The Nature of Alexander, a historical novel by Mary Renault, is the story of Alexander the Great and his rise to glory. The author focuses on different aspects of Alexander, such as the family problems that he encountered as he grew up, the question of his sexuality, and mostly on his growth as a person and a leader. Renault also pays a large amount of attention to the idea of revenge and "the power of blood feud in the ancient world" (150). I think Renault wrote an accurate biography of Alexander; however I found the style of writing hard to follow. So many characters were unnecessarily introduced, and it was hard to distinguish the important names from the ones that appeared only once or twice. This was also the case with the names of the cities that Alexander and his men traveled to. The book seemed to drag on and I think that many of the very minor details could have been left out, leaving the major milestones in Alexander's life to make up the biography. However, Renault's portrayal of Alexander was accurate, providing the reader with a thorough and informative view of his life, while focusing on the aspects that made up his character- especially his family life and how his sexuality and leadership were products of it.
Alexander was brought up as the son of Olympias and Philip; however, at a young age, Alexander is told by his mother that Philip is not his father (24). Their family life is dysfunctional and it seems that some of Alexander's drive later in his life came from a determination to escape from his childhood trauma. "It seems evident that the violent fracture of their relations must have happened in Alexander's early childhood, the time when it would give the deepest pain and leave the deepest impression" (23). His father was scarcely around due to his leadership in Macedonia and his mother was very possessive. His parents never approved of the things he did in his childhood, namely his musical talents.
Alexander had personal reasons too. ... Alexander crossed the Hellespont. ... Alexander could be compared to Napoleon in swiftness and in movement, but Alexander could be patient as well. ... Alexander simply charged towards Radius's chariot. ... Increasing loneliness of a growing impatience with those who could not understand the Alexander of 324 was not the Alexander of 334. ...
Alexander Hamilton was born on the island of Nevis in the Caribbean in 1758. ... Alexander's first job was that of a trading post clerk for Cruger and Beckman. ... Alexander always thought that the colonies and Britain would find a way to bind together. ... The duel of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr occurred in Weehawken, New Jersey. ... This shot was fatal and 31 hours later Alexander Hamilton died on July 12, 1804....
Through the usage of motif and diction, Meena Alexander distinguishes her fractured identity by illustrating the confinement of the many fragments of her identity that do not seem to fit together, creating a dissatisfied and despondent tone. ... Again, the forceful nature, symbolized by the snake, imprisons her search for her individuality. As opposed to the imprisonment, she fantasizes about free life, represented through nature, where as she sometimes wishes her life to be as individual "as a bud opening in the cool monsoon winds, then blossoming." ... Alexander's protection is provided...
Alexander admitted that his birth was "not free from blemish-(Brookhiser 15). ... Alexander and his older brother, James, had an apparently normal family life. ... In effect, Alexander and his brother were orphaned at the ages of thirteen and fifteen. ... Now James and Alexander were dependent on strangers (Hecht 7). ... Alexander Hamilton, however, did so in his early youth (Roche 90). ...
Alexander didn=t have any wounds. ... Alexander was only twenty years old. ... Alexander took over his throne. ... According to the author of the book @After examining the difficulties of the terrain, Alexander had decided to leave, but then he was overcome by a desire to bring even nature to her knees@ is on page 173. ... Alexander murdered him. ...
In Alexander Pope's "An Essay on Man" there is a large emphasis that the poem was written on the ability to comprehend and reason during the Enlightenment. ... "(Line 108) Pope carefully examines the nature of Christianity and Christians by calling them out saying that they also want material goods. ... Pope showing his opinion that man's place in the universe is within nature's chain. ... Alexander Pope's "An Essay on Man" is widely found as a marvelously harmonious gathering of couplets that take in a multitude of philosophical principles in a var...
Alexander was much more than just a king. ... Alexander was not just a conqueror, however. ... Alexander probably inherited his frugal nature from Leonidas" teachings. ... Alexander had many goals in his campaign. ... Alexander arrived in Egypt in 331B.C. ...
Alexander Hamilton begins The Federalist No. 11 by explaining the importance of a Union to prospering commercial success and trade. ... In The Federalist No. 13, Alexander Hamilton continues his previous discussion of national revenue by explaining how a united union in America would be cost effective and economically beneficial for the states. ... However, taking into account "geographical and commercial considerations," as well as the habitual nature and biases of different states, it is more likely to conclude that in the case of disunion states will align themselves with only two separat...
Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton was one of the most influential figures in the molding of the infantile United States. He was indiscreet in expression, opinionated, self-confident, and stubborn in nature and methods. ... Although never elected to be president of the United States, Alexander Hamilton played a dominant role in the early shaping of its government. ... One of the delegates was a young man by the name of Alexander Hamilton from New York. ...
