Dear Nobody

Dear nobody,
What is it like to die? Is it painful? Loud? Quiet? Do your really see a light or feel the eternal fires burning in hell? What if you are run over by a truck, for example. Is your death and the way you feel different from someone who was shot or hanged? If you die with a clear conscience, is it different than if you had died with an unclear conscience? Can you tell if your next breath will be your last?
It's hard to have someone close to you die. Even someone you don't really know, it's sad when they die. Some people say it's good a person died because they are no longer in pain. But what about the thousands of innocent children and teenagers that die each year as a result from car crashes, a drive by, and gang fights? Or the people that die for their country? Can you really rejoice in their deaths? Yet the people who have been in a coma, or the people who have a stroke every week, it's kind of good when they die. But really, what is it like to die??????
In Memory of Ms. Wrede's Great Grandmother, Pearl. 1906-2007. We are sorry for your terrible lose.

All State commercial

This is an All State insurance commercial. Do you notice ethos, pathos, or logos? Comment to this post with your reaction.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OWtZ_C0DS1s

Sprint commercial

Watch this Sprint commercial featuring Peyton Manning. Does he use logos, pathos, or ethos? If so, in what way(s)? Comment to this post with your response.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2G0loI0Jn5M

Mastercard commercial

Watch this commercial and then comment on the aspects of literary persuasion (ethos, pathos, logos) that you find to be apparent in this clip.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WFNXwor69-U

"Die and I will take my own death at whatever time Zeus and the rest of the immortals choose to accomplish it." (XXII, 268-269)
Achilleus claims that he is satisfied with dying whenever the gods descide it is his time, because he has finally killed Hektor. In my opinion, Achilleus' wrath is only semi-justified. He had the right to be angry at Hektor, for killing Patroklos, but I do not think Achilleus had to go as far as killing him. Achilleus knows how important someones pride is, and that is why he had to disgrace Hektor by dragging his corpse through the dirt, after killing him. That can not even be discribed as revenge, that is cruel and hateful. Achilleus' actions are often rash and he is often headstrong, as shown in this quote.
Achilleus' wrath towards Agamemnon was on a different level than his hate for Hektor was. This anger, was more for his eggo, and glorification, rather than revenge. The two warriors were in essence fighting over women, Cryses, and Brises. This anger can not be justified, because it delt with their self-satisfaction; they were not fighting for something significant.

The Roles of Women

Women play important roles in motivating action and shaping the future. Helen, for example, is the immediate cause of the Trojan War. Briseis is the cause of the rift between Achilleus and Agamemnon. Athene, Thetis, and other goddesses also affect the action of The Iliad. Which female in the epic do you feel played the most significant role? Why? Provide at least one supporting quotation.

The Role of the Hero

In ancient cultures, heroes were those men who embodied the values of their civilizations. What is one value the Greek civilians held that Achilleus possessed? Or, what is a characteristic of Hektor's that the Trojan culture revered? And why? Provide textual evidence to support your claim.

The Wrath of Achilleus

The main focus of The Iliad is the anger of the Greek warrior Achilleus and the revenge he seeks against those who wrong him. Is Achilleus's anger towards Agamemnon justified? How about his anger towards Hektor? Support your claim with at least one quotation from the text.

Benvolio is Sympathetic

Benvolio is Sympathetic

"At thy good heart's oppression." (Act I, Scene i, Line 178)

"At thy good heart's oppression," simply means that Benvolio is saying that he is crying because Romeo is. Benvolio is sympathetic in that he weeps because Romeo is also crying and in pain because he is pining over Rosaline. Romeo's pain became his own as he is so attuned to Romeo and cares so much about his cousin that when one hurts, so does the other. This makes Benvolio a good cousin and friend who is very sensitive to the feelings of others. His sympathy for Romeo makes him sad just as Romeo is. This leads to Benvolio for the rest of the play always trying to make sure his beloved cousin Romeo is happy and isn't drawn back into sadness.

Benvolio the Peace keeper

“I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire.
The day is hot; the Capulets, abroad;
And if we meet we shall not 'scape a brawl,
For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.”(III,i,1-4)

Throughout the tale of Romeo and Juliet Benvolio is constantly trying to keep the peace between the Montagues and the Capulets. He tries to lead his friends and family to avoid all possible fights. Benvolio is the one who never pulls out his sward in a fight unless he has absolutely no choice. Too bad his friends and family do not fallow his example. He knows that if his family and friends are not injured in a fight with the Capulets that they will be in trouble with the Prince. Unfortunately, the ones Benvolio cares about most do not usually listen to him. They usually jump into things and pull out their swards and start to fight immediately without even considering Benvolio’s thoughts and points. He is a kind and gentle person who tries his hardest to keep the peace between his friends and foes.

Friar Lawrence:wise

"Within the infant rind of this weak flower, poison hath residence and medicine power."
(Act II iii)

With this quote, Friar Lawrence's words are rich and far more meaningful than appeared. This inflicts the literary device of a paradox. Most people do not capture the significance of this metaphor. Although the quote may be referring to a flower, it has the actual intended purpose of referring to a human being. Friar states "poison hath residence" relating to the immoral side of man. "Medicine power" represents the good side of a person because medicine's purpose is to abolish illness and restore happiness. For him to come up with this exceptionally cleaver referrence displays his superior quality of intellegance. The Friar's words are so effective they reflect on his sharp and bright mind.

Benvolio; you are Benevolent

…The passive and honorable Benvolio was one to be respected until the end.

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"I Pray thee good Mercutio, let’s retire:

The day is hot, the Capulets abroad,

And, if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl:

For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring."

(III.i.1-2)

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A poor and troubled man torn between his family and what he knows is right. A man that is pulled by his will to do good and the honor of his family. Obviously, this man is confused but the supremacy of right is top quality in his skull. This quote along with anon quotes to come, Benvolio is portrayed as a soft spoken type of man, who would much rather speak with his brains than his weapon. He respects the reputation of his family and his guilt. He sees the truth in killing a man over his last name, the reasoning filled to the brink of stupidity. It is craven and purely insane that they seek such a public place for their ruff housing, and between the belligerent other males Benvolio truly shows his peaceful mind throughout scene III. He does respect their lethal choices but would much prefer that they didn’t act upon them. In a few sections he casually suggests a private place, or a conversation or two to settle things through something else, rather than murder. Throughout most of the book he takes a back seat to other plots, but in this area is where he truly proves his personality. Perhaps, if someone had taken the time to listen to his sensible words, two (even a few more) would be animate.

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“We talk here in the public haunt of men:

Either withdraw unto some private place,

And reason coldly of your grievances,

Or else depart, here all eyes gaze on us.”

(III.i.14-17)

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All in all, Benvolio truly has all human kind on mind, instead of his selfish drive to exterminate elderly foes. Cheers to the Benevolent Benvolio.

Benvolio the Mediator

The Capulet-Monatgue feud almost always took place in the streets of Venice where any one in public was vulnerable to the result of the battles between the groups. Those affected most were the memebers of the feuding families. In between the feuding families were the groups of friends who supported the memebers of the families, including Benvolio and Mercutio with Romeo. Benvolio, mostly unbiased towards the entire feud is the unfortunate victim of the feud. Always trying to prevent and resolve any dispute between the families for any reason, he catches the wrong end of the sword. After Mercutio died, Romeo was infuriated and began to go after Tybalt. Benvolio, being the mediator tried to stop him, but the effort was no use. Had anyone listened to Benvolio, Mercutio's death could probably have been avoided and Romeo and Juliet Might not have died.

"Nay, and there were two such, we should have none shortly, for one would kill the other. Thou! Why, thou...tutor me from quarreling!" (III, i, 15-27)

The Vulnerable Juliet

What satisfaction canst thou have tonight? (II, ii, 126)

Throughtout the play, Juliet portrays herself as an innocent teen in love; she is also vulnerable as a consequence of her purity. In this scene, Romeo says, "O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?", Juliet's clean mind, asked how she could satisfy him. Her vulnerability, or innocence that helps her to see the best in people, did not think about what Romeo was actually asking for. She is vulnerable, becuase she is in a way clueless and inexperienced, and in love. Juliet is seeing everything through rosycolored lenses, and often sees things Romeo says in a different light they are intended. In my view, Romeo noticed this, and then purposes to exchanged vows, to cover up what he just said. If it weren't for her nievity i think Romeo would have asked for something else. Although Juliet's vulerability may keep her pure, it can also be misinturpreted for something else.

Rambling Nurse

Peace, you mumbling fool!

Utter you gravity o'er a gossip's bowl,

For here we need it not.

The Nurse is not able to keep her mouth shut during the entire story of Romeo and Juliet. She rambles on about nothing most the time, and cannot really give any sound advise. The reason for this is because she cannot make up her own mind. One minute she is telling Juliet what a wonderful man romeo is, and that she should stay with him as a good wife. Next, she is saying how great of an idea marrying Paris would be. This happens throughout the play, and she is also constantly putting in her "two cents" when no one asked "a penny for her thoughts." Unfortunately for Juliet, this is the motherly figure in her life, and is somewhat of a "scatter-brain."

