Borobudur_Chia Zhen Yan 1002831

Borobudur  is a famous Buddhist temple and located in Java, Indonesia, 8th and 9th centuries. The basic structure of this temple is divided into three tiers, which form in pyramidal style with five more on square terraces. The walls of the temple is decorated with unique relief and cover a big surface area in the temple.

What I do  if I go Borobudur? What also traveller do? Most traveller visit this temple is Buddhist. The temple is open to public from 6am to 5pm. Tourism can view the beautiful of sunshine of Borobudur. According to the research, they said that "Manohara Hotel (see Sleep) runs a daily Borobudur Sunrise Tour for Rp 320, 000 for foreigners and Rp 220, 000 for Indonesians, which gets you a flashlight and a lift up to temple gate at 4.30AM." In my opinion, for me this is the mostly purpose I go visit Borobudur, see the sunrise, explore the beautiful of the world.

 Sunrise of Borobudur, Photo by Thrillseekr

Besides of sunrise, bicycling is also a healthy and beauty activities in the villages of Borobudur. The villages people is friendly and you can having a fantastic sport in bicycling. The villages are full of agriculture brings out natural. 

Furthermore, Elo River also can be your memory when you visit Borobudur. Just 10 minutes from Borobudur, sense the jungle and natural of flora and fauna. The waterfalls  and others let you have fantastic adventure.

In the research, I found that UNESCO is the biggest hero as they restore Borobudur. In 1975-1982, the project which they done include make the base structure steady, cleaning everything and installing drainage system. Finally, UNESCO

name Borobudur World Heritage Site in 1991 after they completed the renovation. This is the reason Borobudur become a famous temple in Indonesia and attract the tourism come visited. 

Riza Nugraha took this photo. This place is located at west side. The height is42 meters but after restoration is 34.5meters. The dimension is 15, 129 square meters. 10 floors and the first to sixth floor were square, but the seventh to the tenth floor were round form.

Westside, Photo by Riza Nugraha

Borobudur is full of mystery. That is a lot of question still haven't solved. According to research, said that how the condition around the temple was at the beginning of its foundation and why at the time of it's finding the temple was buried. Some people said this and some people said that make a mystery and greatness. 

In the conclusion, we also can visit villages such as Karanganyar and Wanurejo which are surrounding the Borobudur. You can go to the top of the Kendil stone where can enjoy the Borobudur and the surrounding sceney.

And I like to share a night scene of Borobudur with you and hope you like this place and enjoy.  Photo taken by Rollan Budi

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Borobudur Chen Chu Han 1003943

Borobudur is famous Buddhist temple, dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, is located in central Java. It was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m2. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. 

Borobudur is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world. Founded by a king of the Saliendra dynasty, it was built to honour the glory of both the Buddha and its founder, a true king Bodhisattva. The name Borobudur is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit words 'vihara Buddha uhr', meaning the Buddhist monastery on the hill. Borobudur temple is located in Muntilan, Magelang, and is about 42 km from Yogyakarta city.

This colossal temple was built between AD 750 and 842: 300 years before Cambodia's Angkor Wat, 400 years before work had begun on the great European cathedrals. Little is known about its early history except that a huge army of workers worked in the tropical heat to shift and carve the 60,000 m³ of stone. At the beginning of the 11th century AD, because of the political situation in Central Java, divine monuments in that area, including the Borobudur Temple became completely neglected and given over to decay. The Sanctuary was exposed to volcanic eruption and other ravages of nature. The temple was not rediscovered until the 19th century. A first restoration campaign, supervised by Theodor van Erp, was undertaken shortly after the turn of the century. A second one was led more recently (1973-82).

A harmonious marriage of stupas, temple-mountain and the ritual diagram, this temple complex was built on several levels around a hill which forms a natural centre. The first level above the base comprises five square terraces, graduated in size and forming the base of a pyramid. Above this level are three concentric circular platforms crowned by the main stupa. Stairways provide access to this monumental stupa. The base and the balustrades enclosing the square terraces are decorated in reliefs sculpted in the stone. They illustrate the different phases of the soul's progression towards redemption and episodes from the life of Buddha. The circular terraces are decorated with no fewer than 72 openwork stupas each containing a statue of Buddha.

