Grecian Honor vs. BYU Honor
Ammon Kou
Insalaco
CL CV 201
![Image result for achilles killing hector](https://www.ancientworldmagazine.com/site/assets/files/1175/rubens.720x0.jpg)
Grecian Honor vs. BYU Honor
Though
hundreds of years separate the ancient Greeks and the modern-day BYU student,
the notion of honor holds immense importance in both societies. These societies
regard honor very highly, although the idea of honor differs greatly between
them. While honor holds a spiritual meaning to BYU society, it holds a temporal
meaning to the ancient Greeks. To gain honor in BYU society is to overcome
internal conflict, while in ancient Grecian society, it is to overcome outer
conflict. Although losing honor in BYU society can have negative consequences,
it is not as severe as in ancient Grecian society.
Unquestionably,
the concept of honor is important in a civilization. Even though BYU society
and ancient Greek society esteem it to the highest degree, the meaning and
value of honor is different. For the BYU student, honor is defined by the Honor
Code, which provides protection. “[The honor code rules] are to protect us, and
they are founded on principles” (Brasher 1). For the religious BYU student, following
the honor code follows the first law of Heaven, obedience. “The Honor Code is
not primarily a law of health or blind conformity. It is a principle of
obedience. It is an outward manifestation of our inner appreciate for and
understanding the privilege of being at BYU” (Samuelson 1). Following the Honor
Code has a deeper, more spiritual meaning than temporal importance.
![Image result for ajax urn](https://archaeologystudentsspeak.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/ajax-suicide-2.jpg)
Gaining
and maintaining honor is also different in each society. For a BYU student to achieve
honor and maintain honor, he or she must overcome personal, inner conflict. The
prescribed way to do so is through strictly following the Honor Code.
Explicitly stated in the Honor Code “All who represent BYU are to maintain the
highest standards of honor, integrity, morality, and consideration of others in
personal behavior… Violations of the honor code may result in actions up to and
including separation from the university” (Honor Code Office 1). To be
honorable, a student must follow the rules regarding homosexual behavior, dress
and grooming, residential living, continuing student ecclesiastical
endorsement. Any minor deviation to adherence leads to dishonorableness.
![Image result for cyclops urn](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/54/1a/4c/541a4cde70d5ee2361264bfc5e672b24.jpg)
Unsurprisingly,
losing honor can have devastating effects. For the BYU student, the
consequences can be severe, although not fatal. Acting dishonorably can lead to
expulsion from school or a hold being placed on the offending student’s
registration. “The Honor Code Office also reserves the right to place a ‘hold’
on the record of any student based on reports of student misconduct” (Honor
Code Office 1). While the effect of being dishonorable can be devastating to
the BYU student, the effect is not as great nor damaging when compared to the
ancient Greek.
Further,
losing honor in Ancient Greece is the lowest event in society. Being
dishonorable means losing everything – so much so that death seems to be the
better alternative than to continue living with the stigma. This is evidenced
through the story of Achilles, who was destined to experience one of two fates.
“My mother Thetis, a moving solver grace, tells me two fates sweep me on to my
death. If I stay here and fight, I’ll never return home, but my glory will be
undying forever. If I return home to my dear fatherland my glory is lost but my
life will be long” (Homer 98). Despite knowing that a sure death awaited him,
Achilles eventually returns to the fight in order to preserve his honor
(Hornblower 1). The stigma of being dishonorable is a fate worse than death.
On the
whole, the concepts of BYU honor and ancient Greek honor are vastly different.
BYU honor stems from following the honor code and seeking for heavenly
approval, while ancient Grecian honor stems from glory in society. To the BYU
student, being honorable means obedience and overcoming inner conflict, while
to the ancient Grecian, being honorable is winning in outer, physical conflict.
Dishonorableness in BYU society is met with expulsion, while dishonorableness
in ancient Grecian society is a fate far worse than death.
Bibliography
1.
Brasher, Ruth E.
“Agency: A Gift with Responsibility.” BYU
Speeches, Brigham Young University,
30 May 1995,
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/ruth-e-brasher/agency-gift-with-responsibility/.
2.
Samuelson, Cecil
O. “The Honor Code: What Is It That We Honor?” BYU Speeches, Brigham
Young University, 12 Sept. 2006, https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/cecil-o-samuelson/honor/.
3.
Homer, et
al. The Essential Homer: Selections from the
Iliad and the Odyssey. Hackett, 2000.
4.
“Https://Policy.byu.edu/View/Index.php?p=26.” Church Educational System Honor Code, https://policy.byu.edu/view/index.php?p=26.
5.
Hornblower,
Simon, and Antony Spawforth. “Achilles.” The Oxford Classical Dictionary,
Oxford University Press, 2005, https://www-oxfordreference-com.erl.lib.byu.edu/view/10.1093/acref/9780198606413.001.0001/acref-9780198606413-e-32?rskey=FBxtfX&result=33.
6.
Sophocles.
“Ajax.” Sophocles (C.496–C.406 BC) - Ajax: Translated by George
Theodoridis, 2009,
https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Greek/Ajax.php.
I really like the interesting points that you made regarding honor in societies, but particularly that of the juxtaposition of how BYU honor is gained from overcoming inner conflict while ancient society was outer conflict. It makes lots of sense and the points that you made including that of Greek honor being very temporal and appearance based. In addition, the loss of honor in both societies is interesting and the examples given were perfect in describing the exact punishment that is given for doing such a thing.
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