1.

Attempt a critical analysis of Sappho's poem on Helen of Troy

A critical analysis of Sappho’s poem on Helen of Troy is a complex task, as the

poem is fragmentary and has multiple layers of meaning. One possible approach is to
examine how Sappho uses the myth of Helen as a way of expressing her own personal
and passionate vision of beauty, which transcends the conventional and the
rational, and is based on her own experience and memory of love. You could explore
how Sappho contrasts Helen’s thoughtless and impulsive decision to elope with
Paris, which caused the Trojan War, with her own longing and admiration for her
absent beloved, Anactoria3. You could also analyze how Sappho employs a chiastic
structure, a priamel, and a rhetorical question to support her argument that the
most beautiful thing in the world is whatever one loves the most.

Another possible approach is to consider how Sappho’s poem challenges the typical
Greek male values of military glory and heroic fame, represented by the images of
horsemen, foot soldiers, and ships in the first stanza. You could discuss how
Sappho subverts the traditional gender roles and expectations of women in ancient
Greece, by portraying Helen as an active agent of her own desire, rather than a
passive victim of fate or divine intervention. You could also examine how Sappho’s
poem reflects her own poetic authority and creativity, by using the verb “to make”
to link epistemology and poetry, and by invoking Helen as an extension of her own
poetic voice.

Mritchkatika depicts the socio-political environment of ancient India. Elaborate.

Mritchkatika, also known as The Little Clay Cart, is a Sanskrit drama attributed to
Sudraka, a playwright and king who lived in the 5th century CE. The play is set in
the ancient city of Ujjayini during the reign of King Palaka, near the end of the
Pradyota dynasty that made up the first quarter of the 5th century BCE

The play depicts the socio-political environment of ancient India through its
diverse characters and themes. The main plot revolves around the love story of
Charudatta, a noble but poor Brahmin, and Vasantasena, a rich and famous courtesan.
Their relationship is threatened by the lustful and violent Samsthanaka, a brother-
in-law of the king, who tries to force himself on Vasantasena and falsely accuses
Charudatta of her murder. The play also has a sub-plot involving the overthrow of
the tyrannical King Palaka by Aryaka, a former shepherd who leads a popular
uprising with the help of Charudatta’s friend, Sarvilaka, a thief.

The play portrays the contrast between the rich and the poor, the powerful and the
oppressed, the virtuous and the wicked, and the urban and the rural. It also shows
the influence of Buddhism and Jainism on the society, as well as the role of women,
caste, and class. The play is notable for its realistic and humorous depiction of
the common people, such as gamblers, thieves, servants, and peasants, who speak
various Prakrit dialects. The play also uses various literary devices, such as
irony, satire, symbolism, and allegory, to convey its messages and entertain the
audience.

Mritchkatika is considered one of the finest examples of Sanskrit drama, and has
been translated and adapted into many languages and cultures. It has also inspired
many modern works of literature, art, and cinema. The play reflects the socio-
political environment of ancient India, as well as the universal themes of love,
justice, and humanity.

3. "Write a note on Heian Society"

The Heian period, spanning from 794 to 1185, is a significant era in Japanese
history. It began when the imperial capital was moved from Nara to Heian-kyō, now
known as Kyoto. This period is marked by a decline in Chinese influence and the
maturation of a distinctive Japanese culture.

During the Heian period, the Fujiwara clan, an aristocratic family, held
considerable power through strategic marriages with the imperial family. The
economy was primarily based on barter and trade, and the shōen system allowed the
aristocracy to accumulate wealth. Culturally, the Heian period is celebrated for
its artistic achievements, particularly in poetry and literature. It saw the
emergence of katakana and hiragana, two Japanese syllabaries, which facilitated the
creation of vernacular literature. Notably, many influential texts were authored by
court women, who, despite having less education in Chinese than their male
counterparts, made significant literary contributions.

The Heian society also experienced a shift from elitist Buddhism to a more
accessible form of religion for the common people. The period’s end was
characterized by the rise of the samurai class and the eventual challenge to the
Fujiwara clan’s dominance by the Minamoto and Taira clans.

The Heian period’s legacy is profound, influencing Japanese arts and culture for
centuries to come, with its refined aesthetic and poetic subtlety remaining a
hallmark of Japanese identity.

4. "Write a note on Daikaku-ji Temple."

Daikaku-ji Temple is a Shingon Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. It was once the
residence of Emperor Saga, who founded the temple in the 9th century. The temple
has many buildings and treasures, such as the statue of Kannon, the goddess of
mercy, the Heart Sutra written by the emperor, and the paintings by the Kano
school. The temple also has a pond, which is the oldest Japanese garden pond. The
pond was used for parties and recreation by the emperor and his court. The temple
is part of two pilgrimage routes, and has many Jizo statues, which are guardians of
children and travelers.
This is Daikaku-ji Temple, a place where history and religion meet.

Daikaku-ji Temple is a Shingon Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. It was originally

the residence of Emperor Saga, who lived in the 9th century. He was a devout
Buddhist and copied the Heart Sutra, a sacred text, to end a plagueyears. The
temple also has a long history of hosting retired emperors, who ruled behind the
scenes from there. Some of the buildings and artworks in the temple were moved from
the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The temple has a beautiful garden with a pond, which is
one of the oldest surviving examples of a Heian period garden.

Daikaku-ji Temple is a place where you can experience the ancient culture and
religion of Japan. It is especially popular during the cherry blossom and autumn
color seasons, when the scenery is stunning.

5. "Write a note on Hasedera Temple”

Hasedera Temple is a place of beauty and history in Kamakura, Japan. It is a

Buddhist temple that honors Kannon, the goddess of mercy, who is represented by a
large wooden statue with 11 heads. The statue was carved from the same tree as
another statue in Nara, and arrived in Kamakura by the sea. The temple is built on
a hillside, and offers a view of the city and the bay. The temple has many
buildings, such as the Kannon-do Hall, where the statue is enshrined, the Amida-do
Hall, where a golden Buddha is worshipped, and the Kyozo, where the sutras are
stored. The temple also has a garden, where ponds, bridges, lanterns, and flowers
create a peaceful atmosphere. The garden is especially famous for its hydrangeas,
which bloom in June and July. The temple has a cave, where Benten, the goddess of
wealth and beauty, is revered. The cave has sculptures and paintings of Benten and
other gods. The temple is a part of two pilgrimage routes, which visit 33 temples
dedicated to Kannon or Benzaiten. The temple also has many Jizo statues, which are
guardians of children and travelers. The statues are placed by parents who have
lost their children, and are replaced every year.

This is Hasedera Temple, a place where art, nature, and faith come together.