Duke of Alençon
The Duke Alencon or "Duke of Anjou" was probably a fictional character but there was a Duke of Anjou from 1547 to 1559 before he became King of France in 1547 until he died in 1559. He was also the son of King Francis I of France and Queen Claude of France. Rabelais often blended historical events with his fictional characters in his stories. <br /> Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, October 25). Francis, Duke of Anjou. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis,_Duke_of_Anjou
Now is it that the minds of men are qualified with all manner of discipline, and the old sciences revived which for many ages were extinct. Now it is that the learned languages are to their pristine purity restored, viz., Greek, without which a man may be ashamed to account himself a scholar, Hebrew, Arabic, Chaldaean, and Latin. Printing likewise is now in use, so elegant and so correct that better cannot be imagined, although it was found out but in my time by divine inspiration, as by a diabolical suggestion on the other side was the invention of ordnance.
In this passage, Rabelais encourages or celebrates the intellectual revival of his time, he also emphasizes the importance of learned languages, particularly Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, Latin, and Chaldaean which highlights Greek as an essential for any scholar. Rabelais offers commentary on the cultural and intellectual progression of the Renaissance. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Gargantua and Pantagruel. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francois-Rabelais/Gargantua-and-Pantagruel
Hydras
In this passage, Dante is describing the Furies from Greek mythology. Furies were ancient goddesses of vengeance often described as terrifying and hideous creatures who punished those who committed crimes. They are the embodiment of torment that awaits sinners in hell, often having women-like features. In this part of the story, Dante meets the furies as he is descending the depths of hell and confronts the reality of divine retribution and the importance of repentance and redemption.
Dante’s inferno - circle 5 - cantos 7-9. (n.d.). https://danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu/circle5.html
Then the other stood a great while, still sorely angered and vexed within himself; all the blood flew to his face, and he shrank for shame as the Green Knight spake; and the first words he said were, “Cursed be ye, cowardice and covetousness, for in ye is the destruction of virtue.” Then he loosed the girdle, and gave it to the knight. “Lo, take there the falsity, may foul befall it! For fear of thy blow cowardice bade me make friends with covetousness and forsake the customs of largess and loyalty, which befit all knights. Now am I faulty and false and have been afeared: from treachery and untruth come sorrow and care. I avow to thee, Sir Knight, that I have ill done; do then thy will. I shall be more wary hereafter.”
In this passage, the Green Knight has accused Gawain of cowardice and covetousness. Gawain confesses that his cowardice led him to accept the green girdle and covetousness made him forsake his Knighthood. Because of Gawain's confession, the Green Knight spares him because he shows integrity by admitting his wrongdoings. The sentence is "I avow thee, Sir Knight, that I have ill done; do then thy will.I shall be more wary hereafter". Readers can also see that the Green Knight is like a mirror forcing Gawain to confront his weakness.
Allen, Valerie. “Sir Gawain: Cowardyse and the Fourth Pentad.” The Review of English Studies, vol. 43, no. 170, 1992, pp. 181–93. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/517708. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024.
Whom Wisdom shall throne on her throne. But Cephîsus the fair-flowing, Will he bear thee on his shore?
The mention of Cephisus in this context likely refers to the river Cepphisus or (Kifisos) in Greek mythology. Cephisus was often projected as a river god of Attika of southern Greece. The line " Will he bear thee on his shore?" may imply a journey or encounter that Medea might have to face. It could also imply the following actions and events Medea causes 1) the murder of her children and 2) the killing of Jason Fiancee the princess and the King.
Citation: “Kephisos.”CEPHISUS (Kephisos) - Attic River-God of Greek Mythology, www.theoi.com/Potamos/PotamosKephisos2.html. Accessed 31 Jan. 2024.
The sacrifice Which Knowledge pays is better than great gifts Offered by wealth, since gifts’ worth–O my Prince! Lies in the mind which gives, the will that serves: And these are gained by reverence, by strong search, By humble heed of those who see the Truth And teach it. Knowing Truth, thy heart no more Will ache with error, for the Truth shall show All things subdued to thee, as thou to Me.
In this quote from chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna who is considered a divine teacher emphasizes the significance of knowledge. This line by Krishna conveys that the sacrifice by conveying knowledge is more valuable than a substantial gift offered by material wealth." Knowing Truth, thy heart no more Will ache with error" Basically Krishna is telling Arjuna that knowing the truth will bring clarity and understanding leading to making one feel free of confusion and error. In summary, this verse conveys the idea that knowledge of truth not only liberates an individual from error but also connects them to a relationship with the divine or soul.
Citation: Comparison of the Conceptualization of Wisdom in Ancient Indian ..., guilfordjournals.com/doi/abs/10.1521/psyc.2008.71.3.197. Accessed 31 Jan. 2024.