Reading Notes/ Reading Quiz pages 64-82

1. An epic is a long narrative that celebrates the adventures of legendary heroes. 2. The function of a hero in an epic is to be role model of their time. 3. Reading an epic four thousand years later helps us understand that society because we get a look into the diction of the individuals as well as their perspective on life. 4. Three epics are The Epic of Gilgamesh, Atrhasis, and Enume Elish, all written in the 10th to 20th century B.C. in Mesopatamia and the Chaldeans. 5. Uruk is the city of Gilgamesh and is an ancient Sumerian city. 6. The prologue of Gilgamesh suggests that he is a strong leader and one who cares for his people and doesn't care for his enemies. 7. Ishtar is is the Babylonian goddess of love. 8. Gilgamesh is 2/3 god and 1/3 man. This compares with Beowulf because Beowulf was part god as well. 9. Achaians are also called Greeks. 10. Zeus is the father of all gods. 11. Hektor is is the best trojan warrior. 12. Athene snatched the bronze spear and gave it back to Achilleus. This suggests that the gods must stick together and cheat whoever they need to in order to do so. 13. Hektor asks to "not let the dogs feed" on him, and Achilleus answered with calling him a dog. 14. Bede was a monk. He described the conquest of Britain by the Anglo-Saxon tribes after the departure of the Romans. 15. The purpose of the work was for King Alfred. Bede's version was available only in Latin. 16. Britain was formerly known as Albion. 17. The scarlet dye was extracted from edible shellfish with two heart-shaped shells which remained untainted by sunshine or rain. This suggests that that people of this era were just as tough and strong. 18. Ireland is broader than Britain, and its mild and healthy climate is superior. 19. The fact that the Vikings broke up was a big deal and affected a lot. They were greatly broken by the slaughter of cattle and men, which scarcely made the response "united" Not only that, the king's best lords in Anglo-Saxon society in the land had passed away. 20. Including this information adds the idea that each Anglo-Saxon is a brother to another and truly care. I notice that each American tragedy ends in death, but I suppose that has become a given.