Benvolio the Believable

Benvolio clearly aligns himself as Romeo’s friend and a friend of the Montague, but never does he take an active part in furthering to feud. Indeed Benvolio tells the story of every feud exactly as it happened, with absolutely no turns in the favor of his alliance. Benvolio tries to keep everyone calm and with a collected mind when there is the possibility of a fight. Benvolio also tries to keep Romeo from going insane himself, comforting him. Benvolio shows genuine concern for Romeo’s well being, but he also cares for the peace of the families, thus not tilting the story anyone way when he is called upon to repeat what happened. Benvolio had the potential to be the piviotal point that would have helped all of Romeo and Juliet's options but he was left ignored and minor, other pivots came into play, and all went south.

"Part fools! Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

Lighthearted Mercutio

"More than Prince of Cats. O, he's the courageous capitan of complements. He fights as you sing pricksong- keeps time, distance, and proportion; he rests his minim rests, one, two, and in your bosom....." (II, iv, 18-25)

Mercutio laughs at his would be killer and jokes about his fencing skills as if they mean nothing and even when he knows he's dying he jokes about it by saying that its was just a scratch. His joking nature was partially what got him killed and spurred Tybalt on to encourage the rage Tybalt already felt toward the Montagues. Without Mercutio there is a very good chance that this play would have turned out very differently, because Mercutio was the cause that set the tragic ending of this play in action. If Mercutio took things a bit more seriously maybe he would not have died, which inevitably caused the death of Tybalt and the banishment of Romeo.

Rambunctious Romeo

"O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?" (II, ii, 125)

Romeo is the type of person that likes to rush into relationships, and he expects a lot from Juliet. The first time Romeo and Juliet talk alone, Romeo wants many things from her. Before leaving Juliet's home in Act II scene ii, he states that he feels unsatisfied. She questions what satisfaction he wants, and he replies with, "The exhcange of thy love's faithful vow for mine." I feel that Romeo takes it a little too fast, and before even getting to know Juliet, he asks her to marry him. He falls for Juliet's looks more than her personalitly and passion for him. Romeo loves Juliet a lot, nut at the same time, he is a shallow person. Although I feel Romeo falls for Juliet partly because of her looks, he still has strong feelings for her and he ends up killing himself because of her. He is emotionaly attached to Juliet and loves her very much. This is why Romeo and Juliet end up dying. They rush into the relationship and try to get married when they hardly know each other and are very young. If Romeo waited longer before marrying Juliet, the plot would have been effected greatly. Romeo would not have ever talked to Friar Lawrence about the marraige, which then would not have gotten Friar directly involved in the family feud. Romeo being rambunctious makes the story of Romeo and Juliet interesting.

Juliet's Dedicated Nurse

Though she may seem minor, Juliet's Nurse essentially twists the conclusion of the “Romeo and Juliet” and alters the fate of her master and best friend. The Nurse is not only Juliet’s servant, but also her only true friend. She is constantly torn between doing what is expected of her, and doing what she feels will benefit Juliet’s feelings.

"Hie to your chamber: I'll find Romeo To comfort you." (III, ii, 142-143)

The Nurse will go to the ends of the earth to make sure Juliet is happy. She cares for her deeply and expresses much sincerity and love for the girl. Countless events can be used for evidence of the Nurse’s protection and love for her master, Whether Juliet needs defense from her parent’s neglect, someone to fetch her dear Romeo, or simply a shoulder to cry on, the Nurse is always there serving as her only real friend. Therefore, at the end, when the Nurse also agrees that Juliet should marry Paris, Juliet no longer has anyone to turn to and is pushed completely off the edge. Juliet then ventures to the Friar’s cell and receives her “poison,” later resulting in her death.

Adamant Romeo

Foolish Romeo, he much reminds of my own brother Epithemeus. They are both fairly stubborn, they both act on first impulse without considering the consequences, and they never think about the "What ifs" to a plan. Romeo's foolishness on the other hand was for love, but that strong bond between Romeo and Juliet led to the death of three people and eventually to the death of both himself and his wife, Juliet. His first adamant mistake was marrying Juliet the first time they met each other. Romeo never considered the feud or the consequences about if they were to be seen in another family's turf. Another mistake which led to the death of both Mercutio and his brother-in-law Tybalt was him attempting to stop the street fight, but as he was holding Mercutio back, he hadn't realized he was leaving vulnerable, and Tybalt found the chance to kill him. With this, Romeo was enraged with ferocity and went after Tybalt. Without considering the punishment for breaking the law, he immidiately killed Tybalt and was entirely upset about how he had looked upon this street fight which led to the death of not only one person, but to both of them. And his final mistake which led to the death of himself, Juliet, and Paris was him returning to Verona without knowing the Friar's plan. He returned to the Capulet's tomb where he found Paris who wanted Romeo dead, but in the end of the fight Romeo slays Paris. Romeo was horrified as to how he was "cursed to kill." Romeo then entered the tomb noticing that Juliet's cheeks were turning pink, but he never thought about that, he only wanted to die to be with her in heaven, so he drank the poison. With that mulish choice, Juliet kills herself to be with Romeo, and that ends the tale of the two lovers who were destiend to die.

Mercutio the Jester

Romeo. Pardon, good Mercutio. My business was great, and in such a case as mine a man may strain courtesy.
Mercutio. That's as much as to say, such a case as yours constrains a man to bow in the hams.
Romeo. Meaning, to curtsy. (II iv 50-55)

Yes, Mercutio is the jokester among friends. With his clever wit he can mock anyone at anytime, for any ocassion. Mercutio doesn't let the feud bring down his spirits, but only allows him to laugh at it with a joke or two on his part. Whether he be making fun of his friends or some frumpy nurse, spending time with Mercutio will give you a laugh.

The Presumptuous Paris

Paris may not be one of the main characters in Romeo and Juliet, but he is a vital one. This charcater is only present in a couple of scenes but still has an important role. Paris is the man who wants to marry Juliet for her beauty and her father's wealth and status. At first, Capulet wants Juliet to wait a while until she can marry Paris, but the death of Tybalt changed Capulet's mind. He lets Paris marry Juliet. Of course Juliet doesn't want to because she is already married to Romeo. In the few scenes that Paris is in, he shows a very dim-witted character. In Act IV. Scene I, Juliet says that she loves "someone", and Paris automatically thinks that she is talking about him when Juliet never refers to Paris. This shows a sense of ignorance and ego.

Benvolio, if only you were heard

And if he hear thee, thou wilt anger him. (II ii 39)

The play of Romeo and Juliet could have been twisted in a different direction if the characters just took a moment and listened to the wise words of Benvolio, especially in the fight scene between Tybult and Murcucio on the streets of Verona. He wants to stay friends with everyone, so he goes along with their plans, but if you notice he always stays as far out of the situation as he can. Benvolio always knows what is best and he speaks quietly, yet wisely when in a situation. In Act II scene ii, you will notice him on the side, knowing that this is not the right decision, and wishing everything would just be peaceful, but doesn't say anything because he doesn't want to be the "bad guy" or lose his friends. He believes the best would be for the fued between families, but wants to stay out of the situation so he doesn't get involved. Reading this, I actually feel bad for Benvolio because he always knows what is best for himself and his friends, but no one will listen to him. All he wants is peace and the best for his friends, and if the other characters would only realize and listen to what he is trying to say, they might actually all become friends and he fued would end.

Romeo: Hopeless, Flighty Romantic

But soft! What light through yonder window
breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun! (I, ii,
1-2)

Romeo is not only one of the two "star" characters of Romeo and Juliet, he is also a multifaceted character to boot. Aside from his knack of causing nearly every problem in the play (it's bad luck, he swears!) Romeo is also a hopeless romantic, befitting his name. He plays up Juliet's good traits until she seems almost goddeslike. However, he is also extremely flighty, seeing as how one night he was pining for Rosaline, and a few nights later sacrificing his life for his newfound wife, Juliet. Combining both of these traits results in him rushing into his relationship with Juliet, which further results in problems, including the death of Mercutio, Tybalt, and ultimately himself and Juliet. Romeo acts as a sort of hose from which love and problems instead of water spew every which way, as much in one direction as another with great force. Being the "plot hose" as I like to call him, Romeo is also the driving force behind the entire story, it is his flighty, sudden, and powerful love for Juliet that causes the deaths of five major characters. Without Romeo, the story would be extremely boring.

