Ottoman Empire

While reading the document regarding the Ottoman Empire, I found things that I found very interesting that I made comparisons to. When reading the information based on “The Classical Ottoman Administrative System,” it reminded me a lot of “The Code of Hammurabi.” The empire reached the height of its success under successor, Sultan Suleyman Kanuni. The empires administrative system was based off of his power and his set laws. The reason I compare this to The Code of Hammurabi is because of Hammurabi’s let laws in a system referred to as “Eye for an Eye.” Hammurabi had much power much like Suleyman, which let him set his own administrative justice system. The second thing that I found interesting was the power that The Ottoman Empire had. On the fourth page it reads: “In the classical Ottoman system, the sultan’s servants were slaves, many of them children taken from Christian villages in the Balkans.” The Ottoman Empire had taken over by force and forced people to form to their ways. That is what I fear when I think of an empire, due to its high form of power and the way in which it was received.

Dante and Muhammad

 The thing I liked when I was reading this passage was the entrance into the story. When the author discusses his first hand view and experiences through battle, it is clear that it is something that means a lot to him because he had to go through something very painful and torturous. He enters the story by basically sayiing "who dares to reiterate the story of which they didn't under go." This sets the tone for what the author of the passage was going to speak to the reader about. In the story, the author shows grieve towards what he was going through when he speaks of what he witnessed with a painted picture:

"One foot raised, halted in mid-stride, Mohammed spoke these words, then setting down that foot, went on his way. Another, with his throat pierced through and nose hacked off just where the brows begin, and only one ear left upon his head, stopped with the rest of them to gape in wonder and, before the others did, opened his windpipe, scarlet on the skin side as it was, to say: 'O you whom guilt does not condemn and whom I saw above in Italy, if in your likeness I am not deceived, 'should you ever see that gentle plain again." Through this source of imagery, it makes the reader understand why the writer uses the tone of writing that he does. The writer went through something he feels that no man should have to see but at the same time the ones who went through it are the only ones who have the right to speak of its occurrence.

Reading through these stories in the Decameron I came across the first day, third story the story of Melchisedech a Jew and Saladin who is trying to set him up. This story I believe really reflects the theme of love throughout the whole story on multiple people. Throughout the story the father who is growing old is forced choose who to leave his ring to, which in turn means whoever is left with the ring is the true heir and honored as the head of the family by all others. The father though, having 3 sons was forced to pick his favorite and leave the ring in his possession to claim the inheritance. The father loving his three sons equally could not choose who to leave his ring to, so he had two other rings made identical to the real ring, making the ring so identical you cannot tell which is the real one. As the father was dying the three sons came to claim their inheritance, all showing there rings to prove they were the true heir. As they saw they all had a ring they were all very confused, but without any fight they all accept that they were all heir. They left it undecided as to who the real heir was, never to this day finding out who had the real ring. They all just accept that they had a ring, never to find out who actually had the real one. I believe the theme of love is first indicated by the dying father, as he love all his sons equally he wants to please them all, and does so by making all believe they are the true heir. And again by the three sons who all are willing to accept being heir alongside there other brothers. 

While reading through these reading the book of Margery Kempe kept me interested and had great connection throughout the story. I believe Kempe finds these holy sites so intense because she feels a direct connection to these powerful places, as if she were reliving the suffering that Christ had endured. On page 107 it is stated that "she entered that holy place, she fell down with her candle in her hand, as if she would have died for sorrow. And later she rose up again with great weeping and sobbing, as though she had seen our Lord buried right in front of her." Kempe feels the pain that the Christ felt by basically reliving the events that he suffered through, through vividly real thoughts of the events. Women being inferior to men was what was known during this time, but Kempe was very independent and strong willed. By setting out on this journey, the travel allowed her to be rejuvenated, allowing her to show he devotion, loyalty and love for Jesus. I really believe that Kempe shows her love for God by the rush of emotions she gets while reliving the visions of that he suffered through. She was deeply affected by his suffering, as if she herself was suffering with him. When seeing someone you truly care for suffer you can "feel" there pain. You may not be actually suffering as they are, but seeing them suffer causes you grief because you never want to see them in pain. This is exactly how Kempe is reacting in this story, she is suffering because the Lord is suffering.

