Soumaoro Kante is the king of Sosso, but he is also a sorcerer King. Nobody knows how he got all his power, but he was a powerful king with a powerful army. For he thought high of himself that he even,”He had an immense seven-storey tower built for himself and he lived on the seventh floor in the midst of his fetishes. This is why he was called “The Untouchable King” (pp.38). Soumaoro kept Balla Fasseke, Sundiata’s griot. “In this way war between Sundiata and Soumaro became inevitable”, because Soumaro took Sundiata’s griot and caused harm in Mali. As Soumaoro was considered, “…was the king of kings, the most powerful king in all the lands of the setting sun.”, for he has conquered many lands through calamities and horror.

Sundiata found out that Soumaoro invaded Mali. Sogolon got old and stayed at home. “Son of Sogolon, your hour has come, the words of the old Gnankouman Doua are about to come to pass, for you are the giant who will crush the giant Soumaoro” (pp.45), Sundiata heard this prophecy about how he will end Soumaoro and bring peace to Mali.  After hearing this Sundiata decided to go back to Mali. Sogolon got very sick, “She had a fever and was trembling under the blankets” (pp.46), the next morning Sogolon died. Sundiata told the king of Mema he will return to Mali to claim the kingdom that Soumaoro took.

“If it is foretold that your destiny should be fulfilled in such and such a land, men can do nothing against it” (pp.47), Sundiata’s destiny sooner or later was going to place him in the right track no matter what men do to prevent it. Now that he was a man, “…he had the stateliness of the lion and the strength of the buffalo” (pp.47), he was strong enough to defeat his enemies. As Soumaoro was busy fighting his newphew, he trusted what the soothsayers told him to forestall this calamity by attacking Sundiata…” (pp.48), but this made him to get distracted. Sundiata knew exactly what he wanted to do, “…had already decided on his plan of campaign-to beat Soumaoro, destroy Sosso and return triumphantly to Niani.” (pp50), he wanted to beat Soumaoro and take back Mali. The fight began but, “In the life of every man there comes a moment when doubt settles in and the man questions himself on his own destiny” (pp.53), Sundiata was trying to figure how to kill Soumaoro since he possessed powers beyond understanding.

Soumaoro was injured now. All the villages around favor Sundiata, he recruit soldiers to fight with him against Soumaoro. Sundiata exclaimed, “We will live free because our ancestors lived free. I am going to avenge the indignity that Mali has undergone” (pp.56), Sundiata proclaimed that he was going to fight to bring freedom to Mali.

Sundiata’s sister, Nana Triban, and that his griot, Balla Fasseke were able to escape from Soumaoro. Nana Triban told Sundiata the mystery of Soumaoro’s powers. Everybody there pledged loyalty to Sundiata.

The fight continued in Krina, there Sousama said to Sundiata, “Stop, young man. Henceforth I am the king of Mali…”, but Sundiata replied, “I am coming back, Soumaoro, to recapture my kingdom. If you want peace you will make amends to my allies and return to Sosso where you are the king.” (pp.60). The nephew of Soumaoro came to offer alliance to fight his uncle, for he had stolen his nephew’s wife. “But listen to what your ancestors did, so that you will know what you have to do.” (pp.63), that was the reason that a griot served. Sundiata destroyed Soumaoro’s power and defeated him as Sundiata threw an arrow, “The arrow flew and grazed Soumaoro on the shoulder. The cock’s spur no more than scratched him, but the effect was immediate and Soumaoro felt his powers leave him.” (pp.65). Soumaoro was an ordinary man, powerless.

In a mountain at Kita, there was a, “In the middle of the mountain was a little pool of magic water” (pp.70), where Sundiata submitted himself, thanked the jinn and drank from it. Sundiata became the chosen one of the jinn. Sundiata reigned “all the countries of the savanna. From Ghana in the north to Mali in the south and from Mema in the east to the Fouta in the west…” (pp.72), all the countries respected and recognized Sundiata’s authority.

In Kouroukan Fougan Sundiata was honored and addressed as the peace bringer, “But we owe this peace to one man who, by his courage and valiance, was able to lead our troops to victory.” (pp.74). Sundiata was recognized for his bravery and his courage. Kingdoms acknowledged Sundiata. And since then his word its respected and followed.