Stylistically the art of Borobudur is a tributary of Indian influences (Gupta and post-Gupta styles). The walls of Borobudur are sculptured in bas-reliefs, extending over a total length of 6 km. It has been hailed as the largest and most complete ensemble of Buddhist reliefs in the world, unsurpassed in artistic merit, each scene an individual masterpiece. The narratives reliefs on the main walls read from the right to left, those on the balustrade from left to right. This was done for the purpose of the Pradaksina, the ritual circumambulation which the pilgrims make moving on the clockwise and keeping the sanctuary to the right.

The Karmawibangga reliefs on the hidden foot are devoted to the law of karma. The Lalitavistara series do not provide a complete biography of the Buddha, from the Hushita heaven and end his sermon in the Deer Park near the Benares. Jataka are stories about the Buddha before he was born as Prince Sidharta. Awadana are similar to Jataka, but the main figure is not the Boddhisatva, and the saintly deeds are attributed to other legendary persons.

I hope that I can really travel along and visit this temple since I am a Buddha.
Borobudur is a historical Buddhist temple.I think I can get more historical information inside there.
I want to know more about my race historical and the story behind this temple.

Plato's Allegory of the cave Chen Chu Han 1003943

The Allegory of the Cave also known as the Analogy of the Cave, Plato's Cave, or the Parable of the 


Cave.Plato lets Socrates describe a group of people who have lived chained to the wall of a cave all of their 


lives, facing a blank wall. The people watch shadows projected on the wall by things passing in front of a fire


behind them, and begin to ascribe forms to these shadows. According to Plato's Socrates, the shadows are


as close as the prisoners get to viewing reality.

Imagine human beings living in an underground cave.They have been there from childhood, and their legs and necks are chained, so that they can not move. They can only see what is before them, since their chains prevent them from turning their heads. There is a fire in a place behind and above them. And between the fire and the prisoners there is a low wall, which is like a screen at a puppet theater which hides the performers, and above which they show the puppets.

They are like us, Plato explains, because we don’t perceive reality, but only superficial shadows. Like them we are imprisoned in a limited cave, or worldview, and we assume that this is what reality is like. We don’t realize that it is only shadows on a wall, and that a greater and fuller reality exists outside our cave.

Plato’s allegory is part of his complex philosophy, which is rich in details. But if we put aside the many details of his theories, we can see the allegory in a more general way: as an allegory about our narrow and superficial way of life.The allegory touches us because it reminds us of our heart’s yearning to live more deeply and fully. Virtually every reflective person experiences this yearning, although in everyday life we are usually too busy to appreciate it. We are preoccupied with pleasing the boss, with playing the social game, worrying about our money and possessions, dreaming about a newer car or a bigger house; and then we spend the rest of the time online or watching TV. But occasionally, at special moments of self-reflection, we can hear a small voice speaking inside us and asking: “Is this all there is to my life? Shouldn’t there be something more? Can’t my life be richer, fuller, deeper than it actually is?”

Through the video 'Matrix' that shown by Mr.Ray, I realize that a person cannot fall into own illusion.Illusion will affect a person.A person cannot analysis a thing is that real and what is real.Through plato 's allegory ,he ask human don't perceive reality, but only superficial shadows.Don't make us confuse but something unreal become real.Think well before do anything,don't became the person "Neo' in the movie 'Matrix'.At the end,he suicide because he fall into his dream world.

Ng Ai Yee 1201591 - Borobudur

Borobudur indeed is a decent piece of building with fascinating architectural structure.
The architectural style is consist of Stupa and Candi.
There is a main dome at the center of the monument which consist of 72 buddha statues seated in the perforated platform. The monument had total of six square platforms, and is decorated with alot of stupas and candi which arrange in a systematic way.

It is place in such way that the people that time respect what they believe it is as it is. This monument had detail ornaments on it with an eccentric skills that somehow still stays mystery today. Yet the complicated ornament somehow gradually turned into a more simple structure as in arupadhatu circula terraces.
The constructed details, some shows the daily life of people in the 8th century of ancient java.

Ont the five square platforms, there seated more of the buddha cross-legged in a lotus position. At a glance all of them seems to be similar, but watch closely, there are subtle differences in between them. There are a small difference in mudras or the position of their hands. All the reliefs arrangement and the way they were carved that way tells a story that's different from one another.