Tybalt; a daring troublemaker

“What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word,
As I hate hell, all Montagues and thee:
Have at thee, coward!”
(I.i.62-64)

It is safe to say that most who read Shakespeare's renowned play, Romeo and Juliet, think of Tybalt as being an intolerable and combative characater. This quote that is said in the streets of Verona clearly illustrates the type of person he is. This personality that Tybalt possesses is essential in the plot of Romeo and Juliet. Many fights spark becuase of his belligerant qualities and his knack for setting people into a mad rage. Not only is he willing to fight at the drop of a hat but he also makes a concerted effort to discrace the Montague nameat the same time. This unfortunate ability to set people off leads to the death of Mercutio and himself. Becuase of TYbalt's death, Lord and Lady Capulet both attempt to rush Juliet into a marriage with Paris. He has ways of transitioning from one tragic event to another.

Paris the Proud

Paris trough out the entire play is very proud. The first time he meets Juliet he decides that he wants to marry her and makes the arrangements. To him he felt that Juliet had no reason not to want to marry him and besides, she was more of a buisness exchange. Later when he is talking to the Friar about his wedding plans, Julit walks in. Before giving her a second breath he tells her how she will feel once she is married to him. Paris's head was floating in the clowds of pride because if he paid attention he probably would have been able to guess Juliet was not happy. Finally when Paris decided to visit Juliet in her tomb he finds Romeo there. Being the selfish, thick headed guy that he was decided that he was going to capture Romeo and save the day and have his name posted as the hero who caught Romeo. Before he knew it Romeo had killed him. Paris served as a proudfull character who thought much to high of himself.

Conceded Paris

"Do not deny to him that you love me." (Act IV, Scene I, Line 24)

Paris, in Romeo and Juliet, is extremely self-confident and conceded. Not only does he believe he is God's gift to women, but he believes that no women would every say no to something he said because of his amazing looks. Paris is the kind of guy in the play that loves himself and believes everyone else loves him too. He is so clueless in the play that he does not notice the way Juliet makes fun of him in Act 4, scene 1. His conceded nature is pretty much his whole charatcer. Whenever he is seen in the play, he acts all cocky. So, I think that the trait conceded is the best way to describe Paris.

Mercutio the Clown

Mercutio was the ultimate comidic figure in Romeo and Juliet . He often gives witty insults to Romeo to help lighten the mood of the play. For example, after the Capulet Ball, Romeo was hiding from his friends in order to sneak in to Juliet alone. That is when the audience hears Mercutio saying "....Romeo! Humors! Madman! Passion! Lover!...pronounce "love" and "dove" and I shall be satisfied!..."Mercutio often mocks Romeo about his love life, but he often mocks others as well. He demines and annoies the Nurse by calling her ugly and taunting her by singing that she is an"old hare hoar". Mercutio even presents a little comedy in his death. After being slain by Tybalt, Mercutio says the very well known pun "ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man. Even in the face of death, Mercutio can't help but to make some wise crack!

The Not So Innocent Juliet

“With thy black mantle, till strange love, grow bold, think true love acted simple modesty.” (III, ii, 15-16)

In the beginning of the play, Romeo asked for Juliet’s satisfaction and she was trying to play innocent and pretend to not understand what he was asking for. After the marriage, however, she is ready to, as she says, “…belong to Romeo now, but he hasn't taken possession of me yet.”(III, ii, 26-27) Juliet is saying that she wishes that Romeo will climb up the balcony any second and take her virginity away for her on her wedding night. Juliet’s family has no suspicion of their marriage because it happened so fast and nobody would think a marriage ceremony would occur in two days; they just simply think she is in her room being a normal thirteen year old girl. After the night that Romeo does not show up, Juliet thinks about him constantly and when her parents announce that she will marry Paris the next week, she cannot think anything of it. In the next couple of scenes, Juliet is mourning over the thought of marrying Paris, she even goes to the highest degree of killing herself because of her love for Romeo. Juliet’s death shocks many people and brings mourn over her household. This comes to show that even the most innocent looking person can do the greatest damages to others.

Benvolio is the Benevolent Friend

"I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire.
The day is hot; the Capulets, abroad;
And if we meet we shall not 'scape a brawl,
For now, these hot days, the mad blood is stirring."(III, i, 1)

In one of Shakespeare's most famous plays, Romeo and Juliet, Benvolio seems like a quiet character. If readers listen and read the story closely, they might find that he does say many wise things. Benvolio is Mercutio's nephew and Romeo's cousin. Benvolio tries to make a genuine effort to defuse violent scenes in public places between the Montagues and the Capulets. He thinks every one would benefit from ending the feud. However, it's not as if he's the "goody-goody" friend; he sides with the Montagues. Mercutio says in the play that Benvoilio actually is very hot-tempered in private as well. But, Benvolio doesn't want the feud to cause harm to his friends, the Capulets, or innocent civillians. In the beginning of the play, Benvolio spends most of his time trying to help Romeo get his mind off of Rosaline, but Romeo barely listens. During the scene when Tybalt stirs up trouble, Benvolio is the one who tried to stop the fight. No one ever seems to hear poor Benvolio though.

Benvolio is benevolent. He is always genuine and he cares for his friends. Benvolio is also the voice of reason with this buddies, sort of like their very own Jiminy Cricket. All he wants to do is keep peace. He is kind, chairtable, and only wishes the best for his friends. It makes the readers wonder what would have been different about the play if the other characters had made an attempt to listen to his wise remarks. Never the less, Benvolio would be a fabulous friend to have. He would always want what would be best for his buddies, and he would try to keep them out of trouble.

Cocky Paris

"Happily met, my lady and my wife" (Act 4, Scene 1, Line 18)


Paris thinks that Juliet is very excited and happy to be marrying him. He thinks that Juliet should be gratful for being able to marry him. In some ways Paris is narcissistic, he is very full of himself. When Juliet replies to Paris's comment, she says,"That may be, sir, when I may be a wife" ( Act 4, Scene 1, Line 19) Juliet statement was directed towards Friar Lawerence, but Paris thought she was talking to him. Paris goes on about how happy she will be once they are husband and wife, not even considering what Juliet has to say. He is narcissistic, he it is always about him and how wonderful he is. Paris does not realy care what Juliet thinks, he looks at thier marriage as a business deal. A business deal that will benefit him.

Romantic Romeo

"It is my lady. Oh, it is my love (Romeo act 2, scene II line 10).

Romeo is a hormonal teenage boy, and just like most teenage boys Romeo is reluctant to find one woman whom he loves. That is, until he meets Juliet. He has a reputation in his community to fall in love with many women, and change his mind often. When he meets Juliet, just a few days later he loves her and they are sneaking away to be married. This quote said by Romeo about Juliet demonstrates his romantic quality he has around women. Although he might feel something special for Juliet, they had just met at a party a few days before and he was in love with Rosaline. It is pretty early to be calling Juliet your one and only love! Romeo is not deliberately changing his mind all the time, but sometimes being such a romantic person like Romeo turns into being impulsive and acting before thinking of the consequences.

Foolish Friar Lawrence

"For this alliance may so happy prove to turn your households' rancor to pure love." ( Act II, Scene iii,90)

Despite being a master of herbs and potions, Friar Lawrence was very foolish man in this story. He thought that if he married the two infatuated teenagers it might bring peace between the two feuding families. This not only did not bring peace but caused several fights in which both sides suffered losses. As the adult in the situation, the friar could have just refused Romeo's plea to marry him and Juliet, but instead he agreed to marry the two children neither of which were over the age of eighteen. Towards the end of this tragedy Friar Lawrence relies on another friar to be a messenger to Romeo, so he could explain to him their plan. The messenger failed to reach him in time. This caused Romeo to kill himself when he say the body of his lover in a mausoleum. When Juliet awoke to find her husband dead next to her she then committed suicide. By trying to end a feud Friar Lawrence caused the death of several young people, from the two families.

Benevolent Benvolio

…The passive and honorable Benvolio was one to be respected until the end.
“I Pray thee good Mercutio, let’s retire:
The day is hot, the Capulets abroad,
And, if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl:
For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.”
(III.i.1-2)
A poor and troubled man torn between his family and what he knows is right. A man that is pulled by his will to do good and the honor of his family. Obviously, this man is confused but the supremacy of right is top quality in his skull. This quote along with anon quotes to come, Benvolio is portrayed as a soft spoken type of man, who would much rather speak with his brains than his weapon. He respects the reputation of his family and his guilt. He sees the truth in killing a man over his last name, the reasoning filled to the brink of stupidity. It is craven and purely insane that they seek such a public place for their ruff housing, and between the belligerent other males Benvolio truly shows his peaceful mind throughout scene III. He does respect their lethal choices but would much prefer that they didn’t act upon them. In a few sections he casually suggests a private place, or a conversation or two to settle things through something else, rather than murder. Throughout most of the book he takes a back seat to other plots, but in this area is where he truly proves his personality. Perhaps, if someone had taken the time to listen to his sensible words, two (even a few more) would be animate.
“We talk here in the public haunt of men:
Either withdraw unto some private place,
And reason coldly of your grievances,
Or else depart, here all eyes gaze on us.”
(III.i.14-17)
All in all, Benvolio truly has all human kind on mind, instead of his selfish drive to exterminate elderly foes. Cheers to the Benevolent Benvolio.

