The "Pardoner's Tale" is a classic example of greed that one can see throughout the history of mankind. Even from the beginning of the story some signs of greed start to show their faces. All three men are united upon the fact that they will be honored for their glorious deed of killing death, and in its own way this is a sort of greed for power and wealth. These things often drive human nature and I feel as though this is why many can relate to this story.
Although greed is common in modern society there are some situations that stand out and are closer linked to this story. One such instance is in a business or when people are trying to get promoted. When people compete in activities such as these there are often times where it is easy to throw the other person under the bus. Whether you catch your opponent breaking the rules, or if you are setting something up so that it seems they did it wrong, it is greed that leads your path. Because of this no one can succeed in this situation because in the end all are losers. The other person will not get the promotion, and even then you can be found to have guilt. In other words all end up dead.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Truth
In the story "Grendel" by John Gardener trying to find the truth seems to be a big for Grendel. Whether it be listening to the songs of the Shaper or to the wise tales of the Dragon, Grendel doesn't know the truth because his version of what is correct has been shattered after leaving the cave for the first time. I believe that in this story the truth varies from different perspectives as it does in everyday life.
From the perspective of the Shaper one might see that what he sings is basically what his life has been. He sings about the triumphs and history of what he knows. To him these are his truths, because he cannot see anything else. The Shaper can only rely on others for what the truth is when it comes to vision. Therefore his truth is going to come from those who are victorious and he will hear their side of the story, and most likely it will be a mix of truths and lies since many will try to bring more warriors to their cause. It is with these songs that he makes people feel as though what they are doing is okay. He makes it so they don't feel as much guilt for what they have done in these battles.
In contrast, Grendel views things a different way because he sees a bigger picture than the Shaper does. He sees the entire conflict and because of this he has his own twist on how things really have gone.
From the perspective of the Shaper one might see that what he sings is basically what his life has been. He sings about the triumphs and history of what he knows. To him these are his truths, because he cannot see anything else. The Shaper can only rely on others for what the truth is when it comes to vision. Therefore his truth is going to come from those who are victorious and he will hear their side of the story, and most likely it will be a mix of truths and lies since many will try to bring more warriors to their cause. It is with these songs that he makes people feel as though what they are doing is okay. He makes it so they don't feel as much guilt for what they have done in these battles.
In contrast, Grendel views things a different way because he sees a bigger picture than the Shaper does. He sees the entire conflict and because of this he has his own twist on how things really have gone.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
A Modern Day Beowulf
In a modern society scarred by corruption and the weakness of the human race, it is hard to think of a person or group of people who I would truly referred to as a "modern day Beowulf". Beowulf was so pure that it becomes difficult to compare him to anyone today. Humans have major flaws - greediness, selfishness, hatred, laziness, the list goes on and on.
All humans have some degree of weakness, but I won't let those take center stage. In a more optimistic view of modern society, the people who most closely represent a modern day Beowulf in my opinion are the men and women of law enforcement.
Although police are represented negatively by the press in many situations based upon the actions of a few, it is not to assume they are all bad or all law enforcement organizations are thoroughly corrupt. The primary purpose of police officers is to protect citizens from harm, from those who want to do harm. Each and every day, officers go out into the areas no one wants to go, working in areas no one wants to work, and they don't know what they will encounter. They prepare for the worst and hope for the best, not knowing whether or not they will see their families again. Every single day, 24 hours a day, police officers are out there, protecting people and preventing evil things from happening. They are constantly struggling with fate, and they do this willingly. No one forced them to sign up to be the police. Their oath to serve and protect is not taken lightly. The men and women that make up the police force believe in their country, state, county, or city. They believe in keeping the streets safe, and they know the risk they take. They stick their necks out for the sake of good, and we need more people like them in the world.
All humans have some degree of weakness, but I won't let those take center stage. In a more optimistic view of modern society, the people who most closely represent a modern day Beowulf in my opinion are the men and women of law enforcement.
Although police are represented negatively by the press in many situations based upon the actions of a few, it is not to assume they are all bad or all law enforcement organizations are thoroughly corrupt. The primary purpose of police officers is to protect citizens from harm, from those who want to do harm. Each and every day, officers go out into the areas no one wants to go, working in areas no one wants to work, and they don't know what they will encounter. They prepare for the worst and hope for the best, not knowing whether or not they will see their families again. Every single day, 24 hours a day, police officers are out there, protecting people and preventing evil things from happening. They are constantly struggling with fate, and they do this willingly. No one forced them to sign up to be the police. Their oath to serve and protect is not taken lightly. The men and women that make up the police force believe in their country, state, county, or city. They believe in keeping the streets safe, and they know the risk they take. They stick their necks out for the sake of good, and we need more people like them in the world.
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