Paradox can prove to be very revealing about human nature and the way that we speak. If someone says to you "I'm a compulsive liar," do you believe them or not? That statement in itself is a paradox, because it is self contradictory, which is precisely what a paradox is.
At the most basic level, a paradox is a statement that is self contradictory because it often contains two statements that are both true, but in general, cannot both be true at the same time. In the aforementioned example, can someone be both a compulsive
liar yet telling the truth at the same time?
Caesar as a PARADOX:
1. A great general
2. Charismatic in politics
3. Decisive in his judgements
4. Sharp in his evaluations of men
(However/ Paradoxically)
1. He is deaf in one ear
2. Prone to fevers and epilepsy
3. Unable to compete with Cassius by swimming in the Tiber River fully armed
4. Afflicted with a sterile marriage
5. He professes to fear nothing yet is extremely superstitious
6. He thinks he is above flattery, yet he is especially vulnerable to it.
All of this is a paradox because he had aspirations to be above MORTAL weakness
Brutus is a PARADOX
1.1. Strengths different- weaknesses similar
A. Truly noble Roman from an ancient family whose glory it had been to defend the personal liberties of Rome (Roman Tradition)
B. Good rapport with courageous and noble wife
C. Genuinely kind to servants
D. Trustworthy in friendship
E. Finds Caesar's ambition for power distasteful and vulgar
**Brutus's "Hubris" is pride of family and country -- on these he is vulnerable to flattery even though he too, feels that he is above it.
R11.A.2 Identify, interpret, describe and analyze literary devices in fictional and literary nonfictional texts.
Paradox
Goal: Students will explore the historical background to Julius Caesar
Students will discuss PARADOX
1. In the packet, students will read "An Introduction to Julius Caesar"
2. Student will read and take notes on "A Brief History of the Roman Empire"
Roman Empire Link:
Paradox:
Paradox can prove to be very revealing about human nature and the way that we speak. If someone says to you "I'm a compulsive liar," do you believe them or not? That statement in itself is a paradox, because it is self contradictory, which is precisely what a paradox is.
At the most basic level, a paradox is a statement that is self contradictory because it often contains two statements that are both true, but in general, cannot both be true at the same time. In the aforementioned example, can someone be both a compulsive
liar yet telling the truth at the same time?
Caesar as a PARADOX:
1. A great general
2. Charismatic in politics
3. Decisive in his judgements
4. Sharp in his evaluations of men
(However/ Paradoxically)
1. He is deaf in one ear
2. Prone to fevers and epilepsy
3. Unable to compete with Cassius by swimming in the Tiber River fully armed
4. Afflicted with a sterile marriage
5. He professes to fear nothing yet is extremely superstitious
6. He thinks he is above flattery, yet he is especially vulnerable to it.
All of this is a paradox because he had aspirations to be above MORTAL weakness
Brutus is a PARADOX
1.1. Strengths different- weaknesses similar
A. Truly noble Roman from an ancient family whose glory it had been to defend the personal liberties of Rome (Roman Tradition)
B. Good rapport with courageous and noble wife
C. Genuinely kind to servants
D. Trustworthy in friendship
E. Finds Caesar's ambition for power distasteful and vulgar
**Brutus's "Hubris" is pride of family and country -- on these he is vulnerable to flattery even though he too, feels that he is above it.
R11.A.2 Identify, interpret, describe and analyze literary devices in fictional and literary nonfictional texts.
