Due Jan 21
Introductions II
Expectations for writing this semester: vivid description —> evidence —> insight.
Humanities 103
Antiquity to Enlightenment
Due Jan 21
Expectations for writing this semester: vivid description —> evidence —> insight.
In-Class Prompt 1
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To me, the Tower of Babel represents humans innate desire to understand their purpose. The line “let us build… a tower with its top in the heavens” implies that they wish to feel more physically close to God in this story. I think that’s a feeling many people today can still resonate with, that feeling being wanting to have a more solid understanding of the meaning of life and why we exist. In the story, however, the Lord seemingly punishes them for this desire and “scatters them” all over the earth. I imagine this is because blind faith is such a central part to most religions and, by building a tower directly into heaven, they are challenging that faith.
The tower of Babel, at first glace, symbolizes human ambition, pride and potentially greed. Because of their desire to “build a city with it’s top in the heavens”, the Lord as a result made barriers to communication.
The tower of babel represents mankind thinking it can be above God. The humans say that they will build a city all the way to the heavens, which is Gods domain. Its stated, “…that we may make us a name, lest we be scattered over all the earth.” God saw the hubris that was going on, and scattered them all over the earth.
I believe that the Tower of Babel in this instance is symbolizing coherence, and all that can be done when those who share similar cultures, ideas, and values come together as one. The text reads, “And they said to each other, “Come, let us build us a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, lest we be scattered over all the earth.”” To me, is seems as though congregation of individuals knew that with their collective insight and abilities, aided by their shared language, they can come together to do whatever they pleased–to satisfy their earthly desires.
In-Class Prompt 2
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The city of Babylon in this story is similar to what the Tower of Babel was meant to be. It symbolizes a grand resting place for the gods, though it seems to separate from heaven because of the line “when you descend from heaven for assembly.” I think the city of Babylon is meant to be a city of worship, dedicated to the power of the gods.
The city of Babylon symbolizes the house where all the gods meet. In the story, A giant luxurious house is built to house the gods, as it states, “it is there to receive all of you” Babylon itself means the houses of the great gods.
The city of Babylon is a place for the “god’s” or worshipped figures to reside in. Additionally, The City of Babylon seems to be a zenith for supreme forms of idolization, and it symbolizes upper most extent of worship.
In this story, the city of Babylon will be a seemingly sacred, place of solace or of holy ground that the Gods will be able to descend upon the Earth. This is displayed by the excerpt, ” When you [gods] come up from the Apsu for assembly, You will spend the night therein, it is there to receive all of you.” These words, coming from the god Marduk is distinctly purposeful, as he himself is a god, so his words have more meaning that that of mortals.
In-Class Prompt 3
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