In the leading paragraphs of Hesiod’s Works and Days, the author presents a situation of discord within his family; a conflict between himself (Hesiod) and his brother, Perses. By opening the narrative for the audience in medias res, Hesiod indicates that both parties have already spent a considerable amount of time justifying their arguments. While…
Author: Bex
Symbolism in Oedipus the King
With an applause, the satisfied viewers steadily rose to their feet and turned toward the great stone doorways at the Theater of Dionysus. The rumble of voices grew louder as the crowd’s thoughts shifted from their inward pensiveness toward outward discussion. “Oh the wretched manner in which he suffered!” One Athenian would say. “The fates…
Hand, Why Do you Tremble?
Hand, why do you tremble?Why do you draw back, hesitate?For months you have assembledThis jigsaw of truth. Piece by piece.Can’t you lay them out and place them downBefore those who first evoked such fear?And what of fear? What calls it up? They are not hearers, but sneerers and willFind a way to break apart the…
Perspective in Euripides’ Medea
Throughout the first half of Medea, Euripides presents the audience with an ambiguous understanding of whose actions are justified within the familial dispute between Medea and Jason. While the chorus agrees that Jason was wrong in his action toward his family, the nurse’s concern about Medea’s emotional stability—“her savage mood and the willful ways of…
Coming-of-Age in The Odyssey of Homer, Book I
In the first book of Homer’s The Odyssey, it is evident to the audience that Telemachos, the son of Odysseus, does not embody the necessary characteristics of a man—courage, fierceness, and strength to stand against the impostors in his home. He lacks even the strength to stand up to his own mother, aspects which all…
My Ghost Opens the Gate
My ghost opens the gateAnd I walk through.I glance up and smile,“That’s very kind of you.” He leads me down a hallErected in my past;Dark then eerie light,We reach the end at last. There’s a thick closed door,And I jiggle the knob.“It’s open!” I start,And he gives me a nod. I turn it real quickLike…
To My Family
Won’t you speak to me?You didn’t speak to us.I couldn’t then, can’t you see?You’ve changed too much.We cannot speak. No, I haven’t changed at all.All I am is all I’ve been.All I want is all I wanted —To talk of more than just what’s wrong With me, with others, or with my God;To feel refreshed…
So Many Philosophies
So many philosophies,Thoughts and hypocrisies.Too many bridled dreams,Hopes, and silent feelings. They well up within me — my ownFaults and failings; theirPains and wailings; ourState of being, living, breathing — Let it all drop. Look to the light, And be. But what is the light?And how could I presume the rightTo look upon it? No,…
Curious
I’m curious, the truth behindWhat’s seen and what’s real —I wonder if we’ll be movedWhen all’s at last revealed; To think, the little hills upon whichWe stand with vigor and fight —That what we see as vital, could be(For weighty matters) rather light. I anticipate a shock whenThe vail lifts from my face;As I chime…
The Finishing
This story has been published by History Through Fiction on historythroughfiction.com, where it is exclusively visible in the member-only content area. To read it in full, go to historythroughfiction.com and sign up for a free member-only account. Below is an excerpt (the preface to the story) to give readers an idea of what it is…