It is said that one learns through every experience especially those that induced pain or suffering. A quote by the Roman poet Horace explains the idea that trauma invoke talents that joyous times could never. On the contrary, some people believe that such adversities invoke nothing or only call upon the negative. The life of the beloved painter Vincent Van Gogh along with dramas such as Trojan Women and even a personal experience of mine prove that adversities can bring out character traits that would have never been realized otherwise. Vincent Van Gogh is an amazing example of adversities cause dormant traits to bloom. Van Gogh lived a very painful life. He was born in a very poor family and started work at a young age to help support the family. As he grew older he developed many mental disorders including severe depression and anxiety along with signs of bipolar disorder. He tried to cope with his thoughts through alcoholism and art. His art helped him to stay grounded and stay sane. Despite people disliking his art he continued to paint because it made him feel better and he continued to paint until his death. Painting became his get away from the awful thoughts in his head that he couldn’t escape. Not only did …show more content…
Trojan Women is a production written by Euripedes that follows the lives of trojan women after losing all they had in the fall of Troy. These women lost their houses, husbands, family, and even children and had to continue on. They knew that they could not give up because they still had to be strong for the children they did have. One character in particular, Hecuba, seems to have suffered the most and yet she seems to mother all of these women throughout this hard time. She gave the women of Troy hope when everything had seemed to be lost. The tragedy and heartbreak these women faced brought upon a certain independence that might not have been there
Lauren Soth is working throughout his entire article to express and prove Van Gogh’s intentions and therefore Van Gogh’s agony as the meaning behind his masterpiece, Starry Night. Soth’s thesis claims the painting was intended to console, but also another attempt at a failed painting “Agony in the Garden” which was meant to be imaginative, but based on conceptual history. At first his thesis seemed too bold, although arguable. By hiding his opinions and focusing on tangible evidence such as a solid visual analysis, powerful biographical details, and letters written by Van Gogh himself, Soth’s seemingly exaggerated opinion transforms into an insightful and well-supported thesis.
Adversity is the forerunner to kindness: a progenitor that encompasses the suffering of the raw, human experience. With the understanding of tribulations comes a greater empathy to share with others: the commonality among all living things that surpasses appearance and material. The renowned journalist William Allen White once stated, “If each man or woman could understand that every other human life is as full of sorrows, or joys, or base temptations, of heartaches and remorse as his own…how much kinder, how much gentler he would be”. This tragic lesson is apparent in both Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Ernest Gaines’ A Lesson Before Dying: liberation is only available to those who seek beyond the surface of a “monster” or “hog”,
...ow Greek civilization was founded by women; they were the ones who gave birth to the heroes. Similarly, The Odyssey is a story created by women. The plot revolves around the actions of women. Athena orchestrates all the events. The seductresses, such as Circe, the sirens, and Calypso, attempt to stop Odysseus from reaching home. The helpmeets, such as Nausicaa, Arete, and Athena, aid Odysseus in his homecoming. The wise and virtuous Penelope is the object of Odysseus’ quest. Unlike Helen who forsakes her husband, Penelope remains faithful. Unlike Clytemnestra who assassinates her husband, Penelope patiently waits for Odysseus. She becomes a model of female patience and of female intelligence. Her craftiness is the only one which can match up to Odysseus’. The Odyssey presents a wide array of women and demonstrates the influence that women have in the life of a hero.
Throughout human history one has seen horrible atrocities and insightful tragedies, one has seen determined, figures of hope and brutal ends. Somehow, mankind has continuously found a way to mess up time and time again, to slaughter its own kind, to discriminate against a slight difference, to determine one's life without repercussions. Yet, despite all these unjust mistakes humanity has evoked, in the roughest of times humanity has always banded together to eradicate the wrong. With time there is prevailance, a joined society, forgiving the death and injustice that once torn it apart. We accept and learn from the mistakes of the past in order to move forward. This concept brings me to the theme that one’s ambition and ability to endure pain,
Vincent Van Gogh is celebrated today as the greatest Dutch painter, besides Rembrandt (“Vincent Willem”). Born in Holland on March 30, 1853, Van Gogh had five other siblings and two parents, and although his mother was an artist, he never bothered with art until much later in his life (“Vincent Willem”). Van Gogh had many shortcomings in his little and dismal time on earth and it was not until his late twenties, after all else had failed, that he gave art a chance. Thanks to the help of his older brother Theo, Van Gogh was able to put all of his emotions and mental worries into productive use, creating masterpieces that are sold today for millions of dollars (“Vincent Willem”). Although he is hugely successful today, Van Gogh had little to no fame in his lifetime and he struggled immensely with his mental state of mind for many years. Ultimately his mental illness (some believe there were more than one) lead to his untimely death, but his turbulent state of mind also helped him to create magnificent images that are revered as some of the greatest pieces of art of today.