In Niani Sundiata, “It was thus that Sundiata thanked God on returning to Mali.” (pp.79). Where he was welcomed. And every year, Sundiata gathered all the kings, “so justice prevailed everywhere” (pp.81), he carried justice and fairness throughout the land. “Sundiata belonged to this group. He was feared, but loved as well. He was the father of Mali and gave the world peace.” (pp.82). Niani became the center of everything.

Meghan Sundiata was a unique king. “He left his mark on Mali for all time and his taboos still guide men in their conduct.” (pp.83). Up to this day men admire Sundiata and guides them to be good people. As for the griots advised, “But never try, wretch, to pierce the mystery which Mali hides from you.” (pp.84). For they exclusively served as, “I took an oath to teach only what is to be taught and to conceal what is to be kept concealed.” (pp.84), people who educate others of the legacy of their ancestors.

Sogolon was a careful mother and she knew Sassouma will do anything to hurt her children, especially Sundiata. Therefore, she decided to leave Mali with her children and told Sundiata that he will returned when he is a man,”…for it is in Mali that your destiny must be fulfilled.” (pp.27). Seven years have passed and Sundiata grew to be a strong man and intelligent. They lived in a town called Djedeba with the king Mansa Konkon, a great sorcerer. “Fear enters the heart of him who does not know his destiny, whereas Sundiata knew that he was striding towards a great destiny. He did not know what fear was.” (pp.29). In a foreign town Sundiata did not felt fear, he did not fear the unknown, for he, knows his destiny and his greatness. Once again Sogolon and her family had to look for another home, since Sundiata found out that the queen mother of Niani sent gold to Mansa Konkon to get rid of Sundiata. They were welcomed at Tabon by an old king, instead suggested them to go to Ghana , where he has a friend. “Ghana was a land of Soninke”, which is a tribe related to the Mandingoes, they are Islamized and were very religious. Sogolon asked for asylum with the Cisses of Wagadou. The King Soumaba Cisse decided then to send Sogolon and her children to Mema, to his cousin’s, Tounkara. The children did not want to leave, “The children were sorry to leave Wagadou for they had made many friends, but their destiny lay elsewhere and they had to go away” (pp. 35). They were destined to be someplace else, where Sundiata will grow wiser and stronger to return to Mali. When they arrived at Mema they were amazed that the people there spoke Mandingo. They were greeted by the king’s sister, Massiran. The king was Moussa Tounkara. The king took Sundiata to tours around Mema, for he admired his presence and bravery, “There’s one that’ll make a good king.” (pp.37). After three years the king named Sundiata Kan-Koro-Sigui and Viceroy, “Those who did not love him feared him and his voice carried authority” (pp.37). Some soothsayers of Mema announce “the extraordinary destiny of Djata. It was said that he was the successor of Alexander the Great and that he would be even greater…” (pp.37), the prophets of Mema said that Sundiata’s destiny was exceptional, that he will be more than Alexander the Great. Hence, Sundiata was a man now and was ready to take back his destiny, “…for time had marched on since the exodus from Niani and his destimy was now to be fulfilled” (pp.37). As for Sogolon, she felt a state of comfort for she accomplished to raise the chosen one. Sogolon accomplished her mission and Sundiata was beginning his new path in this world, “She had nurtured the son for whom the world was waiting and she knew that now her mission was accomplished, while that of Djata was about to begin.” (pp.37).

