Week 15B Reading

the final reading notes shall be from dante's inferno by tony kline

1. the minotaur and the centaurs
we drew near the swift creatures. chiron took an arrow and pushed back his beard from his face with the notched flight. when he had uncovered his huge mouth, he said to his companions: 'have you noticed that the one behind moves whatever he touches? the feet of dead men do not usually do so.'

2. the harpies and capaneus

then my guide spoke, with a force i had not heard before: 'o capaneus, you are punished more in that your pride is not quenched: no torment would produce pain fitting for your fury, except your own raving.'

3. the old man of crete and geryon

and he to me: 'you know the place is circular, and though you have come far, always to the left, descending to the depths, you have not yet turned through a complete round, so that if anything new appears to us, it should not bring an expression of wonder to your face.'

4. descending on geryon's back

as the falcon that has been long on the wing descends wearily, without seeing bird or lure, making the falconer cry: 'ah, you stoop!' and settles far from his master disdainful and sullen, so geryon set us down, at the base, close to the foot of the fractured rock and, relieved of our weight, shot off like an arrow from the bow.

5. jason and the demons

the demons rushed from below the bridge and turned their weapons against him with the storm and fury with which a dog rushes at a poor beggar who suddenly seeks alms when he stops. but virgil cried: 'none of you commit an outrage. before you touch me with your forks, one of you come over here, to listen and then discuss whether you will grapple me.'

6. caiaphas

i stood still and saw two spirits who were eager in mind to join me, but their burden and the narrow path delayed them. when they arrived, they eyed me askance for a long time, without speaking a word; then they turned to one another and said: 'this one seems alive by the movement of his throat, and if they are dead, by what grace are they moving free of the heavy cloaks?'

7. ulysses and diomede

i said: 'master, i beg you greatly and beg again so that my prayers may be a thousand, if those inside the fires can speak, do not refuse my waiting until the horned flame comes here: you see how i lean towards it with desire.'

8. the giants

no huge earthquake ever shook a tower, as violently as ephialtes promptly shook himself. then i feared death more than ever, and the fear alone would have been enough to cause it had i not seen his chains. we then went further on and reached antaeus, who projected twenty feet from the pit, not including his head.

9. ugolino

'after a short chase, the father and his sons seemed weary to me, and i thought i saw their flanks torn by sharp teeth. when i woke before dawn, i heard my sons, who were with me, crying in their sleep and asking for food. you are truly cruel if you do not sorrow already at the thought of what my heart presaged: and if you do not weep, what do you weep at?

10. satan

the master said: 'that soul up there that suffers the greatest punishment, he who has his head inside and flails his legs outside, is judas iscariot. of the other two who have their heads hanging downwards, the one who hangs from the face that is black is brutus: see how he writhes and does not utter a word; and the other is cassius, who seems so long in limb. but night is ascending, and now we must go, since we have seen it all.'

nine circle's of hell

Week 15A Reading

the final reading notes shall be from dante's inferno by tony kline

1. dante and virgil
the time was at the beginning of the morning, and the sun was mounting up with all those stars that were with him when divine love first moved all delightful things, so that the hour of day and the sweet season gave me fair hopes of that creature with the bright pelt.

2. the gate of hell and charon

he replied: 'i will tell you, briefly. they have no hope of death, and their darkened life is so mean that they are envious of every other fate. earth allows no mention of them to exist: mercy and justice reject them; let us not talk of them, but look and pass.'

3. limbo

a heavy thunder shattered the deep sleep in my head, so that i came to myself, like someone woken by force, and, standing up, i moved my eyes, now refreshed, and looked round, steadily, to find out what place i was in. i found myself, in truth, on the brink of the valley of the sad abyss that gathers the thunder of an infinite howling. it was so dark, and deep, and clouded, that i could see nothing by staring into its depths.

4. poets and philosophers, heroes and heroines

so i saw gathered together the noble school, of the lord of highest song, who soars, like an eagle, above the rest. after they had talked for a while amongst themselves, they turned towards me with a sign of greeting, at which my master smiled. and they honoured me further still, since they made me one of their company, so that i made a sixth among the wise.

5. paolo and francesca

i came to a place devoid of light that moans like a tempestuous sea when it is buffeted by warring winds. the hellish storm that never ceases drives the spirits with its force, and, whirling and striking, it molests them. when they come to the ruins there are shouts, moaning and crying, where they blaspheme against divine power. i learnt that the carnal sinners are condemned to these torments, they who subject their reason to their lust.

6. ceberus and plutus

like a sail, bellying in the wind, that falls in a heap if the mast breaks, so that cruel creature fell to earth. in that way, we descended into the fourth circle, taking in a greater width of the dismal bank that encloses every evil of the universe.

