Essay on The Clouds and the History of Peloponnesian War

Breaking down traditions: The â€Å"Clouds† and the â€Å"History of Peloponnesian War† Undeniably, the ancient Greek society places a heavy emphasis on values and traditions. The two texts of the â€Å"Clouds† by Aristophanes and â€Å"History of the Peloponnesian war† by Thucydides, although contextually divergent, are actually conceptually convergent. Both texts are built around the central theme of the collapse of conventional values. While the breakdown of traditional values in the â€Å"History of the Peloponnesian war† is presented in a more metaphorical and symbolical manner, the downfall of conventional values in the â€Å"Clouds† is on a more direct basis. Although both texts essentially convey across the same solemn message that the relinquishment of†¦show more content†¦Making use of rhetoric devices and compromising the ideals of democracy breach the ideals of traditions in the Greek society. Unlike that in the â€Å"Cl ouds†, Thucydides does not show any sign of flaws of the traditional values. Although based on different circumstances, the breakdown of traditional values in â€Å"The History of the Peloponnesian war† parallels to that in the â€Å"Clouds†. The â€Å"Clouds† also utilizes extensive use of rhetoric devices. Strepsiades decides to submit to the sophist’s way of education, so that he would be able to defend himself against his creditors. The first sign of erosion of traditional value is exposed when Strepsiades decides to enroll himself in the Thinkery under the guidance of Socrates. The ability to manipulate language and turn everything into relativism erodes the principles of traditional Athenian beliefs. Indisputably, the new philosophy wins. Sophistry is the type of linguistic device that, in the face of the weakness of traditional beliefs, undermines the value of anything. Strepsiades opines, â€Å"Holy Earth, what a voice! How divine, how awes ome, how fantastic!† (363) In which Socrates responds, â€Å"Yes, you know, these are the only real divinities, all the rest is bunkum.† (365) In the new system of beliefs as advocated by the sophists, there is a rejection of the traditional religion and a belief in the new â€Å"gods†. The comical way through which ideas are portrayed may be witty, but the core issue lies at the heart of the playsShow MoreRelatedThe Great Civilization Of Athens1236 Words   |  5 Pagesentire civilization. This cataclysmic event that ended the great civilization of Athens has inspired countless authors to write about it. Starting at the beginning of 431 BCE, historian Thucydides wrote his take on it. In his work, â€Å"The History of the Peloponnesian War,† Thucydides discussed the social and political consequences of the plague; a personal account on the experiences he lived through. Anywhere during 99-55 BCE, poet Lucretius had his work, â€Å"On the Nature of the Universe,† end with anRead MoreAristophanes Voices Concerns for Ancient Greek Culture in His Plays1832 Words   |  8 Pagespg. 101). The Clouds, Lysistrata, and The Acharnians were all used to attack problems that were prevalent during the time of Aristophanes. In The Acharnians, we see how Aristophanes uses this play to demonstrate his request for peace. Using this comedy, his ideas against war and battle are visibly displayed. This play reflects Aristophanes’ passion for rejecting all notions and reasons for fighting. This play was written on the basis that continuing the Peloponnesian War was unnecessaryRead MoreSpartan Take Home Exam. Politically These Areas Share Hardly1600 Words   |  7 Pagesthe cloud of a royal death, either by suicide or possibly a murder† (pg111) in the end of the Persian wars, Sparta would have sacrificed many warriors and deserved the eventual victory again the Persians. Under the rule of both Leotychidas and Leonidas commanded the roles of victory of Mycale and Platea. During this time the Persian Empire ruled by Great King Darius expanding his empire, asking for Greece â€Å"to supply him with the traditional tokens of submission, earth, and water, or expect war.