Essay About David Malouf And Homers Eighth Century Epic Poem

Ransom-Malouf Vce Practice Paper
Essay Preview: Ransom-Malouf Vce Practice Paper
Report this essay
In a revisit to Homers eighth century epic poem “Illiad”, David Maloufs “Ransom”
> explores the worlds of royalty, war and the common man. Although Malouf explores
> the original themes of revenge, redemption and fate, he
> predominately
> focuses on the human connections, relationships and inner thoughts of his
> characters. Malouf contends that Somax is the true hero of the novel,
> “Ransom”, through the events he participates in,
> his disposition and the characteristics he displays,
> Somax, a mere
> commoner that Malouf has added into his novel, gives Priam an insight into
> the
> world he was missing out on. His chatter, whether about [the] little cakes
> or
> his pretty daughter-in-law, is always intriguing to Priam. After Somax
> successfully
> persuades Priam to do a number of things, such as getting him to waddle in
> the
> stream and nibble on some griddlecakes, he describes Priam as like a
> child. Throughout their journey, Somax attempts to fill out the picture
> of
> the ordinary life Priam has overlooked reveal[ing] these things to him”
> which
> help Priam learn more about the “interesting” world around him, the
> “prattling
> world” full of “interest”, suggesting that Priams world of royal customs
> and
> kingship is dull and boring. He rarely makes decisions for himself as he believes Ive
> played my part. While Somax can be funny at times, that is not his sole
> purpose in the novel; Somax is more of a teacher to Priam, he teaches Priam
> many more things, for example, affection,