King Henry

In Shakespeare's King Henry The 4th, there are many last minute decisions that change the character's life forever. For instance, Hal decides to spend all his time in bars, and ignores his duty as prince. This action may seem stupid at the time, however, his weakness only adds to his comeback as one of the greatest kings ever.

In addition, when Hal decides to avenge his father by killing Hotspur, his ultimate decision effects his father, and the entire kingdom (Hotspur wanted to usurp the throne.)

Although these decisions may not seem like typical everyday ones, they are still decisions that effect the charachters life in the long run, and in ways they might not suspect.

Ghosts

The story "Ghosts" by Henrik Ibsen relates to my big question well. My question is, How do our everyday choices effect our lives in the long run?

Osvald's father (Captain Alving) choses to have an affair with the housemaid, this spur of the moment decision not only effects Captain Alvin's life, but his son Osvlad's as well. Osvald is in love with Regina, but cannot be with her because she is his stepsister (daughter of Captain Alving as the maid.)

Mrs. Alving is effected as well, she strains herself to near death to protect her husband's secret- and his reputation.

When Osvald decides to gauge his eyes out, not only is he physically effecting his body and his life, but he breaks the heart of his mother, and Regina as well.

This web of actions effects many, not just the outcome of their lives, but the outcome of other's lives as well.

My Big Question

My big question is... How do our everyday actions effect our life in the long run?

This question is applicable to many books, songs, and can be applied to real life.

I chose this question because of its broad spectrum of answers, and the vitality of the question.

Oepidus Rex

My big question is: How do the everyday things we do effect our lives in the long run?In the play "Oedipus Rex", Sophocles addresses this question by telling the story of a man who tried to fight fate.

By going to the oracle in the first place, he set the stage for his struggle. Escaping his fate meant so much to him that he ran away. On the road, he met and killed a man who turns out to be his father. The choice of Oedipus to leave the City where he was residing and refuse to step aside for three minutes while the other pased is an example of a choice that changed his life forever. Patience is a virtue, and i feel as if he could have easily avoided "weaving his own doom".

In addition, the decision to travel to Thebes instead of any other town would have prevented him from marrying his mother. His CHOICE to try to solve the sphynx's riddle is just another example of how seeminlgy miniscule decisions can change a life forever.