Human-ities

by Aidan Sor

Isn’t art truly a personal technique to express themselves? It can be expressed in many types of ways, such as dance, music, poetry, and painting, but essentially it is about expressing emotions and insights. It’s impressive when you think of how much work is created for the sheer joy of expressing oneself as opposed to for fortune or notoriety. That’s why I don’t think Wolfgang Beltracchi’s past work is unimportant. The intention behind the art really matters.

When it comes to defining art, it’s not just about skill or technique; it’s really about the meaning and purpose behind it. Beltracchi exhibited legitimate talent, but talent alone does not define an individual as an artist. Though they were reproductions intended to mimic someone else’s work, his paintings were marketed as authentic despite their obvious impressiveness. He was only attempting to con people out of their money; he had no intention of producing anything unique or expressing himself. If he had put that talent into finding his own unique style, he could have been an amazing artist. But instead, by forging others’ work, he totally wasted his potential.

One big reason we value art is because of the artist behind it. It’s not only about the finished product; it’s also about the creator and the backstory. Possessing an artwork by a master like Dali or Van Gogh is more than just owning a beautiful object; it means having a unique and significant piece of history. A genuine Monet or Picasso cannot be purchased by just strolling into a store. In addition to its aesthetic value, art is collected because it speaks to a deeper meaning. That meaning is lost when art is created by a forger. Despite having an identical appearance, it lacks the artist’s intent, feelings, and personal touch. When someone discovers that a painting they believed to be authentic is actually a fake, it can be rather disappointing.

How is knowledge more valuable than ignorance?  Why is it?

Drawing specifically on Gilgamesh, Genesis (the story of Adam and Eve), Oedipus and Lone Star, explore this question. Choose one unified position to defend. Be thorough in your discussion and consider all texts. You must use textual evidence from all texts in your response.

Knowledge is greater than ignorance. Having knowledge means having a good understanding of what something is or does. On the other hand, ignorance is the opposite; ignorance is the lack of information or knowledge. In all aspects of life, ignorance fails to overcome knowledge. Whether it be in relationships, jobs, or school, being educated is better than not. Although, ignorance surrounds us every day, whether if we intend to have it or not. Ignorance plays an important role in being prideful. There are instances of ignorance but also the discovery of knowledge in Gilgamesh, Genesis, Oedipus, and Lone Star.

We can see the importance of obtaining knowledge in Gilgamesh. When Enkidu passes away, Gilgamesh wants to find immortality. Gilgamesh sees that his life is nothing more than a corpse when he dies, leading him into a spiral of searching for immortality. However, instead of being immortal, Gilgamesh learns that he could leave his legacy forever in a different way. He can have everlasting life with the actions he does while he’s alive. His great actions and deeds will impact people even after his death, which is much greater than being immortal. “This was too the work of Gilgamesh, the king, who knew the countries of the world. He was wise, he saw mysteries and knew secret things, he brought us a tale of the days before the flood”(117). Gilgamesh traveled far in search of immortality, instead, he gained knowledge and wisdom.

The book of Genesis focuses on the desire for knowledge and the difference between right and wrong. The snake, or satan, tempts Eve, who is weak-willed and persuaded easily. Eve is persuaded to eat the apple from the tree, which is forbidden by God. This shows that Adam and Eve are no longer hidden from the world’s sins. For example, Adam and Eve were born naked and lived naked. After sinning, they found the knowledge of being naked and disapproved of it. The story of Adam and Eve in Genesis also shows a manner of ignorance. God proclaimed, ” But the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die”(Genesis). The disobedience they portrayed is a lack of humility by their creator. Although Adam and Eve weren’t killed, they were cursed by God. This additionally shows the consequences of their actions.

