Author Archives: eric.sherman

There are significant similarities between Shahrazad, wife of King Shahrayar and Kate Middleton, fiancée to Prince William. Middleton and Shahrazad are both educated women. In “The Thousand and One nights” that Shahrazad “knows poetry by heart, had studied historical reports, and was acquainted with the sayings of men and the maxims of sages and kings.” (B, 414).  Kate Middleton, is a college graduate. Middleton met Prince William while attending University of St. Andrews, in Scotland.   Middleton is vastly different than Prince Williams mother, Queen Diana. Middleton comes from a middle class family, and will become the first Queen with a solid education. “She will be the first queen in British history to have a college degree, or indeed, to have any college education at all.”

The future Queen of England and Shahrazad both put themselves in a precarious situation. For Shahrazad, she wants to marry the king, who is known to have women put to their death the next morning. She wants to marry him “so that I may either succeed in saving the people or perish and die like the rest.” (B, 414). While Middleton marries Prince Harry for love, she too must be weary of her new title. The Princess before her, Princess Diana, was killed. Princess Diana’s death was tragic and unforeseen, however, the saying “history repeats itself” is concerning for the future princess and Shahrazad.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/world/europe/17royal.html?scp=2&sq=diana&st=cse

The women in Afghanistan are constantly oppressed and abused.  The only way to illustrate their feelings is through self-inflicted physical torture, which often leads to their demise. Sei Shonagon anticipated people to say (about her diaries) “It’s even worse than I expected. Now one can really tell what she is like.” (B,258) That quote is exactly the point Afghani women make through their suicides. It is the only way to show the internal struggles and humiliation they bottle up for so long. People cannot begin to comprehend the depths of pain they feel. As it says in the New York Times article, “Their family is their fate. There is little chance for education, little choice about whom a woman marries, no choice at all about her role in her own house. Her primary job is to serve her husband’s family. Outside that world, she is an outcast.” Sei Shonagon writes her diary “entirely for my own amusement.” (B, 258.) The Afghani women commit suicide entirely to escape a brutal life.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/08/world/asia/08burn.html?scp=1&sq=for%20afghan%20woman%20a%20desperate%20fiery%20way%20out&st=cse

Ping Chongs “Throne of Blood” was one of the most eccentric plays I have ever seen. Aesthetically, the costumes and set designs were magnificent. Unfortuantely, all other elements besides the costumes were under developed. If it werent for the costumes, as Isherwood says, the play “would be as boring to look at as it is to listen to.”

I had trouble understanding the dialogue. The voices were not clear. On a positive note, however, the spirit in the forrest was aboslutely terrifying. Her voice sounded similar to someone posessed, similar to the voice in “The Exorcist.” The make up worn by the actor was unbelievably convincing of an actual spirit, with an all white face, and chilling laugh.

Isherwood is very critical of Pong Chong’s production. “It essentially boils down to a lot of men charging back and forth across a mostly dark and bare stage in fancy samurai getups.” The play was no masterpiece, however, there were certain signs of brilliance. I thought aside from the costumes, the theartre screen used when the lights went out provided a new dimension into plays. Also, the lighting was excellent. Instead of focusing in on who was speaking the whole time, the voice would only be heard and the lighting would focus on the person hearing the voice, and catch their reactions.

“Throne of Blood” needs a bit improvement, but it was entertaining and unique from most other plays in theatre.

http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/11/12/theater/reviews/12throne.html?scp=1&sq=throne%20of%20blood%20isherwood&st=cse

New York Times writer Ben Shpigel released an article about the New York Yankees struggles against the Texas Rangers. The Yankees are on the verge of elimination from the playoffs. If they lose one more game they will  lose their oppurtunity to achieve the coveted world series title. Their struggle is very similar to Odysseus’s struggle against the suitors. Both the Yankees and Odysseus are nearing the climax of their battles, so close to their goals. The Yankees and Odysseus need an extra push; someone or something to get them over the hurdle. The Yankee star players, like Mark Teixera, is injured and the question of giving up may be in their heads.  Similarly, Odysseus find himself struggling against the suitors in the first battle. He calls for Athena for help. Athena relpies with “Where its gone, Odysseus-your power, your fighting heart?” (A, 526)

That is a question for both the Yankees and Odysseus. The Yankees have persevered in the past. They have a history of being proven champions. Odysseus is known to be a champion himself, a fierce warrior. Both Odysseus and the Yankees need to look within themselves and find the strength for victory.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/20/sports/baseball/20yankees.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