Borobudur Winnie Wong Wei Ni 1101745

Borobudur is one of the greatest Buddhist  temple around the world, which located in Muntilan, Magelang. Borobudur was built to honour the glory of both the Buddha and its founder, the king of the Saliendra dynasty. The Borobudur was built as a single large stupa, when viewed from above takes the form of a giant tantric Buddhist mandala. The foundation is a square, approximately 118 metres, on each side. It has nine platforms, the lower six are square, and the upper three are circular. there are 72 small stupas surrounding one large central stupa. The punden berundak step pyramid is the basic design in Borobudu, believed to be the continuation of older megalithic tradition incorporated with Mahayana Buddhist ideas and symbolism. 


The monument's three divisions symbolize the three realms of Buddhist cosmology, namely kamadhatu, Rupadhatu, and Arupadhatu. The odinary sentients beings live out their lives on the lowest level, the realm of desire. Those who have burn out all desire for continued existence leave the world of desire and live in the world on the level of form alone- they see form, but not drawn  to them. The full Buddhas go beyond even form, and experience reality at its purest, most fundamental level, the formless ocean of nirvana. Kamadhatu is represented by the base, Rupadhatu is the five squares platform, and Arupadhatu by the three circular platforms and the large topmost stupa. Congregational worship in Borobudur is performed in walking pilgrimage. Pilgrims are guided by the system of staircase and corridors ascending to the top platform. Each platform represented one stage of enlightenment.  The stairs for 3 levels, the walkways are decorated with 2672 reliefs panels that tells stories from the Buddha's life and parables from Buddhist text. 

Plato's Allegory of the Cave_ Ng Yi Ting 1107345

Brief summary of Allegory of the Cave by Plato is that Plato played with the idea of what would happen.In the beginning it represents man’s condition as “chained in a cave,” with only a fire behind. He perceives the world by watching the shadows on the wall.  Sits in darkness with the false light of the fire and does not realize that this existence is wrong or lacking.

Plato next imagines in the Allegory of the Cave what would occur if the chained man were suddenly released from and go out into the world. Plato describes how some people would immediately be frightened and want to return to the cave and the familiar dark existence. Others would look at the sun and finally see the how the world is.

Therefore we can interpret Plato's work by watching the first Matrix film. The reality of the matrix is that it is “a construct” meant to keep people enslaved. When Morpheus asks Neo: “What is real? How do you define real?” He is echoing Platonic thought. Further he tells Neo: “No one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.” This definitely in a direct relationship to Plato’s views on the inability of language to convey truth or to free people from spiritual shackles.

Thus it is easy to see that Plato’s rather simple to be continues reinterpreted to present day. Whether or not a person agrees with Plato’s definition of truth and knowledge of his argument can inform interpretation of art, film, and literature since references to it are still in common and popular to be used.

Plato's Allegory of the Cave : Pang Nian Ching 1201143

       Plato establishes an elaborate hypothetical, with humans in an underground cave only able to see in a single direction. A fire is lit out of sight above and behind them, and it casts shadows against the wall in front of them. These shadows are the only things the prisoners can see, and men are constantly carrying objects in front of the flame. Plato hypothesizes that if the prisoners in the cave are able to talk amongst themselves, they will name the shadows and treat them as if they are real - they will know no differently. But if a prisoner is released from the cave, they will be confused and disorientated. The objects will seem strange and foreign since he is used to seeing only their shadows. Similarly, if the man is forced to look to the heavens he will be disorientated at first but gradually come to understand "his proper place in the world." This knowledge will be foreign and strange to the people left in the cave, since it is so far beyond their understanding.

      The allegory serves to illustrate what Plato sees as the process of illumination and education. Humanity is represented by the prisoners chained within the cave, and life is nothing more than the shadows on the wall. While we see these shadows as natural and complete, they are little more than the reflection of something larger - something obscured from our view and something the majority of us will never know.

The select few who escape the cave are those who become educated and enlightened. They begin to see the true essence behind the shadow and realize how limited the vision of those in the cave still is. Suddenly, their entire world view changes. The old labels become false and their new knowledge becomes that much more complete. Similarly, if they take one step further and adjust their vision by looking at the sun, he will gain the most complete knowledge of all - the knowledge of man and his place in the world. To Plato, this is the highest level of illumination possible.

      But this knowledge bears with it a burden. The enlightened man no doubt wants to return to the cave and share his new knowledge with the prisoners. However, now the shadows in the cave seem foreign and simplistic to him. He cannot see life in the same way he did before. Moreover, the prisoners are not able to see beyond the shadows based on his descriptions alone - it becomes impossible to comprehend. As Plato writes, you can't put sight into blind eyes. This ultimately leads to conflict, as the enlightened one is put to death. This could be symbolic of the death of Socrates himself, who was executed because of his philosophical views.

