Good Omens...And Bad: Prophecy in Theory and Practice, Class Three

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Monday, September 18, First Period

It should be a given by now that the table is laden with cookies, scones and tea (or coffee, for you heathens). And also that Aziraphale is sitting in what could be considered the 'professor's chair', having a cup of tea himself. Once the class is seated, he sets his teacup down and begins speaking.

"But Agamemnon was glad when he heard his chieftains quarreling with one another, for Apollo had foretold him this at Pytho when he crossed the stone floor to consult the oracle. Here was the beginning of the evil that by the will of Jove fell both upon Danaans and Trojans.

Prophecy has long held a vital place in legend and folklore. The quote I just recited is from the Greek epic Odyssey, and refers to a real person, the Oracle at Delphi, but in a fictionalized setting. In fact, predictions often inhabit a gray area in society, part myth and part faith. We're going to examine some instances today where prophecy plays a role in literary tradition. For some people, these examples will be considered fiction, for others they'll be held as truth. Remember, we're not here to judge truth, so keep in mind that one man's myth is another's religion."

Lecture:
--In J. R. R. Tolkein's The King of the Bracelets, the character Hadabriel utilizes a form of scrying to see possible visions of the future.
--The Golden Man by Philip K. Dick portrays a race of powerful mutants who possess the ability to see the future.
--Isaac Asimov's Foundation writings tell of a mathematician who develops a type of numerology which uses knowledge of past events and mathematical equations to predict the future.
--Perhaps the most well-known use of prophecy in Christian religious writings is that of The Revelation to John, which depicts visions portraying the End of the World.
--An ancient Sanskrit text, the Bhavishya Purana contains predictions of important world events.
--A set of artworks known as the Vatacinia Nostradami are believed to contain symbolic representations predicting the papal succession.

Homework:
I have purposely left out one entire genre of popular legend and folklore: that of film. For your homework, I would like you to watch a film that depicts the concept of prophecy or prediction in some manner – as a plot device, in the person of one of the characters, etc. Write a brief essay on whether the idea of prophecy was presented in a positive or negative light, and why. If you need help with suggestions, please let me know, I'm certain I can come up with some ideas for you.

"Before class is dismissed, there's a bit of housekeeping to be done. The following students need to come by my office hours today or Thursday, bearing a written excuse for their absences, or risk being assigned detention:
Lyra Belacqua - one lab absence excused
Martin Blank - one lab absence excused
John Constantine - two class absences, two lab absences
Maia Rutledge - one class absence excused

"Please keep in mind that you were also supposed to organize into groups for your class project. Proposals are due in my office by end of day this Friday. If you need assistance in choosing a topic, please come by my office hours today or Thursday. The project groups are listed below: those students who did not sign up for a group last week have been now been assigned to groups. [ooc: If you don't intend to do any RP participation at all for the group project, please let me know so I can make sure those players who do are reassigned together.]

Blair, Phoebe, Belthazor, Lavender
Anders, Nadia, Walter, Pippi
Bridge, Dean, Dawn, Sam
Marty, John Connor, Lyra, Eric
Joxer, Agnes, Maia, John Constantine

"Also, if you are enrolled in the lab, you will find a list of partner assignments that you can pick up on the way out. Everyone should accounted for, and I expect you to handwavily meet with your lab partner before Friday. And one other thing: lab students, when you come to class on Friday, dress comfortably and bring whatever it is you require to relax -- a pillow, headphones, your favorite blanket, etc. Also, it might not be an entirely bad idea to wash your hands and scrub your nails before coming to Friday's lab."

Syllabus
Class Roster
Classes Linkdrop
Lab Partner List

[ooc: And, as always, please wait for the OCD. And class is now in session!]

Comments

Sign In

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

It's the only part that's required!

Re: Sign In

[nadiathesaint]

Nadia Santos

Re: Sign In

[walter-n-wires.livejournal.com]

Walter Dornez

Talk to the Teacher

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Ask your questions or make comments about the lecture, the group project, the homework assignment, etc.

Re: Talk to the Teacher

[maias-notebook.livejournal.com]

Maia raised her hand slowly, "Do you agree with Philip Dick that people who see the future are mutants?" She said, her eyes taking in his reaction, if any, to her question.

Re: Talk to the Teacher

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale smiled at Maia. "I believe, at least the context of our discussion, that the term 'mutant' is being used in a clinical sense. Which means, a being that has evolved in an unexpected way. So in that sense, if you consider that precognitive abilities are not expected to appear among the general population, then yes. However, I also understand that the term is sometimes used to represent the sense of a person being undesireably different. In that case, I would like to challenge anyone to show me how any of the differences one would find among the population of this island -- or any other -- to be undesireable."

Talk Amongst Yourselves

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

This might be a good time for the randomly assigned project groups to introduce themselves to each other. Or, you could just gossip.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[nadiathesaint]

Nadia was a little bit tired after her odd schedule from the day before, but doing her best not to accidently conk out in class.

Besides, that, apparently, might be what they were doing on Friday in the lab. . . .

And wasn't that a disturbing thought.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

Anders squinted blearily over at Nadia. "We should probably start figuring out a project proposal or something, huh?"

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[http://users.livejournal.com/weissguy_/]

"Pssst," Eric psst'd. "Nadia. I left you a voice message, but... Um, I think Jaye Tyler and I have a thing and I have no idea what to do now."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

Bridge is sitting quietly, expression blank as he takes notes on the lecture.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

Dawn took a seat near Bridge and took careful notes on the lecture. If there was an occasional glance at her roommate, well, these things happened, but even Dawn wasn't oblivious to the not completely happy Bridge. "You okay?" Dawn whispered.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[singasoloduet.livejournal.com]

Agnes wasn't really paying attention to the fact that she was randomly poking her notebook with her pencil while she stared off into space craving the rarest steak ever.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

Anders, still looking freaked out and a bit haggard, had a pretty unfocused expression on his face as he absently broke the lead off his mechanical pencil bit by bit in the wire spiral of his notebook.

He twitched, visibly, at the mention of Delphi.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[demonbelthazor]

Bel gave Anders a look. "Hey, man, what's wrong?"

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

Bridge might be a little wrapped up in his own issues, but Anders is still his best friend, so he notices these things.

"Hey," he says quietly. "You look about as good as I feel." He notes.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

John started doodling, again. This time, it was a 6 story dirt bike ramp, and something to jump over. Possibly a landing ramp.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

John waited for a break in the lecture so he could bogart some cookies without interrupting. Mmmm... dusted with brown sugar? Or something else? Deeeelish!

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lovechildblair.livejournal.com]

Blair took notes and doodled pictures for use on the group project. He was pretty sure that the stick figure Vladdie could fit into their prophecy.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lovelymissbrown.livejournal.com]

"Hey" whispered Lavender. "Any ideas about what we should do for our project?"

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[joxertehmighty.livejournal.com]

Joxer attempted to take notes during the lecture.

It didn't go so well.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

Marty takes notes as well as trying to come up with a couple of project ideas.

After Class

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

If you absolutely can't make his office hours, you can catch Aziraphale on his way out the door.

OOC

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Wow. I know there are a lot of lists and things today. Sorry about that.

Re: OOC

[maias-notebook.livejournal.com]

Did I miss the office hours post somewhere? I'm at school and the computer sometimes only shows half the page loaded.