Oepidus the king Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Oepidus the king - Essay Example The tragedy of â€Å"Oedipus the King† was presented at the third year of the Peloponnesian War, when plague was raging in the Athens. The tragedy â€Å"Oedipus the King† has in itself many references to eyes, sight, and blindness. In the centre of the story there is a man, who identifies the theme of the tragedy that is considered to be the theme of moral self-identity. It seems that in this drama the most important ideas regarding the nature and destiny of a man are expressed. The tragedy consists of a big variety of symbols and the specific symbols of blindness and sight are connected with the themes of knowledge and ignorance in it. And it is done so capaciously, simply and convincingly that it is available for the understanding even of an inexperienced reader. For example, the next lines show us that sight is used in ignorance way, while blindness can open much more: â€Å"†¦So I say this to you, since you have chosen to insult my blindness— you have y our eyesight, and you do not see how miserable you are, or where you live† (Sophocles, Oedipus the King), or other example that presents a blindness as symbol of knowledge: â€Å"He will be blind, although he now can see. He will be a poor, although he now is rich. He will set off for a foreign country, groping the ground before him with a stick† (Sophocles, Oedipus the King).

Critique of The Law of Apostasy in Islam Essay Example for Free

Critique of The Law of Apostasy in Islam Essay In 1924 Samuel Zwemer wrote The Law of Apostasy in Islam as a response to several books and articles that claimed there is no punishment in Islam for apostate Muslims. Zwemer quotes Khwajah Kemal-ud-Din who wrote in his book India in the Balance, in Islam there is no penalty for apostasy and Mohammed Alis English translation of The Koran neither here nor anywhere else in the Holy Koran is there even a hint of the infliction of capital or any other punishment on the apostate. Zwemer disputes these claims and tries to prove his contention that there is a long history of punishing apostates throughout the Muslim world (Zwemer 8-9). Zwemer was a missionary for the Christian Dutch Reformed church in the Middle East during the latter part of the nineteenth and early twentieth century. The people he worked with and tried to convert to Christianity were Muslims. Zwemer begins his argument in the chapter Why so Few Moslem Converts by citing numerous cases where Muslims practiced punishment and ostracism against apostate Muslims, that is, Muslims who had converted to Christianity. The incidents described are anecdotal and deal with specific examples where apostate Muslims underwent punishment or discrimination at the hands of practicing Muslims. Assuming, for the sake of argument, Zwemer is correct and such practices occurred, Zwemer still does not disprove either of the statements quoted above. What Zwemer proves is that some Muslims were punished, nothing more. He has not proven the Koran supports such practices. The title of this chapter must give the reader pause; it does not seem to be the title of an intellectual argument, but more like a defense of his and other missionaries efforts while working among Muslims. Apparently he had concluded the reason for his lack of success was due to fear of punishment by other Muslims, not because he was a bad missionary, or because the tenets of Islam were more convincing to people in the region than the principles in Christianity (Zwemer 15-29). In the chapter two The Law of Apostasy Zwemer quotes three passages of the Koran that he claims indicate an official sanctioning of punishment of apostates. Zwemer is unconvincing. The phrase take from them [apostate Muslims] neither patron or help (IV. 90, 91) and alleges that the standard commentary of Baidhawi, whoever that is, means take and kill him wheresoever you find ye find him, like any other infidel (Zwemer 33). It appears Baidhawi has chosen an interpretation that is not justified from the original text. He treats the other passages in a similar fashion, interpreting them to mean apostates should be killed or punished, when a more straightforward interpretation does not imply his conclusion. Zwemer errs in at least two fashions. First he appears to equate evidence that indicates punishment has been administered against apostates indicates the sanction of such actions by the teaching of Islam. This is not the case. Throughout history there are far too many examples where common practices were either directly prohibited by official policies or were not addressed by these policies. This does not indicate official policies authorized such actions. Secondly, Zwemers evidence is largely either anecdotal or demand such contrived interpretations of the Koran as to unconvincing. Consequently The Law of Apostasy in Islam does not prove that punishment for apostate Muslims is a tenant of Islam. Works Cited Zwemer, Samuel M. The Law of Apostasy. London: Marshall Brothers Ltd, n. d.