Plato's Allegory of the cave Winnie Wong Wei Ni 1101745

The Allegory of the cave by Plato represents an extended metaphor that is to contrast the way in which we perceived and believe in what is reality.

The multi-faceted meaning we can seen in the beginning with the presence of our prisoners whom are chained within the darkness of the aforementioned cave. The prisoners are bound to the floor and unable to turn their heads to see what goes on behind them. The prisoners perceived the reality from the shadows shown on the wall. There are also echoes off the wall from the noise produced from the walkway. The prisoner would praise as clever whoever could best guess which shadows would come next, as someone who understood the shadows on the nature of the world, and the whole of their society would depends on the shadows on the wall.

The socrates only believes the shadows on the walls rather than what he sees. After the prisoner is release from the cave, they are forced to look upon the fire and objects that once dictated his perception of reality and he thus realizes these new images in front of him are now the accepted forms of reality. After sometime on the surface, the prisoner can see more and more, until he could look upon the sun, he would understand the sun is the source of the seasons and the years.

After the prisoner return to the cave, the prisoner would metaphorically be entering a world of darkness yet again, and would be faced other unreleased prisoners. Other unreleased prisoner might laugh at the released prisoner for taking the useless ascent out of the cave in the first place. It is depends on the prisoner to represent leadership, for it is him alone who is conscious of goodness.

The allegory is a remark of what a solid leader should be. The prisoner is expected to return to the cave and live amongst his former prisoner as someone whom can see better than all the rest, someone whom is now able to govern from truth and the goodness. He is expected to care for his citizens. 


The "Allegory of the Cave" represents a complex model as to which we are to travel through our lives and understanding. The four stages of thought combined with the progress of human development represent our own path to complete awareness in which the most virtuous and distinguished will reach, and upon doing so shall lead the public. The story as told by Socrates and Glaucon presents a unique look at the way in which reality plays such an important part in our own existence, and how one understands it can be used as a qualification for leadership and government.

Ng Ai Yee 1201591 - Plato's Allegory of The Cave

Ng Ai Yee 1201591 - Plato's Allegory of The Cave

In the Plato's Allegory of the cave, Socrates depict a line of people were chained and looking on a blank wall. As the fire was cast, they were looking onto the shadows on the wall. These shadows are the closest concept to their sense of ideal thing. Therefore it seems almost closest to the reality for them.

The people that sits inside the cave has seen only a limited reality of things and they believe that is the real thing. However, Socrates evaluate that what people think is the real thing is actually a false impression. Socrates uses the image of a group of people being chained in the cave and those people have limited access only to the shadows from the casting fire to explain to Glaucon. He also said that these people only see the shadows and believe that is the reality without knowing it was actually an illusion.

Later on, if the chained person were to release from the cave, he might not be able to accept what he sees. The casting shadows were actually created by the fire casting. He might have been through some rage, but he will learns to accept it and understanding it.

After seeing the truth, Socrates said that the unchained person would still miss the cave and the people who were chained inside. He might even sympathize them, for they will never know the truth. This is because, he realized that if he went back, he might not get accepted. Even if he try to free other chained person, he might get harmed by other prisoners as well.

The cave is in quite a dark condition where people inside finds it hard to see clearly inside. As these people were chained and unable to move as they please the things they see and experience is definitely limited. However there are also another world outside the cave and these two places were separated only by a wall. As the other people moves outside of the caves, theirs shadows were projected by the fire onto the walls inside the cave. Those people who are chained down are unable to see the outside and presumed that the shadows are real, which in fact those shadows are not real.

On the place outside the cave, there are lights and everything is clearly seen. If one of the chained people had escaped from the cave out into the place outside the cave, he might gradually learn and starts to experience new things. Gradually, the escaped one will be able to identify things clearly and realizes the real thing is outside of that cave and see that the cave is no longer a real thing to him. The escaped chained person is satisfied of what he had experience. Then he remembers those who chained inside the cave and start empathize for them. He thinks that those people are pitiful for they will never get to know the real thing outside the world and will forever live in the darkness and believing that the shadows are real. He realized he would rather roam outside the cave rather than staying inside the cave. He may have gone back and tries to persuade others to follow him, but he afraid that no one will believe him and will kill him over it.

