Thematic Questions

Victor Jimenez
Honors English 10 Per. 2

1. The qualities of a good leader is one of the play's important themes. To explore this theme, students can do one or more of the following:• Discuss the qualities possessed by a good leader. Generate a list of these qualities • Make a list of the leadership qualities that the class feels are legitimate. Compare and contrast the two lists and compile one list of leadership qualities that the class feels a good leader should have. Prioritize the list.• Examine the effect a leader's domestic relationships, physical condition, and/or athletic ability may have on his or her leadership abilities.

Some qualities possessed by a good leader include:
My List:
Strong
Courageous
Honest
Trustworthy
Just
Educated
Experienced
Knows how to control his power(not to abuse it)
Loyal
Understanding
Smart/intelligent
Persuasive
Responsible
Serves others
Class List:
Mentally strong
Courageous
Trustworthy
Just
Educated/intelligent
Experienced
Loyal
Persuasive
Responsible
Supports common “man”
Serve others
Political understanding
Feared/respected
Foreign policy
Confident
Charismatic
As we discussed in class, having a bad physical shape can affect the leadership qualities of a leader but great leaders can be physically unfit. They still possess the qualities that make them good leaders. However, a physically fit leader is also a great leader and can go to war with his troops and many other things.

2. Friendship is another major theme in the play. Explore this theme by answering the following questions:• How far would you go to stop a friend from harming your country?• How far would you go to obtain revenge on someone or some group who destroyed your best friend?• Is there anything for which you would betray a friend?• Which is more important to you, friendship or personal principles? Why?

I would not go very far actually, I think that my friend has his/her own choices and if I see he is going to do something bad or harmful to my country I will do my best to try and stop him/her but I would never go to the extreme of actually murdering him. For revenge, I could imagine myself going very far, still not murderer, but I would probably do something to this certain person or thing. I know I would be really furious. Right now, I don’t’ think I would betray a friend for anything because I value my friendships with all my friends. Friendship, in my opinion is more important than personal principles because you mill always need friendship in your life no matter what.

3. One of the most sensitive issues in the play is suicide. Research attitudes toward suicide held by the following cultures: ancient Roman, modern Japanese, and modern American. Compare and contrast these attitudes in class presentations or in written essays.

Forced suicide was common in Rome. It was a commonly used form of execution. Even though it is not the person’s choice to do so, they would rather kill themselves than have others do it. In modern Japan, only Seppeku is suicide. It is a way of killing yourself with honor. It was like an honorable punishment. It is now not used often and last time was in 1970. Because it is America, views change due to religion but mostly suicide is not liked and is viewed as a bad thing. We can see that the views changed a lot from these three cultures. Japan has maintained same views but Americans have changing views. However, Ancient Rome and Japan have some similarities between the relation of honor and suicide.

4. The role of fate and superstition is another theme.• To what extent can we control the future?• How superstitious are you? Do you have any good luck rituals that you perform before important occasions?• Do you watch for omens before important events?• Do you read your horoscope every day, and do you follow its advice?
I think we can only control the very current future. We can never really predict or control what will happen tomorrow or next week. I am not very superstitious, mostly because I grew up not really caring for that kind of stuff and I religiously don’t believe in those ideas either.