Agora Film Essay - 825 Words

Agora (Essay Sample) Content: Name: Tutor: Course: Date: AgoraAgora is a film set on the ancient Christian times. The film was directed by Alejandro and written by Mateo Gil with the assistance from the producer (Mayer, 2010). Now in reference to the event, various individuals resulting in different influences have assumed different interpretations. In fact, this particular piece is a perfect example of the ways in which historical change can be applied on particular events to alter the ancient data with varying reasons in mind. However, by referring to the common tale on the event, we understand the following events to have taken center-stage in the execution of the main flow of the plot of the story.The event of Agora that took place in March 415 remains a significant occurrence among the historical events of many Christians. Its significance is associated with the murdering of powerful philosopher known as Hypatia. The murder takes a centre stage in the history of Christians as the event took place around 24 years after Christians attacked a pagan temple, dedicated to the god known as Serapis. The place was commonly referred to as Serapeum and was spiritually accorded as a place of significant traditional symbolism as it was the same place that individuals dedicated their sacrifices to their god. However, it is important to note that the events surrounding the death of Hypatia and the extent to which the Christian bishop of Alexandria was involved remains a controversial issue that has evoked different reactions from a variety of individuals (Mayer, 2010).From the storyline, the audience can understand that circumstances around the murder of Hypatia are as a result of the attack of Christians on the pagan temple. Nonetheless, keenly following the story would depict a different story emerging that refers to the killing as a symbol of an end to an era. As such, it is viewed as an end of the Classical antiquity period where the intellectual life of Alexandria a s a city was dealt a heavy blow (Michael, 1978). However, a clear line manifests showing that there existed a conflict of interests among prominent individuals in Alexandria. The murder of Hypatia, therefore, was intended to be a sign of dominion by one party to another. This phenomenon is clearly manifested in the film so that these attributes are evident in the flow of the major plot of the story.Through the film, it is also clear that religion, politics and personality played a critical role in instigating the plot of the murder of Hypatia and the citys violence in general. It can be deduced that the political dominion of the city is the subject of contention through which crime is instigated. The bishop is insecure of his position as the figurehead of the city in the rise of intellectual supremacy evoked through Hypatias growing importance. She is an acknowledged philosopher with vast knowledge on Mathematics. Furthermore, her devotion to magic seems to cause much negative inf luence to the advancement of Christianity in the region. As such, it is clear that she stands in the way of promotion of Christianity among the citizens considering that her fame is quickly rising.The various actors in the film are motivated by various factors that can be used in the description of their specific traits in the film. Take Hypatia, for example, she is a knowledgeable person who is motivated by a desire to relate her philosophical concepts to life. More to that, she is outspoken and quickly appeases the masses through her charismatic actions. This particular trait is apparent through her teaching classes. Through the trait borrowed from her father, she is capable of expanding her knowledge as well as that of her students who come to appreciate of her expansive authority over the subjects of science, in particular philosophical studies. Her dedication in promoting the advancement of knowledge is paramount and apparent on watching the film.Another character that is e vident in ...

The Use of Literary Devices to Create Humor in Romeo and Juliet - Literature Essay Samples