This concept of “The Cave” has allegorical meaning and are somewhat quite symbolic.
The caves symbolizes the contemporary world of ignorance while the chained people represent the neglectful people in this ignorant world. The walls represents the limits in thinking set out by the surrounding community and the shadows are somewhat an illusion.
Hence, In this allegory of cave, it has portray a criticism over our negligence towards the existence in every aspect of the world.




**Read more :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegory_of_the_Cave
http://www.bachelorandmaster.com/creationofknowledge/allegory-of-the-cave.html
http://www.slideshare.net/guest71fae1/an-analysis-and-interpretation-of-platos-allegory-of-the-cave-1416697

Plato Allegory of the Cave- Chia Zhen Yan

Chia Zhen Yan 1002831

In the cave, the prisoners mistake appearance for reality. They 
believe that the images they are seeing on the wall are actually real, 
they do not know that there are objects making these images.


In the allegory, Plato likens people untutored in the Theory of Forms to prisoners chained in a cave, 
unable to turn their heads. All they can see is the wall of the cave. Behind them burns a fire.  Between the 
fire and the prisoners there is a parapet, along which puppeteers can walk. The puppeteers, who are behind the 
prisoners, hold up puppets that cast shadows on the wall of the cave. The prisoners are unable to see these puppets, 
the real objects, that pass behind them. What the prisoners see and hear are shadows and echoes cast 
by objects that they do not see. Here is an illustration of Plato’s Cave:


The prisoners can turn their heads and see real objects when released, They will realize what are the errors but can we seeing the causes of shadows and analogous? 
We can grasp the forms of our minds.


According to “Plato’s aim in the Republic is to describe what is necessary for us to achieve this reflective understanding.” 
I think that our ability thinking will depend on the forms. The objects that we participate it.


The prisoners may learn what a book is by their experience with shadows of books. But they would be mistaken 
if they thought that the word “book” refers to something that any of them has ever seen.
Likewise, we may acquire concepts by our perceptual experience of physical objects. But we would be mistaken 
if we thought that the concepts that we grasp were on the same level as the things we perceive.


In my opinion, the plato brings the meaning of each person
has his own ability to think.  According to "Plato’s point: the general terms of our 
language are not “names” of the physical 
objects that we can see. They are actually names of things 
that we cannot see, things that we can only grasp with the mind." So I think that Whenever our heart is bound by the fetters of
emotions, it is unable to delibarate its own intelligence to maintain the things.

Ng Ai Yee 1201591 - Matrix as Hero's journey and Plato's cave.

Ng Ai Yee 1201591

Ng Ai Yee 1201591 - Matrix as Hero's journey and Plato's cave.

People have always perceived what they see are true and real. In The Matrix, it shows most of the people are actually sleeping and are living in world that they were confined in. They could not wake up from the confined world they were living in. Yet there are some who are able to wake up from that particular confined world. Then they would be said to have gone to the afterlife, because they are able to wake up from that confined dream and see what’s really is happening. Then they get to choose to either go back into the confined dream or they get to choose to stay away from the confined dream. The Monomyth, stated that a hero who at the end reach a certain level where he gets to choose to go back or keep on going for another quest or call.

This movie also fits the concept presented by the Plato’s Allegory of The Cave. It depicts that people who are confined in a certain area or space could only see a certain things and only believe the few things they see are the real thing, although the truth is out there somewhere. They have not seen the whole picture of the things and that is why they only believe the few piece of information they see and make an assumption from which can be true or vice versa.

The Matrix, may have also portray a Hero’s journey concept. As the character tries to fight for what he believed and fight for his dreams. The obstacle he brawl through was all due to his strength to succeed and achieve his dream. 

Thank you.

Thank you Ai Yee for the invitation. This is my first post in your blog

winnie wong wei ni 1101745 gladiator post

the scene i like the most is when maximus arrived rome and fight with his team..
he shouted single column twice..that scene really show how well he work as a leader that like by the crowd..
that scene shown the power of a leader in handling such a big amount of enemies that they never expected..it is really awesome..and the voice of maximus is loud enough to let his people listen to his order..