† (pg112)Read M oreThe French Revolution Essay examples1018 Words   |  5 PagesAncient Greece is to the emergence of it in the French Revolution. The French Revolution was the first modern revolution in history. It is one of the most studied times in history. Many questions are asked about how, when, and why this great revolution started. This essay will explain the reasons for it starting by comparing this time of history to Ancient Greece. First, the essay will outline the government structure in Ancient Greece before democracy and after democracyRead MoreSocrates: One of the Most Important Figures in Western Philosophy1252 Words   |  6 Pageson the slopes of Mount Lycabettus, where his father was a sculptor and his mother a midwife. He soon became an apprentice and aid to his father and he continued it throughout a brief period of time until he volunteered to be a soldier in the Peloponnesian War. After his retirement of the army, most of his time and energy in his adult life was spent in pursuing wisdom. Plato was Socrates’ most famous student because of his devotion that he had with philosophy. â€Å"Philosophy, the love of wisdom, wasRead MoreMr.Jlgibson1096 Words   |  5 Pagesnot primarily with the truth status of the arguments conclusion, but rather with structure of the inference in the argument. The life of the Greek philosopher Socrates (469-399 BC) marks such a critical point in Western thought that standard histories divide Greek philosophy into pre-Socratic and post-Socratic periods. Socrates left no writings of his own, and his work has inspired almost as many different interpretations as there have been interpreters. He remains one of the most important andRead MoreAristophanes Charge And Socrates 1876 Words   |  8 PagesAristophanes’ Charge and Socrates’ apologia Aristophanes’ Clouds , a satirical comedy, presents the conflict between politics and philosophy, considering philosophy as a destructive influence upon the life of the polis and harmful to the civic virtue which is significant in maintaining the stability in political order. In the play, Aristophanes depicted Socrates as an investigator of the thing aloft, as a teacher of how to make the weaker speech the stronger, and as a disbeliever in Zeus and theRead MoreSocrates : Not Guilty1610 Words   |  7 Pagesagainst Socrates comes down to establishing the validity of the second charge, that of impiety. To the Greeks, an accusation of impiety was a serious matter, especially in light of recent events. The Athenians had suffered a great loss in the Peloponnesian War, and two failed oligarchic governments had added to the misery of the citizens. It was a time of great uncertainty and, therefore, any behavior that seemed to question anything about the traditional gods was bound to attract attention. SocratesRead MoreEducational Theory of Socrates4392 Words   |  18 Pagesworking class family. It is not documented what his father did for a living but the general opinion is that he was a stonemason and his mother was believed to have been a midwife. Socrates fought for Athens in the Peloponnesian war sometimes participating in the politics that ensued after the war had finished. He married and raised one child with his wife but it is thought that he had another two children with his second wife. It was after this that he started to develop his thoughts and theories. He beganRead MoreSocrates Summary2196 Words   |  9 Pagessoldier in the Peloponnesian War with Sparta, but in later years became a devotee of philosophy and argument. He spent years in the public places of Athens, engaging his fellow citizens in philosophical discussions and urging them to greater self-analysis. Socrates s iconoclastic attitude didn t sit well with everyone, and at age 70 he was charged with heres y and corruption of local youth. Convicted, he carried out the death sentence by drinking hemlock, becoming one of history s earliest martyrs

Analysis Of Alone By Maya Angelou - 1422 Words

Alone Versus Companionship Alone to one could be the feeling of emptiness inside, it could also be a feeling of physical aloneness. Alone by Maya Angelou, dives in to the author ´s point of view of being alone. When one deciphers the poem, the deepness and the quality of Maya Angelou’s word is presented through her overall meaning. The poem might be easy for one to decipher due to its simple diction, however when one truly analyzes the poem the true deep news and quality of Maya Angelou’s words are presented. Angelou uses biblical allusions, figurative language, her past life, and word choice through her tone, fiction, and structure. First, the text’s overall meaning is that life has to be lived with the companionship of other people.