Book of Good Love (Day 2)

In the story of the mountain girl, the actual theme was quite unclear until the end. As the arch priest sets off on a journey through the mountains he is faced with a obstacle of the mountain girl, actually multiple mountain girls. For him to pass by these mountain girls he needs to present them with presents or face the rath of not paying the toll. The arch priest promises the wildest presents, anything that these mountain girls are requesting, he's agreeing to have to present to these girls. Knowing he will never be able to give them these things he gets by and promises them on the way back, only to avoid their path on the journey back. Everytime though, that he avoids the same path he is only getting himself into a bigger mess, he meets a different mountain girl on every path and soon finds himself in debt with multiple girls, he knows he will never be able to pay. As the story ends it makes a statement that a man with no money's ill make promises he does intend to keep. While already being poor, he has nothing to lose if he does not make the promises he will be doomed for sure, but making ese promises only put off his misery temporarily. Twice in the wary a similar quote is used which really had great meaning to the lesson of the story. First quoted in the first paragraph, "if you seek what you haven't lost, you will lose what you will lose what you have" and again towards the middle of the story "don't leave what you have got for what you have yet to get" which really is what this man is doing throughout the story, leaving what he had because of a whim that life may be better on the other side, only left him with nothing in the end; even less then what he began his journey with.

Book of Good Love (Day One)

When starting this reading it opens with a prologue in verse form, this prologue really to me is using examples to prove how powerful the Lod God really is. At first the writer is writing from a prison in hopes that will all the power and wisdom God holds he will have the control to release this man from prison and free him from his sufferings. After reading the second prologue written in prose sinning was the main theme, the thought that this action of sinning was accepted for the reason that everyone does it. Sinning is unavaoidable so in turn it is alright, but next I was forced to think differently. It is spelled out quite clearly that this prologue does not exactly mean what we are made it to believe. Sinning is not ok, nor is speaking or agreeing with evil but that sinning is a way to protect ourself. We dont sin unless we are benefitting ourselves in some way, unless sinning is absolutley necessary. So I believe sinning is not accepting or encouraged but I do believe that sinning is something that everyone does, it happens and quite honestly sinning is a way of life happening to everyone at some point in there lives, which is falsely deceived as acceptable.

Troubadour / Trobairitz Poetry

While choosing a poem from Trouadour I like the first poem J'aufre Rudel. This is a poem where I could find myself relating directly to the author. The words felt like something that I could speak at this moment. The struggle with love being away, either leaving love because of distance which is sounds like in this poem; or a long distance relationship like in my care. The main character speaks up how love he is craving is far away. This is the way I feel, after leaving home for college in September I also left my boyfriend. One quote really stuck in my mind, "the path is blocked to my desire". This meaning you know what your desire is and you know how it will make you feel once you've gotten it but you can see it , it is too far the distance in this quotation is the blocking that is denying you what you most desire.

In the second poem form Trobairitz a women is most clearly telling the story by talking and repeatedly referring to a boy throughout the boy. The way i interpreted this poem was the women is saying and encouraging other to live with an open heart. Love the ones you think you love and take it from there, stop over thinking and go with your heart. But this women's love does not turn out so great, she loves a man and the relationship does not go as planned. They are not perfect for each other, though she loves him a relationship with her open heart didn't make them love each other.

The difference between these stories and how you can tell if a boy or a girl is big is by what the main character is done. The first poem talk all about a boy and loving a girl thought the distance is what is keeping them apart and in the second poem the women author relates directly to loving a boy

Arabic Poetry

While reading this weeks assigned readings "The Dove's Necklace" the themese relating to love were all descrpiptive and used great evidence to support these themes. The themes/ideas that most interested me were 1. Supporting your lover always and 2. How one changes to please their lover. When the story opened it first started talking of how when you love someone you will believe them even when they are lying, agrees with him even though he is wrong, testifies on his behalf for all that may be unjust, and supporting whatever line of arguement he may adopt. I read through this and completely agreed after seeing examples like this happen everyday, but I could only describe it in one way- Love can make you do thing. The force that love hold over people can turn them into a liar to protect there lover (real life example, lying on the stand in court in favor of your lover), builds a trust that may not be as strong as you may believe (believing lies), and taking on arguements that are not your own to protect your loved one. These beliefs are things that people are expected to do when they are in love, marriage signifies people at this stage doing all they can to protect and please there lover which in turn looks bad on them. There was a long very versatile paragraph of how people change to become what there lover is looking for some of the examples from the readings are the scowler relaxed her frown, the sloucher smartened up and the stinker transformed himself into a elegant dandy. These are all examples of how people change who they are to become who there lover wants them to be. Love has a way of taking over people, it is very powerful and always something that is very hard to get under control. Love is a beautiful thing if it is used in the right way.

