Abstract This paper examines the nature of love in Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet in terms of Greek philosopher Plato's definitions of love. This paper argues that Romeo and Juliet does indeed exemplify the types of ideallove that Plato talks about and gives examples including sexual desire, willingness to risk death, madness, divinity of the lover and other.
From the Paper "The nature of love has been speculated upon by humans for thousands of years, perhaps since long before humans have been able to give it conscious thought. Some of the most wise and thought-provoking insights into the nature of love have passed down to us from the Greek writer and philosopher, Plato. Plato is responsible for our knowledge of the philosophies of Socrates, but he also wrote down many of his own thoughts and opinions, especially those on the nature of human conditions. Plato's ideal form of love is exemplified in the play The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, as we will see. Plato describes various types of love through his dialogues including the Symposium and Phaedrus, which give some of the clearest vision of his ideals on the subject."
Abstract This paper compares the different conceptions of love in Ancient Greek society as exhibited by Plato and Socrates in "Symposium" and "Phaedrus". It contends that in spite of different concepts of love, both conceptions include desire, god, beauty and wisdom.
From the Paper "The views of Plato on a variety of topics are typically illustrated for readers through the dialectic method, a dialogue that represents a series of questions and replies aimed at logical ..."
Abstract This paper will consider the differences between Platonicidealism and Aristotelian materialism and the ways these are relied upon by each philosopher for conceptualizing Utopian political governance.
Abstract This paper compares Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" and Raymond Carver's "Popular Mechanics" and in particular, looks at the ways in which both stories go against the modern loveideal.
From the Paper "The modern love ideal basically encompasses the concept of a voluntary union. It is a union between two people in which they share tenderness and protect each other from the harsh realities of the outside world. The modern love ideal is also ..."
Abstract This paper discusses the assertion that 'Courtly Love' is an idealized and hardly realized fantasy play of a misguided and inaccurate morality, quite opposed to the deep idealism of Sir Gawain. Throughout this essay, it is demonstrated that Capellanus? Treatise and Gawain's unfaltering nature are conflicts of human behavior and human ideals ? the concept of the "perfect" for which to aim in one's own life, and rarely achieve.
From the Paper "Courtly love is, in general form, a structured form of male / female interaction which was infused with a poetic, heroic, romantic idealism about the virtue of both the man and the woman. The core idea of Courtly Love, as defined by Capellanus, is that the woman (or Lady) should be worshipped, ardently pursued, and intensely desired. She is to receive this attention and devotion not because of an intrinsic beauty and nobility (read: only the members of the upper class were capable of Courtly love), but because she capable of endowing the male with virtue and honor because of and through her acceptance and faith in him. The Lady, then, is to judge her suitor upon the basis of his character, his noble deeds of gentleness and courtesy, his degree of chivalry, not his incidental qualities. In this dynamic, the Lady is obligated through her social responsibility, to accept the suitor if he can exhibit his worthiness. While Capellanus wrote his Treatise on Love in the 12th century, the fact that few major advances in social structure, politics, or religion had occurred in the three centuries previous or would for the next two centuries, it stands as a relatively accurate guideline of courtly love that persisted over those years. When the standards of Courtly love are applied to an interpretation of Sir Gawain and the Green Night, it is clear that this legend and the rather heroic requirements of Courtly love are indeed overlapped. Gawain is both a man and a Christ-figure, he is the ultimately honorable chivalrous man worth of the love of any Lady."
Tags: human, behavior, ideals, perfection, relationship, male, female, romance, social
Abstract This paper discusses the theme of idealism as reflected in the works of Chaucer and Shakespeare. In particular, the paper examines Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" and Shakespeare's Sonnets 18, 116 and 130. The discussion and analysis demonstrates how both authors' works illustrate the prevalence of their ideals: for Chaucer, his ideals on what religion and expression of faith should be, and for Shakespeare, how love is and should be.