7. fortune and phylegyas

phlegyas in his growing anger, was like someone who listens to some great wrong done him and then fills with resentment. my guide climbed down into the boat and then made me board after him, and it only sank in the water when i was in. as soon as my guide and i were in the craft, its prow went forward, ploughing deeper through the water than it does carrying others.

8. the fallen angels

so the gentle father goes and leaves me there, and i am left in doubt: since 'yes' and 'no' war inside my head. i could not hear what terms he offered them, but he had not been standing there long with them, when, each vying with the other, they rushed back. our adversaries closed the gate in my lord's face, leaving him outside, and he turned to me again with slow steps.

9. the furies and the heretics

flames were scattered amongst the tombs by which they were made so red-hot all over that no smith's art needs hotter metal. their lids were all lifted, and such fierce groans came from them that, indeed, they seemed to be those of the sad and wounded.

nine circle's of hell

Week 14B Reading

week 14 will be russian fairy tales by ralston

1. the witch girl
straightway all the sotniks and desyatniks came together and went from house to house. in this one there’s nothing, in that one there’s nothing, until at last they come to the ponomar’s cottage.

2. the headless princess
she began rushing at the priest’s son, but she couldn’t anyhow break into the circle. then she began to conjure up all sorts of horrors. but in spite of all that she did, he went on reading and reading, and never gave a look round. and at daybreak the princess rushed at her coffin, and tumbled into it at full length, all of a heap.

3. the warlock
when he was about to die, he gave orders that his sons’ wives should keep watch over him after his death for three nights, taking one night apiece, that his body should be placed in the outer chamber, and that his sons’ wives should spin wool to make him a caftan. he ordered, moreover, that no cross should be placed upon him, and that none should be worn by his daughters-in-law.

4. the fox physician
the old man was just beginning to say: “not much farther—” when the sack slipped from between his teeth, and the old woman fell to the ground and was smashed all to pieces. the old man slid down the cabbage-stalk and picked up the sack. but it had nothing in it but bones, and those broken very small. the old man went out of his house and wept bitterly.

5. the fiddler in hell
the fiddler hid behind the stove-pipe. then came fiends, and they began to beat the rich moujik, reviling him the while, and saying: “there’s for thee, o rich man. pots of money didst thou bury but thou couldst not hide them. there didst thou bury them that we might not be able to keep watch over them. at the gate people are always riding about, the horses crush our heads with their hoofs, and in the corn-kiln we get beaten with flails.”

6. the two friends
he ran to the village—but the village was not what it used to be. the houses were different; the people were all strangers to him. he went to the priest’s—but the priest was not the one who used to be there—and told him about everything that had happened. the priest searched through the church-books, and found that, three hundred years before, this occurrence had taken place: a bridegroom had gone to the graveyard on his wedding-day, and had disappeared. and his bride, after some time had passed by, had married another man.

7. the shroud
in a certain village there was a girl who was lazy and slothful, hated working, but would gossip and chatter away like anything. well, she took it into her head to invite the other girls to a spinning party. for in the villages, as every one knows, it is the lazybones who gives the spinning-feast, and the sweet-toothed are those who go to it.

8. the coffin-lid
the moujik cut off the left skirt of the shroud, and gave up the coffin-lid. the corpse went to its grave—the grave opened. but just as the dead man was descending into it, all of a sudden the cocks began to crow, and he hadn’t time to get properly covered over. one end of the coffin-lid remained sticking out of the ground.

9. the two corpses
there wasn’t a soul in the chapel, but stretched out on a table there lay another corpse, with tapers burning in front of it. the soldier hid himself in a corner, and remained there, hardly knowing whether he was alive or dead, but waiting to see what would happen.

10. the dog and the corpse
they fastened it to a chain; for a whole year they kept it chained up. but in spite of that, it never forgot how its master had offended it. one day it got loose, flew straight at him, and began trying to throttle him.

11. the soldier and the vampire
they came to where the wedding was; there they were given drink, and treated with the utmost hospitality. the warlock drank and drank, revelled and revelled, and then grew angry. he chased all the guests and relatives out of the house, threw the wedded pair into a slumber, took out two phials and an awl, pierced the hands of the bride and bridegroom with the awl, and began drawing off their blood. having done this, he said to the soldier: “now let’s be off.”

Leshy

Week 14A Reading

week 14 will be russian fairy tales by ralston

1. the dead mother
at midnight the cottage door opened. some one stepped up to the cradle. the babe became still. at that moment one of the kinsfolk suddenly brought out the light. they looked, and saw the dead mother, in the very same clothes in which she had been buried, on her knees besides the cradle, over which she bent as she suckled the babe at her dead breast.

2. the treasure 

he did not go on digging the grave any longer, but took the pot of gold and carried it home. well, we all know what money will do—everything went as smooth as oil! in a trice there were found good folks to dig the grave and fashion the coffin. the old man sent his daughter-in-law to purchase meat and drink and different kind of relishes—everything there ought to be at memorial feasts—and he himself took a ducat in his hand and hobbled back again to the pope’s. the moment he reached the door, out flew the pope at him.