The Healing Process Essay -- essays research papers fc

The Healing Process This is a brief psychological overview of the healing process. The image of healing is best described by Gloria Vanderbilt in "A Mother's Story" when she talks of breaking the invisible unbreakable glass bubble which enclosed her that kept her always anticipating loss with echoes of all past losses. She wrote, for example (Page 3),"Some of us are born with a sense of loss there from the beginning, and it pervades us throughout our lives. Loss, as defined, as deprivation, can be interpreted as being born into a world that does not include a nurturing mother and father. We are captured in an unbreakable glass bubble, undetected by others, and are forever seeking ways to break out, for if we can, surely we will find and touch that which we are missing". This concept of healing was also described by Philip Berman in "If It Is Not Good Make It So" as changing positively from the unhappy attitude of(Page 48) "we never got the habit of happiness as others know it. It was always as if we were waiting for something better or worse to happen". Psychological theory of change suggest it is possible to heal, to break out of the glass bubble, to develop the attitude of happiness. For example, in "The Process of Change: Variations on a Theme by Virginia Satir says on Page 89 that "successful change-making turns out to involve struggle, necessitating skill, tenacity and perspective". The struggle occurs when a foreign element produces chaos until a new integration occurs which results in a new status quo. Kurt Lewin echoed this view in saying that an old attitude has to unfreeze, the person experiments, a new attitude develops and a refreezing occurs. Janis and Prochasky suggest a person starts in relative complacency, is presented with challenging information, the person evaluates the new challenge to habit or policy and reviews alternate policies to create a new policy or return to the original one, The psychological theories focus on perspective and rational thought. The significance of the therapist is in giving a new perspective and in aiding self-esteem in order to break down resistance to change. Otherwise, Satir suggests people are likely to revert to their trance lik... ... learn that laws and mores are not absolutes but open to constant revision as we are to do with our inner selves. Psychology seems to share the ideas that a person in emotional pain is stuck in a self made prison which can be escaped through unconditional positive regard and a fresh perspective. What isn't clear is how rational thought combined with 'love' enters the person's heart and soul. Bibliography Bugental James,F.T. "Lessons Clients Teach Therapists", J. of Humanistic Psychology Vol.31 No. 3 Summer 1991 Mittleman Willard "Maslow's Study of Self-Actualiztion: A Reinterpretation" Journal of Humanistic Psychology, Vol. 31 No.1, Winter 1991 Pages 114-135 Morrow Susan L. and Smith Mary Lee,"Survival Coping by Sexual Abuse Survivors", Journal of Counseling Psychology 1995 Vol 42, No.1, pages 24-33. "The Process of Change:Variations on a Theme by Virginia Satir", J. of Humanistic Psychology, Vol. 34 No.3, Summer, 1994 Pages 87-110. Schoen Stephen MD "Psychotherapy as Sacred Ground", J. of Humanistic Psychology, Vol 31 No.1, Winter 1991 Pages 51-55 Vanderbilt Gloria, "A Mother's Story", Alfred A. Knopf, N. Y. 1996

Frankenstein Essay

Frankenstein was originally written by Mary Shelley in 1818. In 1818 scientists were discovering many different scientific revolutions. One thing they discovered was vaccination. People at that time were both very scared and excited about this. Shelley’s novel was inspired by Galvini who used electricity to move a late criminal’s hand jaw. Also Mary was influenced by her father and her husband’s view of life, who were both radical thinkers. Mary’s story was brought to life after long days and nights during her holiday when she entered a horror competition. She wrote her initial draft from a nightmare she had. Without Galvini, the holiday, nightmare, her father and her husband then this story wouldn’t have been brought to life. In the play which is adapted by Phillip Pullman. We feel empathy and sympathy for various characters throughout. The two main characters I feel sympathy and empathy towards are Frankenstein and the monster. We feel sorry for these characters in different places in the play. But who do we really feel sorry for? We initially feel sorry for Frankenstein. For example Frankenstein had a lack of care for his own health. For instance he spent all his money on chemicals and not for himself. We know this because in the play it quotes â€Å"No, no fire I keep it cold on purpose- it’s the only way to preserve my specimens. † This implies that Frankenstein thinks his specimens are more important than his own health and well-being that he resulted into living in the cold. This also shows how much Frankenstein was devoted into creating the monster and didn’t let the cold stop him from achieving his goals of creating life. It also shows how much he loves the monster. This makes the reader feel