From the Paper "Influenced by the ideology of idealism during his time, Chaucer reflected his ideals of Christianity and its followers through The Pardoner's Tale of "The Canterbury Tales." Like the other tales in "Canterbury," the Pardoner's tale is a satire meant to criticize the society that Chaucer lived in during his period. While in some of the tales, Chaucer did not explicitly expressed his disagreement with and criticism of the rampant corruption and hypocrisy within the Church and among its elements (the clergy and the lay), in the Pardoner's tale, these issues were addressed and made explicit through the persona of the Pardoner."
Abstract The paper focuses on the short stories "Araby," written by James Joyce and "On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning," authored by Haruki Muraka that deal with the same theme of love fantasy versus reality. The paper discusses how, in both stories, the protagonists wish love to be like the imagined erotic idealism that is read about in a fairy tale with a perfect union that ends "happy ever after." The paper then shows how the protagonists come of age and are unable to return to the innocence of youth and its fantasies.
From the Paper "Love is a central theme in many of Joyce's stories and novels, yet his characters always find it difficult to define. Even Joyce, himself, found it a problem to use the word "love." When Nora asked him if he loved her responded in a round-about way that he "was very fond of her, desired her, admired and honored her, and wished to secure her happiness in every way; and if these elements were what is called love then perhaps his affection for her was a kind of love" (Ellmann 6). Joyce's confusion about love and its many varied sides is voiced in a number of his characters. In his works, he writes about all kinds of love from the most ideal and unrealistic to that of friends, family, God, and husband and wife."
Abstract The essay explains the different aspects of romantic love through an explication of Sonnets 116, 130 and 138. According to the author, the three types of love are, respectively, real love, ideallove, and lying love. The poems emphasize different aspects of love, but all three kinds are required for love to stand the test of time.
From the Paper "In Sonnet 116, Shakespeare makes several claims about ideal love. As described in this poem, ideal love is permanent. If someone is truly in love with another, his love will never end. "Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,/ But bears it out even to the edge of doom" (ln. 10-11). This love, according to Shakespeare will never wither away or be broken down by any obstacle (ln. 6). Nothing can stand in the way of this feeling, true and strong. Ideal love will also never change, even as the possessors do. As they change, they will still love each other just as strongly, or even more so (ln. 2-3). This is the most important and most difficult aspect of reaching ideal love. Though many believe they have achieved it, they fall short as they come to realize that as they learn more about each other, they drift apart."
The artice looks at the works of Oscar Wilde and Robert Browning to discuss the quest for the ideal/perfection and the various ways it is and is not worth the cost.
Abstract The paper present the views of Oscar Wild and Robert Browning about the search for perfection or the strive to live up to an ideal. They both hold that this quest is not worth the effort and may result in very negative outcomes.
From the Paper "Idealism means that something is perfect and worth striving for. According to Robert Browning and Oscar Wilde this search for perfection or an ideal leads to disastrous consequences. The quest for the ideal can lead to chasms in life and since no one can attain the ideal, whether that ideal is an ideal character or a state of mind, to try and attain the ideal can lead to heartbreak, as in the case of Lay Chiltern, or downfall as in the case of poor brother Lippo. Therefore, both Wilde and Browning suggest that living up to an ideal is not worth striving for and is not a way for one to live his or her life."
Abstract This essay argues that the ideal society is one that is pet-friendly. Pet ownership conveys health benefits and quality of life to many individuals. However, some difficulties do exist for creating such a world. One such difficulty is posed by animal rights organizations, which are frequently behind anti-pet legislation, among other things. It does not seem possible to eliminate such a threat to a pet-friendly world, although the end of the essay reiterates that such a world is the ideal.
From the Paper "It is easy to take the facile approach when asked about an ideal society and say "a society with world peace." However, wherever there are human beings there are differing opinions. Differing opinions lead to disagreements. Little disagreements become arguments; large disagreements can become wars. In any case, an entirely peaceful society would not seem, to me, to be a happy one. Rather, it would seem a guarded one, in which over-stressed people need to be all-too-careful with what they say in order to avoid conflict. To me, a pet-friendly society would be the ideal society. Imagine a world in which pet animals are welcome anywhere human beings are, except where they might create a health hazard. Imagine that landlords, no matter the property, would allow pets in the apartments that they rent. How might these changes affect society? Research would seem to indicate that people who are kind to animals are also kind to..."
