In Paradise Lost Lucifer states that it would be better to rule in Hell than to serve in Heaven. It is perhaps this very type of motto that spurs the trickster figures to behave unscrupulously and deviously. Rather than conform to the dictations of their societies and rulers, these characters seem perfectly content to forge their own destinies (at least as far as their creators allow) and do not mind if they and all others are destroyed in the process. Two characters in particular, Loki from Prose Edda and Ravana from The Ramayana, demonstrate the characteristics of diabolical yet charismatic underdogs. They have less power than the gods in the conventional sense. However, they retain wonderful, convenient little protections that prohibit the gods from inflicting any damage upon them. In this manner, Loki and Ravana command the grudging respect of their superiors and serve the advancement of the plot in their respective myths (if in their proud, self-serving manner).
Much like the biblical antagonist, Satan, Loki and Ravana are prophesied to meet their eventual unpleasant destruction. However, (also much like Satan) they are given free reign until that fateful time comes, and they take full advantage of such freedom: Ravana, by snatching up a fetching mortal who happens to be married to the very mortal that will ultimately defeat him, and Loki, by causing all sorts of mischief and general chaos. In either case, both characters cause significant amounts of damage to others through their naughty, roguish deeds. However, the duration of these characters’ fun is limited. Ultimately, Ragnarok will consume Loki (along with everyone else) and Rama will smite Ravana and his many heads with a mortal vengeance. Strangely, neither...
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...most memorable disguise that Ravana incorporates in order to deceive Sita is the simple yet highly effective illusion of a simple hermit. Oddly enough, the disguise of the evil stepmother in the renowned fairy tale of Snow White highly echoes that of Ravana. Most likely, this connection indicates that a common motif encompasses mythological tales in which nefarious characters attempt to lull unfortunate souls into a false sense of security. In fact, this idea applies not only to the myths of Prose Edda and The Ramayana, but also in Ovid’s Metamorphoses in tales such as that of Arachne, in which the goddess Minerva disguises herself as an old crone, and even the biblical accounts of Lucifer, who is often described as the father of lies and guises himself as a serpent (odd choice) to gain the trust of Eve in order to deceive her into consuming the forbidden fruit.
In literature, deception can provide motivation for the characters, provide comedy, play a part in the advancement of plot or exist as a sub-theme. The works considered in our studies thus far provide prime examples of the use of deception in the aforementioned ways. This essay will focus on the act or acts of deception in Tartuffe by Molière, Phaedra by Racine, and The Marriage of Figaro by Beaumarchais.
The Divine Comedy has three sections, Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso. They all represent the different parts of the corrupt society Dante experienced. The Inferno segment, or hell, was based on the political faction, the Black Guelfs, along with Pope Boniface. This political faction still had the feudalistic system of the Dark Ages where the pope was the head of power. When Dante was exiled by them from Florence they became part of the Inferno. In the Inferno, the character Virgil guides Dante through the nine circles of hell. Each circle of hell has people who have committed specific sins. Dante portrays the consequences of the lustful in Canto V. The sinners are continuously being blown by a strong wind with no say in where they go and when they leave. Their fate is determined by the wind. According to the article World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, “This punishment presents Dante's understanding of the sin of lust itself. Like the wind, lust is difficult, even perhaps impossible, to control, especially if the victim does not take precautions against it ”(ABC Editors). Dante used secularism with the wind to portray the corrupt society that was brainwashing the people. He got people to think about the leaders using their power for the benefit of themselves rather than the society itself. He leadingly expressed secularism because he was one of the
Deception has been a ploy as long as time has been account for as what may use as an explanation of what they are unable to fully understand, or what may be deemed as inexplicable. It is to been believed by many of past, present and most likely our distant future, there are indeed powers, beings, at work that we can not understand. In Apuleius’ “The Golden Ass”, these deceptions, play an important role in the lives of these societies, in their everyday lives. There is one common thread in the stories shared with in “The Golden Ass”, where the practice of deception, which was referred to as magic and/or witchcraft, which seems points the finger a one member of the society, women, and their sexuality and desirable nature. Through each century men have always attempted to explain “women” and their effects on them, believing in this time, that it was indeed the work of dark powers and beliefs that women held. This “accusation” was able to allow men to be scapegoats to whatever actions and behaviors they displayed, and was able to pass the blame to someone else, the women and their witchcraft. Of course this meant that no man would be held responsible for adultery, because according to the society, he was under the woman he laid with spell, and under in influence and it was beyond his control. There was a safety to anyone to believed this to be true, rather than believing that a man would have acted on his own manner, and could not control his own desires.
Witchcraft is said to be the most widespread cultural phenomenon in existence today and throughout history. Even those who shun the ideas of witchcraft cannot discount the similarities in stories from all corners of the globe. Witchcraft and its ideas have spread across racial, religious, and language barriers from Asia to Africa to America. Primitive people from different areas in the world have shockingly similar accounts of witchcraft occurrences. In most cases the strange parallels cannot be explained and one is only left to assume that the tales hold some truth. Anthropologists say that many common elements about witchcraft are shared by different cultures in the world. Among these common elements are the physical characteristics and the activities of supposed witches. I will go on to highlight some of the witch characteristic parallels found in printed accounts from different parts of the world and their comparisons to some famous fairytales.
