Greek Mythology and Medea Essay Example for Free

Greek Mythology and Medea Essay Medea is a Greek tragedy which was written in 431 BC by the Greek philosopher Euripides. The story of Medea is one filled with anger, jealousy, and death. The main character, Medea, has to overcome the personal heartache of seeing her husband, Jason, marry another woman. The ensuing struggle she has with this notion is the focus of this play. In a very important scene, Medea hatches her plan to murder the princess, who is Jasons new bride, as well as Jason himself. She says that first, she will pretend to beg for Jasons forgiveness, and then she will have him bring the children back to the palace. At the palace, the children will present gifts to the princess from Medea. The gifts of a veil and bridal robe were covered with a poison that is designed to melt the skin from her body, as well as anyone who touched her. When the children give the gifts to the princess, she cannot resist putting them on immediately. After she put them on, the gifts begin to work as Medea had hoped. The skin begins to melt from her body and her hair begins to fall out. She also bursts into flames. Upon seeing this, a servant goes to fetch the king and Jason, and when he saw his daughter, King Creon collapses helplessly on the body, and as a result died from the same poisons. Jason returns to the place where Medea is staying and insists to see his children. But he is too late, as Medea has killed them as well. Her reasoning was that she hates Jason more than she loves her children. The sheer cruelty of this scene illustrates Euripides point that a clever woman with enough time to hatch a plan is a very dangerous woman indeed. It also proves that hell hat no fury like a woman scorned. Euripides was aiming to show, in my opinion, that when a woman is wronged in a manner such as this one, the man who has scorned her had better think twice about turning his back on the woman, especially if she is a clever one, as was Medea.

Banisteriopsis caapi :: Botany

Banisteriopsis caapi "It was thirty minutes before I felt the first sensation, a numbness on the lips, and a warmth in my stomach that spread to my chest and shoulders even as a distinct chill moved down my waist and lower limbs...I opened my eyes to a flash of light, a passing headlight on the road, harsh and intrusive. I retreated again and felt myself fade into an uncomfortable physical body, prostrate on the mat, and tormented by vertigo and a mounting nausea" (Davis 1996). This account describes the beginning feelings and affects of an experience between Wade Davis and yage, a drink whose main component is the plant Banisteriopsis caapi. Banisteriopsis caapi is a plant found in the tropical regions of South America, including the countries of Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and more. It is a liana that grows in the tropical forests of these regions and is often utilized in native tribe cultures. Many different aboriginal tribes of the Amazon rainforests use drinks prepared from this plant under many different names: ayahuasca, caapi, yage, yaje, natem, datem, pinde, dapa, and more. It has been used in various tribe cultures for years and still has a place in today's societies and religions. Banisteriopsis of the Malpighiaceae, is a genus of around one hundred species of plants in tropical America. Three of these are known for their hallucinogenic affects in ayahuasca. These three plants are B. inebriens, B. caapi (Schultes 1970) and B. quitensis (Schultes 1995). The best known of these three species and the main component of ayahuasca is B. caapi. When the drink ayahuasca is made, it is often supplemented with other plants that provide hallucinogenic properties to the drink. There are many species of plants, stretching across genera, that are added. Some of the plants included in these various admixtures are Diplopterys cabrerana, Psychotria viridis, and Psychotria carthaginensis. There are also members of the Solanaceae that are commonly used, Nicotiana species, Brugmansia species, and Brunfelsia species (Schultes and von Reis 1995). These plants bring different chemical constituents to the drink. The chemical components of Banisteriopsis caapi that cause the hallucinogenic effect are beta-carboline alkaloids found in the bark. More than nine alkaloids have been isolated in B. caapi. The three main active constituents, and most well known from this plant, are harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine. Other beta-carboline alkoloids include harmine-N-oxide, harmic acid methylester, harmalinic acid, harmic amide, and more (Kawanishi et al 1982).

