and the world around him.
Phineas’ optimism is the essence of the way he views the world. In 1942 the whole world was caught up in World War II. Finny does not fear or obsess about the war that is upon them or give into the fear which some other boys are burden with. He instead creates his own world where nothing truly matters. A world where you can do things and get away with them and where you can have fun and not have to worry about anything. He views the world and war as a joke, a place controlled by a bunch of fat men laughing their heart out at society in the mix of things.
Phineas alone is a separate peace. However, it is not how he acts or how he lives that truly defines him as being a separate peace, but how he tries to create this hidden peace for others. There are many instances in the novel where Finny is taking control and creating weird games and activities to promote this sort of separate peace.
“I think it’s about time we started to get a little exercise around here, don’t you?” he said, cocking his head at me. Then he slowly looked around at the others with the expression of dazed determination he used when the object was to carry people along with his latest idea. He blinked twice, and then said, “We can always start with this ball” (37).
This marks the creation of Blitzball, which was eventually played routinely by the boys as an escape from their recurring problems. The importance however is not that they found something to do in the activity dry summer but that Finny persuaded people to come into his own world, making them become apart of this separate peace in their summer of freedom and joy.
As the year progresses we begin to see snow on the ground at the Devon school. The winter symbolizes the coming of war, which at this point causes mixed emotions among the boys at Devon. In his heroic return from the shattering of his leg, we see that his personality remained intact. After time , Finny had this idea of having a winter carnival like the school has never seen before. “The Devon Winter Carnival…We’ll have it in that park next to the Naguamsett. The main attraction will be sports, naturally, featuring I expect a ski jump-” (129) he said. As the carnival day came all of the boys were greatly enjoying themselves. “It wasn’t the cider which made me surpass myself; it was this liberation we had torn from the gray encroachments of 1943, the escape we had concocted, this afternoon of momentary, illusory, special and separate peace.”(137). At this time Finny, facing the coming of war, with a shattered leg and with his friend doubting him, surpassed all of these things to make time for the joys in life he cant let go. Finny created these separate peaces; these joyful times coexisting with these bad times.
A true hero is one who provides rejoice and sanctuary in times of need. Throughout the novel we see specific examples of how Finny views the war and the world. We also see how he acts against violence and how he acts towards others and this leads to the creation of this separate peace, this sanctuary of joy in this time of war and turmoil. The true essence of a separate peace in the novel is Finny, w ho when all went bad, remained this optimistic person creating times of joy out of the war. Finny truly represents a separate peace in his unique lifestyle, the way he views the world, and above all, the way he creates this separate peace for others.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Othello Act 2 scene 1
12/18/08
"So/ shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by/ the means I shall then have to prefer them; and the/ impediment most profitably removed without the/ which there were no expectation of our prosperity/"(2.1.276-280)
This quote is significant in my opinion because here we see Iago's true ability to persuade and play people into doing the things he wants. Here Iago is telling Roderigo that he must destroy Cassio or else he is going to be hopeless. Since act 1 we have seen Iago sneakily playing people into his plans in thought that they will also benefit from it. I also believe that based on the play so far that Iago would in fact make a better second in command than Cassio due to his intelligence and experience.
How might the puppeteer's (Iago's) "show" go too far?
"So/ shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by/ the means I shall then have to prefer them; and the/ impediment most profitably removed without the/ which there were no expectation of our prosperity/"(2.1.276-280)
This quote is significant in my opinion because here we see Iago's true ability to persuade and play people into doing the things he wants. Here Iago is telling Roderigo that he must destroy Cassio or else he is going to be hopeless. Since act 1 we have seen Iago sneakily playing people into his plans in thought that they will also benefit from it. I also believe that based on the play so far that Iago would in fact make a better second in command than Cassio due to his intelligence and experience.
How might the puppeteer's (Iago's) "show" go too far?
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Othello Act 1 scene 3
12/17/08
"My noble father,/I do perceive here a divided duty/...You are the lord of duty,/I am hitherto your daughter...But here's my husband,/ And so much duty as my mother/ To you, preferring you before her father,/ So much I challenge that i may profess/ Due to the Moor my lord/"(1.3.178-187)
This quote is significant first of all because it is the first appearance of Desdemona in the play. Also this quote is significant because here we see her standing up to her powerful father and speaking her own voice sort of against him. She claims that her loyalty is not to her father, and like her mom, to her husband. The status of women was very low at the time and this speech to her father, like Antigone, sort of increases the value of women in the play.
As far as loyalty goes, how has this male dominant time where fathers were seen as everything good evolved into our society today?