Islamic Art

While reading through the Art and History of the different Islamic era's I found many similarities that directly resembled other cultures techniques. Starting in the Early Islamic period they talk of how Islam uses certain ideas from Judaism and Christianity such as their prophetic tradition which is any form of written or spoken prophecies most commonly relating to religion ceremonies. Art in this period created a cosmetic glass container mounted on the back of a donkey was taken from a type of Roman glass vessel using the same technique and for the same function. Islam’s also began to imitate the Chinese porcelain’s in the ninth century. In the Early Mid evil Period Islam and Turkish culture was inherited into Anatolia after Turkish rule in Asia Minor was followed by their victory over Byzantine Army. From the waves of Turkish tribes migrating into Islam, Persian language and culture were adopted in Islam. Lastly in the Late Mid evil Period as a byproduct of the Mongol invasion new Chinese techniques where inherited into Islam like new vocabulary.

Metamorphoses by Ovid (Book 1 & 3)

Book 1:

The opening of the text is all about how the earth was created. This story although it resembles books from Genesis it goes into much greater detail in explaining each part of the earth from the ocean to the mountains and trees. I really enjoyed reading of how the seasons were developed, but when Jupiter came into the picture I was honestly just confused. He rapes Lo who I believe to be innocent and almost irrelevant to the story. When Jupiter’s wife comes down from Heaven to confront him and Jupiter’s instantly turns Lo into a cow. Jupiter a "noble" god, is sneaky, a liar, a cheater and his job to influence humans he is not setting a very good example.

Book 3:

Reading about the Narcissus was a very quick and compelling read. As he sees his reflection in the water he instantly falls in love. The Narcissus is really only in love with his reflection as we come to find out when he hears his echo he is actually frightened by it and does not love his voice or personality. The Narcissus does not want a relationship with himself but he is almost star struck at his physical appearance and good looks at he believe he may be in love with himself.

Plato's Republic

Throughout this story I found multiple things ironic, the most ironic thing was the talk of the government. Transformation from Oligarchy to Democracy was all about money and how rich people could actually get, democracy allowed men to become as wealthy as possible back then. Today the democracy has a wide spread from wealth to poverty democracy today is not head start or the right path to wealth, but a path to fairness and equality. I agreed a lot with Jessica Brey where she said "During Plato's time politicians were discussing important matters that we are still trying to fix in our on government." I picked up on these similarities right away with the thought and confusion of if "democracy" was such a change and upgrade how are the problems from Plato's time still a problem without any solution today? Only a small minority of people during Plato's time and today can be considered "wealthy" this binding issue concerning money in all social classes has yet to be solved. I actually appreciated and agreed with the statement of the people creating government reflect their character in the different forms of government. Today republicans vs. democratic is all about the character of a person (beliefs, morals, and individual advancement); these factors make up the two sides of this government system. All the rules, regulations, and especially beliefs of each government system are created by someone, they reflect someone’s morals and how they believe a state should be run (government isn’t run by itself; there are working people behind the scene pulling all the strings.

Odyssey (Ch 21-24

The bow is a symbol of strength and loyalty. Whoever can string the bow is worthy of taking the throne fom king Odysseus. The sign of strength that comes from stinging this bow is often used in tests in ancient Greece. Not surprisingly none of the suitors even come close to completing the task, Proving there weakness and unloyalty of trying to take Penelope from Odysseus. His son Telemachus does come close proving his manhood and how he has matured into a man while his father has been gone. Telemechus might have succeeded in stringing the bow if he hadnt been so obedient of his father when he told him to stop and he quickly stops obeying his fathers request once again showing his loyalty to his father. Another symbol in this myth is Odysseus and Penelope's bed, which was carved from the roots of an olive tree which cannot been moved,or altered. This bed is a direct relation to the love Odysseus and Penelope share for each other. Through Odysseus' long voyage, Penelope stood faithfully by his side, protected his kingdom and waited for his arrival back home. There love is proves to be strong and and constant just like there bed.