Loki was a Norse god that was fickle to say the least. He played pranks and created so many problems for the other gods, including
“You've always been a huge piece of shit.” They hissed, you dare to take a glance at your guardians. Their conjoined bodies and demonic attributes seem to have manipulated their characters -- at least that's what you presumed. To you they have always had this appearance and you couldn't quite pinpoint where and how they earned their horrid nature.
In Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost, the antihero Satan, is examined after his banishment into Hell. He is forced out of his home of Heaven due to his unruly behavior. He faces the dismal future of misery and torment with an absence of hope and happiness. He did value these things and clearly mourns their loss, yet he does eventually accept his fate. Attempting to rationalize his situation, Satan realizes he has lost all hope and happiness but he has gained the rule of a kingdom of his own and the door to an eternal war with his arch enemy, God.
There are over 330 million deities in the Hindu religion, which may seem like a daunting number at first, but myths help with understanding that the many are the same. Valmiki’s Ramayana, one of Hinduism’s two great epics, holds great value in Hindu literature, religion, and society. Vishnu’s avatar, Rama, is sent down to defeat the demon king of Lanka, Ravana, who has received a boon which allows him to be invisible to all beings except humans. Rama, being a human avatar, is able to see and slay the demon, who has become a “cruel, proud and invincible tyrant” (Bose Summary, 100). In these series of events, he upholds his varna dharma over his individual dharma. This myth illustrates the importance of dharma and is used in secular and religious
On one hand we have Beowulf who gets all these riches and everything he ever wanted for killing Grendel and he’s mother. (Lee, Alvin A) While Dante gets awarded with more knowledge and a better understanding of how hell is, but also to be able to tell all these Christian’s of what they shouldn’t do in order to end up in any of these circles of hell. (Davis, Charles T.) Also while Dante does this for the sake of all the people on earth even do it is believed that Beowulf does it for the people we can see that he is only doing this for
fearing divine wrath which is actually a product of human cunning, a theme of the two books. Characters such
The myths which prove the contradictory behavior of the gods, acting as both benefactors and tormentors of man, can readily be explained when viewed in light of the prime directive for man, to worship the gods and not “overstep,” and the ensuing “Deus ex Mahina” which served to coerce man to fulfill his destiny as evidenced by the myths: “Pandora,” “Arachne, and “Odysseus.” Humankind and it’s range of vision over the gods beauty and power portrayed them to be benefactors but unseemingly it depicted their affliction towards humans.
At Ragnarok Loki compiled an army of giants and his offspring to destroy Asgard. He was successful in destroying Asgard but he was killed by Heimdall in the process (McCoy). It was the goal of Loki to plunge the universe back into chaos and at Ragnarok, he was
Among the followers of Christianity, questions arise in order to find the righteous path to Heaven’s gate. On the contrary, there are those who seek answers for what is forsaken. Dante Alighieri fully expresses himself on this dilemma in his written work, The Divine Comedy. The first part of the epic poem is Inferno; Dante defines and constructs Hell, based on the morals and judgments set by common beliefs during his time. Dante also uses Aristotle’s philosophical work to shape the structure of Hell. Undergoing a journey through Hell as himself, Dante places famous literary icons to assist in questioning the acts of justice. Dante builds and contrast between the sinners who are innocent, and those who deliberately perform evil deeds. Virgil, a fellow poet and pagan, exemplifies wisdom and clarity that which Dante must learn through his endeavor. Virgil’s guidance will provide contrast and the necessary guidance to reach Paradise. The change of character Dante experience, is dreadful; pity and remorse must be exempted to honor retribution for the sinners’ defiance against God. All the answers regarding Hell, lies upon meeting the primal sinner, Lucifer, the Fallen Angel. Dante’s journey unfolds a critical analysis in which portrays the human struggle in every individual. There are several implications of the four functions of myth that can be derived from Dante’s Inferno. Dante divides Hell into three dispositions: incontinence, malice and brutality. (Alighieri, Dante, and Longfellow 6.79-82)
After reading Book 1 of Paradise Lost, which was about Satan starting to plot against God, I was impressed by Satan’s determination to make an attempt to take over Heaven once again, even though he and his followers were chained to the flaming lake, tortured, as their punishment from God. I admired the fallen angels’ determination to defeat God by warping his good creations to evil, since they all know that God is too powerful for them. Although Satan is banished from Heaven, and cast down to Hell by God, Satan’s evil character has not changed.
When at peace, Thor is a kindly and good-natured God. However, he has a ferocious temper and has been known to lash out without thought of consequence. Just the mention of Trolls or Giants is enough to send him into frenzy.