<p>Can knowledge be a burden rather than a benefit?</p>
<p>Being aware does not necessarily guarantee privilege or comfort. In many cases, knowledge can be very burdensome, and also harm a person. Galileo Galilei, an Italian astronomer who led the Scientific Revolution, exemplifies how knowledge can be a disadvantage, rather than an advantage. Like Galileo, the main character Sam in Athol Fugards play Master Harold and the Boys realizes that knowledge can backfire at an important time. Another example that substantiates this idea is my personal experience at school.
Galileo Galilei was a renowned philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer, best known for his support for Copernicanism. Copernicanism, or the heliocentric view, stated that the Sun was at the center of the universe, in contrast to the widely accepted geocentric view, which was that the Earth was at the center. Then, great majority of the public supported the latter, as it was what the Roman Catholic had taught them. However, more erudite and knowledgeable than the rest of the public, Galileo knew that geocentric view was wrong and advocated his own idea. As a result, he was condemned to Inquisition by the Roman Catholic and had to live the rest of his life under house arrest for heresy. Because he knew more and was sure of his idea, Galileo had to endure such suffering.
Sam in Athol Fugards Master Harold and the Boys puts his relationship with his long friend by showing that he knows too much about the latter. Sam is a black servant who works for the Harolds at a tea house. Hally is a white boy, of relatively wealthy class. Despite their racial differences, these two have spent great amount of time together and understand each other. However, when Hally becomes distraught with the news of his hateful fathers return to home, Sams condescending action arouses Hallys anger more greatly. Sam tries to comfort Hally by telling him what he feels from years of observation, but Hally is even more annoyed by the fact that an outsider knows too much about his family. Although it was out of good intention, Sams such knowledge hurt his relationship with friend.
When I attended elementary school, I often went into clashes with teachers. Perhaps too naïve and young, I also thought of myself as better and more intelligent than my teachers. In English class, especially, I often found faults with my teachers spelling and grammar and embarrassed her in front of the whole class by correcting them myself. Because I knew I knew a lot, I wanted to boast my knowledge and boast it in a way. Evidently, my actions were inappropriate and earned me several afterschool detentions for marring teachers reputation.
Many people hope that they know just a little more, as if this slight addition of knowledge will earn them great fortune in the future. However, as clearly shown in the examples of Galileo Galilei, Sam in Master Harold and the boys and myself, knowledge can be a burden and, if not opportune, can hurt the person. Endeavor for greater use of knowledge should be stressed over that for more knowledge. In other words, it is quality, not quantity. </p>
<p>YOUR MERCY!</p>