Abstract This paper reviews "The Mortal Immortal" by Mary Shelley. The paper discusses the problematic issue of the paradox between mortality and immortality as being inconsistently represented in regards to the title of Mary Shelley's short story. The paper argues that the problematic theme of immortality is not rationally explained within the characters history and timelines Shelley's main character describes in this short story.
From the Paper "This literary study will examine the theme of immortality in "The Mortal Immortal" by Mary Shelley. The problem of age is a critical error in this tale, as immortality implies a deathless state for the main character. Shelley does not provide an accurate depiction of how immortality is a possibility in the text, since many of her descriptions of time do not correspond with a personality that could possibly exist beyond the realm of death. In essence, the problematic theme of immortality is not rationally explained within the characters history and timelines Shelley's main character describes in this short story. Shelley, in the beginning of her short story provides a first person narrative that defines the age of her main character in relation to the ageless myth of the "Wandering Jew." "
Abstract The paper examines Mary Shelley's haunting short story, "The Mortal Immortal" that is a grim tale about a man given immortal youth who finds that his boon has really become a prison from which he cannot escape. The writer chose this short story because it captures better than most the unforeseen consequences of human impulsivity.
From the Paper "Winzy - furious at the coquettish nature of his fickle love - drinks his master's elixir in the expectation that it will cure him of loving her evermore. Instead, he discovers that he has been more cursed than blessed: by taking the elixir, the hapless assistant Winzy makes himself a monster among men who is unable to establish meaningful relationships with other human beings because they are ephemeral and prone to the vicissitudes of nature while he never grows old."
Abstract This paper focuses on the concept of immortality that has long been the subject of much debate among philosophers. The author states that the belief in immortality is directly connected to a belief in the afterlife, which is central to many religions. The paper concludes that all five of these philosophers maintained similar views on the afterlife and the concept of immortality.
From the Paper "In hopes of presenting a philosophical rather than strictly religious argument in favor of the immortality of the soul, Aquinas maintains that the only two ways a thing is able to be corrupted are in themselves and by accident. Given that no subsisting thing is corruptible, as Aquinas proved in some of his other works, and the rational soul is a subsisting thing, it follows that the rational soul is incorruptible, which causes it to consequently be immortal. Likewise, Plato professed his belief that something could only be destroyed by its own natural evil, the natural evil of the soul being vice. Since vice does not destroy the soul, nothing could destroy the soul."
Abstract This paper explains that the movie "Immortal Beloved" is an attempt to summarize Beethoven's life and give an in-depth look at his identity and struggles; furthermore, this film is an attempt to solve the riddle of Beethoven's most meaningful love affair. The author concludes that, even though this film is not an exact historical representation of the composer, it gives a rather accurate portrayal of Beethoven. The paper states that the film depicts rather accurately Beethoven's response to deafness, his relationship with his nephew and his attempts to guess the identify of the "Immortal Beloved" but she was not identified correctly.
From the Paper "The identity revealed in the movie of the "Immoral Beloved," is one that is historically questionable. There is no single truth of the hidden identity of the "Immoral Beloved." Even though some believe that Johanna could not have been his "Immortal Beloved", no one can say for sure. Many speculate who the "Immortal Beloved" really was, but no one can yet prove it. Also, the conception of Johanna bearing his child, and it being his child he was supposedly taking care of instead of his nephew, is a position that is very hard to prove. Much of Beethoven's life remains a mystery."
Abstract This paper examines the meaning of Robert Frost's poem "Directive" and compares and contrasts the findings with those of Wordsworth's "Imitations of Immortality'. It looks at Frost's view of the human ability of the self to connect to time and Nature.
From the Paper "If William Wordsworth's "Intimations of Immortality Ode" attempts to address the failing of the senses, then Robert Frost's poem, "Directive" challenges us to enhance our perception and explore the process of connection in the context of time and Nature. Wordsworth's poem begins by saying, "There was a time when meadow, grove, and stream,/ The earth, and every common sight, To me did seem/ Apparelled in celestial light." In Frost's vision, we are taken "Back in a time made simple by the loss/ Of detail, burned, dissolved, and broken off." "Intimations Ode" seems to describe a process of regaining the self through memory, while Frost gives his reader directions on how to escape their present disconnection completely in an effort to "Drink and be whole again beyond confusion."
