How we deal with the end of our lives and value our lives is so different.
Written by Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com
"The great philosopher never rejected his beliefs and chose death instead of living a life in shame as an exiled old man."
The movie, "Harold and Maude".
In "Harold and Maude"
Did Maude feel that there is a time that life can be enjoyed? Did Maude's early life experiences perhaps form her belief that a "gracious exit" before the infirmities of age or disease or both took away her ability to enjoy life? She had witnessed the worst. Was that the reason why Maude was without a friend other than Harold in the movie? Was Maude unable to develop a close relationship because of her early life experiences? Did she see Harold becoming as she was and wish to prevent him from becoming so? Did Harold become Maude's cause to close out her life? To teach him that one shouldn't be afraid to live?
"Tuesdays with Morrie" A good read. A different perspective than those above.
Socrates, Maude and Morrie. Two beings whose deaths, the way they died, how they chose to die, their legacies and the beliefs they would leave behind were quite different.
Socrates was reportedly in good health when he chose death rather than to renounce his beliefs or live in disgrace as an exile.
I believe Morrie was gratified that his former student, Mitch Albom, became a weekly visitor giving him one more opportunity to reach people and impart some of the knowledge gained over an observant, introspective and intuitive lifetime.
It almost seems as if fate dictated the newspaper strike that made Tuesdays with Morrie possible.
"Harold and Maude"? Brilliantly laid out. The "hints" as to how their psyches are formed by past events in their lives is revealed and how that drives each actor's character and the choices they make. Maude sees Harold entering a life similar to that which she has lived. Maude realizes Harold is still "malleable". She "effects a rescue".
A good read and a good movie for a winter night.
Men such as Socrates never really die.
Nathan Hale --from Wikipedia
From the memoirs of Captain William Hull, quoting British Captain John Montresor, who was present and who spoke to Hull under a flag of truce the next day:
"On the morning of his execution," continued the officer, "my station was near the fatal spot, and I requested the Provost Marshal [William Cunningham] to permit the prisoner to sit in my marquee, while he was making the necessary preparations. Captain Hale entered: he was calm, and bore himself with gentle dignity, in the consciousness of rectitude and high intentions. He asked for writing materials, which I furnished him: he wrote two letters, one to his mother and one to a brother officer. He was shortly after summoned to the gallows. But a few persons were around him, yet his characteristic dying words were remembered. He said, 'I only regret, that I have but one life to lose for my country.'"[21]
Terrible lawyer? The verdict was in before the trial. Challenging the government sponsored religion of Greece was frowned upon. Do you think that some might have thought that Socrates might next challenge the government itself?
Government and religion are two entities that dictate societal norms--and control the populace! History is rife with the stories of those who have defied the laws and beliefs of these entities.
I worked for 6 years writing marketing materials for law firms. "Socrates is a good example of why you should never represent yourself" was a line I often heard. It's been 45 years since I read any of those dialogues. I recall he asked an awful lot of questions.
I know what the point was! Socrates wasn't going to "beat the rap" or prevail anyway. The best he would have got was exile which --he decided he didn't want exile as it would be looked upon as a disgrace to him rather than the timeless testament to his courage that he chose. It is said he was allowed to pick his own punishment and that he toyed with it rather than choosing exile which would have been accepted.
Did Socrates know something was wrong with him physically? Socrates was a shrewd dude!
Was giving up the opportunity to teach and also learn from young minds more distasteful than death?
Subjective and objective are terms that come to mind when you mentioned Socrates' choice of legal representation!
Perhaps an editor? Maybe a collection of your musings, your reflections, your writing in a booklet?
One line--"It is the quicker cleaner-upper. " Originally in an ad, "The quicker, picker upper".
The witty phrases that are drilled into our subconscious by those touting their products, both good and bad, will be irrelevant to those living 20 and 30 years from now. A small change to make that line as "ageless" as the rest of your poem might be advice an editor might make.
Otherwise "Hooray For Dying" approaches perfection--just my opinion. Perhaps that phrase and it's origin might also be interesting to future generations.
I published a lot. Now I don't write much. But I love to perform in coffee shops, saloons, bookstores, liberries. It gives me great satisfaction to look folks in the eyes and say weird things!
I AM life itself! So why would I want to go on being this "Paul" forever when I can be everything, alive in all of life. But not just yet- Still a few things to learn and to do and to love while here. To take the last breath with the joy of fullness and completion.
GEEZE LOUISE, LEGALLY allow Sol's method of resolving all issues and I'm first in line rather than using my 1st choice that will be utilized while still "of sound mind." Dying is the hell part, death is the vacation.
We’re all fd with APC . Find enjoyment on this earth while we’re able There are many going down in flames as we speak . Us the walking talking joking crew must stay in the moment . Eat drink and be merry ..you know the rest .... keep on adding levity j-o-h-n ... it’s well needed in this life ...After this one ,I want my ashes tossed to the winds.. . No humor in the grave brother . I don’t want to go out angry .. rather with a smile up and a finger to the devil .That is if it’s a departing shot and he doesn’t take me down by the heals..
Some years ago when our very young granddaughter asked, "Grandma, why do people have to die when they get old?", my wife replied, "Well, if people didn't die when they got old, then there wouldn't be enough room for all the wonderful new babies who come into the world." It was taken as a perfectly satisfactory answer for her young mind and heart at the time.
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