Inaug. Blog (sorry it's late)

I found the article interesting. In my opinion, Barack Obama's speech was very inspirational even without his common rhetorical flair.
One part of the article that stood out to me was the reference to Rick Warren. There was a lot of Christians upset with Warren for praying for such a liberal president. The article brought up a good point though. The Bible tells us to pray for those in authority and I think Rick Warren did the right thing. We all need to back up and pray for our president. He may disagree with us and he may cause some changes that make us angry, but that is why we need to pray and be involved rather than back off with our bitter commentary.
On a lighter note, I agreed with the article when referencing the other minister that prayed. Some said the ending of his speech was corny, but I thought it sounded something picketers would cry out in a rally. ( :

Heather's Epic Coin Theory ("R&G are Dead")

Prior to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern meeting the players, they had been flipping coins, all of which landed heads. This is impossible and far outside the realm of reality. Also at this time, neither Rosencrantz or Guildenstern can remember past being summoned and neither knows what the heck is going on. Now, right before R & G plunge into the story of Hamlet, Rosencrantz flips the coin for the last time which ends up tails. AHA! I propose that the coin lands heads because they are finally within the realm of their intended story which provides them with meaning and a set of rules. They are no longer wandering around as potential characters, but rather they are real charcters.

Thoughts on "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead"

I am reading Waiting for Godot for my January MOR assignment. I the "R&G are Dead" is very similar to it. They both have a pair that have conversations that seem like babble, but at the same time, sound incredibly smart. I don't really get what they are saying, and I wonder if that is the point. Man, Po.Mo. writing is wierd. I am enjoying "R&G are Dead" and I hope that eventually, I will get what the heack they are saying.
As far as the flipping of the coin goes, I think it is amazing how the writer used something so trivial to reveal the characteristics of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (or Guildenstern and Rosencrantz). All of the conversation that flows from the coin flipping is interesting to, especially the infinite monkey theorem.
This is a random thought, but I am going to tack it on anyway. I think the probability of the flipping of the coin goes along with the story of Hamlet because a whole mess of things goes wrong so as to make you think it has to turn around. But it does not, and nothing good happens. Should this surprise us?
Well... that's it...

Hamlet's Philisophical Journey (New and Improved)

In act one, Hamlet finds assurance in faith and God, and this keeps him from killing himself and seeking revenge. "Or that the Everlasting had not fixed his canon 'gainst self-slaughter" (1.2.131-132). As he goes on, Hamlet's faith is tested and at one point he says he would kill himself but he does not know "what dreams may come". This makes me think he is questioning God/eternity. Towards the end of the play, Hamlet has regained his assurance in Providence, but now instead of holding him back it is assisting him with his actions. This is shown when Hamlet says to Horatio, "When our deep plots do pall, and that should learn us there's a divinity that shapes our ends" (5.2.9-10). This new attitude also makes him okay with death, becuase he is sure. "There is special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now... let be" (5.2.185-following).

Senior Quote

"I let my imagination run wild and I don't think it's coming back."

Tragic Thoughts

The interesting thing I learned about tragedies was the difficulty of using the structure. I thought that the strict structure would make it simpler, when actually it turned out to be a different challenge then what I was expecting. I really liked how the first group was able to make the chorus not be an obvious, formal chorus. It made it seem more natural. I also like how the second group showed the downside to holding too strong to the sovreignty of God- that was a unique way to view that issue. I also learned that the yellow filter of a cigarette is the side you put in your mouth. ( : So overall, I think I learned the essentials.

Evangelezing Oedipus Rex

The two important character flaws of Oedipus are his pride and ignorance of himself. Towards the end of his tragic story, Oedipus realizes his true self and blinds himself because of it, realizing at last what a vile person he is. This is somewhat similar to a Christian "reality check"(this is obviously not a theological term but one I made up myself). Sometimes the only remedy for pious pride is the realization of just how much one needs Christ's salvation. Our dear friend, C.S. Lewis, said that this was necessary becuase otherwise we would feel like we could earn our own salvation. This reality check could come in the form of a big mistake you make, a brother in Christ pointing out a flaw, or the Holy Spirit convicting you. Unlike Oedipus, however, we don't have to lose hope in this situation. On the contrary God brings us to this point in our lives so that we may completely fall back on him rather than toil needlessly on our own. Realizing you are lost in sin is not a curse, but a blessing becuase it leads you to God's slavation and no one saves better than God, not even you.