Terrorism Through The Ages

The conspiracy against the royal crown described in chapter six is much like an event occurred in Colombia on November 6, 1985, when a group of rebels under the title of M-19 violently managed to infiltrate and take possession of a national building. This event, called “La Toma Del Palacio De Justicia”, is much like the same situation but in a different context. In both cases people show their disconformities with their rulers through violent acts. To attempt against the integrity of a nation is considered high treason, and has always been punished severely. This is exactly what happened in Jacobean England. “In November 1605; the attempt by a group of desperate marginalized Catholic renegades and romantics to blow up the king, queen, princes, peers and other members of the parliament at its opening.” (ch6, p.105). As the text explains it, "terrorists is the word we would now use (p.105)". Because the contexts vary, so do the consequences and the perspective people have of the events. In the past, something like this would definitely cause a great reaction from everyone because it is something unimaginable, especially if it comes from "marginalized Catholic renegades", who represent a very important institution . On the other hand, terrorism is more of a normal problem in Colombia, and people have gotten used to it to the point where people accept it as part of the reality of their lives. English people where probably completely shocked by the attempt to blow up the king, and the king himself had much more power to act against the criminals than what justice has in modern days, where human rights protect even the most cold-blooded terrorists from torture. One might even argue that the M-19 attack was a modern adaptation of the conspiracy against King James, and of many other such events in which people rose against their governments through violence. Humans where born to be free, and they shall for ever fight to honor their interpretation of freedom, even if it means blowing up the king, or waging war against the government.

Up For Grasps

As Adam Nicholson explains it in his book, Gods Secretaries: The Making Of The King James Bible,“Few moments in English history have been more hungry for the future, its mercurial possibilities and its hope of richness, than the spring of 1603. At last the old, hesitant, querulous and increasingly unapproachable Queen Elizabeth was dying.” (p.1,ch.1). England was all looking up at the Queen to get a sign of her progress, everyone ready to take action when her time elapsed. Corruption was everywhere, being this the chance to get a good position in a new kingdom under new rule. People already in high places feared the possibility of a new king that would get rid of them. It was a time of insecurity, chaos, and political disorder. The old Queen was at war with Spain, distant, and careless for the problems. This was also the opportunity for a real king to come along and set everything in order, opening space for development and peace. The arrival of a new king to the crown of England "meant not only a change of government and policy, but a change of culture, attitude, and belief .A new king meant a new world.”(p.3,ch1.) The arrival of King James from Scotland to rule England was a completely new perspective for everyone, even for himself. When the news at last came to the people that the Queen had passed away, everyone turned towards James to gain his favor. People are very materialist, and sit under the tallest tree for the best shade. There where people making James feel welcome, making him think England was perfect and that he would have a flawless society to rule. The new king believed this hypocrisy and not only assumed the position lightly, but started wasting his money and naming absurd amounts of knights. It was a time where England was up for grasps, and when the future of every person in the kingdom seemed unsure. Internal difficulties would not take too long to appear.

A Fake Paradise

The making of King James Bible is greatly influenced by the politics of the time period. James had received the English throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth. It was a time of opportunity, where everyone struggled to assure their position in a new kingdom. This text, as any, is greatly influenced by its context, “It is the product of its time and bears the marks of its making. It is a deeply political book.” (Prologue, xiii). Even if it’s all based on previous texts and if it is meant to be ambiguous, it carries biased arguments influenced by the political background in the life of King James. In the spring of 1603 when the death of Elizabeth seemed close, England was in the middle of a crisis where everyone was looking towards a new ruler to help the kingdom take advantage of its power, which Queen Elizabeth had failed to do in her last years. England was at war with Spain, and James was the way to put an end to this conflict which was holding back the development of England as a power. It was also a new life for James, who had been king of a powerless kingdom in the midst of corruption and treason, “Like a poor man wandering about 40 years in the wilderness and barren soyle, and now arrived at the Land Of Promise.” (chapter one, page 6). Everyone made believe James England was a paradise full of richness and free of any troubles; a perfect kingdom. James believed this and he let all this cover get into his head, forgetting what it really was. He was a greatly intellectual man, and when he assumed the throne one of his first tasks was to unite England and Scotland under one rule. He adopted the motto of Beati Pacificy, Blessed are the Peacemakers. He presented himself as a fair person that wanted peace and harmony, but even with this theme for his kingdom he let power get into his head, and was able to execute people without a trial. He knighted hundreds and spread gold everywhere, as if he really lived in paradise. People where able to make him believe what they wanted, that he had arrived into a perfect place, but it was far from perfect. It was a world full of corruption where everyone looked for their personal benefit behind the kings back. And this happens all the time, when things seem to be what they are not. It is always a must to investigate completely and to be sure of where you are before you take important decisions. This fake image and the political life in which James was thrown into is the background of the text, and all this affects and decides The Making of King James Bible.

