Reading Journal: Oedipus

What caught my attention in this chapter was Creon’s , who is the King of Thebes characterization because he seems to be selfish and bitter. He does not want to anyone to bury or show grief towards Polynice because he was opposing what was occurring in the city. The part that shocked me was the extent of the punishment– if someone buries or grieves Polynice, they would be put to death, “death is the price” (Antigone, 221). Which conveys that Creon had a lot of tension towards Polynice, and leads me to think that maybe there is a deeper meaning why we hates Polynice so much?

Creon shows more of his resentment when he expresses “leave his course disgraced, a dinner for the birds and for the dogs” (Antigone, 205-206). This caught my attention because Creon is being very selfish and harsh in the way that he is only putting rules by thinking about his desires and not everyone else’s. In other words, Polynice has family that cares for him and would not want this to occur to their own relative, which means oppositions can transpire. This leads to Antigone wanting to at least bury her brother, because she cares about him and does not want to just leave him exposed for animals to feed on him; so she is willing to risk her life for her brother. Antigone states “will you take up that corpse along with me? I never shall be found to be his traitor… its not for him to keep me from my own” (Antigone, 43&45&47). This portrays that Antigone is brave and a family person, because she is basically putting her life on the line to make sure her brother gets to rest in peace. In comparison to Polynice’s other sister Ismene who seems more afraid and cautious about burying her brother because of the outcome that can occur due to Creon’s rule. For instance, ” to bury him you mean, when its forbidden? O reckless one, when Creon spoke against it” (Antigone, 44 & 47). This shows how Antigone is against Creons belief and she will convey it without being afraid for the sake of her brother, meanwhile Ismene cares about her brother but she is still afraid of what Creon can do to them because they achieved something he went against.

Reading Journal: Odyssey, Book 9 to 16

What mainly caught my attention on chapters 9 to 16, was the conflicts that Odysseus encountered, but was able to overcome. For instance, one of the predicaments that Odysseus overcame was when Polyphemus, who is Poseidon’s son captured Odysseus and his companions. Polyphemus ate Odysseus companions, “he clutched my companions…dismembered them and made them his meal” (Book 9, lines 12-15). This was a conflict for Odysseus because his companions were put in danger and he did not know how to save them. Not only that, but Odysseus himself was also put in danger, “Nohbody’s my meat, then after I eat his friend. Others come first” (Book 9, lines 400). Polyphemus was interpreting how he will eat Odysseus friends first, and then him. He refers to Odysseus as “Nohbody” because Odysseus told him that is his name, for a clever reason. This is a conflict because Odysseus is going to be eaten and killed. What caught my attention the most , was how Oddyseus overcame this conflict, he used a very clever technique. Instead of saying his real name when he escaped, he said his name was “nohbody” and he tricked Polyphemus because when people ask who is doing something to him, he will say “nohbody” which contains different meanings. For example, “Nobody, Nohbody’s tricked me, Nohbody’s ruined me” (Book 9, line 442). This caught my attention because it clearly depicted how Odysseus is clever, and is capable of overcoming obstacles that come his way. Also, it was intriguing how Polyphemus did not catch on to the trick.

Another factor that caught my attention was the significance that the disguises obtain in the Odyssey. The disguises are used to transport messages. As an example, “a boy, spoke as though he knew me… he bent down glittering me for the magic plant” (Book 10, 309 & 340). This boy was Hermes disguised to instruct him to eat the plant to protect himself from Circes’s drugs  and be prepared to fight back. This caught my attention because it delineates the significance that these disguises represent throughout each circumstance. It mainly represented a communication to warn the others.

