Here is a marble sculpture of Youthful Hercules. This sculpture was created during the Flavian Dynasty around 68-98 A.D. It is a Roman sculpture depicting the Greek hero, Hercules in his youth. As a Roman sculpture, the style known as contrapposto is evident. The facial structure of Hercules is so defined that it seems almost as if it was an actual portrait. The wide shoulders and exposed genitals help express masculinity. Its important to note that the size of the genitals does not matter because proportion is favored.   On his left arm where the lion’s fur resides, is portrayed to reference  Hercules’s first labor. Behind him, one can see Hercule’s club. Without a doubt, this sculpture represents courage, masculinity, and the importance of Hercules’s legacy.

The Marble Statue of Hercules Bearded, derives from the Flavian Dynasty around the same time as the Youthful Hercules. Much to the latter, the contrapposto is also evident based on how he is standing. Again, the sense of masculinity is portrayed around the posture and genital exposure.  The only difference really is the absence of the club and the different arrangement of the lion’s fur. The lion’s fur seems to be more elegant and reserved while on top of his head. Overall, the two statues are extremely similar with very little to none differences. Even as he ages, Hercules still retains the appearance of an Adonis being.

Simon Weng
Solo Dolo

“Disciple, we must give you a name in religion.’ ‘No need for that,’ said Monkey, ‘I have one already. My name in religion is “Aware of Vacuity.” ‘ Excellent!’ said Tripitaka. ‘That fits in very well with the names of my other disciples. You shall be Monkey Aware-of-Vacuity.’ (Page 128)

“Master , we can start now; I have killed them all.’ “I am very sorry to hear it,’ said Tripitaka. “One has no right to kill robbers, however violent and wicked they may be. The most one may do is to bring them before a magistrate. It would have been quite enough in this case if you had driven them away. Why kill them? You have been quite enough in this case if you had driven them away. Why kill them? You have behaved with a cruelty that ill becomes one of your sacred calling. ‘ ‘If i had not killed them,’ said Monkey, “they would have killed you.’ ‘A priest,’ said Tripitaka, ‘should be ready to die rather than commit acts of violence.’ ‘I don’t mind telling you,’ said Monkey, ‘that five hundreds years ago, when I was a king, I killed a pretty fair number of people, and if I had held your view I should certainty never become the Great Sage Equal of Heaven.’ It was because of your unfortunate performances in Heaven, said Tripitaka, ‘that you had to do penance for five hundred years. If now that you have repented and become a priest you go on behaving as in old days, you can’t come with me to India…” (Page 132-133)

The first quote is very important because its not Tripitaka who named Monkey King but rather Monkey King himself who retains his former name. Further more to the acceptance, Tripitaka praises the name. This leads to a conclusion that Monkey King is a strong individual who does whatever he wants based on impulses without a second thought just as his name implies. There is no conflict at all up until the incident involving the murder of a few robbers. This is where the second quote comes in because this is the true conflict that arises. Monkey King has been acting on impulse ever since the beginning, it was due to this very nature that he got so far and reaped a mass amount of success. Despite his good intentions, Tripitaka responds with suggesting that his need to regain his former glory will get him nowhere but the same result. Now that he has been released, he should focus and change for the better. This is the first awakening of the Monkey King.