English9: septiembre 2007

domingo, 30 de septiembre de 2007

Myths Blog 14

1. Medea And Aeson: Medea illustrates the dark power assigned to obssessive females, the obssesive love seen in some myths. She is reminiscent of Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct and Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, both examples of the human fascination with our "twisted" members.

2. Meleager And Atalanta: The giant boar can be taken as a metaphor of the difficult duty of preserving home. The men of the city-states must be militarily training in order to protect their home. Atalanta is oddly another strong female role in a society where women were meant to be stay at home moms and housekeepers. The fate of Meleager is a warning to not cross those that love you and have sacrificed for you because they can just as easily turn againt you.

3. Atalanta: Atalanta is a way of society's recognizing that (at leats then) marriage would lock women into house and home, so to be free they must be single. The use of golden apples can be seen as advice for lovers to give their partners gifts. Even today one of the most popular ideas is to give the woman you love jewels. The couple's ignoring of the gods can be taken as a away to say that love blinds you or makes you so focused on your love taht you forget all else.

jueves, 27 de septiembre de 2007

Greek Vocab from NYT

Myths Blog 13

1. The Pygmies: Can be taken as the peoples of foreign lands, or the greeks themselves, being attacked by otherwise mundane creatures for food and plenty. Hercules was great (possibly more morally or in spirit than physically) and defeating lesser men.

2. The Griffin: Can be taken as the difficulties to accomplish riches, or the strength and smarts of a rich man that fought for his riches (like kings). Griffin claw cups could have been made rather from cow horns and the story embellished.

3. The Golden Fleece: The golden fleece could be taken to mean glory and honor, quite prized in Ancient Greece, especially in the Age of Heroes, and in this text the Argonauts are referred to as heroes (pg 105). All the tasks Jason accomplishes are taken to mean the tasks and tests heroes must undertake to prove their worth.

miércoles, 26 de septiembre de 2007

Fallacies In An Op-Ed

http://www.realite-eu.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=9dJBLLNkGiF&b=2315291&ct=4477049

The Chavez-Iran Alliance
Fact Sheet
Facing the threat of international isolation and stiffer UN Security Council sanctions over its uranium enrichment work, Iran is keen to demonstrate the backing it enjoys from a number of Latin American leaders. In Venezuela’s president, Hugo Chavez, Tehran has found a friend.
Chavez is Latin America’s most vocal supporter of Iran and its president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad; the men call each other “brother” and relish their status as fierce opponents of Washington. “The two countries will unite to defeat the imperialism of North America,” a beaming Chavez told a news conference during an official visit to the Islamic Republic. i
In September 2005, Venezuela was alone in opposing an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution that found Iran in violation of nuclear safeguards. Chavez has since spoken in support of Iran’s nuclear program, which the U.S. and European governments say is part of a project to build weapons.ii
In July 2006, Iran’s state-run TV reported that Ahmadinejad gave Iran’s highest state medal to Chavez for supporting Tehran in its nuclear standoff. “The medal was awarded as an expression of gratitude for Chavez’s support for Iran’s stance on the international scene, especially its opposition to a resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency,” the station said. iii
During a visit to Iran in September 2006, Chavez spoke in support of Iran’s nuclear program. “What gives the U.S. the right,” he asked “to stop any country developing nuclear power for peaceful purposes?” Chavez added an ominous warning to Washington: “We don't want another war, but there will be disastrous consequences if Iran is attacked.” iv
Uses Chavez's negative image in the US to reflect poorly on Iran, using a Personal Attack fallacy. It also uses a genetic fallacies by using many references to Venezuela and Iran preying on people's negative images of both South America and the Middle East. Argumentum ad Populum with the Bandwagon approach is used when it says that Venezuela alone was against a policy that negatively affected Iran. This agrument is used in the patriotic approach too as they often make reference to the countries being against the US.

