Fifth Business Definition: "Those roles which, being neither those of Hero nor Heroine, Confidante nor Villain, but which were nonetheless essential to bring about the Recognition or the denouement, were called the Fifth Business in drama and opera companies organized according to the old style; the player who acted these parts was often referred to as Fifth Business."
If, as Shakespeare says, "All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players...": Is it possible that some lives are of more importance and consequence than others? Is it possible that some roles in life are more essential than others? Do you see yourself playing a major role or a minor role in life? Discuss.
McCullough will get the ball rolling, and then the rest of you can pitch in.
11 comments:
Although this is posted on Tyson's blogger account it is in fact by McCullough Roach as you will see through the lack of eloquency and correct grammar use. I do think that some people have more effect on the world around them than others. However I do not believe that there are people in the world that are more important or worth more than others. Personally, and I am putting myself at at the risk of sounding very vain, I believe that I am a major role in my life. I also believe that I will have more of an impact in the lives of others as I get older. My goal in life is in fact to serve the public interest in a political office of some sort or maybe some other form that will impact everyone. However I would not be who I am or who I will be without others for I can see that everyone is affected by everyone including the major roles of the world. I know what Robertson Davies means by saying that his character's role in life was 'Fifth Business' but I still see that his role in life was major but in a minor way.
Personally, I've always thought of myself to be the protagonist of my life. I've also always thought about how the little decisions that I make could potentially affect everyone else. It's interesting to think that some little thing you say or do could drive someone else to do or say something, and how a chain of events could happen. Amazingly enough, this could lead up to someone across the world being affected by what I say or do.
Pascal had an idea which he called the Theory of Cleopatra's Nose, which stated that if Cleopatra's nose had been an inch longer or shorter, the face of the world would have changed. It's been repachaged in recent times as the Butterfly Effect, but the meaning is the same: apparently inconsequential actions have vast repercussions in ways we can never fully understand. Anything we happen to say off the cuff might get stuck in somebody's head, and affect the way they think, the way they act, and even how they live their life. Thus, while a comment might have no significance to us, it will have huge effects down the line, especially if the person goes on to become important. Humans tend to pick people who are extraordinary and focus on them. We glorify them and study them, but we ignore the people who made them who they are. History needs figureheads, but we all form a crucial part of it.
I do think that not only my life but everyone else's life will have a vast impact on the world whether they know it or not. Everything we do has an effect far beyond what we can know or predict. So yes, I think my life is important, because no one would be the same without every single other person in their life. The play of life might have few stars, but it absolutely could not function without every last second in it.
I think that after going to Woodberry and then going through college that all of us will play more of a major role in life. I dont think that you have to become president or anything to still have a major role in life. I think that part of playing a major role in life is the way that you affect others. Community service and charity is very important. I think that we all may be 'Fifth Business' in someone else's life but that doesn't necessarily mean that we are playing a lesser role in life than the other person. Life is not like a story that revolves around one or two main characters. We are each the protagonists in our own story but we can also show up as other characters in someone else's story.
Several of you have mentioned that a single, off-hand comment could have a huge, unintended influence on someone else. I think about this all the time as a teacher. It's a huge responsibility, if I take my job seriously, to say the right thing.
I think Robertson Davies would agree with Mr. Exum's comment about our being the star in our own story, but showing up as a minor player in someone else's story. The interesting question is: could we be only a minor player in our own story, but a major player in someone else's? That thought boggles the mind. Good night.
Really, we all play important parts in life, because we will invariably bump into someone who makes important decisions or something. We will affect them in some way, shaping them. However, this may not be a public, famous part in life, though it is still important. As has been said before, we are all major parts in our own play, but not everyone sees our play, so to others, we may be Fifth Business Characters. Regardless of whether or not we are noticed by the entire world, we still play important roles in life.
I mean of course we play a big role in our own lives, how could we not? But I really don't think I play a big role in the context of other peoples lives. What would honestly change if I left here? Not much. Who would REALLY care? I think that it's really hard to have an impact on other people, and I don't think that I've done that. I also don't know how I could classify myself as anything other than Fifth Business. Really though, how do you define someone who is "important?" Woodberry has been my life for the last four years, and I'm not any kind of major player in the school, but what would I have to do to be considered that way? I don't know. I just feel like it's a really big world out there and it's hard to make a difference.
I believe that I do play a major role in my own life. If I didn't believe this then I would lack a desire to succeed. I feel that the idea of the Butterfly effect that Tyson mentions is also very real. Yet it seems that while this effect happens many are oblivious of how they effect others. Until you are in a position of high authority I don't think you could realize how you effect others unless the circumstances are extreme.
Everyone was born with a purpose, whether that was to lead others or follow a leader. The leaders would be those that see themselves as the major character in their lives. While the followers would be those that see themselves as fifth business characters. This does not mean that those people are stuck in those two categories.
Now, I do believe that everyone influences everyone else. It's just the way things work. An exmaple is, parents will always influence their children. Like Exum said earlier, you don't have to be a super famous or well-known person to make a difference. Little things such as community service and charity work can greatly impact others. So it isn't necessary to be popular to make a difference. A lead character can be known only to few, but it is their actions that will be famous. All in all, I think everyone sees himself as the main character in their life, mainly because it is their life. But it all depends on the actions of these people that result in whether others are influenced or not.
The new presidential limo, just released this month is custom designed by G.M to be completely fitted with military grade eight-inch ultra high strength blast proof ceramic armor body and a five-inch thick bulletproof glass. While the president travels, he is closely guarded by a horde of secret service agents who are willing to jump in front of a bullet for this man. Are there lives less valuable than his?
On August 6 and 9, 1945, United States President Harry S. Truman ordered the atomic bombs to be dropped on two industrial cities in Japan – Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 200,000 casualties. The president made a very controversial choice. He chose the lives of the Allied troops over that of innocent Japanese civilians.
It is no news that as ideal as “all lives have the same value” seems in reality it is complete crap. Ask yourselves. Do I honestly value the life of the old homeless lady who lives down the street just as much as my own or my loved ones’? (If you do you are an angel.) It just isn’t true. It makes us feel better to live our lives by a noble principle when in fact deep down we know it to be utterly ludicrous.
Although I can’t promise anything, I hope to play a major role in other people’s lives. And I am not referring to rising up in the political ladder or achieving directly influential position in the government. In fact, I have more respect for people willing to give from the little they have through continuous direct service to others. I aspire to someday play such a role. Maybe I will or maybe I will end up completely corrupt and hopelessly egotistical.
I agree with what most people have said on here. Some people are more valued than others and therefore they are more important. If you are elected to be a leader of your country then your life suddenly becomes one of the most valuable in that country. I believe that it is your choice as to whether you play a major role or minor role in your own life. Nothing in life will hold you back. It is all about the opportunities you take and the chances you are given. I see myself playing a major role in my own story but as for all of humanity I see myself playing a little role. Everybody will have some effect on the world and from my view I can only see myself having a little impact.
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