Woman of Bath's Prologue

The Wife of Bath's Prologue involves the most disturbed character I have read throughout this entire semester. The wife, whose name is Alisoun, has been married 5 times since the young age of 12 years old. It appears she has a bad outlook on marriage and life, for that matter. Throughout the story you find that the wife, Alisoun, has conflicting emotions with regard to her marriages. She offers a bad spirit harbored with deceit, greed, lust and underhandedness. On one hand she admits her evil ways to the listener and apparently shows no sign of remorse. On the other hand through her nefarious doings and wickedness she expresses her love that she felt in at least one of her marriages.

The wife's first three marriages were to rich, older men and she admits to tormenting them ultimately for her benefit. She powerfully uses sex to get what she desires. Shes after their money. The last two marriages did not work but not because of her. She was mistreated by both. One husband appeared to be more of an outgoing type and had mistresses. He dies on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The wife's last husband who she confesses she loved was physically abusive to her. Jankyn was much younger than she in age. Out of her several marriages it makes me believe she suffers from this all and this is why she is prone to lying, manipulating and deceit.

The Broom Tree

Murasaki’s The Broom Tree befuddles me because it speaks of marriage as a focal point but from a man’s point of view. I disagree with extramarital affairs that take place in the story but I understand it is tradition during those times. In the beginning of the story the emperor is head over heels for one of his several women. They eventually give birth to his son Genji just before she dies. The emperor is both tormented by the death of her but elated by the birth of his son. He is so elated that he contemplates crowning his son prince. He is counseled against doing so by a Korean soothsayer who warns of disaster within the country if this were to happen.

At the age of 12 Genji is wedded by his wife Aoi as a sign of manhood. Aoi is four years more than Genji is in age. Although he does not foster the best relationship with his arranged wife he does so with her brother To No Chujo. Their relationship is so healthy that they comfortably exchange stories of past and current sexual affairs. I was astonished how comfortable Genji was with talking to his brother-in-law of these experiences. He falls for a woman other than his wife. I observed a parallel between his marriage structure and his father’s. Events within the story slightly differ from a marriage structure of today because more than one wife in our culture is deemed illicit.

Begging for Food

In reading T’ao Ch’ien’s Begging for Food you find that there are hardships and hardship relief with the character in this poem. Apparently, he has no food for himself and is in search of finding nourishment elsewhere. This character is a wanderer, that of a nomad, who has no idea where his travels will lead him. He has not a home of his own it seems. Along his journey he encounters someone at their home and without fully conveying his thoughts they take him in. He and his new acquaintance exchange laughter and a fun-filled time which included writing poems, songs and drinking wine. They are appreciative of this time shared.

I find this poem to give a positive message in its reading. There are many hardships one will encounter along their journey in life. Do not be consumed with these hardships, they last only a short while. In turn, be very thankful for what you receive and enjoy the time spent because nothing is ever promised. Also, my interpretation of this poem is if you are in a position to help someone in need it would be kind enough to do so on your part. Lend a helping hand to those who are less privileged than you.

Sohrab and Rostam

Revised
The Persian epic of Rostam and Sohrab has a few symbolic meanings within the story. The one meaning that appears to me the most is of Sohrab and the struggle/conflict he has with his own identification. He is wanting to locate his long lost father, Rostam, whom he has never met. During the story Rostam is invited to stay the night at King of Semengan's home after he learned of Rostam's lost horse. The King's daughter, Tahmine, is very much interested in Rostam that she visits him in his chamber at night. What she knows of him convinces her to bear his child. He says, "Desire destroys my mind, I long to bear within my womb your song and heir." The two conceive their son Sohrab but Rostam never knows of this. Both Tahmine and Rostam lose contact after their one night experience.
Sohrab grows up with the struggle of not knowing his father. He has some idea that his father is such a great fighter and he is proud of this. From hearing about how good his father is, it makes him more eager to locate him. Unfortunately both father and son meet but it turns out for the worst. The two meet each other unknowingly as they're fighting. The story ends with Rostam killing his son. Had the two let their pride out of the way and less defense, they would have had what they both desired for, a father-son relationship.

Original
The story of Sohrab and Rostam begins as Rostam is depressed from his lost horse he cannot seem to find. Rakhsh goes missing after an innocent wander and is captured by Turks. Rostam laments the disappearance of Rakhsh and travels to Semengan without him. Upon his arrival to Semengan he encounters the Shah and his nobles who are very welcoming. He explains the loss of his horse to the men and states, “find him and you will have my thanks. In my reward I’ll show you all my gratitude.” (19-20) Rostam is eager to recover the lost Rakhsh. In his futher statement he explains, “if you don’t, and he is lost to me, then many noble lords will lose their heads.” (21-22) Shah of Semengan does not allow the loss of Rakhsh to angst Rostam, he offers him wine and wants him to remain worry free. Later on in the night after numerous glasses of wine Shah of Semengan offers him a chamber at his home for Rostam to get rest. During the night Rostam encounters Princess Tahmine, daughter of Shah of Semengan. Nine months later she will give birth to their child Sohrab who possesses the quality and strength of his heroic father Rostam.

