180 Matching Annotations
  1. Mar 2024
    1. When the animals and plants were first made–we do not know by whom–they were told to watch and keep awake for seven nights, just as young men now fast and keep awake when they pray to their medicine.

      Seven is a sacred number but I do wonder why it is always seven? I also wonder why the young men had to pray to their medicine. I saw a source that seven represents the highest spiritual power and I wonder if that is true.

    2. Coyote was quite willing and complied, but immediately afterwards lay down and died.

      Why and how did Coyote die after having intercourse with the woman? I guess I'm confused on why it took so much out of him. Did anything happen to the woman after he died? I understand this is about reproduction but I wonder if he could have gone about it a different way.

    3. The Salinian and Cherokee

      These stories are about the Salinian and Cherokee tribes. They are stories about how human and animals were created. The Salinan story was written by John Alden Mason in 1912. The Cherokee story was written by W.Powell, Nineteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in 1897-1898. Both are these stories were created in what is now California.

    4. Gälûñ’lätï

      Gälûñ’lätï is defined as the sky world or realm.

    5. When the animals and plants were first made–we do not know by whom

      The language of this suggests that the identity of the creator is unknown. It almost seems like this was supposed to remain a mystery to prevent people questioning the presence of the creator. This is significant because it will not disrupt the harmony created. It was expected to understand the activities of the creator. Without balance the creator and people would not be able to keep each other in check.

    6. It was afterward fastened to the sky with four cords, but no one remembers who did this.

      The four cords seem to represent a compass. This is significant because it shows Earth was created with stability and balance that should be maintained. Although no one remembers who did it, it can be indicated that God created it. This differentiates the Earth. The audience are the people who came to be after and were told this story of how life on Earth was created, even if there are questions with how it came to be. This also shows that Earth was created from the efforts of the water-beetle.

    7. When the world grows old and worn out, the people will die and the cords will break and let the earth sink down into the ocean, and all will be water again. The Indians are afraid of this.

      The Cherokee made this story to describe the beginning of life. This is important because it shows there is a genuine concern for Native's to be extinct. This shows significance in taking care of Earth because life is precious. This also shows how Earth came to be and how fast it can disappear. This is significant because harmony is important to live.

    8. When all was water, the animals were above in Gälûñ’lätï, beyond the arch; but it was very much crowded, and they were wanting more room.

      This almost indicates that the animals create the earth and determine how it is shaped. This seems to take place before humans were created. Before them, there was no Earth and the animals lived on a land in the sky. They would also need to make sure every animal could survive and thrive in the new room. The animals had to get Earth ready to prepare for human creation so they could live.

    9. When the world was finished, there were as yet no people, but the Bald Eagle was the chief of the animals. He saw the world was incomplete and decided to make some human beings

      The Native Eagle Symbol is known as “The master of skies” and is believed to be the creature with the closest relationship with the creator.

  2. Feb 2024
    1. If this is true it refers not to its capture in the Second Punic War (211 BC), but to its submission to Rome in 338 BC. This places the date of foundation at about 600 BC, while Etruscan power was at its highest.[3]

      Etruscans submitted in 338 BC and were completely taken over in 211 (Second Punic wars)

  3. Dec 2023
    1. The tear gascame 30 seconds later.

      Explaining the pace with "30 seconds later" makes me feel like I was there

    2. No athlete has embodied the soul of a city and the spirit of itspeople as Richard did in the 1940s and '50s in Montreal, my homefor the past 21 years.

      This is a weird sentence structure

    1. raced down the side

      Exciting--feels like I"m there

    2. And that was just the beginning. You’ve never seen a hockey player like Maurice Richard. Not Crosby. Not Gretzky. Not Orr, Beliveau, Howe. None of them had the talent, the intensity, the will to take over a game like Richard. And none of them meant to their fans what le Rocket meant to Canadien fans.

      This is especially engaging to Hockey enthusiasts themselves but if that is they're target market then the descriptor is clear and exciting.

    3. Their teammates swarm about, clutching and shoving one another.

      This sentence does a really good job at engaging the reader.

    1. Topics will change each week. Students will find themselves examining religious metaphors, behaviours and ethics, and drawing links between them and the Habs.

      All of these things play into story telling

    2. He would probably have a lot of things to say about it," Bauer said.

      Importance of this statement as it pertains to the conversation

    3. are, in fact, a faith.

      Very interesting way to describe it

    1. CBC Radio Archive: The Richard Riot

      Good use of mixed media

    2. Unbeaten, unbowed, unrepentant — still forever proud.

      Alliteration at the beginning of the sentence brings power to the ending piece “still forever proud” also a great way to end the essay.

    3. believed

      Third party perspective — interesting take on story telling

  4. Nov 2023
    1. In a match the previous Sunday, Richard had twice viciouslyslashed his nemesis, Hal Laycoe of the Boston Bruins, and thenassaulted a linesman

      because they played each other a lot, the fight and tension was building.

    2. The tear gascame 30 seconds later.

      this may have been a little excessive.

    3. The Richard Riot is generally considered the firstexplosion of French-Canadian nationalism, the beginning of asocial and political dynamic that shapes Canada to this day.

      really cool to hear how this riot affected the whole country of Canada and their future.

    4. Loud Start To The Quiet Revolution MARCH 17 1955 The RIOT OVER ROCKET RICHARD

      very cool line here, using two opposites to describe each other.

    1. "Sport is part of culture and a good way to learn about another country… To discover why people are so passionate about it, it's like, 'Tell me what your sport is and I'll tell you who you are,' " he said.

      great line here about sport and how important it is for people .

    2. Another example of religious behaviour is an expectation of sacrifice, Bauer said.

      they sacrificed for the team as you do in religion, which a weird comparison but

    3. Topics will change each week. Students will find themselves examining religious metaphors, behaviours and ethics, and drawing links between them and the Habs

      course work of the class.

    4. Worshipping les Canadiens

      Interesting how they decided to make a course on religion based hockey and compare it to the religion they all practice. Just shows how important it is to them.

    1. But it was not that simple. Something momentous had happened that shook the natural order and would not allow Montreal to return to the way things once stood

      this event caused Montreal to never be the same in regards to hockey.

    2. Richard knew his temper meant trouble but felt defenseless against it. “When I’m hit, I get mad and I don’t know what I do,” he confided in one writer. “Before each game, I think about my temper and how I should control it, but as soon as I get on the ice I forget all that.”

      after reading this, a fight of this magnitude could have happened on any given night.

    3. “He is God,”

      puts a perspective on how important hockey is in Canada.

    4. Their teammates swarm about, clutching and shoving one another. Linesman Cliff Thompson grabs at Richard but he slips the official’s grip. Richard connects with an uppercut to Laycoe’s cheek.

      I love how in hockey the whole benches clear and fight no matter what happens.

    5. This is their 14th and final meeting of the regular season,

      I wonder why they did not like each other, playing 14 times per season.

    6. Maurice Richard­-le Rocket,

      he is causing a lot of backlash with his actions, even though he is the best hockey player at the time.

    1. Ted Lindsay had been dispatched for four games after punching a Toronto fan.

      should have been a longer suspension, at least it would have today.

    2. Unbeaten, unbowed, unrepentant — still forever proud.

      even though so much occurred because of this, they are still proud of what happened.

    3. 137 arrests

      that is a lot of arrests made in a short amount of time.

    1. "The mass is beautiful. I am often very sorry that we live so far from churches. Perhaps not being able to attend to our religion every Sunday hinders us from being just so fortunate as other people."

      they lived very from the churches, but they still were very religious. they feel bad for living that far away

    2. Some miles farther, and the woods fell away again, disclosing the river. The road descended the last hill from the higher land and sank almost to the level of the ice. Three houses were dotted along the mile of bank above; but they were humbler buildings than those of the village, and behind them scarcely any land was cleared and there was little sign of cultivation:-built there, they seemed to be, only in witness of the presence of man.

      On their travels they come across so many different areas, little areas of land with 2-3 houses.

    3. The great three-decked stove stood in the centre of the house; the sheet-iron stove-pipe, after mounting for some feet, turned at a right angle and was carried through the house to the outside, so that none of the precious warmth should be lost. In a corner was the large wooden cupboard; close by, the table; a bench against the wall; on the other side of the door the sink and the pump. A partition beginning at the opposite wall seemed designed to divide the house in two, but it stopped before reaching the stove and did not begin again beyond it, in such fashion that these divisions of the only room were each enclosed on three sides and looked like a stage setting-that conventional type of scene where the audience are invited to imagine that two distinct apartments exist although they look into both at once.

      Good insight of how they live and the layout.

    4. In her heart she felt that never since the earth began was there a springtime like this springtime to-be

      They are always looking forward to better weather and happier living.

    5. That is to say, for wages of twenty dollars a month he was in harness each day from four in the morning till nine at night at any and every job that called for doing

      Interesting to see their work and the pay to go along with it.

    6. then could I bear the waiting better."

      He’s try to describe the way hope makes us do things differently while still letting the reader come to that conclusion on their own. Interesting writing tactic

    7. long after nightfall

      Great story telling

    8. speaker ended by adding his own laugh.

      The speaker is not just a speaker if he’s injecting his own laugh he is a part of the conversation

    9. across the water

      Interesting way to describe the excitement of exploration by underplaying it

  5. Dec 2021
    1. Mute have I been awhile, and overwrought At this great sorrow, for it passeth speech, And passeth all desire to ask of it. Yet if the gods send evils, men must bear.⁠(To the Messenger) Unroll the record! stand composed and tell, Although thy heart be groaning inwardly, Who hath escaped, and, of our leaders, whom Have we to weep? what chieftains in the van Stood, sank, and died and left us leaderless?

      Persian (by Edmund Dodge Anderson Moshead). The queen did not speak for a period of time because of excessive grief and was so sad that she was tired. This passage of Moshead version Stood, sank, and died and left us leaderless? Let me understand that Persia has lost its leadership and has entered a state of total despair. The queen can feel tired because she was hurt too deeply. She lost her son and husband and left her speechless for a long time. This paragraph is not described in Aeschylus. From this passage, Moshead can tell that she is very pitiful. Both versions told me that it was very difficult for her to live as a woman, and she became a widow without her husband and children. Especially under this kind of shock, she must bless the last drop of hope. The hope is that the last Persian fleet defeats Greece. But she was still defeated, so her last hope was destroyed. It is not easy for her to be a woman, but this passage shows the love and mentality of being a mother or an expressive mother for her children.

