Merias: A Comparative Analysis

As weeks pass Fadlan is forced to do battle with the Northerners, for, as he sees it, either course of action may end in death, so why not go forth in battle.

As the Ghana kingdoms fell, their successor the Mali Empire, was built on the success of the dynasty’s founder, Sundiata, who is commonly referred to as Mali’s greatest king. Sundiata’s story can be read in “Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali”. Mali’s greatest king was born as the subject of a prophesy, to the king of Mali, Maghan Kon Fatta, and Sogolon Kedju, a very ugly woman who was the spirit of a buffalo. King Maghan's first wife, Sassouma, was jealous. She has always assumed that her son, Dankaran Touman, would claim the crown of Mali and now this child stood to threaten what she felt was her son's destiny. Sassouma plotted to kill Sogolon, but the buffalo woman's powers were too great, and the boy was born. He was named Mari Diata, but as the son of Sogolon, he was called Sogolon Diata, which led to Sundiata. Sassouma was relieved when the new child turned out to be lazy, gluttonous and ugly. At three years old, Sundiata could not walk and rarely spoke. Even at seven, the boy still crawled, spent all his time eating, and had no friends. The king was deeply disturbed, he wondered how this pathetic child become a great king. Honoring the hunter's prophecy, the dying king gave his seemingly crippled son a gift that signified his desire that the boy should become king after all. That gift was a griot named Balla Fasséké, the son of the king's own griot. After a spat with Sassouma, Sogolon’s grief made Sundiata walk. Sundiata was fit to claim the throne as his

Lived in between the Cascades and the Rockies. They traveled to many rivers and settled in the valleys.

at the time is king Duncun, a noble and honest king. He has two sons

Today has been one crazy day! First of all I sailed to Denmark. It was a long journey, but I enjoyed it. I saw many fish and even managed to catch one for my dinner. When I finally arrived in Denmark it was quiet and peaceful. I went to meet the king of Denmark. His name was Hrothgar. He was a very pleasant man. He was small, hairy but very cheerful. He was so pleased to see us because I told him we was here to kill the terrifying Grendel. That night in the hall, there was a huge feast. It had been specially prepared for beowulf and our team as a welcome from the king. Everything that day went as planned and grendel was slain and beowulf became king.

Beowulf is an epic poem that has been handed down orally for centuries, but was finally written down in the eighth century. It is the story of an epic hero, named Beowulf, who travels with his men, the Geats, to conquer the many beasts who terrorize the lands of the Danes. The scops describe Beowulf as “greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world”(110-111). This example shows one of many qualities that make Beowulf the epic hero that he is. He uses his strength to demonstrate both the dedication and bravery needed to bring peace and justice to the people who have been terrorized for such a long time. Cultural elements exemplified in Beowulf occur in the aspects of the mead hall, the warriors, and their belief system.

His attempt to seize the throne leads to the loss of his sanity. Before he is about

Mysteriously King Carolus died one night only a few years ago and that was when unrest slowly grew in the kingdom. There was much debate among both the high society and among the King's children however it was decided it that Bridia would become king.

were their characteristics and what drove them to leave their homes and come to the new

After Fifty years of prosperity the Danes had yet another monster to conquer. Since Beowulf never been a man to flee from a fight he decided face this monster alone

Mercutio is a good friend of Romeo and Benvolio but he is neither a Montugue or a Capulet. Mercutio’s personality and characteristics are generally similar between the two versions of the play however there are noticeable differences that are made in order to adapt to either an Elizabethan audience or a 1990’s teenage audience who would have had different opinions of love, fate, honour and used different versions of the English language. The name ‘Mercutio’ is an aptronym which reflects in his personality traits. One relation to this name is the planet mercury which is the closest planet to the sun which foreshadows Mercutio’s fiery temper, this link to planets

Nobody knew the reason behind it, and the kingdom plummeted into chaos. “Is King Victor going to die? Who’s going to become the successor?” These were the major questions in jeopardy. The King’s physician worked tirelessly, examining bedridden King, researching, and one day exclaimed excitedly, “ There is a cure! In the foreign lands. Go, and you shall become the world’s greatest hero.” What the physician didn’t say was that the road to the cure is treacherous. Full of exotic beasts, of the unknown and unforeseen dangers. However, eager to become a hero, Maximus, quickly got ready to set out but was stopped by the King’s advisor. “This is not your quest and if you do go, you will perish. I have read the omens and the Heavens say that the last of five is destined to go.” “Minimus!? What can that runt do? He can barely pick up a sword!” Maximus thought aloud. Immediately, the palace buzzed with the news that Minimus is the chosen one. Maximus, furious at this outcome, began destroying everything in sight. Going on a quest in the foreign lands requires a great deal of knowledge and a keen sense of observation and Minimus is the only one out of the five who has a chance of

they returned to Spain, they told of all the gold that the Aztecs had. The

When Tuatha Dé Danann landed in Ireland, dense clouds masked their arrival. The druids (Tuatha’s religious leaders) blew rain clouds and fog over the entire island. The blown clouds released fire and torrent of blood upon Fir Bolgs which caused them to hide in sheltered areas for three nights and three days. The Fir Bolgs’ religious leaders cleared the air by carrying out the magic spell. Lastly, the two races declared a 105-days truce so as to provide sufficient time for both sides to prepare for war. By using their great magic and skills, Tuatha Dé Danann won their first war

the traits of a “good king”. He was a warrior with extraordinary abilities which made him seem