Topic Research: Women of The Epics

The specific topic I am choosing to focus on for my storybook, is the Women of The Epics. I chose to utilize this topic, because I thought it would be empowering to learn about women from different cultures and their particular influence within culture. Additionally, majority of the stories I have read so far in this course, focus on the powerfully willed male. Whereas, a females character is rarely discussed and expanded on in depth in comparison to a man's. I think women play a rather significant part in the functionality of society, so having representation in my storybook regarding strong women of the epics is a necessity.

A milkmaid named Raja Ravi Varma. Web Source: Wikimedia

Sita:

The first women of the epics I wanted to shine light on, is Sita in the Ramayana. We know a little information about Sita considering she is Rama's wife, however we do not really know much about her beginnings and her life before she met Rama and became his wife. Sita is portrayed as loyal, beautiful, and delicate in comparison to her husband's role. The research retrieved from the wikipedia page I provided, has given me ample information about her rise as a powerful figure. It was said that she is perceived as a staple of spousal and female propriety.  Sita is a perfect example of women in the epics. Additionally, Sagar World presented Sita from origin as she evolved into the strong women she is.


Kaikeyi:

The second women of the epics I am considering using is Kaikeyi of the Ramayana. She is said to be the youngest wife of King Dasharatha. Her son is Bharata, who is a brother of Rama. I liked finding more information about Kaikeyi, because she had such a good relationship with her husband, but she ended up deceiving him for gain. Her upbringing could have been somewhat cause for course of action she chose to make. However, her son's goodness and integrity is what saved her from embarrassment and shame as Queen. Sagar World explains her position in the very costly decision she made.



Ahalya:

The last women I picked, is Ahalya. Rama met Ahayla on his journey, and returned her from stone to origin. She was said to have been a creation of Brahma. Ahayla was preconceived as innocent, but was accused of dishonoring her husband. However, the mess Ahayla was thrown into, was the doing of Indra. Sagar World gives more insight to the details of her relationship with her husband. In the end, Ahalya was able to be reunited with her spouse in heaven.


Web Sources:
https://sagarworld.com/blog/
http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2017/08/project-idea-women-of-ramayana.html