"Even enemies can show respect."

If you haven't yet taken the time to view Karen Armstrong's presentation below, I'd encourage you to do so. It's about 25 minutes long and touches on many of the important issues facing us all. (Hat tip to my sister Liz for suggesting the video, and to this anonymous commenter for suggesting Ms. Armstrong's work more generally.)

In her talk, Ms. Armstrong uses a story from the Iliad to underscore the importance of sympathy and compassion. It just so happens that I watched the movie Troy last night and was moved very much by that very scene as dramatized by Peter O'Toole and Brad Pitt.

If you're not already familiar with the story or have not already watched the movie, the setup for the scene below is that the great Greek hero Achilles (Pitt) has just killed the great Trojan hero Hector in battle. After killing Hector, Achilles drags Hector's body behind his chariot and back to the Greek camp.

Under the dead of night, the king of Troy, Priam (O'Toole), sneaks into the Greek camp and begs Achilles to return Hector's body.

Watch the clip on YouTube here.

Comments

Elizabeth K. Kracht said…
Respect.

Appreciation.

Good stuff.

I like this coffee shop. Or in my case, tea house.
November 22, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Elizabeth K. Kracht said…
One more link to share on Karen Armstrong:

http://www.amazon.com/Spiral-Staircase-Climb-Out-Darkness/dp/0385721277

This is a link to her memoir on Amazon.com. She was previously a nun and left the convent. Judging by the summary, it might be a good read for many of us, especially considering she has a huge grasp on religion/spirituality, literature and has the experience of living a disciplined and surrendered life...and chose to walk away from it.

No doubt she'll have a way of expressing much of what we've felt in a tangible, coherent and interesting fashion.
November 22, 2009 at 12:45 PM
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