Interpreting History

The School of Athens by Raphael

:The School of Athens" painted by Raphael shows how art both mimics and helps society grow. Like most paintings of the renaissance, the painting reflects a real life object or event and not something abstract. Historians can take apart this primary source from the renaissance to help us decipher the past. The school of Athens shows many philosophers and important figures from history such as Ptolemy, Alexander the Great, etc. The painting contains real people who lived throughout history and help progress our knowledge of the universe. Artistic minds such as Raphael painted history in which helped record the many events and people that carried on the renaissance.

If I were part of the fresco "The School of Athens" I would be the philosopher Ptolemy. He stands at the bottom right corner of the painting holding an orb. Ptolemy was born in Egypt 90AD, he studied astronomy and came up with the Ptolemy theory which claimed that the earth was the center of the universe. Though he was wrong his theory was supported by the Catholic Church for over 1400 years. Like Ptolemy I would like to study astronomy and help advance the knowledge of our universe. Making an impact in the world and standing out to generations to come. Using modern tools I wish to improve upon the foundation of the universe. Though this will be a challenging task, Ptolemy stands as idol for individualism and the world of science.

A Rare Combination of Genius

“For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.” –Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo Da Vinci was a man ahead of his time, coming up with ideas that would change the world and its perspective. He had ideas which revolutionized the renaissance. The ideas of flying machines and movable bridges were some of his ideas which were never thought of until he came along. The work he did was kept in a notebook, though he had clever ideas, only a few of them were ever built. He had designs for machines that were ahead of his time and perhaps even ours. He designed the first tank, ball bearings, catapults, and various other objects. Despite being an inventor Da Vinci also had interest in art and architecture. He would spend time practicing until he could paint masterpieces.
Leonardo was an apprentice to the artist Andrea del Florence when he was 17. Da Vinci was famous for paintings such as the “Last Supper” mural, and the Mona Lisa. Leonardo Da Vinci, a rare combination of an artist and scientist, will continue to inspire the many cultures of the world.

Leonardo Da Vinci's Flying Machine

Pic Source:http://ened.tistory.com/archive/200805

Victors of France

Joan of Arc is a national heroine of France and a Catholic saint. Born on 1412 in Domrémy, France, she grew up a peasant girl and became a warrior which led many victories in the Hundred Years’ War. The Hundred Years’ War raged on from 1337 to 1453 for the French throne. This battle was mainly between the House of Valois (French) and the House of Plantagenet (English). Joan of Arc slowly fought off the English which eventually led to victory for the House of Valois. The House of Valois took the territory of France (except Pale of Calais) and push The House of Plantagenet back to England. Joan claimed she had visions from god which helped her lead France to victory. She was later captured and sold to England where she was burned at the stake. She was later beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920. Joan, along with St. Denis and St. Theresa of Lisieux, is the one of the three Patron Saints of France.






















Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc’s leadership lives on today and will forever. She stood for courage and spirituality. A French warrior, Joan of Arc preaches the message of persistence, bravery, and confidence. Proving to the world victory shrouds itself in darkness until we have the courage to pursue it. Today Joan is a national symbol for France and an international symbol for courage. Joan of Arc proves many lessons, one of which is that one person can make a difference no matter who it is. Joan of Arc is an international idol which everyone should look up to in times of helplessness and fear.

Source: student.britannica.com

Strength Sleeping Within

Courage sleeps within a silent chamber
Cloaked with a lion’s hide
It is awakened by an anxious heart.

Firefighters in front of a blazing house

In “The Alchemist”, Coelho sends the message that we must be courageous to be able to seek and participate in your own destiny. His message tells us that courage is found in the heart. To be courageous one must be in search of adventure or destiny. “Every blessing ignored becomes a curse” (Coelho 55). We should cherish every treasure that comes our way. Doing this we do not regret our actions and mistakes, and thus able to seek adventure. Coelho explains we each affect each others destiny and are important in every aspect, “Every person on earth plays a central role in the history of the world” (151). To allow fear to conquer our hearts changes history for better or for worse.

Pic Source: gettyimages.com

Adaptable Confidence

A Unique Pursuit

“When I took my sheep through the fields some of them might have died if we had come upon a snake. But that’s the way life is with sheep and with shepherds.” (Coelho 49) Life is unpredictable and is filled with wonder and danger. This quote shows that life will always have a challenge, no matter what you do. In “The Alchemist” the protagonist Santiago is a proud shepherd boy from Andalusia, Spain. He later has a recurring dream about buried treasure in the Egyptian Pyramids and boldly leaves Spain in a pursuit for his new destiny. Along his quest, he meets various people, each of them teaching the boy about life and how everything is connected. On his journey he finds true love in the dessert and becomes a courageous person. The protagonist, Santiago, using his confidence, adaptability, and adventurous traits, he is able to achieve his destiny.