Lysistrata

Revised
Lysistrata is an old Greek comedy by Aristophanes during the Peloponnesian War circa 411 B.C. The play is enjoyable and creative in its writing while it incorporates strength and unity from women. Lysistrata has determination and is eager to annul an ongoing war between her country Greece and opposing Sparta. She would like for the army of men to give up the fight and return home. Her first attempt at organizing a meeting for women to attend is unsuccessful. She manages to gather few women who she believes are able to help cease this war. In order to do this Lysistrata suggests to the women that they must abstain from sex with their husbands upon their return home. She says, “We can force our husbands to negotiate Peace, Ladies, by exercising steadfast Self-Control--By Total Abstinence.” (124-127) At first they are opposed to the idea.

Lysistrata's strength and persistence for ending the war does influence the women and they reevaluate their decisions. They eventually comply. With the help of Lampito, the united women of Greece rise above the stereotypical challenges they face from men and husbands in their society. They fight for peace and a solid Greece that is affected by this war against Sparta. This story proves that strength is in the numbers and unity prevails.

Original
Lysistrata is a Greek comedy that demonstrates strength in women in attempt to annul an ongoing war, thus saving Greece. The story opens with the main character Lysistrata in front of the Akropolis exclaiming to women of Athens. Here she makes an effort to organize a group of women who object the Peloponnesian War (war between Athenian and Spartan armies). Lysistrata is discouraged by the lack of response she receives from this all after many planned to meet. She then encounters her next door neighbor, Kleonike, expressing how dissatisfied she is with the women not attending. Kleonike is curious to know the whole purpose of Lysistrata’s meeting. Moments later Myrrhine and Lampito arrive. By this time Lysistrata is ready to suggest her plan on ending the Peloponnesian War, which their husbands are actively serving. As the three women are eager to know, Lysistrata proposes to end the war by women abstaining from sexual relation with their husbands. She says, “We can force our husbands to negotiate Peace, Ladies, by exercising steadfast Self-Control--By Total Abstinence.” (124-127) The women decline at first. The idea of a sexless relationship does not settle well with each of them. Lysistrata is in hope of bringing peace between the two armies and will do this by women being in control of mens’ sexual appetite. Also, she plans to burn Akropolis as a result no money to fund the war.

Antigone

Loyalty appears to be a strong value possessed within characters of this Greek play, Antigone. In the beginning, both brothers of Antigone, Eteocles and Polynices, have both gone to war against each other resulting in death. They were in pursuit of ruling the city of Thebes but Polynices decides that he will deploy his army in an act of raging war to become the next crowned king. Creon, the uncle of Eteocles and Polynices, is introduced to the story after the brotherly war has ended. Because he is next to kin he will be King of Thebes. Out of respect for his God he will not provide a proper burial for Polynices as "he must be left unburied, his corpse carrion for the birds and dogs to tear, an obscenity for the citizens to behold!" (230) Creon exemplifies his loyalty to his city by doing this and expects that all other statesmen follow in the same order.
On the other hand Antigone, Creon's niece, disagrees and believes that her brother's body should not be left exposed to rot. She has a duty to her family and wants him to be buried like any other honorable man. Antigone is committed to the welfare of her brother. She takes matters in her own hands to provide a proper burial for Polynices although this defies Creon's orders.

Classic of Poetry: Boat of Cypress

The mood of this poem begins as it reflects sadness, depression and someone in peril. The character within this poem appears to be forced into doing something against her wishes perhaps. She travels by boat to a place she dreads the whole entire duration of the boat ride. Apparently she suffers from this as she is in anguish, resulting in insufficient rest. Also, along this river stream she traverses much wine is being consumed. She is not with a healthy mind as she drinks to down her depression. She feels her brothers are not at her defense as mentioned “I went and told them of my grief and met only with their rage.” (11-12) I can only surmise that she has violated a traditional custom of her family and for this reason her brothers are abhorrent. In further reading she expresses, “my heart is uneasy and restless, I am reproached by little men. Many are the woes I’ve met…I think on it in the quiet, and waking pound my breast.” (19-24) It seems that she has been forced by her family to wed a man that they have chosen for her, as it is customary in many cultures. She may have been more willing had it been someone much more desirable but it pains her to marry, because she is not fond of this chosen person. This character does not seem to have conveyed her true feelings of this decision because she chooses not to speak much on it. As much as she would like to she chooses not to raise clamor.