From the Paper
" Demodokos, the "blinded minstrel" (299) is a major figure in Book VIII of The Odyssey. As such, he can be potentially viewed as a special creation in which Homer, the "singer" of The Odyssey has inserted a character that might represent himself. Some of the themes of the song of "Ares dalliance with Aphrodite"(299), recapitulate in miniature the certain major themes of the longer epic. The sense of entrapment and danger, the sense of adventure, the sense of illicit love, the sense of enticing women, the sense of the power of the gods, the sense of questing all appear in the song and are all major themes in the epic itself. Most interesting of all, however, is the idea of the blind minstrel with incredible knowledge who pleases Odysseus with his tale. Demodokos is Homer's indirect tribute to himself, but Homer slyly plays with the reader's perceptions of Demodokos with the ensuing reaction to the song."

Tags:epic, poem, Greek

Abstract
The first piece reported in this paper is an oil on canvas, painted by Mexican artist Manuel Felguerez and titled 'Entre Dos Almas', created in 1992. The next art piece is "Fernwood Figures". It originated from Vanuatu, Melanesia, in the late 19th century to early 20th century, and represents tribal ancestors.The author states that the "Sculpture of Vishnu" originates from India during the Pala period,12th century. The final piece is "The Bard", an oil on canvas, painted by a British artist Richard Westall (1765-1836). Illustrations.

Table of Contents
"Entre Dos Almas"
"Fernwood Figures"
"Sculpture of Vishnu"
"The Bard"

From the Paper
"In Felguerez's paintings, it is very apparent that the he is quite fond of abstractionism. His work, on this media and beyond, is constantly exploring and playing with the primary geometrical shapes like the circle, square and triangle. Around the early seventies, the computer began to influence Manuel's work. The paintings produced by the artist around this time were almost mechanical looking in their composition. Color schemes usually contained a mechanical grayish background color, which was perceived to have derived from his interest in the growing world of computer-generated graphics. Also found in many of these earlier works was the design principle of rhythm and repetition while remaining unified."

Tags:oil, canvas, ancestors, india, melanesia

Abstract
This paper explains that, at the height of their domination in Europe, the Celtics, who were a warrior race in the 9th century B.C.E. that started on the island of Ireland, spread their religion across the British Isles to Turkey; however, they finally were conquered by the Romans and the Germanic tribes. The author points out that Druidism was passed down through an oral tradition typically kept by the bards and the ancient Druids; much of the Druids traditions are still kept because they were later recorded in medieval manuscripts and in oral tradition, folk lore and ritual. The paper concludes that, in the modern world, the Druids are still strong as a cultural fascination and several religious groups have been formed such as the British Druid Order and the Reformed Druids of North America.

Table of Contents
Celtic Paganism: A History
Celtic Traditions and Religions
Druidism and their Different Occupations
Influence of Christianity of the Druids
The Religious Beliefs of the Druids
Devices Used by the Druids
Druid Celebrations and Seasonal Celebrations
The Modern Druidic Movement

From the Paper
"The Druids are known for having many celebrations and ceremonies throughout the year. Some of these celebrations are religious others commemorate special events within their history. The Druids celebrate a series of fire-festivals on the first of each of four months. These festivals would start at sunset and last for three days. When these ceremonies start, great bonfires are built on the hilltops and cattle would be driven between the two great bonfires to assure them fertility. Couples hoping to be married would jump over the bonfire and run between them to encourage fertility as well. These festivities all have special significance within the culture of the Druids. The first is the Samhain, which means the end of the warm season. It takes place on November 1st which marks the combined feast of the dead and the new years day celebration on the Celtic calendar. This is the time when the veil between our reality and the reality of the otherworld can be easily penetrated. Thus, communication with those who have past beyond the veil is possible and many ceremonies attempt to communicate with the dead during this festival. Later the Christians would adopt the fire festival as the All Soul's Eve, and later it would become the secular holiday Halloween."

Tags:bards, ovates, ceremonies, oral, nature

Abstract
This paper examines the evidence to prove the authenticity and the identity of the Greek poet, Homer. It analyzes how there is an enigma of his historical existence as well as his authorship of the works traditionally associated with his name. It evaluates literary, historical and archaeological evidence with an emphasis on his most famous piece of work "Odyssey" based on the "Iliad." It investigates whether the works attributed to Homer were in fact written by the hand of the poet (or dictated to a scribe if he was in fact blind, as the Greeks always believed), or were only committed to writing decades or centuries later after being kept alive in the living memory of illiterate bards.

From the Paper
"The question of whether the works attributed to Homer were written by the hand of the poet (or dictated to a scribe if he was in fact blind, as the Greeks always believed), or were only committed to writing decades or centuries later after being kept alive in the living memory of illiterate bards is a relevant one to the subject of our investigation. Unfortunately, we do not know enough about the diffusion of the art of writing in the part of the Mediterranean where the epics were allegedly composed, although there is clear evidence from clay tablets and surviving pottery shards that the Greeks of this era had adopted the Phoenician alphabet."

Tags:illiad, odessey, bards

Abstract
This paper explains that, on first reading, early medieval English poetry seems so deadly serious but, by look at some of the exaggeration in this poetry, even "Beowulf" and the "Wanderer" could be considered funny. The author points out that the bards of the Celts and Druids had a tradition of humor in which musicians and storytellers poked fun at people and situations. The paper relates in detail examples of humor in each poem such as "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", which the paper states is "a positively outrageous story".

