Monty Python and the Holy Summer Vacation

So this is my last blog and I'd like to say that I'm sad, but honestly I am ready for my days at the lake and sleeping in late. However, I am very thankful for everything I've learned this semester. I definitely got a new perspective on a lot of different things and learned about some pretty interesting people. One of my favorite things we studied in class, was one of the last thigns, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. :)

I had heard from numerous people about this movie but I had always kind of brushed it off, but I really, really liked it. Some of the highlights of the movie was the fact that they didn't actually ride horses, but their servents made clacking noises. Hilarious! Another favorite part of the movie for me, was the knight that wouldn't let him pass in the forrest and so he cut off all his limbs but he still wanted to fight. My ABSOLUTE favorite part however was the rabbit in front of the cave, I loved it. Something about cute, white, fluffy bunnies going at people's throats incites humors. :P

With all silliness aside, I really think I got a strong cultural and academic experience this semester!!

Au Revoir!

God and his perfection

Candide was the final book of the semester! I can't believe I can actually finally say those words, but it's true. While there have been some books I have liked and some I have disliked, I have to say that it was mixed feelings about Candide. I found Voltaire's criticism of enlightenment and Liebniz, comical yet disturbing. The characters were gullable and foolish and the plot was as twisted as a Spanish soap opera, and this made for an interesting adventure around the world. Despite the comical storyline behind Candide, I couldn't help but disagree with what Voltaire is trying to say. I agree that many people may seem to take the "everything happens for a reason" to the extreme, but that is not to say they are wrong. On Wednesday, we discussed theoticy. We expressed the Christian belief that God is all knowing, all seeing, all powerful, and all loving, which indeed makes God perfect. Then, Dr. Tucker posed a question if God is perfect, how can there be evil in the world? If there is evil in the world, God can not be perfect. However, this is not true. Evil is not created by God. Evil are acts that are conjured by the Devil and acted out by man. It is the free will that we gained in the fall of Adam and Eve that gives us the choice to do evil things or to good things. I believe that people misunderstand the term "original sin", sin does not connotate that a person is born bad, only that a person is born human. Our human nature makes us susceptible to evil, because we have free will. As far as to the question, why would God let evil things happen? The answer is the same as why a father lets his child fall on his bike while learning to ride without training wheels. It does not mean that God doesn't love us or that he is being cruel, he loves us so much that he wants to make us as strong as possible. He must put us through the fire to prepare us for battle. No, I'm not talking about crusades or some war against other religions,  but for a battle against the evil in the world, against tempatiton. For as the Word says, "No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Cor 10:13. God allows temptation and evil only as far as he knows need be allowed. It is a complex and difficult thing to understand, but there's the truth, we aren't supposed to understand. God is beyond reason or science, he is purely faith. So I guess to either complicate or simplify the argument I have with philosophers like Voltaire, all I can say is, there is no way for me to prove the existence and the perfection of God. There is no piece of evidence, no scientific data, and certainly no first hand physical proof that he is present in my life, but what I do have is faith, and for me that is far more justifiable than any thing of this world.

Rocococococo.

For some reason the word "Rococo" reminds me of "Mojojojo" off of Power Puff girls. Don't ask me why! :P

This week's lecture were as always interesting, especially since I, being uneducated in art, thought rococo was great art. I now understand after going through the powerpoint, how really gaudy and extravagant they are. In a way, its the home owner saying, "Muhahaha! Look at my fancy house and look at yours, loser!" (Well neither Trump or Limbaugh would say that, but you get my drift). I feel like this kind of art was the symbol of arrogance not only back then but also today. My favorite rich people are those that are rich but do not find the need to strut it around everyone else. However, I do like the light nature and the pastels of the Rococo paintings just not the gaudy gold leaves and shells and such. On another note, I really enjoyed the satirical etchings of William Hogarth, especially that of the rake. I thought they were hilarious!! Especially the one where he had to marry the old maid because he squandered his money.

Whatever is, is right.

Today is an awesome day. One, it's beautiful outside, and two, Dr. Tucker just gave us 100% on our cultural critiques! Besides that though, I really enjoyed Pope's Essay on Man. While some who read this may not agree, I agree with Pope. I believe that there is a natural order to things and there are some things that we can not understand. However, this is not to say that we strive to understand, it just means there is only so much that is comprenhensible to the human. If you dig deep into the things of God and spirituality, you will find yourself confused and frustrated. Our concrete world can not truly justify the spiritual world. We must just have faith and hope that our time here on Earth is rewarded by God. As he says "...this hour a slave, the next a diety."

Another point I found really insightful and that I believe to be true is we are the way we should be. In my opinion there is no "imperfection" in people. It's hard to think that when our world is bombared with "perfect" people in the media, but it is true. We are unique and designed for a purpose, what that purpose is might be a mystery but that is not to say that there isn't a purpose. "Say rather, man's as perfect as he ought". That is not to say that our actions are perfect, because in that sense no one is, but our make up is perfect. We are who we ought to be.

The final section that really made me think was that which discussed our unsatisfactions. Why do humans think nature treats them unkind? I believe it is the very same thing that we so often seek, and that is reason. While God wants us to reason because it takes reason to make good or bad actions, we shouldn't rack ourselves over things that we will never be able to understand. Unlike the bear who is content with being a bear, and the rabbit that is content with being a rabbit, we are always looking at the world around us and the heavens and wanting more. Reason can sometimes lead us to foolishness, which is a dangerous path to get on.

The Demise of Hamlet

So you gotta love the drama of Shakespeare, the guy knows how to end a play!! I had heard from several people that all the main characters die but I didn't really belive that all of them die, but...yep they do! And in dramatic fashion I must say. In all seriousness, this movie really was enjoyable. As odd as it sounds, you feel bad for Hamlet. He's kind of lost in his mind with grief, rage, and lunacy. He's so human, it makes you wonder if you would be capable of letting yourself become like him.

The saddest of all the deaths however had to be Ophelia's. You can't help but wonder what was worse, knowing the man you love is crazy or knowing the many ou love killed your father? It would be a very difficult place to be, but I don't think I would lose my mind like she did. Poor Ophelia!

I really want to see the Kenneth Branagh version to compare it to Mel Gibson's. It shall be interesting!