In comparison to Gilgamesh and Genesis, Oedipus lacks knowledge. Oedipus specifically lacks knowledge of his doings, resulting in Thebes struggling. Unknowingly, Oedipus commits patricide and incest. Instead of trying to learn of his crimes, Oedipus is ignorant and stubborn about what he’s done. “And I’ll tell you what I think: You planned it, you had it done, you all but Killed him with your own hands: if you had eyes, I’d say the crime was yours, and yours alone”(Scene 1, page 19). The quote shows Oedipus refusing to listen to Tiresias when addressing Oedipus’s crimes. Oedipus then falsely accuses Tiresias out of anger. Another instance of Oedipus’s lack of knowledge is when Locaste figures out she is his mother. All the while Oedipus doesn’t realize it. On page 57 of Oedipus Rex, Locaste says, “Listen to me, I beg you: do not do this thing! … I will not listen; the truth must be made known.” Oedipus is trying to figure out the truth of his parents while Locaste is trying to protect him from it. If Oedipus had known of his actions beforehand, he would have saved his mother’s, or wife’s, life and the future of his children. I believe that his lack of knowledge and great determination to find truth led him to a series of ignorance and arrogance.

In the movie Lonestar, the main character, Sam Deeds, wants to uncover the truth about the past. When an investigation of a murder comes up into town, Sheriff Sam is determined to solve it. However, through the process of solving the murder, he discovers a truth about his father that he never knew. Sam finds out that his father was involved in corrupt activities and was engaged in racial disputes. The film also focuses on how knowledge can be a burden. Sam’s now knowledge of his father, changes his perspective of him, possibly destroying the image of his father. Another example of knowledge being a burden is how Pilar knows that she and Sam are half-siblings. She hides the truth away from Sam, making it seem like everything is a lie. Although, I believe that Sam now also understands the complex nature of his own image.

The topic of knowledge versus ignorance is common in Gilgamesh, Genesis, Oedipus, and Lonestar. As a reader and spectator, I’ve learned that knowledge can be powerful, yet diminishing. We can see how powerful knowledge can be in Gilgamesh. However, in Genesis, and Lonestar, we can see how it can negatively affect us. In the book of Oedipus, the lack of knowledge leads him into ignorance. Knowledge also ties into arrogance, righteous lies, and consequences.

Why do the right thing if you only are punished for doing so?

I believe that doing the right thing even though you get punished shows true character. It correlates to doing the right thing even though nobody is looking. In the Bible and the Book of Job, Job is tested by an omnipresent and omnipotent God. The story of Job shows how even though you can be good-hearted, loyal, and honest, you can still face challenges. Even if the good gets punished or bad things are done to them, it’s how they continue to pursue their good character.

I also strongly believe that good people should ultimately be rewarded. The reason is because good habits and actions should in return have good things done to them. In the Bible, the ultimate reward is everlasting life in heaven with God. Fortune cannot be justified by oneself. You can only believe what you deserve. For example, if you work hard and eventually get the opportunity to work at a job that you enjoy, that’s a reward for your actions

God gives the satan permission to punish Job for things he did not deserve. Job lost his children, got deathly sick, and lost his property. I believe that God was testing Job to see how committed Job is to His word. Even though Job was a devoted worshipper of God, I perceive that God wanted to see if Job would continue to believe in him and not blame him. Throughout all of Job’s struggles and losses, he never condemned Him, which shows Job’s true character.

Eden is that old-fashioned House
We dwell in every day
Without suspecting our abode
Until we drive away.
How fair on looking back, the Day
We sauntered from the Door —
Unconscious our returning,
But discover it no more.

In what way is this poem like Adam and Eve’s leaving the Garden of Eden? Be specific.
This poem can be compared to Adam and Eve’s story because it talks about losing something we don’t fully appreciate until it’s gone. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve lived in a perfect place without understanding how special it was. When they left, they couldn’t return to that same paradise. In connection to today’s world, the poem describes how we live on a daily basis. In today’s society, people are unaware of the significance and importance until they don’t possess something or aren’t at their favorite vacation destination anymore. The line, “Unconscious our returning” means that if we come back, will it be the same? The poem shines a light on the way people underestimate or undervalue their homes. Both stories include moving into a new era of life uncertain of what to expect.

Thinking about your own life, as a high school senior about to leave your home– one, presumably, in which you have “dwell[ed] in every day,” how is your situation parallel to that of Adam and Eve’s leaving the Garden? How does this poem describe your own situation, as you are about to “drive away”? Be specific.