3. the bad wife

well, the imp went to where there were merchants' wives and merchants' daughters, and when they were possessed by him, they fell ill and went crazy. then the peasant would go to a house where there was illness of this kind, and, as soon as he  entered, out would go the enemy; then there would be blessing in the house, and everyone would suppose that the peasant was a doctor indeed, and would give him money, and treat him to pies. and so the peasant gained an incalculable sum of money.

4. the three copecks

the landlord agreed to the bargain. the merchant gave him the cat, received a sackful of gold, and as soon as he had settled his affairs, started on his way back. as he sailed across the seas, he thought: “why should i give the gold to that orphan? such a lot of money in return for a mere cat! that would be too much of a good thing. no, much better keep it myself.”

5. the miser

well the wife did everything exactly as her husband directed  her. while she was sitting there drowned in bitter tears, the moujik came into the room.

6. the water snake

a week passed by, and one day they saw ever so many snakes, a huge troop of them, wriggling up to their cottage. “ah, mammie, save me, save me!” cried the girl, and her mother slammed the door and barred the entrance as quickly as possible.

7. friday

then they told her all that had taken place. she listened to it all, and then began imploringly: “mother friday, forgive me! pardon me, the guilty one! i’ll offer thee a taper, and i’ll never let friend or foe dishonor thee, mother!”

8. wednesday

so the woman took a couple of pails and went for water. as soon as she was outside the door she thought: “mayn’t something terrible happen to me? i’d better go to my neighbor’s instead of fetching the water.” so she set off. the night was dark. in the village all were still asleep. she reached a neighbor’s house, and rapped away at the window until at last she made herself heard. an aged woman let her in.

9. the leshy

the léshy groaned and seemed to be going to fall across the log, but directly afterwards he got up and dragged himself into the thickets. after him ran the dog in pursuit, and after the dog followed the sportsman. he walked and walked, and came to a hill: in that hill was a fissure, and in the fissure stood a hut.

10. the metamorphosis of the dnieper, the volga, and the dvina

one day, after toiling hard afield, they sat down under a bush to eat their last morsel of bread. and when they had eaten it, they cried and sorrowed for a while, and considered and held counsel together as to how they might manage to live, and to have food and clothing, and, without toiling, to supply others with meat and drink.

11. emilian the fool

meanwhile, the townspeople got up a petition against him, and denounced him to the king, saying: “folks say there’s no getting hold of him the way we tried; we must entice him by cunning, and the best way of all will be to promise him a red shirt, and a red caftan, and red boots.”

Leshy

Week 13B Reading

This week we'll take notes on The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs

1. Grendel Attacks
But Beowulf hung between sleeping and waking, and while the spell did not completely deaden his senses, it so ensnared his waking dream that he fought desperately against it in his half-sleep and was not quite overpowered. This Grendel did not know as he placed his great shoulder to the door of Heorot, while Beowulf on his couch tossed in the nightmare that possessed him.

2. The Battle with Grendel
Their bodies wove in and out among the sleepers, and Beowulf felt the hot reek of Grendel's breath upon his cheek, and the sweat stood out on Beowulf's broad brow and ran down into his eyes and blinded him. And Grendel's huge hands sought over and over again to clasp his opponent's head, to crush it in their iron grip.

3. A New Misfortune
Forthwith Hrothgar and his queen hastened to Heorot and there too came Beowulf and his earls, not knowing of the new misfortune. And once again they found the vast hall a scene of death and destruction. Grendel's arm was missing from the roof-tree, and the body of Aescher lay mangled before their horrified gaze.

4. Seeking Grendel's Mother
Above the mere two great vultures with blood-red wings hovered in the foul-rising vapors, crying hungrily to each other, circling and circling.

5. Beowulf Battles Grendel's Mother
Then all the spells dropped from him, and he stood panting above the dead monster. And he saw that the fire of the hearth had leaped high to the roof of the cave. Quickly Beowulf cut off Grendel's head where he lay in the corner of the cave, and then threw the two bodies to the flames.

6. Beowulf's Triumph
There was great rejoicing when at last they arrived at the great hall, and a banquet was prepared, such a banquet as had never before been seen in all the land of the Danes or throughout the North.

7. The Arrival of the Dragon
The servants would have thrown the stranger out again, so disgraceful was his attire, had not Wiglaf, son of Weohstan, called to them to let the visitor remain, for there was something in the man's face that caught the earl's interest.

8. Preparing for Battle
And Beowulf was right, for, even as he spoke, the dragon, writhing his way from the desolation of the king's country, was informed, by magic of the plans that were being made for his destruction, and, switching his scaly tail so that twenty stout trees fell at its movement and snapping gigantic jaws in horrid rage, the creature hastened to protect that which he had guarded during three hundred years of sleepless vigilance.

