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Readings from this semester so far :
Bhagvad Gita, analetics (Confúcios), Beowulf,
The epic of Gilgamesh, Iliad (by homer), and Ovids metamorphosis

Paper 1
Length: 2-3 typed, double-spaced pages
Choose two works you have studied in the first half of the semester and discuss how each work incorporates a particular theme. Choose one of the following themes to discuss: abuse of power, fulfillment of duty, law establishment, dysfunctional relationships, or war.
Your essay should include a complete introduction, body, and conclusion.
The essay should be divided logically into paragraphs. (NOTE: Failure to divide your writing into separate paragraphs WILL result in a failing grade!)

Proper formatting of the paper:
1. Adhere to MLA guidelines.
2. Include an MLA heading, header, and space your work properly.
3. Title should appear one line below the heading and on the center of that line.
4. Indent all paragraphs.
5. Use Calibri or Times New Roman font, sized 10-12.
Title:
1. Title should be more creative than just the names of the works you are covering.
2. Title should include the theme you are covering.
3. Title should not take up a whole line.
Introduction:
1. Be sure to work in title of each work, author (if there is an author), and a brief summary (no longer than two sentences per work) of each work.
2. Elaborate on the theme you are covering.
3. End with a thesis statement that explains how the theme works in each work.
Body:
1. I am looking for multiple paragraphs.
2. Each paragraph should support the thesis statement by elaborating on how the theme is used.
3. You must quote from each work.
4. You must properly cite each quote! Failure to cite is plagiarism.
5. Never begin or end a paragraph with a quote. Quotes should be thoroughly explained in your own words before moving on to a new point.
6. Each body paragraph should include at least one quote. (But use your judgment about how many you will need. Sometimes, a paragraph may require more.)
7. Make sure you transition smoothly from one point to the next.
Conclusion:
1. The conclusion is one full paragraph, not just a couple of sentences.
2. The conclusion sums up the entire essay.
3. The conclusion also shares how this theme is timeless. (In other words, how is this theme still used in our current culture?)
4. The conclusion ends smoothly, not abruptly.
Grammar and Conventions:
1. Use Standard English Grammar.
2. Write in third person point of view.
3. Avoid phrases like “This essay is about” or “I will explain.”
4. Do not repeat information, (such as “As previously stated…”)
5. Be specific!

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Date

Theme of War in Bhagvad Gita and Beowulf

Introduction

The two works selected for this assignment include Bhagvad Gita and Beowulf. Bhagvad Gita is the song by God, also referred to as the Gita. It is a 700-verse in Hindu scripture, which is part of the epic Mahabharata (Das). On the other hand, Beowulf is an Old English epic poem found in the traditions of Germanic heroic legend. Beowulf deals with the events of the early 16th century. These two great works studied in the first half of the semester reflect the theme of war. According to (Frankel), war refers to the sense of conflict between two or more groups. War involves hostilities of considerable period and magnitude. In that regard, this paper discusses how the theme of war works in each of the two works.

Bhagvad Gita

The fabled bowman of the Mahabharata is a story of Arjuna that reflects Lord Krishna’s perspective of the war in the Gita. In the Bhagvad Gita, the great battle of Kurukshetra is almost starting and Krishna is driving Arjuna’s chariot using white horses into the middle of the battlefield between the two enemies (Das). Chapter one introduces the scene, the sacred plain of Kuruksetra, the setting is the battlefield, and the circumstance is war. After driving to the center of the battlefield, Arjuna realized that most of his kinsmen and old friends are enemies and is sad about the fact that he is forced to kill his loved ones.

Arjuna is not able to stand on the battlefield any longer, refused to fight, and says that he does not “desire any subsequent victory, kingdom, or happiness” (Das).  As a result, Arjuna poses the question “How could we be happy by killing our kinsmen?” (Das). Krishna, on the other hand, begins to persuade Arjuna by reminding him that there is no such act as killing and urging him to remember that atman or soul is the reality and the body is simply an appearance. This reflection of Bhagvad Gita indicates how the war of theme is contained within the work.

Beowulf

Beowulf reflects warfare as an ordinary issue as if it is just a common life. It is depicted in Beowulf that the warrior culture lives for battle. The real character of Beowulf is the paragon of the warrior culture (Levine 120). War is reflected in the persistent attacks by Grendel on Heorot and those by Grendel’s mother. “Onboard, they climbed warriors ready; waves were churning sea with sand; the sailors bore on the breast of the bark their bright array, their mail, and weapons: the men pushed off, on its willing way, the well-braced craft (Levine 120).” These lines reflect the sense of war. Additionally, King Hrothga talks about how war has offered him with riches and power.

For a warrior to be recognized, he must do some work to increase his fame and reputation. Beowulf even boasts about the battles he has had. The battle under the water where “A fierce cruel attacker dragged me to the bottom, held megrim in his grasp, but it was granted me to reach the monster with my sword-point, my battle blade. The war-stroke destroyed the mighty sea-beast through my hand (Levine 128).” Therefore, Beowulf reflects the theme of war several in the work.

Conclusion

The two works selected for completion of this assignment include Bhagvad Gita and Beowulf, while the selected theme is war. Bhagvad Gita is a 700-verse in Hindu scripture, which is part of the epic Mahabharata. On the other hand, Beowulf is an Old English epic poem found in the traditions of Germanic heroic legend. The theme of war is embedded in the two works in several instances. This paper discussed how the theme is reflected in the two works.

Works Cited

Das, Subhamoy. “Do Some Hindu Scriptures Glorify War?” Learn Religions, April 16, 2017. https://www.learnreligions.com/do-some-hindu-scriptures-glorify-war-1770578#:~:text=The%20very%20fact%20that%20the,sanctions%20war%20nor%20condemns%20it.

Frankel, Joseph. “war” Britannica, February, 15, 2022. https://www.britannica.com/topic/war/The-causes-of-war

Levine, Robert S, Michael A. Elliott, Sandra M. Gustafson, Amy Hungerford, and Mary Loeffelholz. The Norton Anthology of American Literature, Norton & Company, 2017.