Odyssey (Chapters 16-20)

The character Melanthius doesn’t play a big role in this myth, but he does play a significant role in this story. As Odysseus returns home he once again disguises himself as a poor beggar, Melanthius crosses his path not knowing it is King Odysseus' and is quick to insult him and makes fun of how poor he is stating "hanging around the door posts, rubbing his back, scavenging for scraps." Odysseus is very upset and mad that this is the way people poor people of this rank are treated, the words spoken by Melanthius quote "made Odysseus' blood boil." As Odysseus continues to pass by, through all the taunting and harassing by Melanthius, he then kicks Odysseus' in the hip in attempt to knock him off the path. The next Character I wanted to discuss is Arnaeus or Irus. The role he plays in this myth is almost confusing to me, why he challenges Odysseus in the first place is big question in itself. He seems to be jealous, or feel threatened by Odysseus who is disguised as a beggar, feeling as though he may take away food and jobs from him, Odysseus to Irus is competition. As the taunting and verbal fighting goes on, eventually Irus challenges Odysseus to a duel which is encouraged by the suitors. Irus is confident in winning this fight broadcasting "Friends, how can an old man, worn down with pain, stand up to a young buck?" He is basing his age and stature on the fight, being young he think will always beat the old. As the fight beginning Odysseus stands ready with Athena by his side, the goddess making him buff and very strong no competition for the young Irus. In turn Odysseus wins this fight with flying colors, not even a question of who the winner was. The real question I have with this character is his relevance, this part of the story seems to be thrown in there just to prove again that the gods can do anything, for example make Odysseus strong and healthy again in time to fight and win against Irus.

The Odyssey (Ch. 11-15)

In Odysseus's journey to Hades, he is forced to travel through death to continue his life in Ithaca. He must face many men and women all importantly related in some way to his life at some point. Circe's instructs him to sacrifice a ram in order to attract the dead spirits allowing him to talk to the dead. When first entering the underworld Odysseus’s is most shocked by his mother, Anticleia who Odysseus’s had left alive when he left for he Troy now dead and gone. Before he would speak to his mother’s ghost he demanded to speak with Tiresias himself, who after drinking the ram's blood began to speak. He told him a god will make his hope for a safe and smooth journey home difficult. He would suffer all the way home, but he would make it under one condition. When Odysseus and his crew make it to Thrinacia Island, they are not to touch the herds and fat flocks of Helios, if they are to harm them there journey home will be impossible and there ship destroyed along with all the crew. Next Odysseus speaks with his mother, finding out her fate ended because of her longing his safe return to Ithaca. Odysseus met with Tyro, Antiope who borne Zeus twin sons, Alcemena- Amphitryon's wife, Oedipus's mother Epicaste who married her own son, Chloris, Leda- Tyndareaus' wife, Iphamedeia- Aloeus' wife, Phadedra, and Procris and Clymene, Maera and Eriphyle who bribed with a golden necklace lured her hisband to his death. Odysseus pauses and begins to take it all in overwhelmed by all the information he has just heard, but his talks with the dead are not over. He is next visited by Alicinous, who then introduces him to other men who fought in the Trojan war. Though this is a journey into death, I believe this journey is strictly a journey into his future and how his journey back home will play out.

The Odyssey (books 6-10)

Calypso's Island is a symbol of temptation for Odysseus, and overall mankind as well. Calypso is a beautiful woman and will give Odysseus all the riches he desires. Also, there are more women on the island as well trying to tempt Odysseus to stay and not go back home. If he goes back home to his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus, it will show how he is a family man and has a true sense of love towards his family. However, if he stays it will show how easy men give in to desires. Another point that was mentioned a few times was if a man left his wife for another woman, no one would care and would actually respect him. In contrast, if a wife cheated on her husband (even if he was away or could be dead in this case), she'd be ruled disloyal, unrespectable, and would be almost viewed as an adulteress. This book foreshadows ideals and ethics that are prevalent today with this matter of men being better than women. 