9. Battle with the Dragon
For a moment there was a death-like stillness in the night. No sound came from the cave, and no steamy breath, and no dull glare of fire. Then with sudden roaring that caused the night to splinter and the earth to quiver in horrified response, the lordliest dragon in all the world rushed from its lair.

10. The End of Beowulf
They brought Beowulf's body to the pyre. He was borne upon his mighty shield, the great sword Naegling was laid upon his breast, and the jeweled crown from the cave was on his brow, and he was carried upon the shoulders of six earls.

Beowulf

Week 13A Reading

This week we'll take notes on The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs

1. King Hygelac of Geatsland
In battle, these lords were fierce and terrible, and their war-cries froze the blood of their enemies. But in their own halls, in times of peace, they often dropped their warlike mien and sang and laughed and fondled their dogs and played jokes upon one another like children.

2. The Young Beowulf
Here and there stood a huge dog, resting his head upon his master's knee and waiting patiently for a rough caress or a chunk of meat. The servants hurried from bench to bench with ox horns adorned with beaten gold and filled with heady mead, that favorite drink of the Northmen, flavored with honey. Large wooden bowls, painted in bright colors and overflowing with various meats, stood on the tables and were dipped into by the seated guests.

3. The Wanderer's Song
Then the tune of the Wanderer changed. His voice fell to a lower note, and he sang of Hrothgar who was king of the Danes, that country not far from Geatsland, across the water.

4. Beowulf's Resolve
Thus spoke Hygelac the king, and great was the shout of approval that went up from all the lords of Geatsland as they crowded round the brave young Beowulf. For here was a Beowulf they had never known before, and they greeted him for the first time as one of themselves, and not as a sullen boy whose strength had been so great that he had been made to seem a fool for it.

5. Beowulf's Journey
As they passed, the birds that slept in the branches of the trees wakened because of the light, and thought it must be daytime, and flew about calling to one another that the dawn had come. And the little animals scurried underfoot, not knowing what to make of this strange disturbance, and squeaking or growling to warn their small comrades.

6. Beowulf Lands in Daneland
For a time Beowulf's earls tried to prevail upon him to turn away from that black coast, saying that they would be dashed to pieces on the rocks, but Beowulf turned a deaf ear and urged his captain forward.

7. Beowulf Comes to Heorot
While they waited for the king, the men from Geatsland looked curiously about them and peered into the dismal hall which in other days had been so famed throughout the countries of the North. Its once shining goldbright pillars were now cobwebbed with the years. The benches were mossgrown. No fine hangings were upon the walls. And on the hearths no fires were blazing.

8. The Words of Unferth
The tables were spread with viands such as warriors crave and there was much mead in great cups. The drinking-horns were passed from hand to hand, and many healths were drunk that evening to Beowulf and his earls, and many cups were raised to the destruction of Grendel.

9. The Words of Beowulf
Then the warriors of Geatsland unfolded their cloaks upon the benches and laid themselves down to slumber, and Beowulf stretched his great length upon the dais of the king and resolved that through the long night he would never once close his eyes. Near the door lay the young Hondscio, Beowulf's favorite earl, who swore that if any one broke through the door of Heorot, he would be the first to give the intruder battle.

Beowulf

Week 12B Reading

This week we will continue to take notes over King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table by Andrew Lang. 

1. Sir Galahad and the White Knight
The two Knights saluted each other courteously, and then the White Knight told Sir Galahad the story of the shield and how it had been given into his charge. Afterwards they parted, and Sir Galahad and his squire returned unto the Abbey whence they came.

2. Sir Lancelot's Vision
A voice spoke to him, and it said, "Sir Lancelot, more hard than is the stone, more bitter than is the wood, more naked and barren than is the leaf of the fig tree, art thou; therefore, go from hence and withdraw thee from this holy place."

3. The Adventure of Sir Percivale
As soon as it was day he looked about him, and saw he was in a wild mountain, girt round with the sea and filled with wild beasts. Then he rose and went into a valley, and there he saw a young serpent bring a young lion by the neck, and after that there passed a great lion, crying and roaring after the serpent, and a fierce battle began between them.

4. Sir Lancelot and the Five Hundred Knights
Sorrowfully he rode on till he passed a chapel, where stood a nun, who called to him and asked him his name and what he was seeking. So he told her who he was, and what had befallen him at the tournament, and the vision that had come to him in his sleep.

5. Sir Gawaine and the Hermit
Sir Gawaine rode long without meeting any adventure, and from Pentecost to Michaelmas found none that pleased him. But at Michaelmas he met Sir Ector de Maris and rejoiced greatly.

6. The Adventure of Sir Bors
On the shore he found a vessel covered with white samite, and as soon as he stepped in the vessel, it set sail so fast it might have been flying, and Sir Bors lay down and slept till it was day. When he waked he saw a Knight lying in the midst of the ship, all armed save for his helm, and he knew him for Sir Percivale and welcomed him with great joy, and they told each other of their adventures and of their temptations and had great happiness in each other's company.

