(no subject)
Is there a classical (or Biblical) precedent for the story of a close-knit band of people (probably men, maybe brothers) who, in a fit of passion, swear an inviolable oath to pursue some enemy (or maybe some goal) and are haunted by this for for the rest of their lives, eventually to be destroyed by it?
I'm thinking of an essay I wrote in high school about the scene in Moby Dick where the crew of the Pequod swears to pursue the whale to their dooms. I can't remember if I actually wrote the essay comparing this to the Oath of Feanor, or if I decided that this was too geeky (probably the latter), but that is the obvious idea to me. But, since then I occasionally think back and I am convinced there is a better classical reference; I just can't figure out what it is.
Edit: Other possibilities include the Oath of the Horatii (this is a shorter time scale than I was picturing) and, in real life, the Tennis Court Oath (which led to, um, the death of hundreds of thousands, possibly).
I'm thinking of an essay I wrote in high school about the scene in Moby Dick where the crew of the Pequod swears to pursue the whale to their dooms. I can't remember if I actually wrote the essay comparing this to the Oath of Feanor, or if I decided that this was too geeky (probably the latter), but that is the obvious idea to me. But, since then I occasionally think back and I am convinced there is a better classical reference; I just can't figure out what it is.
Edit: Other possibilities include the Oath of the Horatii (this is a shorter time scale than I was picturing) and, in real life, the Tennis Court Oath (which led to, um, the death of hundreds of thousands, possibly).