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Sundiata an epic of old mali analysis essay
Sundiata an epic of old mali analysis essay
Sundiata an epic of old mali analysis essay
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The Rightful King Imagine being the step child of the king of your empire and living under complete royalty and the king treats you as if you were his own son, and it’s practically set in stone that you will be the next king one day. Then, one day your step dad dies while your happiness has practically just begun and everything is snatched completely away from you. The character I will be discussing is Sundiata from the novel SUNDIATA AN EPIC OF OLD MALI. Sundiata, the king of Mali, is an epic hero because of his inspirational and admirable actions and always thinking of saving others before himself. He would be an important hero for today because of his smart and clever decisions he chose to save his empire, heroes today like police and more use the same actions coming together to stop evil. Sundiata’s mother was the second wife to the king of the Mali empire, King Maghan, and his previous wife was jealous because she wanted her son to become king one day. Then, when the king tragically died his previous wife’s son, Touman, took the thrown. Touman ridiculed Sundiata all the time and kicked him and his mother out. But, he wasn’t king for long because the Soso people captured and took over Mali. But, this benefitted Sundiata because he became a captive to the Soso leader. While he was working for …show more content…
the Soso and became stronger, then he worked on his plan to get his people back. Sundiata was beyond admirable because of his bold actions to defeat who took over his empire and he reclaimed his rightful thrown.
From his youth, he was envied by people for things he couldn’t control. Even though the thrown was taken away from him, by the deceased king’s previous wife and her son took over Mali, Sundiata still became the empire’s king in the end. He fought to be strong enough to get his empire back from Soso and revolt with the other people who were fed up and ready to revolt. Everything he did was so inspirational because in spite of being kicked out his home, then exiled from his empire he didn’t give up and continued to fight and save his
empire. From my eyes, I see Sundiata as even much more than an epic hero. I completely understand why the griots give him so much honor because they appreciate much of his doings for them. Sundiata’s heroic tributes to Mali will always be remembered by the people of Mali without him everyone would have still been captives. His selfless acts made him a king.
Shortly after taking over, Sundiata and his mother are exiled from their homeland (Sundiata 27). While they are away, Sundiata’s mother gets sick and eventually passes away (Sundiata 47). After this Sundiata must go through a maturing stage, and with the assistance of Moussa Tounkara learns how to be a king. Moussa teaches him many things, and after a few years makes him his Viceroy (37). After Sundiata had fully grown, his mother said to him “do not deceive yourself. Your destiny lies not here but in Mali” (38). So it was obvious that at some points Sundiata would need to return to his homeland and face Soumaoro. When he returns to face Soumaoro, it says “Djata was strong enough now to face his enemies. At the age of eighteen he had the stateliness of the lion and the strength of the buffalo” (47). The most important aspect of Sundiata’s exile was that he needed time to grow up and prepare himself for his return. Another important aspect of his exile was the relationship he formed with Moussa. This relationship enabled him to return home with half of Moussa’s army to battle
It is explained with depth how the fates of each individual has led them to where they are presently in this section. The intertwined destinies of all characters involved were all necessary for the particular events that needed to unfold in the way that they did. While some were informed of the end results through prophecies, it was not even necessary for certain characters to be aware of these fates. The hunters were completely unaware of Sogolon’s significance to Sundiata but they still ended up offering her to Maghan as it was foretold. “It was only as an afterthought that the two hunters, Oulani and Oulamba, had the idea of giving her to the king of Mali.” (p.11) Regardless of whether they were aware of their own destinies or not, each individual ended up playing their role in the succession of events that comprised the birth of the epic’s main character. Even the slightest alteration in any of the events would likely have had a completely different end result, but the fact is that it inevitably unfolded exactly as it was
There are many different types of heroism that exist among the heroes of past and present. Heroism usually is thought of as battling and triumphing over an obstacle, or conquest of a fair-maiden’s love. But notice what this passage from the Mahabharata says about “The True Hero.”
The Iliad, the Odyssey, Beowulf, and Hamlet are classical stories that are still relatable and debatable to read and discuss. Though some of the stories are intertwined or continue off one another, the character and stories are distinctive. The stories contain different hero development and progression among them. All the stories contain an idea or concept of a hero that may not necessarily have to do with gaining power or control like modern superheroes. Power and control are referred to having to be the ruler and having the ability to do what you'd like. The modern heroes selflessness of a human on duty or even volunteering, and that person’s willingness to put their own lives on the line for the lives of absolute strangers, is specifically the quality that redefines the modern hero and separates them from heroes in the past.