An article written in the New York Times called, “Floating at the Edge of a Dream” and Odysseus has uncanny characteristics. “Floating at the Edge of a Dream” is a feature story about a promising athlete, Erick De Leon. He is one of the top amateur boxers in America, and a 2012 Olympic hopeful. De Leon faces a major problem. He has not yet acquired a U.S citizenship. He needs a citizenship in order to represent America in the 2012 Olympics. The title of this article, along with De Leon’s endless desire to compete, relates to Odysseus.  These men have a tough road ahead. For De Leon, he must acquire a U.S citizenship and win his matches to qualify for the Olympics. Similarly, Odysseus has an arduous road ahead before he will home and unite with his family. Both of these men share the same fighting spirit though, as said by Eurylochus; “You’re a hard man, Odysseus. Your fighting spirit’s stronger than ours, your stamina never fails. You must be made of iron head to foot.” (A, 407) These men share the same character traits. Neither De Leon nor Odysseus will ever quit. Their toughness and drive as fighters and love for their family is unprecedented. Odysseus motivation is to make it home and unite with his wife and son. De Leon seeks inspiration from his father, a construction man. “Construction — it’s too hard, and I feel bad for him. I wish I could just make him stop working. So every time I see him working, I got to work hard, too.”  Both of these man will accomplish their objectives because of their persistence and determination.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/11/sports/11boxer.html?pagewanted=print

The Book of Job asks the question, “Why does God permit human suffering?” (A,125). There is no one person, man or woman, no matter how morally conscious, who is exemt from suffering. In the Book of Job, the main character, Job, has a blessed life. He has health, family, and holds a prestigious position in society. Job does not take his life for granted. He is sure to thank God every morning, and apoligize on his childrens behalf “if they have sinned, or cursed God in their hearts.” (A, 126.)
In the New York Times, Nicole John, 17 year old daughter to the U.S Ambassador of Thailand, Eric G. John, had a very similar life. She was beautiful, intelligent, rich, and among the elite status in society. She had all the oppurtunity to live a very fulfilling and joyous life. Although Nicole and Job shared similar material assets, Nicole was far more reckless. She was well aware of her privelaged lifestyle and lived as if she were to die tomorrow. 
In the Book of Job, the devil hints to God that Job would betray God if God had not blessed his life so much. The devil challenges God to make Job suffer, and see how Job responds. The Lord finally said to Satan “Behold, he is in your power; only spare his life.” The devil takes everything from Job; yet Job remains steadfast and stays loyal to God. He even cursed the day of his birth. “Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the nght which said, ‘A man-child is concieved.'”
Nicole John was never challenged. She had everything at her fingertips. On August 27, 2010, after a night of partying, Nicole fell to her death. No matter the circumstances with her lifestyle, no one could ever predict that she would pass away so abubtly.
Nicole John’s death was a tragedy. It goes back to the initial question of “Why does God permit human suffering?” Nicole John was a beloved daughter, a sibling, and her family’s life is changed forever. There is no definitive answer to the question, but the book of Job’s lessons and themes still apply to everyday life.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/27/ambassadors-daughter-falls-to-death/?scp=1&sq=nicole%20john&st=cse

Eric Sherman
Professor Allen
Lit 2800
10 September 2010

A recent article in the New York Times, called “U.S Urges Iraqis to Try New Plan to Share Power” is very similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. In the Epic, the king, Gilgamesh is superior above all other men. However, Gilgamesh abuses his power and oppresses the people in Uruk. As Shamhat tells Endiku, “Come, let me bring you into Uruk-Haven, to the Holy Temple, the residence of Anu and Ishtar, the place of Gilgamesh, who is wise to perfection, but who struts his power over the people like a wild bull.” Enkidu’s purpose is to prevent Gilgamesh from mistreating his people.

Recently, this problem has become very apparent. As it says in the opening paragraph, “The Obama administration is encouraging a major new power sharing arrangement in Iraq that could retain Nuri Kamal al- Maliki but in a coalition that would significantly curb his authority.” The Obama administration feels obligated to intervene in order to protect the people of Iraq from the Prime Ministers control. Enkidu’s initial purpose in Gilgamesh was to bring Gilgamesh’s behavior and actions to an abrupt stop. Enkidu tells Shamhat “Come, Shamhat, take me away with you to the sacred Holy Temple, the residence of Anu and Ishtar, the place of Gilgamesh, who is wise to perfection, but who struts his power over the people like a wild bull. I will challenge him. Let me shout out in Uruk: I am the mighty one! Lead me in and I will change the order of things.” (A, 63)
Endiku and the Obama Administration both have the same objectives. The lines, “I will challenge him,” and “Lead me in and I will change the order of things,” particularly stand out because they are exactly what both Enkidu and the Obama administration will do.

The U.S plan is to “alter the structure of Iraq’s government by bringing additional restraints to the authority of Iraq’s prime minister and establishing a new committee with authority to approve military appointments, review the budget and shape security policy.” Endiku takes a more physical approach. During Enkidu and Gilgamesh’s first encounter, “They grappled with each other at the entry to the marital chamber, in the street hey attacked each other, the public square of the land. The doorposts trembled and the wall shook.” (A, 66) After the altercation, “They kissed each other and became friends.” (A, 67). I expect the initial reaction between Iraqi’s prime minister and the Obama I expect there will be conflict during the initial reaction between Iraqi’s prime minister and the Obama Administration While the turmoil may not lead to physical altercations, as in Gilgamesh, there will certainly be tension and disagreements. After the initial tension, hopefully the U.S and Iraqi prime minister will emulate Endiku and Gilgamesh. They will be able to put their dispute aside, and become friends.