7. Sir Galahad and the Mysterious Ship
So first Sir Percivale stepped forward and set his hand to the sword, but he might not grasp it. Next Sir Bors tried to seize it, but he also failed. When Sir Galahad beheld the sword, he saw that there was written on it, in letters of blood, that he who tried to draw it should never fail of shame in his body or be wounded to the death.

8. Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad
The next day Sir Lancelot made his way back to Camelot, where he found King Arthur and Guenevere, but many of the Knights of the Round Table were slain, and destroyed more than the half. All the Court was passing glad to see Sir Lancelot, and the King asked many tidings of his son Sir Galahad.

9. Sir Galahad and the Graal
And by and by Sir Bors said to Sir Lancelot, 'Galahad your son saluteth you by me and, after you, King Arthur and all the Court, and so did Sir Percivale, for I buried them with mine own hands in the City of Sarras. Also, Sir Lancelot, Galahad prayeth you to remember of this uncertain world, as you promised when you were together!'

10. The End of Arthur
'Ah, Lancelot,' he said, when he stood looking beside his dead body, I thou wert head of all Christian Knights. Thou wert the courtliest Knight that ever drew sword, and the faithfulest friend that ever bestrode a horse. Thou wert the goodliest Knight that ever man has seen, and the truest lover that ever loved a woman.'

Excalibur

Week 12A Reading

This week we will take notes over King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table by Andrew Lang. 

1. The Drawing of the Sword
Sir Ector tells Arthur that he is not his father. When Arthur realized that he was King, Ector asked him to make his foster/step-brother seneschal of that lands. And Arthur did so.

2. The Questing Beast
Merlin stalks Arthur and presents himself to Arthur as a boy.

3. The Sword Excalibur
They rode into the town of Carlion, and Arthur's Knights gave them a glad welcome, and said it was a joy to serve under a King who risked his life as much as any common man.

4. The Round Table

Merlin asked the King to give him a company of Knights and esquires, that he might go to the Court of King Leodegrance and tell him that King Arthur desired to wed his daughter, which Arthur did gladly. Therefore Merlin rode forth and made all the haste he could till he came to the Castle of Cameliard, and told King Leodegrance who had sent him and why.

5. The Passing of Merlin
When Merlin was under the stone, she used the magic he had taught her, and the rock rolled over him and buried him alive, as he had told King Arthur.

6. King Arthur and Morgan le Fay

When she beheld that sight, her heart fell, for she dared not touch the sword, knowing well that if Arthur waked and saw her she was a dead woman. So she took the scabbard, and went away on horseback.

7. The Quest of the Holy Graal

The Knights, against King Arthur's wish, made a vow to find it and gave up their duties of redressing wrongs and keeping order to pursue the beautiful vision. But most of them, for their sins, were unsuccessful, like Sir Lancelot, and the Round Table was scattered and the kingdom was weakened by the neglect of ordinary duties in the search for what could never be gained by mortal men. This appears to be the moral of the story, if it has any moral. But the stories are confused almost like a dream, though it is a beautiful dream.

8. The King's Pilgrimage

In his dream it seemed that the King had ridden away to the quest and had left his squire behind him, which filled the young man with fear. And in his dream he set the saddle and bridle on his horse, and fastened his spurs, and girt on his sword, and galloped out of the castle after the King.

9. The Coming of the Holy Graal

They bade farewell, and mounted their horses, and rode through the streets of Camelot, and there was weeping of both rich and poor, and the King could not speak for weeping. And at sunrise they all parted company with each other, and every Knight took the way he best liked.

Excalibur

Week 7A Reading

Week 7A Reading will be from the Notes on the Folklore of the Fjort were collected in the late 19th century by R. E. Dennett

1. How the Wives Restored Their Husband To Life -
The women were starving until the men brought them food to eat after a long hunt. The women imagined that the men were dead and brought them back to life and they made them food. 

2. How Gazelle Got Married -
Nsassi claimed two women as his wives. There was a war but Nsassi won and got to marry the women.

3. The Vanishing Wife -
A weird section about a parrot showing a fish to woman and making everything vanish into thin air.

4. Another Vanishing Wife -
Instead of the woman leaving it was the other way around. The men left the woman because she treated him badly.

5. The Jealous Wife -
The wife was jealous of the other wife due to her having a more brighter and more intelligent child.

6. Ngomba's Balloon -
While fishing she lets our her frustrations over her mothers' neglect.

7. The Wicked Husband -
They killed husband by burning him alive while he was tied up and they made the wife smoke and dry the body.

8. How Kengi Lost Her Child -
Gunga stole Kengi's new born child and Kengi cried as she demanded that Gunga give her the kid.

