In his essay “Death of Abraham Lincoln”, Walt Whitman recalls the first time he ever saw the future president elect when Lincoln silently passed through New York City on his way to Washington D. C. Then Whitman remarks on the rapid succession of the well-known, recent, and still yet painful events of the Civil War. The strata of session sympathizers, the assassination of Lincoln at Ford’s theatre by John Wilkes Booth five days after the end of the Civil War, and the effect Lincoln’s death will forever have on our nation. Walt Whitman was an American poet, essayist and journalist-in addition to publishing his poetry- was a volunteer nurse during the American Civil War. The Civil war lasted from 1861 to 1865 and was the result of four …show more content…
My Captain! Our fearful trip is done; The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won; The port Is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring…” Now in this essay Whitman compares Lincoln to the famous Captain Odyssesus the Greek hero of the Trojan War (which coincides with end of the Bronze Age) of Homer’s Odyssey, Book XII, when he says “-the dreaded Scylla of European interference, “In Greek mythology a monster that lived on one side of a narrow channel of water…”, and the Charybdis, “…opposite (Scylla’s) counterpart.” of the tremendously dangerous latent strata of secession sympathizers throughout the free States (447).” The idiom, “between Scylla and Charybdis” has come to mean being between two dangers, choosing either of which brings harm, known to us today as “between a rock and a hard place.” The Odyssey is a major ancient Greek epic poem, a sequel to the Illiad, the oldest extant work of Western literature composed near the end of the eighth century BC. The poem is fundamental to shaping Western
Most people think of a hero as a strong, superior, good-looking person that could never make a mistake. However, in a story called The Odyssey, a connection to real life reveals imperfections to be common in heroes. Each person has their low points and highlights, regardless of their “rank”. The author and epic poet, Homer, exemplifies our main character, Odysseus, to take on this idea of a hero throughout his writing. The time period took place in Ancient Greece, allowing Greek culture to relate to the poem. Different aspects of such culture and history may have influenced the works and creativity of Homer as well. A major point includes The Trojan War because it focuses in on Odysseus’ journey to bring Helen back home by devising a plan to destroy warriors in the city. Acknowledge this factor when reading The Odyssey, for not only evidence of heroism, but also other major points of archetypes, in which the device reflects the insights of readers in modern time and what is seen from Ancient Greek culture.
Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey translated by Robert Fagles completely illustrate Odysseus’s journey home after The Trojan War. Separated into twenty-four different books, the poem describes the hardships Odysseus faces and how he overcomes obstacles. Though this poem is composed for listeners and may seem incomprehensible, Homer includes a plethora of literary devices to help audiences better understand, follow, and enjoy the context of The Odyssey. Throughout this poem instances of epic simile, foreshadowing, epithet, and xenia are included to help the poem flow.
leading up to and surrounding President Abraham Lincoln’s death. The purpose of this book is to
Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes. Two highly renowed poets. One of Whitman's most known poems, "I Hear America Singing", is about living the American life; he explains multiple types of people in his piece of work and how they are all a part of America. Similar to this, Langston Hughes wrote the poem "I, Too, Sing America", and in this, he includes African Americans, suggesting that Whitman left some people out. Also saying, that blacks are proud and just as big of a part of America as anyone else. Along with this, both are similar in the sense that they are about people in America. Aside from this, there are three other ways in which the poems "I, Too, Sing America", and "I Hear America Singing", are similar. Becasue of this, the poems
Walt Whitman’s essay, Death of Abraham Lincoln, explains what Lincoln brought to our nation through his life and what he left behind through his death. Whitman observes Lincoln from afar, noticing the reactions a crowd has to his presence. He expresses the importance of first impressions through the awkward silence of the streets and crowds when Lincoln walks out of his unprepossessing carriage on his way to the Astor House prior to his inauguration. Lincoln’s presence took over the moment unlike any figure had before. On the day of April 14, 1865, Whitman recalls his sight of beautiful lilacs at the time of the harrowing event and how this alluring flower became a symbol for him. The lilacs represented the great tragedy on that spring day with their sight or even just with the presence of their soft scent. Whitman was extremely inspired by both the life and death of Abraham Lincoln. Still to this day, Lincoln is known as one of the greatest Presidents to exist in our country and Whitman portrays him as more important than any other heroic figure in our past. In comparison, President Warren G. Harding is known as one of the worst presidents who corrupted our nation. Unlike Lincoln, who is responsible for the emancipation of three million slaves and known as the savior of our union, President Harding was involved in scandals across the nation and is known for his shady presidency. Although Lincoln’s death brought hardship and grief to our country, Harding’s death may
The Odyssey by Homer is an epic poem about a hero’s perilous ten-year journey home with twelve ships and hundreds of men. During this voyage, however, Odysseus and his men face the wrath of Poseidon, the wiles of Circe and the Sirens, and the peril of the monsters Scylla and Charybdis. In the end, Odysseus loses everything except his determination to return home to his beloved wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus. Even though he experiences many difficult challenges, Odysseus is a hero who exemplifies the Greek cultural values of bravery, wit, and loyalty.