In dark and dire situations, humor is often needed to lighten the atmosphere in order to ensure sanity. This proves to be very true in William Shakespeare’s tragic play, Romeo and Juliet. As the plot of the play continues to develop, tragic and unnecessary deaths start to occur one by one, leading to a strenuous atmosphere being created. This results in a bitter, depressing taste being left in the audience’s mouth. The use of comedic characters and their witty plays on various literary devices, helps to relieve the tension that is created throughout the story, and makes the play more enjoyable, rather than somber. In Romeo and Juliet, humor is effectively created through diverse literary devices, and plays a large role in creating comic relief and characterizing important comedic characters. Shakespeare effectively uses literary devices in a humorous fashion, to create comedic relief during scenes with overshadowing, dark and depressing content. A prevailing device to create humor in this play is the pun, and is often used by comedic characters to lighten the dark atmosphere of a scene. An example of this is when Romeo is on his way to the Capulets’ party, accompanied by Benvolio and Mercutio, â€Å"And we mean well in going to this masque, But ‘tis no wit to go. Why, may one ask? I dreamt a dream tonight. And so did I. Well, what was yours? That dreamers often lie† (1. 4. 49-55). Here, Romeo is seen sulking over his unrequited love for Rosaline, and is dreading the fact that he is being forced into attending the Capulets’ party. This results in a gloomy atmosphere being created, but then Mercutio makes a pun on the word â€Å"lie†, implying that not only do dreamers lie down, but lie about their dreams as well, therefore creating comic relief. Another literary device that is effectively used to establish comedic relief is anaphora. When Juliet takes the potion on the day of her wedding, her family is utterly devastated at the thought of her being dead. However, the musicians that were hired could not care less about her, and then proceed to carry out a silly dispute with Peter, â€Å"Why ‘silver sound?’ Why ‘music with her silver sound?’ What say you, Simon Catling? Marry, sir, because hath a sweet sound. Prates! What say you, Hugh Rebeck? I say ‘silver sound’ because musicians sound for silver. Prates too! What say you, James Soundpost? Faith, I know not what to say† (4. 5. 125-131). Here, Peter is questioning the meaning of â€Å"silver sound†, by asking each musician what they think of the phrase. He repeats the line â€Å"What say you† multiple times, but ends up dissatisfied with each answer. This creates comedic relief, as it is humorous to see Pete r become so worked up over something as insignificant as a song lyric. This helps to brighten the mournful mood of the scene. Therefore, comedic relief is effectively achieved through the use of various literary devices. Many literary devices used in Romeo and Juliet create humor, and help to further characterize important comedic characters of the play. One of the principal comedic characters in this play is Mercutio, who acts as a foil to Romeo. Romeo sees love as a more serious and emotional matter, compared to Mercutio’s purely physical views of love. His careless views of love are proven when he is talking to Romeo about Rosaline, â€Å"Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, Too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn. If love be rough with you, be rough with love. Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down† (1. 4. 25-28). Here, Mercutio makes a pun on the word â€Å"prick†, and turns Romeo’s sentimental words into sexual wordplay. This not only indirectly characterizes Mercutio as an amusing and trivial person, but also as a quite intelligent one, as he is able to cleverly retort Romeo’s sulking. Another extremely important character in Romeo and Juliet is the Nurse, as she acts as a messenger for Romeo and Juliet. Her character is a very comic one as well, and she potently uses literary devices to express her thoughts that are, more often than not, very comical and lighthearted. An example of this is when the Nurse returns to tell Juliet of Romeo’s plan of marriage, â€Å"What says he of our marriage? What of that? Lord, how my head aches! What a head have I! It beats as it would fall in twenty pieces. My back, o’t’ other side. Ah, my back, my back!† (2. 5. 45-48). As Juliet is waiting in anticipation to hear of what Romeo has to say, the Nurse decides to tease her by using hyperbole to complain about her aches and pains, therefore delaying the delivery of Romeo’s message, and leaves Juliet frustrated. This not only shows that the Nurse is a playful and comic character, but it proves to the audience how close of a relationship she and Juliet have, almost as if they were bound by blood. Th erefore, comic effects created by literary devices help to develop important comedic characters of the play. Romeo and Juliet uses its tragic nature to its advantage, using various literary devices to create humor, which adds important elements, such as comic relief and character development, to the story. Shakespeare effectively uses comic relief to relieve built-up tension in the atmosphere of the play, and skillfully incorporates literary devices to express these humorous moments. Furthermore, the humor that is created through literary devices, contributes highly to the characterization and development of many significant characters. In Romeo and Juliet, humor allows the fun and lighthearted side of the play to show. After all, why so serious?