Reading Journal: The Odyssey, Books 1-8

What caught my attention in The Odyssey was the symbolism that was incorproated  towards the Sea. The sea seems to symbolize hardships, in the way that the people believe it causes trouble. For example, “he might be lost at sea, just like Odysseus, knocking around in a ship, far from his friends. And what a lot of trouble that would give us (Book 2, line 350). This delineates how the sea can influence concerns because you have no idea where you are and you are far from your people. Not only that, but the sea also symbolizes the powers the God’s have over the humans, and its division. In book five, it states “the gods have changed their minds about Odysseus, look at him now, just offshore of that island that frees him from the bondage of his exile!” (Book 5, line 300). This is conveying the powers the Gods’ have over the humans because they are capable of punishing them and also bringing them back on their feet, if they are forgiven. It emphasizes the division between the real world and the world where a person is punished and the Gods’ have ultimate control over the humans because it emphasizes their weakness against the gods.

In addition, Odysseus is heroic because the people refer to him as a King due to his accomplishments. As an example, “Could I forget that Kingly Man, Odysseus? There is no mortal half so wise; no mortal gave so much to the lords of open sky” (Book 1, line 87-89). This portrays Odysseus as a brave, hero that cannot be forgotten. In spite of Odysseus being depicted heroic, he was also depicted sensitive because he still demonstrated his feelings. In book eight, it reveals ” let the bright molten tears run down his cheeks, weeping the way a wife mourns for her lord on the lost field” (Book 8, lines 560-562). This reveals how Odysseus is not afraid of showing his feelings, and alongside being heroic, he is also sensitive. This caught my eye, because I like how the author balances Odysseus’s character by illustrating him, well rounded (sensitive and heroic).

In the King James Bible Matthew chapters 9 to 17, what caught my attention was how the Pharisees were trying to depict Jesus as unethical for picking and eating grain from the Sabbath. For example, “when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day” (Matthew, 12:2). Pharisees was attempting to destroy Jesus, which makes it seem as if he is envious of Jesus powers of being able to heal others. Due to his bitterness, he tries to make Jesus not as good as everyone thinks he is and then tries to plot an idea to destroy him. For instance, ” Pharisees went out, and had council against him, how they might destroy him” (Matthew, 12:14). This caught my attention because it delineates negative conflict between Jesus and others, regardless if Jesus was able to heal others, some people were still out to get him and make him look morally wrong.

In addition, what also caught my attention was the death of John the Baptist. John the Baptist was sent to be killed and have his head in a charger. Heron promised his daughter anything for her birthday, and she asked for John Baptist dead and brought evidence under her mothers desires. As an example, “Give me here John Baptist’s head In a charger” (Matthew, 14:8). This shows how her mother–Herodia, was angry based on Johns belief of Herod should not marry his brothers wife Herodia, and that is why she decides to kill him. In Matthew 14, John first initiates his belief ” it is not lawful for thee to have her”(Matthew, 14:4)  and this is why Herodia instructs her daughter to wish for her father to have John the Baptist dead, ” instructed of her mother, give me here John Baptist head in a charger” (Matthew, 14:8). This caught my attention because it surprised me that this conflict would be taken to this extent. It emphasizes the characters intentions and how they take matters into their own hands, based on what others say.

Reading Journal: KJB, Matthew Chapters 1-8

What mainly caught my attention in Matthew was how it states how you should not treat others who you treat you with wickedness exactly how they treat you, but rather the opposite. In other words, it is opposing the belief of “an eye for an eye.” For instance, “love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew, 6:44). This is indicating that regardless of how evil someone is towards you, your behavior towards them should remain good. For the ancient Israelites, this may mean that if you are acting evil towards another, regardless if they are doing it to you as well, you are still committing a wrongdoing because you are being evil as well. This caught my attention because it is emphasizing to still be nice to your enemies, and those who treat you unpleasant.

Furthermore, in the Matthew text dreams often emerge through the characters and these dreams each have a meaning. The dreams are a symbol of a warning or advisement ahead of time. As an example, ” the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him” (Matthew, 2:13). This conveys how the angel of the lord was attempting to warn Joseph about something tragic that could have happened, and is trying to protect them, with the use of his appearances in Joseph’s dreams. These dreams are sending messages and communicating with others. Therefore, it is a symbol of a messenger depicting the realities that are soon to occur.