"My noble father,/I do perceive here a divided duty/...You are the lord of duty,/I am hitherto your daughter...But here's my husband,/ And so much duty as my mother/ To you, preferring you before her father,/ So much I challenge that i may profess/ Due to the Moor my lord/"(1.3.178-187)
This quote is significant first of all because it is the first appearance of Desdemona in the play. Also this quote is significant because here we see her standing up to her powerful father and speaking her own voice sort of against him. She claims that her loyalty is not to her father, and like her mom, to her husband. The status of women was very low at the time and this speech to her father, like Antigone, sort of increases the value of women in the play.
As far as loyalty goes, how has this male dominant time where fathers were seen as everything good evolved into our society today?
Thursday, December 4, 2008
A Separate Peace ch. 13
12/4/08
"I never killed anybody and i never developed an intense level of hatred for the enemy. Because my war ended before i ever put on a uniform; I was on active duty all my time at school; i killed my enemy there"(204).
This quote is significant because they are Gene's final words in the book that explain a lot. He is saying that most people find their enemy in battle (World War 2) and kill them. Where as he found and killed his enemy at school. What is great about these words is that he doesn't specify who Gene's true enemy is, even though many people would guess Finny, so it is sort of a cliffhanger and something for the reader to discover.
Do you think, deep down inside that Gene would trade places with Finny?
"I never killed anybody and i never developed an intense level of hatred for the enemy. Because my war ended before i ever put on a uniform; I was on active duty all my time at school; i killed my enemy there"(204).
This quote is significant because they are Gene's final words in the book that explain a lot. He is saying that most people find their enemy in battle (World War 2) and kill them. Where as he found and killed his enemy at school. What is great about these words is that he doesn't specify who Gene's true enemy is, even though many people would guess Finny, so it is sort of a cliffhanger and something for the reader to discover.
Do you think, deep down inside that Gene would trade places with Finny?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
A Separate Peace ch. 12
12/3/08
"I did not cry then or ever about Finny. I did not cry even when i stood watching him being lowered into his family's strait-laced burial ground outside of Boston. I could not escape a feeling that this was my own funeral, and you do not cry in that case"(194).
This quote is significant because this is Finnys' funeral which in my perspective resembles how Gene was so reliant and a part of Finny. In the beginning of the book we see examples of Gene becoming Finny. For instance, when Gene tried on Finny's clothes and acted like Finny in front of the mirror. It is at this moment in the book were Gene realizes that he should be the one pushing up daisies, not Finny. This relates back to Gene wanting to be like Finny and the trying on of the clothes, where Gene realizes that without Finny he is nothing, a dead soul.
How might this scene have gone if Gene was the one in the coffin?
"I did not cry then or ever about Finny. I did not cry even when i stood watching him being lowered into his family's strait-laced burial ground outside of Boston. I could not escape a feeling that this was my own funeral, and you do not cry in that case"(194).
This quote is significant because this is Finnys' funeral which in my perspective resembles how Gene was so reliant and a part of Finny. In the beginning of the book we see examples of Gene becoming Finny. For instance, when Gene tried on Finny's clothes and acted like Finny in front of the mirror. It is at this moment in the book were Gene realizes that he should be the one pushing up daisies, not Finny. This relates back to Gene wanting to be like Finny and the trying on of the clothes, where Gene realizes that without Finny he is nothing, a dead soul.
How might this scene have gone if Gene was the one in the coffin?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
A Separate Peace ch.11
12/2/08
"Did you see the tree shake or anything?"(170).
"I don't recall anything like that..."(170).
This quote is significant because we now truly see Gene as this selfish person who only wishes to save himself. When Gene and Finny are brought to the school auditorium, Gene is trialed by Brinker to decide the issue of whether or not he made Finny fall. In this section we see Gene intelligently lies his way into becoming this innocent person, so that whatever is yelled at him, he can respond in a logical manner. This promotes his lack of friendship with Finny and his inability to speak the truth.
In real life could you have let the situation go this far?
"Did you see the tree shake or anything?"(170).
"I don't recall anything like that..."(170).
This quote is significant because we now truly see Gene as this selfish person who only wishes to save himself. When Gene and Finny are brought to the school auditorium, Gene is trialed by Brinker to decide the issue of whether or not he made Finny fall. In this section we see Gene intelligently lies his way into becoming this innocent person, so that whatever is yelled at him, he can respond in a logical manner. This promotes his lack of friendship with Finny and his inability to speak the truth.
In real life could you have let the situation go this far?