Iran and Venezuela have signed bilateral agreements on issues ranging from oil exploration to cultural exchanges. In the financial sphere, Ahmadinejad and Chavez have tried to undermine the world’s economy by challenging the dollar.
In October 2005, Chavez announced that Venezuela was ready to follow Iran and move Venezuela’s foreign-exchange holdings out of the dollar. He called for the creation of a South American central bank to hold all foreign-exchange holdings of participating countries. v
In July 2007, the two presidents launched construction of a joint petrochemical plant with an annual capacity of 1.65 million tons on Iran’s Gulf coast. Chavez and Ahmadinejad also signed a series of other deals to expand economic cooperation, ranging from setting up a dairy factory in Venezuela to forming an oil company.vi Iranian officials said a second methanol plant would be constructed in Venezuela.
Each of the two plants would cost $650 million to $700 million and take four years to complete. Methanol, an alcohol, can be used as a solvent or an element in fuel. That would help Iran to access the Latin American market, while Venezuela would get closer to buyers in India and Pakistan. vii
Both leaders see themselves as revolutionaries, and the 29 agreements they have signed are, in their words, designed to fuel their revolutions. Along with the agreements cited above,, the presidents signed deals covering iron and steel production, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and health care equipment and munitions. viii
Uses the appeal to patriotism is also used when the challenging of the dollar is brought up. Repaets the leaders names often so they can build up their infamy, therefore its a subtle personal attack because the reader will negatively link them the next time they hear about them. Talks about developments as something bad or conspiratory, (Personal Attack) and citing their deals as plots for evil.

Both Iran and Venezuela have provided significant support to international terrorist organizations, particularly al Qaeda.
Chavez provided $1 million to al Qaeda following 9/11, according to Major Diaz Castillo of the Venezuelan Air force, who was Chavez’s personal pilot until he defected. In late September 2001, Diaz Castillo says, Venezuelan Vice President Diosdado Cabello funneled the money through Venezuela’s ambassador in India, Walter Marquez. The Taliban received the money and publicly acknowledged receipt of $100,000 in “humanitarian aid.” “The rest went straight to al Qaeda,” he said. ix
Chavez’s support for al Qaeda could help explain his increasingly close relationship with the government of Iran, where large numbers of al Qaeda leaders are known or suspected to be. x
Cuba’s General Intelligence Directorate has practically taken over Venezuela’s Directorate for Intelligence, Security, and Prevention, according to General Marcos Ferreira, who resigned as director of Venezuela’s border-control service.
In addition, Ferreira said, Interior Minister Ramon Rodriguez Chacin pressured him to cover up the identities of terrorists, many from the Middle East, to deceive U.S. terrorism investigators. xi
Chavez’s courting of radical regimes is not new. He fawned over Saddam Hussein in 2000, even as that dictator brutally tortured his own citizens, stole Oil-For-Food funds, and sent terrorists abroad to murder Iraqis who opposed him. Today, Chavez roots for the terrorists who bomb innocent Iraqis. xii
Personal attack when it cites the countries helping terrorists and slanders Iran when it says that many terrorists are suspected to be there. Improper Authority is also used as the pilot defected and therefore feels negatively towards Chavez and the need to please Americans as he needs asylum. Uses a Personal Attack against Hussein to negatively reflect on Chavez and this line "Chavez roots for the terrorist who bomb innocent Iraquis" needs no explaination towards its bias.

martes, 25 de septiembre de 2007

Myths Blog 12

1. The Sphinx: The Sphinx can be seen as the trigger for Oedipus tearing his eyes out, or as an in joke for readers, as he was knowledgeable enough to defeat the Sphinx but not to recognize his parents, one of the stressers that caused him to rip his eyes out.

2. Pegasus And The Chimaera: It is interesting that a creature as good as Pegasus should be born of the dreaded monster Medusa, a subtle metaphor for the ability of good to come out of evil, or that good prevails, possibly. The Chimera cansignify that evil is stronger when it combines forces, but is till defeatable by good.