Odysseus called himself a Nobody because he wanted to escape from the wrath of the Cyclops, a demigod stemming from Poseidon, God of the Sea. Cyclops was going to kill Odysseus, being his first fight and all, but Odysseus used his strength and smarts to flee from the scene. Cyclops was less likely to kill Odysseus because Cyclops wanted to kill someone worth killing. Why would he waste his time killing a Nobody? 

The Odyssey ch. 1-5

Telemachus is Odysseus's son, who was left at an early age when Odysseus set out on his journey. Now Telemachus is at about the age of twenty and helpless to the mob of suitors who are trying to marry his mother Penelope in hopes of taking over Odysseus's kingdom. Telemachus is visited by Athena disguised as one of his father’s friends, who predicts Odysseus is still alive, and tell him to banish the suitors from his father’s kingdom. Telemachus steps up and takes back the reins of his father’s territory. Telemachus overall is confused in my eyes, he doesn’t know what to do exactly but when pushed in the right direction he overcomes his fears and steps up to do the right thing. The predicament Telemachus is left in after understanding his father’s situation is overall a coming of age for him for his father’s kingdom but also of his household, this manhood all gained from a little help from the gods is all to preserve his father’s estate and name saying "I hold the reins of power in this house." Athena's two visits encourage him to become a independent and stern man, taking back fathers territory, protecting his mother and also setting out on his big journey. As Telemachus prepares to set out on his journey, Athena appears again but this time as Telemachus himself, and rounds up a crew of loyal men to make the journey alongside Telemachus. Now Telemachus has faced his first of many physiological battles he now sets off to Pylos and Sparta for his first physically journey. The journey he sets off on is in search of knowledge about his father, anything he can find. I believe we hear about Telemachus’ journey before we hear of his father Odysseus's because of the growing Telemachus does and also for the suspense of the whereabouts of his father. Hearing about his journey is putting together the puzzle of his father, we slowly but surely find more and more information about Odysseus in turn not only knowing Telemachus’ story first but at the same time learning about his fathers also. I believe the story is mainly about Telemachus and his battles that he faces for his father, we are in search of Odysseus's information but it is all through the actual main character Telemachus.

Chapters 37, 39-50

In these reading we learn of the life of Joseph the son of Isreal. The controversial theme that keeps coming up in these readings throughout the Genesis is the theme of betrayal caused by jealousy. The way Isreal treats Joseph makes his brothers especially jealous, so one day while working in the field they come up with the plan to kill their own brother. This plan is denied by Joseph's brother Rueben who then decided to strip him of his clothes and leave him in an empty pit without food or water. He was sold to the Ishmaelites where he was then brought to Egypt. His life in Egypt is explained, years later a famine hits the land and Joseph is the only one with food for the survivors. He is visited by his brothers who are in search of food and does not know how to react. He is now the man in control, he now controls his brother lives as they did the day they left him naked in that pit alone. Joseph in turn ended up with the better end of the deal, he suffered for a short time when first entering Egypt but now he is the only man who is safe from famine. Joseph believes God was the reason he was taken to Egypt, to have a better life, not blaming his life on his jealous brothers. I believe in the end Joseph takes his brother's and all their families, flocks and herds into Egypt to take care of them and give them food because he knows the real meaning of family, even though they did him wrong he knows it does not give him the right to do them wrong. This of betrayal keeps showing up throughout the stories of Genesis, all stringing from the theme of jealousy.

Chapter 25-28 32-33

The problems that arise from these two "firstborn" sons, is the trait we have seen multiple times before in these reading, jealousy. After Isaac tell Esau to go fetch him some game, and prepare him a feast before his last day arrives, Rebekah then instructed Jacob to bring his father game for his last meal also. Jacob arrives home first with his game while Rebekah prepared for his meal father Isaac. Rebekah then disguised Jacob as Esau by dressing him in his clothing and the skins of a young goat on his hands to make then appear hair as Esau's are. Jacob brings Isaac his meal and portrays himself successfully and Esau. Isaac blesses his youngest son Jacob as it is his oldest son Esau. I believe Jacob agrees to dress as his brother because of his jealousy, but Rebekah was in charge of this false act for a reason I don’t understand. When Esau finds out his brother has deceived him and taken his blessing he is angry and believe murder of his brother is the answer. The role of the parents is very conflicting in this story, Rebekah is really the one deceiving her husband while Isaac I believe is favoring his oldest son. I believe Rebekah's speeches in this story ultimately are in favor of Jacob and show her love is more toward Jacob. She steals the blessing from Esau by convincing Jacob to deceive his father, and in her second speech she orders Jacob to flee to Laban her brother in Haran to avoid his own murder by his brother Esau.