Miss Innocent Juliet

"Or if thou thinkest I am too quickly won,
I'll frown and be preverse and say thee nay,
So thou wilt woo; but else, not for the world." (II,ii,95)

Juliet is inexperienced, naive, and helpless when it comes to the idea of falling in love. Most women of that time were confident and played 'hard to get' towards their lovers and they usually did not give in to the playful and flirtatous words of the man. Juliet is hopeful and innocent and states that she will express her feelings directly if Romeo proves that he loves her. When Juliet says "I'll frown and be preverse and say thee nay", she tells Romeo that she is willing to act like the other typical women by making him work harder to win her heart. Her innocence regarding the way men and women behave in the persuit of love causes her simply to want to be sraight forward, honest, and direct. Juliet's lack of awareness towards men and emotions makes her different from most young women because she does not see a purpose in holding back her true feelings.

Lord Capulet is devoted

"What noise is this? Give me my long sword ho!"

Lord Capulet Act I, Scene i, Line 66

Lord Capulet is extremely devoted. Even as elderly as he is, he still continues to peruse his adversary. When the brawl starts between the servants, he comes out and asks for his long sword. As soon as he does this his wife says that he would need a crutch instead signifying that he is too aged to even fight. Although he knows this, Lord Capulet still has the desire to fight from the precedent of the feud set by his ancestors. Many people those days could barely walk at his proposed age . You could see his anger when his wife held him back for his own safety and the safety of others. This shows the desire and the devotedness of Lord capulet.

Tybalt is tenacious.

"What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word

As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee."

Tybalt, Romeo and Juliet, Act I, Scene i, Line 61 and 62

Tybalt's tenacity is shown by his refusal to stop feuding with the house of Montague. Instead he perpetuates the feud by challenging Romeo to a duel and killing Mercutio. He first notices Romeo at the Capulet's party. He spends all of the party stewing over how his uncle won't let him fight Romeo. He only hates the Montague family his father and his father's father and et cetera also hated them. He hunts Romeo down because feels his family's honor has been insulted. When Romeo refuses to fight, he is only too happy to duel with Mercutio, simply because he appears to be acquainted with a Montague. Not a Montague himself, merely acquainted with one. His refusal to change his ways and stop feuding ends in many deaths. First Mercutio's death, then his own, and finally Romeo and Juliet's death. Tybalt is tenacious because he is stuck in the past and is resistant to change.

An Altruistic Nurse

"O honcy nurse, what news?"

The Nurse is Juliet's caretaker. She is considerate, warm-hearted, and open to Juliet. Juliet trusts her with her secret love for Romeo and she helps Juliet through all her troubles. Altruistic is the best word to describe her because she sacrafices herself for her lady. As said by Juliet many times, she is a good, sweet nurse who has helped her throughout her life.

Examples of times when she was altruistic were the many times when she helped Romeo and Juliet communicate when they could not see each other, when she listened to Juliet openly and respected her opinions, and the times where she held Juliet's secrets safe.

Sneaky Juliet

Juliet has a secret eating away at her. A secret that if anyone finds out it could cause major disruption. The secret is that she went against her father's will for love. She married Romeo despite the perpetuate family feud. Juliet finds a way to not lie to people but doesn't tell the truth. "I will confess to you that i love him." (Act IV scene i line 10) This is spoken to Paris when he is convinced that it is he who he loves. In just that line by saying the key word him, she is not stating exactly who it is that she loves. By saying that she is saying in a clever way that she is in love with Romeo. She sneaks around earlier in the play just to see her love and she has a brilliant mind that she uses to her advantage. This sneaky character fooled everyone in multiple ways. Another example is when she takes the potion from the Friar. She fools everyone into thinking that she is dead. Her plan backfired on her because the potion was too sneaky and fooled Romeo as well. Juliet's life that is shown in the play is all about how she sneaks around and fools people; there would be a completely different story if she was not such a sneaky person.

Romeo Is Reckless

Balthasar- "I do beseech you sir, have patience; your looks are wild, and do import some misadventure." (v, i, 30)

As soon as Balthasar delivers the bad news, he senses Romeo's instinct to act rashly and unwisely. He knows that Romeo is, to put it one way, sensitive. Balthasar has seen how Rosaline affected him, and the news of his banishment, and knows Romeo does not have the best intuition. Balthasar is not a main character, but we see he is similar to Benvolio, fair and wise and patient. He tells Romeo not to act brashly but seems to know it will not do much; Romeo will do what he wants. If Romeo did listen to an astute opinion like that of Balthasar, there may have been time for Friar Lawrence to get his message to Romeo. Romeo's foolish, yet passionate actions drive him to unnecessarily sacrifice his life for his love.

Naive Romeo

"And I'll still stay, to have thee still forget,
Forgetting any other home but this." (II, ii, 177)

Romeo often shows how naive he is in his fast-paced romance with Juliet. Romeo often speaks of love in everlasting ways, but his actions show his is rather ignorant and immature when it comes to love. In the beginning of the story, Romeo is so in love with Rosaline and does not think there is anyone else for him. Only a few days later, he meets Juliet and is immediately infatuated with her and makes multiple claims about how in love he is. Due to his death, we never know whether he would have quickly moved on from this "love" or if it was deeper than it seemed. Looking at the history Shakespeare provides for us, it is likely that Romeo could quickly fall in love with someone else. The above quote shows Romeo claiming that he will stay with Juliet forever, even if she forgets him, and he will forgot everything else and all things he once called home. He is still very young and often dives headfirst into things. His dramatic claims about his knowledge of love and his strong emotions of love are later contradicted by his impulsive actions. His immaturity and ignorance on the topic shows he is rather naive, even if his emotions are strong.

Mercutio's Sagacity

“A plague o’ both your houses” (III.i.87)

From attending wild parties, spurring fights, and making derogatory comments often with sexual innuendos, there is no doubt Mercutio adds flair to Romeo and Juliet. Through innately witty and entertaining, Mercutio serves more than just a comic relief amidst a sinister plotline. Besides the fountain of overflowing puns, jokes, and teases, Mercutio possesses a steely sensibility that belittles the play’s resonating themes of romance and fate.
Mercutio ridicules Romeo’s decadence and lack of moderation as he scorns Tybalt’s egotism and fondness for fashion. No one is spared from Mercutio’s shrewd remarks. Using his sharp tongue, Mercutio breaks the “rose-tinted glasses” his cotemporaries gaze out from and adds pragmatism to the play. He believes all events are earthly interlocked and can be logically explained. Unlike the other characters, when Mercutio dies he blames the feud between the Montagues and Capulets as the cause of his demise rather than fate, a force he believes otherworldly and gripping no relevance.

The Calculated Juliet

While Juliet seems very childish and immature at the establishment of the story, she is presently exposed as a very calculated and witty woman. While she promises to her mother that she will try to love him, Juliet obeys just enough not to anger her. Juliet is also very thoughtful and deliberate when Romeo comes to see her after the party. She does not allow her love for him to blind sight her from the possibility that he may not follow through on his marriage proposal. She thinks the situation through very carefully, and advises him and gives him the chance to do so also. At the close of this tragic love story, the readers find Juliet awakening to find Romeo dead. When she too, takes her life, it is not out of weakness, but out of the strength of her love. Her suicide requires much more bravery than Romeo’s. While he swallowed poison, she ended her life by plunging a dagger into her heart. Throughout the trials of this story, Juliet proves herself equal to each through her cunning and calculated mind.

Juliet the clever

"I will confess to you that I love him" (IV. i. 25).

Juliet is a very clever character. She says something that someone wants to hear, but means another. For example, when Juliet tells Paris the she loves him, the him she is talking about is not Paris. The him is actually Romeo, but Paris does not realize this.
Juliet’s artifice to fool her parents into thinking she would marry Paris worked. She knows full well that this will not happen, but by agreeing with her parents gets them off her back.
Lets face it. Everyone is a little clever, whether it is when you tell your mom you are sick and you can not go to school when you are not or when you tell your parents that you are going to a friends house when you are actually going to a party. Everyone uses little tricks to get away with things. Juliet does the same thing and she uses irony in doing so.

Benvolio's Pacifism

"We talk here in the public haunt of men. Either withdraw unto some private place...or else depart." (III,i,51-54)

In Romeo and Juliet, Benvolio is the character who tries to prevent violence, especially in public places. When Tybalt and Mercutio dance around each other looking for a fight, Benvolio steps in and tries to prevent the fight. If he had suceeded in preventing a fight, he would have most likely used this time to try and calm the opposing parties. In doing this, Benvolio would diffuse the fight and prevent violence.

