Makemedo's Journey to Power in Aristophanes' Birds
Humans have always journeyed in search of what they want and need. Our earliest ancestors were nomads, wandering the countryside in search of food and shelter. It is no surprise, then, that much of ancient and modern literature deals with the theme of the journey and getting what one wants. This is especially true in the writing of Aristophanes' Birds, from Aristophanes I: Clouds, Wasps, Birds, translated by Peter Meineck, published by the Hackett Publishing Company in Indianapolis, IN, in 1998. The main character, Makemedo, begins his journey by seeking a land free of worry and work, and ends it by becoming a divine ruler. His desire shifts from wanting a simple existence to wanting tremendous power. This change in his ultimate goal is shown throughout the play by a series of visits from other characters. Aristophanes uses the visitors as a way of mirroring Makemedo's journey on the path to power: the visitors represent the state of Makemedo's power, and the way he deals with them is a reflection of his status.
The first visitor on the path to power is Makemedo himself. He begins by journeying ". . . in search of a land free from hustle and bustle / where a man can just settle down and rest" (43-44). His original demands are simple, and his ultimate goal is to find the Hoopoe, a bird who used to be human, who will help him find such a land. Makemedo begins his journey as a seeker, delegating the power to the Hoopoe, who can help him obtain what he wants:
We thought that you might be able to help us.
That in all your flying about, you may have come across
a nice soft and woolly city where two men
can snuggle up and live in peace and tranquility. (119-122)
The power is also in the hands of the birds themselves, who meet Makemedo and Goodhope with great hostility saying, "Now for these two old men, the penalty is clear: / Peck them to death! Tear them to shreds!" (337-338). Makemedo is in a position of very little power until he deviates from his original purpose and comes up with the idea for the birds to found their own city. The power shifts the moment the idea occurs to him. The birds are also won over: "Oh! What a transformation, from bitterest enemy to greatest friend! / You've won us over, from now on we're going to listen to you" (628-629).
Prometheus Bound is quite different from other tragedies in that it is peopled entirely by gods. The play focuses on the story of Prometheus, and we have versions of this myth in Hesiod's famous works. There is reason to think that the author of Prometheus Bound was not only acquainted with Hesiod's version but actually drew on Hesiod directly in this play. This essay therefore aims to establish in what ways the author of Prometheus Bound seems to have drawn from Hesiod's version of myth, in what ways he has diverged from it, and what reasons he might have had for making these changes and innovations. This might therefore highlight any particular emphasis or purpose of Prometheus Bound and what its author might have been trying to get across. Though there is not space in this essay to discuss the problems of attributing this play, it must be recognised that this ambiguity of authorship and dating makes it even more difficult than usual to look at views and purposes behind the play.
Fortunato’s immolation was not spontaneous as Montresor had been planning his revenge. This tells us that he is cunning as he strategically sets up Fortunato for his death. He had designed every detail so that he would be alone with Fo...
The debate between Unjust and Just Speech in Aristophanes’ Clouds draws the reader’s attention to the theme of natural pleasure versus lawful justice. The debate begins with the two Speeches representing
For all he knew, he was being invited to his friend’s place to grab a drink and sort their previous beef out. For both of the characters knew they used to not get along, but as Poe conveys his story, the readers are under the impression that Fortunato is ready to look past their quarrel but Montresor on the other hands, does not let go of arguments very well. When Fortunato arrives at Montresor’s door, he is greeted with a warm and friendly smile, little could he tell what was about to come of him. The reader assumes that Fortunato pretends like the past did not happen and allows Montresor to be so friendly, or so he thinks. In honor of the carnival that was happening this very same night, the two get a drink together, Fortunato more than Montresor. (Foy) Montresor offers him more and more wine. At this point, Fortunato is fairly intoxicated and is very gullible. He is offered some very rare wine by Montresor, and him being the wine lover he seems to be, is all in to get this special wine! Even up to his death, Fortunato seems to be a happy, go with the flow kind of person. He then realizes at the end, that he will be no more in the
Oedipus the King: Reason and Passion In the play, Oedipus the King, there are dual parts of reason and passion. Oedipus primarily acts with both reason and passion at different stages in the play. There are several points in the play where Oedipus acts with reason. The first such point occurs when he is asked by his followers to help save Thebes. He acts with reason when he immediately decides to heed to their demands and find help for them.
In Aristophanes’ speech, which primarily takes the form of a myth, he weaves together comical elements with undertones of sadness that serve to create a profound account of what Eros is. The speech describes humans as combined creatures who, after being separated, are filled with longing. These beings spend the remainder of their lives, in a sometimes futile attempt, combating this feeling of longing by searching for the individual that can make them one again. Aristophanes describes Eros as a remedy for this overwhelming emotion. He uses his story to make Eros an entity that acts in tandem with individuals wishing to be whole. As a result, Eros ultimately serves as a guide that allows humans to bring about their original feeling of completion,
You were not to be found, and I was fearful of losing a bargain (Poe 332)”. This revels Montresor notices that Fortunato is not able to tell Amontillado from Sherry as he is a great wine-lover. When Montresor is coughing, Fortunato is trying to convince him to leave: “Come,” I said with decision, “ we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was”. This shows jealousy and kindness of Montresor against Fortunato at the same time that is quite sarcastic. From this perspective, Montresor envious all of the things that Fortunato has and who is not reconciled to someone surpass him in the status. He mistakenly feels that this is the injury created by Fortunato resulting in his revenge. Therefore, he blame on Fortunato for all fault that he should eradicate him as soon as possible before he become a threatening when it is too late to take any action. Additionally, he does not even regret his choice and believes everything he does is right. This is because he tries so hard to makes an effort to draw Fortunato to his trap and put down his vigilance simultaneously by
For several years, I have had an interest in virology and the spread and characteristics of various infectious diseases. Though it makes sense not to possibly induce a state of panic by informing individuals of illnesses that are not native to the area they live in and that they are not likely to contract, I have always liked to remain informed out of my own curiosity and interest. Thus, I have decided to write about malaria.
