jueves, 12 de febrero de 2009
The Amazons
Sara Paredes
Pre-Ap English
Mr. Tangen
A Mistake
"An error doesn't become a mistake until you refuse to correct it."
- Anonymous
According to the myths, Hercules killed Hippolyta by mistake. However, we can see that the Amazons were also destroyed, with its people, when the Europeans arrived to America. Many people have stated that they did not know how bad what they were doing was. Nevertheless, I believe that you must accept the consequences of your actions, even though you didn’t know that what you are doing is wrong. I can relate this to the modern world, crimes and the law. Today sating to a judge that you did not know that what you were doing was wrong, or that you were not aware of the law and the consequences, is not a valid argument. To conclude, I believe that both Hercules and the Europeans are responsible for the Hippolyta and the Amazons, and none of them have an excuse for it.
Pre-Ap English
Mr. Tangen
A Mistake
"An error doesn't become a mistake until you refuse to correct it."
- Anonymous
According to the myths, Hercules killed Hippolyta by mistake. However, we can see that the Amazons were also destroyed, with its people, when the Europeans arrived to America. Many people have stated that they did not know how bad what they were doing was. Nevertheless, I believe that you must accept the consequences of your actions, even though you didn’t know that what you are doing is wrong. I can relate this to the modern world, crimes and the law. Today sating to a judge that you did not know that what you were doing was wrong, or that you were not aware of the law and the consequences, is not a valid argument. To conclude, I believe that both Hercules and the Europeans are responsible for the Hippolyta and the Amazons, and none of them have an excuse for it.
domingo, 25 de enero de 2009
Revenge’s Perfume
Fragrances are designed in such a way, that the person wearing it won’t smell it, but others will and their senses will be are altered by the scent. The worst part is that all of this will happen incontinently.
For Hallgerd started to kill one of Bergothas men. I don’t think she even thought the effects that this death could produce her. First of all she didn’t think that she might damage her husbands relationship with Njal. Also, she was inane enough to think that Bergthora wouldn’t strike back, and so on, and in the end both of them would loose everything. So yes, Hallgerd made a mistake and in normal cases she would have a second chance and apologize, but she had the misfortune that Bergthora and herself had smelled revenge’s perfume.
As I predicted, Bergthora found it totally fair to kill one of Halberd’s men, and so on. These two women didn’t seem to realize the damage that they caused, and how they were ruining their husbands relationship. Also, they started to loose control of the situation, and nobody stopped them and just ignored the importance of it. “Gunnar said he did not want to argue with her and walked away. He found Kolskegg and said to him, “Go to Njal and tell him that Thord should bed on his guard, in spite of our settlement, for I don’t think it will last.” (Njal’s Saga. Pg. 69)
These women fell in the trap. They had good hearts, but they just needed a little bit of impulse to make them fall over the cliff. The mistake that they made had no way back, and their hearts were turned into stones in a matter of seconds.
I’m an addictive feeling. You start fowling with me, and you will hurt yourself, and remember I have no way back and the snowball effect is my right hand. What am I? Revenge.
For Hallgerd started to kill one of Bergothas men. I don’t think she even thought the effects that this death could produce her. First of all she didn’t think that she might damage her husbands relationship with Njal. Also, she was inane enough to think that Bergthora wouldn’t strike back, and so on, and in the end both of them would loose everything. So yes, Hallgerd made a mistake and in normal cases she would have a second chance and apologize, but she had the misfortune that Bergthora and herself had smelled revenge’s perfume.
As I predicted, Bergthora found it totally fair to kill one of Halberd’s men, and so on. These two women didn’t seem to realize the damage that they caused, and how they were ruining their husbands relationship. Also, they started to loose control of the situation, and nobody stopped them and just ignored the importance of it. “Gunnar said he did not want to argue with her and walked away. He found Kolskegg and said to him, “Go to Njal and tell him that Thord should bed on his guard, in spite of our settlement, for I don’t think it will last.” (Njal’s Saga. Pg. 69)
These women fell in the trap. They had good hearts, but they just needed a little bit of impulse to make them fall over the cliff. The mistake that they made had no way back, and their hearts were turned into stones in a matter of seconds.
I’m an addictive feeling. You start fowling with me, and you will hurt yourself, and remember I have no way back and the snowball effect is my right hand. What am I? Revenge.
Battle Betweenn Two Goods
I have always been told that everything had a reason, and its true. The actions of every person are a demonstration of what they have inside, and we all take a path for a cause, and most of the times we believe that the path we took is the right one. This is why I don’t believe in most of the wars, or in the hatred between enemies.
