Author: YAOLE ZOU

Othello is a hero due to his successful careers served in the army and politics in the beginning of the play . As plots develop later on ,Othello seems more like a tragic hero. Even he is intelligent, having high statues, he fails to see through the conspiracy, which is set by Iago. When he doubts Desdemona, he fails to communicate with Desdemona. In the end ,he murders Desdemona because of his jealousy. When Othello deals with love makes him different from the one who has successful careers in military and politics, and that is what makes him a tragic hero.

The description of nature is likely to be the reflection of human thoughts and emotion. Poets uses natural phenomenon to reflect their thoughts and emotion. In Li Bo’s “In the Quiet Night“, he uses the moon as a tool to address he is missing his homeland. Moonlight is a natural phenomenon that can be seen at everywhere and the moon is the same one that Li Bo has seen in his homeland. (Vol. B 1027) In Du Fu’s “Spring Prospect“, Du uses weeds to address that there is no more people living in the city because of war. (Vol. B 1017)

I think that Aeneas is a hero because of his desire to build a new city. He is same as the character, Odysseus in Odysseys, who has so many turns in life. In The Aeneid, Juno plays the same role as Poseidon in Odysseys who creates troubles for main characters. Even though the way to build a new city is tough; Aeneas overcomes it and refuses the love from princess in order to pursuit his desire. I think Virgil has chosen to depict him in this way because he wants to show how solid is Aeneas’ desire. Comparing with Odysseus, they both all drifting in the beginning and refuse to stay with other lovers. Their desires are very solid and unbreakable, and these two stories all end up with main characters winning the battles and glories.

Q.Discuss the role of xenia (the guest-host relationship) in The Odyssey. How do guests and/or hosts exemplify or fail to meet the high standard he has in mind for how guests and hosts should treat each other?

A.The role of Xenia, in the Odyssey, is revealed by a comparison between the places that Telemachus and Odysseus have visited, and the suitors in Telemachus’ home. Telemachus visited King Nestor and Menelaus, and these two kings welcomed Telemachus to their home even though they did not know the identity of Telemachus. It is the same treatment that King Alcinous gave to Odysseus when he came to the island of the Ethiopians, setting up a feast and celebration. Compared to these three King’s welcoming, the suitors in Telemachus’ home were unwelcoming and disrespectful. I think that in the ancient Greece time there was the custom of giving kindness to visitors, and it is highly represented by higher classes (Kings) which are supported by God.