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    2. Long while by various visions of the night Am I beset, since to Ionian lands With marshalled host my son went forth to war. Yet never saw I presage so distinct As in the night now passed.—Attend my tale!— A dream I had: two women nobly clad ​Came to my sight, one robed in Persian dress, The other vested in the Dorian garb, And both right stately and more tall by far Than women of to-day, and beautiful Beyond disparagement, and sisters sprung Both of one race, but, by their natal lot, One born in Hellas, one in Eastern land. These, as it seemed unto my watching eyes, Roused each the other to a mutual feud: The which my son perceiving set himself To check and soothe their struggle, and anon Yoked them and set the collars on their necks; And one, the Ionian, proud in this array, Paced in high quietude, and lent her mouth, Obedient, to the guidance of the rein. But restively the other strove, and broke The fittings of the car, and plunged away With mouth un-bitted: o'er the broken yoke My son was hurled, and lo! Darius stood In lamentation o'er his fallen child.

      The Persian (By Edmund Doidge Anderson Morshead). The queen dreamed that her son was lost in the war. She especially said in the last paragraph, my son was thrown away. I can see that she is surprised and terrified, but also very worried. At the same time, like the Aeschylus version, it also describes her worry and fear of losing her child. But Aeschylus did not describe in detail how her child was lost. The Morshead version described in detail that her son's head was pierced in by auto parts and then lost his life. This version can be more graphic, and I can feel from the text that the queen is very nervous and scared.

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    3. Queen, among deep-girded Persian dames thou highest and most royal,⁠Hoary mother, thou, of Xerxes, and Darius' wife of old! To godlike sire, and godlike son, we bow us and are loyal—⁠Unless, on us, an adverse tide of destiny has rolled!

      The Persian (By Edmund Doidge Anderson Morshead) The queen appeared in the same noble posture. Whether from Morshead or Aeschylus version, we can see that the authors of both versions gave the queen a very high evaluation. She is the old mother of Xerxes and the old wife of Darius! His Majesty, the son of God. So we see that she is still highly praised by the author, and she even has a certain relationship with God with her "god-like luster". This can more powerfully prove that as a woman, she is a very high-powered person, and is the person who influences the whole story.

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    1. Ye Persian women! past relief Is now your sorrow! to the war Your loved ones went and come no more! Gone from you is your joy and pride— Severed the bridegroom from the bride— The wedded couch luxurious Is widowed now, and all the house Pines ever with insatiate sighs, And we stand here and bid arise, For those who forth in ardour went And come not back, the loud lament!

      The queen is a very tragic person. Because of war, she lost her husband and her son. Her happiness and pride have left her, she not only has to live in sorrow but also in hatred. As a woman, she still has to live with strength. She is now a widow, and I can realize that she has to live for this grief every day. And it is not easy for her to live as a woman, and she has the last gleam of hope that her country’s Persian fleet was defeated and shattered. So this woman is very miserable, and I can see from this text that the author described the queen's unwillingness and helplessness.

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    2. 波斯的耻辱和她的救济尖叫! 但仍要更新故事,重复你的话, 告诉你那些希腊船只的数量, 以及他们如何用喙的船头冒险 冲向波斯军备。

      She could not accept Persia's failure and the loss of her son. She did not believe that her Persian army would fail. So she started screaming for relief and wanted to know the process. This proves that the queen is very anxious. From this simple passage, we can see that the queen has lost her sanity, and she has a vengeful heart anyway.

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    3. Long while by various visions of the night Am I beset, since to Ionian lands With marshalled host my son went forth to war. Yet never saw I presage so distinct As in the night now passed.—Attend my tale!— A dream I had: two women nobly clad Came to my sight, one robed in Persian dress, The other vested in the Dorian garb, And both right stately and more tall by far Than women of to-day, and beautiful

      In this paragraph. The queen was too worried about her son and played the role of maternal love for her son. She dreamed of the death of her son. And worry about his son. So she did everything for her son, and the whole tragedy is all around her.

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    4. Queen, among deep-girded Persian dames thou highest and most royal, Hoary mother, thou, of Xerxes, and Darius’ wife of old! To godlike sire, and godlike son, we bow us and are loyal— Unless, on us, an adverse tide of destiny has rolled!

      Queen, in the tragedy of the Persians. She is playing a very important political role. She controlled the progress of the whole tragedy for her son. She played a lofty position among women. And the author gave her a high evaluation. Her evaluation is that "she even has a certain relationship with God with her "god-like luster"." From this point, it can explain how noble and important her status is.

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    1. A hunter sees Enkidu and is amazed at the strange sight--an animal and yet a man. Enkidu, as though resenting his condition, becomes enraged at the sight of the hunter, and the latter goes to his father and tells him of the strange creature whom he is unable to catch. In reply, the father advises his son to take a woman with him when next he goes out on his pursuit, and to have the woman remove her dress in the presence of Enkidu, who will then approach her, and after intercourse with her will abandon the animals among whom he lives.

      The Babylonian version of GILGAMESH. A hunter was angry when he saw Enkidu. And tell his father. The father suggested that his son take a woman to deal with Enkidu when he sets out. After letting the woman take off her clothes in front of him and having intercourse with him, let him abandon the animals in it. Compared with the regular version, the Babylonian version does not describe Enkidu as the strongest person in the world. My father didn't use the word "Harlot" to describe this woman. And he didn't ask his son to go to Gilgamesh, he just asked him to take this woman to Enkidu. However, from the text of the Babylonian version, we can see that the Babylonian version respects women very much compared to the original epic. But these two versions of the epic have one thing in common, that is, women play a very important role in the epic. They can do things that boys can't. Women are used to doing some negative things. Both versions of men are very cowards and incompetent. However, the Babylonian version does not call Enkidu a savage, so this one is more civilized.

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    2. That Enkidu originally played the part of the slayer is also shown by the statement that it is he who insults Ishtar by throwing a piece of the carcass into the goddess' face, [93] adding also an insulting speech; and this despite the fact that Ishtar in her rage accuses Gilgamesh of killing the bull.

      The Babylonian version of GILGAMESH. Enkidu threw an entity on the face of the goddess and added an insulting remark. Although there are not many texts in this passage, judging from this reaction, it can be seen whether it is the Babylonian version or the ordinary version. Men always play a bullying, barbaric, and violent role. Women are always the objects of seldom being respected and humiliated too much. What's interesting is that in the normal version, only ordinary women are humiliated, and the goddess is always a respected existence. Although the Babylonian version does not have negative words about women, it can be seen from some text of behavior that it is also an excessive disrespect for women. At the same time, the goddess was emotionally unstable because of Enkidu's behavior. This completely broke the perfect and noble image of the goddess in this epic.

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    3. "Do not trust, O Gilgamesh, in thy strength! Be warned(?) against trusting to thy attack! The one who goes before will save his companion, [84] He who has foresight will save his friend. [85] Let Enkidu go before thee. He knows the roads to the cedar forest; He is skilled in battle and has seen fight." Gilgamesh is sufficiently impressed by this warning to invite Enkidu to accompany him on a visit to his mother, Ninsun, for the purpose of receiving her counsel. [86]

      The Babylonian version of GILGAMESH. Gilgamesh's mother told him directly, don't believe, your power will be warned. And let Enkidu go ahead of him. Because he is good at fighting and has seen fights. This passage is more like making Gilgamesh use Enkidu as his bodyguard. But in the normal version of Gilgamesh, his mother was imparting wisdom to Gilgamesh and told someone that would change Gilgamesh. And Gilgamesh will like this person very much and will change because of this person. This person is Enkidu, so Enkidu will be valued and respected very much in the regular version. In the Babylonian version of this text, the mother did not impart wisdom to Gilgamesh. The mother did not show to be the goddess of wisdom, nor did she mention the characteristics of women who lived in this epic. There were no negative images and excessively positive images. On the contrary, I saw more intrigue, because she let her son walk in front of him with Enkidu. This means that Enkidu is just a tool similar to his bodyguard.

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    4. A foreign name might naturally be spelled in various ways. The Epic in the Assyrian version clearly depicts dGish-gì(n)-mash as a conqueror of Erech, who forces the people into subjection, and whose autocratic rule leads the people of Erech to implore the goddess Aruru to create a rival to him who may withstand him. In response to this appeal dEnkidu is formed out of dust by Aruru and eventually brought to Erech.

      The Babylonian version of GILGAMESH. The people were forced to submit because of conquest. The authoritarian rule caused Erec's people to pray to the goddess. So Aruru created an opponent for him that could resist him. Compared with the usual version of the epic Gilgamesh. The usual version is telling people are ruled by Gilgames. But this Babylon version is telling that people are conquest and live in an authoritarian, so they ask Goddess to help. Babylon did not talk too much about the goddess Aruru. But we can still see from this version that Aruru, as a woman, comes from a lofty position and a powerful force. Whether it is the Babylonian version of the epic, or the ordinary version of the epic, it is a great existence. Therefore, women play an irreplaceable and great role in both two versions of the epic of Gilgamesh. But this Babylonian version does not describe women too much, so compared to the normal version, this version is more likely to rarely see negative stories about women. More to describe the positive image of women.

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  6. inst-fs-iad-prod.inscloudgate.net inst-fs-iad-prod.inscloudgate.net
    1. Then Ninsun, who is well-beloved and wise, said to Gilgamesh, ‘This star of heaven which descended like a meteor from the sky; which you tried to lift,- but found too heavy, when you tried to move it it would not budge, and so you brought it to my feet; I made it for you, a goad and spur, and you were drawn as though to a woman. This is the strong comrade, the one who brings help to his friend in his need. He is the strongest of wild creatures, the stuff of Anu; born in the grass-lands and the wild hills reared him; when you see him you will be glad; you will love him as a woman and he will never forsake you. This is the meaning of the dream.' Gilgamesh said, ‘Mother, I dreamed a second dream. In the streets of strong-walled Uruk there lay an axe; the shape of it was strange and the people thronged round. I saw it and was glad. I bent down, deeply drawn towards it; I loved it like a woman and wore it at my side.' Ninsun answered, ‘That axe, which you saw, which drew you so powerfully like love of a woman, that is the comrade whom I give you, and he will come in his strength like one of the host of heaven. He is the brave companion who rescues his friend in necessity.' Gilgamesh said to his mother, 'A friend, a counsellor has come to me from Enlil, and now I shall befriend and counsel him.' So Gilgamesh told his dreams; and the harlot retold them to Enkidu.