Two Views of a Crime

Whether or not fault Is Justifiable Is concluded by opposing sides of a situation, with the conclusions consistently differing on multiple accounts. In William Shakespearean Hamlet two men, both alike in livelihood, though divergent in dignity, give speeches of persuasion regarding the same situation.Claudia, through means of vain diction and a tone of false self-contempt, demonstrates his justifiability of the fault committed unto Hamlet, who exposes Claudia as an â€Å"adulterate beast† with word choice of animosity and speaks with an attitude of nothing shy of a desire for titillation to annihilate any permissible defense of Classis's doing. The entire situation, coated with a thick layer of irony, entails a sinful man asking for redemption as well as a sinful man begging for justice. In the beginning of both speeches, the men identify Claudia as the initiator of the entirety of the situation.Hamlet, speaking to his son, distinguishes an â€Å"incestuous† and a †Å"traitorous† character. Although it has yet to be made clear that this character of â€Å"wicked wit† Is Claudia, It Is discernible that whatever character he speaks of Is Hough of as vile and disloyal to Hamlet. When Hamlet mentions his â€Å"seeming virtuous queen,† it is inevitable to recognize the â€Å"wretch† who holds the blame for his loss is none other than Claudia. While Hamlet illustrates the initiator as â€Å"lewd† and â€Å"garbage,† Claudia thinks of himself as one of â€Å"strong intent† and connects himself to Cain, the man known as the first murderer.This allusion instantly identifies Claudia as Hamlet's murderer understanding that Cain killed his brother for supposedly being God's favorite. In the case between Hamlet and Claudia, Hamlet Is inning while partaking in the Joys of Queen Gertrude. Hamlet has the â€Å"favored† and Claudia eliminates him from the picture for that reason. Both passages continue, Jou rneying along alternate paths. While Hamlet describes the scene of Classis's fault, Claudia demonstrates narcissism. The â€Å"vile and loathsome† death Hamlet suffered proves as nothing of importance to Claudia who approaches the situation with the conclusion that his â€Å"fault Is past. The dreadful scene Illustrated through Hamlets â€Å"cursed† memory serves as sensible reason for his IEEE that Claudia should have revenge sought about him, forced to pay for Hamlet's condemnation to Purgatory and compelled to pay for his disloyalty. Claudia, however, expresses few signs of guilt. He attempts to grieve, asking the heavens to cleanse his fault â€Å"white as snow. † Nevertheless, he understands that he may never beg â€Å"Forgive me my foul murder† while remaining In possession of â€Å"(his) crown, (his) own ambition, and (his) queen. With this conclusion presented, It Is evident through â€Å"his true nature† that there exists no â€Å"Incli nation† to rid himself of his â€Å"wicked rice(s). † The irony of the situation is presented in that Claudia, in search of redemption, finds redemption just beyond the life he now enjoys, but instead resolves to keep in winnings. While in Hamlet's speech, however, revenge is sought upon Claudia. If success is fulfilled on Hamlet's part, Claudia will not only be rid of his new possessions but also of his insignificant chance of forgiveness. Hamlet's speech concludes as his life has- â€Å"dispatched. Hamlet sends his son with resolves to â€Å"try what repentance can,† though he comprehends that little may come of it. In this comprehension, he explains that as his â€Å"words fly up, (his) thoughts remain below,† symbolizing the falsity of his guilt and his fake desire for redemption. From the standpoint of irony, Just as Hamlet possessed the inability to beg for forgiveness, Claudia will not experience redemption. He will meet the heavens â€Å"with all (his) imperfections on (his) head† Just as Hamlet was forced to experience due to Classis's hand. The Justifiability of Classis's fault lies in two opposing pairs of hands.While Hamlet, through diction of identifiable loathing, believes his brother deserves enmeshment for his doing, a sensible conclusion, Claudia concerns himself with his current well-being. Through language of self-love, Claudia displays fake guilt and knowingly fails to receive forgiveness. As Claudia leaves his need for salvation to the heavens, Hamlet leaves his burning desire for revenge to his son. The Justifiability of fault will continue to remain unknown due to inconvenience that only those associated with the situation may provide the conclusion, and unfortunately those in association will consistently be in opposition.

Joseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness - 957 Words

Chinua Achebe’s controversial essay published in 1977 focuses on the racist views woven into Joseph Conrad’s 1899 novella, Heart of Darkness. Achebe claims that Conrad uses many western stereotypes of Africa and subtly weaves them below the surface of his writing. However, due to the popularity of the novella and the skill of Conrad, his racist views go undetected. The most obvious indicator of Conrad’s racist views is the depictions of the people. They are described as â€Å"savage creatures,† yet Conrad’s novella is noted for its excellence and not its horrible racist claims. Conrad’s novella is full of parallels, such as the River Thames, which is peaceful and calm contrary to the Congo River, which is depicted as being a rough and dangerous place. By creating these parallels Conrad is representing the differences between the European people and the Natives of Congo because he fears the thought of having anything in common with them. Acheb e declares that the racist views in the novella come from Conrad s own beliefs but to conceal them he hides behind multiple narrators. Achebe puts forth a compelling article that delves deep into the depths of Heart of Darkness. Although Chinua Achebe’s essay brings forth some convincing points highlighting the racism within Heart of Darkness, he makes too many assumptions about Conrad’s true intentions and beliefs that are not concrete enough to prove that Heart of Darkness is a racist novella. Achebe focuses largely on the language thatShow MoreRelatedJoseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness1488 Words   |  6 PagesJoseph Conrad’s s novel Heart of Darkness portrays an image of Africa that is dark and inhuman. Not only does he describe the actual, physical continent of Africa as â€Å"so hopeless and so dark, so impenetrable to human thought, so pitiless to human weakness†, (Conrad 154) as though the continent could neither breed nor support any true human life. Conrad lived through a time when European colonies were scattered all over the world. This phenomenon and the doctrine of colonialism bought into at hisRead MoreJoseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness925 Words   |  4 PagesIn the heart of darkness sails a ship with sailors, seamen, businessmen, and cannibals; savages as one would say. The businessmen conduct the seamen, the seamen order the sailors, and the sailors command the cannibals. On this diminutive yawl sailing deeper and deeper into the hazy, enigmatic heart of darkness lies a small caste system, with the managers above and the savages below. The story of Charlie Marlow on this ship is unveiled in Joseph Conrad s novella, Heart of Darkness, along with inklingsRead MoreJoseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness988 Words   |  4 Pagesthe late 1890’s, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness holds two different meanings. Heart of Darkness is both a metaphor for a psychological side of man, and an allusion to Africa. The title suggests both a physical and mental reference. During the time the novel takes place, Africa was called the dark continent. This was because little was known about Africa, and it was rather a mystery to Europeans. The main chara cter in the novel, Marlow describes Africa as â€Å"a place of darkness† (Conrad 43). He alsoRead MoreAnalysis Of Joseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness 1396 Words   |  6 PagesShelly Pyakurel Ellen Stockstill English 4 DC 27 April 2015 Research Paper Heart of Darkness is a novel by Joseph Conrad that centers on Marlow, a man who goes to the Congo for a job opportunity. He meets a man named Kurtz, who is well known by many. Once he gets to the Congo, he sees colonialism first-hand. He sees that the natives of the country were practically enslaved and forced to work under very harsh conditions. The two major characters of the novel are Marlow and Kurtz. There are many minorRead MoreAnalysis Of Joseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness1504 Words   |  7 Pagescontrol over others and can be found in both people and objects. In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness the main character and narrator Marlow identifies a force within ivory that conveys a sense power within the enigmatic Mr. Kurtz. The African ivory trade was flourishing in the early 1900’s. Obtaining the precious object transformed some into greedy connoisseurs with endless intentions to get their hands on all of the continents ivory. Conrad shows that the power that i s emitted from the ivory falls intoRead MoreAnalysis Of Joseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness963 Words   |  4 Pagespeople. Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, can be criticised through many different lenses. Though Natives are a large part of Conrad’s narrative of European atrocities in the Congo, his treatment of Congolese Natives throughout the book show them to be nothing more than props. Conrad skews Natives language, culture and intelligence to fit Europeans schema for Africa and Africans. Conrad’s Heart of Darkness is placed in a colonized Congo. ...despite Heart of Darkness s (Joseph Conrad) obviousRead MoreAnalysis Of Joseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness1555 Words   |  7 PagesAlthough the author Joseph Conrad never met the German philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, who died more than a century before Conrad’s birth, their distinct philosophies still have numerous points of intersection, suggesting some fundamental truths within the structure of the human reality. Through the novella, Heart of Darkness, Conrad details his perspectives on the faults of man and reality as a whole, with views often coinciding with many of Leibniz’s own, as found in his numerous philosophicalRead MoreAnalysis Of Joseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness1080 Words   |  5 Pages1 Kathrine Carrasquillo Dr. David Mulry Engl 2112 Feb 13, 2017 Who is Mr. Kurtz, and what does Conrad use him for? Mr. Kurtz is the main character in Joseph Conrad s English novella, Heart of Darkness. There is no proof that Mr. Kurtz is based on a real person, so it is assumed that he is a made up character. When Mr. Kurtz is first introduced the audience learns that he is a Belgian ivory trader and he was sent to Africa by his employer for work. At first glance, Mr. Kurtz just represents a normalRead MoreAnalysis Of Joseph Conrad s The Heart Of Darkness 1801 Words   |  8 PagesAlly Jones Professor Smith English 1302 November 18, 2014 Female Roles in Joseph Conrad s the Heart of Darkness: In regards to Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, many literature reviews focus on the motifs of Imperialism, the symbolism of darkness and fog, or the aspect of racism in Conrad’s work. During the era which Conrad wrote, England was going through the Victorian Era, which was marked by a shift in views on morality. The term â€Å"Victorian morality† is used today to describe values whichRead MoreAnalysis Of Joseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness 1713 Words   |  7 PagesMonth: January 2014 Name: Faris Khan Period: 3 Title: Heart of Darkness Author: Joseph Conrad Date started/date completed: 1/19 - 1/28 Pages read: 96/96 (Including the ten page introduction, 106/96) Rating of book (1-10): 9/10 Above you rated this book. Explain in detail why you gave this book that score: Author Joseph Conrad uses a very interesting method of narration in his novel, Heart of Darkness. The novel itself is written in first person, from the perspective of an unnamed sailor aboard