Sundiata And The Odyssey Of Homer
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A quest is the act or instance of seeking or pursuing something. In the books “Sundiata” and “The Odyssey of Homer”, both of the main characters venture out on quests. Throughout each characters quest, they have goals they would like to achieve, obstacles that get in their way, and enemies they must face. Sundiata and Odysseus also receive some assistance along the way. Both characters also have a common goal to return to their homes after their quests are over. If their quests are successful they will be able to achieve their goals.
King Maghan who is married to a woman named Sassouma, is told by a prophecy that he must marry an extremely ugly woman and have a child with her. The ugly woman named Sogolon Kedju would be called the buffalo woman because she was a human double who roamed around ruining the land of Do. The child King Maghan and Sogolon had was suppose to be Malis greatest king ever. When the child was born, he was named Mari Diata, but people called him Sogolon Diata, and eventually, Sundiata. Sundiata was unable to walk until he was about seven years old. When the king dies, his first wife saw to it that her son, Dankaran claimed the throne. Sundiata couldnt have been king anyway because at that time he still was unable to walk. When Sundiata learned how to walk he became capable of taking the throne. Sundiata didnt become a threat to his brother Dankaran until he learned how to walk. Sundiata is then forced to go into exile for safety until his time came to be king. He travels through many kingdoms hundreds of miles away.
Odysseus left his home in Ithaca to go to Troy and fight in the Trojan war. When Odysseus left for the war he established his reputation as a hero. His participation in the war was crucial to the Greeks victory. Upon completion of the Trojan war, a ravishing nymph named Calypso, infatuated by love for him, has imprisoned him on her island. He wants nothing more than to return to his wife and son, but he doesnt have the necessities to help him escape. Finally, because of Athena, the gods have decided to free Odysseus from Calypso.
Both Sundiata and Odysseus also share some of the same goals. Every great hero has enemies that try and defeat them and prevent them from achieving their goals. The enemies of the heroes soon become obstacles and it is then left up to the heroes to overcome those obstacles.
Sundiatas goal is to defeat the evil king Suomaoro of Sosso and then return to Mali to become king . Suomaoro of Sosso, conquered Mali and even sent Dankaran into exile. Suomaoro now declares himself king of Mali.
Sundiata has a few enemies throughout this book. One of his enemies is Suomaoro of Sosso because Suomaoro declared himself as king. Two more of Sundiatas enemies include his brother Dankaran and Dankarans mother Sassouma. If it werent for Dankaran and Sassouma, Sundiata would have never had to go into exile because he would have already been king. Dankaran and his mother made it difficult for Sundiata to take the throne especially because it took Sundiata a while to learn how to walk.
Sundiatas biggest obstacle is, he cant seem to defeat Suomaoro because of his unknown “magic”. When Sundiata and Suomaoro finally come face to face, Suomaoro is able to escape because of his “magic.”
Odysseuss goal is to return home to Ithaca and defeat the suitors. The outnumbered and unruly mob of suitors overran Odysseuss palace and embezzled his land continue to attempt to date his wife, Penelope. They