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Author Archives: yuan.ao
Posts: 8 (archived below)
Comments: 1
The Prince and Wikileaks
The workings of governments, like people, ought not to be transparent. Governments should not share certain things because once they are out there you cannot take it back, same goes for people.
In The Prince, Machiavelli makes a point of never leaving oneself without options of getting out of an agreement or promise. “It is necessary, therefore, to be a fox in order to know the traps, and a lion to frighten the wolves. … And so, a wise ruler cannot, nor should he, keep his word when doing so would be to his advantage and when the reasons that led him to make promises no longer exist.” (C, 236)
In the New York times article, it cites that certain things should be kept out the purview of others. “[Tunku Vardarajan, an conservative commentator said] ‘Diplomacy, to work at all effectively, must draw a line between the ‘consultative process’ and the ‘work product.’ This is but part of the human condition: Human beings need to consult, speculate, brainstorm, argue with each other — yes, even to gossip and say dopey things — in order to find their way through the difficult task of coming to an official, or publicly stated position which would then be open (legitimately) to criticism.’” (NY Times Article)
“[Zadie Smith] fears that by sharing so much — and having so much shared about themselves — these young people have lost any hope for an inner life. [She wrote] ‘I am dreaming of a Web that caters to a kind of person who no longer exists … A private person, a person who is a mystery, to the world and — which is more important — to [their self]’’ (NY Times Article)
Some things whether it deals with an individual or governments should not be put out there; For once it is out there it “cannot go back in the bag”.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/business/media/06link.html?_r=1&hp
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Lost of Control
In The Thousand and One Nights and NY Times article, there is a similar theme of individuals having no control over others. For Shahrayar and Shahraman, lamenting their ability to control their women. Sirwan Hama Amin, when her family kills her husband.
Shazaman says, “By God, I am king and sovereign in Samarkand, yet my wife has betrayed me and has inflicted this on me” (B, 409) Shahrayar said, “My brother Sharhzaman, look at this sorry plight. By God, it is worse than the ours. This is no less than a demon who has carried a young woman away on her wedding night, imprisoned her in a glass chest, locked her up with four locks, and kept her in the middle of the sea thinking that he could guard her from what God had foreordained, and you saw how she has managed to sleep with ninety-eight men, and added the two of us to make a hundred. (B, 413)
“She opened the bathroom door and saw her husband covered in blood and one of her brothers aiming a gun at her. ‘I saw only my brother, but someone else shot Aram,’ she said. Before the smoke cleared, gunmen fired 17 bullets into Mr. Rasool’s chest and 4 into Ms. Amin’s leg and hip, General Salih said.” (NY Times article)
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/world/middleeast/21honor.html?ref=middleeast
Posted in The Thousand and One Nights
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Throne of Blood
In the Throne of Blood critique, I tend to agree most of the critic’s views:
That the costumes were best thing about the play, “Were it not for the gorgeous costumes — sweeping silken kimonos and samurai armor made of glistening black patent leather — Ping Chong’s “Throne of Blood,” a new production from the Next Wave Festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, would be as boring to look at as it is to listen to.” (NY Times article)
The language leaving something to be desired “Mr. Chong, the veteran stage artist who adapted and directed “Throne of Blood” with an obvious reverence for the film, cannot replicate onstage the sweep and intensity that Kurosawa’s camerawork brings to the narrative, even as he sticks firmly to the scenic structure. And although the production is performed in English, with the occasional exclamation in Japanese for atmospheric effect, Mr. Chong chose to do without Shakespeare too, aside from a jokey allusion or two.” (NY Times article)
The only part of his critique, I disagree was with the scene in the forest, “The encounter with the ghost in the forest replicates the eerie charge of the scene in the movie, with the spirit (Cristofer Jean) pouring forth his premonitions in a rumbly, mechanically enhanced voice..” (NY Times article). I thought that was one of best scenes of the play where the main characters discover their fortune and the background had the creepy eyes and that turned red when the scene ended.
Overall I feel that the critic had issues with the play based on his comparison of the play to the movie and the original Shakespeare. It seems he was expecting more because he likes the movie and Shakespeare instead of just taking it for what it is.
http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/11/12/theater/reviews/12throne.html?scp=1&sq=Ping%20Chong&st=cse
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Pillow Book and Afghan Women
In both Sei Shonagan’s Pillow Book and the New York Times article about the Afghan women, females are seen as not having power to control their own circumstances. The difference is that one is taking place about a thousand years ago and one still happening. “’If you run away from home, you may be raped or put in jail and then sent home and then what will happen to you?’ asked Rachel Reid, a researcher for Human Rights Watch who tracks violence against women …Returned runaways are often shot or stabbed in honor killings because the families fear they have spent time unchaperoned with a man…” (NY Times article) A woman, who is angry with her husband about some trifling matter leaves home and goes somewhere to hide. She is certain that he will rush about looking for her; but he does nothing of the kind and shows the most infuriating indifference. Since she cannot stay away for ever, she swallows her pride and returns” (B, 257)
Posted in Asian Literature
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Gilgamesh II
In the Epic of Gilgamesh and the New York Times article “More Countries Adopt China’s Tactics on Currency”, there is a common theme of help your friend even if it is counterproductive to your own interests. In the New York Times Article, China is said to devalue their currency in order to help their trade partner the United States while affecting their own ability to import more. It is similar to the Epic Gilgamesh, where Enkidu went against being counter for Gilgamesh and instead help him instead which ultimately will lead to his death.