Abstract This paper examines the existence of the courtly love theme in popular culture. The paper refers to traditional texts, such as Chaucer's "Complaint to his Lady" and John Donne's poem, "The Canonization"; in relation to the contemporary television program, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". The paper defines three essential elements of Courtly love poetry: The ennobling force of human love, the elevation of the beloved above the lover and love as ever unsatisfied, ever increasing desire. It describes that modern courtly love are usually adaptations, and that how they adapt the traditional story reflects the values and attitudes of the courtly love convention appropriate to a contemporary audience.
From the Paper "Courtly Love has developed from the later Middle Ages through to modern times as a highly conventionalised code. Examples are evident in popular culture though are usually adaptations - adopting selective aspects. This can be seen through the similar values and attitudes portrayed in the texts."
Abstract This paper analyzes different song lyrics, novels, and a play for how they demonstrate self-love, erotic love, and mother-child love. It refers to Achebe's "Things Fall Apart," Hwang's "M Butterfly," Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath," and several song lyrics. It also includes a personal reaction to forms of love.
From the Paper "Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" we see self-love most expressed in the character of Okonkwo. Okonkwo's accomplishments demonstrate an affirmation of the strength values and beauty of the native Igbo culture. This culture is being systematically..."
Abstract This paper examines the role of idealism and pragmatism in the US foreign policy between 1898-1945. The author examines these two principles and discusses the reasons and effects of their incorporation into the U.S. foreign policy.
From the Paper "At the time of its independence from Britain, the United States planned to pursue an isolationist foreign policy, reluctant to get entangled in European or Asian affairs. However, the initial strategy had to be abandoned with time as economical developments led to a series of foreign expeditions that many Americans hoped would eventually create a vast commercial empire. These ambitions necessitated that the United States increase its spheres of influence abroad to protect American business interests and investments. Economic interests combined with concern for national security, international balance of power, and world order, all requisite for capitalism to flourish, to encourage American intervention overseas. Moral intentions, full of idealist hopes for a democratic, free world, played part, although sometimes seeming artificial and hypocritical. As revealed in United States foreign policies concerning the major international events of the late nineteenth century until 1945 ? the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II ? pragmatic grounds initiated American involvement abroad, while the moral reasons amplified the motivation and gave justification, and higher meaning to the involvement later on."
Tags: foreign, idealism, international, policy, pragmatism, relations, states, united
Analyzes Plato's conception of love and whether it allows for a love characterized by respect for individual differences by examining four different writings.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 2 sources, 2002, $ 35.95
Abstract This four-page essay examines and analyzes Plato's Symposium, Nussbaum's essay, The Speech of Alcibiades: A Reading of the Symposium"; and Vlastos'essay, "The Individual as the Object of Love in Plato," in terms of whether Plato's conception of love allows for the love between individuals, a love that is characterized by respect for individual idiosyncrasies and autonomy.
Abstract This philosophical study presents an analysis on 'The Symposium' by Plato. The writer shows that the basis of Plato's dialogues reflect the beliefs and truths about love in ancient Greek thought, through the differing societal opinions offered by the leading philosophers of Athens. By presenting the various speeches and commentaries on love that the characters of this symposium represent, the writer points out the dictates that love brings through the representation of a dualistic 'god' of love embodied within the message of Diotima.
From the Paper "In this manner, the sequential structure of speeches and themes of love is the forum of debate in Greek philosophical thought within The Symposium by Plato. By understanding the three agons in the dialogues, one can realize how the various precepts of love through varying opinions in society are related to a cohesive whole. In effect, all societal views of love are not right or wrong, since both mortal man and god are unified through love, which Socrates imparts through the wisdom of Diotima. "