Romeo the Hasty

"O wilt though leave me so unsatisfied?" (II.ii.132)

Romeo, a mere sixteen or so years old, met Juliet just a few short hours before he says this. He is rushing into things. He has only known her for such a short time and is already her to be his lover. He hasn't spoken to her that much and is already trying to "get to know her." Yes people were married early in Shakespeare's time but they at least knew each other for more than twenty-four hours. Romeo is always hasty. He got proposed to her moments later. That is the equivalent of me proposing to someone I met at Homecoming and asking to, as Juliet puts it, "enjoy" her. Now that it's put that way, doesn't that seem a little creepy? Even if you believe in true love at first sight, you have to admit that when you think about it Romeo is acting extremely hasty.

Friar Lawrence's Bad Choices

"Wisely and slow, they stumble that run fast."(II.iii.)

Although Friar Lawrence isn't one of the more important characters in Romeo and Juliet, without him, the story would be altered quite a bit. Friar Lawrence makes a lot of decisions that change the entire course of the story. For example, marrying Romeo and Juliet. Friar Lawrence was the adult in this situation. When Romeo came to his cell and begged him to wed him to Juliet, Friar could have easily said no. He could have told Romeo that he was just a stupid teenager pining over the "loss" of Rosalie. He could have told Romeo that he didn't want to go against what the families wanted and marry them without approval. By doing this Friar Lawrence just set himself up for disaster. He had made the relationship between Romeo and Juliet official. They were not just "two star-struck lovers" anymore. Now they were husband and wife. Another bad choice of Friar Lawrence's was making the plan for Romeo to go to Mantua after he was banished. If Romeo had hid out in Friar Lawrence's cell for a few days and then gone to the Capulet tomb and gotten Juliet, then there never would even have had to be the issue of getting Romeo a letter. However, Friar Lawrence doesn't think too far ahead. Romeo heads out to Mantua so he never gets the letter telling him that Juliet is still alive. He, of course, thinks she is dead and kills himself because he cannot be with her. Then Juliet awakes. She see that Romeo is dead and then our star, Friar Lawrence comes running in telling her to come with him and he will take her away to the nunnery and everything will be fine. Juliet, of course, doesn't follow him, and kills herself with Romeo's dagger. if Friar Lawrence had taken his time and thought about his actions before he actually did them, we wouldn't have ended up with two suicidal teenagers. Unless I'm just completely off and he planned so far ahead that he knew the families would make up after their kids died. That's another option.

Mercutio's Wit

“Ask for/me to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man.” (III.i.93-94)
With this quote, we learn that Mercutio is witty untill the bitter end. He continues to jest with his friends between his last breaths, showing us what type of person he is. It truly shows that he was clever and sharp to the core when his witty remarks poke through even when he should be saving his breath. Before his death, Mercutio had helped make Romeo feel better when he was rejected by Rosaline. Mercutio was always the source of laughter and comic relief. While his role in the play was not major, as Friar Lawrance's or Juliet's was, his friendship to Romeo surely meant more than Shakespeare let on to.

Paris is pompous

"Do not deny to him that you love me." (IV.i.25)

Paris is a minor character, but he serves great import to the movement of the plot of Romeo and Juliet. Paris, the Capulets' chosen suitor for their daughter, Juliet, serves as the antithesis to Romeo. While Romeo is a true romantic who loves deeply, Paris is a conceited and semi-misogynistic man who desires to wed without wooing. He talks with Lord Capulet as if his marriage to Juliet is a mere business transaction. He does not even know Juliet when he decides to wed her. Yes, Romeo and Juliet fall in love impulsively and without too much conversation, but their feelings are mutual and rooted in commonalities: they are close in age, they have lives dictated for them by their parents, and they lack their families' desire to hate. Paris, on the other hand, shares no connection with the young Capulet.

Paris is also blind to Juliet's feelings, but not because he cannot see them. On the other hand, Paris chooses to look away when Juliet's heart is must pure and exposed. After the tragic murder of Juliet's cousin, Paris is pompous enough to believe that a wedding between Juliet and him would help ease her troubles. He sees himself as a husband to be the remedy to Juliet's broken heart. When he says to Juliet in Friar Lawrence's cell "do not deny to him that you love me," he presumes to know but refuses to actually listen to Juliet's response. Paris hears her words, but his conceded, self-satisfying nature keeps him from understanding his future wife's truth.

Dear Nobody

Dear nobody,
Do you know what it's like to start high school? It's awkward yet comfy, loud at the same time quiet, busy but calm. So many emotions running, sprinting through your body. But when the day is over, and you look back, it feels like you haven't been nervous all day.
The day starts with Biology. It is not hard, but all the while,. not easy. The teacher is quite old but not ancient and is bursting at the seams with information on everything from sugar cane to amino acids. Then comes English with an extremely young, energetic, soft-spoken, kind teacher. Although the teacher's voice is soft, it makes you shut up, sit up, and listen. The information on Shakespeare's play and summer reading book gets pounded into you. The climax, rising action, falling action, the resolution,and the exposition. Last for the morning is gym. Laughter, talking, and hundreds of feet stomping as you walk through the jam-packed gym. The wood floor echoes under your feet but is swallowed up in the noise. Confusion fills the gym as you try to form the desired squads. Then, finally, the bell rings.
Finally, it's lunch time. Friends scramble to find each other, names are shouted down hallways and through stairwells. Lunches are dropped and recovered. Inside or out? What can you buy for 5 bucks? What about 1? Are there sandwiches in the cafeteria? How will you know where to sit if you buy lunch? AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! Finally, the confusion subdues enough for everyone to hear the bell ring announcing the start of the afternoon.
History is your first class. The teacher is a man that looks like a past football player. He has broad shoulders and a booming voice yet he still wears a mike around his neck. He seems to want to fail some and has no tolerance for misbehavior or talking. You feel like you are in military school. The bell rings and every body's heart goes back to normal as they pass out the door. Latin is the second to last class before your day is over. The teacher is another woman. She is also young but not as young as your English teacher. She seems nice and a lot nicer than your history teacher. The person next to you is extremely friendly and the two of you soon become friends. That class is over and you are headed to the last for the day!!!! It is math. The teacher is a kind man who doesn't yell and has a smile for everyone. Not only does he not play favorites, but he is easy going and fun to talk to. When the final bell rings at 2:35pm, silent cheers shoot through your head. The first day of high school is over!! Now only 100 some left! :)

hostility and its effects pandora

The hostility in Romeo and Juliet iminently leads to their death. The two family's hate for each other is the blame for their demise and it shows a lesson that we can learn from. The conflict in the Middle East is an example of hostility, in an extreme way. There's the anomosity between the Muslim and Jews/Israelis, and also inside the Muslim religeon, between the Shia and Sunni. This hate, hostility, and animosity has never lead to anything good and most likely leads to cultural destruction and genocide. The Holocaust is also a good example of how simple hostility turns into a complicated mishap fo events. German Nazi's needed someone to blame for their misfortune, so Jews became their scapegoat. This hate eventually turned into the complete destruction of the Jewish population in Europe. The relationship between the Montagues and the Capulets is similar because their hostility and alienation of each other eventually lead to many deaths in each family.

Family Dynamics

Romeo and his cousin, Benvolio, differ in their views if life, love, and happiness. Similarly, Juliet and her mother have contrasting opinions of marriage, propriety, and the role of a woman in society. Which difference of opinion do you believe plays the most significant role in the workings of the play? Do you have any personal experience that is comparable to these misunderstandings?

Hostility and its Effects

Hostility is often times tied directly to hate and/or revenge. In Romeo and Juliet, hate and revenge lead to public disagreements, lost love, banishment, and even death. What hostility exists in our society today that leads to similar tragedies? Think beyond personal experience and branch into the world around us.

Isolation of the Tragic Hero

Romeo's tragic flaw is multi-faceted. Nonetheless, his impulsiveness, contemplative nature, and disdain for his family's feud lead to his isolation, both emotionally and physically. Do you believe his isolation is self-inflicted (that he chooses to alienate himself) or that he is left out by others who do not understand him? What feelings or actions in our own lives lead to such mental, physical, or emotional isolation?

Deception and its Consequences

Deception and trickery play integral roles in Romeo and Juliet. Not only do our protagonists deceive others, but Romeo and Juliet themselves are deceived as well. How does deception impact the lives of multiple characters in the play? Have you experienced deception in your life that has lead to drastic consequences? Do your experiences and those of our characters correlate in anyway?