As a senior in high school, my life feels relatable to Adam and Eve. Alike them, I’ve been spending years in my “Eden” without fully appreciating its importance. The poem connects with me because often times I just overlook the routines, opportunities, and people I’m involved with. As my senior year will surely come to an end, I realize leaving high school will make me value and prioritize the little things that make each day a good day. Like what Emily Dickinson wrote, I might not fully recognize their value until I’m away from them. I believe that absence is the main reason for reminiscence. Not because of the memories, but the fact that you can’t go back in time or revisit that old place again.

What are you most afraid will be changed for your return? Why?

I’m most afraid that my relationships with my family and friends will change. For all the time that I will be gone, I will become a new person mentally and physically. In the meantime, everyone else is doing the same thing, growing and maturing. I’m afraid due to the time and distance away from each other, it will feel unfamiliar when I return. The friendships that I’ve made in high school will slowly fade after the first couple weeks of our new lives. Also, at the same time, I’m excited for what life has to offer outside of my high school career. I will create new connections with other people, see places and things I’ve never experienced before, and have the feeling of adulthood. So yes, change can be scary and uncertain, but change can also be for the better.

What is the best advice that I’ve received? I vividly remember the time my mother gave the most memorable advice. Her message was so subtle but stuck with me for years. The reason that it is so valuable to me is because at the time I was down and sad.

I was just 13 years old and in 8th grade. This was when my love and passion for basketball was at its highest. I would play outside on cold Saturday evenings in the middle of the winter. I watched so many basketball highlights, that all of my YouTube suggested page was plagued with basketball. My travel team and I played twice every week and an occasional tournament on the weekends. The first game of our two-game week, we faced up against a team that was known for being good.

The game did not go the way we planned. We lost by twenty-five points, and I felt demoralized. The other team had players that were six-foot-two and dunking. They dominated us in every aspect of the game leaving no room for us to win. To us, they were men, not eighth graders.

My mom was waiting for me in the car after the game. I entered the car quietly and just wanted to go home. At the moment, the last thing I wanted to do was play basketball. I stared out the passenger side window thinking about all the moves I could’ve done and the mistakes I made. My mom finally broke the silence, “Those kids weren’t thirteen.” I broke out in laughter and agreed with her. I then ask her, “How come those kids are so much better than us? Let alone six-foot-seven, and I’m still 5’7?”. My mother responded, “Height isn’t in everyone’s cards we are all unique Aidan.” I stayed silent, still thinking about the game.

My mother, breaking the silence again, says, “Don’t compare your progress or accomplishments to other people. It takes away the enjoyment of everything. Learn and grow at your pace and stop worrying about what others are doing. ” Instead of looking out the passenger side mirror, I stared through the front windshield.

Her words of wisdom, instantly made me feel better about basketball. I learned from her advice that comparison can cause your progress to digress. If you constantly compare yourself to other’s success, you’ll find yourself slowing down. You give yourself an unnecessarily high expectation. Another lesson I got from her advice is, to enjoy what you do. Putting extreme pressure on yourself takes away the fun, especially for things that you’re supposed to enjoy. Your wants will begin to turn into responsibilities, making you feel as if you need to do it. Her words of wisdom helped my progression as a person. She taught me not to care what others think of me.

The value of life is difficult to define because of everyone’s different opinions. Everyone aspires to become something different and wants various achievements. Some will say life has value because of relationships, accomplishments, or the impact they leave on the world. Some believe that people have worth in living no matter what.

We don’t decide when life has value, but it is more of a belief that we accept as time passes. Although, it can be based on family beliefs, what we learn, and events we have personally gone through. For the meaning and purpose of life, that’s also something that depends on the person. Common ways people determine the meaning of life is in helping others, expanding their knowledge, creating something, purpose through religion, or just enjoying what life has to offer.