While reading this poem, the reader can identify many archetypes. There are the heroes, the villains, the wise teachers and many more. Numerous themes and ideas are portrayed throughout this poem, it is the basis of which all other books model themselves after. “The Odyssey” was written by Homer in 720 BC, known as the Bronze Age. It is an Epic that tells the story of a father, Odysseus, who goes through many trials and adventures In order to be reunited with his Wife Penelope, and Son Telemachus.
Within a short amount of time after the election of Abraham Lincoln to the office of presidency, the south had seceded from the Union and brought on the beginning of the American Civil War. In 1863, the third year of the war, Lincoln had given a speech of the sacred battle ground at Gettysburg, most notably called the Gettysburg Address. In it, he expressed sincerity for those who fought and died there and most of all, proclaimed his aims of war itself. Walt Whitman, a celebrated poet of the time, traveled from hospital to hospital witnessing the operations of wounded soldiers and also the horrific scenes of death and amputation. His views were very much different than those of Abraham Lincoln and though not evident, were still noticeable
“Abraham Lincoln and The Second American Revolution”, written by James M. McPherson, one of America’s historians. McPherson has also written,” Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era”, “Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander-in-Chief”, “Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam” and many other history related books. “Abraham Lincoln and The Second American Revolution” consists of seven essays throughout on important themes in American history and unusual standpoints on the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln.
“O Captain! my Captain! Our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won.” Walt Whitman, an American essayist, poet, and journalist, illustrates Abraham Lincoln’s accomplishment of saving the Union, and he captures the variety of emotions that it provoked. Still, Lincoln is remembered as a legend, and his political endeavors are highly emphasized in American history. Although the vast majority of people agree that Lincoln was, indeed, a heroic man, some question the importance of his undertakings. Lincoln’s actions, such as continuing with the presidential election, issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, and delivering the Gettysburg Address, are what make him a legend.
I do believe that Whitman should be held accountable in some form for his actions. Although he was unaware of the tumor, he still committed the crime. The families of the victims and in the victims themselves deserve clarification for what has happened. I do not think that Whitman should be sentenced to death because of this. This is a tricky case because the location of the tumor has not been clearly associated with anger on humans, but what helps is the study on animals. There has been many links to the human body with animals, even some great discoveries have come from animals. For example, Harlow’s Monkeys and Harlow’s discovery that: affection may be what animal turn to even over food/shelter. Harlow’s discovery lead to many discoveries
President Abraham Lincoln, admired by Walt Whitman, blossomed in “Whitman's writing and in American mythology”(Eiselein) for his leadership and nobility. Whitman hoped for a rugged, healthy, who knew what real, physical work was, to be the “[r]edeemer [p]resident of [t]hese [s]tates”(Whitman). His hopes came true “as in a dream”(Whitman) when “four years later, just such a beard-faced boatman”(Goodheart) entered the White House. Walt Whitman discovered the “comprehensive, all-directing soul he had long been seeking”(Reynolds) in Abraham Lincoln’s life. Therefore Whitman, a patriotic American, would see Lincoln’s death as not only a grave tragedy but also a “promise [of] ultimate purgation and unification for America.”(Reynolds).
Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey follows Odysseus on his long journey home. The Epic also includes the stories of Odysseus’ family left behind: the travels of his son, Telemachus, and how plenty, of what we would now call “home wreckers”, suitors pressured his wife, Penelope, into marrying one of them. The characters are beautifully crafted and the story is truly epic. All the elements presented can bring in any reader from any century, the Cyclops, the Gods, the trickery of Penelope, and the disguises of Odysseus, are all legendary literary hooks . There are many things to learn—about writing, about the world around us, the world ahead of us, and the past behind us—from The Odyssey. (26) It is undeniably evident that this ancient text has
“O Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman and “Cool Tombs” by Carl Sandburg depict the death of President Lincoln, which reflects the willingness of Civil-War era Americans to sacrifice the safety of their president and the lives of soldiers for the greater socioeconomic purpose. In “O Captain! My Captain!” Whitman employs a metaphor of President Lincoln as a captain of a ship to illustrate the price of modernization, characterizing the Northerner’s struggle for unity to supply the growing nation’s needs. Similarly, Sandburg employs an impartial tone in “Cool Tombs” to convey the insignificance of the individual person, suggesting that no one is spared when it comes to satisfying
The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer are the two major heroic epics of ancient Greece, and the oldest surviving European poems. The poems were originally part of the oral tradition, then written down between 750 and 650 B.C.E., and finally fixed in the 500’s B.C.E. The Iliad tells the story of the ten year long Trojan War fought against the city of Troy by the Achaeans. The Odyssey focuses on king Odysseus, who fought in the war, and his journey from Troy to his island home Ithaca, which takes him ten years. The poem touches on the themes of family, hospitality, temptation, fame, and the power of cunning. Odysseus possesses strength, courage, and confidence, but what he is most known for is his cleverness. Although Odysseus wants to return home to his wife Penelope, his son Telemachus, and his kingdom, his journey back is fairly long because of how easy he is captivated by adventure. As it is, in The Odyssey, Odysseus goes through an inner conflict between his priorities of home and family and his strong desire for fame and glory.