      Gilgamesh had a dream. He dreamed of his wise mother, Ninsun. One of the gods of wisdom. His mother told him Gilgamesh's dream. When the mother explained his dream, Gilgamesh was attracted by a woman, and Gilgamesh would be drawn like a woman when she saw him. So Gilgamesh's mother appears as a female character; she represents wisdom and hope. Because her mother taught Gilgamesh a per of wisdom he never had before; this also shows that women are an excellent and intelligent existence in this epic. His mother also told him that one person would change Gilgamesh. She is instructing him. This person will save Gilgamesh, and Gilgamesh will change because of this person. So this also proves that his mother's role as a female can also change and guide others.

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    2. His face was altered like that of one who has made a long journey. With awe in his heart he spoke to his father: ‘Father, there is a man, unlike any other, who comes down from the hills. He is the strongest in the world, he is like an immortal from heaven. He ranges over the hills with wild beasts and eats grass; the ranges through your land and comes down to the wells. I am afraid and dare not go near him. He fills in the pits which I dig and tears up-my traps set for the game; he helps the beasts to escape and now they slip through my fingers.' His father opened his mouth and said to the trapper, ‘My son, in Uruk lives Gilgamesh; no one has ever pre-vailed against him, he is strong as a star from heaven. Go to Uruk, find Gilgamesh, extol the strength of this wild man. Ask him to give you a harlot, a wanton from the temple of love; return with her, and let her woman's power overpower this man. When next he comes down to drink at the wells she will be there, stripped naked; and when he sees her beckoning he will embrace her, and then the wild beasts will reject him.'

      The son ran to his father and told him that he had met someone stronger than himself. He was afraid. Not only did he dare not face this powerful enemy, but he also ran to ask his father for help. The father used a woman to deal with the strongest man and used the word “harlot” to address a woman. From this, we can see that this epic discriminates against women, and most women play miserable roles. You can also see men's cowards. Including that Enkidu is a savage, another meaning of this sentence is to say that he is a civilization. But because the epic has such a passage, you can see the characteristics of this epic. This is a feature of prejudice against women, and men are noble.

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    3. She was not ashamed to take him, she made herself naked and welcomed his eagerness; as he lay on her murmuring love she taught him the woman's art For six days and seven nights they lay together, for Enkidu had forgotten his home in the hills; but when he was satisfied he went back to the wild beasts. Then, when the gazelle saw him, they bolted away; when the wild creatures saw him they fled. Enkidu would have followed, but his body was bound a s though with a cord, his knees gave way when he started to run, his swiftness was gone. And n o w the wild creatures had all fled away;

      She taught him the art of women and made Enkidu fall in love with her. She made Enkidu, a man known as the strongest man in the world, weak, and she made the strongest man listen to her. This tells us that women are very powerful. They can do things that men, including heroes, can't do.

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    4. Now the trapper returned, taking the harlot with him. After a three days' journey they came to the drinking hole, and there they sat down; the harlot and the trapper sat . facing one another and waited for the game to come. For the first day and for the second day the two sat waiting, but on the third day the herds came; they came down to drink and Enkidu was with them. The small wild creatures of the plains were glad of the water, and Enkidu with them, who ate grass with the gazelle and was born in the hills; and she saw him, the savage man, come from far-off in the hills. The trapper spoke to her: ‘There he is. Now, woman, make your breasts bare, have no shame, do not delay but welcome his love. Let him see you naked, let him possess your body. When he comes near uncover yourself and lie with him; teach him, the savage man, your woman's art, for when he murmurs love to you the wild’ beasts that shared his life in the hills will reject him

      Men show the arrogance and prejudice of men. To deal with the strongest person, a vulnerable group such as a woman and a child was used to deal with this strongest person. But on the contrary, this can also show that women are also very powerful; without women, men like them can't deal with the strongest person. It can also prove that women played an essential role in this story. In a sense, women are heroes in this epic.

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    1. 53. “Yet I do not claim to be innocent. The soul commands evil, except those on whom my Lord has mercy. Truly my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.” 54. The king said, “Bring him to me, and I will reserve him for myself.” And when he spoke to him, he said, “This day you are with us established and secure.”

      When Joseph was presented to the king, he did not claim to be innocent but took on the punishment that he was given. This is how we know that he knows that he played a part in the incident with the king's wife. He says himself that the soul wants to do evil but god is the one stops the evil from happening. And so he was forgiven by the king to work along side him. (Itani, T. (n.d.). Quran in English - Clear and Easy to Read. Quran in English. https://www.clearquran.com/012.html) CC BY-NC

    2. But Satan caused him to forget mentioning him to his master, so he remained in prison for several years.

      Maybe Satan caused the inmate to forget about Joseph because Joseph had mentioned that only his true God was the one worth believing in. Whether it's religion or our own arguments we are all like Joseph. We all want someone to believe our story or be on our side or just be understanding. When we add religion to the mix, it's a different kind of understanding that people want to receive. It's not so simple as saying "believe in my god." (Itani, T. (n.d.). Quran in English - Clear and Easy to Read. Quran in English. https://www.clearquran.com/012.html) CC BY-NC

    3. 29. “Joseph, turn away from this. And you, woman, ask forgiveness for your sin; you are indeed in the wrong.”

      Although they both lusted after one another, the woman got blamed for it. Unfortunately this is not a surprise because whenever a man does something to a woman, it was the women's fault. 'What was she wearing, what was she doing, she must have said something or done something to provoke the man to make a move.' That is what people will say. Maybe the woman acted this way because she didn't want to lose her husband or her way of living but it was unfair for Joseph to only get punished for what they both did. (Itani, T. (n.d.). Quran in English - Clear and Easy to Read. Quran in English. https://www.clearquran.com/012.html) CC BY NC

    4. 24. She desired him, and he desired her, had he not seen the proof of his Lord. It was thus that We diverted evil and indecency away from him. He was one of Our loyal servants.

      This right here is interesting. In the bible version or the Torah version, the woman was the one who was drawn to Joseph. In this version, they were both drawn to one another and it was the god who kept Joseph from the woman. He wasn't a loyal servant because of his character, he was a loyal servant because that's who god made him to be. Very interesting compared to Gilgamesh where Gilgamesh was created by the gods but he had complete control of his actions. Because of his strong personality, the gods actually had to make an equal to stop him. (Itani, T. (n.d.). Quran in English - Clear and Easy to Read. Quran in English. https://www.clearquran.com/012.html) CC BY-NC

    5. We thus established Joseph in the land, to teach him the interpretation of events. God has control over His affairs, but most people do not know.

      The god allowed for Joseph to get captured because he was going to make sure that Joseph rose to a high place and prove his brothers wrong. (Itani, T. (n.d.). Quran in English - Clear and Easy to Read. Quran in English. https://www.clearquran.com/012.html) CC BY-NC

    6. 3. We narrate to you the most accurate history, by revealing to you this Quran. Although, prior to it, you were of the unaware. 4. When Joseph said to his father, “O my father, I saw eleven planets, and the sun, and the moon; I saw them bowing down to me.”

      In this version, we see that Joseph tells his father about the dream that he had of his brothers bowing down to him and Jacob is wise enough to inform him not to say anything to his brothers because he knows that it will make them jealous. However, it's not the dream that makes them jealous, it's the fact that Joseph is clearly the favorite brother. Here, Jacob instructs him to keep listening to God because at the end of the day he is the one that is going to make everything okay. (Itani, T. (n.d.). Quran in English - Clear and Easy to Read. Quran in English. https://www.clearquran.com/012.html) CC BY-NC

    7. 96. Then, when the bearer of good news arrived, he laid it over his face, and he regained his sight. He said, “Did I not say to you that I know from God what you do not know?” 97. They said, “Father, pray for the forgiveness of our sins; we were indeed at fault.” 98. He said, “I will ask my Lord to forgive you. He is the Forgiver, the Most Merciful.”

      Their father Jacob knew about Joseph being alive through his god. The sons tried to keep it a secret like they did when they got rid of him but this time god make sure that he knew Joseph was safe. What happened once was not going to happen again because Joseph had risen up to a good position and made a living for himself. Now his brothers needed him to provide for them. Among brothers, it must have felt like they wanted their father's attention and tried to prove that they were being raised to be good men. Instead they proved they were bad men by leaving their brother behind for dead. Joseph didn't owe anything to his brothers. But instead he chose to be the bigger person and provide for them in a time of famine. (Itani, T. (n.d.). Quran in English - Clear and Easy to Read. Quran in English. https://www.clearquran.com/012.html) CC BY-NC

    8. 100. And he elevated his parents on the throne, and they fell prostrate before him. He said, “Father, this is the fulfillment of my vision of long ago. My Lord has made it come true. He has blessed me, when he released me from prison, and brought you out of the wilderness, after the devil had sown conflict between me and my brothers. My Lord is Most Kind towards whomever He wills. He is the All-knowing, the Most Wise.”

      In the other version of Joseph, the vision or dream made Joseph seem like the bad guy who wanted to rule over his brothers. Instead the fulfillment of his dream showed that one day there would be reconciliation between the brothers after they tried to kill him. (Itani, T. (n.d.). Quran in English - Clear and Easy to Read. Quran in English. https://www.clearquran.com/012.html)

  7. Nov 2021
    1. But the king went nor comes again—

      I feel like in this paragraph all the names that the chorus is saying are men who went to fight in the battle of Salamis and they're trying to say some kind of protection over them. They are also setting the scene for what is taking place so far in the play which is a battle.

    2. The GHOST OF DARIUS rises.

      By far the best part. A lot of plays rely on bringing people back from the dead to get their point of view of cross. In this case, since Darius is known as the 'king of kings' maybe the author wanted to know how he would react to a terrible defeat. As the reader, we get read the perspective of a person who has already passed away in the time of writing this.

    3. Friends, whosoe’er is versed in human ills, Knoweth right well that when a wave of woe Comes on a man, he sees in all things fear; While, in flood-tide of fortune, ’tis his mood To take that fortune as unchangeable, Wafting him ever forward.

      As a Greek writing about the most powerful empire in the world, Aeschylus must have had a lot of fun imagining how the palace in Susa was in shambles due to the Greek warriors defeating the Persian warriors. So much so that the queen is panicking, the elders are panicking and the messenger is is retelling in detail how horrible the battle is going. It's a mischievous undertone when you read it from that perspective.

