15 Matching Annotations
  1. May 2025
    1. Joseph’s time in Egypt is even more tumultuous than his life in Canaan. The Ishmaelite traders sell him as a slave to Potiphar, a wealthy Egyptian merchant. Joseph finds great fortune with Potiphar, but his promotion through Potiphar’s household attracts the attention of Potiphar’s wife, who repeatedly tries to seduce him. When her attempts fail, she accuses Joseph of rape, which lands him in prison.

      Joseph’s Fate<br /> The story of Joseph in the Hebrew Bible, especially in Genesis 41:25–30, depicts how, through God’s help, Joseph ascended from being imprisoned to attaining power. Joseph explains Pharaoh’s dreams of having seven years of plenty and hunger to come, “… God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do” (Genesis 41:25, ESV). https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+41&version=ESV&utm_source=chatgpt.com

      With insight, Pharaoh can prepare Egypt for the oncoming famine giving Joseph the post of second in command at 30. Joseph’s life journey calls for the appreciation of faith, wisdom, and discipline while reproaching capriciousness and dishonest conduct. The story emphasizes the rational conviction of the guidance from divinity as authentic fathers’ leaders must possess.

      Ethics and Integrity Lessons from The Life of Siavash

      Disregarding Siavash of Shahnameh, Ferdowsi puts him in a position of self-virtue of morals grappling with ethics. Siavash as a character chooses to ward off Sudabeh affections known as his step-mum proving to be of austere moral high ground. He does not kill her. He is put in a trial where tested by fire comes out unscathed yet unproven right. Instead of being praised for his virtue, Siavash has to put up with wrong against him, so much that he must choose neither way, and send himself away from conflict. His tale critiques the fragile nature of moral goodness in his story within the framework of a self-serving political system and accentuates the strength of personal goodness in the absence of God. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siyâvash

      Hippolytus:

      Divine retribution and the character tragedy of Hippolytus is centered on the themes of chastity and honor and the retaliation of God. A devotee of Artemis, Hippolytus spurns Aphrodite and Phaedra, his stepmother, who makes not-so-discreet attempts at seducing him. Offended by such blasphemy, Aphrodite engineers the tragic event which results in Phaedra’s lying accusation Hippo- lytius’ death. The play deals with and reconciles the dilemma of free will as opposed to divine control. This tale is from ancient Greece as reflected in the Wiki link above.

      Linguistic Perspectives

      The words used and the translation of these texts have everything to do with how these ideas are interpreted. Through the lens of the King James Bible, the account of Joseph is told through a formal authoritative tone. This reinforces the subjugation of women under men, and the idea of wisdom in men, being favored by God.

      Through an Orientalist perspective, Josephus depicts the earlier European account of the Shahnama’s Syavash as sans eye and imbued with innocence, while Rav Sudabeh was depicted as a flawed temptress. Unlike modern renditions like Dick Davis’s, which are more context-centered and nuanced, portraying the ethics instead of the ‘innocence/seduction’ dichotomy.

      As time went on, people found ways to translate Hippolytus.

      These different stories demonstrate the relationship between virtue, political consequences, and gender. Each tale, whether or not through some form of divine intervention or personal morals, encapsulates the culture and religion of the time. These stories are molded by the language and translation that evolve them through time.

      Works Cited

      The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Crossway, 2001.

      Davis, Dick, translator. Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings by Abolqasem Ferdowsi. Penguin Classics, 2006.

      Euripides. Hippolytus. Translated by James Morwood, Oxford University Press, 2001.

      “Joseph Interpreting Pharaoh’s Dreams.” Columbia Museum of Art, www.columbiamuseum.org/collection-highlights/joseph-interpreting-pharaohs-dream. Accessed 10 May 2025.

      “Women in the Shahnameh: A Paragon of Strength.” Medium, sbehrouz.medium.com/women-in-the-shahnameh-a-paragon-of-strength-12634ab43da5. Accessed 10 May 2025.

      “Phaedra and Hippolytus.” GreekMythology.com, www.greekmythology.com/Myths/The_Myths/Phaedra_and_Hippolytus/phaedra_and_hippolytus.html. Accessed 10 May 2025.