Monday, December 1, 2008
A Separate Pace ch.10
12/1/08
"Fear seized my stomach like a cramp. I didn't care what i said to him now; It was myself i was worried about. For if Leper was psycho it was the army which had done it to him, and I and all of us were on the brink of the army"(114).
This quote is significant because here we see that the boys are realizing that the war is a bigger threat than they believed. After seeing Leper turned into a psycho, the war changes from this distant event that isn't really important to them, to this "Oh my God, this is crazy," sort of thing. This is the turning point of their view of war now that they realize what it has and can do.
How might society and the school react against the kids possibly not enlisting due to what it did to Leper?
"Fear seized my stomach like a cramp. I didn't care what i said to him now; It was myself i was worried about. For if Leper was psycho it was the army which had done it to him, and I and all of us were on the brink of the army"(114).
This quote is significant because here we see that the boys are realizing that the war is a bigger threat than they believed. After seeing Leper turned into a psycho, the war changes from this distant event that isn't really important to them, to this "Oh my God, this is crazy," sort of thing. This is the turning point of their view of war now that they realize what it has and can do.
How might society and the school react against the kids possibly not enlisting due to what it did to Leper?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A Separate Peace ch.9
11/25/08
"It wasn't the cider which made me surpass myself, it was the liberation we had torn from the gray encroachments of 1943, the escape we had concocted, this afternoon of momentary, illusory, special and separate peace"(137).
This quote is important because it relates back to this theme of "A Separate Peace." As we saw earlier in the book, the kids at Devon in the summer sort of resembled a "separate peace," in terms of being apart from the war and enjoying themselves in a time of chaos and death when the rest of the world is focused on the war. We see that same kind of "separate peace," theme in this quote, when they are creating joyful times (carnival), from something bad, and becoming separate from the world in times of peril and destruction.
How could Leper's escaping from the war change the way people think about him?
"It wasn't the cider which made me surpass myself, it was the liberation we had torn from the gray encroachments of 1943, the escape we had concocted, this afternoon of momentary, illusory, special and separate peace"(137).
This quote is important because it relates back to this theme of "A Separate Peace." As we saw earlier in the book, the kids at Devon in the summer sort of resembled a "separate peace," in terms of being apart from the war and enjoying themselves in a time of chaos and death when the rest of the world is focused on the war. We see that same kind of "separate peace," theme in this quote, when they are creating joyful times (carnival), from something bad, and becoming separate from the world in times of peril and destruction.
How could Leper's escaping from the war change the way people think about him?
A Separate Peace ch. 8
11/25/08
"The winter loves me...What I mean is, I love winter, and when you really love something, then it loves you back, in whatever way it has to love"(111).
This quote is significant because it exemplifies the relationship between Gene and Finny, also how Finny is sort of portraying his feelings to Gene. When he says "when you really love something, then it loves you back, in whatever way it has to love," I believe he is saying to Gene that because he likes Gene as a friend, than Gene must like him back. That it doesn't matter what way he does, just the fact that gene appreciates him and likes him back.
what do you think the true war is?(one between the youth and the "fat" men, or an actual war).
"The winter loves me...What I mean is, I love winter, and when you really love something, then it loves you back, in whatever way it has to love"(111).
This quote is significant because it exemplifies the relationship between Gene and Finny, also how Finny is sort of portraying his feelings to Gene. When he says "when you really love something, then it loves you back, in whatever way it has to love," I believe he is saying to Gene that because he likes Gene as a friend, than Gene must like him back. That it doesn't matter what way he does, just the fact that gene appreciates him and likes him back.
what do you think the true war is?(one between the youth and the "fat" men, or an actual war).
Monday, November 24, 2008
A Separat Peace ch.7
11/24/08
"I owed it to myself to meet this crisis in my life when I chose, and I chose now"(102).
This quote is significant because it is at this point when we see Gene taking control of his own life and not having someone else live it in his shadow. Leading up to this event we find that Gene has always been easily persuaded into things, for example; Finny convinces Gene to jump off of the tree with him numerous times, also convinced him to sleep on the beach with him, etc. In correspondence to this quote we see that Gene is starting to take control of his life and make decisions on his own, based on himself.
How could Gene's making decisions for himself destroy their friendship?
"I owed it to myself to meet this crisis in my life when I chose, and I chose now"(102).
This quote is significant because it is at this point when we see Gene taking control of his own life and not having someone else live it in his shadow. Leading up to this event we find that Gene has always been easily persuaded into things, for example; Finny convinces Gene to jump off of the tree with him numerous times, also convinced him to sleep on the beach with him, etc. In correspondence to this quote we see that Gene is starting to take control of his life and make decisions on his own, based on himself.