Abstract Through the ages, both Greek and Hindu societies have been greatly influenced by the idea of the immortality of the soul, affecting them in their daily lives and approach to death. This paper compares and contrasts both schools of thought and their loopholes and conflicting theories. It examines the writings of famous philosophers and religious texts and evaluates their application to modern day thought and religion.
From the Paper "The very idea of immortality of the soul was not simply a theory but was widely believed among the Greeks in society. This would explain Socrates? unfazed and calm demeanor as he approached death in Phaedo. Now, this brings me to the point of linkage. All these concepts may have had a great impact on Greek society, but where exactly did these great minds find the "spark of inspiration" for their theories? Could it have been Hinduism or vice versa?"
Abstract This ten-page undergraduate paper discusses how we dealt with the concept of death and immortality in the twentieth century. Using the texts, "The Confessions of St. Augustine" and "The Bhagavad-Gita: Commentary Based on the Original Sources" as references, the paper explains the influence of these works in the twentieth century and evaluates how the works are received today.
Traces the historical development of the Greek concept of immortality and the afterlife through the investigation of the works of ancient Greek philosophers, dramatists, and poets.
Abstract This paper traces the beginnings of the Greek concept of the afterlife in the Homeric Age through classical Greece and into the Age of the Philosophers. The paper's argument links the shift from a belief in a meaningless immortal existence into a conviction in a more hopeful afterlife to the increase in the prosperity of the Greek economy over the same time period. Both primary sources and secondary materials are utilized to support this claim. The paper cites Aristophanes, Homer, Hesiod, Herodotus, Plato, and others.
From the Paper "The religion of the ancient Greeks was a dynamic and animated one, not prescribed in code on a set of tablets or a scroll of papyri but rather existing in the minds of the people. Therefore, it was subject to change. In the times written about by Homer, where the gods were active participants in the lives of the Greeks, the idea of a true life after death was useless. The gods meted out whatever punishments or rewards the people deserved in this life, with no need for delay. Yet this thinking eventually gave way to deeper convictions about afterlife, involving the principles of immortality and retributive punishment. The evolution of ancient Greek religion did not occur on its own; rather, it was prompted by drastic changes in the world itself. These shifting attitudes of the Greeks with respect to immortality and the afterlife were a direct result of the expanding economy and increased colonization that the civilization encountered around the 7th and 8th centuries BC."
Abstract This paper outlines the differences between the early and later versions of one of Whitman's most notable poems, "To Think of Time." It shows the poem's steady evolution--how it is tranferred from a poem about life and immortality to one about death and finality.
From the Paper "In addition to changing the structure and physical make up of the poem, Whitman changes the content. Some of the changes are as subtle as substituting one word for another and others are as large as adding or deleting whole passages. No matter the magnitude of the change, they all work towards attempting to establish a feeling of ending and emphasizing the certainty of death. In the 1855 version of "To Think of Time," the persona asks: "Have you dreaded those earth-beetles" (3)? In the later version he changes "those" to "these." "Those" is an objective pronoun. It shows no real connection or relation to the person using the pronoun. Using it here pushes the subject of death and burial away."
Abstract This paper discusses the debate over the legality and ethics of euthanasia. It bases its discussion on James Halperin's novel, "The First Immortal: A Novel of the Future", in which the author begins with a scene that depicts the primary reason why individuals might choose euthanasia over a natural demise. The paper discusses the appropriate character choice in the book and discusses the issues that Halperin presents.
From the Paper "Detractors of euthanasia as a legal if not state sponsored activity not only rely on the traditional religious reasons against it but also on philosophical and psychological musings. Somerville describes euthanasia as largely resulting from hopelessness and therefore is implying that these individuals are opting for euthanasia simply because they believe they have no future (pars.8-12). Such commentary is overly simplistic and without merit. In fact, the contrary is most often the case. Euthanasia and the decision to employ it is a highly personal one and certainly one in which the participants put much thought into. Additionally, if it were not for the innate sense of hope that the result will be better than their present circumstances that these individuals who, for whatever reason, choose to employ euthanasia, it would not be a serious consideration."
