One idea that struck me the most during this reading was the moral of the story. I couldn’t really figure it out. Was it revenge? Was there no moral? I also started to wonder then what the purpose was for stories like these during the time. Did they write them for simple entertainment or to teach a lesson? Did they use them as cautionary tales or ways to promote values such a bravery and courage? I tend to like to know the motives behind writings such as these which is why I found this one so interesting. Because either way you look at it, each character committed some sort of crime so it’s hard to think of any of them as a hero or protagonist. And although each were hurt in some way, they each chose revenge and violence as their reaction and solution leading to mixed emotions about all of them.

I found this article incredibly interesting. Whether we want to admit it or not, an enormous amount of emphasis is placed on emotions and emotional behavior in our daily lives and decisions. I had always heard laughter was a universal emotion and it was both enlightening and engaging to learn there are basic emotions such as joy and fear through out humanity that link ancestry together since the beginning of time despite cultural differences. The article used the orchestra reference and it made me think of artists who make a newer version of an older song. When both are played, the majority are familiar with it and can recognize it as a particular song. Even with modifications from various artists, the song is still known as we pick up on the similarities.

I do think the article was spot on stating there is a much greater negative stigma against emotion than positive. I can’t tell you how many people have told me over the years that Spock was their favorite character and it makes me wonder was his lack of emotion appealing then to many? I personally don’t think emotion is encouraged in many situations. If a woman is too emotional she is characterized as overly sensitive or crazy. If a man is, he is not being “manly” enough. When men show too much anger, they are considered dangerous. Salesmen are infamous for persuading individuals to make “emotional decisions” to buy things, insinuating it is not an “intellectual decision” or the right one. In addition, we as a society only enable and prolong this battle with emotions using phrases such as “don’t show that you care” or “don’t give into your emotions.” Nowadays there’s “emotional eating” causing people to “eat their feelings” just another example of a way emotions are presented as negative to the public. With the dawn of technology it has become even harder now through text and everything else to convey emotion in conversations leading to often negative responses even if original messages weren’t meant that way. I am very excited to hear what everyone else has to say!!