With his new-found confidence following him, Santiago is able to overcome his harsh trials. The start of his confidence was being able to become a shepherd and travel around the Andalusia countryside. He then meets a king Melchizedek who teaches Santiago about omens. Omens are the signs that help you achieve your destiny. His bravery led him to follow his destiny and travel across the border to Africa. He was hesitant to leave Spain, but he knew there was treasure waiting for him. While traveling he had to face many hardships, but keeping persistent he was able to overcome these. To start his adventure he travels to a city called Tangier, where he meets a crystal merchant right after being robbed. The crystal merchant dreams of going to Mecca, as this is the fifth Muslim obligation. The crystal merchant was too afraid of change and adapts to leave his crystal stand. He has worked in the same place for 30 years. The crystal merchant states, “‘You dream about your sheep and the Pyramids, but you’re different from me, because you want to realize your dreams… I prefer just to dream about it.’” (Pg 52-53) With this conversation with the crystal merchant Santiago realizes everyone has a destiny, but few pursue there dream for they are scared of failing. Santiago’s confidence helps him to continue his journey toward the Pyramids. As Santiago comes closer to the Pyramids he falls in love with a woman in the desert, Fatima. He wants to stay with her but knows there is still a treasure waiting at the Pyramids for him. He hesitantly leaves Fatima in hopes he will return one day to be with her. Santiago is able to leave his most precious possession so he can carry on his journey. From pursing his dream Santiago must to be able to put confidence in his heart, while crossing the vast lands separating him from his treasure.

Being able to adapt, Santiago is capable of traveling across the various locations without too much struggle. The first case in which he has to adapt was when he was robbed in Tangier. He had nothing in his possessions, but he didn’t see this as a strange place, he saw it as a new one. He rose up again to complete what we started. Santiago was able to carry on his journey after losing everything. During his quest Santiago travels the deserts of Egypt and meets a wise alchemist who decides to take in the boy as a disciple. This wise old alchemist teaches Santiago about the soul of the world of which is how everything is connected. He also teaches the boy about how alchemy is about achieving spiritual perfection, and thus Santiago must master alchemy to be able to achieve his destiny. The alchemist states, “‘Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place.’” (Pg125) The alchemist is explaining that the world becomes how we see it. While traveling the desert the boy and the alchemist stumble upon a tribe while the alchemist brags of how Santiago can change himself into the wind. This was the alchemist’s test to see if the boy understood the soul of the world. The boy had to talk to the wind, talk to the sand, talk to the sun, and finally to God. By seeing God Santiago finally understood the soul of the world is how everything is one and united. Though Santiago is able to adapt to almost any location, he wouldn’t be able to leave Spain if it weren’t for his adventurous quality.

Being adventurous Santiago is able to pursue his destiny while dealing with the challenges. The first action Santiago took was to seek out what his dream meant. This led his to start his adventure and make a decision whether to seek his destiny or stay a shepherd. This dream affected his life in a severe way which led him to the Pyramids. He changed his personality to become brave and courageous to be able to wander to the Pyramids. While in the desert of Egypt, Santiago makes a decision of going onward with his adventure. Santiago has started in Andalusia and has traveled to the Egyptian Pyramids. He has made tough decision on his journey, like joining the alchemist, which have changed Santiago’s personality altogether. Santiago has read to omens to help him on his destiny. Meeting Fatima was joyous for Santiago but leaving her made him hesitant. Santiago must leave Fatima in order to pursue and accomplish his destiny. He states “‘I had a dream, and I met with a king. I sold crystal and crossed the desert. And, because the tribes declared war, I went to the well, seeking the alchemist. So, I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you.’” (Pg117) This has Santiago understand the challenges he has to go through to achieve his destiny. Santiago has the adventurous qualities to complete his destiny and to overcome his hardships.
Confidence, adaptability, and adventure, each of these traits make Santiago a participant in his destiny. Santiago’s confidence helped him to read the omens and continue his journey for his destiny. Adaptability led him to be able to travel to the far reaches beyond Spain. Being adventurous Santiago is able to seek adventure and is able to risk everything for his destiny. Santiago has many respectable traits which lead him through the cruel roads to his ultimate treasure. Character traits play a role in literature life and reality, each combination is unique and each may help or hinder your abilities. Coelho’s message is that we each are unique and each have a destiny to pursue.


Terry Fox

“When life knocks you down you have two choices- stay down or get up.”- Tom Krause
Persistence helped me to be able to be a participant in my destiny. Being persistent is to be able to keep on going, never giving up through the many obstacles you have to face. I have to make everyday decisions that will affect me for the rest of my life. Persistence teaches me to live on every day happily and courageously. Without persistence I wouldn’t be able to complete my everyday task without complaining. Similar to Santiago, I possess persistence to be able to carry on during hardships and rough times.

Pic Source: Flickr.com