†¦show more content†¦When one slows down when reading a poem it allows time for the meaning to sink in. Also, it allows the readers to digest what they read and the lines that have a deeper meaning to be more easily understood. Lastly, there is a simile â€Å"Their wives run round like banshees† (Angelou 16). Someone who is a banshee is a person who acts as a dying person. Just like the bread and the water represent the dangers of being alone so does a banshee. With the multiple examples of how a person alone feels readers a re able to have a picturesque visual from the poem. In the last main stanza Angelou talks about how the wind is going to blow and how the storm is going to come. This is a comparison to being alone. Angelou added in a vivid description on how important it is to not be alone. Also there is imagery â€Å"Storm clouds are gathering/ The wind is gonna blow† (Angelou 28-29) All of the figurative language enhances the overall message. Throughout the entire poem the vivid description of the dangers of being alone gives the readers some hints and curiosity on the authors past. Maya Angelou had a rough past that brought her to write this poem. She had to start working at the age of fourteen and had her son during the end of her high school career (Wordpress). Having a difficult childhood taught her that to overcome setbacks and hardships is through the help of other people. She also became a sex worker during her early mother yearsShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Alone By Maya Angelou1351 Words   |  6 Pages Stevenson 3Alone Versus CompanionshipTo be alone could mean internal loneliness or it could also be physical loneliness.Alone, by Maya Angelou, dives in to the author ´s point of view of being alone. When onedeciphers the poem, the deepness and the quality of Maya Angelou’s word is presented throughher overall meaning. The poem might be easy for one to decipher due to its simple diction,however, when one analyzes the poem the true quality of Maya Angelou’s words are presented.Angelou uses biblicalRead MorePoem Analysis : Alone By Maya Angelou907 Words   |  4 Pagesever felt all alone liked your trapped in a closet? Looking and searching for a way out, but it’s so dark that your eyes become heavy and start to hurt. All you can constantly think about is someone’s help. Help means to offer ones service or assistance. In life, we have to be able to depend on people in this world. The civil rights activist, director, singer and poet Maya Angelou created a poem called â€Å"Alone.† In this poem, the title speaks for itself by warning you to not live life alone because itRead MoreAnalysis Of Maya Angelou s Alone979 Words   |  4 PagesMaya Angelou’s â€Å"Alone† is an incredible narrative poem that readers can relate to. This poem is about realizing that no matter who you are, or where you come from, or how much money you have, you need other human beings to survive in this world. In life you need people who love you and help you through hardships. The poem is easy to read and understand because of the simplicity of the diction. Angelou uses the phrase, â€Å"That nobody, / But nobody / Can make it out here alone,† to get her point acrossRead MoreI Know Why The Caged Bird Sings By Maya Angelou Analysis840 Words   |  4 Pagesperson is none other than Maya Angelou. Angelou has been a famous American poet since the release of her 1969 autobiography, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. Angelou has inspired m any people by telling her life story to the public, but not only did she inspire, she also created a very different and personal point of view of the world we live in. The poem’s she has written transition from pain and suffering or to courage and confidence. Nonetheless, even though Angelou wrote mostly about anguishedRead MoreI Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Essay1097 Words   |  5 Pages Maya Angelou was considered numerus things during her life she was an author, poet, actor, director, singer, dancer, writer and civil rights activist. She was considered one of the most renowned and influential voices of current views. She is one of the few recognisable civil rights activist working right beside Martin Luther Jr and many other leaders including presidents. Working in the Reagan and Bush ad ministry. She wrought a best-selling auto biography â€Å"I know why the caged bird sings†. Trough-outRead MoreHot and Cold: Warmth in Poetry Essay1234 Words   |  5 Pagesdaffodils is not a current activity, but a memory upon which he thinks upon whenever he is dealing with the sadness and confusion of real life. The second poem, â€Å"Disabled,† is much darker than its counterpart. Owen speaks rather of a war veteran sitting alone in a hospital room, who â€Å"shivered in his ghastly suit of gray / Legless, sewn short at elbow† (Owen 2-3). In this poem the reverse tactic of Wordsworth is used, with the depression of life coming to the forefront while the comforting memory followsRead MoreMaya Angelo - Phenomenal Woman766 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿ â€Å"Phenomenal Women† By Maya Angelo – Analysis In the poem â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† by Maya Angelo expresses many viewpoints on the topic of women. She describes the many attributes of women throughout the poem. Many think that a slim and trim body or pretty faces are the many features of a true woman. But Angelo explains the small insignificant features of a woman that people or society never mention. She believes and convinces the reader that these are the marks of a woman. The poems central ideaRead MoreTradition And The Individual Talent944 Words   |  4 Pagesthe people in a particular group, family, society, etc., for a long time.