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Tandem Post #1 - 08/30/23
When drawing comparisons between Homer's The Odyssesy and Pericles' Funeral Oration by Thucydides, no similarities jump out at me quite as strongly as the value of patriotism, which proves just as prevalent in both sources. Pericles almost seems to form his entire oration around appealing to the patriotism and powerful love of Athens shared by all those in attendance of the memorial. He only briefly mentions the military triumphs of their ancestors and instead devotes a lengthy portion of his speech to the successes and triumphs of Athens itself. His intentions in doing so were likely to remind the families of the fallen soldiers that the deaths of their loved ones were not for nothing—that by sacrificing themselves for their country, Athens was able to become the powerhouse that they knew it as. Similarly, The Odyssey paints a powerful image of Odysseus—a cunning warrior, devoted husband, father, and king. The love that Odysseus held for Ithaca was matched by very little else and his patriotism combined with an undying desperation to return home cemented him in the minds of the Ancient Greek people as an iconic figure/role model. Odysseus embodied many core values of the time period and stood as a beacon of hope and optimism, just like Pericles standing before the funeral procession.
Tandem Post #2 - 09/20/23
Question: Why do the gods of Virgil's Aeneid hold grudges against women and why do the Romans seem to percieve femininity as the direct enemy of patriotism? (Featuring Calypso's Curse)
Answer: Something that immediately grabbed my attention during the reading of Aenied was how, like in the Odyssey, female characters were used almost exclusively as tools or driving forces in the actions of the main hero (Aeneas/Odysseus respectively). The figure of Dido, who by herself was quickly defined as a strong and accomplished woman, acts only by providing a service to the audience by receiving Aeneas' tale on our behalf. Then, upon his leaving (and upon the end of her usefulness to the tale), she commits suicide. This directly reminded me of Calypso of the Odyssey and how in both instances, the gods had to put the hero 'back on track' or 'free' him from the presence of the woman who threatened to steal his attention. Beyond this being a possible callback to the events in the Odyssey, I was drawn to this point because the lack of mention of women in Cicero's letters. The only one that managed to catch my eye could be found in Letter XIV and consisted only of a single backhanded mention of Cicero's sister in law. When we compare Aeneid to these letters, is it better to continue Calypso's Curse with these undervalued female characters, or should we be content with the realistic 'brushing aside' that women often faced at the time? And why does it always seem to come down to choosing between a lesser of two evils with women in the ancient world?
Tandem Post #3 - 11/02/23
In comparing Song of The Cid and Song of Roland, we can identify a handful of key similarities between the two epic poems despite them each taking place in a different region of Europe and reflecting cultural/historical contexts specific to those regions. Song of The Cid features El Cid and his exploits as a noble and Castillian military leader, Song of Roland focuses on a character by the name of Roland who was a Christian knight defending the spread of Christianity against Islamic forces. El Cid also fought against a variety of Muslim rulers during the epic, making the two characters comparable in this sense.
Something that both Song of the Cid and Song of Roland have in common is a dedication to detail when it comes to the political and cultural interactions between members of feuding religion during this era of religious conflict. They both also share strong themes of loyalty, honor, and heroism which are all embodied by the main heroes of each epic (El Cid and Roland).
Tandem Post #4 - 11/16/23
The Letters of Abelard and Heloise, a piece of text written in the 12th century, is rich with echoes of the Renaissance that took place during this time. The focus on Abelard's personal experiences in Letter I: Historia Calamitatum are reminicent of the value of intellectual depth and emotional vulnerability found consistently throughout this period. One example in particular can be found on page 9 in the following passage; "It is well known that the philosophers, and still more the Fathers, by which is meant those who have devoted themselves to the teachings of Holy Scripture, were especially glorified by their chastity. Since therefore I was wholly enslaved to pride and lechery by depriving me of those organs with which I practiced it, and then for the pride which had grown in me through my learning -- for in the words of the Apostle, 'Knowledge breeds conceit' -- when I was humiliated by the burning of the book of which I was so proud" (Abelard 9). What this passage illuminates for us regarding echoes of the Renaissance is the strong themes of religion (specifically Christianity -- specifically Catholicism) and how it comes together with themes of deep personal and emotional depth as well as sincerity to communicate to the intended audience a tone of vulnerability as well as intellect, of which the author takes much pride.
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