Society Rules

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Exam topic 3

What the Characters Learn About Life

The life of Sam in Athol Fugard’s “Master Harold” …and the boys learns that it is important to have a firm stand about what you teach others. Sam had a good relationship with Hally, and in the process, he filled the father figure that Hally was missing. Hally admits liking the company of Sam, where they both enjoyed their intellectual debate (Fugard, 2009). However, Sam was not happy about racism that existed in society and was expressed by Hally’s father. He taught Hally how to be a man, while Hally taught him what he learnt from school. Despite the excellent relationship, Hally harbored depression and anger in him, and he recklessly abused Sam. However, Sam had a firm stand about what he terms as being a man. He practised what he had taught Hally and became the first to offer a hand of reconciliation. In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, the life of Brutus develops a character of betrayal but was later he faced downfall. Brutus dreamt of a perfect life with a good wife and a happy home. In the play, his, private issues determined his public actions (Wills, 2011). He is tormented by the contrast of his personal regard for Caesar as a friend and his public need to act for the good of Rome. His thoughts are shown to torment him privately, and at the beginning of Act 2, he was pacing silently in his private garden. He finds nothing personal against Caesar, but the thought of his quest for power caused him to worry.

In Athol Fugard’s “Master Harold”…and the boys, the character of Sam is bold and of strong personality (Fugard, 2009). In life, I have made bold steps, and my strong personality has helped in maintaining my stand. In decision-making, it is essential to make firm decisions, even if the impact on you is unfavorable. In taking a major step in life and desiring for a change, the changes do not come easily, but one has to work hard for the changes to be realized. Therefore, applying the principles of boldness and strong character is important. In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, the character of Caesar is ambitious (Wills, 2011). To achieve higher goals, it is crucial to have an ultimate goal and the objectives that will form a road map towards realizing your goal. In my life, I have made my major goals and outlined the events that will help me realize them. However, it is important to heed to warnings about impending dander to avoid doom like Caesar.

Reading this literature work has changed my view about life. It is important to mean what you teach others by letting your actions to speak more than the words. It means more when someone cares than just mentioning how much they care. Sam in Athol Fugard’s “Master Harold”…and the boys did not only speak words to Hally but he also meant them (Fugard, 2009). Willie did not just listen to the words from Sam, but he decided to go and apologize for beating up his friend. In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Portia had a strong stand concerning her ability to hold a position like a man (Wills, 2011). She chose pain and suffering to show that she meant her words. Therefore, having a firm stand is important because it forms the basis of principles. Secondly, friends can misuse trust. In Athol Fugard’s “Master Harold”…and the boys, Sam, Willie, and Hally are painted to be good friends having a close relationship. Close relationships are guided by care and trust. In the end, Hally expresses oppressive actions and words towards Sam. In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Caesar was betrayed by Brutus, who was his friend. Therefore, one should beware of the fact that friends can misuse your trust.

In conclusion, society values affect various aspects of individuals that are part of society. The rules of society are important because they are meant to protect the interests of all members. Some of the rules positively affect the members by preventing an impending danger, while others are meant to bring harmony to all. With the changes in society, questioning some of the rules is reasonable, especially those that look outdated. However, if these rules are avoided without questioning, their effects could be detrimental to the individual members of society. More so, relationships are important because they help someone to have new ideas about life or find comfort during times of need. One party can sometimes misuse these relationships without caring how the other feels. Therefore, it is important to be mindful about the feeling of the other and the message that your relationship passes to others

References

Fugard, A. (2009). ” Master Harold”–and the Boys. Vintage.

Wills, G. (2011). Rome and Rhetoric: Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Yale University Press.