    4. Both of one race, but, by their natal lot, One born in Hellas, one in Eastern land. These, as it seemed unto my watching eyes, Roused each the other to a mutual feud: The which my son perceiving set himself To check and soothe their struggle, and anon Yoked them and set the collars on their necks; And one, the Ionian, proud in this array, Paced in high quietude, and lent her mouth, Obedient, to the guidance of the rein. But restively the other strove, and broke The fittings of the car, and plunged away

      This made me think of the female naval officer and the Greeks. One born in Hellas would be someone betraying Xerxes in Greece and the one born in an eastern land, the female naval officer (forgive me, I forgot her name) was the queen of a land called Libya in Turkey. She was the one who helped Xerxes and gave him advice although he never took the advice because of his huberus.

  8. May 2021
    1. Eventually the brothers act on their emotions. Seeing the “dreamer” approach on a shepherding trip, they ambush Joseph and throw him into a pit — the first of the great depths to which Joseph will sink. The brothers soon sell him to Midianites who in turn sell him to an Ishmaelite caravan headed down to Egypt, continuing Joseph’s descent. The brothers then tear up Joseph’s special coat, dip it in goat’s blood, and present it to Jacob as proof of his son’s death.

      Joseph’s brothers were filled with jealousy and hatred. Their father loved Joseph more than any of them, which is unfair. They teased Joseph as a dreamer; This happened after he said he saw a dream. The brothers decided to sell him to merchants from Midianite, and those merchants turn to sell him to Ishmaelite merchants. The brother told their father Joseph was dead. There was just too much jealousy in their heart that led them to sell their brother. CC BY-NC-ND

    1. In this story we see an adaptation of the Hindu Ramayana tale which details the rocky marriage between Rama and Sita. This story is focused on Sita and how heartbroken she is because of the way things are with her and Rama. That is the reason why she sings the blues. CC- BY-NC

    2. We see a lot of different narratives in this play. One of the narratives is Dave with his girlfriend and the cat. Another one is the shadow puppets who are talking about Sita and Rama and basically are arguing about who knows the story and who's story is the correct one. And lastly we see the narrative of the songs. All the different songs explain parts of the story and make the reader more interested. CC- BY-NC

  9. May 2020
    1. Go my hunter, take with thee a woman

      She is a woman, not a harlot. This shows that sex was considered to be less taboo for this translation, and she is treated like a woman and not an object, as well as not being treated like a prostitute, as that is the definition of Harlot.

      Dimas Villanueva CC BY-NC-ND

    2. these dreams are recounted to Enkidu by a woman with whom Enkidu cohabits for six days and seven nights and who weans Enkidu from association with animals.

      In this version of The EOG, It shows that Langdon, the man who discovered these cuneiform tablets, believes that "These dreams are recounted to Enkidu by a woman who with whom Enkidu cohabits for six days and seven nights" In the N.K Sanders translation of EOG, it seems that this would be where the "Harlot" comes in. However, This is different. The woman is described to be almost like a priestess, someone who interprets dreams and just so happens to have sex with Enkidu. This was not a weird or taboo subject, (Probably because of the fact that this is the Babylonian version and more older.) and she is not treated like a Harlot. She is treated with respect, as a priestess. She is simply helping Enkidu become a better hero and helping him get into society, and this is acknowledged instead of being treated badly.

      Dimas Villanueva CC BY-NC-ND

  10. inst-fs-iad-prod.inscloudgate.net inst-fs-iad-prod.inscloudgate.net
    1. His lust leaves no virgin to her lover

      This shows a double standards in regards to gender and sex. A woman who has a lot of sex is referred to as a "Harlot". Meanwhile, Gilgamesh has sex with every virgin on their first night of marriage, and while people don't like it, they don't do anything about it, and they don't say anything about it as well. They don't give him a name either. This shows the female gender has a taboo towards sexual activity and men's sexual activities are more accepted. This is most likely because man is seen as dominant and brutal but women are seen as civil and fragile and the best example of class.

      Dimas Villanueva CC BY-NC-ND

    2. return with her, and let her woman's power overpower this man. When next he comes down to drink at the wells she will be there, stripped naked; and when he sees her beckoning he will embrace her

      The manner in which the "Harlot" controls Enkidu, is through sex. This shows that the woman has the power to control man and make him civil. Woman is seen as the most civil thing at the time, and sex with a woman gets rid of any ancient animal like tendencies and makes a man civil. Which is what happened here with Enkidu and the Harlot. Yet, no one calls the harlot a hero for making Enkidu civil.

      Dimas Villanueva CC BY-NC-ND

    3. and then the wild beasts will reject him.'

      This statement shows the power that gender has. Enkidu is a wild man who's ideals are going against the mainstream ideals of society, he is seen as the other, the person on the outside, and the only thing that can calm him down and make him civil is woman. This means that at the time, in society, women were seen as the epitome of civility and etiquette, to the point where if someone who doesn't have the same ideals as society gains a women they will become civilized. And the ancient, uncivilized origins of man shall be forgotten.

      Dimas Villanueva CC BY-NC-ND

    4. Ask him to give you a harlot, a wanton from the temple of love;

      The language used here is "Harlot". This is the language that was describes the woman, because this is meant to be a translation of the Sumerian version, where sex was seen as a more taboo thing. It also could have been that when this translation was made, the idea of sex was a lot more taboo, and a woman who was known to have a lot of sex was considered to be a harlot. This shows that the female gender and sex were negatively associated and it was a taboo subject.

      Dimas Villanueva CC BY-NC-ND

    5. Father, there is a man, unlike any other, who comes down from the hills. He is the strongest in the world, he is like an immortal from heaven. He ranges over the hills with wild beasts and eats grass; the ranges through your land andcomes down to the wells. I am afraid and dare not go near him. He fills in the pits which I dig and tears up-my traps set for the game; he helps the beasts to escape and now they slip through my fingers.'His father opened his mouth and said to the trapper, ‘My son, in Uruk lives Gilgamesh; no one has ever pre-vailed against him, he is strong as a star from heaven. Go to Uruk, find Gilgamesh, extol the strength of this wild man. Ask him to give you a harlot, a wanton from the temple of love; return with her, and let her woman's power overpower this man. When next he comes down to drink at the wells she will be there, stripped naked; and when he sees her beckoning he will embrace her, and then the wild beasts will reject him.

      If we look at this altogether, we can begin to see an interesting form of "self" of the identity of this people. They see themselves as civilized. They see Enkidu as "other". They see this wild man and think he should be tamed by a "harlot" who will strip naked and lay with Enkidu so that he may too be civilized. It's interesting as well the language used her to describe this woman. This implies that without women, men would still be uncivilized, that they would be wild and roam the lands as wild beasts do. However, the author still translates to harlot. So, it is not merely the act of a woman, but the physical act that somehow tames the wildness within men, yet she does not gain any respect for keeping men civil.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    1. Before dying, Joseph makes his children promise that when the Israelites eventually leave Egypt, they will take his remains with them. In the story of the Exodus (13:19), Moses does just that, carrying Joseph’s bones on the way to Israel

      We can see from this section that Joseph still remains close to his roots and his religion, to his nation, as it were, even in death. He wishes to be carried to Israel, the promised land, so that he may be buried with his people. This is why Joseph is still regarded so highly, despite some of his childish nature. He embodies that of the perfect man of faith, never faltering in the skills that God gave him in interpreting dreams, and maintaining his connection to God.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    2. still Joseph is largely regarded as an admirable figure for maintaining his Israelite identity in spite of his 20-year separation from his family. Tradition notably refers to Joseph as a tzadik (righteous person), and several commentators point to Joseph’s naming of his sons in Hebrew as a premiere example of his dedication.

      In this section of the text, while not directly from the story of Joseph, it does show to us that most people see Joseph as being in the right because he sticks with his Jewish heritage, that he follows the faith of his people, despite how his brothers sold him o slavery and that he grew up mostly in Egypt where it was not the predominant religion of that area.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    1. Judgment belongs to none but God. He has commanded that you worship none but Him. This is the right religion, but most people do not know.

      This further shows that those that follow God under this religion are not following what is "right" that all other religions are false and wrong. You either believe in this God, or you believe wrongly and therefore are seen as being "other" of being incorrect.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    2. “My Lord, prison is more desirable to me than what they call me to. Unless You turn their scheming away from me, I may yield to them, and become one of the ignorant.

      In this text we can see what it means to be of this faith. We can see that the beauty of Joseph draws evil and brings a lady to want him. If he were to listen to these desires than he would be "ignorant" which shows that promiscuity, or coveting someone else's wife, is seen as "less than" in the identity of this culture.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    1. Then it came about that the love of Kay-Kavous for Soudabeh grew yet mightier, and he was as wax under her hands. And when she saw that her empire over him was strengthened, she filled his ear with plaints of Siawosh, and she darkened the mind of the King till that his spirit was troubled, and he knew not where he should Turn for truth

      Here we have a different spin on the idea of "us" vs "them". Instead of the idea of nations being different because they are a different people, we have Soudabeh convincing Kay-Kavous that Siawosh is unworthy and that he tricked them with magic. All to get revenge because Siawosh would not sleep with her. It's certainly a different view of "them" vs "us" that we've seen in other works.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    2. And Siawosh increased in might and beauty, and you would have said that the world held not his like.                 Now when Siawosh was become strong (so that he could ensnare a lion),

      The wording here and in the Helen Zimmern translation, are nearly identical. This shows just how important to the tellers of this story, that Siawosh be strong and beautiful. Without this element, Siawosh would not be chosen by fate nor the king to be raised well.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    1. Then it came about that the love of Kai Kawous for Sudaveh grew yet mightier, and he was as wax under her hands. And when she saw that her empire over him was strengthened, she filled his ear with plaints of Saiawosh, and she darkened the mind of the Shah till that his spirit was troubled, and he knew not where he should turn for truth.

      In looking at this moment, the "them" vs "us" is even used with ones own blood. Sudaveh manipulates Kai Kawous in order to get back on Saiawosh for denying her. This reminds me a bit of Lord of the Rings, where the king of Gondor is made ill and is under Sauromon's control and doesn't care that his son was killed. In this sense, Saiawosh is being made into a "them" despite truly being an "us" as he is from his father.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    2. And Kai Kawous suffered it, and Rostam bare the child unto his kingdom, and trained him in the arts of war and of the banquet. And Saiawosh increased in might and beauty, and you would have said that the world held not his like. Now when Saiawosh was become strong (so that he could ensnare a lion)

      We see here that the identity of this nation is in military strength and physical beauty. He is given up to be raised by a king because he is so beautiful and strong. This sense of identity is familiar in other moments in literature, where you only belong in the predominant race if you are strong and handsome.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    1. Six days and seven nights 7came forth Enkidu 8and cohabited with the courtesan.

