Impact of Literature on my Personal Growth Essay

The select readings that the class has discussed this semester fork out covered a variety of literature that has make an impact on how I now view life and the world around me. The stories of homing pigeons Iliad and Odyssey, Virgils The Aeneid, Jonathan Kirschs God against the Gods and Elaine Pagels Origin of monster have affected my personal beliefs to the extent that I have started to think more critically roughly certain moral issues in life. Impact of publications Personal Growth In Homers Iliad and Odyssey, I have finally realized some(prenominal) points and issues about fighting for something and protecting it.I also learned how much risks and sacrifices that these characters of Achilles, Hector, and Odysseus can lay defeat for the sake of keeping what is rightfully theirs. Each character possesses braveness and honor that enable them to become stronger in their pursuits and involvements. The federal agency of women is also notable in these epic stories as their status supports the development of the male characters.RageGoddess, verbalize the rage of Peleus son Achilles, murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses, hurling down to the House of Death so numerous sturdy souls, reat fighters souls, but made their bodies carrion, feasts for the dogs and birds, (Iliad, lines 1-5) Achilles, a skillful warrior is introduced in the opening of Homers The Iliad. He represents a stereotypical masculinity which is often known as bold, daring, brave, and egotistical. I realized that men of Homers time are likely to become more established based on the battle skills that they possessed. When he defeated Hector in public in a single battle, he earns come on respect from his colleagues and enemies.Odysseus, on the other hand, is just like any other real man who has a defining character of what a leader should be nobility, courage, intellect, thirst for glory and authority. He has a benignant wife Penelope who perfectly fulfills domestic roles b ack home. Though she has not seen Odysseus in twenty years, she neer loses faith that her husband will come back and that they will live happy again. Her faithfulness and truth illustrates a perfect representation of a wife who is truly in love and a charwoman who is dutiful to her husband. Aenas in The Aeneid, is one of the heroes of classical literature.At some point his character can be associated with that of Jesus Christ. To fully grasp and understand the context of their characters as heroes, one must understand their social and cultural background. A hero should not be aloof and removed to their present reality. They should aline and adjust but should make a difference. Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Mark and Aenas in the rime of Virgil are heroic characters that illustrate acceptance of the workings and sparing of the Gods as fate. They both represent the truth of accepting and performing ones duty.Though Aenas is a son of the goddess Venus and who receives special p rovidence from the gods, Aenas is still considered mortal while Jesus is both God and man. Aenas is sometimes driven by his sadness and emotional impulses to accept his destined path but he chooses obey and follow still. Aenas is for the glory of capital of Italy but Jesus Christ is for the glory of God, the Father. Meanwhile, Kirschs God against the Gods made me think twice about the nature of monotheism and polytheism in our country.Kirsch points out in this news that monotheism is the one responsible for the world war problems today. monotheism glum out to inspire a ferocity and even a fanaticism that are mostly slay from polytheism (Kirsch 2). I support his claim that monotheism is really a problem if this world needs peace. People have different beliefs and to tell the other that his or her belief is wrong is very crucial to a relationship. With the examples that he pointed out in his book about Jews, Muslims and Christians, I realized that these religions are actually just worshipping a god that has common features. I came to a conclusion that religion is not as important to a persons spirituality as ones personal relationship with God.No case what a persons religion is, it does not really matter as long as people believe in something and they respect other peoples beliefs as well. Pagels Origin of Satan made me realize that amidst the promises of stories about love in The New Testament, the power of Satan is present amongst its stories in particular in the crucifixion story. I came to a realization that biblical stories tell more than what meets the eye. With an in-depth analysis, it got me into thinking that to be able to fully understand and comprehend what the Bible really has to offer, I have to finish the book and consult scholarly sources.ConclusionThese stories enable me to think and analyze the world around me and its history in a much critical way. History is written in these books and their still manifesting significance in our associat ion today. Personally, as a Christian I still believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ. I at last conform to the idea of heaven and hell, of the Second Coming, of the body of Sacred Writings but I was restricted to the limits of what my religion teaches me and tells me what to do. However, upon reading these literary works, I realized that as an individual, I must think for myself and conform to the ideas which I think is right as a human being.