Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 1:33 am Post subject: satire thingy
well i think that what he was doing was mimicking the attitudes of agustus becvause this man was doing many "good" things and funny tricks when really he was a jerk. i find it to be very humerous even though i only understand half of what he said. i think he is saying that we are the people at dinner and the government is the host. i think it's a very smart piece of literature.
In this scene, a ludicrously wealthy man named Trimalchio is having a dinner party in his house with several guests, among them the narrator. He grabs attention through his dress, manner of speaking and acting, his house, and many other ways; he is, as it turns out, addicted to it. The scene is completely unrealistic, but through this hyperbole, Petronius in his Satyricon is attempting to satirize the wealthy upper class. He portrays these men as haughty, ungrateful, beasts, with no sense or awareness of self in an attempt to convey the nature of power to his fellow Romans. According to Petronius, power corrupts absolutely; every man who holds it is unable to resist its allure, and completely submits himself to it, becoming a shadow of his former self, and former Roman virtus. Also, Petronius is likely trying to hint at the nature of the current government, through his messages and ideals in the Satyricon. This allows us as Roman historians to discover the ideals and mission of literature, its attempt to salvage Roman virtus, as well as serve as a sort of “cautionary tale” to those who stray from it.
In this scene two male friends are invited to dine with Trimalchio. The story is about their experiences dining (along with many other people) in Trimalchio's home. Trimalchio is very wealthy and has a ton of power over all of his guests and servants. He dishes out absurd orders throughout the whole story and everyone obey's him. He is a very powerful and intimidating man. Throughout the story it is also revealed that he is rather crazy! The two characters (although the narration is just in the perspective of one male) eventually flee from the home in fear. I think the actual story with all of the exact details is not realistic. However, i think the ideals of the story are very accurate. A higher power that has followers who are serving with blind obedience. Also being afraid of this higher power and being exiled if you disagree.
I think Petronius wrote this story as a warning tale. There were a couple of instances (out of three pigs to choose from he killed the oldest, it was a monarchy, etc) of what will happen if Rome strays too far from the old values/republic. I agree with Liam when he said, "This allows us as Roman historians to discover the ideals and mission of literature, its attempt to salvage Roman virtus, as well as serve as a sort of “cautionary tale” to those who stray from it."
I apologize for the latency of my response...I was under the impression it was a composition. Trimalchio arranges a large dinner party comprised of a variety of guests including his slaves. He has alternate intentions for the gathering, using it as an opportunity to share the components of his funeral. Initially it appears as though he is demonstrating his care towards loved ones, but his purpose is ridden with conceit. His desire is to gauge the reaction of his fellow party members concerning a hypothetical death and also to glorify his being. I feel that the concept can only pertain to fiction but has a close relation to reality. Augustus conveyed his messages with separate interior motives. His subliminal additions to Roman art as well as his manipulation of the mos maiorum present examples of his deceptive ways. I feel that Petronius emphasizes the importance of interpreting messages thoroughly, due to possible presence of an alternate purpose. What may be publicly perceived as virtues, could potentially have unrecognized flaws/motives. This specific plot displays the gradual loss of virtues and honesty among the social elites during this period of time in Rome. Although completely fictional, this portion of The Satyricon presents a valid observation concerning Rome’s recent leaders and their illusory actions towards the public
In the reading, Petronius talks about a dinner party at Trimalchio's(a filthy rich guy) house. the narrator describes in detail Trimalchio's bizarre behavior and weird hobbies. Despite the fact that Trimalchio is a weird unattractive person, everyone obeys his orders, because he is rich, which gives him power. I think the story is not very realistic, although some details tell us that the story is very Roman (referencing the Emperor, studying Greek and Latin). I think Petronius wrote this story to tell Romans how they were forgetting the virtus and to warn them that people will become like Trimalchio if they do not follow the virtus. The satyricon helps us learn how Petronius thought of the rich men and what he values. If the story was actually realistic, it would have shown us how the Romans, especially the rich ones, lived.
