Laura+Gould


 * Assignment 7**
 * Virgil's __Aeneid__ and __Watership Down__ by Richard Adams**



There are a surprising number of similarities between __Watership Down__, a tale of rabbits, and Vergil's __Aeneid__. The story lines are actually very much the same. Like in the Aeneid, __Watership Down__ starts with the destruction of a city, or in this case, the rabbit's warren. The rabbits, led by Hazel, flee from the destruction just as Aeneas flees from Troy. They are also led on by fate. Hazel's brother Fiver has visions of the future and foresees them founding a new warren where the rabbits can thrive and live out their lives in peace. Aeneas is also foretold to found the city of Rome so that the people of Troy can arise again.

Various story arcs in the tale also line up with Aeneas' journey. Whereas Aeneas almost stops his search for Rome and settles in Carthage, Hazel and the rabbits almost stop their search and settle in a warren that seems friendly. However, in the end that rabbits move on, partly because they wish to finish their quest to get to their promised warren, partly to escape danger. The desire to continue the quest to the promised warren echoes Aeneas when he leaves Carthage so he can full-fill his destiny.

Nationalism plays roles in both tales as well. In the __Aeneid__, Aeneas is striving for the safety of his people so that they can live in peace. He also works very hard to defend the new warren from danger. In __Watership Down__, Hazel is only the leader of the warren to protect his comrades. Like Aeneas he wishes to protect his comrades and his newly founded warren. He remains loyal to his warren throughout the tale, thinking only of their safely and what is best for them. Hazel also sees to the defence and livelihood of his comrades, leading the exploration of a nearby warren to secure some does and keep his warren safe from their neighbours.

Hazel's journey to found the new warren also has the same nationalist tendencies as the tale of Aeneas. The __Aeneid__ was created by Virgil to give Rome a founding story and pride in Roman heritage. Likewise, Hazel's story is told the the young rabbits. It is passed down through the generations as a national folk legend to commemorate their heritage. In fact, some of the tales end up merging with those of the rabbit's folk hero El-ahrairah.

All in all, these two different tales have similar themes and plots, even though one is about rabbits. Both include similar plot points and nationalist themes.


 * Assignment 6**
 * Ovid's Metamorphoses (Pygmalion and the Statue) vs My Fair Lady (1956 Broadway Musical)**



It is generally accepted knowledge that the 1956 Broadway musical //My Fair Lady// is based off Pygmalion. There are any number of similarities between the two stories. First of all, Eliza Doolittle represents the statue and Henry Higgins represents Pygmalion. Through speech and etiquette lessons, Higgins virtually makes Eliza into a beautiful, refined lady. This echoes Pygmalion making the statue. Eliza is turned into a 'statue of ivory' from her rough cockney origins, just as the statue in Pygmalion is carved from a rough block of ivory. Also, Higgins, though gradually, does fall in love with Eliza. Pygmalion also falls in love with his creation.

The idea that Eliza is the statue contains another level of analysis. Statues look pretty but they are just art and have no personality or substance - they are stone (or ivory in this case). An upper class lady at the time in //My Fair Lady// was expected to be like that: a pretty face with no thoughts. Likewise, Eliza is told at one point in the musical to stick to two subjects: the weather and everyones health. This limitation to her conversation shows that she is not to say anything important, she is to look pretty and so nothing else. She is to be a 'statue' while in public.

There is one more connection from Pygmalion to //My Fair Lady//. This is the statue coming alive. This relates to how Eliza claims independence from Higgins at the end, in the song "Without You." Eliza essentially 'comes alive' from her statue state by not accepting the assumption that females or lower than men. This assumption is shown in the song "You Did It" and "A Hymn to Him," in which Higgins basically states that Eliza is a lady because of him and men are superior to men. By disregarding these assumptions, Eliza throws off the stone mask and again gains a personality. This metamorphosis continues even when she returns to Higgins, completing the metamorphosis and representing how Pygmalion and the animated statue get married and live together.

All in all, //My Fair Lady// and Pygmalion have many similarities.


 * Assignment 5**
 * Ovid's Metamorphoses (Apollo and Daphne) vs Apollo and Daphne by Jean-Etienne Liotard**

Ovid's Metamorphoses contain many myths on change including the tale of Apollo and Daphne. The above painting by Jean-Etienne Liotard also depicts this myth. There are many reasons why this picture acuarately protrays the stroy of Apollo and Daphne besides the fact that the central figures of the painting are Apollo (left) and Daphne the nymph (right). There is more to the picture than the main characters. For example, in the bottom right is a man concealed in plants and leaning on an urn flowing with water. The man is Daphne's father, a river god. The plants help to depict the river, as does the vase. Daphne calls out to her father to turn her into something else so she can escape Apollo and her father complies, turning her into a tree.