In the New York Times Article, the following is said “The Chinese press is filled with articles arguing that Americans do not appreciate China’s efforts on their behalf. While other nations’ currencies devalued against the dollar in the 2008 financial crisis, some economists note, the renminbi did not. And while Chinese exports may be artificially cheap, the effect has been to give American shoppers bargains at the expense of Chinese consumers.”
As noted on Tablet 7, “’Because they killed the Bull of Heaven and have also slain Humbaba, the one of them who pulled up the Cedar of the Mountain must die!’ Enlil said: ‘Let Enkidu die, but Gilgamesh must not die!’” (p.79, l.4-6).
Sources:
Damrosch, David and Pike, David L. 2009. Longman Anthology of World Literature The Ancient World, Vol. A 2nd Edition. “The Epic of Gilgamesh” p.56-97
Sanger, David E. and Wines, Michael 2010 “More Countries Adopt China’s Tactics on Currency” nytimes.com, October 3 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/04/world/04currency.html?ref=europe
Posted in Gilgamesh
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Gilgamesh and Genesis
In the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Book of Genesis, there was a common theme of an great flood. In Genesis it is cited in Chapter 6, God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh is come before me, for earth is filled with outrage by them, and I am now about to destroy them, with the earth…………As for me, I am about to bring the flood, water upon earth, to destroy all flesh that has within it the breath of life from under the heavens, everything on earth shall perish…..” (p.34) In the Epic of Gilgamesh it was cited in tablet 11 by Utanapishtim, “…The Hearts of the Great Gods moved them to inflict the flood. The Father ANu uttered the oath of secrecy, Valiant Enlil was their Adviser, Ninurta was their Chamberlain, Ennugi was their Minister of Canals. Ea, the Clever Prince, was under oath with them so he repeated their talk to the reed house: ……” (p.91, l.14-20)
Sources:
Damrosch, David and Pike, David L. 2009. Longman Anthology of World Literature The Ancient World, Vol. A 2nd Edition. “Genesis” p.28-38
Damrosch, David and Pike, David L. 2009. Longman Anthology of World Literature The Ancient World, Vol. A 2nd Edition. “The Epic of Gilgamesh” p.56-97
Posted in Genesis - Gilgamesh
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Book of Job
In the Book of Job and In the New York Times article, “As Maliki Clings to Power, Iraq’s Fissures Deepen” there is an similarity between how the Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki and God had control over people. In the case of Prime Minister Maliki, his power to appoint individuals to posts and positions and in the case of God, his power over Job’s life by allowing Satan to use him as a sort of test.
As cited In Chapter 2 of the Book of Job, “Skin for Skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But put forth thy hand now, touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.” And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your power; only spare his life.’”
In the Times article it was cited, “The past four years have been full of injustice and oppression,” Atheel al-Nujaifi, a Sunni who is governor of Nineveh Province in northern Iraq, said Sunday in Mosul. “ He accused Mr. Maliki of having abused his authority by arresting opponents, pressuring the courts, and hiring and firing security forces based on sectarian identity — practices, Mr. Nujaifi said, that Mr. Maliki continued even now as a caretaker leader with no mandate or parliamentary oversight. “Mr. Maliki’s continuation as prime minister will create a dictatorship,” he warned.”
Sources:
Damrosch, David and Pike, David L. 2009. Longman Anthology of World Literature The Ancient World, Vol. A 2nd Edition. P.125-140
Myers, Steven Lee 2010 “As Maliki Clings to Power, Iraq’s Fissures Deepen” nytimes.com, October 3 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/04/world/middleeast/04iraq.html?pagewanted=1&ref=middleeast
Posted in Book of Job
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Gilgamesh I
In the Epic Gilgamesh and New York Times Article,“New Afghan Corruption Inquiries Frozen”, there was a common theme of mistrust due to changing perceptions. In the New York Times Article, I notice similarities between the mistrust of Enkidu by wild animals and the Afghan Administration and their Anti – Corruption Officials. Enkidu is view different by the animal afterward more like a man and less as part of the wild after meeting Shamhat. The Anti -Corruption officials similarly are view as a tool to check their power by Coalition by the Afghan Administration.
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu loses the trust of the animals after he has sex with Shamhat. “His Lust groaned over her; for six days and seven nights Enkidu stayed aroused, and had intercourse with the harlot until he was sated with her charms. But when he turned his attention to his animals, the gazelles saw Enkidu and darted off, the wild animals distanced themselves from his body.” (p.63, l. 166-173)
As cited in the last paragraph of the New York Times Article, “A prominent Afghan businessman who knows Mr. Karzai well said he was just stalling. “The Americans are damned,” he said, referring to the Salehi case. “It’s about sending a signal: the fact that the guy got away means it’s a toothless tiger.”’
The difference of how some is perceive comes from either one party gaining new knowledge that is different the other party does not understanding. For when Enkidu meets Shamhat who introduce him to the world of man and the animals perceive him differently. In the case of Anti-Corruption officials, the perception may be that they are the tools of the west but in their eyes the officials might see that in order to be able to govern efficiently, certain activities must be weed out so the people can trust their government again. It is through whomever’s eyes you are looking through that becomes your perception of the event, place or thing.
Sources:
Damrosch, David and Pike, David L. 2009. Longman Anthology of World Literature The Ancient World, Vol. A 2nd Edition. “The Epic of Gilgamesh” p.56-97
Nordland, Rod and Rubin, Alissa J. 2010. “New Afghan Corruption Inquiries Frozen” nytimes.com, September 14 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/world/asia/15afghan.html?pagewanted=1&ref=asia
Posted in Gilgamesh
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