Theseus

Hello, My Name is Theseus. I am King of Athens. I'm known as one of Athens' greatest heroes. I've had many quests. Throughout my journeys I have killed a minotaur, brought several criminals to justice, and traveled to Amazon owned land. I've also made many powerful friends, Hercules and Pirithous, throughout my adventures.
When I was born I was sent to a far off land, and I was told I could return once I could retrieve my father's sword from beneath a large rock. Once I retrieved my father's weapon I began my journey to Athens. On my way to my future kingdom, I ran into several thieves who would pillage and kill travelers. I disposed of them the way they had disposed of their victims, beating them to death, tying them between two trees causing them to split in two, and push them off a cliff. I eventually arrived in Athens and claimed my rightful place in Athens.
Not long after I arrived, I was confronted with a dilemma. King Minos of Crete had waged war with the Athenians and was successful. He then demanded that, at nine-year intervals, seven Athenian boys and seven Athenian girls were to be sent to Crete to be devoured by the Minotaur, a half man half beast who lived in the Labyrinth. I volunteered to travel to Crete in order to slave the horrific creature that lived there. King Minos's daughter provided me with golden thread, to retrace my steps, and a sword. I was successful in my mission, and returned with all of the children and Minos's daughter. Minos's daughter realized I had used her, and in return caused me to forget to switch the sail on our ship from black to white, meaning we were alive. This caused my father to kill himself, for he thought his son had perished.
My best friend, Pirithous and I decided we were going to marry people with deity blood. I chose Helen, and he chose Persephone. I easily retrieved the willing Helen, but it was a challenge to get Persephone, for she was the wife of Hades, lord of the underworld. On Pirithous's behalf we traveled to the underworld, just to be captured by Hades. Lucky for me, Hercules rescued me but was unable to rescue my dear friend.
I briefly traveled to the Amazons with my companion, Hercules. He steals the girdle of the queen of Amazons while I carried off the queen's sister. This caused a war in which Amazon warriors invaded Attica. She also bore my son, Hippolytus. My first wife, Phaedra fell in love with Hippolytus, but he rejected her. To ensure she would die with dignity, Phaedra wrote on a tablet that Hippolytus had raped her before she hung herself. I believed this and indirectly caused the death of my son. I was later informed by Artemis that Phaedra had deceived me. Lycomedes of the island of Skyros threw me off a cliff after I had lost popularity in Athens.

Thisbe Bio

My name is Thisbe, which means "Where the doves live." I am most famously known for the tragic love story of Pyramus and Thisbe. I was raised in Babylon and fell for the one youth my parents forbade. Our families hated one another and refused to accept our love for one another. We often communicated through a crack in the wall, and simply through signs and glances. My parents should have known that the fire burns more intensely when it is covered up, and Pyramus and I became more and more in love. One night, I planned to meet him in secret. As I waited, I was approached by a lioness, and terrified; I dropped my garment and ran to safety. The lioness tore and ripped at it, but I was safe. As Pyramus approached, he saw the ruined garment and the lioness and came to conclude the worst. In a rash action brought on by passionate love, he took his sword and plunged it through his chest.

When I arrived back to the scene, I saw Pyramus as he lay dying. I cried out and begged to know what had happened, but it was too late. Pyramus’s eyes closed forever and left me by myself. When I discovered he died at his own hand, I was determined to show my love for him was as strong as his, and to show that I too can be brave for love. I then took his sword and plummeted it through my own chest. I said: “I will follow thee in death, for I have been the cause; and death, which alone could part us, shall not prevent my joining thee. And ye, unhappy parents of us both, deny us not our united request. As love and death have joined us, let one tomb contain us. And thou, tree, retain the marks of slaughter. Let thy berries still serve for memorials of our blood.” I knew the events of that night would change our parents’ ways and make them forget the old, daft feud. I was right, our parents acceded my death wish, and our bodies were buried in one sepulcher, with a tree that brought forth purple berries to this day.

I know a lesson can be learned from this story, which is why the gods and goddesses have made it famous. It is vital to focus on what is really important and what isn’t. An old feud compared to your child’s happiness, shouldn’t even compare. When you love someone, you can’t shut out what they are saying and what they want. Because that’s what love is, love is wanting what’s best for another person. Happiness is so important, love is so important. If our parents weren’t so stubborn, so close-minded, and so afraid of what might happen, of what our love would have changed, Pyramus and I would not have had to meet the way we did that night. We sacrificed everything just to be with one another, and that tells you how important we were to each other.

Psyche Bio

I am a maiden Psyche, meaning spirit or soul, born from a great king. I am the youngest of three daughters and I am married to Cupid, the god of love. My marriage to Cupid did not come about easily because of interference by my mother-in-law, Venus, whose jealously of my beauty and feelings that her status was threatened created much strife. I am a mortal, and because of that Cupid is not allowed to show his face to me. He and I can only see one another during the night with my agreement not to look at him directly. My curiosity once caused me to break this rule when I snuck in on him during the night and glimpsed at his face. He awoke and caught me looking which caused me to spill oil from my lamp onto his arm. Cupid left me and fled to stay with his mother. I could not bear the thought of living without him and yet feared the idea of facing the anger of Venus for what I had done. I was determined to spend the rest of my life searching for him. I had to face the wrath of Venus who forced many challenging tasks upon me to punish me for my actions. My only hope of getting back in her good grace was to complete each impossible task. The types of challenges I faced were to fetch golden wool from fierce sheep and to obtain black water from the river Styx. These tasks were only accomplished with the help of others who were there to help me find my lost love. Once Cupid’s arm was healed he longed to be with me and came to find me. With the help of Jupiter, king of the gods, I was granted immortality which made it possible for me to marry Cupid at last. Even Venus approved because I had successfully proven my worthiness and now had immortality and finding my true love made my soul complete.

Hera's Bio

Before I start lets get one thing straight ladies. My man, Zeus, is off limits! I’m not sure which part you don’t understand, the “off”, or the “limits”! Think about it, I am the goddess of marriage. I’m not going to be to happy when I turn around and your playing with my man. And if you do mess around, you better sleep with both eyes open, because the second you don’t will be the second you meet Hades (he’s actually not that bad, freaky at times but give him some credit. How would you feel if you had to guard the dead?).Okay, now that that is covered, let’s get down to helping your love relationships. Girls, men need help. I know that we talk in perfectly understandable English, have perfectly understand able mood swings, and are much more logical, but considering the fact that most guys only have heads full of helium, we got to our share to let them know what’s going on. Trust me, I know. Sometimes I’m afraid Zeus might just float away with that pocket of air on his shoulders. Oh and one other thing. Guys, just a tip…when you ask a girl what she wants for her birthday or valentines and she answers, “oh you don’t have to get me anything it’s okay”, she doesn’t really mean don’t do anything. For crying out loud take her outside to watch a sunset, stick a dandelion in her hair, and play country music. Just DO SOMETHING!!! That’s what girls like. Finally, this is to everyone, you need to spend time with your spouse. Absence does not make the heart grow fonder; all it does is get you a mate like Zeus. I’m truly sorry if I busted you’re bubble, but I’m the goddess of marriage and love. It’s my job to meddle with your love relationships (and if you see Zeus, tell him he’s in big when he comes home!).

Ariadne Bio

I am Ariadne, sometimes i am also known as Rhea. My name means "very holy". I am the immortal goddess daughter of King Minos of Crete and Queen Pasiphae, the moon goddess. Being the princess of Crete, i had a lot of powerful influence over the people in the highly advanced civilization and i was very well respected.

I am most famous for helping the hero, Theseus defeat the Minotaur, half-man/half-bull, in the labyrinth. I gave him a spool of magical gold yarn, so he could find his way out of the labyrinth. I fell in love with Theseus, and later it became clear that he did not love me back. He and I were on our way to sail to Athens, when he left me on the Island of Naxos while I was sleeping, to continue the journey himself.

While I was on Naxos, Dionysus, the god of wine, fell in love with me, and he made me his wife, we had several children together. I was later killed by Artemis, the goddess of nature. Dionysus, however, decended into the underworld and got me back from Haydes, Dionysus and I then joined the other gods up on Mount Olympus.

Greetings. I am Athena, daughter of the all-knowing Metis, and the almighty Zeus, rain god and wielder of the thunderbolt. My birth was rather unconventional to say the least. I emerged fully-grown and clad in armor from my father’s head. Fearing that my mother would bear him a son mightier than him and with the advisory of Mother Earth and Father Sky, Zeus consumed Metis while I began forming in the watery depths of her womb. As the story goes, my mother began fashioning a robe and helmet for me inside Zeus’s stomach. The hammering of metal drove my father to insanity and caused him tremendous migraines. My half-brother Hephaestus could not bear his anguish and split Zeus’s skull open. Much like a chick from an egg, I hatched.

Although predominantly associated with war, I am also the goddess of justice, skill, art, industry, and wisdom, the latter of which is undoubtedly inherent from my mother. Contrary to the popular belief that I hunger for bloodshed and battles, I am simply the defender of my land. As a matter of fact in many accounts of poetry, such as The Iliad, I am commonly credited for my reason and purity. I am an agreeable goddess if not agitated. I have a precious pet owl and have sustained a long-term friendship with Nike, the goddess of victory.

In a brief turn of events, I went from Zeus’s most feared to favorite child. I am often treated to the use of his weaponry, the Ageis, a thundercloud shield, and his infamous thunderbolt. In many a statue, I proudly showcase these items.