      In this translation of the story, we can see that the word used here is hierodule and almost immediately after, courtesan. Hierodule is another word for priestess, and courtesan implies a sexual nature. So here we can see this used to both show that she should have some status and yet is also shown to have little regard. However, she is still shown to be used to make Enkidu civilized, and thus he is no longer "other" to the people of Uruk, but one of them as he becomes Gilgamesh's companion.

      Zach Long CC CC BY-NC-ND

    1. Xerxes who wrecked the fleet, and flung our hopes away!

      This is the closest part I could find to that of Cookson /The_Persians)when he first looked at Xerxes. In that version, he translates Xerxes as a warmongering unwise king. Here, we see something similar, though again a bit more subtly displayed. Morshead does blame Xerxes here, but he doesn't outright call him a fool or say he only seeks war, which depletes the manly youth of Persia.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    2. Thou, Athens, art our murderess

      This section shows the first taste of how the Persians view the Athenians. They see them as nothing more than murderers, as common thugs who slew husbands and fathers. Despite the fact that the Persians were the attackers and the Athenians were the defenders of this war. Again, in the language comparison between this version and the version translated by Cookson/The_Persians), we can see that both shows Athens as an evildoer, however, in this case Morshead is actually more brutal about it than Cookson is. Here Athens is portrayed as simply murderous, whereas in Cookson's version it only states them as being hateful. I would say that murder is worse than hatred, though I suppose the latter could lead to the former.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    3. To no man do they bow as slaves, nor own a master’s hand.

      Here, we can see that the Athenians are shown as bowing to no one man, they have no king, nor are they subject to any other nation. The idea of a democracy, as the Athenians are known to have some form of in this time, is foreign to the Persians. This is also interesting because the use of the word slave. With Persians being the first known Empire in the world, they cast aside slavery and let all people be free. While Athens was not the worst in terms of slavery, as say the Spartans, they were still slavers in totality. They did have slaves. So using the word "slave" here is an interesting use of the word. We can see this same thing come through in looking at the Cookson/The_Persians) version as well.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    4. yonder comes the mother-queen, Light of our eyes, in godlike sheen, The royal mother of the king!—

      Again, in looking at the Cookson/The_Persians) version here, we can see that he has a grander flair in his talking of the queen. He references her as the wife of a god. Here, in Morshead's version, we see that she is still highly regarded by the author, and she even has some relationship to a god with her "godlike sheen". However, again with the word choices here, we can see that Morshead appears to be a bit more modest in how he chooses to portray the Persians versus the way Cookson talks about them.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    5. To meet with the men of the West, the spear-armed force of the foe! Can any make head and resist him, when he comes with the roll of a wave? No barrier nor phalanx of might, no chief, be he ever so brave! For stern is the onset of Persia, and gallant her children in fight.

      If we look at this section in comparisson to the version translated by G. M. Cookson/The_Persians), we can see that the translators went in slightly different ways. In Cookson's version it shows the bravado of the Persians. It showcases how mighty they are. With Morshead, he translated it in a more modest light. He does say that no barrier nor phalanx, a reference to the style in which the Hellenistic people fought, can be so brave. Essentially they say the same thing, that Persia cannot be defeated by such a style of fighting, but Cookson seems to have the Persians boasting be more outright and less hidden in the meaning of the words.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    1. ​Xerxes the King (Oh King unwise!)

      We see the Persians as a whole, along with Darius and the Queen, spoken of in such high regards that this switch to showing Xerxes as an unwise king is a change of pace. It places him as "other" it shows that they had to fight him as he is a terrible king. It is a negative way of looking at him, though Aeschylus clearly had some respect for his father and mother and of the people as a while, he dis not show the same respect for Xerxes throughout this play, giving both the Athenians and the Persians a "common enemy" as it were within the context of this play. For the Athenians, he is a bafoonish ruler whom was handily defeated at Salamis. For the Persians, he wasted time and the lives of their men on his on interests of getting revenge for their loss at Marathon, and losing almost all of the men of Persia, casting away an entire generation of strong men.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    2. Athens! for ever hateful to thy foes!

      While Aeschylus is Athenian, this play is from the Persian perspective,and while he does not wish to besmirch the name of Athens, he has to see from the Persian's eyes what it may look like to see their mighty army defeated. In this instance, he is saying that Athens really knows how to hold a grudge. That, if you come for its people, you will falter, and you will fail as they harness no compassion for its enemies.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    3. They say 'slave' sorts not with 'Athenian.'

      It;s curious the use of language here. While this is saying that the Athenians are slave to none, that they do not have one ruler above them as they are a democratic power, the use of "slave" not sorting with Athenian is an interesting choice of words because they do house slaves. So while what the author is saying is true, the use of the word slave here is an interesting choice as the word slave does correlate to Athens, but not in the same way. It's almost to indicate, as the original author was Athenian, that they are superior to Persia because they bow to no one man, no king rules Athens. They are not subjugated to another people, like most of Persia's territory, which are satraps and subjugates of Persia, and not all technically Persians.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    4. Queen-Dowager of Persian dames deep-veiled, Mother of Xerxes and Darius' wife, Spouse of a god, and not less justly hailed

      When speaking of the Queen of Persia, the author speaks of her as the "spouse of a god". The use of language here is to show that Persians, especially the rulers of Persia, are powerful enough to be, and be with, the gods. They think themselves as gods, and therefore, how could they not come out of this war victorious.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

    5. No! Persia's matchless millions⁠No human power can quell, Such native valour arms her sons,⁠Such might incomparable!

      This section here shows how highly the Persians think of themselves. It equates them to being incomparable, as having no equal in military might. This is quite interesting considering they have been defeated by the same foe only a few years prior at the battle of Marathon, thus the Persians clearly have equals, or perhaps even superiors in these terms. They do have more numbers than they had on their previous march to fight the Athenians, Spartans, etc. than when they lost at Marathon. It's similar in irony to the Titanic being an "unsinkable" ship, only to sink on its maiden voyage. Here the Persians are saying the same thing, that they are incomparable in strength, and yet we find out later that they are in fact not incomparable.

      Zach Long CC BY-NC-ND

  11. Nov 2019
  12. May 2019
    1. Struck down with overwhelming shame She shrank within her trembling frame. Each word of Ráma's like a dart Had pierced the lady to the heart; And from her sweet eyes unrestrained The torrent of her sorrows, rained. Her weeping eyes at length she dried,

      Rama's hard words on his real reasons on why he save Sita and his feelings about her broke her heart. With this details about what Sita feels and how she is reacting, the reader is able to create an image of the character int heir mind.

      CC BY-NC-ND

    1. No fond affection for my wife Inspired me in the hour of strife. I battled to avenge the cause Of honour and insulted laws. My love is fled, for on thy fame

      This following lines express Rama's feelings and thoughts after saving Sita. He basically told her that he fight for his honor and justice not because of his love for her, a love that does not exist in him any more. Here we can see the true colors of Rama, where he only thinks about himself as a superior male and the unbalance toxic relationship that he has with Sita.

      CC BY-NC-ND

    1. Each princess gave her soul to love

      In the whole story of Ramayana, we are facing the extreme loyalty, respect and love that is given to the husband, but not equally to the wife. This quote reflect exactly how enormous this devotion is frm the women side is, as the author is claiming that "each princess gave her soul to love". Refering the husband as "to love", and in Ramayana's case Sita been a devoted wife to Rama no matter what.

      CC BY-NC-ND

    1. “I hereby Give you my word, my solemn promise, that The son born to Satyavati shall be king. I Renounce my right and claim as yuvaraja”

      Bhishma's action reflect the core of Hinduism, getting rid of our vanities and connecting more with the spiritual world. Bhishma teaches us about the abounding flaws of humanity and the ways we can rise above them. Bhishma shows us that we can live a fulfilling life if we abandon our mundane habits. It also teaches us that love can blind us and that good deed are always rewarded. CC BY-NC-ND .

    2. Two sons were born Of Satyavati to Santanu. When the king died, They ascended the throne one after another. Bhishma kept the vow throughout his life.

      Because of his many virtues and sacrifices, Bhishma was and continues to be a role model in Indian culture. The story of Bhishma narrated in the epic of Mahabharata , the most influential book in hinduism; reflects an idealized version of the male. He is Kind, cares about others and kept his word until his final breath even after the sons of Satyavati were born which is more amazing.

    3. The king could Never  imagine what a great sacrifice his son Had made for his sake.

      Bhishma's weakness is his love for his father. He gave up all carnal desires and right to the throne for the lust of Shantanu, which place into perspective this noble action. As a result of his vow he puts at risk the future of his beloved empire, goes against his beliefs and is forced to do things that he knew were wrong. CC BY-NC-ND

    4. “I vow that  I  shall Never marry and I shall always be a celibate.” When he uttered these words of resolve, Which echoed through space, gods from Above showered  flowers on his head and Cries of  “Bhishma”, “Bhishma” filled the air. For, such terrible sacrifice was very unusual. Bhisma means one who takes a terrible vow And fulfills it.

      Devavrata become Bhishma because of his promise of celibacy. Bhishma was such a good son that he did not only gave up his rightful throne but also the right to have family and carnal pleasure. This in what makes Bhishma a hero. CC BY-NC-ND

    1. Spake then his Vaunt[2] the valiant man, Beowulf Geat, ere the bed he sought:— “Of force in fight no feebler I count me, in grim war-deeds, than Grendel deems him. Not with the sword, then, to sleep of death 680his life will I give, though it lie in my power. No skill is his to strike against me, my shield to hew though he hardy be, bold in battle; we both, this night, shall spurn the sword,

      Beowulf is following the same lead as Gilgamesh as the epic hero, as he is going out of his way to preform an epic dead such as killing Grendel with his bare hand in order to show to the danes that he is worthy of praise and to be their king. This is similar to both Siowash and Gilgamesh as the both preform epic deeds though each with there own different reasons.

      NC-BY-CC-ND

    1. Here is an image of Siyavash cover in flames. Siyavash was accuse wrongly but he always believed in himself, that is why he was more than willing and putted himself in that position. He was true to himself and always tried to do the right thing, that along with his noble status, kindness and intelligence is what makes him such a beloved figure. CC BY-NC-ND .