Instinct

What is it that takes us through the day, and eventually, through life? It is our sense of survival, our characteristic as fighters, like any other animal and living thing. We fight our surrounding constantly; we struggle to move with the people around us, because we know that if we fall behind we are done for. It is an instinct, and as any instinct, we do it without even realizing how competitive and brutal we are with each other. In the myth talking about Daedalus we see a lot of this theme of survival. Daedalus plans his escape, not being able to cope with the fact that he is being controlled, that somebody else takes the final decision about him. “He contrived to make his escape from his prison, but could not leave the island by sea, as the king kept strict watch on all the vessels, and permitted none to sail without being carefully searched. “Minos may control the land and sea,” said Dædalus, “but not the regions of the air. I will try that way.” This shows how the man exhausted all means of freedom, and not even what seemed impossible was able to stop him. This happens constantly in our life, where we look for the way around things, always trying to get what we want even if it includes going against the law or above others. We have come to be called the “civilized” animal, but we must remember we come from the wild as all animals. We also have that sense of preservations which animals use to escape from predators, and we use to gain advantage over others. We are free as our constitution and character state it, and for no reason will a human submit to anything without fighting, without making sure that there are no other possibilities and that where we are is the best we can be.

Cliches

Cliche Titles:

1.Love Story

2. The Day After Tomorrow

3. Mamma Mia

4.Its A Wonderful Life

5. The Lion KIng

Cliche Plotlines:

1. Love can overcome any barriers.

2. Inocent people pay for the crime of someone else.

3. Evil masternmind threatens with the destruction of the world.

4. Two friends go to war and one of them dies.

5. A man cheats on his wife, and she tries to make him pay for it.

Words that Sound Alike Practice

1. Where is my jacket? I wanted to wear it today, and if I can't find it, we're going to be late.

2. Jane wanted to go on the school trip, but her mother said that two hundred dollars was too much for the family budget.

3. As she waited for Rodney to become conscious, Selma was seized with an attack of conscience-- was there anything she could have done to prevent the accident?

4. The map led the intrepid treasure hunters to a lead box of precious stones.

5. Have you seen their coats? They're going to need them; it's cold outside. I last saw the coats over there.

6. After conducting careful research, Shufang had a brilliant idea; she'd write a paper on Thomas More's concept of the ideal society in Utopia.

7. Even though Bob would rather play video games than study, he decided to hit the books and than play some Halo.

8. It's easy to admire a business that puts so much effort into creating its signs and window displays.

9. You're fortunate to have survived the car crash without a scratch; it must have been because you were wearing your seat belt.

10. I would advise you to seek qualified legal adviceabout how to handle this situation.

Contract

I, ____________Daniel Toro_____________, hereby understand and will abide by the Pre-AP/AP (Print your name)Academy’s expectations, obligations, and admission/drop policy outlined below with respect to my admission status and standing in the Pre-AP/AP Course, _______________English________________.(Print the name of the Pre-AP/AP Course)Pre-AP/AP Academy Expectations;• Maintain Acceptable GPA,• Motivated and Positive,• Responsible and Dedicated Work Ethic,• Attend Opportunity Day and/or Additional Review Classes, • Complete AP College Board Exam,• Sign Pre-AP/AP Student Contract. Pre-AP/AP Academy Admission/Drop Policy;• First Progress Report with Teacher’s Signed Approval…receive no course credit,• End of First Semester with Teacher’s Signed Approval…receive only partial course credit for grade of 6.0+. No partial credit will be awarded for any grade below 6.0,• Students who Drop Pre-AP/AP Courses or who Do Not take the College Board AP Exam will have the Pre-AP/AP Designation for that course removed from their transcript and they will not receive any grade or GPA enhancement awarded for taking that Pre-AP/AP course.Please note that at any time during the school year if the teacher deems that you are not meeting the expectations above for any or all reasons, then that teacher will require that you sign an additional academic probation contract. Your admission status and/or removal from the above identified Pre-AP Course will then be re-assessed based on your abiding by the academic probation contract signed and agreed to by you and the respective Pre-AP/AP Teacher.Student Signature of Agreement, __________Daniel Toro p.___________________________ Date: _____________September 24, 2008__________________

Understanding The Importance

Our present is a direct result from our past, and our past is influenced by all the conditions that led to our existence. Therefore, myths make part of our past, and are even present in our current culture. We use them to describe conditions similar to those that happen on the myths, giving them Greek names to make connections. An example being the myth of Oedipus, who kills his own father, and marries the woman that gave him birth. Presently, the condition of having a romantic relationship or romantic feelings toward ones mother is called Oedipus complex. This term was directly derived from the Greek myth that describes a man in these conditions, even though he didn’t intend to be in that position. A movie titled “Edipo Alcalde” was filmed based on the ideas represented in the myth, considering different cultures and time periods. Another term used currently derived from ancient Greeks is the term “Bellerophontic letters”. “He brought letters from Prœtus, the son-in-law of Iobates, recommending Bellerophon in the warmest terms as an unconquerable hero, but added at the close a request to his father-in-law to put him to death.” This term is used to describe the case in which a person is the messenger of news that contains information prejudicial to him/her. The news Bellerophon carried was meant to be a death sentence, but the aid from the gods helped him overcome the sentence and become the successor of the throne, a merry life until he crossed the limit and confused the help of the gods with his own power. Our culture is a mixture of many ancient influences, which helps explain why we are able to identify ourselves with so many ancient cultures and civilizations. Knowledge is the greatest of human treasures. Knowledge must be kept safe and must be transmitted continually on from generation to generation to keep it alive. Myths are knowledge, and behind them we could even identify history, people, beliefs, and much more. Myths have been part of our lives since they were though and will continue to be remembered as long as we have a sense of preservation. This is why we should value our heritage, including myths and their messages.