Those familiar with mythology are acquainted with the famed quarrel between my uncle, Poseidon, and I. Both fond of a certain Grecian city and eager to claim it, we sought of a way to settle the dispute diplomatically. Finally, it was decided that whoever bore the finest gift to the people, would acquire the city. Leading a procession of curious civilians, we climbed up the Acropolis. Poseidon turbulently struck the side of the cliff with his trident and out of the ground sprung a well. However, as awed as the people were, the water that leapt from the spring was salty like Poseidon’s sea, futile to their needs. Always observant, I gave them the gift of an olive tree. It provided food, oil, and wood. Needless to say, the city, now known as Athens, was mine.

Prometheus Bio

I am Prometheus, the son of Iapetus and Clymene. My name stands for Forethought and I was also known as a rebel god. I knew that my brother Cronus would be overthrown, but I did not tell anyone and I waited until the time came. Immediatley when I saw who was to overthrow Cronus I sided with him without a doubt, and obviously I was correct and Cronus was overthrown. Inspired by my abilities Zeus gave me the job to create mankind along with my brother Epimetheus. I allowed him to create every beast and when the time came to create man I told him to allow me to do that. He was fine with the idea and when it was mankind's turn he called for me. I created man to walk on two legs like an Olympian god, and I gave them an amazing gift. That gift was fire. I knew that Zeus would not give me fire even though I had helped him against my own kin, so I tricked him and obtained fire which I immediatley gave to primitive man. Zeus was angered and gave me a warning but I did not fear him because I knew what was to come, and I also knew I would have to guide mankind and help them against Zeus now that I have gotten them on his bad side.

Now it was time to create an offering for the Olympians because mankind was to worship them and they wanted an offering during every worship session. I told Zeus that I would create the offerings and that he could choose among the two I was going to create. Zeus was fine with the idea and I was off to work. I collected the hide, bones, and fat of a wildebeast, and I cleverly made it look like a fresh piece of livestock ready for him and the meat I had taken from the wildebeast, I had disguised as something rotting. Instantly when Zeus came down to choose the offering, he chose the fake wildebeast and at that moment he was angered and frustrated with me because I had given him the fat of the beast and left the finest parts of the wildebeast, the flesh, for mankind. At that moment he gave me a final warning that if I were to intrude him once again that I would be locked and I knew he wasn't kdding but I saw that it wouldn't last forever and I knew I would have to endure a horrible fate until that time was up just for helping mankind.

Zeus had feared for a long time that he was going to be overthrown just like Cronus by one of his sons, therefore he commanded that I tell him who was to overthrow him, but I refused. He was at that moment so fustrated with me that he ordered I be chained up in Caucasus. There I had to endure the most painful of hardships of my everlasting life. Zeus ordered an eagle to come every day and eat my liver. I was a god therefore my liver kept renewing itself so I had to endure this everyday. The pain was escruciating, it was almost as if I died every day, but I was the wisest of all gods and I knew that this would end soon. Zeus promised that he would release me after I told him who was to overthrow him, but I still refused even though the eagle kept eating my liver. I foresaw that a god would come to slay the eagle and rid this evil curse and it happened. Heracles slayed the eagle because he felt horrible as to how his father was treating me and I thanked him for that. I told him not to worry about me for that this was near the end of my cruel treatment and he was relaxed because he knew I could forsee the future and he left. After a few weeks of this cruelty Zeus released because he knew I would never tell him his future even with cruel punishments.

I am The Rebel God that always sticks up for mankind and I always side with the good. Never Forget That!

Medusa

Some people tend to cringe when they hear my name or are told of my powers, and I can't say that I blame them. I am Medusa, one of the three Gorgon ("monster") sisters. My name means "ruler" and "sovereign female wisdom", but I am not the stereotypical monster that you may have heard of. In fact, I used to be one of the most beautiful maidens in all of the land with magnificent long, silky hair. Many handsome and wealthy men even lined up to marry me. That is until one day I was in Athena's temple and was found with Poseidon. Athena, that jealous brat, turned my beautiful hair into living hissing snakes. My skin became scaly and extremely hard, in fact no sword could cut through it. I was turned into a gut-wrenching beast! The worst part of all though, was that I was made to be so horrible that any living thing that gazed into my eyes would be turned to stone. Because of this, I became known throughout the land as being a ruthless monster, and after a while, I even came to see myself as being one. I was relentless and angry about the whole experience so I became brutal and mean.

Not long after this tragic incident, Perseus (Zeus's son) tried to rescue his mother Danae from the king Polydectes. The king said that if he brought back my head, his mother would be returned. Many had tried to kill me before, and all failed, so I wasn't worried about this Perseus. To make a long story short, the evil and vile Athena as well as Hermes helped Perseus by giving him a shield to use as a mirror. Now, he didn't have to look directly at me. I was then decapitated. From my head sprang forth the winged horse Pegasus and the giant Chrysaor. My head was then used in many battles as a weapon, and then that witch Athena placed it on her shield where it remained.

To be honest, I am still quite bitter about the incident. I have received an unnecessarily vulgar reputation. After all, it was the angry goddess Athena who turned me from a beauty into a beast. When you hear my name, Medusa, don't run or fear, but remember that I can't help the way I am. I may appear frightening, but my wide unblinking eyes reflect my immense wisdom; I am all-knowing as well. Before you judge me as being a monster, think about my story and how you would feel if it happened to you.

Perseus bio

Hello. I have conquered the impossible. I have saved my family from danger. I have found true love. My name is Perseus, and I am the son of Danae and Zeus. I have the protection and help of the gods, and I will do anything to protect those that I love.
My child hood was a tragic one. My grandfather, King Acrisius of Argos, learned from the priestess in Delphi that his daughter would bear a son that would one day slay him. My mother was shut away, and when I was born I was kept a secret. As soon as my existence was known, I was placed with my mother in a great chest by my grandfather and thrown into the sea. There my mother cradled me as the waves toppled over us. Finally we reached land, but we were still locked in the walls of the great chest. If it was luck, or my father Zeus watching over me, I do not know. Whichever it was, a fisherman saw the chest and freed us. This man, whose name was Dictys, treated us like family and was the reason for my survival. The kind fisherman had a brother, who was King of the land. His name was Polydectes, and he was a cruel man. When I was a young man, King Polydectes resolved that he would marry my mother. My mother did not love him, nor wish to marry him. Determined to win the hand of my mother, Polydectes held a great celebration. All brought gifts, as is the custom in the land. I had nothing I could bring. However, Polydectes had once stated that he greatly desired the head of Medusa. I resolved to bring Polydectes this prize. I know now that Polydectes was baiting me, as he wanted my mother, and did not want me around. But I was young and proud, and I spoke without thought of consequences.
I began my quest by venturing to Greece. There I met with priestesses and asked for help with my quest. The priestesses told tell me to go to a land where “they do not eat Demeter’s golden grain only acorns.” So, I went to the land of the oak trees, a place called Dodona. In Dodona, I met the gods Hermes and Athena. Both gave me extraordinary gifts. A shield and a sword, both like no other on Earth. Hermes took me further to meet the gray sisters. These women were gray with their age, and were the most wretched I had ever seen. They only had one eye that was shared between the three of them. With the help of Hermes cleverness, we devised a plan to snatch the eye. We were successful, and the sisters were desperate for their precious eye back. We bargained the return of the eye for directions to the northern nymphs, which they rendered without hesitation.
With Hermes as my guide I could not go astray. We made it to the northern land, and found the nymphs. There, I received the materials that would be essential to obtain the head of Medusa. They bestowed upon me winged sandals, a magic wallet, and an invisibility cap. Leaving the nymphs, I went to find the island on which Medusa and her sisters lived. When I arrived there, I was happy to find them all asleep. This made my task easier. I knew not to look upon them, even as they slept, knowing I would be turned to stone. Using the reflection in my shield, I found the throat of Medusa, and quickly cut it. I took the head, and carefully placed my prize in my wallet, careful not to look upon it even in death. The other sisters awakened, but were not able to see me for I wore my invisibility cap. Quickly, I escaped the island and was on my way home.
Flying with the aid of my winged sandals, I saw the most beautiful woman I have ever cast eyes upon. She was on a rocky ledge, chained as a sacrifice to a fearful sea serpent that was terrorizing the people of her country Ethiopia. Her name was Andromeda, and I was so struck by her beauty, I had to save her. With my sword, I defeated the serpent, cutting its head from its body just like I defeated Medusa. I then asked Queen Cassiopeia and King Cepheus, Andromeda's parents, for her lovely hand in marriage. Without hesitation, they gladly gave her to me.
I then returned to my home. There I learned Polydectes still fancied my mother, and was furious that she refused to marry him. I learned my mother took refuge living in a Temple. I resolved this could last no longer. I went to a banquet Polydectes was hosting with all of his followers. Once they all saw me, I took out the head I ventured to get. With the power of Medusa’s head in my hand, all of my family’s enemies were turned to statues of stone in the very moment their gaze fell upon me. With Polydectes dead, my mother and I returned to my birthplace. We went to see if the many years of us being gone had softened my grandfather’s heart. When we arrived, we discovered that my grandfather was long since driven out of the city. We also learned that the new king was hosting an athletic competition. I joined the event of discus, and accidentally threw the deadly disc into the crowd, where it pierced and killed my grandfather.
My love Andromeda and I had a child, named Electryon. Together we live happily and full of love. I gave the deadly head of Medusa to Athena, who placed it forever on the aegis, the battle shield of Zeus, which she carries. Perhaps someday, there will be other heroes in my family.