How could Gene's making decisions for himself destroy their friendship?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Separate Peace Quote ch.6
11/23/08
"Listen, pal, if i can't play sports, you're going to play them for me,"and i lost part of myself to him then, and a soaring sense of freedom revealed that this must have been my purpose from the first:to become a part of Phineas.
through out the book so far we have seen Gene trying to fulfill this idea of becoming Phineas. at this point Finny basically says to Gene, "you have to play sports for me." this is significant because it resembles Finny's dedication to being the top leader in athletics, and Gene's wanting to be like Finny, and to escape himself.
As we have seen Gene "go to far" before, how do you think he will play out the role of Phineas in the remaining chapters?
"Listen, pal, if i can't play sports, you're going to play them for me,"and i lost part of myself to him then, and a soaring sense of freedom revealed that this must have been my purpose from the first:to become a part of Phineas.
through out the book so far we have seen Gene trying to fulfill this idea of becoming Phineas. at this point Finny basically says to Gene, "you have to play sports for me." this is significant because it resembles Finny's dedication to being the top leader in athletics, and Gene's wanting to be like Finny, and to escape himself.
As we have seen Gene "go to far" before, how do you think he will play out the role of Phineas in the remaining chapters?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A Separate Peace Quote ch.5
11/19/08
"I spent much time as i could alone in our room, trying to empty my mind of every thought, to forget where i was, even who i was...I decided to put on his close...I never forgot, and that evening i put on his cordovan shoes, his pants, and i looked for and finally found his pink shirt...I had become, no character out of daydreams. i was Phineas, Phineas to life"(62).
This quote is significant because it resembles Gene trying to escape his self. Gene by interrogating himself, and attempts to rid his mind of every thought, even to forget who he has. In this time of despair, Gene tries on Finny's clothing and "body" and acts like Finny, making faces and expressions in the mirror. At this point we see that Gene is using Finny as an escape from his own deteriorating life. That becoming Finny will rid him of his problems.
In real life could envy drive people to committing desperate, and not to mention creepy, acts like this?
"I spent much time as i could alone in our room, trying to empty my mind of every thought, to forget where i was, even who i was...I decided to put on his close...I never forgot, and that evening i put on his cordovan shoes, his pants, and i looked for and finally found his pink shirt...I had become, no character out of daydreams. i was Phineas, Phineas to life"(62).
This quote is significant because it resembles Gene trying to escape his self. Gene by interrogating himself, and attempts to rid his mind of every thought, even to forget who he has. In this time of despair, Gene tries on Finny's clothing and "body" and acts like Finny, making faces and expressions in the mirror. At this point we see that Gene is using Finny as an escape from his own deteriorating life. That becoming Finny will rid him of his problems.
In real life could envy drive people to committing desperate, and not to mention creepy, acts like this?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A Separate Peace Quote ch.4
11/18/08
"It was the first clumsy physical action I had ever seen him make. With unthinking sureness I moved out on the limb and jumped into the river, every trace of my fear of this forgotten"(60).
This quote is significant because it marks a turning point in the story. In previous chapters we have learned that Gene has a crazy assumption that Finny is competing with him, and always convincing him to do the things which prevent Gene from fulfilling his goals. At the end of chapter 4, Gene's knees bend and shake the branch causing Finny to fall on the bank. Which is when Gene says this quote. This quote kind of hints that Finny is finally "out of the way" making Gene fearless to jump into the water. Also this Hints that Finny is no longer an obstacle to Gene.
If Gene thinks of Finny as this un-passable obstacle then why does he remain Finny's friend?
"It was the first clumsy physical action I had ever seen him make. With unthinking sureness I moved out on the limb and jumped into the river, every trace of my fear of this forgotten"(60).
This quote is significant because it marks a turning point in the story. In previous chapters we have learned that Gene has a crazy assumption that Finny is competing with him, and always convincing him to do the things which prevent Gene from fulfilling his goals. At the end of chapter 4, Gene's knees bend and shake the branch causing Finny to fall on the bank. Which is when Gene says this quote. This quote kind of hints that Finny is finally "out of the way" making Gene fearless to jump into the water. Also this Hints that Finny is no longer an obstacle to Gene.
If Gene thinks of Finny as this un-passable obstacle then why does he remain Finny's friend?
Monday, November 17, 2008
A Separate Peace ch.2-3
11/17/08
"There was no harm in envying your best friend a little"(25).
This quote relates back to our discussion on whether or not it is ok to envy your friend, even the slightest bit. This quote foreshadows that genes being envious of
Finny will blossom into a larger, more extreme issue.
