A Comparison Of The Agony And Ecstasy

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The novel, the Agony and Ecstasy written by Irving Stone portrays Michelangelo's big ego and determination, taking the reader through his childhood to the moment he takes his last breath. Similar to the movie Ender's game, it shows Ender's determination to win the war with himself and the Formics . The main characters in the movie and book both endure thick and thin to face the desire to overcome obstacles.

The most outstanding feature that the main characters from the movie and book, is their determination. In the novel the main character Michelangelo is taken apart by his father's hateful words about art,” Art is like washing an ass’s head with lye; you lose both the effort and the lye” (p. 19). Hhis patience has grown thin with Michelangelo and his one-sided views about the situation does not help to resolve the problem. Through Micelangelo’s instincts he chooses art and begins to paint with his first master Ghirlandaioo. Here we see Michelangelo's disregard of his fathers opinion . He is rebellious and his values cannot be easily changed by others. Ender's determination is provoked by his fear, the fear of becoming like his older brother. Ender first shows determination by retaliating against the bullies. His battle with the bullies proves that he has the determination to win. When Ender repeatedly steps on the bully the determination to win turns into a ruthless fight for humanity instead. Ender has determination that aids him in defeating the bullies, but he is so clouded by the fact of winning that he forgets his other morals.The determination that these characters both posses is an important characteristic that help them strike down the barriers that are in their way

The main characters from the book and movie are uni...

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...o signify a deep bonding with god, stone and himself. War is also a huge obstacle both characters have to overcome. Ender wages two wars at the same time. One with his emotions and another with the Formics. Michelangelo on the other hand fights a fierce battle with himself and the satisfaction of carving and shows pride as he goes against the pope. Motivation is displayed by both characters. Ender is motivated by compassion, by understanding and loving the enemy he can destroy them. Michelangelo’s motivation is based purely on the ecstasy in creating art. He uses everything to create David and paint the Sistine Chapel. Ender has beat all the games and defeated the Formics saving humanity while Michelangelo has triumphed at last over ignorance, poverty, and neglect. He has been recognized, loved, and has transformed art and even the faces of Rome and Florence.

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