Month: April 2020

The discussion between Socrates and Phaedrus starts Phaedrus pointing the essentials of an article written by Lysias. Both characters are in agreement with Lysias that there are two kinds of lovers: lovers and non-lovers. They state that the relationship between non-lovers is better than a relationship with lovers because lovers expose the discussion while non-lovers don’t.  The main interests for relationship by lovers are the benefit obtained in it. They measure and calculate both expenditure and income from a relationship and if the expenditure exceeds the benefit, they quit the relationship.  On the other hand, non-lovers value the relationship more than the benefits involved in it. Despite the amount spend in a relationship, non-lovers will not regret being in a relationship.

Although both Aeneas and Odysseus were prominent heroes in their own stories, they were quite different from one another. Aeneas had the goal of finding and creating a new home for his people after they left Troy. His determination and devotion were what kept him going and he never strayed away from his goal. He was a national hero who cared for the interests of other people and wanted the best for them. Aeneas was also an individual who obeyed the gods and followed the instructions they gave him without a single doubt. On the other hand, Odysseus was returning home from war with his men. It had been ten years since he started that journey and he had also lost all of his crew members during that time. This was all due to his selfishness as he was often tempted by his desires and decided to stray away from his goal. Based on this, we can see that Odysseus was a hero who only pursued his self-interests with no care for others. Although numerous gods helped him to get back home, Odysseus often disobeyed them. He even harmed Poseidon’s son Polyphemus at one point proving his disregard for others. 

Both characters had different features that pertained to their Greek or Roman culture. As a Greek hero, Odysseus was more self-involved and cared more for his fame and glory. He always placed his interests first and did not show as much care for others around him. As a Roman hero, Aeneas was very dedicated to his country and to help out others. He cared for others’ wellbeing and acted in ways that would benefit them. Aeneas and Odysseus both hold good representations of how heroes should be in their culture. 

Gertrude is Hamlet’s mother, widow to the late king Hamlet and wife of the current king, Claudius. Gertrude loves Hamlet very much but is a weak woman who seeks affection. She goes off to marry Claudius very soon after the late king Hamlet’s death. Claudius is the uncle of Hamlet, the new husband of Gertrude and the new king of Denmark. Claudius plays the biggest villain in the play as the man who is behind the death of Hamlet’s father. Claudius is also the man that plans to have Hamlet killed not by his own hands but has Laertes help him with poison. Polonius is the counsellor in Claudius’s court and the father of Ophelia and Laertes. Polonius is an old man who plays a villian that is conniving and scheming. He connives with Claudius to spy on Hamlet to reveal what causes his madness. Ophelia is described as a beautiful young woman and is the love interest of the main character Hamlet. Ophelia’s brother, Laertes, and father, Polonius, warn her that she is only for Hamlet’s sexual desire. Her relationship with these men eventually leads to her death. Laertes spends most of his time away in France for college. He returns for revenge when he hears about the death of his father. Haratio is the most loyal and trustworthy friend, if not the only one. He shows his loyalty and trustworthiness throughout the play. In the end, Haratio decides to live to tell the story of Hamlet.