"yes, he had practically saved my life. He had also practically lost it for me. I wouldn't have been on that damn limb except for him.I wouldn't have turned around, and so lost my balance, if he hadn't been there"(33).
As an opening quote i think this relates to this kind of love/hate relationship that Finny has with Gene. Sometimes Gene is in full agreement with Finny and are the best of friends, and sometimes Gene thinks of Finny as a plague, he effects whoever he touches.
How might Gene being envious of Finny ruin their relationship and status as best friends?
"There was no harm in envying your best friend a little"(25).
This quote relates back to our discussion on whether or not it is ok to envy your friend, even the slightest bit. This quote foreshadows that genes being envious of
Finny will blossom into a larger, more extreme issue.
"yes, he had practically saved my life. He had also practically lost it for me. I wouldn't have been on that damn limb except for him.I wouldn't have turned around, and so lost my balance, if he hadn't been there"(33).
As an opening quote i think this relates to this kind of love/hate relationship that Finny has with Gene. Sometimes Gene is in full agreement with Finny and are the best of friends, and sometimes Gene thinks of Finny as a plague, he effects whoever he touches.
How might Gene being envious of Finny ruin their relationship and status as best friends?
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A Seperate Peace ch.1
11/14/08
"What was i doing up here anyway? Why did i let Finny talk me into stupid things like this? Was he getting some kind of hold over me?"
This quote is significant because it resembles Finny's persuasiveness. Also i believe this foreshadows further events and struggles between Gene and Phineas in terms of their relationship, that Finny will eventually "take hold over" Gene for the worst.
if your best friend pressured you into doing something would you do it?
Gene:
easily persuaded
smart
trustworthy
worrisome
envious
"For such an extraordinary athlete-even as a Lower Middler Phineas had been the best athlete in the school he was not spectacularly built. He was my height...He weighed a hundred and fifty pounds...which flowed from his legs to torso shoulders to arms and full strong neck..."
Phineas:
brave
self confident
athletic
trouble maker
comforting
"better hurry," "or they'll put you in the guard house."
"What was i doing up here anyway? Why did i let Finny talk me into stupid things like this? Was he getting some kind of hold over me?"
This quote is significant because it resembles Finny's persuasiveness. Also i believe this foreshadows further events and struggles between Gene and Phineas in terms of their relationship, that Finny will eventually "take hold over" Gene for the worst.
if your best friend pressured you into doing something would you do it?
Gene:
easily persuaded
smart
trustworthy
worrisome
envious
"For such an extraordinary athlete-even as a Lower Middler Phineas had been the best athlete in the school he was not spectacularly built. He was my height...He weighed a hundred and fifty pounds...which flowed from his legs to torso shoulders to arms and full strong neck..."
Phineas:
brave
self confident
athletic
trouble maker
comforting
"better hurry," "or they'll put you in the guard house."
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Antigone Essay
Stephen Simmons
English 10 Honors/Mr. George
Antigone Essay
10/29/08
Fate Defined
“You can't learn to die as though it were a skill. People die in the way they have lived. Death becomes the expression of everything you are, and you can bring to it only what you have brought to your life,” Michael Roemer. This quote reflects the rule of both Oedipus, in Oedipus the King, and Creon in, Antigone. Both characters were like fraternal twins. They were very similar in many ways, but were also very different. Throughout the novel of Oedipus the King, Oedipus has control of the entire Kingdom of Thebes. Drawn from his early prophecy, Oedipus was told that he was to kill his father, and marry his mother. Unfortunately, this was the case, leading to bloodshed in the house of Oedipus. Creon however, in Antigone, is told by a blind priest (the same person who first informed Oedipus of his prophecy) that he will experience death and that the people of Thebes will rule against him. In other words; Creon was prophesied to a bloody ending. As the story progresses we are informed by the Messenger that, “Haemon’s gone. Blood split by his own hand.” The son of Creon had committed suicide. This incident sparks a chain of emotion and sadness which causes Creon’s wife to commit suicide. Although these two characters had different opinions and different ideas on issues in the land of Thebes, they still shared similar fates. However, by analyzing the texts and comparing them the conclusion is drawn that Creon had the worst fate.