Chapter 12, 16-18, 21-23

The reasoning for Abram/ Abraham's reaction before going to Egypt is unknown. He tells Sarah, she needs to tell the Pharaoh that she is his sister in order to keep his life, that the Pharaoh would kill him if it was known they were husband and wife. Sarah tells the lie should was told to tell, and is they taken as the Pharaoh's wife. The encounter proves that Abraham does not trust the Pharaoh and thinks the worst of them while the Pharaoh took them both in during the time of famine to keep them alive. The first love triangle takes place when Abraham's wife Sarah cannot bear him any children and offers her servant Hagar as a wife to Abraham of which she will conceive a son. Hagar bore Abram a son and named him Ishmael. The very human problem that arises from this conflict of a love triangle is the jealousy Sarah feels toward Hagar after having a son with her husband. This story shows how the class of Hagar and her son is not as worthy as that of Sarah and Abraham. When Sarah bore's a son years later from the miracle of the Lord, she and Abraham agree to send Hagar and Abraham's first son away. Abraham is tested again by God, a horrific test of killing his son in cold blood as a sacrifice of the Lord. God needs more proof because of the previous events that had taken place. I believe his lie to the Pharaoh makes him untrustworthy, and the way he sends his first son away because of the replacement of his second son makes him a follower. God wants proof that he will not be dishonest to him, and that Abraham will not find another Lord, other than this God.

Genesis 4, 6-9

In the story of Cain and Abel, the conversation between God and Cain uses words in a pun, to explain the nature of Gods words. I believe when God asked Cain "Where is Abel your brother?" he knew the answer to the question of which he just spoke. With the sarcastic phrase Cain responds with "I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?" he acts as if he has not seen or done anything to his brother Abel. God knows this response is not true, he asks Cain what he has done, and tells him "Your brother's blood cries out to me from the soil." The connect between Gods statement and Cain is the word "soil" for Cain is a farmer and spends his days in the field where his brother's murder took place. The theme of very distinct human passion related to this society is linked in the story of Cain and Abel to the relationship between siblings. The connection comes from the jealousy and anger Cain felt against his brother Abel when God accepted Abel's offerings but not Cain's. These strong feels lead Cain to murder his own biological brother. In the story of Noah's Ark and the destruction of all living things on the earth, other than one male and one female of each species of animal, bird and every creeping thing on the earth. The time period that the flood takes place is 40 days and 40 nights, a discussion or argument needs to be made about how long the flood actually took place. Noah explains sending a dove out to see if the waters have subsided on the face of the earth, which took three weeks for the bird to not return. I don’t understand how the number of 150 days comes into the story. Did it take 150 days for the water to completely drain, or did it take from the second month of Noah's six hundredth year to the first month of the six hundredth and first year?

Genesis 1-3

The text presents the first man and the first woman as curious and rebellious. The thought of a forbidden tree, makes the sweet fruit growing from it much more desirable. You’re curious of what makes this fruit off limits, what taste would land upon your taste buds as you take your first bite but knowing you’re not allowed makes you want it even more. They are rebellious sinners as they disobey the Lord God and take their first bite into the fruit growing from the forbidden tree. Adam and Eve's punishment is inevitable which reflects human experience by showing how we all as humans will sin in our lives. The nature of sin is not accepted but it is a trait known to every human. The knowledge tree being described as “lovely to look at” then links vision to desire and knowledge. This tree being so attractive in sight makes Adam and Eve crave desire and knowledge from the fruit this tree grows. They then disobey the Lord God and allow their desires to take over. This story describes the creation of all living and nonliving things that make up the world we live in. With the sin of Adam and Eve it shows the irresistible craving for things we know are so forbidden, leaving the rest of the human on earth as responsible for the sin of the first woman and man on earth created by Lord God.