Reading Notes: The Voyages of Sinbad, Part B

 

The Old Man of the Sea, Monro Scott Orr (1923)

The Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Andrew Lang (1898).

Almost everyone who starts a journey with Sinbad ends up dead, it a wonder they don’t call him Sinbad the Cursed. I’m surprised he could find anyone to sail with him for the last 3 voyages. I’m honestly impressed it took him 6 terrible journeys to finally decide that he was done. It’s almost poetic justice that he unwillingly gets roped into a 7^th voyage. I can’t believe they call him “the Sailor”, you would think losing half of your ships would make you a bad sailor.

I really liked the story of the old man of the sea. It’s almost like emotional baggage tormenting him, but also keeping him alive. He gets rid of this baggage by drinking away him problems. Although this is a terrible way to deal with such issues, many people still deal with their problems with alcohol.

I’m not going to lie the name sequins for the coins keeps making me think of them trading modern day clothing sequins. I just imagine them trading sequins till they have enough for a sweet vest. It would be an interesting story to see a fairy from that time period demand sequins as payment receive modern day sequins and decide that they like them better. Just the thought of trading a magical favor for a lush sequined bed and in reality it is a sequined pillow from Walmart that cost like $5 is comical. 

I can’t believe people hear his stories and just accept everything as truth. These stories seem like something an old man at a tavern would tell to get free drinks.

Reading Notes: The Voyages of Sinbad, Part A

 

Sinbad the Entertainer 

The Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Andrew Lang (1898).

I think its better with him talking to another man Sinbad who is impoverished, it is almost like he is talking to the man he could have been.

Oh, a sailor we should have a lot in common, first sentence “I had inherited considerable wealth from my parents…” maybe in the next story.

Why didn’t the captain didn’t recognize him?

I really felt the opening paragraph of the Second Voyage, I would come back to Oklahoma on leave and within 2 weeks I was ready to get back to my Ship.

Pulling into a new liberty port is amazing but missing the boat and being left behind was probably my greatest fear.

I feel like this could all be an elaborate tale to avoid getting in trouble for missing the boat. I could probably adapt the story to a more modern-day US Navy sailor.

I like to imagine that the savages in the third story were just monkeys that liked to steal ships.

He met the captain from his second journey… the more I read, the more I think he is just a very talented grifter.

You think after all this he would stop sailing.

Reading Notes: Ancient Egyptian Myths, Part B

 

Sacred Bull

Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie (1907).

The Two Brothers story was wild. 

I didn’t know there were panther in Egypt, or that they were used to describe anger. It's a good note to fit in an appropriate analogy. 

How often did Ra give women to people?

Why did Bata become a Bull?

Why do women keep plotting to kill Bata?

What the heck was that story? I’m not sure if there was a meaning to it….

Reading Notes: Ancient Egyptian Myths, Part A

Ra-Horakhty, a combined deity of Horus and Ra

Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie (1907).

The ancients held the sun as a god and the creator of life, which is true in a sense.

It is interesting that the Egyptians believed that the world was initially water like the Native Americans.

It is interesting how many different cultures held true or secret names as powerful.

I guess 7000 jars are enough to get a god drunk, good to know. I like that if the Nile floods red they offer beer to Hathor.

 There are several poisonous reptiles in Egypt, so it makes sense that the people would glorify “magicians” that can protect them.

Reading Notes: THE ILIAD, Part B

The Death of Hector by Peter Paul Rubens

 Homer's Iliad by AJ Chuch

After Patroclus fell both sides fought over the body and arms with Hector succeeding is stripping Achilles arms from him. True to the lioness upon his shield Ajax stood before the stripped body of Patroclus and fought back Hector and the Trojans. After a fight with Glaucus, Hector rushes to put on the armour of Achilles and return to battle, upon seeing this Zeus states that it will cost him.

 

As the fight for the body intensified Menelaüs sent for Achilles, telling him that Patroclus and the Trojans were trying to take his body. Hearing about the death of Patroclus he wept, for he was the friend that Achilles loved above all others.  Thetis hears his cries and asks what is wrong. Achilles tells her about the death and that the only thing he wants is to kill Hector and avenge his friend. She reminds him that when Hector dies, he will swiftly follow him. In his grief he didn’t care about death, only vengeance.

 

Even with Apollo’s help Hector cannot escape from Achilles, he is chased 3 times around the city. When Hector finally decides to fight him, it is a good fight, but Achilles strikes for a weak point in the armour Patroclus was wearing. (Maybe wearing the armour you took from a dead guys isn’t very smart)

Reading Notes: THE ILIAD, Part A

Thetis immersing her son Achilles in Water of River Styx by Antoine Borel

Homer's Iliad by AJ Chuch

I knew the story of how Paris carried off Helen, but I didn’t know he also took gold and gems. I think it would make a great mini heist movie to start an epic Hollywood remake of Homer’s Iliad.

Why can’t they stop stealing women?

Agamemnon stole the daughter of the priest of Apollo, out of everyone why would you mess with somebody connected to a god? So, Apollo bring a plague upon them, their prophet counsels them to give her back with an offering to Apollo. Agamemnon throws a hissy fit and Achilles tries to offer a compromise.

THEN he gets mad at Achilles and takes Briseïs from him. Achilles best warrior in Greece, son of Thetis… a goddess of the sea. You think he would learn.

 Thetis goes to Zeus and guilt trips him into helping restore Achilles honor.

Week 2 Reading Overview

Choose from CLASSICAL and/or BIBLICAL units for Weeks 3 and 4.

Week 3: Homer's Iliad

Week 4: Cupid and Psyche

Choose from MIDDLE EASTERN and/or INDIAN units for Weeks 5 and 6.

Week 5: Ancient Egypt

Week 6: Sindbad

Choose from ASIAN and/or AFRICAN units for Weeks 7 and 9. [Week 8 is review week.]

Week 7: Japanese Mythology

Week 9: Lang

Choose from NATIVE AMERICAN units for Weeks 10 and 11.

Week 10: Alaska
Week 11: Inuit (Eskimo)

Choose from BRITISH and/or CELTIC units for Weeks 12 and 13.

Week 12: Celtic Tales

Week 13: Welsh (Emerson)

Choose from EUROPEAN units for Weeks 14 and 15.

Week 14: Inferno
Week 15: Decameron

I am excited to read about Japanese Mythology! I've visited a few shrines and been to some festivals, so I am excited to see if there is anything I recognize in the myths.

I wish that the Native American unit had a section for Choctaw, I am currently taking Choctaw 3 and we have only covered a few cultural myths.

I had to choose a printing of the The Great Wave, it is probably the most iconic wood block print from Japan. It still impacts classic Japanese tattoos today.

The Great Wave off the Coast of Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai