RamayanaRamayanaImportant characters:Important characters:

RamaRama

SitaSita

LaksmanaLaksmana

BharataBharata

KaikeyiKaikeyi

KausalyaKausalya

JatayuJatayu

SurpanakhaSurpanakha

RavanaRavana

MaricaMarica

HanumanHanuman

Important concepts:Important concepts:

dharma and adhering to one’s dharma is what motivates all of the characters’ dharma and adhering to one’s dharma is what motivates all of the characters’ actions. actions.

Note Rama’s response when Sita is recovered. Why does he react this way?Note Rama’s response when Sita is recovered. Why does he react this way?

Note the jealousy between wives—we will see this again in other works. Note the jealousy between wives—we will see this again in other works.

Dharma in RamayanaDharma in Ramayana Rama’s father (Dasaratha) to KaikeyiRama’s father (Dasaratha) to Kaikeyi Rama to his fatherRama to his father Rama to KaikeyiRama to Kaikeyi Rama to KausalyaRama to Kausalya Rama to SitaRama to Sita Kaikeyi to RamaKaikeyi to Rama Dasaratha to RamaDasaratha to Rama Kausalya to DasarathaKausalya to Dasaratha Sita to RamaSita to Rama Kausalya to RamaKausalya to Rama Etc.Etc.

AeneidAeneid Important Characters:Important Characters:

AeneasAeneas DidoDido AnchisesAnchises AscaniusAscanius TurnusTurnus

Aeneas’ story is told from the opposite point of view as that of the Aeneas’ story is told from the opposite point of view as that of the IliadIliad. Aeneas is a Trojan who had to watch as his city was sacked and . Aeneas is a Trojan who had to watch as his city was sacked and burned. burned.

Aeneas’ duty is to found Rome. Aeneas’ duty is to found Rome. NOTE: FoundNOTE: Found in this sense does not in this sense does not mean to recover something lost (past tense of the verb to find). It mean to recover something lost (past tense of the verb to find). It means to establish something (infinitive to found: “–verb (used with means to establish something (infinitive to found: “–verb (used with object) 1.to set up or establish on a firm basis or for enduring object) 1.to set up or establish on a firm basis or for enduring existence: to found a new publishing company. 2.to lay the lowest part existence: to found a new publishing company. 2.to lay the lowest part of (a structure) on a firm base or ground: a house founded on solid of (a structure) on a firm base or ground: a house founded on solid rock. 3.to base or ground (usually fol. by on or upon): a story founded rock. 3.to base or ground (usually fol. by on or upon): a story founded on fact. 4.to provide a basis or ground for” (dictionary.com). on fact. 4.to provide a basis or ground for” (dictionary.com).

The story of Dido and Aeneas is well known and many writers in the The story of Dido and Aeneas is well known and many writers in the Middle Ages comment on it and play with the plot. Does Aeneas love Middle Ages comment on it and play with the plot. Does Aeneas love Dido? Why does he leave her? Dido? Why does he leave her?

Essay questionsEssay questions Discuss the theme of hospitality in The Odyssey.  Why is hospitality so important Discuss the theme of hospitality in The Odyssey.  Why is hospitality so important

in the ancient world?  Give some examples of good hospitality as well as instances in the ancient world?  Give some examples of good hospitality as well as instances where hospitality was warranted but not given or evil was done to the characters.  where hospitality was warranted but not given or evil was done to the characters.  

Is Gilgamesh a whole man before he meets Enkidu?  What does Enkidu represent? Is Gilgamesh a whole man before he meets Enkidu?  What does Enkidu represent? Gilgamesh?  Did Gilgamesh have to meet Enkidu in order to be a hero?  Are all of Gilgamesh?  Did Gilgamesh have to meet Enkidu in order to be a hero?  Are all of the elements of the archetypal hero quest present in The Epic of Gilgamesh? What the elements of the archetypal hero quest present in The Epic of Gilgamesh? What are the elements, and how (if at all) are they presented in the story?are the elements, and how (if at all) are they presented in the story?

If a "title" could be placed on the selection of works we have read in the past few If a "title" could be placed on the selection of works we have read in the past few days, "Sacred Duty 101" would certainly be a good choice.  Consider the actions of days, "Sacred Duty 101" would certainly be a good choice.  Consider the actions of Arjuna, Rama, Sita, and Aeneas,  Did these characters act out of a sense of sacred Arjuna, Rama, Sita, and Aeneas,  Did these characters act out of a sense of sacred duty?  What was their duty?  Was each character successful in his/her plan?  Do duty?  What was their duty?  Was each character successful in his/her plan?  Do you believe that each character fulfilled his/her sacred duty?you believe that each character fulfilled his/her sacred duty?