3. The Centaurs: This myth talks about how evils, even if they are lesser evils, must still be feared. After all, centaurs were allowed amongst humans but were still dangerous. They too have the duality of humans, being able to choose to be good or bad.

lunes, 24 de septiembre de 2007

Myths Blog 11

1. The Sea-Monster: In Greek mythology someone must pay for sins even if they arent their own, shown by Andromeda having to pay for her mothers crime, shown the myths other use, as teacher of social codes of behavior. Youth is also shown to have power over the mistakes of the old.

2. The Wedding Feast: shows the power of actions over words, as Perseus is shown to be a of more worth and valor (therefore tru husband to Andromeda) while cowards like Phineus are undeserving. This lesson would especially come in handy in the ancient world when wars were so frequent and everyone had to be capable of fighting.

3. Monsters: The monsters have human characteristics, perhaps extra frightening as they seemed to challenge humans as the gods' most magnificent beings. The creatures the gods' turn into are also note worthy because:
Apollo: A crow, close to the sun and a good hunter, as was the god.
Bacchus: A goat, as riled up and wild like a partygoer.
Diana: A cat, which are great hunters whether they are big or small.
Juno: A cow, gives calves and milk, very much a mother, the role which was given to Juno.
Venus: A fish, as her origin was in the sea.
Mercury: A bird, and a swift messenger. Messenger pigeons were used even in WW1.

sábado, 22 de septiembre de 2007

Myths Blog 10

1. The Graeae And Gorgons: The gorgons once again show the ability of the greeks to give out strong females roles, but not in their everyday life. These women must have been personified as terrifying because these were the terros that afflicted voyages, and seafaring was integral to life as this poinjt, due to the fact that most inhabited islands and depended on sea travel to have a ink to the outside.

2. Perseus And Medusa: Once again mortals are punished by the gods and Medusa can be seen as the danger and poison of a bitter scorned woman. People turning to stone can be related to a "stone heart" or her lack of emotion other than anger/hatred.

3. Perseus And Atlas: Fate is shown to be as always inescapable, an iron clad contract. Everyone it seems has a predetermined path that can never be undermined, the most powerful example being the story of Oedipus.

jueves, 20 de septiembre de 2007

Myths Blog 9

1. Hero And Leander: Once more this myth relates to the awesome power of love and near obsession and the act of dying for love whether in battle or suicide.

2. Minerva: I find it interesting that Minerva presided over both the male and female arts in times that women weren't considered equal or valid and that she too waged war. Other examples of strong women in thier mythology are Diana and Juno.

3. Niobe: The theme of divine punishment is still stron as it was in the preceding myth.

Fallacies In Op-Ed

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/opinion/20cohen.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin

The article is about France's president Sarkozy breaking French taboos by changing traditions and such. For example he disregarded the French tardition of patting a cow to show his link to agricultural France.

The mode of rhetoric used most is logos because Sarkozy's actions show his people (It's ok, I do it, so it's ok for you to do it). This is likely the most effective way to break taboo because the people will follow their elected leader and since he is held in the highest regard he will be easily followed.

This article also uses what I like to call anti-ethos because it shows their reputation and then disproves it. Kinda like "that was then, this is now". This is especially present in the last paragraph where the author states that french hypocresy will be paralyzed with the taboos gone.

The author himself uses suggestive language such as calling Sarkozy Europe's most dynamic president and therefore establishing a quiet reputation for him that will later be used in ethos rhetoric.

martes, 18 de septiembre de 2007

Myths Blog 8

1. Nisus And Scylla: This myth relates to the idea of dark dangerous love again, a love present in other myth and greek works like Medea.

2. Echo And Narcissus: Echo also experiences the punishment of defying the gods and the pain of love.

3. Clytie: I love that the sunflower was explained in this way. The ancients must have been overcome to see a moving flower a flower that followed no less than the sun. And as love is such a powerful and dangerous theme in greek and roman mythology that they must have assumed that the flower was in love with the sun.

lunes, 17 de septiembre de 2007

Myths Blog 7

1. Cupid And Psyche: I found this quote very interesting "He is a monster whom neither gods nor men can resist" pg 65. I found it amusing that love is said to be impossible to resist (and we have seen this in the stories read thus far) and denominated a monster as it is so powerful and sometimes so torturous.