Chen Chu Han 1003943 Gladiator

In the year 180, the death of emperor Marcus Aurelius throws the Roman Empire into chaos. Maximus is one of the Roman army's most capable and trusted generals and a key advisor to the emperor. As Marcus' devious son Commodus ascends to the throne, Maximus is set to be executed. He escapes, but is captured by slave traders. Renamed Spaniard and forced to become a gladiator, Maximus must battle to the death with other men for the amusement of paying audiences. His battle skills serve him well, and he becomes one of the most famous and admired men to fight in the Colosseum. Determined to avenge himself against the man who took away his freedom and laid waste to his family, Maximus believes that he can use his fame and skill in the ring to avenge the loss of his family and former glory. As the gladiator begins to challenge his rule, Commodus decides to put his own fighting mettle to the test by squaring off with Maximus in a battle to the death.


The scene that most attract me is the last scene Maximus kill commodus.Commodus arranges a duel with Maximus in arena. During the fight,Maximus kill Commodus.Maximus plunges the blade into Commodus throat and kill him.

Pang Nian Ching 1201143 - Gladiator

 

I like this scene because Maximus Decimus Meridius and the ruthless, ambitious and crazy son of the Emperor Commodus are in fighting in the game of death. In this scene, is to show even they are in different colour skin, they are also working together to survive in the game. After that, they are survived and having the acclamation  from the audiences. In the end, they become a good partner and working together in the end of Colosseum in Rome.

Ng Yi Ting - 1107345 _Gladiator

[Commodus enters the Colesseum arena to greet the Spaniard]
Commodus: Rise. Rise.
[Maximus stands up, clenching an arrow head in his right hand and in that same moment Lucius runs to join Commodus standing in front of him]
Commodus: Your fame is well deserved, Spaniard. I don't think there's ever been a gladiator to match you. As for this young man, he insists you are Hector reborn. Or was it Hercules? Why doesn't the hero reveal himself and tell us all your real name? You do have a name?
Maximus: My name is Gladiator.
[turns away from Commodus]
Commodus: How dare you show your back to me! Slave, you will remove your helmet and tell me your name.
[Maximus removes his helmet and turns around to face Commodus]
Maximus: My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius. Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.
[Commodus is clearly in shock and without words]

The scene i like is when maximus stares down Commodus in the middle of the arena.

He lost his beloved son and wife and came to revenge for them. That's why when commodus heard what Maximus said he was shock. 

I was very happy to see this scene when i can see the shocking and retarded face of the King (Commodus). The king did so many bad things and he dint even know he came to the end whereby Maximus came to revenge. The king though of killing maximus by having a battle, he did a trick. Before having a battle with Maximus, he came by and stab Maximus. Maximus given a not so good sword but still won the battle against the king. 

Gladiator-1106576 Kang Chai Yuen

The scene I like most is when the shot captured the Colosseum in Rome. The shot captured from outside to inside. The angle of showing the Colosseum is wonderful. There are many audience waiting for the competition. They are very exciting. The Colosseum is a symbol of Rome. Architectural design of the Colosseum is amazing. Three layers of cicular arcade, is the largest cicular arena in Rome.

 

Ng Pei Keat 1006795 Gladiator

Maximus the Merciful

The gladiatorial games continue. Maximus fight against Rome's only undefeated gladiator.  In the arena there are also chained tigers with handlers instructed to target Maximus. Maximus narrowly defeats the great rome'sgladiator and waits for a decision whether to kill or spare Tigris. Commodus indicates death but Maximus spares Tigris, insulting the Emperor but delighting the mob. He earns the name "Maximus the Merciful".

I like how Maximus  spares his enemy, this shown that he is a good person in truly heart. Most of the people will kill their enemy, this will create a revenge cycle which the enemy's family will try to revenge on you. If their revenge succeed, then its your family turn to revenge, it will cause a non-stop revenge cycle which will usually will be ended by both grave. 

Ng Ai Yee 1201591 - Gladiator

Ng Ai Yee 1201591

1.      Is the story a hero's journey? Try to describe it as a hero's journey and see if it fits the template.

In my opinion, I think the story does fits the concept of a “hero’s journey”.
In this movie, the main character (Maximus) is a hero. His journey throughout his life is to fight for the freedom of the people he cared about. He fights for his people, he fights for his right and also tries to avenge for his loved ones. He is reduced to slavery and he had to brawl for his beliefs and dreams through the gladiatorial arena. When the story ended in him successfully reached his dreams. He died with no regrets and he died with dignity. That is why the scene I cherished the most is when Maximus Decimus Meridius won the fight with Commodus before he collapses to his death. Accompanied with the background music, it gave me a feeling of accomplishment and proud. With his victory, he is able to exchange it for the release of Gracchus, slaves to be freed and the power to be restored to the Senate. I think that is very generous brave of him to stand for other people. The vision whereby he meets with his family n afterlife (in his vision) is something that is very much in touch with my inner feelings. In my opinion, what more could be more beautiful than the scene of the family reunion part? It is priceless.