Pride: Worth It?

We are all born under different circumstances, with different characteristics, and this all makes every one of us unique. Some of us are born with more advantages than other, while some of us may be born with difficulties, and this all makes diversity so important. We must be tolerant and accept other people even if they are different from us, but we may not go as far as forgetting who we are. We must always keep in mind how we are unique and not superior, and how we can take advantage of our unique qualities. It seems Greeks forgot who they where once in a while, and dared compare themselves with the perfect gods.” Cassiopeia his queen, proud of her beauty, had dared to compare herself to the Sea-Nymphs, which roused their indignation to such a degree that they sent a prodigious sea-monster to ravage the coast.” Sometimes we forget that we have a role in the world, and we must respect the fact that there may be people above us in that ladder of positions. When we defy authority, most likely, we will end up worse than what we started. In this case, Cassiopeia, the queen of the Ethiopians, compared her beauty to that of the sea nymphs, who sent a Sea-monster to disturb the people in their anger. Andromeda, the poor daughter, was the one who had to pay for the pride of her mother. We are very proud beings, which hold our honor in a very high place, but the gods, their pride surpasses even our notion of the word, and they take no comparison to mortals. Niobe failed to learn the lesson, and caused her children to die in disgrace. “What folly,” said she, “is this!—to prefer beings whom you never saw to those who stand before your eyes! Why should Latona be honored with worship, and none be paid to me?” At this Latona ordered her holy children to carry out her revenge, as a lesson for all mortals to understand their position and respect that of the gods. Her pride was stolen from her with Apollo’s arrows, showing how weak our honor is compared to that of the ones above. I don’t intend to make you believe that we must let others step over us and do with us as they will. The element of respect must always be present in any relation, and the difference between boss and worker must also be previously established. Promote tolerance, respect difference, and accept position to achieve success.

Divine Interventions

The gods are far from ambiguous, ready to blow the wind in favor of some, and ready to shape the world into what they like. Greeks knew this, and used it to favor their desires and ideas, always keeping gods at their side. Different gods would fight over territories and people to be the one who most people pray to. Cities had their local god, to which they gave the most importance over the others, being careful not to offend other gods in the process. “Athens was her chosen seat, her own city, awarded to her as the prize of a contest with Neptune, who also aspired to it.” Minerva was the main goddess of Athens, title she by gifting humans with olive oil. Most of the deeds and tales of heroes told in myths would not have been possible without the help and advice of gods that favor the hero in the story. In the myth of Perseus and Medusa, it all would have ended in tragedy without the divine interventions. “Perseus, favored by Minerva and Mercury, the former of whom lent him her shield and the latter his winged shoes.” With the shield he was able to look at Minerva in the reflection, avoiding her powers of transforming him into a rock. Alone, people can be weak and ignorant, but with a god behind their back they are able to accomplish all that Greek heroes did. In Greek myths, any character that lacked immortal characteristics, was simply a mortal representation of a god with similar qualities. People used to offer their riches and possessions to the gods to have them at their side; it was a constant struggle to keep the gods happy. The Greek civilization evolved around the gods, religion serving as its main pillar. Religion has always had a great influence in the world and the people in many different aspects. Even today people trust many problems to the gods they believe in, and as the Greeks did, they attribute events to them. We must accept the reality and take the consequences for both good and bad on our own hands, there is no such thing as blaming gods for our mistakes.

Sharing Burdens

Life is all about trusting the right people, about being able to make the right decisions with the right company. When we doubt or feel unsecure about something we tend to take all into our hands, as if we were able to handle everything by ourselves. We must learn to trust others with our worries, let people around us help us carry and cope with our troubles, making the weight bearable. We must, therefore, find a place in a trustworthy circle, in a place where we know people are transparent. Psyche falls into the doubt in the myth, and through the influence of her greedy sisters, she disobeys cupid, and loses his company. “As she leaned the lamp over to have a nearer view of his face a drop of burning oil fell on the shoulder of the god, startled with which he opened his eyes and fixed them full upon her; then, without saying one word, he spread his white wings and flew out of the window. Psyche, in vain endeavoring to follow him, fell from the window to the ground. Cupid, beholding her as she lay in the dust, stopped his flight for an instant and said, “O foolish Psyche, is it thus you repay my love?” We are all humans after all, and many of us are unable to resist the strong temptation of curiosity. Sometimes we are unable to trust, because the education we all receive tells us that the world is full of lies and that we should trust none but ourselves. If we are alive and sharing our world with so many people, it’s probably because we were initially meant to share, to trust each other, because there can be no harmony in a civilization without trust, tolerance, and order. When we show lack of trust in a person, we at once damage the natural relationship, and that’s when trouble emerges and rivalries are noticed. Humanity must learn to manage trust, because how can you live under the same roof in you can’t trust your neighbors while you sleep?