2. Cadmus: I'd like to note that Thebes is the city in which the plays "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone" are set. I believe the snake symbolizes the difficulty of Cadmus' journey and his fears. Greeks were very loyal to their city-states and it must have been extraordinarily painful to leave his in shame. The men must be peasants or hard men from difficult backgrounds to be leaving their homes and likely temperamental and happy to fight until Cadmus puts them in line.

3. The Myrmidons: This story deals (as others have) with the jealous wrath of Hera which can be related with Cupid being referred to as a monster as love can turn into obssession.

domingo, 16 de septiembre de 2007

Myths Blog 6

1. Apollo And Hyacinthus: Curious to see what the hyacinth looked like (as I originally missed the footnote explaining the flower wasn't the modern hyacinth) I googled it. Below the first hit about the actual flower there was a wikipedia article on the mythical Hyacinth: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyacinth_%28mythology%29. Evidently all sources point to a love triangle between Zephyrus Apollo and Hyancinth. Oddly enough people today can related to this theme and the trouble of two people falling in love with the same person and the pain when he/she chooses whom to love. Love triangles continue to happen in human communities everywhere and this myth shows that for all their powers, gods still feel and hurt as humans do.

2. Ceyx And Halcyone: I liked this myth because the heartache of being separated fro aloved one and knowing he could die is a pain we all feel. Think of mothers sending their sons of to war, some of which will never return. Or a wife whose husband was killed when his plane crashed. We still lose those who are dear to us, and are still wary of journeys because we love them and are afraid to never again see their face. Halcyone is not the first and won't be the last to wish her husband alive again, to want to keep living with him, to feel the pain of death.

3. Vertumnus And Pomona: I'd like to note that this myth contains a myth within itself. Vetumnus like men today and yesterday would do anything for a girl he loves, as the popular expression says "love makes a fool out of anyone". The seduction of Pomona was all the subtext. A woman she trusts and sees not as a threat tells her of the need for love using her plants as explamples, discreetly discredits her other suitors and empowers himself and them using a story and its subtext of the importance of love and its power convinces her of him being the bets suitor and them drops his guise and his beauty wins the rest of her over.

jueves, 13 de septiembre de 2007

Myths Blog 5

1. Pygmalion: what I thought most interesting was Pygmalion abhorrishment to women occuring at the same time of his fascination with them. He hated them and resolved to remain unmarried but was so entranced by his ivory creation, whom he painstakingly created in the image of his perfect woman. In short, Pygmalion was afraid of women or repulse but his basic needs had to be met and he easily fell in love.

2. Dryope: Follows in the theme of mortals being punished for angering the gods and enforces the strict moral code and cohabitance of nature of those who followed these teachings.

3. Venus And Adonis: this story also heeds the listeners about believing themselves wiser than gods but I found Venus' slavish devotion more interesting as she who was the epitome of "Chic" would become as gritty as Diana, giving strength to the underlying theme that loves is strongest of all motivations.

miércoles, 12 de septiembre de 2007

Rhetoric In The NY Times

1. "As dawn broke, workers returning to the plant, which produced the speedy, efficient Mosquito bomber, shook their heads as they surveyed a scene of awesome devastation. Yet all was not as it appeared. In fact, none of it was. The entire event was staged, all for the benefit of the amazing Agent Zigzag." http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/books/12grimes.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin. This statement uses pathos as it tugs on the heartstrings by talking about a great explosion causing a heartwrenching scene in our imagination and since this is a sample of the books writing it persuades us to want to buy it.

2. "He was a longtime criminal turned double agent who, in the course of his career as a spy, would flit back and forth between Britain and Germany, occupied France and occupied Norway on one top-secret mission after another."
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/books/12grimes.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin
The description of the Agent's identity makes us want to learn more about him because we see the spy lifestyle as exciting and fascinating convinving us that Agent Zigzag is an interesting charismatic man, therefore it uses ethos. The charisma bit comes from our perception of James Bond.

