I may do my essay on this topic analyzing whether morals are universal or not. In the "Mahabharata" things happen that go against the universal moral of ethics. The question was asked in class what exactly are you teaching if you do indeed use this in the classroom? Perhaps it is sometimes there are decision made that focus more on loyalty than anything else even if it goes against the teachings of ethics. Gangs would be a good example; it's hard to believe that drive-by shootings still occur knowing the pain it causes but because of loyalty it probably won't end anytime soon. We can look to Iraq to see the same thing. There are those that will remain loyal at any cost as that it is what is ethical to them. To do otherwise would be shameful. The "Bawuk" carries the same theme. The only problem is what are we really saying about loyalty? Is it loyalty at all cost or should one weigh the choices?

In regard to poor Sita's having to prove her fidelity over and over again. in a subsequent epic fragment after the Odyssey called the Telegony, Odysseus leaves Ithaca to go to Thesprotis, marries their queen Callidice, and has a son with her who inherits the kingdom of the Thesprotians. Meanwhile, his son by Circe (about whom Homer tells us nothing!), Telegonus, comes to Ithaca searching for Dad, ravages the island, and when Odysseus returns to defend his home, accidentally kills him! Then he transports Odysseus's body to mom Circe's island of Aeaea, along with Penelope and Telemachus, and Circe makes them immortal. Finally, Telegonus marries Penelope and Telemachus marries Circe. What would Dr. Freud say?

I liked Mary's use of segments of the Mhabharata to focus on individuals at the moment of making an ethical decision. I would definitely use some of the stories, and I can see comparing and contrasting them with the Homeric tales. I would also bring in "Barn Burning." a short story by Faulkner that I used to teach right after "Antigone." In it the son of a barn burner (Snopes always burns the barns of those who best him in life's struggles) has to finally choose between following his inate sense of what's right and wrong and the strong cultural value expressed in the phrase, "blood is thicker than water." Choosing the greater virtue casts him adrift from the only allegience group the "white-trash" boy has ever known. Both Antigone and the Faulkner story always elicit passionate debate and soul searching in older teens. Although, I would be tempted to use the Bhagavad Gita, (I loved it, particularly in the movie) I 'm really afraid of it for the reasons Janette gave. It is a powerful piece of literature, and its apparent meaning on what ever level you take it is, be true to your nature/place in life and damn the consequences. For all we might talk about the world view out of which it came, many of the students I've thought would see no debate here at all, merely a justification of of their code of honor andf loyalty to the gang. I'm interested to know who plans to use it, with what age, and in what context. Lou

Just as Homer's epics can and is used to examine Greek values, Asian epics can be used to examine Asian values. Comparing epics of different nations could also yield a better understanding of a particular nation's values as well.

But to a great extent, I think any nation's epic will hold similar values just as love, honor, loyalty, fidelity, etc. Perhaps what will differ is the degree to which each of the values is more important compared to another value.