The Mortal Side of Gods

Greeks where polytheistic people that had different gods and divines explanations for every phenomenon. The main difference between gods and humans was not only their knowledge, but their immortal characteristics. Where Gods really immortal? Or where they simply terms that science had not yet defined, immortal in memories but not in feelings and decisions. The gods where rulers and wise figures in common definition. Can myths prove otherwise?

Greek gods lived along mortals, interacting with them, even fighting with them. A ruler lives along with his people, but doesn’t often get involved with problems or relationships with the people that serve him. A big brother lives and plays with his small brother, but it would be pointless if they got into a fight as equals, because they simply are not. Gods are the rulers and big brothers of humanity, but they act as if they where equals sometimes. We can see them getting mad at mortals, punishing them even if their actions where guided by ignorance and innocence. An example shown in the myth of Dryope, where her ignorance allows her innocence to go and pick up flowers, not know she was hurting Lotis. “Dryope, horror-struck when she perceived what she had done, would gladly have hastened from the spot, but found her feet rooted to the ground. She tried to pull them away, but moved nothing but her upper limbs. The woodiness crept upward, and by degrees invested her body. In anguish she attempted to tear her hair, but found her hands filled with leaves.” The gods in their cholera cursed her and made her into a tree, but does this reflect wisdom and superiority, or injustice and equality in mentality?

As mentioned before, Greek myths refer to gods as immortals but their actions and all of what happens suggests that they have a rather mortal mentality. This flaw in the explanations of Greeks through myths doesn’t get even close to diminishing them, but it does suggest the personality of those who invented this myths. Myths are part of the culture of everyone, they are responsible for many things, but they have become shadowed by science and factual events. Their place is no longer to explain, but to describe relationships and leave learning on people, which is why I reflected on the double personality of gods. We all have defects and troubles, but we must learn to accept our reality, never seeking perfection or giving our backs to others. We must learn to treat others for who they are, and not for who we are. Even gods had a hard time doing this, but we can do it because even if no one is perfect, everything is possible.

How Greeks Loved

Love is the strongest and most intense feeling humans have ever experienced. It is for love that much of what happens in myths and life comes to be. Through this theme the whole human civilization develops, considering the presence of different types of love. You may love whole heartedly as Romeo would love Juliet, or you may love brothers and family, but you may also love things, ideals, goals, and much more. You may love as Glaucus who had eyes for no other that Scylla, even though she didn’t feel the same way. You may also feel this how Narcissus did, who loved himself to the point where it became his obsession. You may even love material things with a sentimental value to you, such as Pygmalion and his ivory wife. These are all representations and different views of how this theme was present in Greek mythology. Greeks believed that love could do anything, even corrupt your intentions. When Glaucus asked Circe for help, a love story turn into a curse for the nymph. “The goddess was indignant, but she could not punish him, neither did she wish to do so, for she liked him too well; so she turned all her wrath against her rival, poor Scylla.” As Circe did, many people take revenge and hurt other as a cause of a frustrated love. People love in such an intense way that sometime this feeling is able to take control of their actions and decisions. Therefore, we must learn to love in a positive way, not the way people in the myths do, who all end up devastated by this force. And we must learn to accept reality; we must understand things must happen, even if we don’t want them that way. Even if you love intensely, you must always remember you may lose that which you hold so dear. Don’t be afraid to let your feelings show, but do it in a good way and never become greedy, because maybe tomorrow you may not have that which you always gave for granted, that person that has always been there by your side.

Greed: a weapon of mass destruction

Myths reflect values, problems, and culture, and attempt to provide explanations. One of the most common themes in these myths is greed, and how humans let their greed turn a blessing into a curse. A great example of this occurs in the myth of king Midas. Bacchus grants him a wish, and the king, greedy, asks for wealth beyond compare, making this his curse. He wished that anything he touched turned gold, and this was granted, even his food hardened as gold at his touch. When he realized his mistake, he begged for pardon. “In consternation at the unprecedented affliction, he strove to divest himself of his power; he hated the gift he had lately coveted. But all in vain; starvation seemed to await him. He raised his arms, all shining with gold, in prayer to Bacchus, begging to be delivered from his glittering destruction.” This is an example of how greed has taken people, even in myths of our ancestors, to create their own destruction. When we are given the possibility to acquire power, we always take it without measuring consequences, and without being sure we can control such power and wealth. This repeats in the story of Phaëton. He asks his father for a ride on the chariot, to be able to control it for one night. His father is struck by this and tries to convince him to wish for something different, but unable to deny his first wish if he were to insist. “Look round the world and choose whatever you will of what earth or sea contains most precious—ask it and fear no refusal. This only I pray you not to urge. It is not honor, but destruction you seek. Why do you hang round my neck and still entreat me? You shall have it if you persist;—the oath is sworn and must be kept,—but I beg you to choose more wisely.” As we might expect, Phaëton is ruled by his greed, and changes not his initial wish. This leads to destruction and to his downfall. Through history we have seen how greed has taken humanity into problems, and how people seem to forget that they know this. People are unable to put aside their pride and greed, and most dream with power and wealth before happiness and health. And I can assure that we all have that greedy part inside of us that cries for power, but we must learn to control it for our own benefit. Greed is a powerful weapon, that used correctly may be harmless but if used irresponsibly, it results in chaos. Greed can help us achieve goals, might help us obtain things good for us and others, if only we knew how to control greed and when to stop. But humans being far from perfect, lack this knowledge, and therefore greed in our hands is a devastating combination. Think about the consequences of anything before making decisions, and act with humility, which will provide you with even greater things than greed, things such as knowledge and wisdom. I leave it to your own though to consider how greed takes a role on your life, and think if it is gaining too much power over you.