sympathy towards Frankenstein as it makes them feel like Frankenstein how he put his own health at major risk just because of his life ambition and has resulted to adapt to the cold. We also feel sorry for victor because of the death of William. For example â€Å"You killed my little brother! Is that love? Is that good will? † This make the reader feel sympathy for victor as he’s lost a loved one who was killed by the person he had created. On the other hand it makes us understand upon victors opinion towards the monster as everything victor witnesses and everything the monster does it appears evil. This makes it acceptable for victor’s opinion towards the monster. However it’s not the monsters fault because when the monster was born the first thing he received was hatred and the more hatred he got the more it drove him to be evil. The monster was judged by his looks which appeared evil and this drove him to do evil actions which led the monster looking even bad. I also blame victor for playing the role of god. As victor has no right in creating life and death and questioning God by saying â€Å"if lightning can kill someone it can bring someone alive. † Victor knew that he had neglected Elizabeth because he was so preoccupied with creating the monster. In the novel it quotes â€Å"No Elizabeth don’t- you’re right, I’ll come back with you but my work. You don’t understand it’s reached I’ve been working towards for six years. † This tell us that Frankenstein had realised how he had treated Elizabeth with rudeness, he instantly agrees to go see his father but insists on finishing the monster as he had been working on it for 6 years. This makes the reader feel sympathy for victor because he had devoted most of his life on the monster and at the end everything goes wrong. On the other hand what was the purpose of creating life and this also showed how he thought the monster was more important than his very own father at the time of need, he could have took a break as he has been working constantly for 6 years and to see his father who was at his death bed. On the other hand we also feel empathy for the monster. For example the monster was unloved from the start. For example â€Å"But you’re not what I thought you’d be. † This suggests that Frankenstein’s was disappointed in his very own creature he has devoted 6 years for and didn’t accept the monster the way he was but instead judged him on his appearance as soon as he laid eyes on him. Frankenstein prejudged the monster by looking at him to be ruthless and evil but it also shows that Frankenstein wanted the best for his monster and wanted it to be perfect like an angel. The word angel suggest that Frankenstein wanted pure beauty but instead he discriminated the monster which made the monster feel neglected and disowned, he had a perfect deal of what a human should be. People judged the monster on his appearance and not his personality. I know this because â€Å"Felix runs in, sees the monster apparently attacking her and Agatha struggling to be free and without hesitation seizes the musket. † The stage direction suggests that soon s Felix comes in and he sees the monster and tries to shoot him because he apparently thought the monster was attacking Agatha. The word â€Å"without hesitation† suggests that as soon as Felix saw the monster and judged he was up to evil and he quickly got the musket and didn’t even consider the situation. Also the word â€Å"apparently† suggests that Felix prejudged the monster and the entire situation as he thought the monster was hurting Agatha but on the other hand the monster was trying to get through to Agatha as that was his only hope for a friend but Felix never listened and persisted into believing that the monster was spiteful. This make the reader feel sympathy toward =s the monster because he had found a friend that had looked at his inner beauty and didn’t judge him but it was ruined but a person who didn’t see that inner beauty and just thought plain evil of the monster. We feel sorry for the monster because all he wants is to be loved. In the play it quotes â€Å"They’d throw stones and shouted harsh words to me but they had companions, fellows, friends. Couldn’t I find a friend? So I began to look. † This makes the audience feel empathy towards the monster because it makes us feel how harshly the monster was treated. He got hurt even more as he saw that everyone had friends. He wanted a friend. The quotation â€Å"Couldn’t I find a friend? † this suggests that the monster wanted someone to support him and a person who he can laugh with like the people who were laughing at him together. This makes the reader feel sympathy towards the monster because he is lonely and isolated. The writer at this moment makes us feel how people are judged without even finding out about that person and naming the monster monster it over reacts straight way and if someone heard that they would assume bad and keep their distance. As the word â€Å"monster† suggests evil and scary. The writer also wanted us to think about human nature. And how we look can play a big role in our life and the changes we want to make to