9. The Twin Brothers -
Not a very good relationship between the two brothers as Luemba hunted his brother down and killed him.

10. The Younger Brother Who Knew More Than The Elder -
They went out and discovered that one of their wives was in a trap. The brother ultimately tricked the man and returned home with the wife.

World's Deepest River

Week 6B Reading

Week 6B Reading will be from Part One of The Life of Buddha by Andre Ferdinand Herold

Siddhartha Leaves -
Siddhartha leaves his family and has zero regrets!?!?!

Siddhartha the Hermit -
He is presented with robes and he's ecstatic about it. He felt like he was the king of the mountain because of it.

Gopa and Suddhodana Grieve -
Chandaka says he will not return until he's conquered old age and death. And his father loses it when he leaves the city.

Arata Kalama
The most interesting part about this section is when it talks about or rather lack of is the lack of fear of death even though it talks about death three times in a short span of time.

Siddhartha and King Vimbasara -
Rudraka's disciples join Siddhartha at the end of the section.

Siddhartha Deserted by His First Disciples -
They weren't loyal to him so they left him to join or go to Benares. Moral of the story is not to trust anyone that joined you recently.

The Tree of Knowledge -
There is great depiction in the section. Particularly the description leading to the tree of life:

The road was sprinkled with gold-dust; rare palms, covered with precious stones, lined the way. He skirted the edge of a pool whose blessed waters exhaled an intoxicating perfume. White, yellow, blue and red lotuses spread their massive petals over the surface, and the air rang with the clear songs of the swans. Near the pool, under the palms, Apsarases were dancing, while in the sky the Gods were admiring the hero.

Mara's Defeat -
Mara had an army that commanded respect and fear of their opponents. This did not matter as the mother of the Earth came and won the day. Mara broke down because they had lost.

Siddhartha Becomes the Buddha -
There is a new Buddha!

He has come, he who brings light into the world; he has come, he who protects the world! Long blinded, the eye of the world has opened, and the eye of the world is dazzled by the light. O conqueror, you will give all beings that which they hunger after. Guided by the sublime light of the law, all creatures will reach the shores of deliverance. You hold the lamp; go now and dispel the darkness!

Baby Buddha

Week 6A Reading

Week 6A Reading will be from Part One of The Life of Buddha by Andre Ferdinand Herold

Maya's Dream -
There is a lot dialogue between Maya and Suddhodana in this first of the story. I liked the part where she basically became a god and let the blind see, the deaf hear, the dumb speak, and the dying actually die.

Birth of Siddhartha -
This part covers the birth of the son of Maya and Suddhodana. Suddhodana as any parent would, is full of joy and happiness. He led a caravan of people to his sons birthplace.

Asita's Prediction -
Asita is a hermit and he broke down into tears when he saw baby Buddha.

Siddhartha at the Temple -
Maya's sister basically becomes a babysitter for the young Buddha. She mentored him a lot in this section.

Siddhartha's First Mediation -
In this part of the story Buddha begins to age. He begins to learn how to write and other necessary traits he needs to become a king.

First Encounter -
The Prince stumbles upon someone and appears that he is cursed as all the joy and happiness he had leaves his soul and becomes depressed speaking about nothing else other than old age.

Two More Encounters -
The King notices his son is now depressed but the child has already shut himself off from the rest of the world. Now the King does not want his son to ever leave the palace as he worries something awful will happen to him.

The Fair Maidens and Gopa's Dream -
The King heard that his son wasn't the only one acting weirdly so he went to investigate. Something weird happened as Gopa was stripped naked with her hair cut.

The Great Truths -
The Prince is still in a depressed state at the end of the first part of the story. While everyone was having fun and laughing he didn't care and he went to palace stables. We'll find out what happens next tomorrow!

Queen Maya - Mother of Buddha

Week 5B Reading

Bibliography:
Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie

NOTES FOR MIDDLE EAST WEEK:

The Two Brothers: Part One

First of part of four parts. Most interesting part of this portion is when Anpu burst in ready to kill his younger brother, Bata, with a dagger. There is intensity between the two characters in this part of the story that allows me to picture the build up to this moment as Bata doing wrong to Anpu to get him so angry that was not told in the 800 words of this story.

The Two Brothers: Part Two

Bata sensed Anpu's desire to kill him immediately and basically taunted him at the door telling him that he knew what he was doing. Ra came to Bata and gave him a wife. One that Bata said he'd die for. As a result his heart became hers and revealed his secrets.

The Two Brothers: Part Three

The King of Egypt takes (?) the wife of Bata while he's away on a hunt. 

The Two Brothers: Part Four

Bata ultimately becomes King. He makes his brother, Anpu, his heir. He ruled for 30 years until he died and his older brother took the mantle of King. 

The Book of Thoth: Part One

A feast honoring Nefer-ka-ptah and Ahura was made by the priests of Isis.