From the Paper
"When the reader gets into the poem ["Beowulf"] itself, it seems the ideas are ponderous and so is the language. How men who spent all night drinking could continuously be, or at least be portrayed, in such pompous, overblown terms, doesn't make sense. Mead is a powerfully alcoholic drink and ale is what it is. How could these men drink themselves to sleep every night and still function at all? Is it just the modern mindset that is so foreign to this kind of writing or is the sense of someone poking fun at this "warrior class" that apparently thought very highly of itself and its values, an accurate perception? The rigid, almost comically so, codes of honor the peoples of this poem lived by almost defy logic. The aggrandizement of people whose best skills are killing other people leaves something to be desired."

Tags:exaggeration, codes, poking, celts, christian

Abstract
This six-page paper looks at the aspects of Antigone and Medea and how their lives have changed through interactions of certain characters. The paper also looks at the human traits that are discussed by the bards that affect all mankind such as hatred, murder, love and depression.

Abstract
This paper examines the theory that the two famous Greek tragedies, "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey", were not actually written by a real person named Homer, but rather that Homer was the collective pen name of all the bards who told these renditions of "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey." The paper also summarizes both tragedies and concludes that, no matter who the author, these stories are wonderfully entertaining and greatly influenced the course of the literature, drama, and philosophy that followed.

From the Paper
"The Odyssey is a sequel to the Trojan War. Odysseus, a Greek war hero, has been lost at sea. For ten long years the gods play with his fate as he encounters powerful creatures and manages to survive many disasters at sea. He faces man-eating giants, seductive murderous sirens, Circe who turns his men into pork, and even the goddess Calypso who keeps him as a love slave for many years. When Odysseus returns home from his journey, he finds that his wife is still waiting for him. His house, however, is overrun with suitors trying to woo his wife and eat his food. Even his dog (who is now a homeless stray living on garbage and must be of a remarkably old age for a canine) dies as soon as Odysseus returns home. Together with his now adult son, Odysseus kills hundreds of his wife's suitors and all of his corrupted servants. He is finally reunited with his loving wife and evil blind father. (Homer, The Odyssey)"

Tags:mini-epic, batrachomyomachia, homeric, hymns, margites, blind, pisistratus, athens

Abstract
The paper identifies the main issues addressed throughout "Insurgency & Terrorism From Revolution to Apocalypse" and explains that it essentially provides the keys for winning the global war on terrorism. The paper relates that this book is presented in a clear, concise manner that prevents being bogged down by military jargon. The paper notes the work's professional presentation, thorough research and lack of bias.

From the Paper
"Many of the books on insurgency and terrorism are written for combatants, often by combatants from the perspective of tactical engagement of the insurgents and guerillas. Bard E. O'Neill is a former Air Force officer, but seems to be more intellectually than tactically inclined. He has earned a doctorate in international relations and teaches international affairs in Washington D.C. at the National War College. Here he directs Middle East Studies and Studies of Insurgency and Revolution. Furthermore, he teaches in the Department of Politics at Catholic University in the nation's capitol. To add to his already impressive resume, he has also served as a consultant for various high-ranking officials within the Department of State and Department of Defense (O'Neill, 231). His experience in politics is evident, as he has written several other books on US policies regarding various topics. His expertise unveils the politics of insurgency to include its nature, strategies, organizational and support structures as well as popular support and the government's response."

Tags:Taliban, Al, Qaeda, Middle, East

Abstract
The characters of Sophocles' "Oedipus" and William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" present two of the most enduring examples of the tragic hero. The paper shows that both characters are victims of fate and both characters are in control of their destinies, yet each character, turning different ways, end up with very different lives. The paper shows that Oedipus was lead by what he believed to be the truth and Hamlet, knowing the truth, is paralyzed by it. In exploring the similarities and differences between these two characters, the paper shows how we are able to understand fate and destiny and how they relate to the truth.

From the Paper
"Hamlet and Oedipus conform to the same classic formula. Hamlet is a member of a royal family and next in line to sit at the throne. Claudias has determined that Hamlet will inherit the throne. This makes Hamlet the second most popular man in Denmark and to anger him is to invoke a king's anger in the years to come. Oedipus is already a king and he clearly asserts his position by announcing that he is king, the world-famous Oedipus. It is safe to assume that Oedipus is already in high standing in both the political and social hierarchy of the times because he is a king and he is world famous. To follow the model of the classic tragic formula, the story not only needs a hero who is in a position of status, but it also needs a hero to also fall from that position."

Tags:Claudias, Tereisias, Denmark

Abstract
William Shakespeare was born in 1564 and spent most of his childhood in Stratford, Great Britain. It wasn't until the age of 28 that Shakespeare began to gain prominence as a playwright. This paper shows that little is known about the private life of the man who would later be recognized as "the greatest and most famous of English writers". The paper shows that by skillfully creating realistic characters and situations is his plays, Shakespeare is still considered a major influence on writers across the world. Even in poetry, Shakespeare was able to transcend the boundaries of poetry and engage the reader in such a way in which all poets seek to imitate.

From the Paper
"Up until 1594 his plays appear to be influenced from Roman and medieval dramas. From 1594-1600, Shakespeare began to develop a distinctive style. The histories of this period are Shakespeare's best, portraying the lives of kings and royalty in most human terms. He also begins the interweaving, in these histories, of comedy and tragedy that would become one of his stylistic signatures. His comedies mature in this period as well, portraying more characterization in their subjects than previously. Between 1600-1608, Shakespeare wrote his tragedies, which would be the play that brought him infamy for centuries to come. Clearly, Shakespeare was at his best when he was writing these tragedies. The writing of Shakespeare until 1608, brings into focus the romantic tragicomedy. Many claim that Shakespeare seemed to be concerned with redemption at this time because the writing is more serious. These plays were also more lyrical and demonstrate how Shakespeare successfully mastered the technique of symbolism."

Tags:Elizabethan, Henry, IV, War, of, the, Roses, Sonnets