ourselves to fit in. I believe that Mary Shelley the writer was trying to put across that the consequences of trying to play God and challenging the unknown. It also puts across about how you shouldn’t discriminate against someone cause of their appearance. Another thing that it puts across is love and how important role it plays in everyone’s life. In my opinion I feel more sympathy for the monster because Frankenstein had no right to play God and create a living creature because it is going against God by taking his power against him which is causing life and death also saying you are as superior as god as you are creating life. The monster didn’t want to be created and as it has no family or support Frankenstein’s duty was to take care of the monster and feed him but Frankenstein just prejudged the monster and disowned him. That’s what made the monster evil at that time. It’s not his fault for turning evil and does the actions he did. So in my opinion I feel sorrier for the monster.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid diary of a wimpy kid Greg Is going to middle school, his mom bought him a â€Å"Diary† witch has the word â€Å"Diary† right in the middle and is in big letters. He is scared to bring it to school because he does not want some 8th grader to come see him with his bookdelay and think he is a sissy cause he has a diary In 6th grade and does not want to get punched and then get made fun of. Ergs big dream and what he thinks he Is going to be like in middle school Is this guy who so popular and knows him, and hen when he gets out of school, he is going to be really famous and when they want to know what his child-hood was like he is going to give them his diary, that's why he agreed to his mom to write in his diary. Greg is espoused to write in almost all year. Greg Is not really excited because A guy named Greg has a friend named Rowley and has been friends since Greg has moved to his new house.As soon as Rowley sees that a family has moved into the hou se, that was for sail, Roller's mom went to the store and bought him a book ladled â€Å"how to make friends† and kind of felt sorry for him so I pulled my wig for him. That how there friend ship started. There friends ship is a little wear at flirts. , Greg it this guy how thinks he is all that and thinks he is so popular. And when he Is older, he thinks he is going to be really famous. Lowly still thinks † hey I am only in 6th grade, I can still be a kid and use the word â€Å"PLAY† Greg hefty the book diary of a wimpy kid [ people think this book is just a funny book but what I hint is ] I think that if you have a really good friendship, and one of the friends said or did something heart-full, It can mess the whole thing up. 1: If you use your friend to make you a better person it can always turn back around just like when Greg made Rowley go down the BIG hill so Greg can throw a foot-ball at Rowley and so Greg can get a lot stronger. : when you have a really good friend you want to keep for a long time or a life time friend, you should ALWAYS be nice to them and respect them.If you have a friend that did something embarrassing or extenuated Diary of a imp kid Greg is going to middle school, his mom bought him a â€Å"Diary† witch has the word because he does not want some 8th grader to come see him with his bookdiary and think he is a sissy cause he has a diary in 6th grade and does not want to get punched and then get made fun of. Ergs big dream and what he thinks he is going to be like in middle school is this guy who so popular and EVERY-ONE knows him, and Greg is not really excited because called â€Å"how to make friends† and I kind of felt sorry for him so I pulled my wig for him. Hat how there friend ship started. There friends ship is a little wear at first. , Greg it this guy how thinks he is all that and thinks he is so popular. ND when he is older, grade, I can still be a kid and use the word â€Å"PIANO† † the book diary of a wimpy kid [ people think this book is Just a funny book but what I or did something heart-full, it can mess the whole thing up. 1: if you use your friend to make you a better person it can always turn back around 3: if you have a friend that did something embarrassing or extenuated Diary of a Wimpy Kid The story happened in East Ohio where Greg Heffley and Rowley Jefferson enters Middle School for the first time. *Greg Heffley – Known for his misadventures throughout his school. * Rowley Jefferson- He is the best friend of Greg. He is also immature and ignorant * Rodrick Haffley – He is the older brother of Greg. He is the main antagonist and constantly bullies Greg. The book opens with  Greg Heffley  saying how embarrassing it is to be having a journal with â€Å"diary† on the front and that whoever sees him with it will call him a â€Å"sissy†.Greg also goes to mention that one day he will become rich and famous but for now he is â€Å"stuck in middle school with a bunch of morons†. Greg faces too many hardships, including Halloween. As Greg and Rowley go Trick-or-Treating, they anger some teenagers who chase them. They barely escape but manage to get to Greg's grandma's