Ramayana

1. The  Ramayana  is an enduring literary classic and a religious text that has a great deal of influence even today.The epic was an important influence on later Sanskrit poetry and Indian life and culture. The characters of Rama, Sita , Lakshmana , Bharata , Hanuman and Ravana (the villain of the piece) are all fundamental to the cultural consciousness of India.

2. Characters: Dasaratha  -- King of Ayodhya (capital of Kosala ), whose eldest son was Rama. Dasaratha had three wives and four sons -- Rama, Bharata , and the twins Lakshmana and Satrughna .

3. Rama   Dasaratha's first-born son, and the upholder of Dharma (correct conduct and duty). Rama, along with his wife Sita , have served as role models for thousands of generations in India and elsewhere.

4. Sita   Rama's wife, the adopted daughter of King Janak . Sita was found in the furrows of a sacred field, and was regarded by the people of Janak's kingdom as a blessed child.

5. Bharata Rama's brother by Queen Kaikeyi . When Bharata learned of his mother's scheme to banish Rama and place him on the throne, he put Rama's sandals on the throne and ruled Ayodhya in his name.

6. Ravana   The 10-headed king of Lanka who abducted Sita , and known to be opponent of Rama.

7. Lakshmana Rama's younger brother Dasaratha's third wife, Sumitra . When Rama and Sita were exiled to the forest, Lakshmana followed in order to serve.

8. Surpnakha the sister of Ravana,saw Ram and became impressed by his beauty. She transformed herself into a beautiful lady and went to Ram and asked him to marry her.

9. Hanuman Who led an army of monkeys and bears, and promised Sita that help would come soon.Who escaped through the used of his burning tail to set fire to all of Lanka.

10. Exposition  An archery contest was held for the hunt of Sita . Rama won the contest and was declared as the future king.

11. Rising Action  Because of Kaikeyi's jealousy, she requested Rama to be exiled in the forest of Dandak and let her son be the regent king.

12. Climax Bharata followed Rama to convince him to return and be the king but he refused. So he took his brother's sandals as a proof that he is ruling in Rama's name.

13. A Raksha princess was rejected when she fell in love with Rama & Lakshmana . In revenge, Ravana sent a deer to tempt the the two brothers and stole Sita away. Falling Action

14. Resolution In the end of search, they successfully recovered Sita and returned to North India.

15. THEMES the conflict between good and evil, the deceptiveness of appearance, and the wiliness of evil are principal themes. Hyperbole Rama stood on the shoreline of the great ocean and spoke to the ocean god. "Hear me," he called. "I am Rama. I have weapons that are beyond imagination. In an instant I can dry your ocean.

16. Symbolism   Sandals- represent humility,respect and selflessness. Sun- The sun is a life-giving force, an immense source if energy that sustains life.

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