Fate governs our lives and Prophecies guide us to that fate. As we learn early on in Oedipus the king, Oedipus was prophesied to kill his father, King Lais, outsmart the Sphinx guarding the City of Thebes, marry his mother, and become the new King of Thebes. Oedipus throughout Oedipus the King is very concentrated on identifying the killer of Lias, his father. However, little does he know, that the true assassin of his father is himself. (Oedipus the king begins with the preaching of Oedipus and a Priest to the city of Thebes). “Oh, look upon the city, see the storm/ that batters down the city’s prow in waves of blood:/ the crops diseased, disease among the herds/…A fever-demon wastes the town/…So, go you best of men Raise up your city…” (5-6).Here we see that Oedipus is an intelligent ruler. Lifting the spirits of the people of Thebes, and motivating them to “raise up the city.” As we go further in the story we find a change in Oedipus which alters the opinion of the people of Thebes and the Audience think about him. Toward the climax of the story, Tiresias a blind prophet, under force, informs Oedipus that he was the murderer of King Lias, and that, “The rotting canker in the State is you, Oedipus.” (20). After hearing this Oedipus is enraged with fury to the point he threatens death upon Tiresias, “Insolence!/ And dare you think you’re safe?” (20). It is at this moment in the text where we begin to unravel the true identity of Oedipus and the kind of ruler he is. However, Oedipus is not the only major character who transitioned in his term of rule.
Creon in Antigone, changed drastically and almost identically to Oedipus. Toward the beginning of Antigone, Creon begins preaching to the people of Thebes with different matters than Gods and disease (note that this takes place after Oedipus the king). “Gentlemen, the gods have graciously/ steadied our ship of state, which/ have terribly tossed…I nearest in line enjoy the scepter of the throne/…And I find intolerable the man who puts his country/ second to his friends.” (198-199). In his lengthy speech, Creon begins to cheer on the people and soldiers of Thebes, similar to Oedipus. He is saying, now our dark times are over, no more plagues, no more famine, etc. However, as the speech progresses it evolves into a more demeaning announcement. He is stating that he isn’t the kind of ruler, like Oedipus, who will ignore the people and advice from the people. Never honor those who put their state second. Creon clearly states that in this speech that no one, at any point, shall bury the corpse of the “traitor” Polyneices. At this point the people of Thebes have mixed emotions about Creon. Some believe that not honoring traitors is a good thing and some believe that not honoring one of the two brothers who shed blood at war is horrifying. As we further advance in Antigone, we are introduced once again to the character of Tiresias. When Creon first greets Tiresias, he is very kind and welcoming. “Gladly do I own my debt to you.” (236). Here Creon is basically saying, I will do whatever you want, “I owe my debt to you.” Unlike Oedipus, Creon greets the prophet with great happiness even though he has just argued with Antigone, Ismene, and Haemon. However, once Tiresias informs Creon of the prophecy he has made (from birds he sees). Creon like Oedipus is enraged. “Old man,/ you pot away at me like all the rest/ as if I were a bull’s-eye./” (237). At this point Creon is saying that you are just like everyone else (Antigone, Ismene, Haemon) telling me that I am wrong. You may be asking your self, what do these two things have to do with Creon and Oedipus? Well…Creon and Oedipes both share similar reactions to the blind prophet, Tiresias. They are both angered by his true prophecies and scream that he is wrong to say those things to them. Also, both of these changes that occur during the time between the beginning and ending of the stories and “pave the way to their fate.”
As we come to the closing pages of Oedipus the King, and Antigone, we begin to realize that their actions and “changes” were to blame for the occurring events. In Oedipus the king, Jocasta hangs herself because she could not bear the truth. Oedipus is to blame for this because he encouraged the messenger and shepherd to completely explain the “story” of Oedipus. Some may argue that it was not Oedipus’ fault but Oedipus was the one who blindly fell into his prophecied trap, and Oedipus was the one who encourages the messenger and sentry to finish putting together the pieces of prophecy. In the end of Oedipus the king, Oedipus lunges two dress pins into his eyes and died. As we approach the end of Antigone all hell breaks lose. Anstigone hangs herself (like her mother) in the cell that creon put her in, Haemon stabs himself in attempt to kill Creaon, and Eurydice commits suicide. If we backtrack to the beginning of the madness we realize that it was because of Creons “change” that these events occurred. If Creon wasn’t such a heartless and just human then he never would have forced Antigone in to the cell where he left her to starve. And if Antigone did not hang herself, because she was to die anyways, Then Haemon would not have killed himself. Also if Haemon would not have killed himself, then Eurydice would not have committed suicide. So the real question that we ask ourselves is, who had the worst fate.
Throughout Oedipus the King and Antigone, Oedipus and Creon both act similarly. They both ruled like a dictator, they both abuse their right to power, and they both unconsciously use their flaws to their defeat. Although different in some areas, both Oedipus and Creon were both to blame for their fate. Creon however, had a larger “load” upon his shoulders, he was to blame for 3 deaths. Even though both experienced deaths and were the “cause” for those deaths, Creon slowly lead himself into his fate, and then all basically in on moment, lost everything. BY analyzing the texts and comparing them the conclusion is drawn that Creon had the worst fate.After all, “You can't learn to die as though it were a skill. People die in the way they have lived. Death becomes the expression of everything you are, and you can bring to it only what you have brought to your life,” Michael Roemer.
