If a nation has future, it is not associated with who rule the land now. As a man dead or not does not depend on whether his flesh live.
Ben-Hur see the future, he will never give up. Even in face of death , he would not give in to the enemy .
Such a dialogue is not a simple conversation between governors and governed. Everything did not just like what Messala has thought about . Ben-Hur use his more powerful emotion argue with he . He tell us belief is the most wonderful creation and character, it' is far more great than the creation of a new great empire.
Then Judah Ben-Hur, the prince who became a slave, and he keep daring the evil might of the conqueror. Let me feel the greatness of the human nature deeply.
And all above this, let me start to think about the history about roman empire , the whole journey.
Previous empires have gained power and wealth by conquering territory. And roman did that also. They can conqure by force and rule by roman laws. They can built stunning architecture such as basilica. They have colosseum for fun. They pay more attention to public execution. They want to fight for another culture , they wanna be a winner in their conqured people's mind. I think it was a very ambitious and bold idea Actually they had done. But there must be something make their struggle. It is belief and hope about their only god. The Judaism survive forever. And the empire will be led to a dead end.
I noticed there are a describe in the book “if roman people performed their religious, civic, political duties at the Forum , where did they have fun? Unlike the Greeks who took enormous religious interest in tragedy, the romans took place in amphitheater.” Obviously , the roman carry on a part of ancient Greek civilization such as dressing ,bathing and building. But all this custom already have different efficiency. For instance, they have a temple which dedicated to all the gods.( the pantheon). Roman think it was more fundamental and practical . They never think about religion .But in Greek, there is one temple just for one god. I have heard about that “I just want to build a Greek temple, and this temple worship humanity.”(a sentence by Congwen Shen) I think there are maybe some reasons that Mr Shen use the Greek temple rather than the roman temple. It seems that to be served as a paramount symbol of goodness must possess some attractive culture value.
I wonder if the world has a little war and conquest and has more peaceful in history, there are more colorful culture to show us. Each of them is awesome and valuable. There is no hierarchy to culture . I think about the culture invasion to another country maybe a repression for another culture. If conquest by force stand for progress.
We may have no ability to judge ,but I saw the forgiveness and tolerate that belief gave people in this film. Even in the agony of he own suffering, almost he totally dead, Jesus said that "Father forgive them, they are not know what their do."
The infatuation of right------ Messala
He is addicted to power. He think punishment is the best way to govern city. He show confident about fight for idea . I think it's a hubris and ignorant. He have no idea about belief and character. When old tribune warned he to be careful about local belief. He made joke with him and said something like that “You should go back to rome to see how stunning the architecture is.” He believes that power is the only superme weapon to let people surrender.
And he had a old friend who is the most rich person in the province. He thinks it is an opportunity to promote to rome. And standing next to Caesar who is the only god to him, is his sweet dream.
In my opinion, Messala get lost in the war of power. All he said, may like a ambitious but no content story. He live for brilliant, but died because of the cheat of his Greek chariot. Did he know something deeply about brilliant? Until he died, he never say sorry to his old friend for his heartless and dishonest. And go back to the reality, in this time of chasing success, there are so many lost people either. They struggle in the authority. They are lack of a spirit to defy it. People chase the most powerful sound. They are too obedient too doubt their own feeling and disbelief their idea. Obviously, it's a lack of awareness of their selves. I think that is the reason why most of 90s think wear international brand make them more confident and perfect, but ignore the mental health. They all care the appearance more than the quality.They don't know who they are. So they need a tag to classify. They buy something beautiful but uncomfortable. It isn't a smart way to live, I think. The story about Messala and Benhur, also describe the war of mind between two different cultures. “I believe the pass my people and the future.” He said. “You may conquer the land , you may slaughter the people. But it is not the end. we will rise again .” Benhur argue with Messala . And his strong belief make heself refresh and win the game of justice.But it is not the end. we will rise again .” Benhur argues with Messala. And his strong belief make heself refresh and win the game of justice.But it is not the end. we will rise again .” Benhur argues with Messala. And his strong belief make heself refresh and win the game of justice.
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