Sundiata is an African literature, it centers on how Sundiata became king of Mali. Maghan Sundiata, Mari-Djata, Sologon Djata, and Maghan Djata also known as “the son of the Buffalo, the son of the Lion” (pp.2). Sundiata’s mother was Sogolon Kedjou, the buffalo woman’s “wraith”. But Sogolon was not beautiful, in fact she was ugly and has a hunchback. Two hunters came to the village along with Sagolon. They offered her to the king and received a prediction, that his “successor is not yet born” (pp.5) and that “this is the woman you must marry, sire, for she will be the mother of him who will make the name of Mali immortal for ever”  (pp.6). The king of Mali, Maghan Kon Fatta lived in a town known as Nianiba. Sogolon bare a boy who they named Mari Djata. Sundiata was already three and he could not walk, this worried and made unhappy  the king since all the infants at that age walked. The king died, and Dankaran Touman was proclaimed king of Mali. Sundiata was seven and still could not walk, that made Sassouma humiliate Sogolon. Sogolon was cried and hit Sundiata, By this event made Sundiata to have strength and asked for a giant iron bar to be made for him, Sundiata could walk again. Everyone follow him, “But what can one do against destiny? Nothing. Man, under the influence of certain illusions, thinks he can alter the course which God has mapped out, but everything he does falls into a higher order which he barely understands” (pp.22), even if it took time Sundiata was able to walk again and he was going to fulfilled his destiny, as nobody can change that.  Sassouma saw the help of nine witches because she wanted to get rid of Sundiata, since she saw that he was a risk for her son, Dankaran Touman. Sogolon and her children were exile from Mali.

In Canto 32, this is the ninth circle of Hell in which contains people who commit sins of betrayal: such as disloyalty and dishonesty against family members, country, beneficiaries, or traitors in battle. Dante refers to be, “the bottom of the universe” that contains a multitude of many sinners, “horde of sinners beyond all others ill-begot”. Here its also divided into two regions: the first one called Caina referring to Cain in the bible, who betrayed his brother by murdered him. The second region called Antenora, intended for political people, sinners against their own country or nation. Like the Trojan Prince Antenor, that conspired with the Greeks to destroy Troy.

In Canto 33, Dante is on the final circle of Hell, here Dante encounters count Ugolino who is eating the head of Archbishop Ruggieri. Apparently they are in Hell because both committed since count Ugolino, he did a favor to Archbishop Ruggieri, but Ruggieri instead locked his four sons and Ugolino in a tower. Both Ugolino and Riggieri committed betrayal unto one another, by betraying people they know and have some sort of “alliance”. Dante also encounters Frier Alberigo, as he asks him to remove the ice from his eyes, because he wants to “let his heart weep a while before the weeping freeze his eyes again”, here Dante give us a vivid image of how these people in Hell feel. Dante is seeing the consequences of been in Hell, that even the smallest sins can get you in Hell, and all he will suffer greatly if he doesn’t change.

In Canto 19, there is some judgment and hypocrisy, thus fraud by the Catholic Church as we noticed some members of the church are in hell, Dante faces Pope  Nicholas III, as he is buried in hell for committing the crime of simony. This give us a clear understanding that no matter what level in society you are, if you do wrong things in life, you will end up in hell. Popes sin too and are fake to profess God’s word, instead they pretend and fail to comply to be “holy”. This shows how morality is important in life, like the Pope, if you fail you end in hell for your bad actions. We also noticed Dante’s verbal attacks to this Pope, which we can interpret as a reflection to who Dante’s resentment  is, this case the church.

In Canto 26, Dante recognizes Ulysses and Diomedes, from Florence, who committed fraud too during the Trojan War.  They are responsable for the Trojan horse and the destruction and looting of the Palladium (Athena’s temple). This shows how Ulysses and Diomedes went against their morals since they betrayed their country and their people. Therefore, in Canto 26 Dante witnesses the consequences of bad morality, either for profit or revenge, he is now seeing that taking revenge will only make him be in hell and that he will suffer greatly for this action. Dante needs to embrace his good morality and not let anger win, regardless what other people have done.

In Canto X, still in the Sixth Circle of Hell Virgil describes the belief of one of the groups, the Epicureans, they followed pleasure in life because they believe that the soul died with the body. Farinata appears, he’s a political leader of Dante’s era, pointing out that no one is exempt from been in Hell, regardless of you previous position, you end up in Hell, literally. That is how Dante felt when he was expelled and banished from Florence, just for expressing his opinion, he suffered and was tormented by the position he was put on, thus creating a fictional “hell” for him. In Canto XIII, when they entered the Second ring of the Seventh Circle of Hell, Dante describes it as strange eerie “atmosphere”, with horrifying cries of suffering, but they do not see the souls where the cries are coming from. When Dante snaps a twig of a tree, its amazing how the trees portrays human characteristics, cries out of pain, and blood starts to run down its bark. Virgin then tells the tree to tell Dante of his story, we noticed how trees and bushes can “talk”. Making a comparison to Jesus’ experience in the old testament. In Canto XV, dante and Virgil enter the Second Zone of the Seventh Circle’s Third Ring, where Latini’s soul predicts that Dante will be rewarded for his heroic political actions. But Dante disagrees to this and tells that Fortune will do what she wants, regardless of what is really meant to be.

