Write ONE blog entry from this set of Cantos (to reduce the number of entries each week). For this entry, select an image or simile from the cantos, then describe a contemporary scene here in Brevard county that seems a parallel to Dante's experience.
For example, Dr. Patterson compared the crossing of the River Styx to crossing Babcock Street where he encountered sullen, angry drivers.
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14 comments:
Jackie Bell:
"O sun which clears all mists from troubled sight, such joy attends your rising that I feel as grateful to the dark as to the light." (11.91-93)
Daylight Savings Time! Still haven't completely adjusted, still haven't decided whether I like it or not.
"...weep in that sweet time when they should be gay." (Canto XI Lines: 44-45) People are upset if their political candidate didn't win the election but they should be elated about the prospect of change and prosperity for our society. They should not squander their days in depression but utilize the time to be productive and optimistic.
Alex Burton:
"And when he saw that I delayed a bit/ in answering his question, he fell backwards/ into the flame, and no more rose from it." (Canto 10, 70-72) It is so easy to infuse meaning into the random actions or behaviours of a friend -- a sullen glance, a rejected conversation -- while they may actually mean nothing at all. Do not first assume that the friend is angry at you! Simple communication is the quickest and easiest solution.
"Nature follows Divine Intellect like a disciple (Canto 11, lines 97-105)" Pollution. People here in Brevard County need to respect nature and reduce the amount of driving he or she does by taking the bus, or even riding their bikes. If society as a whole continues on this path one day we might come to live in an unclean and unhealty society.
An image that caught my eye was, "Priscian moves there along the wearisome sad way." (Canto XV, p. 139) Dante's use of multiple adjectives accents the sadness of the path of the Priscian. This image can be related to the path every stalk broker or money manager takes to work each day in this time of economic recession.
Christian Prusinski
I thought "those two assassins who for many years stalked the highyways, bloody and abhorred" (Canto XII Line 135)reminded me of the tourists that come to brevard, walk around the streets like tourists and become sunburnt.
the part when Dante and Virgil strayed from the normal path and went ahead into the woods reminded me of all the road construction that is going on in palm bay. Sometimes we have to take detours and this is similar to the way that Dante and virgil take some detours through hell to avoid some ofthe nastier areas and punishments
"They run by that stream in thousands, snapping their bows at any wraith who dares to raise himself out of the blood more than his guilt allows." (Canto XII, 73-75) Though there is no true river of blood in Brevard county, people with supposed guilt are constantly shot down by their peers and elders, and given the treatment those others believe they deserve. It is an interesting concept, having other beings punish the guilty rather than leaving it up to God, and in my opinion is rather improper in actual life, since often the judgements made about others are false and harmful. - Tanya
"Men we were, and now we are changed to sticks; well might your hand have been more merciful were we no more than souls of lice and ticks." (Canto 13, lines 37-39)This quote comes to the reader at the point of Dante's journey when he travels into the forest of the suicidal souls. This tree, which Dante has just broken a branch off of, asks Dante why he is continuing to hurt him, even in hell. This mentallity is found not just in Brevard, but everywhere. People tend to have an excruciatingly hard time taking responsibility for his and her actions. Every consequence is easier endured when one has a scapegoat. This is precisely what the tree is doing, he is a suicidal victim, accusing others like Dante, for his sin; never taking the blame and full responsibility for his contributions, or lack of, in life.
"We paused, and they began their ancient wail over again, and when they stood below us they formed themselves into a moving wheel. As naked and anointed champions do in feeling out their grasp and their advantages before they close in for the thrust of blow-" (Canto XVI, ln. 19-24). This is similar to a situation that happens quite often throughout Brevard County. Athletes from all of the different high schools attend away games at schools that they may play in the future. The athletes are cheking out the abilities and methods of the their future opponents. They are getting a taste of the game they may be playing. Usually, the team that attends the other games is the more advanced team, and seems superior. For example, MCC is a professional at this tactic.
"...and others without pause roamed round and round." (Canto XIV, line 21). This is when the Sodomites are forced to roam in endless circles on the plain of burning sand. This can be compared to people without shoes on at the beach on a hot day. Just imagine the beach going on forever with no towels. The wanderer's feet are burning, but they have nowhere to go.
"I saw the pitch; but I saw nothing in it except the enormous bubbles of its boiling, which swelled and sank, like breathing, through all the pit" (Canto XXI, line 19-22). These lines remind me of times when we look but do not actually see. It happens so often that one looks at something but doesn't actually see the significance or beauty or reality of whatever it is.
"I should tell you that when last I came this dark way to the depths of Hell, this rock had not yet felt the ruinous blast (Canto XII, ln 33-36)." This statement reminds me of my grandfather who used to live and work in Brevard County. Every time without fail when I drive down Dairy Rd. with my grandfather, he will tell me how it used to be a dirt road with huge fields with cows (hence the name Dairy). The construction, although pivotal to a modern community, can destroy the historical value and make it unrecognizable.
"Outcast of Heaven, you twice-loathsome crew" he cried upon that terrible sill of Hell,"how does this insolence still live in you? Why do you set yourselves aginst that Threne whose will none can deny and which times past has added to your pain for each rebellion?" I realate this to all the fights that go on at Bayside.
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