Cry over the lost

According to Gilgamesh we mourn through tears and memories. We mourn the absence of the person no longer there by remembering him/her for whon he/she was to us. We mourn for that person we can no longer count on, at least in a materialist way, because the person will be there spiritualy. We cry over our losses and these affect our mood, and sometimes losses can even change who you are and how you act. There are many different ways to mourn people. You can cry over their bodies and memories and remember them publicly as Gilgamesh did, or you can keep people in your mind and let their memories enrich your knowledge.

Where greeks came from

The religions of ancient Greece and Rome may have lost all of their followers, but not their importance on the world and history. It is from the Greek that we inherited science and religion, their culture and knowledge is still part of our world today. Many of their beliefs about the world and its territories where very limited to the surrounding lands. They had many gods to fulfill different roles and to help them explain events for which science could not yet find an explanation. On the other hand, myths where also used to explain history, and how things came to be.”The creation of the world is a problem naturally fitted to excite the liveliest interest of man, its inhabitant”. These myths try to explain history and unknown things through a story interesting to hear, something completely invented and without any facts to support. The myth of Prometheus and Pandora, for example, states that at first the world was a chaos of disorganized matter, until a god came and gave everything a place and established order. This Titan was called Prometheus, the one who created the world and man from chaos. Jupiter made Pandora, the first female, as a punishment for stealing fire from heaven to give it to man. This shows that ancient Greece was a very sexist society, describing the creation of women as a punishment. But when Pandora opened a box full of wretched elements, they all flew away into earth, and brought hatred, greed, envy and other evil things into the world. But hope didn’t go away, this proves hope is of the most valuable elements even for geeks, and that element of hope we see repeated in various myths. Or as the myth of Apollo and Daphne, which not only tells an interesting story, but attempts to explain the creation of laurel trees. All this Ancient mythology was the way Greeks found to explain all they couldn’t understand. It’s going to be very interesting to read all this myths and learn about ancient civilizations through their stories. I look forward to reading about various different cultures and beliefs, because the only way to know who we are is to know where we come from.

The nature around us

Gilgamesh and Enkidu have been companions since early in the text. At first they represented almost like opposites of one another, but soon they became similar in thoughts and actions. Enkidu was a representation of nature and living in harmony with the world and its beings, while Gilgamesh was a greedy ruler that seeks progress of him and his people before the well being of nature. At first, Enkidu had a “leaver” mentality and behavior. “He feeds upon the grasslands with gazelles; visits the watering places with the creatures who’s hearts delight, as his delights, in water”(p.5). This shows Enkidus identity as he was created, but he changes drastically through his relationship with Gilgamesh, who is more like a “taker”. “Gilgamesh, who’s aura and power cannot be withstood” (p.9). This shows Gilgamesh is a being of power and destruction, much like our current civilization. We want to control all and be part of everything, and end up killing nature and its wonderful creatures. When they unite as companions, they embark on missions such as killing Huwawa that prove not only the cruelty of Gilgamesh, but the transformation of Emkidu. We could establish a direct comparison between Enkidu and his change and the leavers on our world who are forced by the takers to change into completely different beings. Enkidua and leavers both change their habits as a result of new surroundings, but consequences are drastic. Enkidu ends up dead as a result of his change of personality. And if we take a look at historical facts, most of the leavers that have been changed into what we are don’t survive much, and their cultures are lost in the past. And when Enkidu is lost and Gilgamesh continues to interact with nature, he controls it and uses it however he wants for his benefit, even if it means killing the environment. “Hear my prayer and save me as I enter the passes where there are lions!” (p. 48). He shows his fear towards the dangers of nature, but the true is that he is a danger to nature, killing the lions in the passes and the trees to make clothing and a boat to travel the waters. Gilgamesh and Enkidu have different personalities, but their relationship with nature ends up being very similar. They are destructive and mindless of their actions, as our civilization is. And we may also fall into the abyss like Enkidu is if we don’t start taking care of our actions, being mindful of nature. Therefore, let’s stop being who we are, let’s make a positive change in our relationship with nature, so that we can have positive consequences on ourselves and our followers.

