beautifully written, fascinating read. Not sure how I agree/disagree yet at all. One discourse I always found interesting was that some poor/outcasted people, including female fighters, could raise their station in society through the Colosseum, or at the very least be beloved and celebrated in art and citizen affection. So in a way the poor watched to celebrate this idea of redemption, vengeance, and get out frustration and chaotic feelings we aren't ever allowed to express in the face of the silent, but pervasive violence of our daily work. That is, the spectacle isn't really for the rich, but the outcasted, performed by the outcasts. And this feeling of wanting to see someone prove it's possible to win in that system. I also feel like there's this tip-of-your-toes suspense that maybe they could do it differently this time...
However my gut instinct is that on the most part I agree with you, and it is - for whatever it's worth - "wrong." And in either case, I was thoroughly compelled by your writing! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for this—that's a really fascinating point about people who used the system to get what they wanted. Always appreciate another angle to think about.
beautifully written, fascinating read. Not sure how I agree/disagree yet at all. One discourse I always found interesting was that some poor/outcasted people, including female fighters, could raise their station in society through the Colosseum, or at the very least be beloved and celebrated in art and citizen affection. So in a way the poor watched to celebrate this idea of redemption, vengeance, and get out frustration and chaotic feelings we aren't ever allowed to express in the face of the silent, but pervasive violence of our daily work. That is, the spectacle isn't really for the rich, but the outcasted, performed by the outcasts. And this feeling of wanting to see someone prove it's possible to win in that system. I also feel like there's this tip-of-your-toes suspense that maybe they could do it differently this time...
However my gut instinct is that on the most part I agree with you, and it is - for whatever it's worth - "wrong." And in either case, I was thoroughly compelled by your writing! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for this—that's a really fascinating point about people who used the system to get what they wanted. Always appreciate another angle to think about.