Hephaestus

Hephaestus

Olympus: a breathtaking place home to the most amazing sights and beautiful gods. Well, almost. I seem to be the exception to nearly every rule. I am Hephaestus, the god of volcanoes and blacksmith fires, and not quite a looker.

As a blacksmith god, I am a master of my craft and create magnificent ­­­works of art for the gods. Zeus’s thunderbolts and Eros’s arrows take shape under my strong and patient hands. With my tools and knowledge I created the chariot which Helios rides across the sky and the invincible armor of Achilles.

I was born a cripple. After a single glance at my twisted and useless legs, Hera, my own mother, threw me from Mount Olympus and into the sea. I barely survived that horrendous plunge, only through the help of nymphs who rescued me from the icy water. How could my own mother abuse and abandon me so? It was unjust, immoral and wrong in every way. I could not allow that type of treatment go uncontested. Quickly built an elegantly carved, beautiful throne which I presented to her on Mount Olympus. When she lowered herself into the seat, it trapped her at once. Many of the gods begged and pleaded with me to let her free and I eventually conceded my temporary victory in exchange for Aphrodite as my bride. This arrangement proved to be an interesting one. As Goddess of love and beauty, my wife has many admirers, and few wish to admire her from afar. My wife is simply far too sweet and polite to these aficionados and is often lured into messy and embarrassing situations. Unlike many Olympians, I do not have much of a temper and think of myself as a somewhat well-rounded god, however, steer clear of my wife, or watch out.

Leto's Bio

Hail, kind beings, I am Leto. To the Romans I am Latona, however, most call me “Bright One.” I am the daughter of the mighty Titan, Coeus, and my dear mother, Phoebe. Since I was born in Kos, I have always been worshiped because of my pure love for all mortal and immortal beings especially my divine twins, Artemis and Apollo. My devotion to my beautiful children took me to the ends of the earth searching for a secure place to deliver them. My epic tale begins with one hero, just one simple name: Zeus.

Zeus loved me, well Zeus loved all women, but with me there was something different. His love for me was even superior to that of his own wife, Hera. I was never one for conflict and I would much rather have peace between the Olympians, however Hera’s envy was strong and by the time I was pregnant with Zeus’s twins, she was prepared for vengeance. I could tell from the beginning that this would not be an easy childbirth; Hera made it almost impossible for me to bear my heavenly children anywhere safe. I journeyed from Crete to Phocaea and far beyond Asia Minor in search of a safe spot for Artemis and Apollo’s birth. As time went on, Hera increased her traps, going as far as sending the terrible beast, Python, to trap and destroy my unborn twins and me.

Finally, having enough of his wife’s resentment, Zeus sent the North Wind to guide me to Poseidon’s ocean floor, and find the island of Delos (Ortygia). The island came into existence many years ago, when Zeus tried to seduce my glorious sister, Asteria. With the only force she had left, Asteria hurled herself into the sea and became Delos. Poseidon led me onto my sister’s land, the only place protected enough to deliver my children. Exhausted from my seemingly endless journey I clutched the branches of an old olive tree and gave birth. First, to the spectacular Artemis, bearer of the moon's silver bow, and goddess of the wild. Then, subsequently to the great Apollo, god of light and music and bearer of the sun's curved bow. To this day, I am worshiped all across the earth, mostly in Lycice, where statues rise over the lands telling the story of my epic quest to protect my children.

Cupids Bio

Cupid is my name, and love is my game. I am the God of Love, the fairest of the deathless gods. Aphrodite is my mother, and I
have been seen as a naughty boy. This is not true, all I want to do is spread the love. I give the gift of love, with my bow and
arrows. Once I strike someone with an arrow, they will fall in love with the next person they see. I wear a blindfold, because love
is usually blind.

Midas

My name is Midas. King of Phrygia, I have, or rather had, the power of the Golden Touch. When Dionysus lost his mentor, I kept him for ten days, and on the eleventh I brought him back. Dionysus granted my wish, whatever I wanted, and being myself, I wished that all I touched should turn to gold. I was like a child in a room full of toys, I bounced from room to room, touching everything I could see. All the running was making me hungry, so I had my servants prepare a feast. When I raised a cup of wine to my mouth, the wine and cup both turned to gold. I tried to eat several different foods, and when all turned to gold, I was quite flustered. I came across my daughter, and without thinking I hugged her, turning her into lifeless statue. I was fraught with fear as soon as she changed, and I immediately prayed to Dionysus to have my "gift" removed. He told me that I should wash myself and my daughter/statue in the River Pactolus. This I did, and the water has glittered with gold ever since. Rejoicing in having my daughter alive once more, I removed myself from my wealth of before, and moved into the country. Of course, that did not stop my troubles, as later, in a disagreement between Apollo and Pan. When Apollo was judged as the best musician of the two, I resented the decision, and voiced my concerns that Pan, my tutor in music, was the better. Apollo did not like that, and gave me the ears of a donkey. My hairdresser helped me to hide them, but he could not keep the secret. He dug a hole in the ground and whispered the secret into it. The reeds heard, and spread the story until people heard it. However, except for a small incident involving Apollo and my daughter, my difficulties in life had finally ended there. As for myself, I have a split personality, alternating between fearful paranoia, carefree country lifestyle, and greedy kings demeanor, which can be quite confusing to those who know me.

Titans' Bio

We, the Titans, were the supreme rulers of earth long before the Olympians. Before those retched creatures over threw us, we ruled the Earth and all those within. We came to power by overthrowing our father, Uranus, and resided under Cronus, our leader. There were twelve of us in all, including six sons and six daughters. These were Cronus and Rhea, who gave birth to the Olympians. Lapetus, who gave birth to Prometheus (the dirty traitor), was another Titan from our ranks. The rest included Oceanus, Hyperion, Themis, Thae, Mnemosyne, Phoebe, Croeus, Tethys, and Crius.

The story goes that Zues overthrew us and everything was just dandy. Zues, that despicable being, is the cause of our suffering. The world was a wonderful place before the war between the Titans and the Olympians ever occurred. Then the Titanomachy, the eleven year war with the Olympians took place. Of course Zues won in the end, casting us down into Tartarus, and there we lay, suffering in the deepest parts of the underworld.

We tried our best to prevent this from happening of course. When Gaia made a prophecy stating that one of Cronus’s own children would overthrow him, he did what any sensible person would do; swallow every child of his whole. One day however, Rhae, Cronus’s wife, tricked him into swallowing a rock wrapped in a blanket instead of Zues. This minor event lead to our destruction, and to this day the retelling this memory is unbearably painful.

We await the day we return to glory, and retake our rightful place from the Olympians as rulers of the universe. Until that day, misery greats us everyday down in this forsaken pit they call Tartarus.

Aurora's Bio

My name is Aurora. I am the goddess of the dawn, and I have a brother, Sol or Helios (the sun), and a sister, Luna or Selene (the moon). My sons are the four winds: north, south, east, and west. I am sometimes shown riding in a golden chariot drawn by winged horses and other times, I have been shown flying with my own pair of wings. I rise up into the sky from the Okeanos river at the start of each day, and my rays of light disperse the mist at night. It's true that I am not the smartest goddess. I asked Zeus to grant immortality to one of my many husbands, Tithonus, who was a mortal. Zeus granted my wish, however I failed to ask him for eternal youth. Tithonus aged eternally and turned into a grasshopper. Although I am not the most well known goddess, Shakespeare makes reference to me in his play, Romeo and Juliet.

Pandora's Bio

Hello. I am Pandora, "the gift of all". I gave many gifts to the world, since I was the first woman on this earth. I am also a very curious being. The old expression, "Curiosity killed the cat" goes hand and hand with my story.

I was given the task of keeping a box, that could either have everything or nothing in it. I was just so curious, it was eating me up inside and one day I just couldn't take it any longer. So I opened it, even though I was forbade to look inside by Zeus. It turns out that there were no material possessions in that box, but things of great misfourtune. Many of mankind's evils came out: death, sorow, mischief. But one good thing did come out of my curiosity: Hope. Something that is greatly needed in a time of affliction. So, I guess you could say that I did mankind a favor!