English 10 Honors/Mr. George
Antigone Essay
10/29/08
Fate Defined
“You can't learn to die as though it were a skill. People die in the way they have lived. Death becomes the expression of everything you are, and you can bring to it only what you have brought to your life,” Michael Roemer. This quote reflects the rule of both Oedipus, in Oedipus the King, and Creon in, Antigone. Both characters were like fraternal twins. They were very similar in many ways, but were also very different. Throughout the novel of Oedipus the King, Oedipus has control of the entire Kingdom of Thebes. Drawn from his early prophecy, Oedipus was told that he was to kill his father, and marry his mother. Unfortunately, this was the case, leading to bloodshed in the house of Oedipus. Creon however, in Antigone, is told by a blind priest (the same person who first informed Oedipus of his prophecy) that he will experience death and that the people of Thebes will rule against him. In other words; Creon was prophesied to a bloody ending. As the story progresses we are informed by the Messenger that, “Haemon’s gone. Blood split by his own hand.” The son of Creon had committed suicide. This incident sparks a chain of emotion and sadness which causes Creon’s wife to commit suicide. Although these two characters had different opinions and different ideas on issues in the land of Thebes, they still shared similar fates. However, by analyzing the texts and comparing them the conclusion is drawn that Creon had the worst fate.
Fate governs our lives and Prophecies guide us to that fate. As we learn early on in Oedipus the king, Oedipus was prophesied to kill his father, King Lais, outsmart the Sphinx guarding the City of Thebes, marry his mother, and become the new King of Thebes. Oedipus throughout Oedipus the King is very concentrated on identifying the killer of Lias, his father. However, little does he know, that the true assassin of his father is himself. (Oedipus the king begins with the preaching of Oedipus and a Priest to the city of Thebes). “Oh, look upon the city, see the storm/ that batters down the city’s prow in waves of blood:/ the crops diseased, disease among the herds/…A fever-demon wastes the town/…So, go you best of men Raise up your city…” (5-6).Here we see that Oedipus is an intelligent ruler. Lifting the spirits of the people of Thebes, and motivating them to “raise up the city.” As we go further in the story we find a change in Oedipus which alters the opinion of the people of Thebes and the Audience think about him. Toward the climax of the story, Tiresias a blind prophet, under force, informs Oedipus that he was the murderer of King Lias, and that, “The rotting canker in the State is you, Oedipus.” (20). After hearing this Oedipus is enraged with fury to the point he threatens death upon Tiresias, “Insolence!/ And dare you think you’re safe?” (20). It is at this moment in the text where we begin to unravel the true identity of Oedipus and the kind of ruler he is. However, Oedipus is not the only major character who transitioned in his term of rule.
Creon in Antigone, changed drastically and almost identically to Oedipus. Toward the beginning of Antigone, Creon begins preaching to the people of Thebes with different matters than Gods and disease (note that this takes place after Oedipus the king). “Gentlemen, the gods have graciously/ steadied our ship of state, which/ have terribly tossed…I nearest in line enjoy the scepter of the throne/…And I find intolerable the man who puts his country/ second to his friends.” (198-199). In his lengthy speech, Creon begins to cheer on the people and soldiers of Thebes, similar to Oedipus. He is saying, now our dark times are over, no more plagues, no more famine, etc. However, as the speech progresses it evolves into a more demeaning announcement. He is stating that he isn’t the kind of ruler, like Oedipus, who will ignore the people and advice from the people. Never honor those who put their state second. Creon clearly states that in this speech that no one, at any point, shall bury the corpse of the “traitor” Polyneices. At this point the people of Thebes have mixed emotions about Creon. Some believe that not honoring traitors is a good thing and some believe that not honoring one of the two brothers who shed blood at war is horrifying. As we further advance in Antigone, we are introduced once again to the character of Tiresias. When Creon first greets Tiresias, he is very kind and welcoming. “Gladly do I own my debt to you.” (236). Here Creon is basically saying, I will do whatever you want, “I owe my debt to you.” Unlike Oedipus, Creon greets the prophet with great happiness even though he has just argued with Antigone, Ismene, and Haemon. However, once Tiresias informs Creon of the prophecy he has made (from birds he sees). Creon like Oedipus is enraged. “Old man,/ you pot away at me like all the rest/ as if I were a bull’s-eye./” (237). At this point Creon is saying that you are just like everyone else (Antigone, Ismene, Haemon) telling me that I am wrong. You may be asking your self, what do these two things have to do with Creon and Oedipus? Well…Creon and Oedipes both share similar reactions to the blind prophet, Tiresias. They are both angered by his true prophecies and scream that he is wrong to say those things to them. Also, both of these changes that occur during the time between the beginning and ending of the stories and “pave the way to their fate.”
