Modern Mythology 2020

Victoria Pimenta Reyes
11/26/19
Ms. Peterson
Post #31

Aim: How does the paradox of blindness illuminate the Oedipus' tragic flaw of hubris

DN: Complete group work from yesterday
Irony Trumps Everything
Create a chart of irony in Oedipus
Oedipus saves Thebes from a plage by solving Sphinx's riddle -> He freed Thebes from a plague but he became the plague
Oedipus curses the murderer of Laius -> He is the murderer of Laius
Teiresias is blind -> but he sees the truth

Pair Share: Choose

1. All truths, whether they hurt, destroy, unveil, or enlighten must be discovered
2. Truth is a commodity which should be careful and tactful, used only when beneficial
3. Write your own

I agree with option 2 because ignorance can be bliss. There's no need to unnecessarily expose things that don't need to be. Some lies can benefit both people, like complimenting a bad haircut. 

It sounds like a politician. 

There's a time and a place for truth because it can be offensive and tactless. 

People said option 1 because the truth should always be told. 

Option 3 some truths should be avoided if they benefit no one.

How do the characters fall into these options?
Oedipus falls into Option 1 because he wants to find out what Teiresias has to say, no matter the possible consequences
Teiresias falls into Option 2 because he believes Oedipus shouldn't know who the murderer is because it will make Oedipus and his family suffer

Paradox (n): A statement or proposition despite sound (or apparent reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senses, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory

Discussion: Why is it significant the play begins w a question?
The question is "Children, young sons and daughters of Cadmus, why do you sit here with your suppliant crowns?", asked by Oedipus
This is significant because it sets the tone of the play

Read Aloud pg 122- 131
Oedipus argues with Teiresias to tell him more about the murderer, but Teiresias refuses. When Teiresias gives in, revealing Oedipus is the murderer. Oedipus gets offended and threatens Teiresias for disrespecting the king, accusing him of treason. He believes that Creon, his brother in law, was conspiring with Teiresias to steal the throne. As he leaves, Teiresias reveals Oedipus is in an incestuous relationship with his own mother.

Pair Share 

• What initial signs of rashness do we see in Oedipus?
• Why does Teiresias argue so hard against telling Oedipus anything
• What does this illustrate about his character?

Reflection:
The purpose of today's lesson was to examine the use of irony and paradox in Oedipus Rex, as well as begin to characterize Oedipus and Teiresias. It's ironic that Teiresias is the blind prophet, yet it is Oedipus who refuses to see the truth. In this tragedy, there are both literal and figurative cases of blindness. Oedipus is blind to the truth that Teiresias tells him because he is too prideful to accept that he is bringing plague to Thebes and that he killed the honorable King Laius, and instead turns his anger to Teiresias.

Modern Mythology 2020

James Pannone
11/25/19
Ms. Peterson
Blog #30

Aim: How does the irony contribute to the state of catharsis in tragedies?

Do Later: Read the poem ”Pride” by Dahlia Ravikovitch. Rename the poem. Rocks?

Turn and Talk: What is the role of irony in this poem? Share. The irony I found in the poem is that these rocks can survive millions of years, yet they are fragile. A rock can stay intact for all that time, however, the tiniest seal can pass by that same rock and shatter it. Rocks are known for their strength and durability, but they can break on the inside, much like humans. The role of the irony is to help portray the rocks are like people. Our hard exterior masked by our pride, doesn’t show how we can be falling apart inside. And no one will see that, until the person breaks.

Ethical Motivation- Motivated by morals and ethics; the sense of right and wrong

Pathetic Motivation- Motivated by passion, overwhelming motion. 

Whole Group Discussion- Which motivation seems to drive Oedipus’ desire to find Laius’ murderer. His motivation seems to be an ethical one. He is trying to find the murderer because he believes it is the right thing to do. However, his impulsivity, is driven by pathetic motivation. As he thinks too fast, he curses himself in his passion.

Hi Oedipus, may I take your order? Layers of irony, topped off with a dash of hubris, please.

Review Lines 216-275

What is obviously ironic about Oedipus’ monologue? What creeping irony Lai-with-us?

216 marks the beginning of scene 1. The whole monologue is about cursing out the murderer, and stating he will have a deadly fate. He wishes just a miserable life upon the murderer. The irony is that he is the murderer the whole time. He said I fight for myself as if my father. The irony here is that is actually is his father who died and he who killed him. 

With your team make a chart of ironies unfolding or about to unfold in the play.