3. "Britain and Germany, each mistakenly convinced that the other had a highly efficient spy network, were desperate to acquire agents." http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/books/12grimes.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin
From the statement of the countries' desperation for agents we can logically asume that this lead them to hire Agent Zigzag who then palyed both sides we them not knowing. As we know they already had mistakenly come to conclusions we know they can be fooled. This statement uses or causes logos.

4. "In this fevered atmosphere Mr. Chapman flourished like an exotic flower." http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/books/12grimes.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin
From this statement we can asume that he was cool under pressure and we good at his job, therefore we use logos.

5. "“It is not easy to judge the workings of Chapman’s mind,” one British spy handler reported."
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/books/12grimes.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin
Ftrom this statement we can asume that he was very charismatic and a good liar and good at covering his emotions as the trained spy handler can't read him. Therefore we use logos.

martes, 11 de septiembre de 2007

Myths Blog 4

1. Baucis And Philemon: Once a again the myth regalles the importance of proper manners and social behavior to please and be rewarded by the gods and if not suffer great punishment. Their wish to guard the temple also reenforces the social command of absolute subservience and labor for and to the gods.

2. Proserpine: This myth explains the phenomena of volcanoes, earthquakes and seasons. It also stresses the underlying power of love in ways we believe impossible in this time period as we desdain them for their arranged marriages. However the greeks prove us wrong by giving Venus such power and show that none escape love. It also revists the familiar theme of human foolishness when the boy is denied immortality but he is still rewarded and gives men the gift of agriculture following the Ishmael topic of taker culture being centered on agriculture. The life giving binding character of food and harvest are what binds Proserpine for the the seeds are from the soil of the underworld and belong to the underworld and thus make her part of the underworld.

3. Glaucus And Scylla: Once again agricultutre shows its power as the herb is the one that causes Glaucus to abandon his lifestyle. It also relates to the greeks seafaring nature as their fear of being torn aparts by rocks or monsters are reprensented by Scylla.

lunes, 10 de septiembre de 2007

Myths Blog 3

1. Latona And The Rustics: Like most myths this tale restates that the gods will punish foolish humans ans stress social values/skills. Also as a myth is explain the origins of the frog or the frog temple.

2. Phaeton: It explains several geographic phenomena and stresses once again the foolishness and arrongance of humans as compared to the wise gods. This myth also exposes teh personification of many things, quite present in greek mythology, making earth a character in itself (a woman as it gives life like a mother) and how several natural vegetal species are said to have once been human.

3. Midas: Midas's story, like Phaeton shows that humans pale in front of the gods, as they are offered gifts and misuse them or say unwise things when before them. All greek myths enforce standards of behavior and the magnificence of the gods.

domingo, 9 de septiembre de 2007

Myths Blog 2

1. Cephalus And Procris: This myth apparently relates to marital relationships the most. The ideas of fidelity jealousy and the the honesty are stressed to instruct the people to conduct a "better" marital relationship, one based on honesty and trust rather thna sneaking around and spying.

2. Juno And Her Rivals: This myth has several smaller myths withing it, the making of the Syrinx, the eyes on the peacock, and the naming of the Bosphorus and Ionian sea. It also relates to the idea of marital fidelity and jealousy that can often be disastrous and played such a role in Juno and Jupiter's relationship, another subtle warning to the populace: if you cheat, prepare of the hellish fury of your partner.

3. Callisto: My third myth also related marital infidelity and explains the Big Bear and Little Bear constellations that are always in the night sky. It carries the same arning about infidelity as the other myths and that spying on your spouse usually takes horrible turns for both of you.

jueves, 6 de septiembre de 2007

Myths Blog

Before I start I would like to express my distaste towrads the author and his interjections. Obviuosly a man a some century past he does nothing but comment on the myths as inferior rather thna just letting the text be. That being said lets move on.