Abstract This paper attempts to address the question of myth and immortality through the study of Achilles in the "Iliad". The central thesis is that Achilles has a choice between human life and immortality through death and how he chooses death and immortality over a mundane, comfortable life. Another aspect explored is the realization that total transcendence of the world and godlike immortality are not humanly possible. It also attempts to place the Homeric myth in a broader context in terms of understanding the deeper significance of the story of Achilles. A Jungian view of the story and of myth is also explored.
The paper concludes with the view that the myth of Achilles and the search for immortality has a significance that goes beyond the story itself to reveal themes that pertain to the understanding of the human condition.
From the Paper "Achilles is one of the most important myths and legends created in Western literature. This is mainly due to the associations made within the story of Achilles and the questions that are raised with regard to immortality and the quest for permanence in the face of reality in which death is the only and enviable outcome. Achilles, through his mother Thetis, also has a close relationship with the transcendent and permanent world of the gods. However, he is also human and the decision that he makes has a profound significance for the meaning of life and for the eternal human quest for immortality."
Abstract This paper examines two specific works of philosophy to determine the immortal qualities of the soul. The works studied are Plato's essay "Arguments for Immortality", and Immanuel Kant's "God and Immortality as Postulates of Practical Reason".
Abstract This paper explains that the Indian cultures, such as the Aztecs, Inca and the Maya, believed in an immortal soul, had ceremonies and beliefs which helped them reconcile themselves to it and believed that the body merely became undead and it took on the influences of the unseen powers. The author points out that the Greek philosophers strongly influenced the early apostate Christian thinkers who accepted the immortal soul teaching into their doctrine, even though it had no biblical basis; therefore, in the Christian/Catholic conception of death, Jesus frequently spoke of everlasting life. The paper relates that Judaism holds that man has an immortal soul that survives the death of his body; when an individual dies, his soul still lived on in another realm, while his body lay in the grave to await the physical resurrection of all the dead here on earth.
From the Paper "The Greeks, having formulated many gods in their mythology, were also concerned with the dead and their destination. According to their myths, the one put in charge of that realm of murky darkness was the son of Cronus and brother of the gods Zeus and Poseidon. His name was Hades, and his realm was named after him. The Greeks had frightening stories of how the souls of the dead reached Hades. Charon rowed the ferry that transported those who had recently died from the land of the living to the underworld. Charon required payment for his ferry service, and the Greeks often buried their dead with a coin under the tongue to make sure they had the proper fare. Dead souls who could not pay were kept on the wrong side of the river, in a kind of no-man's land, and might return to haunt the living.) "
Abstract This paper presents an overview and analysis of how Tennyson approaches the themes of death and immortality in his two poems, "Titonus" and "Ulysses". The paper shows how Tennyson uses literary elements such as symbol, metaphor, and language to show two opposite views on immortality, and gives examples from both poems to support these ideas.
From the Paper "The characters in both poems are unhappy in their situations because their desires have not been fulfilled. The unfulfilled desires of Tithonus and Ulysses, though, are completely opposite. Tithonus invites death and wants to die. In contrast, Ulysses wants to push death away and to live forever."
Abstract The question of immortality is an ancient one and is key in philosophy and religion. Man lives a span of years and then dies, and probably from the very beginning of the human race men and women have wondered if there is something beyond death. Ashley Montagu writes: "Man, we reasonably assume, is the only living creature who entertains the idea of immortality" (Montagu 1).
From the Paper "The question of immortality is an ancient one and is key in philosophy and religion. Man lives a span of years and then dies, and probably from the very beginning of the human race men and women have wondered if there is something beyond death. Ashley Montagu writes: "Man, we reasonably assume, is the only living creature who entertains the idea of immortality" (Montagu 1). Much of religion is concerned with the notion of the afterlife, and many philosophers have considered the nature of the soul and the question of whether it precedes or outlasts the body. Many ancient peoples showed their belief in immortality through burial customs that sent the departed individual to the afterlife with many of his or her possessions, presumably so they could be used there as well. Plato offered his view that the soul and body were not one and that the soul existed before the..."
