9 Matching Annotations
  1. Apr 2023
    1. Refusing her advances, Siavash will have nothing to do with her stratagems to lure him into intercourse. She fakes a rape and abortion scene and blames the double calamity on Siavash who is forced to prove his innocence by riding through a colossal mountain of fire. Despite his proven innocence, the Shah eventually grows cold towards Siavash as he does not want to punish the woman he loves or anger her father, a powerful ally in the East.

      The character of Siavash in the Shahnameh is a tragic figure who is ultimately destroyed by the jealousy and deceit of others. His story highlights the consequences of false accusations and wrongful judgments, and the importance of upholding justice and truth. Siavash's character also serves as a symbol of cultural exchange, as his parents come from two different cultures and his character embodies the best of both worlds. Overall, Siavash's story is a powerful reminder of the dangers of betrayal and the importance of standing up for what is right.

    1. The dream

      While in prison, Joseph correctly interpreted the dreams of two fellow prisoners, which eventually led to him being summoned by Pharaoh to interpret his own dreams. Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams led to him being made the second most powerful man in Egypt, and he was put in charge of managing the country's food supply during a severe famine.

    1. Hippolytus, minor divinity in Greek religion. At Athens he was associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love; at Troezen, girls just before marrying dedicated to him a lock of their hair. To the Greeks his name might suggest that he was destroyed by horses.

      Hippolytus' story is a tragic one, and it highlights the dangers of jealousy and false accusations. His devotion to Artemis and his refusal to betray his values serve as a reminder of the importance of staying true to oneself, even in the face of adversity. The story also raises questions about the nature of love and the ways in which it can lead to both joy and pain. Overall, Hippolytus' story is a powerful reminder of the consequences of rash judgment and the importance of being true to one's values. Siavash's tragic fate serves as a warning against the dangers of jealousy and false accusations, and highlights the importance of justice and truth.

    1. The Bible Story of Joseph, from the Book of Genesis, is one of heroic redemption and forgiveness. Joseph was the most loved son of his father, Israel, given the famous robe of many colors. When Joseph reported having dreams of his brothers, and even the stars and moon, bowing before him, their jealousy of Joseph grew into action.  The brothers sold him into slavery to a traveling caravan of Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard.

      The story of Joseph is often seen as a testament to the importance of faith, forgiveness, and the idea that good can come out of bad situations. Joseph's ability to interpret dreams and his faith in God ultimately led to his rise to power in Egypt, and his forgiveness of his brothers serves as an example of the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. The story also highlights the dangers of jealousy and the consequences of acting out of envy or hatred towards others.

    1. Head of Gudea

      The Head of Gudea is a sculpture that dates back to the 3rd millennium BCE and is considered one of the most significant artifacts of the ancient Mesopotamian civilization. The sculpture is believed to represent Gudea, who was the ruler of the city-state of Lagash in ancient Sumeria, located in what is now southern Iraq.

      The head is made of diorite, a hard and durable stone, and stands at approximately 30 centimeters tall. It depicts a bearded man with a serene expression, wearing a turban with an intricate pattern of woven reeds, and a long robe with a fringe. The head is finely carved with exquisite details, such as the delicate curls of the beard, the finely incised lines of the eyebrows and the eyes with their deep-set pupils.

    1. We are the faithful ministers⁠Of Persia's absent sons,

      "The Persians" is the only surviving Greek tragedy that deals with a historical event rather than a mythological one. It is also notable for its portrayal of a non-Greek culture and its use of the chorus as a commentary on the action.

    1. Humbaba’s mouth is fire; his roar the floodwater; his breath is death. Enlil made him guardian of the Cedar Forest, to frighten off the mortal who would venture there. But who would venture there? Humbaba’s mouth is fire; his roar is the floodwater; he breathes and there is death. He hears the slightest sound somewhere in the Forest. Enlil made him terrifying guardian, Whose mouth is fire, whose roar the floodwater.

      Enkidu speaks these lines in Tablet II, as he and Gilgamesh prepare to invade the forbidden forest to fight the demon Humbaba. One of the most remarkable literary techniques in this epic is the artful repetition within the verses. Some of these repetitions relate to formal structure, which means that at one time they might have provided mnemonic assistance to help storytellers, who had no written versions, remember the tale. But the effect of the repetitions can also be powerfully incantatory, in English translations as well as the original ones. These lines convey not only Humbabas outstanding presence, but also the paralyzing fear that he inspires in his challengers. Their hypnotic, driving quality suggests Enkidu and Gilgameshs agitated psychological state: they must quell the obsessive, chattering voices of dread in their minds before they can stand up to Humbaba.

    1. But when Bhishma takes the lifelong vow of celibacy in order to ensure Shantanu can marry Satyavati, the king – overcome by gratitude for his son – blesses him with this power.

      i admire the selflessness

    1. Haste and pressure of business make division of labour necessary among ourselves, and each man must cultivate a specialty; so that if a man should appear who was well qualified for all posts, we should not believe in him; and more than that, we should not find him out. So soon as he showed excellence in one matter, he would be ticketed with that and tied down to it: any attempts in any other subject would be regarded as graceful by-works, but not as likely to lead to high success. Now in Athens there was not so much pressure, there was not so much tyranny of public opinion, and the state was smaller.

      This passage gives me the sense that the work that we are good at but not necessarily passionate about are more valued in our society. Reminds me of the phrase, "If you love your job you never have to work a day in your life" Sometimes the work that we don`t like doing is some of our finest work and yet what we love to do may not be up to standard for some.