The classical historian, Suetonius, writes of how Nero’s grandfather loved the brutal performances of the gladiators so much that Augustus had him rebuked and how his father was known for his quick temper and violent nature. These negative characteristics would definitely have an impact on the young emperor, as these figures are his role models. Whether Nero started the Fire of Rome or not is still argued about today. Most historic texts like that of Suetonius accuse him of the disaster. However, Tacitus
On the issue of admiration Machiavelli states that a prince ideally should be loved and feared, but it is more important that he be feared. It is more likely that his citizens would be loyal to him if they feared him. I believe that the true nature of man has not changed since Machiavelli’s time. I think that most modern governments still employ many of his general principals for ruling. Laws and punishment are necessary to prevent people from committing crimes.
Another area of his thinking is that government is symbolic of a ‘machine’, and man should commit non-violent disobedience to ‘gain access to the machine’. Otherwise, the machine will keep on grinding or producing its bad product. These philosophies were part of the foundation of Gandhi’s and Kings’ opinions. Mahatma Gandhi is thought of as leading the pacifist movement to get the British out of his country, India. Many people thought that Gandhi’s philosophy was passive, but he actually refrained from violence towards his oppressors, knowing that he and his followers would receive violence from the oppressors.
Stoicism Stoicism is the philosophy that states one has free will, but there are aspects in which one can and cannot control. Although Stoics believe in fate, there are “appropriate actions, in addition to just controlling our attitudes.” (AOW, 197) Stoics also emphasized on acceptance of such fate and detachment as well as self-discipline. They believed Stoicism was a way of life and not just an interesting type of knowledge. (SEP, p. 2) In order to achieve happiness, one must detach themselves from personal relationships and motives and also reject emotion as much as possible. (AOW, 209) As Epictetus says in his Manual, everything has a price and the price of happiness is personal detachment from the outside world.
Comparison of Thoreau and Nietzsche’s differences of philosophies regarding nonviolence In King’s lecture, Thoreau and Nietzsche were regarded as representatives from different positions. King considered Thoreau as a supporter of the standpoint that the internal value should have transcended the external, or the technological improvements of human would benefit nothing. On the other hand, he took Nietzsche as an opponent to “all-embracing and unconditional love for all men”. More than King’s evaluation to them, their philosophies with regard to nonviolence also differ a lot. Their basic altitudes towards the democracy and nonviolence conflict with each other.
The advantage of being obedient is that you feel safe and strong always protected by that hirer power and seems easier to do, when being disobedient mankind has to go against their own beliefs which can be quite difficult to do. In Greek myths of Prometheus he stole fire from the gods that then laid the foundation of the evolution of man and instead of Prometheus asking for forgiveness he proudly said, “I would rather be chained to this rock then be an obedient servant to the gods” (Fromm 549). So basically what this is saying is; I rather be disobedient and help man then to be obedient and be a slave to the gods. “In the Greek myth of Adam and Eve living in the Garden of Eden, were part of nature; they were in harmony with it, yet did not transcend it. They were in nature as a fetus in a womb of a mother” (Fromm 549).
For Adorno, media's influence, its lack of objectivity and monopoly should not be taken lightly. The culture industry gives the illusion of being informed and involved, while in reality the consumer of mass media is being reduced to minding himself with his own petty matters. According to Adorno the public refrains from criticizing the media because they are dependent upon it. They need the culture industry in order to achieve pleasure and satisfaction and cannot imagine their lives without it. The culture industry preserves its power by presenting "the good life" as reality and through false conflicts that trade him for his real ones.
Even through the changes that society as a whole has experienced from Emerson’s time to our own, Emerson’s idea continues to hold merit; society continues to disapprove and put down those that are individuals only to protect its-self and hold on to what is known. Emerson writes using persuasive rhetoric to stress his ideas of the dangers of the conformity that faces mankind and the importance of being an individual. "Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immoral palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness." Emerson states that a man to become an individual must question every orthodox belief that he faces and must decide what he believes to be true, not what society thinks to be true.
Tragic heroes are, generally, the main character of a tragedy. Tragic heroes often error in their own actions and judgments of others leading them to their ultimate downfall, which commonly ends in their own death. Aristotle defines a tragic hero as, “a man of noble stature. He is not an ordinary man, but a man with outstanding quality and greatness about him” (Aristotle). In order to be a tragic hero, the audience must be able to understand the character, and to feel pity and fear for him.
In this scene in particularly Achilles is enraged at the fact that Agamemnon wants to take his prize, when he satisfactorily worked to this reward. This also relates to human ideas in terms of what is expected as correct behavior. In this specific scene Agamemnon (even if the King) decides to act rashly and incorrectly against one of the highest ranking official in the Greek army. Agamemnon attempts to take what is rightfully Achilles and this is looked down upon by the entire Greeks. So, there is in fact an expectative when it comes to conduct even for the King.