Sophocles, the author of “Oedipus the King” led individuals such as Freud to critically analyze this play specifically for its psychological content. Freud utilized this play to expand his dream analysis research as well as the inspiration of the infamous “Oedipus Complex.” Oedipus operates under freewill, yet his fate has been determined by the Gods although the end result may require a winding path of less than obvious events that occur to achieve the prophecy. The supporting roles in “Oedipus the King” truly exploit the protagonist, Oedipus, and his character flaws. All in all, Sophocles demonstrates the power of an individual’s psyche by illustrating the fears and dreams that are transformed into actions; such actions also lead to the rise and fall of the great Oedipus by the end of “Oedipus the King.”
Malaria (also called biduoterian fever, blackwater fever, falciparum malaria, plasmodium, Quartan malaria, and tertian malaria) is one of the most infectious and most common diseases in the world. This serious, sometimes-fatal disease is caused by a parasite that is carried by a certain species of mosquito called the Anopheles. It claims more lives every year than any other transmissible disease except tuberculosis. Every year, five hundred million adults and children (around nine percent of the world’s population) contract the disease and of these, one hundred million people die. Children are more susceptible to the disease than adults, and in Africa, where ninety percent of the world’s cases occur and where eighty percent of the cases are treated at home, one in twenty children die of the disease before they reach the age of five. Pregnant women are also more vulnerable to disease and in certain parts of Africa, they are four times as likely to contract the disease and only half as likely to survive it.
Malaria is a deadly disease that is transmitted to humans via bites from infected female mosquitos carrying malaria parasites. People who develop the disease often become “very sick with high fever, shaking chills, and flu-like symptoms” (CDC). According to National Geographic, "malaria now affects more people than ever before. It's endemic to 106 nations, threatening half the world's population…This year malaria will strike up to a half billion people. At least a million will die, most of them under age five, the vast majority living in Africa,” (National Geographic). The high concentration of malaria-afflicted citizens in Africa can be attributed to the conducive climate for mosquitos, the sheer number of mosquitos, and most importantly, the inability for many countries to sustain enough anti-malarial resources, medical care, and preventative measu...
The Anthropocene was caused by the war of two forces nature and humanity and that is seen in the play the Birds, but the play also is a comedy which means it does cause laughter even if it isn’t anthropocene laughter or ‘true laughter’ by Bergson’s theory. There are several scenes and parts of dialog where it causes laughter. One piece of dialog spoken by Euelpides who is talking to Peisetaerus “thump it with your head, We’ll get twice the noise” (Aristophanes 20). This is a funny image and is a dialog that people have told each other among friends or families which causes laughter from everyone when used with the right tone. This scene causes laughter by the use of a little sarcasm which causes the mix of emotion that are frustration and amusement. Some more funny dialog is that where Peisetaerus tells the birds about how they were more powerful than the current gods and Euelpides makes several jokes if not funny remarks. Peisetaerus says something like the kites were kings and how people would roll on the ground in respect and Euelpides makes the comment that he swallowed a coin during his roll. This dialog is funny for it is not only is amusing by the fact that it was mostly made up on the spot which is an
Despite being urged against it several times; he ventures on willingly to his tomb. The warnings also serve another purpose; Montresor offers his prey a way out in exchange for Fortunato’s pride to be injured. Accepting the invitation of heading back would mean weakness, but possibly would have saved Fortunato’s life for losing his pride.
Medea and Lysistrata are two Greek literatures that depict the power which women are driven to achieve in an aim to defy gender inequality. In The Medea, Medea is battling against her husband Jason whom she hates. On the other hand, in Aristophanes' Lysistrata, the protagonist Lysistrata plotted to convince and organize the female gender to protest against the stubbornness of men. In terms of defining the purpose of these two literatures, it is apparent that Euripedes and Aristophanes created characters that demonstrate resistance against the domination of men in the society.
This dangerous disease should be recognized as a threat and menace, so the oblivious should become aware of all the deaths caused in a year by malaria. To sum it all up, malaria is caused by parasite-infected mosquitoes, signs of malaria are basically changes in temperature from colds to fevers, it is diagnosed by extinguishable malaria parasites in the blood and treatment is determined by the severity of the disease, the outcome is usually complete recovery and in some cases, death is the only way out, and preventing malaria is all about preventing mosquitoes Again, malaria is a disastrous disease, one you don’t want to get; one that no one wants to get. Malaria is a disease worth knowing about, because it has killed an immense amount of people.