The opening paragraphs from the epic poem, Sundiata, are supposed to be read and taken very seriously as this gives the speaker authority. Throughout Sundiata the griot’s purpose is how important history is and why we should always value it. One of the lines that showed this principle was, “I teach kings the history of their ancestors so that the lives of the ancients might serve them as an example, for the world is old, but the future springs from the past” (page 1). This line demonstrates that the griot teaches about the past to honor ancestry, but to also help model how the future should develop. This line also brings importance to the epic by showing how Sundiata and his heroism brought unity, in hope that future royals will learn from him.
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A quote that shows this is, “Each man finds his way already marked out for him and he can change nothing of it” (page 15). The griot explains that no person is in control of their own fate. As Sundiata goes through his challenges, he realizes his destiny.
Another quote was, “The art of eloquence has no secrets for us” (page 1). To fully comprehend this sentence, I had to seek out the definition of eloquence. Eloquence is “fluent or persuasive speaking or writing.” I believe this must do with mastering trade because to master trade you need to be able to communicate properly and fluently to acquire what is needed. As trade was and is a very important part not only in the epic, but in the early days as well.
In the other epic poem that we are reading, Sinuhe, it also deals with heroism. A quote to present this characteristic is, “I became great thereby, I grew large in my riches, I became abundant in my flocks” (page 6). This quote exhibits that Sinuhe earned his fortune and grew known to the people around him. He did this by overcoming a challenge and showing not only a physical strength, but a mental and emotional one as well that he did not have
A quote that shows this is, “Each man finds his way already marked out for him and he can change nothing of it” (page 15). The griot explains that no person is in control of their own fate. As Sundiata goes through his challenges, he realizes his destiny.
Another quote was, “The art of eloquence has no secrets for us” (page 1). To fully comprehend this sentence, I had to seek out the definition of eloquence. Eloquence is “fluent or persuasive speaking or writing.” I believe this must do with mastering trade because to master trade you need to be able to communicate properly and fluently to acquire what is needed. As trade was and is a very important part not only in the epic, but in the early days as well.
In the other epic poem that we are reading, Sinuhe, it also deals with heroism. A quote to present this characteristic is, “I became great thereby, I grew large in my riches, I became abundant in my flocks” (page 6). This quote exhibits that Sinuhe earned his fortune and grew known to the people around him. He did this by overcoming a challenge and showing not only a physical strength, but a mental and emotional one as well that he did not have