    1. Our ship-fenced Ares from the Ionian's might⁠Dire mischief did sustain,⁠In shock of changeful fight; ⁠930⁠The mournful-fated coast shearing[31] and land-bound main.[32] Chorus. Cry woe! search out the worst; woe, woe! ⁠Where now the friendly band⁠Wont at thy side to stand?⁠Such was Pharandaces,⁠Susas, Pelagon, Psammis, Dotamas,⁠Such Agdabates, such Susiscanes,⁠Agbatana who left. Oh say⁠Where now be they? ⁠940 Xerxes. Antistrophe II. ⁠Death-stricken from a Tyrian galley thrown,⁠Yonder I left them prone;⁠Amid the billowy roar, The rock-bound coast they beat on Salaminian shore. Chorus. Where thy Pharnuchos? Woe, on woe!⁠Brave Ariomard and he,⁠Warrior of high degree,⁠Lilaios and the king⁠Seualces; Memphis where and Tharybis,⁠Where are Masistras, and brave Artembar,⁠Ay, and Hystæchmas? Say, oh say, ⁠950⁠Where now be they? Xerxes. Strophe III. ⁠Ah me! Alas! Woe! Woe!⁠They saw the city hoar,⁠Athenè's hated wall, And with convulsive struggle, one and all, Poor wretches, were laid gasping on the shore.   Chorus. ⁠Him, thine all-trusty eye,⁠The hosts of Persia who told o'er ⁠960⁠By ten times fifty score,⁠Alphistos, Batanochos' heir,⁠Sesames' son, who owed his birth⁠To Megabates, him didst leave,⁠Parthos and great Œbares there⁠Didst leave to die?⁠Unhappy men! ah me!⁠Persians of highest worth! For them dire ills on ills I hear from thee,⁠And sighs of anguish heave. Xerxes. Antristrophe III. ⁠Ah me! Alas! Woe! Woe!⁠A thrill of tender pain⁠For my brave comrades' sake, Telling of ills most hateful, thou dost wake. ⁠970 Cries out my very heart, yea, cries amain. Chorus. ⁠We for another mourn,⁠Of Mardia's myriad host the head,⁠Xanthos;—Anchares, Arian-born,⁠Diæxis and Arsaces, who⁠Afield our mounted forces led,⁠Kigdagatas and Lythimnas,⁠War-craving Tolmos—these, alas, ⁠980⁠These mourn we too.⁠Sorrow astounds, ah me,⁠Sorrow astounds my mind These chiefs on tented cars no more to see⁠Thy royal pomp behind. Xerxes. Strophe IV. For lost are they our host who led. Chorus. Lost amid the nameless dead. Xerxes. Woe! Woe! Alas! Woe! Woe! Chorus. ⁠Woe! Woe! in sooth, for lo! Ill so unlooked for and pre-eminent As Atè ne'er beheld, the gods have sent. Xerxes. Antistrophe IV. Stricken are we by heaven-sent blow. ⁠990 Chorus. Stricken, in sooth, too plain our woe. Xerxes. Fresh griefs, fresh griefs, ah me! Chorus. ⁠Meeting Ionian seamen, we Have now, alas, encountered dire disgrace; Unfortunate in war is Persia's race. Xerxes. Strophe V. Stricken, too true, with host so great.   Chorus. Perished hath Persia's high estate. Xerxes. Dost see this remnant of my warlike gear? Chorus. Yea, I behold. ⁠1000 Xerxes. This also—arrows that should hold?

      Xerxes is not playing the traditional gender role as man as he now grieves with the chorus about the loss of his men at the hands of the Ionians.

      NC-BY-CC-ND

    2. What son of mine an armament hath thither led? Inform me. Atossa. Impetuous Xerxes, all the life of wide-spread Asia draining. Darius. By land or sea, unhappy man, made be this mad endeavour? Atossa. By both in sooth; a twofold front there was of twofold army.   Darius. But how could armament so vast on foot pass from the mainland? Atossa. O'er Hellè's strait he artful threw a bridge, and so found passage. Darius. Thus hath he wrought, and so hemm'd in the Bosphoros' strong current! Atossa. So was it, yet some demon-power did haply aid his purpose. ⁠720 Darius. Alas, some mighty demon came, and hath befool'd his judgment. Atossa. True, for the issue clearly shows what evil he accomplished. Darius. And what hath been the fate of those o'er whom ye groan, lamenting? Atossa. The naval army, worsted, drew the land force to de- struction. Darius. So utterly by hostile spear hath the whole army perished? Atossa. Ay, emptied of her warriors, moans all the town of Susa.   Darius. Woe for our levies vainly made, and many-nationed army! Atossa. Perished hath Bactria's martial strength, and not her elders only. Darius. O hapless son, of our allies the youth how hath he ruined? Atossa. Alone, abandoned, so they say, Xerxes, with but few others— ⁠

      Xerxes, trying to play the male gender role, trying to expand his dynasty so that he may follow in the footsteps of his father and his grandfather actually ended up being the means to the downfall of his army. As his hubris lead him to the conclusion that it was neccesary to attack greece and build a bridge in order to do so.

      NC-BY-CC-ND

    1. Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years; and he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.

      Contrary to Hyppolytus and Siyavash, Joseph had a long lasting life and had a family something that the Greek and Persian version did not have. We can argue that the reason why Joseph lived longer was because of his faith in God. A God who always helped him get through the toughest of circumstances. The gods in the Greek version did not help Hippolytus on the contrary it was the reason why he died, while in Siyavash there is no divine powers involved. CC BY-NC-ND .

    1. In here like in the Persian version, Hyppolitus has a tragic end. In this image we see the position in how he died. His ankles are tied and while his horse is running. Is indeed a terrible ending for someone who was not to blame for anything, all thanks to the god Poseidon. Interestingly, the Persian version has not such things as divine beings, there is not even mention of them. This once proves that in order for some things to appeal to other cultures things such as religion, politics and lifestyle need to take part. CC BY-NC-ND

    1. When Siawosh learned this he was sore downcast in his spirit, and he went unto Farangiss and charged her how she should act when he should be fallen by the hands of Afrasiyab, for he held it vile to go forth in combat with one who had been to him a father. So he made ready his house for death. Now when he came to his steed of battle he pressed its head unto his breast, and he wept over it and spake into its ear. And he said- "Listen, O my horse, and be brave and prudent; neither attach thyself unto any man until the day that Kay-Khosrow, my son, shall arise to avenge me. From him alone receive the saddle and the rein."

      This is very unlike what we typically expect of those in playing the male gender role as well as the hero. Normally we would expect one that is in this role to prepare for a battle and go down swinging, however siowash doesnt do this and in fact accepts his fate as being killed by the hands of Afrasiyab. The fact that one is going to die is not accepted by Gilgamesh until the end of the epic.

      NC-BY-CC-ND

    2. "I desire to go before the King, that my father may behold me, and see what manner of man thou hast made of me."

      Siawosh is the representation of a good Persian ruler, like Cyrus The Great. He had confident on himself because of the way his father raise him. He always thought before taking any decisions and always try to both maintain piece and strengthen his connections with other countries. His integrity and diplomacy was both his virtue and tragic flaw. Still, he is the representation of hope and good of the Persian culture. CC BY-NC-ND (http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Literature/Shahnameh/siyawash.htm)

    3. For it came about that Soudabeh beheld the youth of Siawosh, and her eyes were filled with his beauty, and her soul burned after him. So she sent unto him a messenger, and invited him to enter the house of the women. But he sent in answer words of excuse, for he trusted her not. Then Soudabeh made complaint before Kay-Kavous that Siawosh had deafened his ear unto her request, and she bade the King send him behind the curtains of the women's house, that his son might become acquainted with his sisters. And Kay-Kavous did that which Soudabeh asked of him, and Siawosh obeyed his commands.                 But Soudabeh, when she had so far accomplished her longing that she had gotten him within the house, desired that he should speak with her alone. But Siawosh resisted her wish. And three times did Soudabeh entice him behind the curtains of the house, and three times was Siawosh cold unto her yearning. Then Soudabeh was wroth, and she made complaint unto the King, and she slandered the fair fame of Siawosh, and she spread evil reports of him throughout the land, and she inflamed the heart of Kay-Kavous against his son. Now the King was angered beyond measure, and it availed nought unto Siawosh to defend himself, for Kay-Kavous was filled with the love of Soudabeh, and he listened only unto her voice. And he remembered how she had borne his captivity in Hamavaran, and he knew not of her evil deceits. And when she said that Siawosh had done her great wrong, Kay-Kavous was troubled in his spirit, and he resolved how he should act, for his heart went out also unto his son, and he feared that guile lurked in these things. And he could not decide between them. So he caused dromedaries to be sent forth, even unto the borders of the land, and bring forth wood from the forests. And they did so, and there was reared a mighty heap of logs, so that the eye could behold it at a distance of two farsangs. And it was piled so that a path ran through its midst such as a mounted knight could traverse. And the King commanded that naphtha be poured upon the wood; and when it was done he bade that it be lighted, and there were needed two hundred men to light the pyre, so great was its width and height. And the flames and smoke overspread the heavens, and men shouted for fear when they beheld the tongues of fire, and the heat thereof was felt in the far corners of the land.                 Now when all was ready, Kay-Kavous bade Siawosh his son ride into the midst of the burning mount, that he might prove his innocence. And Siawosh did as the King commanded, and he came before Kay-Kavous, and saluted him,

      Siawosh plays the male gender role and role of a hero differently. Siawosh does not use his ability to have relations with the wife of his father because of the teachings that he had received from Rostam. This highlights the differences between the male gender role at the time of the writing of the Epic of Gilgamesh and in the Epic of siawosh. NC-BY-CC-ND

  13. inst-fs-iad-prod.inscloudgate.net inst-fs-iad-prod.inscloudgate.net
    1. This star of heaven which descended like a meteor from the sky; which you tried to lift,-but found too heavy, when you tried to move it it would not budge, and so you brought it to my feet; I made it for you, a goad and spur, and you were drawn as though to a woman. This is the strong comrade, the one who brings help to his friend in his need. He is the strongest of wild creatures, the stuff of Anu; born in the grass-lands and the wild hills reared him; when you see him you will be glad; you will love him as a woman and he will never forsake you. This is the meaning of the dream

      The mother of Gilgamesh being asked what the meaning of her dream is by her son is a representation of one of the female gender roles that exist within the epic. As the mother to Gilgamesh, she imparts to him the wisdom that he lacks in order for him to make sense of his dream so that he may act accordingly. NC-BY-CC-ND

    2. The Epic Of Gilgamesh41THE COMING OF ENKIDUGILGAMESH went abroad in the world, but he met with none who could withstand his arms till be came to Uruk. But the men of Uruk muttered in their houses, ‘Gilgamesh sounds the tocsin for his amusement, his arrogance has no bounds by day or night. No son is left with his father, for Gilgamesh takes them all, even the children; yet the king should be a shepherd to his people. His lust leaves no virgin to her lover, neither the warrior's daughter nor the wife of the noble; yet this is the shepherd of the city, wise, comely, and resolute

      Gilgamesh pillages his own kingdom in this translation of the epic. as he is too strong to be stopped from doing so. This is typical of those that are playing the masculine gender role. In the modern day world we want our male figures to be strong and wise, exactly what Gilgamesh is portraying during this point of the story. However, the way that he does this is drastically different than how Siyawash does so, as he acts noblely rather than as a pillager of his own kingdom. NC-BY-CC-ND

    1. To me the real hero of the story is not Gilgamesh but Inkidu. Gilgamesh full of human vices despite being a demigod. But Inkidu was the reason why Gilgamesh started to live. Gilgamesh would have being nothing without his partner, he would not have suffer in like without Inkidu's death, and would have not turn his life around either. This is why Inkidu is the hero. CC BY-NC-ND

    1. Gish understood the dream. 43[As] Enki[du] was sitting before the woman, 44[Her] loins(?) he embraced, her vagina(?) he opened. 45[Enkidu] forgot the place where he was born. 46Six days and seven nights 47Enkidu continued 48To cohabit with [the courtesan].

