Ramayana Notes Part A:
- King Dasharatha: "sang that in days of yore" is an excellent way to preface something rooted in legend/folklore. Celestial. "lakes gemmed with bee-loved lotuses" contributes to the beautiful imagery used both to fill out the setting and to impress upon the reader the splendor of the palace. There is a one-sentence paragraph: "The city of Ayodhya was full of prosperous and happy people" and the space on either side contributed to its effectiveness. "Ever watchful like mountain lions which protect their dens": analogous/simile.
- Dasharatha's Sons: There is a horse sacrifice seemingly glossed-over- what is the horse's story?
- Rama: Avatar of Vishnu: A good ol' meanwhile is used- excellent tactic for transition with little relation. Vishnu utilizes a loophole to occupy a human in order to smite his foe Ravana. Also, out of four children Rama is the special one- what would it be like to have him as a brother...probably not fun. "lying in his white cradle he was like to a blue lotus bloom amidst the gleaming waves of the Ganges".
- Vishvamitra: the sage "village elder/medicine man" archetype is alive and well here. Flowers rained down on them from the sky?! Extra, yet also an example of the benevolent princes blessed by nature trope.
- Thataka: introduction of conflict, set in a dark, fearsome, animal-ridden jungle. (First intense fight needed an intense backdrop to match). Attacked by a woman. Unusual. The humans did not want to deal the final blow, relied on higher ups to do the real dirty work. "Good betide thee". Also, early-on, protagonists complete small task and again help/respect which will potentially benefit them largely as other opponents materialize.
- Bhagiratha and Ganga: In order to achieve goals, the time must be put in (year of worship). Love the explanation for twisty river bends (Shiva's hair screwing with the land).
- Ahalya: Sets up Rama's next heroic act. Does so in pleasantly-rhyming verse.
- Sita: Epic Love Story, mirrored in the gods Vishnu and Lakshmi. Describe attractiveness of young princes by focusing on reactions by local girls.
- Janaka: proposes fight/ survival of the fittest for the hand of the finest
- Rama Wins Sita: Almost sword-in-the-stone esque. Winner/ person to figure out a way around the conventional gets the girl in the end.
- Parashurama: (post bow-breaking): Lakshmana is a sassmaster: "Holy sir, do not blow at me as if I could be puffed away".
- Rama and Sita's Wedding: Rama/Sita. Lakshman/Urmila. Bharat/Mandavi. Shatrughna/Shrutakirti. It rains flowers again.
- Rama the Heir Apparent: solemn words, like the thunder of drums. The qualities extolled by the people were interesting: they said he was handsome and musical, yet also valued his ability to not focus on one bad quality in a sea of good. His attention to people in all walks of life also helped him in this regard.
- Manthara and Kaikeyi: Of course, not every political decision is adored by everyone, so here we get a Scar-in-the-Lion-King type of cut to potential antagonists. Also the scene is reminiscent of the Genesis snake corrupting/tempting Eve.
- Kaikeyi and Dasharatha: Like a bright and blossoming creeper//rudely severed from the earth. This sentence sets an empathetic mood then immediately and harshly changes the mood using different vocab. Lesson: don't say yes before you know what for.
- Rama is Banished: humble obeisance. Body language plays a big role in portraying mood before dialogue. They fell upon his ears like sparks falling in the sea.
- Rama Goes into Exile: Theme that love is sticking together. Unique fashion choice: BARK
- Crossing the River: Sets both a future goal and a sad farewell by taking a moment to address the city. River Goddess Ganga is given a lot of reverence despite the dire turn of plot.
- Dasharatha's Karma: "Look before you leap". Expired instead of died. Very very sad Flashback device used for this section. Also, Foreshadowing.
- Dasharatha's Death: Moral: What goes around comes around.
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