Ancient Novels |
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This class on ancient novels, taught by Dr. Connors, was such a great experience. I loved reading such old novels discussing completely modern issues and ideas. I also enjoyed learning about the philosophy of the time, and some of the political background in Ancient Rome. I thought that learning about emperor Nero was most interesting--people were accused of treason if they spoke out against him, and Patronius took his own life instead of being executed for treason. I also never knew that the Colosseum is where the Colossus statue was (Sun god's or Nero's face with a crown of rays). My favorite novel we read was Daphnis and Chloe by Longus; there were many illusions to myths, such as the story of Echo and Pan. I thought this novel was lovely.
Final Quiz:
Longus’ “Daphnis and Chloe” explores the interaction of physis and techne through examples of love as opposed to marriage, grapes and wine, and myth versus nature. Longus’ purpose is to emphasize the importance of human culture by tying it to natural phenomena. The connection Longus explores between physis and techne illuminate the necessary human interaction with nature in order to build a successful and sustainable household. Longus describes love as the product of natural yearning, and marriage and sexual relations as a cultural elements. Desire, therefore, is natural, whereas objects of desire and efforts to obtain objects of desire can be a product of culture. Daphnis is described as being, “far short of what he desired…he did what all poor lovers do: he cried and again called on the Nymphs for help” (186). Nymphs, in this context, can be interpreted as a cultural personification of nature. In order to consummate his desires, Daphnis had to learn from Lycaenion how to have sex, and “begged Lycaenion to teach him as quickly as possible the skill through which he could do what he wanted to Chloe. As if he were going to be taught something truly great and heaven-sent” (181). In this manner, the nymphs and Lycaenion help aid Daphnis in his quest to overcome his desires. They both represent cultural beliefs and attitudes, whereas Daphnis’ desire is natural. In this way, nature necessitates culture to become realized. Grapes and wine are also explored in depth by Longus in “Daphnis and Chloe.” As the festival of Dionysus approached, Daphnis “threw [the grapes] into the press and trod on them, and drew off the wine into jars…even a child whose hands are just out of its swaddling clothes can reach the clusters” (155). Longus’ description of reaching the grapes as being accessible to children may point towards a connection between physis and techne. Ones nature might aid in obtaining the grapes, whereas ones culture must intervene to create wine; one can start transforming physis with techne from the youngest age. Wine-making is highlighted prior to the festival of Dionysus, who is a major deity throughout “Daphnis and Chloe.” Dionysus’ presence underlies much of the novel, and his existence as a cultural entity poses as a setting for Daphnis and Chloe’s natural desires. Dionysophanes’ temple of Dionysus depicts multiple scenes which bridge myths of Dionysus and the protagonist’s nature. One example is the representation of Semele, which reflects Daphnis and Chloe who had to start life without mothers. Myth as a cultural entity thus mirrors natural occurrences (Daphnis and Chloe’s infancies). The artistic depiction of Ariadne in the temple illuminates another instance where Dionysus’ life mirrors Daphnis’. Dionysus rescues Ariadne from her abandonment, as Daphnis “rescues” Chloe by acting as the catalyst for Chloe to discover her real parents. This realization of parenthood (for both parties) brings the possibility of uniting families, something which exemplifies a successful household and marriage. Culturally signifiant myths, mirroring natural occurrences, are necessary for building a sustainable household. Earlier in the novel, there is another instance of myth reflecting nature as Daphnis recites the story of Echo. Echo was a nymph, and “when the girl reached her bloom…she fled at the sight of all males, human and divine, because she loved her virginity” (184). Echo’s unwillingness to lose her virginity could be related to Chloe and Daphnis’ chastity, as they did not know how to consummate their natural love. Their chastity brought them pain (through intense desire), which mirrors Echo’s pain and eventual demise. As Echo had to die, however, Daphnis and Chloe could be saved through a successful marriage. Longus portrays many instances of physis and techne throughout “Daphnis and Chloe.” Humans must interact with nature and learn from natural occurrences in order to live a fulfilled life. Worship of Dionysus (through wine-making), mythical stories, and marriage are all imitations of and interactions with physis by incorporating techne. Longus argues that human culture is necessary in order to fulfill ones natural longings, and that techne and physis are constantly interwoven. Techne is thus described as a vital imitator and consummator of physis. |
Final Creative Project:
Ascyltos ran into the square as the day was fading, dirt clinging to his clothes. I heard him pant something under his breath but it was entirely unintelligible. I continued gawking at the marvelous paintings being transported as I waited for him to produce any sensical statement. I gaped at Diana’s stag, Actaeon no longer. Behind it nymphs I felt I could reach out and caress were mesmerized by the young Hylas. I had to tilt my head entirely to one side in order to see the paintings as the men were carrying them on their sides. Ascyltos finally caught his breath and began stuttering out speech, clutching my tunic in both hands. “Marvelous Fortuna!” He wept, “great blessings have finally come upon us!” I asked him to slow down and tell his tale in its entirety. “I was walking down the path, just beyond there, oblivious,” Ascyltos started. “I was caught in thinking about our financial torments. Both of us in such a dire need of money, and I took to weeping at our shared misfortune. I was beating my breast and wailing as I saw a crowd of bandits rushing towards me. I rushed to the nearest ditch and hid there, covering myself head to toe with dirt as to blend into the surroundings. I pricked myself on a rose stalk and could hardly contain a yelp just as the crew reached me. Oh praise be great Favonius for bringing sweet wind to hide my heavy breathing, or I would have surely been discovered! As I was lying there a strange creature, a mangy ass, came up to my ditch and stared at the roses surrounding me. I held my breath before the creature seemingly reconsidered its path and scampered back to the bandits. Soon, thank heavens, the entire crowd left my vicinity, and I was able to crawl out of the mud. But as I was rushing back I saw a shimmering object on the ground. Oh sweet, sweet fortune! The bandits had dropped gold—real gold coins, five for each of us! In their looting we, too, have won! Of course, my friend, my fortune will be shared with you. We must stay together in both misfortune and glory. I quickly grabbed the coins and rushed back here, a long quarter of a kilometer, right away—this is why I am so entirely out of sorts. There is my tale, brother, in its entirety.” I was astonished at this sudden change of fortune and immediately and passionately embraced my friend, as he took out the coins from his cloak so that we could gaze upon their beauty. I thought I was entirely imaging their gleam, that is how erroneous the gold appeared on our dirty hands and next to our raggedy clothes. Ten gold coins. We expertly decided to sew the coins into the fabric of my tunic, as to hide them from potential thieves. We kept one coin to celebrate, and drank honeyed wine until the sun shone as bright as our gold. “Ascyltos, you are truly a genius,” I said, pouring the contents of the last glass down my throat. “We will wake up as kings! Illusions and dreams of grandeur no longer, we are finally prosperous! Thank you, blessed Fortuna!” After my ecstatic exclamation, I finally and wholeheartedly embraced slumber. |