The water coming from the vase is also important. It not only represents the river, but change. Swift moving and winding, water is never constant. It is a metamorphosis in itself and in this picture symbolizes the transformation of Daphne. This transformation is two-fold. After she turns into a tree and Apollo says that her branches will be his honored symbol forever, she nods, giving her consent. This is shown through Daphne's turned face. The turned head is out of place and shown her change of heart as she accepts Apollo's use of her as his symbol.

Daphne's position and facial expressions help to further meaning of the picture in another way. Her back is to Apollo, demonstrating how she shunned his advances. Her outstretched arms make it seem as if she is flying away. This is important because she hopes to change into another form to escape Apollo. The idea of flight gives the reason for Daphne's metamorphosis and shows the freedom Daphne gains by becoming a tree.

The clothe that Apollo wears has meaning as well. Apollo is often depicted only wearing an orange shawl like this one. The orange color represents the sun and Apollo's lack of clothing also demonstrates one of his names, Pheobus, which means pure. Also, Apollo is not shown with his usual symbols: the laurel and his bow. This is because Apollo actually takes the leaves from the tree Daphne turns into, a laurel tree, for his crown, and makes his arrows out of laurel wood.

All in all, this picture depicts the myth of Apollo and Daphne through it's many symbols and aspects, not just through the fact that Apollo and Daphne are the main character of the painting.


 * Assignment 4**
 * Horace Odes 2.3 vs the Chorus of Vivre a en Creve from Mozart l'Opera Rock**

Vivre a en Creve Lyrics (translated from French)

[chorus] If we have to die Better live enough to die Restrain everything to burn everything

If we have to die On our graves, I want to carve Our laughs Fooled Death and time

Odes 2.3 by Horace reminds me of the chorus of Vivre a en Creve because both the poem and the song tell the listener that they will die. They also instruct the listener on how to live their lives. Death is a central idea in both poems. Horace is writing for "moriture Delli" (line 9), or "destined to die Delius." Delius has to die; he has no choice in the matter. Similarly, in the chorus of Vivre a en Creve it says "if we have to die." Both poems contain the theme of death and having to die. In addition, both poems convey a similar message. In the first stanza Horace tells Delius to keeps a "[mentem] temperatam" (line 3), or "restrained mind," in times of joy and a "aequam mentem" (lines 1,2), or "balanced mind," in difficult times. Vivre a en Creve has a similar message of restraint. It reads, "restrain everything to burn everything." Both the poem and the song speak of retraining the audience and keeping control.

Both Odes 2.3 and Vivre a en Creve tell the listener to live happily. In the fourth stanza, Horace tells Delius to get "vina et unguenta" (line 13), or "wines and perfumes," while time and the fates allow. Horace is basically telling Delius to enjoy life while he can. Vivre a en Creve has a similar message. In the second part of the chorus the singer says "on our graves I want to carve / our laughs". People write what the dead person is remembered for on their gravestone. This means that the singer wishes for the person to be remembered for their "laughs," or for being happy.

All in all, both Odes 2.3 and Vivre a en Creve tell the listener that since they will die they should live happily while they can, but restrain themselves.


 * Assignment 3**
 * Catullus 77 vs The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas**



__The Count of Monte Cristo__ is one of the most famous stories of betrayal and revenge. This is the main reason why it reminded me of Catullus 77. Most of the book focuses on the main character Edmond Dantes getting vengeance, however, the betrayal at the beginning is similar to Catullus 77. First of all, one of the betrayers, Fernand, wanted Dantes' fiance Mercedes. This is like Catullus 77 where Rufus wanted Lesbia, Catullus' girlfriend. Catullus considered Rufus his "credite amice" (line 1), or "trusted friend", which is like Fernand who Dantes "named as one of his frineds" (__The Count__). However, both these friendships turned out to be "frustra ac necquiquam", or "in vain and to no purpose" (line 1). Rufus steals Catullus' girlfriend and Fernand frames Dantes for a crime and marries Mercedes. Both were thought to be friends but turned out to be enemies.

