1/30/20 Ryan Patino Period 8

Ryan Patino

Modern Mythology 2020

Aim: How is honor, earned through loyalty, emphasized in funerary rituals and tradition.

Do Now: Describe the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. Explain the purpose and effect. 

As the groups began to discuss most thought long and hard and finally came to a very complex and profound realization that may shock most. *wait for it*. Located in Washington DC, the towering statue of Abraham Lincoln, aptly named the Lincoln Memorial, was actually used to memorialize Abraham Lincoln. Easily a plus 1000. But as we delved further into the discussion there seemed to be even more to this already deep answer. 

What's the point of memorializing Lincoln in a great statue?

Now you might be saying to yourself, 

"Well duh Ryan Lincoln shaped the course of American History, without him the U.S. might've not ended up the way it is now, there's some way we have to honor him. It's almost as if he's constantly watching over the United States for the years to come, for even an eternity." 

So by creating this statue, you can say that we've immortalized him. Never to be forgotten. That's quite powerful to not be forgotten. Although he may have died more than a century ago, he still lives on in our memories today. The second I heard these words the lyrics to Macklemore's "Glorious" echoed through my mind:

"I heard you die twice, once when they bury you in the grave

And the second time is the last time that somebody mentions your name”

We’re all scared of death not because we’re scared of death itself, instead, we’re all scared of the idea of being forgotten, our existence just completely being erased by time. Since what’s the point of living a life that has no meaning and makes no difference. The thought itself is paralyzing.

At this age, we may not yet realize what our purpose in life is and “pragmatically” we’re all not going to change the world. It’s a statistical fact. Does that now mean that the lives of those that don’t change the world have no meaning?

We were then asked, “What have you done that makes you deserve a memorial?”

After some deep thought, most of us had arrived at the same thoughts:

Hmm... what have I done to deserve memorialization…

I mean my first grade Macaroni art portrait was kinda fire so clearly I’ve already changed the world

No but seriously, hmm…

I had to have done at least something.

…

Well, “pragmatically” I’m not gonna change the world so it’s fine if I don’t.

But then who’s gonna remember me. 

Oh heck what’s the point of life if no one remembers me.

After I die am I just gonna be forgotten?

...

To raise is from this death-inspired existential terror, we were now shown an uplifting poem by Bessie Anderson Stanley titled “To Have Succeeded”:

 

To laugh often and love much; 

To win the respect of the intelligent people 

And the affection of children 

To earn the approbation of honest critics 

And endure the betrayal of false friends 

To appreciate beauty; 

To find the beauty in others; 

To leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, 

A garden patch, 

Or a redeemed social condition; 

To know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here. 

This is to have succeeded.

We were then told by Mrs.Fusaro that we are her purpose. That although it may seem like little we brighten up her day, that she looks forward to having the opportunity of teaching us. And that alone deserves memorialization since although we may not have changed the course of history, we all changed someone’s life.  

The next two lines of Glorious fill my head:

“So when I leave here on this earth, did I take more than I gave?

Did I look out for the people or did I do it all for fame?”

Fame is just another way of being memorialized and extending one’s legacy but after a while fame too, disappears.

Beowulf, a great Anglo-Saxon hero who slew all the monsters in the sea ridding it of all evil. Destroyer of the evil Grendel and his mother. And finally, he is the only one capable of taking on the mighty dragon. 

Beowulf takes twelve of his most trusted Geat warriors and goes into battle. 

After having his sword break and drowning in a wall of fire, Beowulf is pushed into a corner. 

Eleven of the twelve Geats take off and run away. Wiglaf is the only Geat to remain and he attempts to help out Beowulf in his time of need. 

Thereafter Beowulf is fatally wounded and all he asks of Wiglaf is a simple tower to be built in memory of him. 

Beowulf, just like any other human, is scared to be forgotten. He’s scared that after chasing all of this fame, it would prove pointless. Without Wiglaf, if the legends are true, then we wouldn’t have Beowulf’s story, or be aware of any of the amazing feats he had accomplished. Without Wiglaf, Beowulf would have been forgotten. Wiglaf risked his own life and future in order to save Beowulf. But this raises further questions.

What’s the price of honor?

Is it worth living a long life remembered in infamy

Or a short one remembered in glory.

After some student facilitated discussion, we then arrived at the discussion of Wiglaf’s function as a character and came to the conclusion that he’s there to pass on the Beowulf story. And at the very last minute, we had made a great connection. 

“Then he brought their treasure to Beowulf, and found his famous king bloody, gasping for breath. But Wiglaf sprinkled water over his lord.”

That water, especially in Western literature, can be used as a purifying force, and if Wiglaf sprinkled water onto Beowulf this can be seen as a baptism, and that Beowulf had been forgiven for his sins and is now allowed to enjoy his second life in heaven. But instead of heaven, Wiglaf had allowed Beowulf to enjoy a second life by carrying on his legacy and story, therefore immortalizing him. Since we as people are terrified of being forgotten, and why should Beowulf be any different. 

Student Reflection:

Although I may not change the world that shouldn’t make me fear death. Since even though I may not be able to slay monsters like Beowulf, I do have the power to change a person’s life, and maybe they might end up being my Wiglaf. Also, this was the first time I realized the true fear behind death, and through feeling this fear I’m now motivated to change many people’s lives for the better. I also understand reason behind the instinct to help others in professions such as doctors, firefighters or policemen. It’s not that any of them are chasing fame, but instead trying to change peoples’ lives. So now I can use this new perspective on life and purpose in order to somehow not be forgotten. Since, I, like Beowulf, am also terrified of being forgotten. 

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