The Book of Thoth: Part Two

We finally find the Book of Thoth hidden inside multiple boxed.

He opened the iron box and found a bronze box,

He opened the bronze box and found a keté-wood box,

He opened the keté-wood box and found an ivory-and-ebony box,

He opened the ivory-and-ebony box and found a silver box,

He opened the silver box and found a gold box,

He opened the gold box and found the Book of Thoth.

A giant scavenger hunt for part two.

The Book of Thoth: Part Three

Ra lets them do whatever they want with the wife and child. In the end vengence was the results but Nefer-ka-ptah was still in possession of the book. 

The Tale of King Rhampsinitus

The line of Pharaohs crosses borders. A rich ring that made his subjects construct grand structures and palaces for him. He was strict yet fair. Harsh yet nice. 

Ra

Week 5A Reading

Bibliography:
Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie

NOTES FOR MIDDLE EAST WEEK:

Creation - 
Ra created the world by just thinking it into existence. When he created man he took the form of man so he could live with them and among them.

The Secret Name of Ra - 
What Ra wants, Ra gets. His secret name is Khepera at dawn, Ra at high noon, and Tum at eventide.

Ra and Hathor - 
Men rebel. Nu tells Ra about this. Ra says they are scared because of the rebellion and what he could do to them. All of the gods said to destroy those who rebel against the kingdom.

The Sun's Journey - 
The god of the sun dies and is reborn every 12 hours. He also happens to watch over the souls of the dead.

Osiris - 
Ra leaves. Isis rules Egypt until he comes back.

The Death of Osiris - 
Returning from the war, Osiris is hailed as a hero. In a ritual that got hijacked, hey killed Osiris by sealing him in a coffin like object for a long enough period of time.

The Journey of Isis - 
Isis is distraught and scared over the death of Osiris. She takes his body to bring him back to life.

The King of the Dead - 
A short section of how the King of Dead was born. Isis brought Osiris back to life but he had to become the King of the Dead.

The Wax Crocodile - 
The crocodile can be commanded by the Pharaoh. It's wax but still amazing. Just a command of "get him/her" the croc awakens and grabs them.

The Green Jewel - 
The King was out on the water body near his palace. When he was pleased and had enough fun they returned to the palace and gave the scribe gifts.

Ra

Week 4B Reading

Bibliography
Adam and Eve

The Forgotten Books of Eden, edited by Rutherford H. Platt, Jr.

Leaving the Garden - 
Adam and Eve were distraught when God cast them out of the garden. This section shows that God can show you mercy and pity as he did not forsake them entirely. He helped them and elevated them by leading them to the cave of treasures.

Entering the Cave of Treasures - 
God again shows them mercy and pity as he led them into the cave of treasures showing them two routes, one for 5,000 and the other for 500 years. And that one would protect Adam's descendants.

They Die a First Time - 
Adam and Eve kill themselves out of grief, but again God shows mercy and raises them from the dead through comfort. He tells them that they brought this upon themselves. He ends by saying that he does not nor did ever intend to destroy them because they are his children, his creations.

The Beasts of the Creation - 
Adam and Eve emerge from the cave to the entrance of the garden and weep as they are no longer allowed into it. They see the river that waters the garden split into four to water the earth. At the end they look up on the area one last time, never to return.

Want of Water and Light - 
One of humanities basic needs in life is water. Adam and Eve are trying to find it as they can never return to the garden. With light comes darkness. With the dark comes the brightness. 

The Darkness - 
The never to return to the garden part from the last two sections is amended here at the end when they would be allowed to return when the fulfillment of the days are upon them.

The Sunrise and the Serpent - 
The callback to when they were deceived by the serpent to eat from the forbidden tree. The part that stands out the most is when it is said the serpent was the fairest of all beasts but it was changed into making it the ugliest of them all. And instead of having the first pick of food, they now eat the dirt and dust of the ground.

Suicide and Salvation - 
Adam realizes what has happened to them. He finally sees that Satan had deceived them. God in turns saves them.

Worship and Blessing - 
Since no religion is established, no one knows how to honor God. Specifically Adam. Throughout the story Adam basically has suicidal thoughts to make himself an offering to God because God is merciful and pitiful towards them. At the end God tells him not to kill himself again and at the end it was said to Adam that it would be God that would save him.

Adam and Eve - Edvard Munch

Week 4A Reading

Bibliography

Adam and Eve

The Creation – King James Bible (1611): Genesis 1-2

God created man in his own image. Taken from the Book of Genesis, this portion of the tale is an exact retelling of the tale from the Bible. From breathing into the nostrils of a mold that looked like a man from dust to Adam and Eve still having their innocence and not being ashamed that they were naked.

The Fall – King James Bible (1611): Genesis 3

In this part of the story, the serpent tempts Eve to eat from the forbidden tree in the garden. When she ate from the tree, she became ashamed that she was naked and had Adam eat from the tree. Both ashamed they made themselves aprons to cover themselves. As a result, God made them leave the garden forever.