Scenario

1. Oedipus saves Thebes from a plague by solving the Sphinx’s riddle
2. He is cursing the murderer 
3. The plague is from killing the king

Isn’t It Ironic

1. The irony is that he then caused another plague by being the murderer. 
2. He is the murderer
3. In order to stop it they must kill the king

Reflection: The importance of todays lesson was to portray the effectiveness of irony. We learned how back in Greek times, irony was used for many reasons. And it was not only useful and affective back then, we also learned how it is still used and loved in writings today. To reflect on the lesson and answer the aim, “how does the irony contribute to the state of catharsis in tragedies,” irony helps build the plot. To be more exact, dramatic irony, but other ironies play the same role. Catharsis is the process of releasing stress. And when we know something that the characters don’t it could be stressful. This however will be relieved at the end, when the dramatic irony goes away, to reveal the characters actions. Today we really learned in detail irony in Oedipus. The chart above, is the best sum of the lesson. 

Modern Mythology 2020

Blog #29
Andrew Ou
11/22/19

Aim: What are the attributes of Greek Drama?
Today in class we talked about the attributes to Greek Drama. We started the class by talking about the Amphitheater. The Amphitheater was an open circular or oval building with a central space surrounded by tiers of seats for spectators, for the presentation of dramatic or sporting events.

After we discussed about Amphitheaters we talked about dramatic irony. Dramatic Irony is irony that is inherent in speeches or a situation of a drama and is understood by the audience but not grasped by the characters in the play.

The Chorus was a central feature of Greek Drama. The Chorus was composed of similarly costumed men on the orchestra, located beneath the stage. The chorus was in the orchestra for the duration of the performance to observe and comment on the action of the actors. Dialogue consisted of long, formal speeches in verse.

The Strophe was the first part of the choral ode. It was the movement of the Classical Greek chorus while turning from one side to the other side of the orchestra. The Antistrophe was the second part of the choral ode. It was a returning movement in Greek choral dance.  

Appositive

An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it. The appositive can be a short or long combination of words. Examples of appositives are:

• The insect, a cockroach, is crawling across the kitchen table.
• The insect, a large cockroach, is crawling across the kitchen table.
• The insect, a large cockroach with hairy legs, is crawling across the kitchen table.
• The insect, a large, hairy-legged cockroach that has spied my bowl of oatmeal, is crawling across the kitchen table.

Reflection:

Today's lesson was important because modern drama/theatre is similar to Greek drama/theatre. Although Greek Drama was started a long time ago we still see it in our lives today. For example, the amphitheater is still designed used by many theaters. Modern theaters use the same design of a central space surrounded by seats for spectators but the main difference is most theaters are in doors, rather than outdoors. Greek Drama/theatre has been here a long time and it is important for everyone to understand where it came from because it will be a part of us forever. 

Modern Mythology 2020

Jeslyn Mei                                                                                                   Modern Mythology Period 1

Ms. Peterson                                                                                                              November 21, 2019

Blog #28

Aim: What are the attributes of Greek Drama?

Lesson Notes:
Today in class, we discussed in our groups our decisions for four scenarios and whether that decision was based on emotions or reasoning. The first scenario was "A leader for whom you have the utmost respect is making a terrible decision. Telling him/her would cast you out of his/her graces; not telling him/her would lead to the failure and destruction of this leader." Our group discussed that we would tell the leader because the leader holds great responsibility for his/her people. Thus, not telling the leader of his/her mistake would affect the people negatively rather than simply just the leader. Furthermore, if the leader is a good person and has good intentions for his/her people, I would tell the leader of the bad decision they are making. My decision is based on reasoning because affecting the welfare and greater good of the people would have a more drastic effect than affecting my relationship with the leader. The second scenario was "You are a great leader, but your people are suffering through a plague. You can save your people, but it would cost you the reputation of your husband/wife and children; they would not be banished, but forced to walk with shame for the remainder of their lives." This scenario was similar to the first scenario because as my teammates and I discussed, we would rather save the lives of our people because as a leader, it is your duty to ensure that your people's needs are satisfied and to respond quickly during emergencies. The third scenario was "Someone has murdered your parent. To learn who would be at an even greater shock and devastation than what you are facing, but you have the power to learn that truth." My group and I came to the conclusion that we would want to know who that person is to have closure. However, since our decisions are based on emotions rather than reasoning for this scenario, other groups mentioned that they wouldn't want to know because they would want to get revenge. The fourth scenario was "Previously imperceptible, you recently learning that your spouse of many years, with whom you've had children, is a direct kin relation. Your spouse is oblivious to this fact." My classmates mentioned how they would tell the spouse and allow the future to unfold itself. I agreed with this response because morally, I believe the spouse has the right to know about this important detail. We discussed these scenarios because it relates to how people went to watch Greek Dramas to empathize with the characters and cry out at the dramatic irony. Dramatic irony is irony that is inherent in a situation of a drama and is understood by the audience but not grasped by the characters in the play. An important aspect of Greek Dramas is the fact that the audience must empathize with the characters such as the protagonist. This process is necessary for the audience to experience catharsis, the purging of emotions. 

Before learning about the background of Oedipus Rex, we solved the riddle: "What has four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening?" The answer was a person because metaphorically, babies in the morning or childhood go about on all four legs. In the afternoon or during adulthood, humans will walk with two legs until the evening or old age when humans will require a cane to support himself. This explains why people will have three legs in the evening and introduces a riddle that Oedipus encounters when he visits the Sphinx. We were then introduced to Oedipus Rex and that it was written in 459 BC, "Rex" means "King," and the setting of the play begins where Oedipus is already the King of Thebes. It goes into detail on how Oedipus comes to his throne and eventually falls. 

We then learned about the essential characteristics of Greek Drama, according to Aristotle in Poetics. These characteristics are: 

• It is mimetic (imitation, in particular. Representation or imitation of the real world in art and literature.)
• It is serious
• It tells a full story of an appropriate length
• It contains rhythm and harmony
• Rhythm and harmony occur in different combinations in different parts of the tragedy
• It is performed rather than narrated
• It arouses feelings of pity and fear and then pursues these feelings through catharsis

We discussed how a tragedy consists of six different parts which are (in the order of most important to least important): plot, character, thought, diction, melody, and spectacle. We elaborated on the attributes of Greek Drama by learning about how Catharsis is purification of emotions. The term was used by Aristotle to describe the effect on the audience of a tragedy acted out on a theater stage which relates back to the purpose we learned about people attending Greek Dramas in theaters. By watching these Dramas, audience members can release their tension and disturbing emotions as a result of (1) resolving to avoid conflicts of the main character or (2) transferring their own pity and fear to the main character. As a result, the audience members are able to release these negative emotions. We also learned that the overall effect of watching Greek Dramas is the feeling of tranquility and as an improved person intellectually, morally, or socially. I learned the definition of catharsis and how the term might apply to Greek Dramas because it relates back to why Greek Dramas were relevant and popular over 2,500 years ago. People were able to purge themselves of negative emotions whether that experience was real or imagined. This was a common belief shared by most people of the century and connected people of different backgrounds because they came together for a common purpose which was to become a better person socially, morally, and intellectually. The idea of catharsis is one example of an attribute in Greek Dramas and the role they play is the bringing of radical change in a person. People were able to discover more about themselves and release the negative aspects they did not favor about themselves through quality and dramatic Greek Dramas.

Reflection:
I learned about the distinct characteristics in Greek Dramas because I'm now able to recognize an example in works of literature such as books. Furthermore, Greek Dramas have contributed to the definition and importance of Dramatic Plays. Similar to dramatic plays we watch today, both Greek Dramas and current dramatic plays consist of performers that engage with the audience through the narration of their lines. I also learned from today's lesson that Greeks made the distinction between Greek Dramas and comedies because one characteristic of Greek Dramas was that they do not have comedic lines and are rather serious. However, today, we see the merging of dramas and comedies in shows and movies which represents a departure in the interests of people in regards to theater shows. I will use what I learned today by making connections between dramas I watch in the theater to Greek Dramas because Greek Dramas was one of the earliest forms of dramas we watch today. The characteristics of modern-day dramas derive from Greeks because most, if not all, dramatic plays have a sequential and coherent storyline. Another detail I learned today was the significance of taking notes and writing down the important facts because I'm able to refer back to the notes in the future and make better sense of the text by going over what I wrote down. I will use what I learned by being an active student and taking notes of the daily lessons so that I can pay attention to detail I may have missed while discussing the new information in class. In the future, I'm able to organize and prioritize the new information by deciding on what are the key ideas I'm reading and what are not necessary to note down in my notebook.

