|
Featured Papers from Direct Essays
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is a preview of a paper to view the full text you need to signup and login.
|
latin term paper
|
|
|
Latin Term Paper Works Cited Ciardi, John The Divine Comedy Trans. Alighieri, Dante. Signet Classics U.S.A. 1960 ed. all pages Ibid. The Inferno Trans. Alighieri, Dante. Signet Classics U.S.A. 1954 all Hamilton, Edith Mythology Little, Brown Company U.S.A. 1942 pgs. 42-43, 306-307 West, David The Aenied Trans. Virgil Penguin Books Corp. U.S.A. 1991 ed. pgs. 133-161, 331-336 [Translator’s name not known] The Odyssey Trans. Homer Signet Classics. U.S.A. 1960 ed. pgs. 35-40 Mathew Timms 4/01/03 The Afterlife in Literature Latin II Second Semester First Period It seems to be in the nature of man to wonder what lies ahead, and this includes what happens after death. At first there was little written on the subject of the afterlife, as people had few ideas on the subject. Over time the concept of the underworld was developed and by the height of Greece’s power it was featured prominently in all forms of art. The first few versions of the underworld were vague and hard to understand. As time progressed the ideas became more pronounced and a lot clearer. Here is a look at the underworld as portrayed in the world of the printed word. Homer was the first author to make use of the afterlife in his works. The Greek poet wrote the underworld into his epic poem The Odyssey. In the story the protagonist Odysseus ventures to the underworld seeking the great soothsayer Tieresius to ask him how to get home. (Homer 35-40) In her book Mythology, Edith Hamilton describes Homer’s underworld as “a shadowy place inhabited by shadows.” (Hamilton 42) The spirit’s existence as no more than a “miserable dream.” (43) That sadly is the greater part of the description. However what is lacking in physical description is made up for in the storytelling. Odysseus found and killed a sheep and filled a pit with its blood to entice the spirit to approach it. (For some unknown reason, ghosts drink blood!) While awaiting the famous psychic, Odysseus had to fight off several other ghosts who approached the pit. Eventually Tieresius appeared, drank the blood placed for him, and answered the question. (Hamilton 306-307) It seems the bloodthirsty nature of the ghosts is a symbol of their misery. The afterlife seems to hold nothing but regrets. Here there are no punishments for the wicked and no reward for the righteous. Everyone is lumped into the same dreary pit after their life is finished. The limited design of the underworld was linked to the people’s confusion and limited understanding of the subject. But that would later change as people’s imaginations and knowledge grew. The underworld as described by Virgil was much more vivid. In The Aenied his protagonist Aeneas is guided by a psychic to his father Anchises. His underworld is a large field separated by the River Styx. It is guarded by a huge three-headed monster Cerberus (who is usually depicted in art in a dog like form).
|
|
|
To link to this page, copy the following code to your site:
|
|
Paper Information
|
|
|
Title: latin term paper
Words: 2355
Rating: None
Pages: 9.4
submitted by: APsyChoGYMNAST
If you think this paper shouldn't be here then
|
|
|
|
|
Signup & Login
|
|
|
If you don't currently have a login then Signup here
|
|
|
|
|
Pre-Written Papers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Custom Papers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