Setting positive goals

This part of the text has a lot of information that we might not grasp at first glance. It is a long segment and reveals a lot of facts that help us build up our understanding of Gilgamesh. The character embarks on his voyage to Utnapishtim to ask him how he got his place besides the gods. He gets help from Urshanabi, who makes him build a raft to sail the sea of death towards the person Gilgamesh was looking for. There he meets the person that confronts him with a task that may seem easy, but he was meant to fail at it. He is told to stay awake for seven days, which he sleeps for most of the time. This is a very disappointing fact because it’s a failure that Gilgamesh wasn’t expecting, and it’s a big obstacle in his mental plan. Utnapishtim broke his plan for eternal life. “Then Gilgamesh said to him: What shall I do? Who takes us away has taken hold of me. Death is in my chamber when I sleep; and death is there wherever I set foot” (p.77). Gilgamesh is really worried about his future now that he couldn’t get the secret for eternal life out of this guy, although he did get a great advice.” A secret of the gods I will disclose. There is a plant that lives under the waters, thorny to seize, as a rose is thorny to seize. How-The-Old-Man-Once-Again-Becomes-A-Young-Man is the name of the plant that grows under the waters.” (p.79). Gilgamesh feels better after he learns about the plant; because even if it won’t make him immortal, it will help him be young again which is a good part of what he wished for. And this is the magic many people wish and expect, sort of like the search for the Holy Grail by our ancestors. Many people turn their lives to greed and desire for unlimited riches and power, and they end up wasting their time in useless ways. Like Gilgamesh, some people think that they are better than other and that therefore they should be able to live longer or have more privileges. Instead of wasting our time aiming for impossible, we should learn to set high goals and accomplish them, but goals that not only are possible, but beneficial to us and those who surround us. So learn to difference between useful and productive goals, and greedy and pointless ones. This will make the difference in your life and in the lives of theirs if you choose to impact them. Make right decisions, and seek good goals, because only this will take you to living a happy and worthy life.

Comma Exercises

Exercise 1

He left the scene of the accident and tried to forget that it had happened.

Oil, which is lighter than water, rises to the surface.

Madame de Stael was an attractive, gracious lady.

Nice is a word with many meanings, and some of them are contradictory.

The contractor testified that the house was completed and that the work had been done properly.

Some people refuse to go to the zoo because of pity for creatures that must live in small cages.
Taxicabs that are dirty are illegal in some cities.


The closet contained worn clothes, old shoes, and dirty hats.

The uninvited guest wore a dark, blue, tweed suit.

After surviving this ordeal, the trapper felt relieved.

Mark Twain's early novels, I believe, stand the test of time.

December 7, 1941, will never be forgotten.

The field was safe enough, wasn't it?

Write the editor of the Atlantic 8, Arlington Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02116.

He replied, "I have no idea what you mean."

After a good washing and grooming, the pup looked like a new dog.

Because of their opposition to institutions that force creatures to live in captivity, some people refuse to go to the zoo.

Men who are bald are frequently the ones who are the most authoritative on the subject of
baldness.


Vests which were once popular have been out of vogue for several years.

As a celestial goddess, she regulated the course of the heavenly bodies and controlled the alternating seasons.

I hope that some day, he will learn how to be polite.

Exercise 2

1. There was no question that John's painting, a huge, colorful, and ugly mural, was the worst entry in the art exhibit.

2. Werner von Braun, Willy Ley, and Edward Teller noted authorities in the field of rocket development, have done much to guide the missile program of the United States.

3. Mr. Cready's ability to say the wrong thing at the wrong time is, I believe, amazing.

4. Running around, the house the dog was abruptly stopped by a fence.

5. If the opposition should win, our candidate would never have any political future.

6. Gracefully, lightly, and daintily, the ballerina moved across the stage.

7. Glamour, the woman's fashion magazine, recently incorporated with Charm, another fashion journal.

8. Joe was born on May 7, 1955, and his best friend was born exactly two months later, on July 7, 1955.

9. Mr. and Mrs. Kwon, my parents' best friends, sat in front of us at the football game.

10. November 11, 1918, the armistice ending World War I was signed.

Exercise 3

1. The problems involved in this operation are, I think, numerous.

2. Celene, who does not usually tell anyone what she feels, said she didn't want to go to the dance.

3. To get tickets for some Broadway musicals, one has to order three months in advance.

4. Listening to the radio, Jun heard an announcement that Spangler, his own dog, was lost.

5. I used to live at 16689 Sutton Avenue, Milpitas, California, but we have since moved to 1895 Holland Way, Dubuque, Iowa.

6. The Valley of the Moon, the name of a section in Napa County, California, is the heart of the state's wine producing area.

