Be Wise or Die // Moriah Nelson
Since I first heard about the Trojan Horse, I was always curious to understand the story from the perspective of the Trojans and was excited to read this story in The Aeneid in “Book II”. As Virgil writes the story, Father Aeneas is telling how the horse has arrived at Troy right after the army has “left” and the citizens and leaders are deciding whether or not to accept the horse.
One man, Thymoetes, says the horse should be taken into the city. The argument that follows shows that some of the Trojans didn’t agree with this decision:
“Capys opposed him; so did the wiser heads:
‘Into the sea with it’ they said, ‘or burn it,
Build up a bonfire under it,
This trick of the Greeks, a gift no one can trust,
Or cut it open, search the hollow belly!’”
Of course, we know the Trojans didn’t listen to the “wiser heads” and were then destroyed. Here we see a lesson to be learned: often, when we don’t listen to the wiser people in our lives, we are setting ourselves up for failure. So don't be like Trojans: be wise and don't die. Acknowledge the leaders and wiser people in your life and listen to their guidance.
Proverbs 15:22 reenforces this:
"Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed."
In addition, this brings to mind the question: What would the world look like if the Trojans had listened to their wiser opinions? Would they have defeated the Greeks/Achaeans? Would the world still respect the Greek way of thought if the Trojan Horse didn’t work?
I commented on AnnaKate and Breanna's posts.
I commented on AnnaKate and Breanna's posts.
Excellent point about wisdom! The story of the Trojan horse is almost ingrained in out heads, being popularized and parodied in modern popular culture, so it was very unique to see the event take place in ancient writings, which is vastly different from modern writing and storytelling in terms of themes and syntax. This particular theme, however, is one that the Trojan horse has always been attached to as the years passed -- wisdom and foolishness. It was great to see the interaction of the Trojans during this time of the horse, and I loved your blog post about it! Especially how you tied it in with scripture!
ReplyDeleteI agree that we should take council from wiser people. These people have experienced a lot more of life than we have, and if we simply listen to what they say how much better will our lives be made through it? A lot better, and a lot easier. Wise people give us council so that we can take their advice and utilize it in our own lives to avoid the mistakes that they made. I am grateful for every mentor I have ever had and will have in my life.
ReplyDeleteVery good examination of the foolishness of the Trojans! It was so ironic that the wisest men were ignored completely. I am surprised that Plato did not mention them as what not to do in his writing of the Republic. They made the worst mistake in doubting the wisest men, and consequently suffered in losing their beloved city. If the Trojans listened to the elders then I have no doubt that Greece would not become the superpower it is known as in today's society. Or at the very least the Trojans would have become a massive rival to the Greeks and their development. I love how you constantly connect our reading with scripture! Great Job!
ReplyDeleteBut tis fate that leads history to where it has gone. We will never know what the world would have looked like, but, as you said, we can always learn. Without mistakes there are no reasons to remember, without the past we do not have a knowledge of historical patterns that lead to similar trojan horses of today.
ReplyDelete-Phillip
I wrote kinda on the same topic as you did. The trojans were VERY foolish and didn't have a wise soul in their life. It's crazy they'd act like this, but I guess if they wanted to die... it just be like that sometimes.
ReplyDelete