Catullus accuses Rufus of treachery, saying "subrepsti" or "you crept under me" (line 3). This sense betrayal through underhanded methods is reminiscent of __The Count of Monte Cristo__ because Fernand back-stabs Dantes and takes Mercedes through secretive plots. He does not confront Dantes but "creeps" to take Mercedes. Dantes calls himself "betrayed... and cursed," (__The Count__). Catullus also accuses Rufus of "eripuisti...nostra bona" (line 4) or "snatching away our good things". Likewise Dantes blames Fernand for his demise. Fernand snatched away Dantes' future, his finance, and his happiness, bringing "untold suffering" (__The Count__) to him. Both Catullus and Dantes suffered at the hands of a so called friend, and both through underhanded betrayal.


 * Assignment 2**
 * Catullus 8 vs Monochrome no Kiss by SID**

Monochome no kiss lyrics (english):

The unforgiving autumn, Which forcefully traces my scars, comes While your cool fingers still beckon me

After I'd melted, you tenderly save The troublesome, icy me And toy around with me with a kiss

Nevertheless, I search for a single form of love Your dried eyes tied it to the present from a time far beyond If I can, I want to end while shrouded this like Together, we concealed our pale selves; the moon is hiding, too

How many nights Did I come to love since then? In the sea of dependence, I forget to even breathe

Even with your captivation, you only leave behind a tepid warmth In the art of knowing when to quit I dislike your conceited kisses

Don't leave me alone, perceive and color me already What words will slip out of your room? Being confused, falling asleep- Will you tell me about things beyond those? Only the moon is looking at the sighs lost in the questions of smiles

When the next long needle points to the ceiling You won't be around anymore I won't need you anymore

Nevertheless, I definitely searched for a form of love Your teary eyes tied it to the present from a time far beyond If I can, I want to end while shrouded this like Your wish and the night bring morning along in vain

Paint it with a tender, passionate, yet cowardly kiss The moon illuminates our final night

Monochrome no Kiss and Catullus 8 are similar to each other. First of all, the line in Monochrome no Kiss "I don't need you anymore." Catullus also uses something similar when he tells himself "noli" (line 9), 'to not want' Lesbia anymore. Also, Line 4 mentions dependence with the words "quo puella ducebat." Catullus follows the girl, Lesbia, and does not lead her, thus he depends on her. Monochrome no Kiss says "In the sea of dependence." This means that the singer is dependant on someone, just like Catullus. It alludes to the fact that the singer is not in control of the relationship, just as Catullus is not in control of his relationship. The line in Monochrome no Kiss "and toy around with me" denotes this as well.

There is also a confused feeling all throughout Catullus 8. Words contradict each other, such as "nec nolebat" (line 7), a double negative. Catullus also says to "desinas ineptire" (line 1), or stop playing the fool, and "noli" (line 9) to not desire. This means that currently Catullus is playing the fool and is desiring for Lesbia, but feels that he should not. Monochrome no Kiss has confused and conflicting views as well. The singer says he "won't need" his lover, and does not like the "conceited kisses" of said lover. However, he also says "don't leave me alone" and asks for a "cowardly kiss." These are conflicting ideas, just like in Catullus 8. He wants love but does not want love. He is confused, just as Catullus is.

Catullus 5 reminded me of the Kiss by Gustav Klimt. The first reason is obvious. Kissing is the centeral idea of Catullus 5, as shown through lines 7-9, "Da mi basia mille....deinde centum." Just as Catullus 5 focuses on kissing, The Kiss by Klimt has a couple kissing as the central focus of the picture. Catullus is also very passionate, as seen through the lines "Nobis cum semel occidit breuis lux / nox est perpetua una dormienda" (5-6). The Kiss is a very passionate picture as well, as can be seen from the posture of the couple and the expression on the woman's face.
 * Assignment 1**
 * Catullus 5 vs The Kiss by Gustav Klimt**

Lines 2-3, "Rumoresque senum seuiorum / omnes unius aestimemus assis!" also can be compared to The Kiss. Catullus wishes to separate himself and his lover from the world, disregarding what other people say. The rest of the poem speaks of things that the lovers do in secret or private, again seeming to draw himself and Lesbia into their own world. The position of the couple in the Kiss also suggests that they are in their own world. The couple is kneeling on a bed of flowers on the edge of an abyss (the gold negative space behind them). This separates them from the world, making them appear to be in their own niche of the universe, surrounded by love just like Catullus wants.

Finally, the gold coloring in the Kiss can be compared to Catullus 5. The gold color illuminates the couple, making their love seem all the more precious and significant - as precious as gold. Catullus also mentions money and value in lines 1-3 of his poem. Catullus speaks of valuing the "rumors of old men at one farthing," right after mentioning living and loving. This connotates that he wishes to place love above all else and above what other people say. Line one is almost implying that living is loving and thus at the highest possible value, just like The Kiss by Klimt.