7. Chris did not see how he could organize, write, and proofread this paper in only two hours.

8. By the pilings of the old pier, I found four starfish, a clam, and a sea anemone.

9. Yes, Helen did mention that all three of you were coming for lunch.

10. I believe, therefore, that fraternities are good influences on a college campus.

Light in the darkest tunnel

In tablets eight and nine, Gilgamesh goes son a journey to Utnapishtim. He is afraid of being sentenced to the same destiny as his friend, Enkidu, and tries to get information about his future and what to do. He is lost and devastated by the loss of his loyal companion, and is looking for a way to get back on road. He looks for guidance and walks in the dark for a long time before he gets a glimpse of sunlight again. “The darkness was total, nothing behind or before. He made his way, companionless, to the end.” (p.51). Gilgamesh was experiencing confusion and fear, as we all do at some pint of life. As our character, most people go through dark and lonely times and fight to overcome them. We might fall into sadness and misery, but we can never give up our hope and our will to live. Even if we lose that which is most valuable for us, there are always infinite reasons to live and go on. And even though Gilgamesh lost his friend and companion, Enkidu, he is looking for someone to help him overcome those times and to help him make decisions about his future. We all should do the same when we are going through difficult times, because when we are alone we may surrender to sadness, but with a guide and friends we will always be able to overcome the troubles of life no matter how big these seem.

Gilgamesh is afraid of death, and powerless against it, seeks to confront it with a different kind of power. “He said to himself that he would seek the son of Ubartutu, Utnapishtim, he, the only one of men by means of whom he might find out how death could be avoided” (p.48). Even when we are powerful and think we are the center of the world, we all know our time here is limited. The one thing we have for sure is that we won’t be here forever, and we all fear the day when our time in earth finishes. Gilgamesh does fear death as well, and decides he has to avoid it by all means. He seeks power beyond his to fight that enemy which he doesn’t stand a chance against if he confronts him alone. Sometime we also think we can avoid death, and some people act as if they are to be in the world for ever. We all know the reality, and because we can’t change it, we must make the most out it. No one knows when his/her time on earth will end, so while we can, we should try and make it a wonderful experience. We should live every day at its full extent, and experience everything completely. Make out of your life something worth the time, because you only get one chance to write your history, and there is no going back to correct this writing. So live your life to its extreme, and live every day as the last, because it could be.

The end of the road

Two friends overcame the obstacles laying on their way together. They killed Huwawa, defied a goddess, and reigned together. They became brothers and companions. Like brothers, they took care of each other and looked after their companion, even if it meant fighting with the gods themselves. And when Gilgamesh confronted Ishtar, his companion, Enkidu, joined him and went against the mighty goddess.” He seized a hunch of the slaughtered bull of heaven and tore it loose and flung it towards the wall on which the goddess stood, and said to her: If I could reach you I would do to you what you have seen me do to the bull of heaven. I would festoon you with the guts of the bull.” (p.35). This was his death sentence, which he assumed on behalf of his companion and brother. Enkidu proved to be a real friend, one that stood by Gilgamesh in all his troubles, even if it meant giving his life for this companion.

But when the time came when the gods made a decision, it wasn’t as easy to return the friendship to Enkidu. Ishtar made him pay for his threat, and the gods sentenced Enkidu to death to pay for both his and Gilgamesh´s mistakes. In the time of his decay, he proved strong but confused, and cursed people who shouldn’t be cursed. He sacrificed his life for Gilgamesh, who was unable to help him, and this was taken by Enkidu as a disappointing event.”Gilgamesh, who encouraged me in battle, saying, ‘Two people, companions, they can prevail,’ Gilgamesh is afraid and does not help me” (p.43). In this situation when you confront death, maybe you try to analyze the way you lived your life and how it was going. You think about the people that surround you and cared for you. And here Gilgamesh realizes that no matter how strong and powerful he is, he is useless and powerless against death. And this is something we all might want to consider before we find ourselves in at the end of the road and unable to do anything. We might want to live our days to their maximum extent and most importantly, live a life we are going to be proud of later on in the road. Therefore, start to live a meaningful life and build yourself a legacy you can be proud of, because when the road comes to an end, there is no going back to reconstruct your acts.

Understanding Enkidu

Stormy-hearted: “Aruru listened and heard and then created out of earth clay and divine spittle the double, the stormy-hearted other.” (p.5)

Hairy: “Enkidu, the hairy-bodied wild man of the grasslands.” (p.5)

Powerful: “Powerful as Ninurta the god of war, the hair of his head like the grain fields of the goddess, naked as Sumuqan the god of cattle.” (p.5)

Wild: “Present yourself to Gilgamesh the king… tell him about the power of the wild man.” (p.6)

Lonely: “Then Enkidu, who’s heart was beginning to know about himself and longed for a companion” (p.9)

Sentence Fragments: Answers to Exercise 3

The following paragraph has no capital letters or periods to mark the beginnings and ends of sentences. Add capitals, periods, commas, and/or other punctuation that may be needed to make the word groups into complete sentences. Your goal is to be sure that there are no fragments.

my brother was always my best friend when I was a child especially as we two were almost alone in the world we lived with our old grandmother in a little house, almost a shack, in the country whenever I think of him now I see a solemn, responsible boy a boy too old for his years who looked out for me no matter what once there was a bully John Anson who looked enormous to me though he was probably an average twelve-year-old John had it in for me because he liked Littice Grant who liked me he decided to beat me up right before her eyes I was lucky my brother came by he didn't interfere any he just stood there somehow though his presence gave me confidence I licked the stuffing out of John Anson if my brother hadn't been there I don't think I could have done it.

