Divine Intervention

   Divine intervention is something that has been questioned for years.It is argued that there is a higher power above us that controls and interferes with our own fate. Many people question this theory. Is divine intervention something that is real or do we, as people, ultimately have control over our own destiny's and lives? Do all of our actions lead up to what the outcome of our lives will be or is someone "upstairs" controlling this and stepping in when they feel is necessary? Recently, we have completed the first half of the Odyssey. In the book, Homer reveals a chain of events that occur while Odysseus is attempting to make his way back to Ithaca. We are told that it was the Gods that decide to allow Odysseus to return home, but along the way he was going to encounter a list of inevitable events that would make his journey home even more difficult. However, throughout the story we see examples of how Odysseus' decisions reflect his own fate. Homer provides us with both sides to the argument. We are given multiple examples of when the goddess, Athena, interferes with Odysseus' setbacks providing him with aid, advice, and "hints." We also see examples of the god, Poseidon, causing his ship to crash and his crew to drown. But on the other hand, Homer provides Odysseus control his own fate to some extent. A prime example of this would be when Odysseus visits the land of the dead. At the land of the dead, he encounters Tiresias, a legendary Theban prophet, who reveals to him his fate IF he chooses to slay the cattle of the Sun god. Another example would be when the nymph goddess, Circe, instructs Odysseus on what path he should take and what he should do while sailing at sea past the island of the Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis. She does not choose the path for Odysseus, but leaves the decision up to him. This suggests that Homer believes in both sides. Maybe there is a such thing as divine intervention, but this so-called "higher power" gives us the freedom of what path we want to take. Thus resulting in the obstacles we face. Or maybe is the complete opposite, and the higher power already knows what path were going to take and "planned" it to be that way. No one really knows the answer.

Why does it matter?

  In English class, we are taught to follow certain rules and pronunciations when it comes to speech and language.  Proper grammar while writing and speaking was something that was incredibly stressed at the rudimentary level of schooling.  I remember the teacher constantly quizzing, assessing, and testing us on certain grammatical things that we were supposed to know. But as I mature, I'm starting to question what the point even is. Do we really need to know when to use "me" or "I" in a sentence or whether lie, lay, or lain is supposed to be used? Does anyone ever pay attention?  It seems like the same society that created all of these terms and laws, is the same society that doesn't even use them anymore. People have become more comfortable and relaxed in reference to language. Proper grammar has even turned into an annoyance to everyday people. I mean honestly, who wants to hear someone speak proper 24/7. We've even gone as far as creating a whole different "language" that we use via text, Facebook, or twitter that allows us to express things quicker and easier. For some of us it's just a habit. Personally, I know "how to turn it on/off." In class, I stress or attempt to stress the way I speak, write, and articulate certain words. BUT as soon as I hit the hallways or see my friends, I'm right back to using slang. Maybe this is due to just pure American laziness or maybe people purely just don't care anymore. Who knows.