Using the above definition of hero and heroism, this essay attempts to assess three famous heroic characters portrayed in arguably the three greatest literary epics known to humankind, Achilles of Ancient Greece, Sundiata Keita of Ancient Mali and Rama of Ayodhya in what is today Modern India. With references to Stanley Lombardo’s translation of Homer’s Iliad, D.T. Niane’s Sundiata and R.K. Narayan’s translation of Valmiki’s Ramayana, this essay seeks to compare and contrast the attributes of these heroes, the morals associated with their heroism and their reasons for engaging in battle.
Heroes. Everyone wants to be a hero, but sometimes, people lose sight of what a true hero really is. It does not have to be someone who flies around and saves innocent people from perilous monsters. A hero is simply someone that inspires others. In Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Junior was a hero because he rose above the expectations the world placed on him through his courage, passionate determination, and sympathetic perception.
...e as a commander of the army by devising strategies that defeat larger armies. His bravery is reflected in his tendency to rush into battle himself, killing enemies left and right with little regard for his own safety. His sense of justice is reflected in the way he forgives others' trespasses (within reason), and the description of his rule is a just one. His charisma unites people together; during his exile, all he encounters are impressed with him, and hence do they later join his empire. His piety helps him defeat Soumaoro, since, once Sundiata discovers the extent of Soumaoro's sorcery, he is willing to admit he needs the help of spirits and magic to win. And finally, his legendary strength makes him a hero worthy of remembrance. Balla Fasséké tells him to be a "man of action" so that his deeds will be remembered, and Sundiata certainly lives up to his destiny.
From the beginning of his life as a warrior to the end as a king, he gains and develops glory, responsibility and courage, all vital to his reign as a successful king.
One conventional method that Sundiata used to gain political power was alliances. Before he was even born, it was foretold that Sundiata would be a great king someday. The people of ancient Mali respected the "soothsayers" who foretold the future...
Sundiata realized that living under the command of a morally bankrupt ruler would never lead to the vast empire that he was capable of creating out of Mali. This epic depicts Mali and other African states like Ghana, as in fluctuation and only as strong as its leader and how well its leader leads, thereby creating Sundiata, a leader with the capacity to create and maintain an immensely strong empire.
In the book The Once and Future King, by T.H. White, King Arthur, someone who had gone through many hardships and lessons to change, did not complete his ideal, but is still considered a hero. White says "To these young people, a sight of Arthur as he hunted in the greenwood was like seeing the idea of Royalty.
In the Epic of Mali there are many stories to be told. We see this oral of history through the eyes of Sundiata. A young king whom was cast out from his kingdom at a very early age because he was not believed to be the actual ruler since he came from such different circumstances. Sundiata was born through the word of a prophecy. His father (Fatta) one day welcomed a griot into his court. This specific hunter came bearing news of a prophecy. The prophecy being that the great ruler of Mali must marry and bear a child with an ugly hunchbacked woman. She would in turn give him the proper heir to the Mali kingdom. No one took very well to the news that the griot brought. Even though he was very smooth talking and thought to be sent from God himself. The king paid no mind to the word of the hunter until one day an ugly woman with a hunchback comes through the court. The king
There is another type of hero that almost no one is aware of. In the poorest areas of the country, live mostly minorities and other ethic background. All their lives they’ve been expected to work harder and expected not succeed in life. Some individuals living in poverty with a determination to succeed work hard all of their lives to become what everybody doubted they could. Escaping the crime, drugs, and prostitution is enough to escape hell, even if they don’t go to college. Despite of their financial problems, drug and crime surroundings, or difficulties in the language skills, their desire to triumph fuels their persistence. Those who make it to success are the few living examples of the purest form of hero anyone can be. They are not only their own heroes but also the heroes of the poor children who dream of becoming like them someday.
In his life he would have to make many sacrifices for his country, and the second would be supporting his wife and kids. He took on hardships with ease, he always had a certain calmness to him, this is something I idolize about him, I would like to learn how to act this way. He’s my hero because he was special, not like anyone else I have ever met, he knew he was special, but he never he never flaunted it. In this essay I will try to paint a picture of my hero, and give examples of why my grandfather is my hero.
Our world is filled with great heroes. Unfortunately, in our society, people misconstrue personalities. We tend to think that a person who wears a mask and a cape and has superpowers is a real hero. We forget to recognize regular individuals who put themselves in danger to help others and fight for their rights. The qualities that make a person be a hero are not fame or aptitude. It is how they help their society. Their actions could be as small as standing up against bullying or as big as saving someone’s life. Our world would be nowhere without these heroes who are always helping others and dedicating their lives to make others lives better. In King’s point of view, a true hero does not wear a mask and he is not afraid to stand out. King’s