Informal Theme # 4.3 : Life and Death Choices

                  In a situation between life and death, you must always consider two important choices. A choice that can lead you to great success, but in this you need to sacrifice a lot; and another choice that may lead to downfall but can be the better decision because you may lose less. Considering these two options, what should you actually appoint? It's hard right? It's hard and very difficult for someone to choose something that he or she isn't sure of. Especially if the choices would be between your loved ones and responsibility. These kinds of situations were already conquered by the two most courageous heroic figures in the world, Aeneas of Aeneid and Hector of Iliad. 

                 

             In Book II of Aeneid, a war between Greeks and Trojans is occurring. It was the same night when Troy actually fell in the hands of the mighty Greeks. But before that happens, Aeneas decided to follow his instincts and immediately plan to go in another country. Of course, he will be going with his father Anchises, his son Ascanius , his wife Creusa and his fellow country men. But Creusa's feelings as a mother and a wife precede.She begs Aeneas to prioritize her and his son at the same time begs Anchises to come with them so that if something happens to Aeneas, Ascanius will still have a companion. She made sure that Aeneas will still consider his family first before anything else, no matter what happens. 

                     On the other hand, in the story of Iliad in Book VI, Hector is also preparing for a war happening in their land. Before his fight with Achilles, he went first to his wife, Andromache and his baby son Astyanax. There, Andromache pleads to Hector not to endanger his life anymore because Achilles have already killed her father and brothers. She doesn't have any companion anymore, and she was looking forward for his son's future. Hector felt his wife's concern, but he said that he must consider his responsibilities and duties as a fighter.Of course he was also thinking his son's future if he died in the battle, but a prince and solider like him must know his priorities. He must fight though he wasn't sure of the fate that  the Gods have given him.

                     The scenes of pleading between Aeneas and Creusa;  Hector and Andromache are both heart whelming. Both scenes implied the greatness of love you can give to your family especially the concerns of wives to their husbands. Creusa and Andromache both plead not only for their husbands' sake but also for their son's future. Every child needs a complete family to ensure their good future. And a mother always want what's best for their children.

                    But these two scenes also have differences. Like in Aeneid, Aeneas follow his wife's suggestions that says he must consider first his family. But unfortunately, Creusa's life led to death, but   still she gave a hint of what will happen to Aeneas' life. On the other hand, in Iliad, Hector followed his own instincts and point of view. He loved his family but for him, responsibilities and duty must take his priority. They will fight and die for honor of their home land. Soo afterthat, Hector died in the said battle. 

Informal Theme # 4.2: An Extreme journey towards a Sweet Victory

                  Hurting is permitted, lying is being implemented and killing is not a sin, just a  maledicted. One of the best examples of this kind of situation is the book by Virgil named Aeneid. Aeneid is all about war. War that started from Greeks and Trojans, war between Aeneas' life and self challenges until the war between Trojans and Rutulians which ended the story. In the course of the twelve books, uncountable death was recorded so the defeat and loss for both repelling forces. But in the end of the day, Aeneas still stand as strong as a lion but much stronger than what actually he was before. Why?  Well let's take a look on his journey way back from the start.

              Aeneas saw his home land being torn by the mighty Greeks. He know that he can defend his territory but he made a life and death decision that led him to flee from other country instead. In the middle of his journey, he opposed not only mortal enemies, ghosts and monsters but also the inevitable Gods of Olympus. He loss track of time, he seemed to waste a part of his life, he was one of the reasons why most of his countrymen died and worst of all, his decisions were always the one to blame whether they'll win or lose in a war. While trying to be the best leader, he can't hide his real feelings towards the consequences he had faced. His feelings towards the death of his first wife, Creusa, his father, Anchises, Pallas, an outstanding soldier that left mark to  every fighter and of course his fellow countrymen that have been part of what he gained in the end.   

                 Being competitive, hardworking, firm, fearless and intelligent are the key to his success. It was the best formula for a leader like Aeneas. That's why in the end, he won and led the victorious race of Romans, and his hard works have been paid by this prize. But as we all know, Aeneas really worked hard before he gained this kind of trophy. He never gave up, even through the obstacles, through some small defeats and even between the unexpected death of the people behind him. His victory is a sweet success. A big accomplishment for the life and death situations happened. He have seen his home turn into ashes, might be present when his loved ones died, he have been sliced and slashed an inch from death but what is important is that he received and gained an ultimate victory. 

Informal Theme # 4.1: The story behind his story

                   What would you feel if you see your home falling into ashes? How about your impression when you found out that your homeland is being destroyed? Would you mind if your mortal nemesis will take over your land, destroy your culture, kill your countrymen, and slowly abolish your entire being as a courageous fighter? I think everyone of us would surely be depressed, be destitute and some would surely gone insane. But Aeneas is an exception to this prediction. Why? Well let me tell you the story, behind his story.

                 In Book II of Aeneid, Aeneas tells the story of how Troy fell and was defeated by the mighty Greeks. He reminisce the story that happened ten years ago: Greeks and Trojans were between a very disastrous war that happened to be because of the love affair of Paris and Helen. One day, an enormous wooden horse came in front of the gate of the Trojans. A Greek named Sinon, said that he was left behind by his Greek army as a sacrifice for a bounteous journey. According to him, the wooden horse is a gift for Minerva (the goddess who protects the Greeks during the war). He said that if anything bad happens to it, Minerva will destroy the Troy by herself; but if the Trojans let it enter their city walls, then the goddess will be joining the Trojans' side. Because of this, the Trojans believe what Sinon said, letting the huge horse enter their territory. But what the Trojans don't know is that they were deceived by Sinon. While all the people were sleeping, the Greek fighters inside the horse's wooden belly went out and kill all the Trojans, who were mindlessly asleep. And because of that, the atrocious war continued. Due to lack of preparations, Troy fell in the hands of the intellectual Greeks. And as Aeneas tell this story to Dido, he can still feel the pain, affliction and sorrow he had feel ten years ago. 

                      Though I haven't been in the same situation as Aeneas, I can still feel all the distress, hatred and pain he had gained. I felt sympathy while I read that part because I can imagine the real happenings going on. How hard it is to abandon your own native land, to see your countrymen dying in uncivilized manner, and to be fooled by the treacherous Greeks. The way Greeks finished the lives Trojans is unfair. It was bigoted and the Greeks were culpable of doing it. For me, the Greeks should have fight properly. Without any of those nasty plans that kill almost all of the Trojans who weren't given the opportunity to fight for themselves. The Greeks should have fight accordingly. But what can I do? A war is a war. Deception and treachery wasn't as bad as killing. Rules were not being regulated.  And there's only one goal to be reached, and that is to win, in any way, and in any manner.