Willie Ho

After reading Ramayana and comparing it to the Iliad, I have noticed a few generally similar themes in the two epics. There are general themes of war, ethics, and abduction. In the Iliad, Chryseis was abducted by Agamemnon just as Sita is abducted by Ravan. This is when the theme of ethics are seen. Ravan was willing to let Lanka burn for his one desire for one woman: Sita. Ram and Ravan have a battle/war over Sita. It was more of a "save the damsel" situation. After Lord Ram wins the war, with Sita by his side, he questions Sita of her chastity and loses her willingly for the betterment of his rule. He wasn't willing to take a risk that would affect his rule and for that, Sita rejects him. This makes him the better ruler though because he did not let his love for a woman get in the affairs of his job as a ruler.