Overall, as a student in a Modern Mythology class, it is important to make the connection between modern drama and Greek Dramas. Some movies today continue to follow the format of these Greek Dramas such as a protagonist being defeated due to hamartia, a fatal flaw as discussed in previous lessons. By the end of the lesson, I was able to recognize the importance of Greek Dramas to today and to Greek citizens. Stories like Oedipus, such as one described in the novel Mythology by Edith Hamilton, provide insights into human nature and our desire to release disturbing emotions such as fear and pity by watching greek dramas being acted out on a theater stage.

This illustration is an amphitheater where Greek Dramas were performed and is one attribute of Greek dramas.

Greek tragedies often wore masks to express the emotions they wanted to portray and evoke specific emotions in their audiences such as feelings of pity and fear. 

Additional information about Greek dramas and its defining characteristics: https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/thtr/hd_thtr.htm 

Blog 27

11.20.2019
Serena Low Period 1
Blog 27

Creation Story Presentation Day 2

Aztec Creation Story presented by Team Trojan War

Background: 

The Aztecs were also known as the Mexicas. Indigenous inhabitants of the southern Mexico region, the Aztecs established a huge empire by the 15th century centered at their capital city, Tenochtitlan. Their calendar followed the solar schedule, with 365 days. 

Their religion focused on nature and balance. The Aztecs believed strongly in balance. An imbalance in society would lead to a natural disaster. There was a constant battle between light and darkness. In addition to their strong sense of balance, they also believed in human sacrifice; the sun, central to their religion, would need blood to rise daily and, therefore, human sacrifices occurred on the daily. 

Like other religions, the Aztecs believed that there were levels in the Underworld and heaven. While a soldier who died in battle would be stationed on the highest level of heaven, a person who drowned accidentally would stay on the lowest level in the Underworld.

The Beginnings:

It started with a dual god, the supreme creator, Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, who was both male and female. Much like the Three Pure Ones in the Taoism/Daoism Creation Story, the supreme creator gave birth to four powerful gods: Tezcatlipoca (South), Quetzalcoatl (East), Tlaloc (West), and Chalchiuhtlicue (North). These gods, along with the Aztec empire itself, was considered the center of the universe. 

There were four worlds before the current one, each requiring a sacrifice of a god to create a sun and therefore a new world.

1. The Jaguar Sun (Tezcatlipoca)

• Tezcatlipoca was sacrificed, but only became a half sun
• Humans of this world were gigantic in size and ate acorns
• The world lasted 676 years and ended in a fight between Tezcatlipoca and his brother, Quetzalcoatl
• Quetzalcoatl knocked the sun Tezcatlipoca sacrificed himself for out of the sky and angered Tezcatlipoca
• Tezcatlipoca, enraged, sent jaguars to kill of the humans

2. The Wind Sun (Quetzalcoatl)

• Quetzalcoatl took over for his brother as the new sun for the second world
• Humans of this world were normal-sized and ate pine nuts
• Became corrupt
• Out of revenge and spite, Tezcatlipoca turned the humans into monkeys
• In return, Quetzalcoatl blew away the monkeys with a hurricane
• The survivors retreated to the treetops and became modern day monkeys
• The world lasted 676 years and ended in hurricanes and rainstorms

3. The Rain Sun (Tlaloc)

• Tlaloc, the rain/water god, became the new sun of the third world
• Humans ate seeds that grew out of the water
• Tezcatlipoca, like a jerk, stole Tlaloc's wife, Xochiquetzal, and in his grief, Tlaloc didn't let it rain even though he continued to shine as the sun
• Drought spread and the suffering ended when Quetzalcoatl rained fire onto the world and ended it after 374 years
• In another version, Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl fought again and fire and ash rained down from the sky
• Humans were turned into dogs, turkeys, and butterflies

4. The Water Sun (Chalchiuhtlicue)

• Chalchiuhtlicue became the fourth sun
• Humans ate maize
• Full of jealousy, Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca struck down the sun
• Opened up the sky and water flooded the world, ending it at 676 years old
• Humans turned into fish
• Between the time of the fourth and fifth suns, Quetzalcoatl descended into the Underworld to bring up the bones of the dead.
• During transport, he dropped them and the bones cracked
• Used to explain why humans come in different sizes
• The bones would be used to bring to life the humans in the final world

5. The Earthquake Sun (Tecuciztecatl and Nanahuatzin)

• The proud god, Tecuciztecatl, offered himself as sacrifice, but the other gods preferred the humble god, Nanahuatzin, instead, who was weak and diseased, ready to die
• Both ended up jumping in and two suns rose
• Two suns were too much for the world so a rabbit was thrown at Tecuciztecatl and he became the moon
• Ehecatl, the god of the moon, blew fiercely at the sun and put it into motion
• This is the current world that we're living in at the moment
• The Aztecs believed that the world would end in earthquakes

Relations to Math/Philosophy/...:

• Modern-day Big Bang Theory: the Aztecs cultivated their ideas off of the elements, which is what scientists suspect the universe started from
• Evolution: as the worlds progressed, so did the humans, going from eating acorns to everything and from being humongous to being normal-sized

Unlike modern theories, the Aztecs believed that they were the center of the universe, which has been proven to be wrong. The Earth is but a small speck in the universe.

