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.