Correction:

My brother was always my best friend when I was a child, especially as we two were almost alone in the world. We lived with our old grandmother in a little house, almost a shack, in the country. Whenever I think of him now, I see a solemn and responsible boy, a boy too old for his years, who looked out for me no matter what. Once there was a bully, John Anson, who looked enormous to me, though he was probably an average twelve-year-old. John had it in for me because he liked Littice Grant, who liked me. He decided to beat me up right before her eyes. I was lucky my brother came by. He didn't interfere any. He just stood there. Somehow, though, his presence gave me confidence. I licked the stuffing out of John Anson. If my brother hadn't been there, I don't think I could have done it.

Sentence Fragments: Exercise 2

These paragraphs need proofreading for possible fragments. Use the space below each paragraph for revising.

1. How can a person find patriotism in a local night club? Well, it did not take me too long. About four weeks ago in a little night club in Louisville, Kentucky, a couple of my friends, Rick and Lon, the duo who were providing the entertainment that night for the club.

How can you find patriotism in a local night club? Well, it did not take me too long. About four weeks ago in a little night club in Lousville, Kentucky, a couple of my friends, Rick and Lon, the duo who where providing the entertainment that night for the club, gave an opening speech on civil war patriots.

2. For the past twenty years, the Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan has been measuring the level of Americans' trust and confidence in their politicians and quasi-political trust and confidence in their political institutions and their leaders. "Political" being all levels of government, and "quasi-political" churches, labor unions, large professional/business associations, educational institutions, and the like. The result is that a very sharp decline has taken place every year since 1964.

For the past twenty years, the Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan has been measuring the level of Americans' trust and confidence in their politicians and quasi-political trust and confidence in their political institutions and their leaders. “Political” aims at all levels of government, and “quai-political” can include churches, labor unions, large professional/business associations, educational institutions, and the like. The result is that a very sharp decline has taken place every year since 1964.

3. For 200 years Americans believed in better jobs, better homes, a better life for one's children. This confidence no longer exists. Polls now indicate that fewer Americans who feel they are better off today than they were five years ago. A public-opinion analysis group has found that large numbers of Americans, at some times and in some places, see themselves as lower on the ladder. Adding worse living conditions and anticipation of further decline over the next five years.

For 200 years Americans believed in better jobs, better homes, a better life for one's children. This confidence no longer exists. Polls now indicate that fewer Americans feel they are better off today than they were five years ago. A public-opinion analysis group has found that large numbers of Americans, at some times and in some places, see themselves as lower on the ladder considering worse living conditions and anticipation of further decline over the next five years.

4. Well, in looking at the picture at the left you see an old lady. She has a very funny look on her face. As if she's lonely and just wants to be left alone. She also looks as if she has seen a lot and experienced lots of things.

Well, in looking at the picture at the left you see an old lady. She has a very funny look on her face, as if she's lonely and just wants to be left alone. She also looks as if she has seen a lot and experienced lots of things.

5. A president is an appointed leader. Someone who is a decision maker in the executive branch of our government. This doesn't necessarily mean that the person the people elect is capable. Just hopefully assumes. Assumes through his past record as a politician, over the years' buildup of experience and handling situations.

A president is an appointed leader, someone who is a decision maker in the executive branch of our government. This doesn't necessarily mean that the person the people elect is capable. It may only be assumed based on past facts over the years of experience handling tight situations.

Friends under all circumstances

How many times in your life do you let your enemies seduce you with their words into doing wrong? When you least expect it and when you have all under control, you may need a true friend to make you see the danger behind a fake costume. As Huwawa did, many people try to confuse you with empty words, and are only interested in your utility. It is in these time when we need friends like Enkidu, even if we belief we are the strongest of all like Gilgamesh. And even when you are very strong and intelligent, it’s always good to have someone at your side in which you can count on in dangerous or difficult times. This is proved in the battle against Huwawa when both characters ran away in fear, each at his time, and was recovered by these words from the other: “Two people, companions, they can prevail together against the terror.”(p.26).

It is vital to be surrounded by good people, because the people who surround you not only influence, but decide who you are. And in dangerous times, there is nothing more valuable than someone in which you can count on and who will share your burden. But it’s also a great feeling to be able to share the acknowledgement of good deeds with the people who deserve them, and who have stood by you always, as the two companions did at the end of tablet four. “Enkidu steered the raft and Gilgamesh carried the head of Huwawa, the guardian of the forest.”(p.28). Both of them came back to Uruk as great heroes and friends, and Gilgamesh shared his glory with his good friend Enkidu, and probably felt much better than ever. And if this friendship plays an important role in the story, it may be because friendship has always played an important role in the development of people, ideas, and even civilizations.
So we might want to start considering people around us. We should start considering who our friends really are, so that we know who to call when we are in battle with the Huwawa of our lives. This tablets show us the value and true meaning of a friendship so that we can carry on friendships similar to this one, and hopefully, be a friend to the people around us like that Enkidu was to Gilgamesh. Choose your friends wisely and make sure they are who they say they are, because in time of need what good is one who says he is your friends but has no intention of risking anything for you? Do you have this kind of friends which you shall need? Or will you build up friendships with people who really deserve your qualities now, before you need a true friend to stand besides you?