| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Myths and Myth-Makers by John Fiske: times, by the generals at Arginusai, it is impossible to
believe that any conclusion which left Patroklos's manes
unpropitiated, and the mutilated corpse of Hektor unransomed,
could have satisfied either the poet or his hearers. For
further particulars I must refer the reader to the excellent
criticisms of Mr. Gladstone, and also to the article on "Greek
History and Legend" in the second volume of Mr. Mill's
"Dissertations and Discussions." A careful study of the
arguments of these writers, and, above all, a thorough and
independent examination of the Iliad itself, will, I believe,
convince the student that this great poem is from beginning to
Myths and Myth-Makers |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Old Indian Legends by Zitkala-Sa: sulked within their wigwams. "He-he-he!" groaned the chieftain.
On the evening of the same day sat a group of hunters around
a bright burning fire. They were talking of a strange young man
whom they spied while out upon a hunt for deer beyond the bluffs.
They saw the stranger taking aim. Following the point of his arrow
with their eyes, they beheld a herd of buffalo. The arrow sprang
from the bow! It darted into the skull of the foremost buffalo.
But unlike other arrows it pierced through the head of the creature
and spinning in the air lit into the next buffalo head. One by one
the buffalo fell upon the sweet grass they were grazing. With
straight quivering limbs they lay on their sides. The young man
|
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith: It's in vain to expect I'll believe you.
MRS. HARDCASTLE. (Running forward from behind.) O lud! he'll murder
my poor boy, my darling! Here, good gentleman, whet your rage upon me.
Take my money, my life, but spare that young gentleman; spare my child,
if you have any mercy.
HARDCASTLE. My wife, as I'm a Christian. From whence can she come? or
what does she mean?
MRS. HARDCASTLE. (Kneeling.) Take compassion on us, good Mr.
Highwayman. Take our money, our watches, all we have, but spare our
lives. We will never bring you to justice; indeed we won't, good Mr.
Highwayman.
She Stoops to Conquer |