      In this older version , the translation is clear and more explicit. While in other versions these actions are cover under a bunch of metaphors and wordiness. So it looks like when we, ourselves, became more civilize the amount of censorship we created for ourselves also grew. Just think about that Inkidu and Gilgamesh were lovers, and this was not something new, other cultures also practice this. But later became taboo with the help of Christianity. It is just now that we are starting to accept that everyone does not have the same sexual preference, everyone should be free of choosing a partner regardless of sex. Uncivilized does not mean close minded. CC BY-NC-ND

    2. “My mother, during my night 4I became strong and moved about 5among the heroes; 6And from the starry heaven 7A meteor(?) of Anu fell upon me: 8I bore it and it grew heavy upon me, 9I became weak and its weight I could not endure.

      The story of Gilgamesh dates back to thousands of years but it was first written between 2150 - 1400 BCE. Gilgamesh is narrating his dream to his mother so that she could later interpreted. He says that something like a meteor fell him. This dream would become his reality when he encounter his complement , Inkidu.However, when we see the translation by Stephen Langdon, the thing become a person. Why is this? CC BY-NC-ND

    1. Oh harlot, take away the man. 6Wherefore did he come to me? 7I would forget the memory of him.”

      In the modern version of Gilgamesh the women who civilizes by having intimacy with Inkidu is now a prostitute (harlot) not a priestess. What does this says about our current relation with sexuality? CC BY-NC-ND

    2. “My mother! during my night 4I, having become lusty, wandered about 5in the midst of omens. 6And there came out stars in the heavens, 7Like a … of heaven he fell upon me. 8I bore him but he was too heavy for me.

      In the old Babylonian version what fell from the sky was something not a person. But yet, in this 18th century translation by Langdon says "He". We later know that, that he was Inkidu but Langdon takes all of the excitement and mystery out of it. Maybe is because during that era people were not as imaginative and patient. CC BY-NC-ND

    1. At the end of the day, the only hero in the story was Nina herself. Rama was a complete self absorbed jerk and Sita was completely submissive and did not think of her even once. While Nina went through modern similar faces of rejection and self worth, she came to terms with herself, and accepted the fact that her ex boyfriend was not worth her pain and that she had to move on in life. CC BY-NC-ND

    1. My sons!Father?Return to Ayodhya Palace to rule with me for eternity!But then, he wants to take Luv and Kush back,but he's still hesitant about taking her back.Sita! Well, yes, of course, Sita...All Sita has to do is prove her purity again.Another trial by fire, perhaps?

      When Rama finds his sons by coincidence he wants to take the boy with him, but not Sita. So he suggest another trial to confirm her purity. The only reason why he seems to "Care" about his songs is because they are boy, I am sure that if they were girls Rama would not have care. But he wants a successor and now he has it. Thought out the story Sita needs to prove herself but no Rama. Sita's Value depends on how valuable Rama think she is. And right now she is garbage to him. Now that he has his songs there is no more use for her. CC BY-NC-ND

    2. Hello?Please take me back! Please please please!I'll do anything! PLEASE

      In the modern intake of Nina Paley. She is dump by her ex. His reasons: he was bored of her already. Yet, despite of being treated so badly by her boyfriend Nina insist and begs him to go back with her, just like Sita when Rama wants to take his sons with him back to the palace. CC BY-NC-ND

    3. Perfect man, perfect son, Rama's loved by everyoneAlways right, never wrong, we praise Rama in this songSing his love, sing his praiseRama set his wife ablazeGot her home, kicked her outto allay his people's doubtRama's wise, Rama's just, Rama does what Rama mustDuty first, Sita last,Rama's reign is unsurpassed!

      This song is sings by Sita and Rama's sons and it say a lot about the sexist culture in Hindu society. To everyone Rama is perfect, therefore he is never wrong. When he kicks Sita out of his kingdom because people were talking about Sita even though Rama knew she was pure and innocent. Yet, he does it "for the good of the people". When in reality his fragile and huge ego was the one to blame. Also "Duty first, Sita last" once more demonstrates the gender inequality. CC BY-NC-ND

    1. In this image we can observe the difference between man and women in Sita Sings the Blues. While Rama is being taking care of to make sure he is dry, Sita is under the rain with no protection while admiring Rama from afar. However, Rama seems to only care about himself and looks proudly forward without even looking at his wife. CC BY-NC-ND

  14. May 2018
    1. If I fall, I will establish my name. Gish, the corpse(?) of Huwawa, the terrible one, has snatched (?) from the time that My offspring was born in ...... The lion restrained (?) thee, all of which thou knowest. ........................ .............. thee and ................ open (?) ........ like a shepherd(?) ..... [When thou callest to me], thou afflictest my heart.

      I am completely lost in this passage, what is supposed to be happening?

    2. Strong(?) ... Gish Against him [Enkidu proceeded], [His hair] luxuriant. He started [to go]

      I am not following what is happening in these lines, i know lines are missing but i feel as if they could have done something here.

    3. "[To have (?)] a family home Is the destiny of men, and The prerogative(?) of the nobles. For the city(?) load the workbaskets! Food supply for the city lay to one side! For the King of Erech of the plazas, Open the hymen(?), perform the marriage act!

      I believe Gilgamesh has this dialogue with Enkidu, but i am not too sure as to why this is happening.

    4. His spirit was loosened, he became hilarious. His heart became glad and His face shone. [The barber(?)] removed The hair on his body. He was anointed with oil.

      I realize here is saying what is happening to him but the translation isn't as clear as it should be.

    5. Furthermore, our investigation has shown that to Enkidu belongs the episode with the woman, used to illustrate the evolution of primitive man to the ways and conditions of civilized life, the conquest of Huwawa in the land of Amurru, the killing of lions and also of the bull

      This passage here just further shows how much power the woman did have for that brief period of time of teaching Enkidu. Once Enkidu knew how to survive, he knew his role already. His abilities were extremely important to his role against all of his challenges.

    6. Enkidu consents, and now the woman takes off her garments and clothes the naked Enkidu, while putting another garment on herself. She takes hold of his hand and leads him to the sheepfolds (not to Erech!!), where bread and wine are placed before him. Accustomed hitherto to sucking milk with cattle, Enkidu does not know what to do with the strange food until encouraged and instructed by the woman. The entire third column is taken up with this introduction of Enkidu to civilized life in a pastoral community, and the scene ends with Enkidu becoming a guardian of flocks.

      Here the woman is teaching him the ways of the land where if it had not been for her, Enkidu would have been lost and might not have fulfilled his fate. The role of the woman here is extremely important, she was almost like a catalyst in starting this motion of events.

    7. Column 4 gives in detail the meeting between the two, and naïvely describes how the woman exposes her charms to Enkidu, who is captivated by her and stays with her six days and seven nights. The animals see the change in Enkidu and run away from him. He has been transformed through the woman

      In this passage, the woman actually has power over the man having the ability to change him from the inside out. He has lost his connection with the animals which is extremely visible to them.

    8. "Go, my hunter, take with thee a woman, etc."

      You can see here that the woman did not have a choice but to follow Enkidu when Enkidu had the opportunity to do what he pleases with her. The male viewing her as an object to change.

    9. That Enkidu originally played the part of the slayer is also shown by the statement that it is he who insults Ishtar by throwing a piece of the carcass into the goddess' face, [93] adding also an insulting speech; and this despite the fact that Ishtar in her rage accuses Gilgamesh of killing the bull.

      You can see here that the woman acts extremely volatile when she gets rejected by Enkidu. The roles here play a part because i feel as if she lusts for him for his manly attributes and extreme exaggeration of his power. Enkidu's role was not to be Ishtar's for he had another fate to fulfill.

    10. That Enkidu originally played the part of the slayer is also shown by the statement that it is he who insults Ishtar by throwing a piece of the carcass into the goddess' face, [93] adding also an insulting speech; and this despite the fact that Ishtar in her rage accuses Gilgamesh of killing the bull.

      You can see here that the woman acts extremely volatile when she gets rejected by Enkidu. The roles here play a part because i feel as if she lusts for him for his manly attributes and extreme exaggeration of his power. Enkidu's role was not to be Ishtar's for he had another fate to fulfill.

    11. "[I saw him and like] a woman I fell in love with him."

      The relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu was far more intense than a friendship.

    12. In reply, the father advises his son to take a woman with him when next he goes out on his pursuit, and to have the woman remove her dress in the presence of Enkidu, who will then approach her, and after intercourse with her will abandon the animals among whom he lives.

      The power of a woman was able to convert Enkidu from beast to human.

    1. Anu

      highest god, creator of all gods and beings

    2. like a god thou art.