Have you ever thought that the person you are fighting with has a specific reason, and he/she believes that they are making the right decision? Have you ever thought that stealing is a thief’s right decision, so they can get out of another problem? I believe that when you truly understand you opponent, you will probably change your mind about fighting them. However, until you don’t walk a mile in their shoes, you have no right to judge them, and therefore, to fight them.
In Njal’s Saga, when Gunnar and Kolskegg fought the brothers Vandil and Kolskegg, they didn’t understand well what the brothers wanted. I believe that Vandil and Kolskegg were only protecting the treasure that belonged to them, and they had the right to have it and fight for it. In the other hand, Gunnar and Kolskegg also wanted the treasure, and needed it in order to keep on with their lives and pay off to others. In conclusion, I don’t think that Gunnar and Kolskegg had the right to murder the brothers for a treasure, because you cant expect them to just give up something that belonged to them, and yet Gunnar and Kolskegg had the need for the treasure.
War is pointless, because both sides have their valid ideals. But the problem is that we forget to see through the other persons eyes, and we think we can judge them for everything they do. However, we are nobody to judge others, or to kill them for something the stand for.
Have you ever thought that the person you are fighting with has a specific reason, and he/she believes that they are making the right decision? Have you ever thought that stealing is a thief’s right decision, so they can get out of another problem? I believe that when you truly understand you opponent, you will probably change your mind about fighting them. However, until you don’t walk a mile in their shoes, you have no right to judge them, and therefore, to fight them.
In Njal’s Saga, when Gunnar and Kolskegg fought the brothers Vandil and Kolskegg, they didn’t understand well what the brothers wanted. I believe that Vandil and Kolskegg were only protecting the treasure that belonged to them, and they had the right to have it and fight for it. In the other hand, Gunnar and Kolskegg also wanted the treasure, and needed it in order to keep on with their lives and pay off to others. In conclusion, I don’t think that Gunnar and Kolskegg had the right to murder the brothers for a treasure, because you cant expect them to just give up something that belonged to them, and yet Gunnar and Kolskegg had the need for the treasure.
War is pointless, because both sides have their valid ideals. But the problem is that we forget to see through the other persons eyes, and we think we can judge them for everything they do. However, we are nobody to judge others, or to kill them for something the stand for.
Some Change Won’t Hurt
How will men feel if women ruled the world? How would the world react if one of the greatest leaders turned out to be a woman? Honestly, I think that men would say that they would react as if it was a man, but I think that deep down they would be angry and they wouldn’t recognize her. That is why, I admire women that strand up, and remember men that they are not the priority in the world. One of the women is Unn, one of the strong women in Njal’s Saga, and she was the only one in her family that stood up for what they needed and believed.
When something is stolen from you and your family, there is nothing that can stop a courageous person, from getting it back. Unn is not the exception, and when she lost everything, she seeked Njal. “I don’t want to waste your property,” she said. “Then what do you want?” he said. “I want to reclaim my property from Hrut,” she said. (Njal’s Saga. 21. Pg. 35). Also, this woman didn’t let herself seduce by other propositions that gave her a lot of profit, because she knew what she wanted, and knew that the only thing that will make her satisfied was her land.
I believe that if men were to do this, long time ago they would take the profit, since usually their ambition makes them forget what they truly want and need. For example, the ex-president of the United States, George W. Bush, used the countries money for a war in Iraq, instead of taking good care of his own country and using the money to feed the poor.
Unn is a demonstration to the world the power of women, and she makes the public remember that during history there have been great women that have made great changes, and yet received little or no recognizition. Unn not only gave honor to her own name, but to the women in general, and remembered the world that we are capable of change.
When something is stolen from you and your family, there is nothing that can stop a courageous person, from getting it back. Unn is not the exception, and when she lost everything, she seeked Njal. “I don’t want to waste your property,” she said. “Then what do you want?” he said. “I want to reclaim my property from Hrut,” she said. (Njal’s Saga. 21. Pg. 35). Also, this woman didn’t let herself seduce by other propositions that gave her a lot of profit, because she knew what she wanted, and knew that the only thing that will make her satisfied was her land.
I believe that if men were to do this, long time ago they would take the profit, since usually their ambition makes them forget what they truly want and need. For example, the ex-president of the United States, George W. Bush, used the countries money for a war in Iraq, instead of taking good care of his own country and using the money to feed the poor.