      CC BY-NC-ND

    1. Phaedra’s tragic infatuation with her stepson Hippolytus

      Divine retribution and the character tragedy of Hippolytus is centered on the themes of chastity and honor and the retaliation of God. A devotee of Artemis, Hippolytus spurns Aphrodite and Phaedra, his stepmother, who makes not-so-discreet attempts at seducing him. Offended by such blasphemy, Aphrodite engineers the tragic event which results in Phaedra’s lying accusation Hippo- lytius’ death. The play deals with and reconciles the dilemma of free will as opposed to divinity control.

      “Phaedra and Hippolytus.” GreekMythology.com, www.greekmythology.com/Myths/The_Myths/Phaedra_and_Hippolytus/phaedra_and_hippolytus.html. Accessed 10 May 2025.<br /> CC BY-NC-ND

  2. Oct 2024
  3. Apr 2022
  4. Jul 2021
  5. Dec 2020
    1. I saw him and was astounded. 33I loved him as a woman, 34falling upon him in embrace. 35I took him and made him 36my brother.” 37The mother of Gilgamish she that knows all things 38[said unto Gilgamish:—] ................................... [213] COL. II 1that he may join with thee in endeavor.” 2(Thus) Gilgamish solves (his) dream. 3Enkidu sitting before the hierodule

      In the time period the translation, you can tell that they had just begun to create labels on relationships, people etc to understand what they were feeling or to just recognize different people. In the text chosen, there are many different area's in the highlighted portion and throughout the text, where Gilgamesh uses labels which created for a clear story. It is however conflicting because of the translators and them maybe having included different sections so that the story makes sense. Nonetheless, when he said that he loved him like he would a woman, that shows how the language at the time was advanced, closer to the current 21st century, enough to realize that Gilgamesh had romantic feelings for Enkidu. Also with the piece when the translators described him as sitting near the hierodule. The slave, prostitute (both) was able to be identified no matter of the gender. Looking back at the time, it is still demeaning when thinking in our 21st century mindset and what we consider normal. However looking back, it is interesting to see how advanced the ancient Iraq civilization operated. It is also amazing seeing where the women of this country came from as in today's world the women now being able to be involved with the government, they are making it a mission so Iraqi women know their rights (Calabrese, John, et al).

      CC BY-SA

      Calabrese, John, et al. “Constitutional and Legal Rights of Iraqi Women.” Middle East Institute, 8 Dec. 2020, mei.edu/publications/constitutional-and-legal-rights-iraqi-women.

  6. May 2020
  7. Apr 2020
  8. Dec 2018
    1. nail-adorned jewels she gave to the heroes:

      She is well-respected within the mead hall and in return respects the men of the hall

    2. ’Mid hall-building holders. The highly-famed queen, 55 Peace-tie of peoples, oft passed through the building, Cheered the young troopers; she oft tendered a hero A beautiful ring-band, ere she went to her sitting

      Wealhtheow portrays the role of a traditional Anglo-Saxon woman at the time. Wealhtheow is first introduced to the audience, she immediately falls into her role as peaceful greeter and cocktail waitress. The author then reinforces that she is a member of the weaker gender by directing Wealhtheow to her proper position behind the king. When the queen is not serving drinks or greeting the hall guests, she may usually be found obediently following Hrothgar throughout the mead hall and "waiting for hope-news".

  9. Mar 2017
  10. Nov 2014
    1. Perhaps a belief endures in these women that sidling up to men with power, rather than organising for it collectively, will yield individual gains.
    2. The recognition of feminism is that women exist at a social disadvantage to a history that privileges and resources men at their expense.
    3. ...and yet they really do believe that by pandering to the blokes, they'll be treated with respect and equality!

  11. Aug 2014
    1. Of course, the radical feminist position that masculinity is natural and healthy, and femininity artificial and harmful, is also inherently sexist

      Of course. That's an important theme. It's as though it's being suggested here that radical feminists chose this view, when I think it's more correct to say that they are reacting to it.