Granted that Machiavelli’s own historical context is remote, how far does his pattern of contrasts between political ideals and concrete realities apply today? I don’t think his ideas are far off from reality today. He had a bad view of those who were in charge and ruling everything. Still, today, many individuals still feel this way. There isn’t a day that goes by where we don’t hear of someone “high and mighty’ bashing another individual over something that isn’t even worth a breathe. Individuals are very deceiving and they will say or do mostly anything in order to win or come out on top of something.
Sister Juana de la Cruz cuts off her hair to force herself to learn more quickly, although she knows that among young women, “the natural adornment of one’s hair is held in such high esteem.’ Finally, she enters the convent (where woman had their heads shorn). What other works have you read that emphasize the importance of a woman’s hair? Why does it seem to have so much symbolic value in such a range of cultures and times? I couldn’t come up with any stories that emphasize the importance of a woman’s hair. However, my first thought went directly to the Amish community where I’m from. I’m not 100% sure of the reason, but Amish women do not cut their hair. They always have it in a bun, but is it covered with fabric (I’m not sure what the correct term is.) In their culture, it is not appropriate to wear their hair down. To their culture, it shows respect.
Bear in mind that the Aztec warrior’s highest duty is to bring home live captives for sacrifice. Give the Song for Admonishing a careful reading and decide–without researching the entire Cantares Mexicanos–what possible meaning might be assigned to the figurative terms “flower’ and “song.’ I am not too sure what possible meaning the “flower’ and the “song’ may be. If I would have to guess, the flower is to show that life is beautiful and it’s a reality. It shows that what is there, is actually there. The “song’ may be a way for the Aztec warriors to know when it’s their time to begin their duties that day, or week, or whenever the song is played.
One thought on “Petrarch; Machiavelli; Native America; De La Cruz”
sdpost
I also thought about how women in many orthodox religious communities do not cut their hair. I know this is also true for some Pentecostal women I know. It almost seems like it goes with the rule about not wearing pants.
I also thought about how women in many orthodox religious communities do not cut their hair. I know this is also true for some Pentecostal women I know. It almost seems like it goes with the rule about not wearing pants.