In order to prepare myself for the trial this week, I assumed the character of Athena. In other words, I forced myself to think and reason through things like I thought she would. (except for when I spent about ten minutes ranting to the young ladies of english class about how there are not floor length long sleeved dresses for everyday winter wear. I just don't understand it!!!) For the most part, this was fairly easy for me, because I'm generally a very logical person. I'm not cold-hearted, but I do express less emotion and passion than the typical young lady of today.
However, once presented with the trial, I began to struggle. I felt that there was no logical choice without including circumstances and emotional ties. So, I had to very slowly go over the circumstances in my mind. As I cautiously sorted through the facts, careful not to be biased or let my emotions awaken, it hit me. Oresteis could not be held accountable, because of Apollo's command. Even though I saw the action itself as wrong and simply not justifiable, Apollo placed Oresteis between a rock and a hard place. Therefore, he can't be held accountable. What would you have done? Would you have refused Apollo?
Apollo, however, needs a serious whippin'. Thank you.
P.S. I posted on Alana Mills' post.
Reading this post, I agree with your decision in the case. Orestes did find himself fated to kill his mother and stepfather, which added to his current dislike of his mother to drive him to commit the deed. He probably did not want the throne either, but being a blood heir that's kinda how it works. If anything, Apollo should be put on trial and held accountable to explain himself (Jeremy, I'm looking at you!)
ReplyDeleteI think you made a good Athena. You didn't let the fact that you were a woman effect your decisions. Most people would like to have a slight bias to there sex. I'm not saying that just women do it guys are just as guilty. But anywho Orestes couldn't have legitimately been held accountable for his decision. He had to do the will of Apollo or face plagues. He just did what he had to do. I think that justice has been carried out and there is no more need for additional killing.
ReplyDeleteIf there were a reasonable way to do this, I believe that Oresteis should have been held accountable for his action, but not for any set motive except for loyalty/fear. He did have a choice, although the choices really sucked either way. But since this was the case, I think you made a good judgment call, Athena. Praise be to you, Alexandra of the lesser-emotive mentality. :)
ReplyDeleteIn the end, it is all Apollo's fault anyway isn't it? He was the one that demanded the sacrifice to appease Aritmis that started this whole mess! I agree with you, he need a spankin! However, can Orestes really be called innocent of the crime for choosing to keep his life at the cost of taking another? In this situation, there is no easy choice, but there is clearly a RIGHT choice. Just becuase Orestes would have forfited his life didn't give him the right to end anothers, even at Apollo's behest, one of the reasons the Furies get all uppity at Apollo is they claim he is overstepping his bounds as a god, and stepping into their territory. But all in all, your judgement of a difficult case was a sound one, and was textually based.
ReplyDeleteLeave it to a man to just ruin everything...
ReplyDeleteJust kidding by the way! Before jeremy gets a chance to comment
ReplyDelete