house. The teenagers see them inside and Greg and Rowley taunt them. No t all goes to plan, though, and when they get home and Greg's dad, who was hassled by kids, throws water at them and the water soaks their candy.The Wizard of Oz play  is also a hardship for Greg. Patty Farell, who plays Dorothy, is coming on stage, and since Greg is a tree, he thinks he can throw apples at her, but the director takes this part out of the play for health and safety. Mrs. Norton, the music director, tries to make the trees sing an embarrassing song, but on the night nobody sings out of fear and the play is ruined. Greg and Rowley's friendship is starting to fall apart.Greg invents a game where one person throws a football to make the other fall off the Big Wheel; however when Rowley falls off, he breaks his arm. Greg is jealous of the attention Rowley is getting. Rowley is also framed for scaring kindergarteners, when it was Greg wearing Rowley's hat. When Greg confesses, Greg is kicked out, and Rowley is promoted. Rowley also declares himself the owner of a comic strip, Zoo-Wee-Mama, that was created by Greg and Rowley, but Greg drops out to make his own comic strip.The two stop being friends. Greg and Rowley get into a fight at the blacktop, when the teenagers from Halloween come, and grab Greg and Rowley. They make Rowley eat the cheese, and are going to make Greg do it, too, but Greg finds a way out. The students, however, notice the cheese is gone. Greg, being a good friend to Rowley, lies and says he threw it away, but this gives Greg the Cheese Touch. Greg and Rowley becomes friends again, and Greg begins to see the good advantages of having the Cheese Touch.Even though life is kind of unfair, you will somehow get through over it, you will always succeed if it is for good but if you fail, there is reason that God did that. Also, don’t ignore your friends because maybe they are the ones that will help you to succeed in life. Yes of course I will because this book has an effect to whoever reads it. My friend will learn how not to give up, fight for his/her rights and especially how to be â€Å"awesome†. Diary of a Wimpy Kid The story happened in East Ohio where Greg Heffley and Rowley Jefferson enters Middle School for the first time. *Greg Heffley – Known for his misadventures throughout his school. * Rowley Jefferson- He is the best friend of Greg. He is also immature and ignorant * Rodrick Haffley – He is the older brother of Greg. He is the main antagonist and constantly bullies Greg. The book opens with  Greg Heffley  saying how embarrassing it is to be having a journal with â€Å"diary† on the front and that whoever sees him with it will call him a â€Å"sissy†.Greg also goes to mention that one day he will become rich and famous but for now he is â€Å"stuck in middle school with a bunch of morons†. Greg faces too many hardships, including Halloween. As Greg and Rowley go Trick-or-Treating, they anger some teenagers who chase them. They barely escape but manage to get to Greg's grandma's house. The teenagers see them inside and Greg and Rowley taunt them. No t all goes to plan, though, and when they get home and Greg's dad, who was hassled by kids, throws water at them and the water soaks their candy.The Wizard of Oz play  is also a hardship for Greg. Patty Farell, who plays Dorothy, is coming on stage, and since Greg is a tree, he thinks he can throw apples at her, but the director takes this part out of the play for health and safety. Mrs. Norton, the music director, tries to make the trees sing an embarrassing song, but on the night nobody sings out of fear and the play is ruined. Greg and Rowley's friendship is starting to fall apart.Greg invents a game where one person throws a football to make the other fall off the Big Wheel; however when Rowley falls off, he breaks his arm. Greg is jealous of the attention Rowley is getting. Rowley is also framed for scaring kindergarteners, when it was Greg wearing Rowley's hat. When Greg confesses, Greg is kicked out, and Rowley is promoted. Rowley also declares himself the owner of a comic strip, Zoo-Wee-Mama, that was created by Greg and Rowley, but Greg drops out to make his own comic strip.The two stop being friends. Greg and Rowley get into a fight at the blacktop, when the teenagers from Halloween come, and grab Greg and Rowley. They make Rowley eat the cheese, and are going to make Greg do it, too, but Greg finds a way out. The students, however, notice the cheese is gone. Greg, being a good friend to Rowley, lies and says he threw it away, but this gives Greg the Cheese Touch. Greg and Rowley becomes friends again, and Greg begins to see the good advantages of having the Cheese Touch.Even though life is kind of unfair, you will somehow get through over it, you will always succeed if it is for good but if you fail, there is reason that God did that. Also, don’t ignore your friends because maybe they are the ones that will help you to succeed in life. Yes of course I will because this book has an effect to whoever reads it. My friend will learn how not to give up, fight for his/her rights and especially how to be â€Å"awesome†.