The Curse of Cassandra is a popular mythological trope that manifests in various storytelling mediums, including literature, film, and television. Derived from the tragic figure of Cassandra in Greek mythology, this curse represents the inability to persuade or convince others of one's predictions or warnings, regardless of their accuracy. Cassandra was a princess of Troy gifted with the power of prophecy by the god Apollo. However, when Cassandra spurned the advances of the god, he cursed her so that no one would ever believe her prophecies. This curse ultimately led to her tragic fate and the fall of Troy. In modern storytelling, the Curse of Cassandra serves as a metaphor for the frustration of being unable to convince others of an impending doom or a significant event.
I can't explain why, in my personal value system, I find the conformist to be so contemptible. A conformist is one who acts not for moral, rational, emotional or religious reasons, but because others act that way. This might seem justification enough for contempt, especially in those cases where the actions are immoral, irrational, emotionally damaging or blasphemous, but I must confess to a special distaste for the unconsidered action and opinion.
After some consideration, I ve decided that the world doesn t reward the intelligent, the stupid, the victim, the oppressor, the meek, the powerful, and so on. After some consideration, I ve decided that the world doesn t reward the intelligent, the stupid, the victim, the oppressor, the meek, the powerful, and so on.
In modern storytelling, the Curse of Cassandra serves as a metaphor for the frustration of being unable to convince others of an impending doom or a significant event. This literary device raises themes of powerlessness, frustration, and the consequences of ignoring warnings. Authors and storytellers often employ this curse as a plot device to create tension, conflict, and dramatic irony.
Curse if cassanndra
Copyright (C) 1993,1996,2009,2011,2016,2017,2018 by Barry Drogin
"Some have written a book for money; I have not. Some for fame; I have not. Some for love; I have not. Some for kindlings; I have not. I have not written a book for any of these reasons or for all of them together. In fact, gentle borrower, I have not written a book at all --- I have merely cleaned house." --- Charles Ives, 114 Songs
After some consideration, I've decided that the world doesn't reward the intelligent, the stupid, the victim, the oppressor, the meek, the powerful, and so on. I think the world rewards the conformist.
I can't explain why, in my personal value system, I find the conformist to be so contemptible. A conformist is one who acts not for moral, rational, emotional or religious reasons, but because others act that way. This might seem justification enough for contempt, especially in those cases where the actions are immoral, irrational, emotionally damaging or blasphemous, but I must confess to a special distaste for the unconsidered action and opinion.
It's not that, looking over this collection, I believe that every opinion of mine is completely and exhaustively considered. I welcome engagement and debate. But I feel this collection is devoted to fighting assumptions, including those of the proper use of vocabulary itself.
It is the curse of my intelligence, I suppose, that allows me to see through the assumptions. But I could keep my mouth shut, or decide it's not that important.
Was Cassandra's curse, then, that she saw the truth, or that she spoke of it? No, Cassandra's curse was that no one would listen, and that is my curse, too. Certainly, it would be wonderful to be intelligent, to observe an incorrect assumption, to correct the originator and inform the public (set the record straight), and be heeded. There would be no problem, then, no curse.
But the conformist, perhaps, knows that he or she has soldout, or purposely ignored the truth, and doesn't want to be reminded of it, does not want the record corrected. To violate this is to be arrogant, or obnoxious, or offensive, or elitist, or inhuman.
If to be human is to be a conformist, then I am eternally damned, for I have never been able to be a conformist. It's not that I don't want to be a conformist. I just can't do it.
In some ways, perhaps, I admire the conformists. I sometimes think they must be happier than I am. I might be wrong. Maybe the conformists are even more miserable than I am, and if they paid more attention to the truth, both they and I would be much happier.
Ah, the truth. Has it ever done anyone any good? Perhaps not. Perhaps we should have a society and a culture built on lies. Perhaps we already do, and we malcontents should just shut up, or be killed, or sacrificed, or scapegoated, or.
Here is the same Table of Contents sorted by type:
After some consideration, I've decided that the world doesn't reward the intelligent, the stupid, the victim, the oppressor, the meek, the powerful, and so on. I think the world rewards the conformist.
Characters burdened with the Curse of Cassandra are often portrayed as outsiders, misunderstood individuals, or even as mad or delusional. Their struggles to convince others becomes a central theme in the narrative, exposing the flaws of humanity's reluctance to heed warnings or acknowledge the truth. The Curse of Cassandra has transcended Greek mythology and become a prominent theme in many modern works of fiction. It draws attention to the fallibility of human perception, the complexities of communication, and the consequences of ignoring valuable insight. Overall, the Curse of Cassandra represents the frustration of being unheard or disregarded despite possessing valuable knowledge. Its enduring presence in storytelling reflects the timeless fascination with the human condition and the importance of understanding the consequences of our actions..
Reviews for "From Cassandra to Conspiracy Theorists: Are There Modern-Day Prophets Among Us?"
1. Emma - 2 stars
I was really excited to read "Curse of Cassandra" as I had heard so much hype around it. However, I was ultimately disappointed. The plot seemed promising at first, but it quickly became convoluted and confusing. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard for me to care about their fates. Additionally, the writing style felt clunky and awkward, which made it difficult to fully engage with the story. Overall, I found "Curse of Cassandra" to be underwhelming and would not recommend it.
2. Alex - 1 star
I couldn't even finish "Curse of Cassandra" because it was so poorly written. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it hard to believe in the characters and their interactions. The pacing was also off, with the story dragging on without any real sense of direction. It seemed like the author was trying to build suspense, but it fell flat for me. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with unanswered questions and a general feeling of confusion. I would not recommend "Curse of Cassandra" to anyone looking for a well-crafted and engaging story.
3. Sarah - 3 stars
"Curse of Cassandra" had an interesting concept, but it failed to fully deliver. The story started off strong, but as it progressed, it became predictable and lacked originality. The main character, Cassandra, was initially intriguing, but her development fell short and she became a typical damsel in distress. The romance subplot felt forced and unnecessary, distracting from the overall plot. While the writing was decent, I found myself losing interest and struggling to stay engaged. "Curse of Cassandra" had potential, but it ultimately failed to reach it.