I’m attempting to put a study guide together of sample
passages from each of our readings on the exam; it’s a work in process. Reading
over all of the past things, it just has me thinking about how much my thought
of magic has changed from the beginning of class to the end. At first I really
didn’t think of the in-depth thought of actual magic throughout the ages. Of
course Harry Potter and Gandalf were the first two people I thought of when I
heard magic, but they’re only characters in a more modern version of magic.
Just from reading from Khors and Peters or of the four mystics, my perception
has changed. Could magic just be a science that we don’t understand yet? If
that is the case I definitely think we have already started to understand it
more and more. The technology and medicine that we have in today’s world is
seriously magical. It may not seem like to us, but if you honestly think about
it there is something there. Just imagine going back to the time of the massacre
in Trier Germany and bringing one of our IPads with us. There is no doubt we
would have been burnt at the stake instantly with such witchcraft. What if we
told them we had a cure for numerous diseases that usually kill off thousands?
They wouldn’t believe our “satanic” lies.
We have so much magic in our daily lives from technology,
science, or even the power of a higher being. I never really acknowledged it
until this class. Whenever I get the chance I brag about this class because it
is honestly the coolest one I’ve ever heard of. Most people are so jealous to
hear that I got to read Harry Potter for a college level class, which of course
was COMPLETELY awesome. However, the thing the people won’t understand is the
absolute thought that went into this class. We did indeed read some tough
pieces, but I think we mastered it. I’m sad that the class is over because
fantasy is something that is one of my top interests when it comes to books and
movies. But you better believe I will be using this class as a hot topic for my
next job interview.
“All we can do is decide what to do with the time that is
given to us.”
–Gandalf, Lord of
the Rings
This was my quote in my senior yearbook.
It is by far my favorite quote ever.
I agree 100% with everything you wrote. My view of magic has broadened so much because of this course, it's crazy. Before this class, I viewed magic through things that have been published and created this century, but it was so interesting going back and learning how much has evolved throughout the years. It was quite a journey, and I enjoyed it a lot.
ReplyDeleteI too really enjoyed the course as i enjoy magic and fantasy as well. I do have to disagree with your thought of having "mastered" it. I feel we were only able to scratch the surface of the impact magic has had on society, there is so much more we could have talked about and for that I am saddened, however I did really enjoy the class and glad I took it.
ReplyDeleteI think that truly mastering an understanding of magic's impact on the course of human history would be an act of magic in and of itself! I mean, let me tell you about the schools of magic in several different video game universes! Then we can deconstruct why the writers may have gone in their respective directions and we'll be her for -weeks- because difficult-subject-is-difficult.
ReplyDeleteThat said;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke%27s_three_laws
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
If I ever gain access to a time machine, I will be sure to leave my iPad at home/in the machine while I go on my adventures.
I feel like I've learned a lot in this class about the perception of magic in the medieval time, but I have always felt Magic is sciences that we don't understand in many cases. I think that in the future that thinks we fear now will be become part of our typical scientific life. I f you think about it, if someone in medieval time saw a cell phone some one would be tortured for witchcraft. Our understanding of the world changes, and then so does magic.
ReplyDelete