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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…
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
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.”
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...
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
Every generation has its own heroes that display, what they believe to be, ideal characteristics. While each is different in their own way, many of these role models share similar qualities. Most tend to have courage, strength, compassion, or another respected trait, but this is not necessarily why they win the adoration of their followers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 era of my rule, a king was not someone who simply delivered orders to his “men” while he sat on his throne awaiting confirmation of a victory. Men admired their leader for: outstanding courage, selflessness to his tribe, personal valor, and ability to survive despite the toughest opposition. Heroism and leadership are characteristics that brought my fellow men to abide by my side despite the situation, which in response led me to become such an aspiring leader, and in the end a hero – the demonstration to attain glory through brawls. Traditions, natural laws, and religion are descriptions of my heroism and leadership.
Baltasar Gracian advised us all “Aspire rather to be a hero than merely appear one.” Being a hero is not defined by the number of people saved or by how extravagantly it is done, but rather by the nature of one’s heart. One character could save an entire town from a horrendous monster and another could simply save a friend from being shamed by his family, but both of these people would fall under the same category: a hero. Both Beowulf from Beowulf and Hassan from “The Kite Runner” exemplify what a hero truly is through their acts of courage, loyalty and selflessness.
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.
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
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.