† However the playwright, poet, and critic T.S. Eliot believes tradition in a poetry sense varies through cultures, through time, and it is ever changing. In Eliot’s critical analysis â€Å"Tradition and the Individual Talent† tradition is something considered passed down but in a poetry sense, it is something that is not inherited, it is something that requires gre at ambition and focus to learn from past poets. A great poet must learnRead More Censorship in the Classroom Essay2774 Words   |  12 Pages Since then, I read that Maya Angelous novel I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings has been censored because the rape of eight-year-old Ritie by her mothers boyfriend, Mr. Freeman, is too pornographic. In Moulton, Alabama, the novel was banned in December, 1995, after the superintendent said, When it goes into describing sex organs and describing the pain and actual act of rape, I think its pornographic (Donelson, 1997). In chapter twelve, Angelou describes Mr. Freemans penis asRead MoreThe Honor Roll Award : The Outstanding Achievement Award1673 Words   |  7 Pagesof school and work was nearly impossible. The hardest obstacle I had to overcome my first year at Mason was combating my urge to branch out socially versus confronting my fragile financial situation. But, just like in the past when I found myself alone during recess, I recognized that in order to pursue my dreams I would have to make a few sacrifices. Even though my classes had nothing to do with criminal justice, one of my three jobs had a strong foundation in criminology. I had found employment

Bismark Attack Paper Free Essays

Bismarck exemplifies the best in effective leadership. While his methods may have been temporarily distasteful, his successful ends for Germany more than justified his means to achieve them. (ATTACK) Otto Von Bismarck spent 10 years working for at united Germany in an attempt to shift the balance of power in Europe. We will write a custom essay sample on Bismark Attack Paper or any similar topic only for you Order Now He was once quoted as saying â€Å"People don t make nations, strong leaders and wars do†, and he was more than willing to sacrifice his fellow Germans for his vision of a powerful Germany. Even with the great idea to bring Germany together, I believe it was the farthest example of the best in effective leadership. In fact based on the video and research I believe Bismarck used blackmail and temper tantrums to get his way which is not the mark Of a great and powerful leader. When the King of Prussia asked Bismarck to be his Prime Minister, he wanted Bismarck to unite all Germans under one power, and one crown. He had a parliament that wouldn’t pay their military and needed a way to get all Germans from the Saxons, Bavarian and Hessians to unite and become a stronger county. Bismarck believed he was being led by God to bring all of Germany together. This to me sounds very Hitler-issue and very much like someone who is going to step on everyone in his path to get what he wants. He attacked Denmark and then Austria, even though the King of Prussia was against it. While see where his thought process was, and why he attacked to unite his country, the King was very hesitant to have â€Å"Germans shooting at Germans†. After the wars, Bismarck had what he wanted as far as national pride and Germans having a sense of country and dedication to the father land. This is where his effectiveness as a leader ends. The Prime Minister then decided to provoke France into a war. He wanted to make sure no one would try and intervene in German affairs and bring some of the smaller German states out of the nation as a whole. He then adds insult to injury by suggesting a German prince become the new ruler of Spain, which France vehemently denied. Bismarck had become so power angry and now longer concerned with German affairs that he was blinded to what was going on. There was no need to provoke the French into a war for pointless gains. Bismarck had no need for the French territory but was more concerned with himself and his legacy than his people. Being out only for himself and provoking other countries needlessly is by no means an effective leader much less a great one. How to cite Bismark Attack Paper, Papers