The Ideal Man – The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg

Adam was the perfect man due to being in the image of God. As generations passed, those who resembled Adam were few in numbers. Adam was shown the whole of Earth and Adam designated what places were to be settled later by men, and what places were to remain waste.

The Fall of Satan – The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg

Satan was the petty child, always wanting the undivided attention from God. Satan became flamboyant and started to test the patience of God, daring him to cast him out. And so God flung Satan out of heaven down to earth.

Lilith – The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg

Lilith was Adam’s first wife but insisted on being his equal, so they only lasted for a short period of time. She ultimately left Adam and so Adam complained to God that she left him. He sent angels to capture her. They threatened her, but she preferred it to being with Adam.

Eve – The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg

Because of the Lilith fiasco, God did not want to make another woman that was the same as a man. So he made the woman from a man.

Paradise – The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg

In this section, the prelude to the Ten Commandments was put forth through; man should not worship idols; nor blaspheme God; nor commit murder, nor incest, nor theft and robbery; and all generations have the duty of instituting measures of law and order.

The Fall of Man – The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg

Eve gave the forbidden fruit to all beings so that they would also know death. As a result they all became naked and horny. Because of this they were ashamed.

The Punishment – The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg

When God came down from the heavens, both Adam and Eve hid in shame. When confronted they ratted out the serpent as the one who deceived them. He made the snake and all his descendants eat dirt as a result.

The Punishment, Part 2 – The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg

God made the entire world and the moon suffer from Adam and Eve’s disobedience. God cast them out of the garden permanently.

Adam and Eve - Edvard Munch

Week 3B Reading, Iliad

The Iliad by Alfred J. Church

Day B:
A total of 7 sections to read but in reality it's only three.

The Rousing of Achilles:
Achilles learns about the death of Patroclus and is angered about it. After not wanting to fight and staying on the sidelines this set him off and wants revenge on the Trojans and more specifically, Hector.

The Slaying of Hector:
Achilles is mad about the death of Patroclus and wants his revenge. Hector's family doesn't want him to get into the fight but he does anyways and well the man dies.

The Ransoming of Hector:
Giving the body of Hector back to the Trojans.

The Death of Patroclus

Week 3A Reading, Iliad

The Iliad by Alfred J. Church

Day A:
A total of 11 sections to read but in reality it's only six.

Of  How the War with Troy Began:
Helen picks Menelaus, a young Prince named Paris comes along and takes her back to his kingdom, Menelaus and his brother lead a nine year siege of the city, they got home sick, ditched a chunk of the army in Troy, and returned home.

The Quarrel (two parts):
On there way back to Greece the Greeks attacked and took cities such as Chryse and divided up the newly found wealth among the leaders of the army. This angered their gods.

What Thetis Did for Her Son:
Thetis asked Zeus to help the Trojans in the war so her son, Achilles, could lead them to victory and take the honor that Agamemnon had robbed him of.

Hector and Andromache (two parts):
A conversation between Hector and his wife. Highlights the fear she has of him dying in the Trojan War that her brother in law started over a girl.

The Embassy to Achilles (two parts):
Achilles is dormant and so are his men. The Greeks try to court him so that it could change the tide of the war but are not successful as he again chooses to stand down.

The Deeds and Death of Patroclus (three parts):
As Achilles did not want to fight, Patroclus did want to fight and pleaded with Achilles to let him fight as the Greeks were on the defensive at the beach. Later Patroclus lead the Greeks head on into battle against the Trojans. A Trojan soldier killed Patroclus by impaling him from behind with Hector taunting the young man as he died.

Patroclus Fights and Dies

Reading Notes: Week 2 Anthology

Favorite Story:

The Three Roses

The lucky guy turns into an animal and true love's kiss or simply just true love will make him a man again. The story we've heard in Beauty and the Beast, the Princess and the Frog, etc...

This time it's a freaking snake. Not just any snake, a freaking Basilisk. While legends say this serpent has legs I'll just envision the Harry Potter one because it's scary as heck!

Ultimately the girl fell for the beast but the beast did not(?) turn back into a man but rather just became less of a frightening being because he changed his voice.

Week 2 - Reading Overview

Avengers: Endgame Credits

Week 3: Homer's Iliad

Week 4: Adam and Eve

Week 5: Ancient Egypt

Week 6: Persian

Week 7: Japanese Mythology

Week 9: South Africa

Week 10: Great Plains

Week 11: Hero Tales

Week 12: King Arthur

Week 13: Robin Hood

Week 14: Italian

Week 15: Russian

The selections I have made are based on previous readings, workings, or any general exposure with the subjects at hand. Having a background and a firm foundation is a major key for me in any storytelling medium. Whether it's a book, tv show, movie, or a class paper. There must be a coherent story with the ability to have background information to make it sound.