Without extremely painful moments, we would never feel motivated to change, to become a better version of ourselves. Without pain and suffering we wouldn’t become the person we were destined to be. I went through that moment when I lost a dear friend, that lost help me discover myself and helped me grow as a person. In the story “The Children of the Sea” both Madam Rogers and Celianne went through the pain of losing the child, but at the end they went to join them. And in the story “Nineteen Thirty-Seven” Josephine found closer and inner peace with herself when she found out the truth of her mother, after her mother’s
In The Women of Troy, Euripides exhibits to the audience the helplessness of Hecabe after the Greeks captured after the conclusion...
The Iliad by Homer and the Women of Troy by Euripides are both Greek works of literature that look at the Trojan War from different perspectives. Book 6 of the Iliad illustrates that the ultimate glory is to fight for the city with no regard to the impact on the family. The Women of Troy focuses on the negatives that war causes, especially towards the soldier’s wives and children. Whereas the Iliad focuses on the battle itself and centers on the warriors, the Women of Troy focuses on the wrath the war brings upon the families left behind. The central theme in both the works is the Trojan War and they both offer perspectives of the duty of a person, the role of predetermined fate, and the role of women.
What drove Vincent Van Gogh, born March 30,1853, to his mental illness and suicide? Could it have been the many things he tried, but failed at in his life? He failed in many different careers, in love, and even his artwork. Van Gogh sold only one painting his entire life. Because of his mental illness, he was considered a crazy person.
Adversity provides the fundamental stimulus for the development of integrity and a mature mindset, allowing the amelioration of former errancies and expansion of perspective on life, and this furthers society’s progress towards idealism.
Vincent van Gogh was a poor artist in 19th century Europe that was constantly tortured by psychiatric issues. Van Gogh was born in Zundert, Netherlands on March 30, 1853. His father was a pastor and raised him with a very religious lifestyle and he originally set out to be a pastor himself. He was fired from his preaching job because of his intensity and fierceness and decided to be an artist. His many disorders eventually got the better of him and he was admitted to the St. Remy mental institution where he did the much of his art. After his release in May of 1890, van Gogh fell into deep depression and eventually committed suicide in July of that year. In my opinion van Gogh’s importance was shown through his different use of color that was looked down upon by the critics of the time but led to a new style of Post-Impressionism at the end of the Impressionistic era. Also, his large amounts of paintings, over 2,100, portray a large amount of subjects which virtually anyone can relate to. Finally, his importance is verified in the sheer price of his paintings, the most expensive, Portrait of Dr. Gatchet, was sold for 82 million dollars.
In present time, Vincent van Gogh is probably the most widely known and highly appreciated person of postimpressionism. During his brief lifetime, Vincent’s work went almost unknown to this world. His work now hangs in countless museums throughout the world and is considered priceless. His work became an important bridge between the 19th and 20th centuries.
A person’s character is developed by the surroundings around them as well as their experiences. The Roman poet Horace quotes “…Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents in which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant…” I agree with the Roman poet, Horace, in that adversity has a way of waking talent from slumber. Adversity can encourage people in ways success and wealth cannot, as there is a benefit in the hardship. In Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot, as well as Macbeth, by Shakespeare, adversity has developed the characters. From my observation, I strongly agree that experiences, such as hardship and danger, shape a person.
I appeal to you today to discuss the network of crime developed specifically for stealing priceless works of art and to recognize the destruction of various historical artifacts. Art stolen for its value is not only theft but also a disrespect to its importance as a historical and cultural symbol as well as the artist and community. The unjustified destruction of art and heritage sites due to iconoclasm marks the disrespect and dismissal of various cultures.
People don't truly accept life for what it is until they've actually tasted adversity and went through those misfortunes and suffering. We are put through many hardships in life, and we learn to understand and deal with those issues along the way. We find that life isn't just about finding one's self, but about creating and learning from our experiences and background. Adversity shapes what we are and who we become as individuals. Yann Martel's Life of Pi shows us that adverse situations help shape a person's identity and play a significant role in one's lief by determining one's capabilities and potential, shaping one's beliefs and values, and defining the importance and meaning of one's self.