In most tellings, the Labors come later. Heroic, impossible tasks imposed to atone for the uncleansable act of killing his own children. Violence precedes expiation. Crime is answered by ordeal. Euripides reverses the order. The Labors come first, to prove that achievement is no protection. The monsters are dead. The roads are passable again. TheContinue reading “Heracles”
Tag Archives: Euripides
KINKAKU-JI
In July 1950, Hayahi Yoken, a 22-year old novice monk, set fire to Kinkaku-ji, 金閣寺, the Golden Pavilion. In the smoldering aftermath, Japan confronted the unnerving question: why destroy beauty? At his trial, Yoken showed no remorse, saying only that his “hatred of all beauty” compelled him. Yukio Mishima seized on this confession for hisContinue reading “KINKAKU-JI”
Protective Arts 