The Juxtaposition in the Hope of Roman Light Essay

On that first fateful day, when Romulus struck down his own brother Remus, the cauldron of Rome was forged in blood and betrayal. The seeds on the Palatine hill cultured one of the most potent and stretching empires of human history. Though this civilization seemingly wielded the bolts of Zeus, they were infested with violence, vanity, and deception. Yet, one man—or seemingly â€Å"un†-man—outshone and out-graced his surroundings and everyone within it. He brought Rome several victories and rescued his beloved country from an early exodus, thus providing her a second beginning. This man was Marcus Furius Camillus, and against a logical and emotional mind, he was oft less than loved and celebrated. At times he was disregarded, insulted and even†¦show more content†¦His belief and trust in a higher power at all times, not just in his time of need, is what Livy seeks for Roman citizens to emulate. Here at the pinnacle, is the highest of Roman saviors. Nonet heless he still kneels and recognizes the fleeting nature of worldly power. Religion and faith in the gods, is his constant, not a lifeboat to be called for in times of duress. Faith must be lived, breathed, and walked. Livy underscores this idea for Romans and forever future readers with a piercing question: is it our â€Å"pleasure that†¦the gods of Rome†¦ [are not] interrupted in wartime†¦[but] are abandoned during peace?† (Livy, Rome 5.52). As shown through the actions of our protagonist, the gods are not your self-service; you are theirs. In addition, Camillus’s actions after wars continue his persona of selflessness. Immediately after his omnipotent position during war was no longer necessary, he â€Å"resigned the dictatorship† (Livy, Rome 5.23). Many times he was given the dictatorship, and many times he released it. Unlike other Roman monarchs—many who killed even family members for a taste of the throne—power for Marcus Fur ius was nothing more than the seeds of a white dandelion: easy to liberate and used as a way to spread the honor of his home and country. Livy’s illumination stands in direct contrast to the authority-addicted population of Rome, where even in times of war, a majority of rulersShow MoreRelatedThe Pianist Analysis824 Words   |  4 PagesJews of their rights, relocate them to a ghetto, and dehumanize their entire community. Throughout the course of The Pianist the filmmaker, Roman Polanski, visualizes the differences between the Privileged and the oppressed in Warsaw during World War II using a variety of cinematic techniques such as lighting and focus, and narrative elements such as Juxtaposition and character development. In The Pianist, there are a variety of characters that both generalize groups and stand out from the crowd. 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