My last final, on John Milton and Seventeenth Century Literature, was two days ago, and I’m happy to report that it went very well. I was very worried entering the exam due to its exhaustive nature, for it covered much more material than the midterm did. We had to know prose of Sir Francis Bacon, Thomas Hobbes, John Milton, as well as some of Milton’s poems. Oh yeah, and Paradise Lost – the greatest epic the English language has ever seen. Anyway, as I said, it went well. And anyone who has taken and studied his or her butt off for finals knows the fantastic relief experienced when they finish.
To celebrate the momentous occasion of finishing my first semester of college, I went to see a movie with a friend. We saw Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and, simply put, it was amazing. Kind of gory, admittedly, but that only added to the fun. Johnny Depp was superb, as usual, and Helena Bonham Carter had a very strong performance as well. Anyway, the following afternoon (Wednesday), I saw another movie: 300. For those of who haven’t seen the film, I highly recommend it. The messages of freedom, resistance to tyranny, and standing up for what you believe in – even if you’re the only one standing – are very much applicable today.
But those messages aren’t what I want to talk about. Rather, another message came to mind as I watched these two movies, one, I think, that has lost its way somewhat in today’s world of violence, war, and death: the fragility of life. This concept is no chiddush (novel idea), of course, but it’s something, I think, that we could all do with reminding ourselves about every so often. SPOILER ALERT: I mean, watching those countless men have their throats (awesomely) slit and seeing all that blood spray out was really cool considering that it was fake. But we must remember that all of these men had lives, families, and memories that were lost instantly. Just like that.
I had similar thoughts while watching 300 (and just about every other movie with people dying, come to think of it). Although the fight scenes were absolutely spectacular (especially when the slow motion was utilized), seeing the thousands of slaughtered Persians really made me realize the loss that humanity suffered, especially considering that Xerxes (king of Persians) said he would gladly kill his own men for victory. So, all of those men were killed. Just like that. (I am not here to question the validity or necessity of war. I am merely commenting about the tragedy and loss suffered when people die.)
With the situation as it is in the Middle East, I, admittedly, have lost my way; I do not feel sad when I hear about the countless deaths resulting from the constant attacks, missiles, and bombs. I’ve lost sight of the fragility of life. When I hear of such attacks, I simply mutter to myself “too bad” or some other inconsiderate retort. And such a response is a terrible disgrace to both humanity and God! Thankfully, therefore, watching these movies have somewhat restored my sensitivities to the tragedies that exist.
As John Donne, one of the great metaphysical poets, famously declared in Meditation XVII, "All mankind is of one author, and is one volume;...No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
Indeed.
To celebrate the momentous occasion of finishing my first semester of college, I went to see a movie with a friend. We saw Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and, simply put, it was amazing. Kind of gory, admittedly, but that only added to the fun. Johnny Depp was superb, as usual, and Helena Bonham Carter had a very strong performance as well. Anyway, the following afternoon (Wednesday), I saw another movie: 300. For those of who haven’t seen the film, I highly recommend it. The messages of freedom, resistance to tyranny, and standing up for what you believe in – even if you’re the only one standing – are very much applicable today.
But those messages aren’t what I want to talk about. Rather, another message came to mind as I watched these two movies, one, I think, that has lost its way somewhat in today’s world of violence, war, and death: the fragility of life. This concept is no chiddush (novel idea), of course, but it’s something, I think, that we could all do with reminding ourselves about every so often. SPOILER ALERT: I mean, watching those countless men have their throats (awesomely) slit and seeing all that blood spray out was really cool considering that it was fake. But we must remember that all of these men had lives, families, and memories that were lost instantly. Just like that.
I had similar thoughts while watching 300 (and just about every other movie with people dying, come to think of it). Although the fight scenes were absolutely spectacular (especially when the slow motion was utilized), seeing the thousands of slaughtered Persians really made me realize the loss that humanity suffered, especially considering that Xerxes (king of Persians) said he would gladly kill his own men for victory. So, all of those men were killed. Just like that. (I am not here to question the validity or necessity of war. I am merely commenting about the tragedy and loss suffered when people die.)
With the situation as it is in the Middle East, I, admittedly, have lost my way; I do not feel sad when I hear about the countless deaths resulting from the constant attacks, missiles, and bombs. I’ve lost sight of the fragility of life. When I hear of such attacks, I simply mutter to myself “too bad” or some other inconsiderate retort. And such a response is a terrible disgrace to both humanity and God! Thankfully, therefore, watching these movies have somewhat restored my sensitivities to the tragedies that exist.
As John Donne, one of the great metaphysical poets, famously declared in Meditation XVII, "All mankind is of one author, and is one volume;...No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
Indeed.
1 comment:
This post is surreal. I can't believe that you actually quote John Donne and 300 in the same post. You are the only person in the world to have been inspired by 300. I don't know what that says about you.
Post a Comment