      Enkidu is a superlative being, notion of gods as being human-like and vice versa

    3. hierodule 4 5[   ] forgot where he was born. 6Six days and seven nights 7came forth Enkidu 8and cohabited with the courtesan. 9The hierodule opened her mouth

      hierodule - being a priestess, her having sex with Enkidu is not seen as a shameful thing. opposite of most religions that demand chastity for their priestesses

    4. she that knows all things

      Goddess being omniscient in Assyrian religion

    1. But well for him that after death-day may draw to his Lord, and friendship find in the Father’s arms!

      notion of the Christian afterlife, purifying of soul

    2. e’er could the prince[8] approach his throne, —’twas judgment of God,—or have joy in his hall.

      judgement of God - declaring the throne and hall of Heorot holy, cannot be usurped by enemies of God

    1. Of Cain awoke all that woful breed, Etins[12] and elves and evil-spirits, as well as the giants that warred with God weary while: but their wage was paid them!

      mixture of Christianity (Cain and Abel) and Paganism (elves, giants, etc)

    2. I Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings, leader belovéd, and long he ruled 55 in fame with all folk, since his father had gone away from the world, till awoke an heir, haughty Healfdene, who held through life, sage and sturdy, the Scyldings glad.[1] Then, one after one, there woke to him, 60 to the chieftain of clansmen, children four: Heorogar, then Hrothgar, then Halga brave; and I heard that —— was ——’s queen,[2] the Heathoscylfing’s helpmate dear. To Hrothgar[3] was given such glory of war,

      At the very beginning of this Epic they are already trying to not show importance to the women, instead showing how string and how much glory the men had. Ann Marie Taylor

    1. He let me such treasures 45 Gain for my people ere death overtook me.

      all of Beowulf's victories due to God in Beowulf's eyes. even his death is not a sad event to him as he sees it as God's will

    2. At the wall ’twill befall us as Fate decreeth, Let Fate decide between us. 65 Each one’s Creator.

      even in a boast, Beowulf equates the result of his actions as being the will of God. almost negates the concept of personal responsibility

    3. Devil-shaped woman, her woe ever minded, 10 Who was held to inhabit the horrible waters, [Grendel’s progenitor, Cain, is again referred to.] The cold-flowing currents, after Cain had become a Slayer-with-edges to his one only brother, The son of his sire; he set out then banished, Marked as a murderer, man-joys avoiding, 15 Lived in the desert. Thence demons unnumbered

      again, origin being of Cain - evil begetting evil

    4. Fate offcarried him

      one of the few times where fate is mentioned without being linked to God's will

    5. To God he was hostile

      repeated again, continuously reaffirming the evil of Grendel by siding him against God

    6. By the might of himself; the truth is established

      "truth is established" - God is the declarer of what is and isn't true. reality itself is bent to God's will. Whoever is on the side of God is on the side of truth, therefore Beowulf = the truth

    7. They invoke the aid of their gods. 60 At the shrines of their idols often they promised Gifts and offerings, earnestly prayed they The devil from hell would help them to lighten Their people’s oppression. Such practice they used then, Hope of the heathen; hell they remembered 65 In innermost spirit, God they knew not,

      idols = paganism. first mention of the devil. "God they knew not" declaring them to be heathens.

    8. Judge of their actions, All-wielding Ruler, No praise could they give the Guardian of Heaven, The Wielder of Glory. Woe will be his who Through furious hatred his spirit shall drive to 70 The clutch of the fire, no comfort shall look for, Wax no wiser; well for the man who, Living his life-days, his Lord may face And find defence in his Father’s embrace!

      insinuation that they deserve punishment because of their paganism

    9. In the land of the giants, when the Lord and Creator Had banned him and branded. For that bitter murder, 55 The killing of Abel, all-ruling Father Cain is referred to as a progenitor of Grendel, and of monsters in general. The kindred of Cain crushed with His vengeance

      Cain, direct reference to Bible. awkward insertion of Christian narrative/origin. Evil begotten from one of the first sins. No mention of the devil, evil as something unfavorable to God

    10. Whom God-Father sent to solace the people.

      God-Father: God as creator, maybe taking place of Odin as father/creator of all beings.

      "sent to solace the people" - god-sent, chosen, given divine status

    11. A foe in the hall-building: this horrible stranger2 50 Was Grendel entitled, the march-stepper famous Who3 dwelt in the moor-fens, the marsh and the fastness; The wan-mooded being abode for a season [5] In the land of the giants, when the Lord and Creator Had banned him and branded. For that bitter murder, 55 The killing of Abel, all-ruling Father Cain is referred to as a progenitor of Grendel, and of monsters in general. The kindred of Cain crushed with His vengeance;

      Absolutely unnecessary to add all this nonsensical Christian stuff to the text. The story would have flowed much better without it.

    12. Since first he found him friendless and wretched, The earl had had terror: comfort he got for it, Waxed ’neath the welkin, world-honor gained, Till all his neighbors o’er sea were compelled to 10 Bow to his bidding and bring him their tribute: An excellent atheling! After was borne him A son is born to him, who receives the name of Beowulf—a name afterwards made so famous by the hero of the poem. A son and heir, young in his dwelling, Whom God-Father sent to solace the people. He had marked the misery malice had caused them,

      Only took 9 lines to go from being lonely and depressed to having a devoted friend. Time really does fly.

    13. Boldly to swallow4 them, as of yore he did often The best of the Hrethmen! Thou needest not trouble A head-watch to give me;5 he will have me dripping [17] In case of my defeat, thou wilt not have the trouble of burying me. 75 And dreary with gore, if death overtake me,

      His pride seems to overshadow the safety of his brethren. e

    14. I shall manage the matter, with the monster of evil, The giant, decide it. Thee I would therefore 55 Beg of thy bounty, Bright-Danish chieftain, Lord of the Scyldings, this single petition: Not to refuse me, defender of warriors, Friend-lord of folks, so far have I sought thee, That I may unaided, my earlmen assisting me, 60 This brave-mooded war-band, purify Heorot. I have heard on inquiry, the horrible creature Since the monster uses no weapons, From veriest rashness recks not for weapons; I this do scorn then, so be Higelac gracious, My liegelord belovèd, lenient of spirit, 65 To bear a blade or a broad-fashioned target, A shield to the onset; only with hand-grip I, too, shall disdain to use any. The foe I must grapple, fight for my life then, Foeman with foeman; he fain must rely on The doom of the Lord whom death layeth hold o

      Quite a monologue for a man of action, Beowulf wants them to see him win- he is making a point with his action. This does not hold up when he meets Grendel's mother

    15. “We are sprung from the lineage of the people of Geatland,

      We, as in identity. Tribalism FTW

    16. But launching them little, unless looks are deceiving, And striking appearance. Ere ye pass on your journey As treacherous spies to the land of the Scyldings 65 And farther fare, I fully must know now What race ye belong to. Ye far-away dwellers, Sea-faring sailors, my simple opinion Hear ye and hearken: haste is most fitting Plainly to tell me what place ye are come from.”

      Some underlying racism- "Yer' not from 'round here are ya, boy"

      Note this to describe the general affect race has on perception

  15. inst-fs-iad-prod.inscloudgate.net inst-fs-iad-prod.inscloudgate.net
    1. ‘Woman, I promise you another destiny. The mouth which cursed you shall bless you! Kings, princes and nobles shall adore you. On your account a man though twelve miles off will clap his hand to his thigh and his hair will twitch. For you he will undo his belt and open his treasure and you shall have your desire; lapis lazuli, gold and' carnelian from the heap in the treasury.

      Enkidu realizes after cursing the harlot that he was wrong in doing so. After all, she was the woman who civilized him and found his perfect match and companion. He praises her and promises her good fortune in her future. Although he did curse her at the beginning, men do have respect for women (after they realize they are wrong) sort of like Gilgamesh when Siduri give him life advice and he rejects it. Later on he realizes that he was wrong and began to appreciate his life.

    2. His body was rough, he had long hair like a woman's; it waved like the hair of Nisaba, the goddess of corn. His body was covered with matted hair like Samugan's, the god of cattle.

      The epic challenges the idea of gender and sexuality. There is no specific classification of gender and sexuality in the text. Women and men are treated differently, but there is no specification on what women and men do differently.

    3. Enkidu was grown wea k , for wisdom was in him, and the thoughts of a man were in his heart. So he returned and sat down at the woman's feet, and listened intently to what she said

      Women represent not only temptation and ruin but also power. Enkidu only thought with his heart whereas she was able to lead him in the right direction. Women are the greatest aid to the hero since they provide the men with the information they require to change themselves and the world.

    4. She answered, ‘Gilgamesh, where are you hurrying to? You will never find that life for which you are looking. When the gods created man they allotted to him death, but life they retained in their own keeping. As for you, Gilgamesh, fill your belly with good things; day and night, night and day, dance and be merry, feast and rejoice. Let your clothes be fresh, bathe yourself in water, cherish the little child that holds your hand, and make your wife happy in your embrace; for this too is the lot of man

      One of the prominent women in the Epic of Gilgamesh is Siduri. She gives advice to Gilgamesh who was blinded by the death of Enkidu. She encourages him to put away his grief and actually enjoy the life he is living instead of seeking immortality. He was busy trying to run away from death that he forgot to enjoy the things he had. As usual he ignored her advice and suffers greatly as his search for immortality was a failure.

    5. When Ishtar heard this she fell into a bitter rage, she went up to high heaven.

      Nature can be dangerous especially for those who travel in the wild. This is also a comparison to the Goddess Ishtar. She is powerful and can be an agent of destruction. When Gilgamesh not recognizing this aspect of the feminine caused destruction in his life. The death of Enkidu was the result of Gilgamesh rejecting her temptations.

    1. I. THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SCYLD. {The famous race of Spear-Danes.} Lo! the Spear-Danes' glory through splendid achievements The folk-kings' former fame we have heard of, How princes displayed then their prowess-in-battle. {Scyld, their mighty king, in honor of whom they are often called Scyldings. He is the great-grandfather of Hrothgar, so prominent in the poem.}

      This versions is nothing compared to the Seamus Heaney versions this is so difficult to understand not just by the font of the text but language is difficult to understand. I don't think this is the best translation to fully grasp the understanding of what this text is about. i found this surprising that it was published in 2005. Ann Marie Victoria

    1. But the man remembered his mighty power, the glorious gift that God had sent him. in his Maker’s mercy put his trust for comfort and help: so he conquered the foe, felled the fiend, who fled abject, 1275reft of joy, to the realms of death, mankind’s foe. And his mother now, gloomy and grim, would go that quest of sorrow, the death of her son to avenge. To Heorot came she, where helmeted Danes 1280slept in the hall. Too soon came back old ills of the earls, when in she burst, the mother of Grendel. Less grim, though, that terror, e’en as terror of woman in war is less, might of maid, than of men in arms

      Another moment in the story of manipulation with God. This shows man trying to give an example of why we should control women into being submissive because if not she will turn into Grendel mother someone/something without god behind her but her fury and terror is much more than man if man did not have God. Ann Marie Taylor