In the reading, some Romans are having dinner at Trimalchio's house, who is this rich, bizarre guy with weird clothes and habits and furniture. The story tells of their experiences at this guy's house and all the crazy things Trimalchio does. However, everyone always obeys him without question, including his dozens of slaves. Compared to other important Roman figures, Trimalchio is very "un-Roman-like"; he barely has any ancient Roman virtus. He's not strong, not honorable-- he's just this weird rich guy who does random things. But because he's rich, everyone listens to him and does what he says anyway. This might be poking fun at more recent Roman leaders, or, as Sam and Mei and a few others said, it could be written as a sort of warning; this is what will happen if Romans abandon their ancient virtus, and everything will be in a crazy state of disarray.
Listen to Steve Waugh on TMS (available worldwide)
Ponting scored only 12 as his side struggled once more on Thursday
Former Australia captain Steve Waugh believes current skipper Ricky Ponting will quit international cricket if he loses the captaincy.
Ponting, who made 12 on Thursday as Australia scored 268 all out in Perth, is under increasing pressure following his side's poor start to the Ashes.
Waugh told the BBC's Test Match Special it would be "very hard" for Ponting to continue if he was no longer captain.
"I don't know what would motivate him in that situation," added Waugh.
Australia suffered a run of seven straight defeats in all forms of the game in the build-up to the start of the Ashes and headed into the third Test in Perth 1-0 down in the five-match Test series.
JONATHAN AGNEW'S COLUMN
He cannot keep failing to score runs and seeing his team lose - his time in charge may well be coming to an end
They were outplayed again by England on the first day at the Waca on Thursday and Ponting faces becoming the first Australia captain in 120 years to lose three Ashes series.
Speaking ahead of the third Test, the 35-year-old suggested he would not quit, adding the decision over who should lead the side was "completely out of my hands".
Ponting, who is the most successful captain of all time with 47 Test wins, continued: "The powers that be will make those decisions I guess at the end of the series, or after this Test match."
It is rare for former Australia captains to continue in the side and Waugh believes that should Ponting lose the role, it would mark the end of his successor's international career.
"He's played 150 Tests and has an amazing record, he's batted number three most of his career, I can't see why he'd want to slip down the order and not be captain," said Waugh.
"He's had a great career and I'd be very surprised if he took that option, if that was the option available to him."
Waugh added that although Ponting should listen to advice about his future, only the Tasmanian could make the right decision.
"Ricky will know what's going on inside of him. You've got to be brutally honest with yourself - is this the right time, have I got more left, can I improve, can I take the side up to the next notch or is it going the other way?" said Waugh.
If people count against such a champion they generally come back and show the critics to be wrong
Mike Hussey on Ponting
"He's got to look at himself in the mirror and he's the only one that can answer that question."
Ponting averages over 54 in Tests but his poor run of scores with the bat - he has only passed fifty once so far this series - is adding to the pressure, but Australia batsman Mike Hussey has backed him to regain his form.
Hussey was himself on the verge of being dropped before the series but has passed fifty in four successive innings and believes his skipper can rebound in similar fashion.
"If people count against such a champion, they generally come back and show the critics to be wrong," said Hussey.
"I have no doubt it will be the same on this occasion.
"Ricky is such a champion batsman, champion bloke and champion captain that I am sure he will be fine."
However, BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew confirmed "the pressure is mounting on Ponting".
"He cannot keep failing to score runs and seeing his team lose. His time in charge may well be coming to an end," added Agnew.
"Who knows what might happen if things continue this way into Sydney [venue of the fifth and final Test].
"If the situation determines that the Ashes are gone and he can't score a run, he might well feel that he has had enough by then."
Listen to commentary highlights from day one (UK users only)
TMS podcast: Agnew and Boycott's review (available worldwide)
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