The Artistic Portion:

The group created a visual representation of the five worlds with shapes and colors protruding from a starry sky.

Egyptian Creation Story presented by Team Hydra

The Beginnings:

There was essentially nothing else but the dark, chaotic, and infinite waters, known as Nun. Out of Nun came Atum, the first god. Atum, the god of creation, created himself from his thoughts and the power of will. In some stories, he merely "uttered" his name and sprung forth; in others, he appeared suddenly on top of a hill.

Atum was lonely all by himself and out came Shu, the god of air, and Tefnut, the goddess of moisture, from his shadow. They are known as the twin lion gods. Egyptians believed that without Shu, there wouldn't be life and without Tefnut, Egypt would dry and burn under the sun.

Shu and Tefnut produced children named Geb, the dry land, and Nut, the sky. Shu lifted Nut up to become the canopy under which Geb rested. Geb and Nut produced four offspring, much to the discern of their grandfather, Atum: Osiris, the god of order, Seth, the god of chaos, Nephthys, and Isis. During the day, Nut and Geb are separated, but each evening, Nut comes down to meet Geb, causing night darkness. Every night before dawn, Nut gives birth to the sun which dies by sunset.

Humans were created from the tears of the Eye of Re/Ra or wedjat (eye of wholeness). While Shu and Tefnut went on a journey, Atum missed his children a lot, so he sent his eye out to look for them. When Shu and Tefnut returned with his eye, Atum cried tears of joy and out came men and women.

The Gods in Depth:

Egyptian gods are usually in beast form, unlike the gods from Greek mythology. They have duality, light and dark sides.

Atum: 

• Name means to complete or finish
• Later on, Atum combines with Ra to be one entity, the ruling god
• The first and most important Ancient Egyptian god

Mut:

• "mother" of all pharaohs

Shu:

• Also the god of punishment in the land of the dead
• Killed off corrupted souls
• Known as one of the twin lion gods, but is not necessarily shown with a lion head like his counterpart
• Wore a Maat, a feather that formed the principles of life for all time and brought order from chaos

Tefnut:

• Almost always shown as a lioness
• Also the goddess of absence of moisture (aka dryness)
• Later on, Atum combines with Ra to be one entity, the ruling god

Osiris: 

• The incarnation of good and one of the poles of morality
• Administrated the world efficiently, co-ruling with his sister-wife Isis, and decided where the trees would best grow and the water flow most sweetly
• Kept all things in balance, acting in accordance to Maat
• God of the underworld

Seth:

• The incarnation of evil and chaos and the other pole of morality
• God of war, chaos, and storms

Anubis:

• God of funerals who helped prepare the soul for the Afterlife

Geb: 

• God of the Earth

Horus:

• God of the sky

Thoth:

• God of writing and knowledge

Hathor:

• Goddess of love and joy

Relations to Math/ Philosophy/...:

Similar to other creation stories, it all started with nothing, chaos, and infinite darkness.

• Life forms from water: like how scientists believe that life cannot survive and/or thrive without water, the Egyptians thought similarly, with the birth of Atum from water and humans from tears
• "Primordial Soup": first theorized by Alexander Oparin in 1924; stated that there are certain elements that need to be present in order to create lifeforms, elements present in water

Art Aspect:

The group created a comic panel demonstrating the chronological process of creation on a trifold board, with hieroglyphics and different gods and their names decorating the sides.

Reflection:

There are many creation stories, each differing and surprisingly similar to one another. Even though these ideas sprang from peoples in different parts of the world at different times, they all end up coming from one notion: that the world started from nothing. Team Trojan War didn't have much on their slides, but they made it up by explaining thoroughly, keeping the audience from gluing their eyes to the board and instead attentively listening. Team Hydra did a great job. Loved them. The best. They could work on group work, but overall did a decent job. The different artistic aspects of the projects were interesting. Every project was unique.