2.      What did you learn about Rome from this movie? Do some research on the characters.  Are they real people from history? Is the film accurate in historical detail? And architectural detail (for example, the Colosseum/ Flavian Ampitheatre)? 

This movie has screen the period of around the a.d. 180 century. This is the period of time where it the Pax Romana period. This period, Pax Romana has span for the period of time for about 207 years (27 BC to 180 AD). According to what I have read, Pax Romana, known as “Roman peace” in Latin, was the period of time where the Rome had relative peace and minimal expansion by military force. It is established by a guy named Caesar Augustus.  
I have learned that Rome’s hierarchy is as below :
Emperor

Senators

Equestrians

Plebeians

Freedmen

Slaves
Through this I have learned that their community by that have extinguish themselves by such in their social hierarchy.
The most characters in this movie are just a make-up story while some are based on the true characters. Yet there are some disputes over certain things in the story, for example, Marcus Aurelius died of plague instead of killed by Commodus. Meanwhile, the character, Maximus seems quite fictional, although he resembles part of the historical figures from the history.

Regarding the historical accuracy, this film is loosely based on historical events. They have tried to portray a more genuine Roman culture compare to the previous movie. However few deviations are made to create interest in this movie, while some are to maintain narrative continuity and certain practical or safety purposes were taken into account for the deviations.

The Architectural details are quite impressive, and I find it quite beautiful in a means of historical.

3.      What was happening to the Roman empire during the period of Commodus' rule? And what eventually caused the decline and downfall of the Roman Empire?

During the period of Commodus’s rule, it has had relative peace and minimal expansion by military force.
The Pax Romana began with the Pax Augustus (Commodus) in 27 BC, which marked the end of the Roman Republic and its final civil wars, and lasted until 180 AD at the death of Marcus Aurelius.
The decline and downfall of Roman Empire is caused by economic troubles. As there are nobody who is willing to fight for Rome and the unfit emperors have also contributed to the downfall of the country.

4.      Is this film propaganda for a certain set of ideas or a way of life? Did the writer, director and actors intend for you to have the reactions that you have expressed here? Aren't you just a bit suspicious and critical of the film and the black and white division between Commodus and Maximus? Such a bad and nasty Emperor and such a loyal gladiator! One is a 'good Roman' and the other is just out for himself? Doesn't it all seem a little too simple? So, again, is this film propaganda for an idea of loyalty? To answer this, look at which country produced it and when it was produced. How is the film 'constructed' to provide a lesson to the audiences of that country of its origin? Is it really about Rome, or about the country it came from? What was happening in that country in the years just before it was created?

In my opinion this movie portrays a way of life of the Romans airing that period of time.
My reactions here may or may have been anticipated by the crew producers.
I am not suspicious as I do enjoy the film as a part of a historical film rather than judging it with real measures. Besides, I think that we can used a bit of fictional imagination don’t we? This is just a movie for our entertainment. Too much historical facts and measures might have just been another plain historic events.
Basically it does seems simple as it seems. But it does seems to me that this movie does portray quite a loyalty concept. However, Idley Scott had excellently cast and convey the intensity of Roman gladiatorial combat as well as the political intrigue brewing beneath.
This movie is produced in United Kingdom, United States on May 5, year 2000. This movie try to portray the Roman culture as accurately as possible and they have even hired several historians as advisors for producing this movie.
A crew has scouted around to find a suitable venue for the filming within the extent of the Roman Empire before it collapse.




**Read More:

http://www.roman-colosseum.info/gladiators/gladiator-history.htm
                                    http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_caused_the_downfall_of_the_roman_empire#ixzz257gXnMuL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_class_in_ancient_Rome

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladiator_(2000_film)#Historical_accuracy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodus

Gladiator- chia zhen yan 1002831

Chia Zhen Yan 1002831

The opening battle is awesome.  The barbarian horde is pretty frightening but the Roman army does a nice job of wiping them out.  I love this scene because it has this cool blueish tint to the whole thing.  Again, Ridley Scott shows off his battle directing chops.  The flaming arrows and projectiles are especially awesome in this scene.   And everyone remembers the sword getting stuck in the tree post-beheading.