Introduction
The Ramayana consists of two characters
as far as I am concerned - Rama and Ravana. The story consists of
numerous other encounters and plenty of other memorable characters -
however, the two titan-esque characters of Rama and Ravana take central
focus and really do affect nearly every character and major event.
I decided to focus on Ravana for my storybook because I find the character so engrossing and intriguing. He has a few different facets as opposed to being just a villainous character. He schemes and he manipulates, and despite his faults he does have some Brahmin-like qualities. In his early days he spends time in prayer and solitude, and it is not until late in his life (early in the Ramayana) that his real tenacity is exposed.
The stories in my storybook will be told by Ravana himself or by various minor demons featured throughout. Ravana is not really the type of character to be a storyteller, however. While on his throne during his campaign against Rama (which will be briefly touched upon in the third story), he will reminisce about his life and previous history. The reader will experience the rise and fall of Ravana as the world moves on around him.
The first story I chose is an introduction to Ravana's life from his point of view - it is something barely touched on in the Ramayana in comparison to some of the other stories - given very little text within the two stories we read. I have developed this story to a greater extent. Ravana's early story addresses his ultimate weakness - how he is seemingly invincible and immortal but still falls to Rama. His prayers to Brahma reflect on his manipulation of those around him, the central theme of this story.
Another story I really enjoyed was Ravana's capture by Shiva - and how he subsequently devoted himself to the god. Ravana sang a song of praise to Shiva, and it pleased the god so much that Ravana was given freedom. My favorite part of this story is that it shows a softer side of Ravana, if only for a moment. While he is humanistic and relatable in his song of praise, his ultimate goal is something a bit less than admirable. I will use this story and discuss the scheming nature of Ravana.
My third story will be an interlude of sorts - the calm before the storm that is the penultimate battle between Ravana and Rama. It is centered around the capture of a spy (one that readers of the Ramayana should be more than familiar with) - and showcases Ravana's impeccable people skills when he's not communicating with the gods. The important thing with this story is that it showcases Ravana's interactions with characters that are not gods (or, at the very least only demi-gods). Ravana's anger and short fuse is the central theme in this story.
The final story will be told in the present - an account of the confrontation between Rama and Ravana and details how he loses to the avatar of Vishnu. Various other characters from the other stories appear and Ravana's interactions with them all have effected the final outcome. His scheming, manipulative and rage-ridden nature come to a final moment and you will learn of his fate.
Ravana is full of hubris and a powerful character. In my storybook you will see that he retains much of the same character type as he does in the Ramayana. Only in these instances do you ascertain the true thought processes of the demon lord - how his mind functions, how his goals are attained, and how his fall is fate.
I decided to focus on Ravana for my storybook because I find the character so engrossing and intriguing. He has a few different facets as opposed to being just a villainous character. He schemes and he manipulates, and despite his faults he does have some Brahmin-like qualities. In his early days he spends time in prayer and solitude, and it is not until late in his life (early in the Ramayana) that his real tenacity is exposed.
The stories in my storybook will be told by Ravana himself or by various minor demons featured throughout. Ravana is not really the type of character to be a storyteller, however. While on his throne during his campaign against Rama (which will be briefly touched upon in the third story), he will reminisce about his life and previous history. The reader will experience the rise and fall of Ravana as the world moves on around him.
The first story I chose is an introduction to Ravana's life from his point of view - it is something barely touched on in the Ramayana in comparison to some of the other stories - given very little text within the two stories we read. I have developed this story to a greater extent. Ravana's early story addresses his ultimate weakness - how he is seemingly invincible and immortal but still falls to Rama. His prayers to Brahma reflect on his manipulation of those around him, the central theme of this story.
Another story I really enjoyed was Ravana's capture by Shiva - and how he subsequently devoted himself to the god. Ravana sang a song of praise to Shiva, and it pleased the god so much that Ravana was given freedom. My favorite part of this story is that it shows a softer side of Ravana, if only for a moment. While he is humanistic and relatable in his song of praise, his ultimate goal is something a bit less than admirable. I will use this story and discuss the scheming nature of Ravana.
My third story will be an interlude of sorts - the calm before the storm that is the penultimate battle between Ravana and Rama. It is centered around the capture of a spy (one that readers of the Ramayana should be more than familiar with) - and showcases Ravana's impeccable people skills when he's not communicating with the gods. The important thing with this story is that it showcases Ravana's interactions with characters that are not gods (or, at the very least only demi-gods). Ravana's anger and short fuse is the central theme in this story.
The final story will be told in the present - an account of the confrontation between Rama and Ravana and details how he loses to the avatar of Vishnu. Various other characters from the other stories appear and Ravana's interactions with them all have effected the final outcome. His scheming, manipulative and rage-ridden nature come to a final moment and you will learn of his fate.
Ravana is full of hubris and a powerful character. In my storybook you will see that he retains much of the same character type as he does in the Ramayana. Only in these instances do you ascertain the true thought processes of the demon lord - how his mind functions, how his goals are attained, and how his fall is fate.