An Analysis Of Aphra Behn s Seventeenth Century Travel...

As Europeans discovered other cultures during the Age of Exploration, travelers returned with knowledge of new religious, political, and economic systems. Aphra Behn’s seventeenth-century travel narrative, Oroonoko, describes the life of Oroonoko, an African prince and slave in Surinam, while contrasting the cruelty of the Europeans with the morality of the Africans and natives of Surinam. Thomas More’s sixteenth-century Utopia displays his subtle criticism of English society behind the words of his character Raphael Hythloday, who travels the world and explores the rationality of Utopia. These authors criticize many of the conventions of their time periods through their characters’ explorations into new ideas and territories. In Oroonoko and Utopia, nature and reason lead the natives’ governments and societies instead of the corruption of the wealthy and noble Europeans. Both Oroonoko and Utopia present forms of government that contrast England and fo rce readers to confront their compliance to convention. According to the narrator, the natives in Surinam live in â€Å"extreme ignorance and simplicity† (2345). Behn states that the natives â€Å"had no king, but the oldest war captain was obeyed with great resignation† (2315). Two warriors compete for the generalship, and the first â€Å"cuts off his nose and throws it contemptibly on the ground; and the other does something to himself that he thinks surpasses him† (2346-2347). Judges choose these warriors for their bravery and

Beliefs And Practices In China Free Essays

The three main religions in China – Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism – originated at about the same time and share common beliefs in human goodness and the need to behave kindly and justly. However, they differ in their practices and, more importantly, in how they view deities and the afterlife. Derived from Confucius’ teachings around 500 BC, Confucianism emphasizes justice, sincerity, morality, and hierarchy. We will write a custom essay sample on Beliefs And Practices In China or any similar topic only for you Order Now It emphasizes conduct and decorum over spirituality, emphasizing self-control and obedience instead of religious doctrine in the Judeo-Christian sense. Its practices include being sincere, just, and deferential to elders, since it embraces a strict view of worldly hierarchy and the need for etiquette rather than one governed by gods or an omnipotent single God. In this sense, it is less a religion than â€Å"a tradition of ritual/propriety† (Yao 191) which upholds sacrifices to heavenly, earthly, and ancestral spirits (generally performed in temples). It is hard to define as a religion because it does not fit the Western world’s criteria and is more a tradition and code of behavior; indeed, it was initially used to govern the actions of China’s ancient bureaucrats. (Yao 39) Daoism evolved at about the same time as Confucianism and also embraces virtues like justice, patience, and decency. However, it is more of a religion than Confucianism because it mandates reverence for the Dao (roughly meaning â€Å"the way†), which is â€Å"a cosmic principle, permeating and infusing all aspects of creation with vitality. † (Oldstone-Moore 23) To become one with the Dao, one must attain enlightenment by practicing good, proper behavior in addition to cultivating a spiritual wisdom and serenity through unity with the Tao. Here, Taoism differs sharply from Confucianism, which does not place as much importance on cosmic forces or one’s spiritual nature. It also embraces a more concrete idea of the afterlife than Confucianism, since the Daoist view has the soul entering Hell, being forced to atone, and being reincarnated. (Oldstone-Moore 84-87) Originating in India at roughly the same time as Confucianism and Daoism, Buddhism shares with them the principles of harmony and balance, though to a Westerner it seems more like a religion than either of its fellow faiths. Indeed, its doctrines and rituals are more evolved and clearly-defined than those of China’s other two main religions. Like them, Buddhism teaches that while human nature is essentially good, the world is corrupt and one must practice pure-mindedness and good, just behavior. It also shares with Daoism the importance of seeking cosmic enlightenment, though Buddhists attain it through meditation and discipline. (Wangu 8) However, it also mandates a degree of asceticism (like varying degrees of vegetarianism) not required by Confucianism or Daoism, asking its laypeople to refrain from violence, theft, sexual misconduct, using intoxicants, and â€Å"incorrect speech† (lying, gossiping, etc. ). Also, Buddhism’s concepts of the soul and afterlife are much more developed than those of either Confucianism or Daoism, and it places more emphasis on its written scriptures (which were committed to print during the first century AD). However, it has no supreme being and does not demand exclusive allegiance, as do Western religions; its appeal â€Å"has rested solely on the message of its founder and its flexibility in adapting to different cultures and philosophies. † (Wangu 10) China’s three chief religions share common traits and basic outlooks (which they openly exchanged over the centuries). Confucianism is the most secular and least spiritual, while Daoism has a more evolved sense of the spirit and afterlife and Buddhism the most evolved concepts of these, as well as the most involved code of practices. In all, they represent varying degrees of spirituality and what Westerners would call â€Å"religion. † BIBLIOGRAPHY Oldstone-Moore, Jennifer. Taoism. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003. Wangu, Madhu Bazaz. Buddhism. New York: Facts on File, 2002. Yao, Xinzhong. Religions of China. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000. How to cite Beliefs And Practices In China, Papers

Presentation of the Monk and the Pardoner Essay Example For Students

Presentation of the Monk and the Pardoner Essay In the prologue for the Pardoner and the Monk Chaucer satirises both characters, the Monk is only satirised lightly in his choice of vocation, whereas the Pardoner is satirised much more harshly for his morals.  As a member of the church, the Monk should devote his time to religious matters, for example coping out the bible by hand. The Monk however is satirised by Chaucer for neglecting his duties, many times in the prologue, An outridere, that loved venerie  Ful many a deyntee hors hadde he in stable  This tells us that he had a lot of horses and loved hunting, not a sport encouraged by the church, in fact banned by them. There is not a direct criticism of the Monk contained within the description of the Monks actions, all it tells us is that Chaucer believes that the his priorities are confused,  And whan he rood, men mighte his briel heere  Ginglen in a whistlinge wind als cleere  And eek as loude as dooth the chapel belle  This indicates that the bells on his bridle were as attractive to him as the church bells, which were supposed to call him to prayer, this again criticises his actions as a monk not as a person. The Monk obviously is an obsessed hunts man,  Grehoundes he hadde as swift as fowel in flight;  Of priking and of hunting for the hare  Was al his lust, for no cost wolde he spare  Once again this for a normal man would not be wrong, but for a man of the cloth this is totally the wrong thing to be interested in.  He then tries to justify his priorities, of hunting, by claiming to be a new style of monk, where the old rules do not count.  The reule of Seint Maure or of Seint Beneit  By cause that it was old and somdel streit  This ilke Monl leet olde thinges pace,  And heeld after the newe world the space.  He yaf nat of that text a puled hen  This says that he does not follow the rules written by Saint Maur or Saint Benet, which were written as the day to day guide for how people should live their lives, which was a very blasphemous view for that time. He yaf nat of that text a puled hen,  That seith that hunters ben nat hooly men,  He is trying to defend his actions with an argument that is absolutely absurd, hunting which is the killing of animals, is against all of the teachings of the bible which tells one to preserve and care for life.  As well as devoting their lives to the monastery monks should give up all material possessions and live a life of near poverty, however the Monk does not seem to have obeyed this rule,  with gris, and that the fineste of a lond  And, for festne his hood under his chin  He hadde of gold ywroght a ful curious pin. This tells us that he had had the finest fur lined cuffs, which would have been expensive, he also has a gold pin fastening his hood, which is a fashion statement, not an appropriate type of clothing for a monk. Most people when they think of a monk imagine a pallid faced man with sunken cheeks, as he has not been eating well, however Chaucer describes the Monk in a different way,  He was a lord ful fat and in good point