Five things I would like to become and/or achieve: have a family of my own, become financially comfortable, sustain my relationships, travel the world, and have good health. Having a family is important to me because growing up, my family is the most important to me. To have one of my own will be very special. I want to become financially comfortable and provide for my parents, children, wife, and siblings. For me to continue my relationships and friendships are vital for me. I want to keep memories alive and connect with my old friends and family. Additionally, traveling is something I’ve always wanted to do. I want to experience places and other countries’ cultures. Lastly, I know I can’t achieve this without good health. I want to stay healthy to be happy and live comfortably. l would love to achieve all of this by the time I’m 65 years old.

One quality I would like to be remembered for is selflessness. I want to be seen as someone who will give up time in their day to make sure someone else is good. Also, I want to be generous and give money to family and friends in need. I aspire to continue to worry about someone else more than myself. I believe selflessness is important to humanity because of without it, everyone will feel greedy. People will lose the purpose of helping one another. We will do anything to

Utnapishtim replies to Gilgamesh’s painful search for immortality with simplicity: “There is no permanence” (106).
What does this mean for humanity? Specifically, how does our world illustrate this notion of impermanence? How do people even get up and go about their business in world that is fleeting and ephemeral? If we all die, what ultimately gives us meaning in life? Finally, how do we, as mortal humans, create a sense of order and eternal life? Cite strong and thorough evidence to support your analysis, both from the text and also from your understanding of the world at large.

Utnapishtim’s words, “There is no permanence,” reminds us of one of the main ideas in The Epic of Gilgamesh. The main idea is that everything in life, including life, is temporary. For us as humans, this truth makes us confront our own mortality and realize that nothing is infinite. We can see this idea in the world around us. For example, nature dies and grows again, people age and get old, cities thrive and fail, and technology becomes outdated. Although we know life is short, people still find the motivation to live each day. That’s why we control how we live and what we leave to the world when we die.
Most people find purpose in their relationships, their achievements, and personal growth. Friendships and families give people a sense of belonging, and working toward goals makes life feel fulfilling. Additionally, Gilgamesh learns that while he can’t live forever, he can still seek some form of immortality by leaving behind something meaningful, like a lasting monument or legacy. What makes life meaningful is how we decide to live it. We can make the most of our time by contributing to things that go beyond ourselves through creativity, helping others, or making a positive impact on the world.
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, this is symbolized by Gilgamesh’s decision to focus on being a good leader and leaving behind a strong city for future generations. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, it states, “You were given the kingship, such was your destiny, everlasting life was not your destiny”(106). Ultimately even though life is temporary we find meaning in how we live and what we do. The fact that life is short makes it all more valuable, and by making the most of our time, we leave our mark on the world in our own way.

Some of you have read The Odyssey and/or The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Most of you have seen the Star Wars or Harry Potter films or Raiders of the Lost Ark or The Lord of the Rings. What about Achilles or Hercules? What do all of these works have in common? Many people would say that the protagonists in all of these could be considered heroes. But are they? What is a hero? How do we define heroic actions or behavior? And can a woman be a hero(ine)? If so, why are there no women in that list above? If heroes serve as models of particular conduct, how would you define that conduct? Secondarily, what purpose do heroes serve to us as humans? Do we need them? Why? Bertolt Brecht once said, “Unhappy the land that needs heroes.” What does this mean, in light of your understanding of what a makes a hero?

A hero is someone who displays courage, possesses strength mentally or physically, and confronting challenges others would avoid. Stories like The Odyssey, Star Wars, and Harry Potter, show main characters on their heroic journeys. Heroes from each of these examples, display great sacrifices and smart decision making for character development. Although heroism can be subjective, it can also mean selflessness or standing up for what’s right for their morals. I believe that women can be heroes as well. Heroines such as Hermoine Granger, Nancy Drew, and Katniss Everdeen. Each one of the heroines posses great personalities and moral beliefs. Heroes serve a purpose by giving humans a sense of reliability and role model-like behavior. Everyday people can also serve as heroes. Examples such as police, fire fighters, and doctors, all are considered heroes for what they do for their communities. It doesn’t take a cape and supernatural strength to be considered a hero. Bertolt Brecht’s quote, “Unhappy the land that need heroes, ” suggests to me that society relies on heroes and heroines, but additionally, society needs ordinary people to serve as heroes.

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