1. Prometheus and Pandora: This is a relatively well know myth (from which comes the expression Pandora's Box). I can see it relates directly to the idea in Ishmael in which man is promised to rule earth but have a great flaw that stopd them from this. humans are created and special given fire and they are "a nobler animal" (pg 10) and they look toward the stars and creatures toward sthe ground as stated on page 10 as well. Pandora was the embodiment of all we see as good in humans (beauty, persuasion, music, hope) but she also releases all that plagues us, both in the body and in the mind. Even from the time of the Romans and Greeks we have perceived ourselves as dual, rejoicing in our duality of favored but flawed as the Gods created us especially but we cannot fully accomplish their mission. Man can choose good over evil and in this myths he is seen to exercise this, to rob and kill until we are punished and learn the hard way to be good. All of us are taught that from the cradle if in different terms (If you're a bad boy you'll go to prison etc. ). Pandora and Prometheus is one of the first texts/myths/teachings that "explain" that to men.

2. Apollo and Daphne: I'd like to note the serpent's role as evil in this myth, as it is noted as evil in others and the catholic/christian belief states that a serpent tricked Eve. Snakes have always carried around that connotation of dark wisdom, a wisdom used for evil and deceit. I believe the connotation comes from their odd appearnce the venom of some snakes that alarms humans and led them to be seem as symbols for evil and wisdom. Another point to bring up is our fascination with gold and its beauty as seen in the sharp arrow to provoke love and how ordinary we take lead to be (in the era it was often used before it was determined poisonous maybe that's what made it take that workman's quality).

3. Pyramus and Thisbe: I noted the posistive and resourceful quality attributed to love, shown by their discovery of the discovery of the wall crack followed by "What will not love discover!" pg 19. The story is also very similar to Romeo and Juliet. The boy believes the girl dead and commits suicide, and she upon seeing the boy kill herself as well. Shakespeare could've found inspiration from this text but I am unaware if it was available to him at the time.

miércoles, 5 de septiembre de 2007

Response to How Much Shall We Bet?

I loved this story. The basic idea is to tell the story of the universe from an amusing point of view, making the universe the back story rather than the main story, focusing more on the gamblers. What I liked most is how the gamblers sit and watch the universe become what it is now, with no understanding or explanation as to why they are there or how. The gambler's are also very similar, even if they don't know it, considering themselves smarter and more delightful than the other and using this to gain the upper hand. Unfortunately I couldn't quite understand why they could foresee what was coming and how they could predict human civilizations befor ethere was even a human race. what i would like to note is that this is from Cosmicomics as noted as the bottom of the page, in likely reference to the comedic novelization of the universe/cosmos. I really love Calvino's style of gentle mockery, and his fascination with science. He seems to repeteadly use it (exaggerated to the point of impossibility of course) in his texts, in this one it is glaring obvious when he describes the formation of the universe " a few particles spinning around, some electrons scattered here and there at random, and protons all more or less on their own...each proton its electron started whirling and buzzing. An enormous hydrogen cloud was condensing in space." and he also uses medical science in "El Vizconde Demediado" when they save a man cut in half (each separate half) and who is later put back together. This time the mockery is with Dean (k)yK and Qfwfq who are contradictions themeselves as they see creation but they themselves appear to never be "created" and someone mingle with the human race with ease, even though they were present before the birth of human life. I'd like to read the rest of Cosmicomics to see the rest of Calvino's explanation of the universe.

domingo, 2 de septiembre de 2007

Gilgamesh: Final Post

I really reallly enjoyed the Epic of Gilgamesh. It had teachings that were meant to teach the Mesopotamians but still affect us today, themes like bravery, honor, compnionship, valor and duty. Mesopotamians looked up to the hero Gilgamesh to learn from him, about their heritage and identity. He was a role model who taught them how to act in the face of danger and fear and passed on cultural beliefs, like that of having many sons and leaving men behind to mourn you. Gilgamesh is a hugely important cultural landmark, a true portrait of Mesopotamians society, painting vvivid pictures of their gods, ceremonies, beliefs, and relationships. Gilgamesh is an essential text in world history and history of literature, because of its age and its excellent narration. It has alll inds of metaphors and veiled meanings and should be read more than once for full understanding, not so hard to do as it uses plain english unlike some other older texts. Gilgamesh is important for us to understand our heritage, where were coming from and why it shaped us to be who we are today.