Unn is a demonstration to the world the power of women, and she makes the public remember that during history there have been great women that have made great changes, and yet received little or no recognizition. Unn not only gave honor to her own name, but to the women in general, and remembered the world that we are capable of change.
The Power of Advice
I love to give my friend advice, and yet I know I’m nobody to do so. I mean how can you give advice, if you haven’t understood yourself entirely. That is why I believe that someone that can give advice is someone to look up to, because not only they can understand themselves and others enough, but they can help them in tangled knots.
A counselor for instance, has to study and understand the human nature and feelings a lot, so they can help them take paths, that might not seem the best, but in the end they are the right ones. Also, they have to have a lot of strength and security about themselves, so they pain that their patients have won’t affect them, and they have to be able to help themselves so they can help others.
Njal is counselor. People look at him as a fountain of advice and help. “She answered, “Go to Njal at Berthorshvol- he’ll be able to come up with a plan, and besides, he’s a great friend of yours.” (Njal’s Saga pg. 36) He first must understand want they want, and what they want to hear. From that he must search for paths they can follow, and will reach the original goal.
Those who have cleaned themselves, and are willing to clean others can, only use the power of advice. They should be looked forward, and they are the only ones that truly deserve this power, for the can use it well.
A counselor for instance, has to study and understand the human nature and feelings a lot, so they can help them take paths, that might not seem the best, but in the end they are the right ones. Also, they have to have a lot of strength and security about themselves, so they pain that their patients have won’t affect them, and they have to be able to help themselves so they can help others.
Njal is counselor. People look at him as a fountain of advice and help. “She answered, “Go to Njal at Berthorshvol- he’ll be able to come up with a plan, and besides, he’s a great friend of yours.” (Njal’s Saga pg. 36) He first must understand want they want, and what they want to hear. From that he must search for paths they can follow, and will reach the original goal.
Those who have cleaned themselves, and are willing to clean others can, only use the power of advice. They should be looked forward, and they are the only ones that truly deserve this power, for the can use it well.
Chameleon
We always categorize people. Sometimes we get someone and classify him or her as an authority, but there are others you see them as your friend, and a pal that will help you with your problems. Also, according to the way you categorize them, you behave differently. When you look at someone with authority, you will not speak to him or her the same way as you speak to your best friend.
Nevertheless, every once in a while you will meet with someone that is a friend and an authority, pupil and a sibling or a fountain of advice and your master. However, these types of people are very rare, because they are people that take the time to be more than the common crowd. An example of a master, a friend, and a fountain of advice is Njal.
A bright mind, with a stone heart is the worst combination. Fortunately, this is not the case of Njal. He has a kind heart that is willing to share with others, and looks at people for what they are inside and not what they have. In addition, Njal is very generous, and he gives without expecting something in return. For example, Unn was a woman with financial problems, so she appealed to Njal, “What solution will you offer me?” she said. He answered, “Take as much as you need of the money I have out on loan.” (Njal’s Saga pg.36)
Besides these qualities, Njal takes decisions that make us learn form him, and look at him as a teacher. For example Njal has a strong and healthy friendship with Gunnar, and even though his wife won’t approve of his friend’s wife, Njal won’t listen to her because he already made his own opinion on Gunnar.
Therefore, one of the characteristics I admire most of Njal, is the way he can have different attitudes, and he will modify himself according to the situation. Finally, he will make his own opinion about people, and won’t listen to what others say about him or her.
Nevertheless, every once in a while you will meet with someone that is a friend and an authority, pupil and a sibling or a fountain of advice and your master. However, these types of people are very rare, because they are people that take the time to be more than the common crowd. An example of a master, a friend, and a fountain of advice is Njal.
A bright mind, with a stone heart is the worst combination. Fortunately, this is not the case of Njal. He has a kind heart that is willing to share with others, and looks at people for what they are inside and not what they have. In addition, Njal is very generous, and he gives without expecting something in return. For example, Unn was a woman with financial problems, so she appealed to Njal, “What solution will you offer me?” she said. He answered, “Take as much as you need of the money I have out on loan.” (Njal’s Saga pg.36)
Besides these qualities, Njal takes decisions that make us learn form him, and look at him as a teacher. For example Njal has a strong and healthy friendship with Gunnar, and even though his wife won’t approve of his friend’s wife, Njal won’t listen to her because he already made his own opinion on Gunnar.
Therefore, one of the characteristics I admire most of Njal, is the way he can have different attitudes, and he will modify himself according to the situation. Finally, he will make his own opinion about people, and won’t listen to what others say about him or her.
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