As we come to the closing pages of Oedipus the King, and Antigone, we begin to realize that their actions and “changes” were to blame for the occurring events. In Oedipus the king, Jocasta hangs herself because she could not bear the truth. Oedipus is to blame for this because he encouraged the messenger and shepherd to completely explain the “story” of Oedipus. Some may argue that it was not Oedipus’ fault but Oedipus was the one who blindly fell into his prophecied trap, and Oedipus was the one who encourages the messenger and sentry to finish putting together the pieces of prophecy. In the end of Oedipus the king, Oedipus lunges two dress pins into his eyes and died. As we approach the end of Antigone all hell breaks lose. Anstigone hangs herself (like her mother) in the cell that creon put her in, Haemon stabs himself in attempt to kill Creaon, and Eurydice commits suicide. If we backtrack to the beginning of the madness we realize that it was because of Creons “change” that these events occurred. If Creon wasn’t such a heartless and just human then he never would have forced Antigone in to the cell where he left her to starve. And if Antigone did not hang herself, because she was to die anyways, Then Haemon would not have killed himself. Also if Haemon would not have killed himself, then Eurydice would not have committed suicide. So the real question that we ask ourselves is, who had the worst fate.
Throughout Oedipus the King and Antigone, Oedipus and Creon both act similarly. They both ruled like a dictator, they both abuse their right to power, and they both unconsciously use their flaws to their defeat. Although different in some areas, both Oedipus and Creon were both to blame for their fate. Creon however, had a larger “load” upon his shoulders, he was to blame for 3 deaths. Even though both experienced deaths and were the “cause” for those deaths, Creon slowly lead himself into his fate, and then all basically in on moment, lost everything. BY analyzing the texts and comparing them the conclusion is drawn that Creon had the worst fate.After all, “You can't learn to die as though it were a skill. People die in the way they have lived. Death becomes the expression of everything you are, and you can bring to it only what you have brought to your life,” Michael Roemer.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Antigone Quot 2:
"Will no one lance a two-edged sword
Through this bleeding seat of sorrow?"
-Creon, pg.250-
This is significant because in this quote Creon, like Oedipus after losing everything that truly mattered to him, is crying for death to end his misery. it is now when we truly see the likeness between the two and their tragic flaws, and how they lead to their death. (literally and emotionally).
on page 204 the sentry says, "Oh, what crying shame, when right reason reasons wrong!"and on page 248 when the chorus says, "late, too late, your reason reasons right!"
-is there a connection between the two? or is there not one?
"Will no one lance a two-edged sword
Through this bleeding seat of sorrow?"
-Creon, pg.250-
This is significant because in this quote Creon, like Oedipus after losing everything that truly mattered to him, is crying for death to end his misery. it is now when we truly see the likeness between the two and their tragic flaws, and how they lead to their death. (literally and emotionally).
on page 204 the sentry says, "Oh, what crying shame, when right reason reasons wrong!"and on page 248 when the chorus says, "late, too late, your reason reasons right!"
-is there a connection between the two? or is there not one?
Sunday, October 19, 2008
antigone quote
ISMENE
"But now that your poor ship buffeted,
I'm not ashamed to sail the voyage at your side."
pg. 214
This quote is significant because it resembles the changing point for Ismene (like Oedipus) in the story. Earlier, at the beginning of Antigone, Ismene was sort of a coward. She was frightened and ashamed of her sister by the idea of going against Creons word to bury her brother in fear that she, and Antigone, would be punished ( killed). In this quote Ismene completely turns around her status, stating that she will take the "journey," meaning that whatever Antigone endures she will endure with her.
Whos side is Haemon really on?
"But now that your poor ship buffeted,
I'm not ashamed to sail the voyage at your side."
pg. 214
This quote is significant because it resembles the changing point for Ismene (like Oedipus) in the story. Earlier, at the beginning of Antigone, Ismene was sort of a coward. She was frightened and ashamed of her sister by the idea of going against Creons word to bury her brother in fear that she, and Antigone, would be punished ( killed). In this quote Ismene completely turns around her status, stating that she will take the "journey," meaning that whatever Antigone endures she will endure with her.
Whos side is Haemon really on?
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