Tuesday, March 4, 2008
BA # 6
From the Ramayana, in the text we read, I chose Rama as Hero thus far. Rama, in the encounter with Thataka in the desert wasteland. Once hearing about this evil that has desolated once fertile land with her hatred from Viswamithra, he prepares himself to go and slay the beast. Without hesitation Rama prepares himself for battle "Touching the bow on his shoulder, Rama asked Where can she be found" (12), and before he knew it he was thrust into battle with the beast, not before showing the moral capacity to question weather it be right. So unlike Gilgamesh who would slaughter first, ask questions later, Rama shows a bit of compassion as well as showing that he is a great warrior in this episode with Thataka. After the beast is slain, we are told of Rama's life mission, "destroying evil and demonry"(13) What we have seen so far from Rama, is that he is a multi-dimensional character and there will be much growth and development on his part, under the guidance of Viswamithra he shall blossom into an even greater hero.
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12 comments:
Ba#5
I agree that Rama is a great hero, but I believe he is also a kind leader. Whenever he approaches his home he doesn't just walk in he speaks to everyone. "Rama always had a word for everyone in the crowd, inquiring, 'How are you? Are your children happy? Do you need anything from me?'" Rama truly cares about people, it doesn't matter if they aren't royalty, and he wants to help them.
I completely agree. Although Rama still has tons of room to grow and develop throughout the story, what we have read so far shows us that Rama without a doubt will be a great hero. In the tewnty one pages we have read, we have already seen that hes brave, shows compasion, and he is on a journey like most heros endure. Rama also has a mission "destroying evil and demonry" (13), which is the goal for most heros. Rama also shows signs of strenght,cleverness, and good fighitng skills.""As it came flaming, Rama strung his bow and sent an arrow which broke it into fragments"(13). Along with being a great hero I think that Rama is also a very kind and polite person. He cares about others before himself. He is selfless, which could be the opposite of other heros.
Rama has shown very heroic qualities so far in this prose. He is not a self righteous leader who thinks he is owed respect but he accepts direction from Viswamithra willing by asking him "what next?" (16) after completing a task. He doesn't think that he knows it all but seems to be eager to learn and grow as a person.
I agree that Rama will become a great hero, but he is not one yet. I believe that the journey he is taking with Viswamithra is a spiritual one though. Rama is in the teaching stage of his expedition, and Viswamithra will show him how dharma and mediation can impact his life. These life lessons will help him along during the journey. On many occasions Rama is told “This is where Shiva mediated once upon a time and reduced to ashes the god of love when he attempted to spoil his mediation” (10). Viswamithra is telling Rama that if he abides by the rules of mediation he can spiritually become a powerful person. It is important that Rama has a Guru along side him during his journey, this way he can spiritually stay in line, and perhaps become a hero in the future. Rama still has quite a bit of learning to do before he becomes a hero, and is lucky that he was invited by Viswamithra to accompany him on his journey.
Rama thus far has the qualities of a hero from our continuing class definition. He has an attitude where he is not selfish or arrogant and is willing to listen to others and learn new techniques for fighting or be taught about people, gods, and lands. Twice this far in 18 pages he has used his skilled marksmanship in saving the mission. The gods tell Viswamithra "He is a savior"(13). Rama, so far, can be considered a hero.
I also am agreeing that Rama is a great hero, however he is not a hero yet he has much to learn. What will make him a great hero is how he is whiling to learn and it seems that he wants to learn. A hero is a person that will give back to people and that is what Rama is being taught. He thrives on learning things and is always looking for what to do next, so he can become a better and stronger man. I agree with Kim I. when she put the quote in her comment “what next?” (16) This quote shows that he wants to learn.
I have to agree that Rama is looking like a hero already. Like Odysseus and Gilgamesh, he even has a book named after him. If I have read this far correctly, the idea that Rama is an incarnation of Vishnu (13), a god, is an additional heroic quality reminding me of Gilgamesh and Odysseus; how they both invited god-like comparisons. Though I believe that Rama still has a little ways to go to be considered a true hero, I have to agree with everyone here that he is comprised of the qualities we have used to define a hero in previous books and it is merely a matter of time before he is afforded the opportunity to demonstrate his full heroic potential.
i also agree that Rama should be consider as a hero. “Rama is still a child, still learning the arts and practicing the use of arms.”…pg 8. Even though he his still young he shows sign of bravery, his very smart, and shows that he has room for improvement. Also I like the fact he has an open heart, unlike most characters in the reading he seems to forgive no matter what.
I believe that Rama is on his way to becoming a great hero, but has has much progression to do before he reaches this status. Early on, Dasaratha refers to Rama as being "too young and tender to contend with demons" (8). When he first encounters Thataka, Rama shows some hesitation, but in the end triumphs over the beast and declares "Now we are yours; command us night or day" (13). This shows that he is becoming a hero because we already see him making a transformation for the better, one factor of being a hero. Rama has further success in battle with the sons of Thataka, but at this point he still has greater conquests and other elements of the hero character to display aside from his courage and strength in battle.
To continue with this trail of agreements...Rama seems to be becoming our most beloved hero yet. We are all liking him so far. Although he is "still learning the arts and practising the use of arms"(8), he is very skilled in his use of them. He is very precise when his arrows break Thataka's "three-pronged spear", sheild from the "hail of stones" and finally kill Thataka(13).Later he "sent up his arrows and created an umbrella" to sheild the sacrificial fire"(15). Like Odysseus,he definitely has some skill with a bow and arrow.
Jared, I believe it was the deities of the weapons who say "Now we are yours;command us night or day"(13) to Rama.
I also agree that Rama is on his way to becoming the epic's hero. He is young and has a lot of challenges still to face, but I believe he will overcome all of them and continue to grow as a hero as the story progresses. When Rama first sets out on the journey, him and his brother are "following the footsteps of their master" (10). This is one of the ways he will learn and mature - by following in past footsteps and also continuning with tradition. Rama is also in a good mindset- we see that he does things out of duty rather than desire. When he needs to defeat Thataka, he is told that "it is your duty"...and his answer is simply, "I will carry out your wish" (13). Rama proved himself here during his first trial and was considered a "saviour." He is already shown as a character who possess strength and courage, fixes conflict, and saves the day - all of which are included in our class' evolving definition of a hero.
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