In Dante’s the inferno, we noticed how there are some biblical comparisons throughout the cantos. In Canto l, we are introduced to Dante wondering alone in a dark forest, which might be a comparison to the path he went through when he was exiled, “Midway on our life’s journey, I found myself In dark woods, the right road lost”, (lines 1-2), comparing it to what he was passing through mentally and on his life. Dante encounters the great Roman poet, Virgil, portrayed as a spirit or shade.  Dante goes on traveling his journey to heaven with the help and guidance of ancient gods and goddesses and poetry. In Canto ll, Virgil leads Dante to the gate of hell. In Canto V, where the sinners confess their sins to the Minos. Its striking how Dante describes this dark place, where rain flows abundantly, and these gusty winds tear the air. And the souls of the damned swirl in the wind, helplessly through the stormy air.

On Act IV we notice that the three witches are chanting spells. Which to me, the witches used a lot of imagery to describe each bizarre ingredients, like on page 106, lines 4-38, ” 1 Witch. Round about the cauldron go; In the poison’d entrails throw.— Toad, that under cold stone Days and nights has thirty-one Swelter’d venom, sleeping got, Boil thou first i’th’charmed pot. All. Double, double toil and trouble: Fire, burn; and, cauldron, bubble. 2Witch. Fillet of a fenny snake, Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog, Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting, Lizard’s leg, and howlet’s wing, For a charm of powerful trouble,…”, they were preparing a charm and making conjures. It was interested that on Act IV & V, the son of Macbeth was killed by a Murderers, Lady Macbeth took her life, and ultimately Macbeth was kill by Macduff, those events to me were let by Macbeth wrongdoing so it was like a payback or punishment for his bad deed. On Act IV, Macbeth says something that captured my attention, ” And all our yesterdays have lighted fools”, to me Macbeth is saying that he fooled many by his bad deed. On the last Act V, I thought it was an interesting way Macbeth compared life, subsequently leading to death, “Life’s but a walking shadow; a poor player, That struts and trets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and furry, signifying nothing.”, here Macbeth is saying that Life is like a player on a board game, but portrayed on a stage of a theatrical play. When the play is over, so do you, you die meaningless.

On Act III of Macbeth, we noticed the though of Banquo regarding Macbeth coronation and about the weird sisters’ prophecy, “Thou hast it now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all As the Weird Women promis’d, and, I fear,  Thou play dst most foully for’t; yet it was said,    It should not stand in thy posterity; But that myself should be the root and father    Of many Kings. If there come truth from them (As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine), why, by the veritres on thee made good, May they not be my oracles as well, And set me up in hope? But, hush; no more.” (3, 72, 1-10), since the witches foretold Macbeth that he will become King, and Banquo feeling of ambition are altered by this. It is interesting that throughout the play the term , AMBITION, is seen again in Banquo. It is interesting how Shakespeare uses this characteristic to portray that ambition is a powerful feel among these characters.

The first thing that caught my eye in the play of Macbeth was on act 1 of how Shakespeare begins introducing three witches. “1 witch. When shall we three meet again? In thunder or in rain? (3;1-2),  it starts with an imagery entrance of the set taking place with thunder and lighting crash over the Scottish land.  Someone can actually  feel and hear how the atmosphere is like. By giving a powerful description of how these three witches appear out of the storm. With s spooky entrance I must add. The expressions of the witches’ plans to meet again and confront Macbeth, “3 witch. That will be ere the set of the sun. 1 witch. Where the place? 2 witch. There to meet with Macbeth.” Continued with creepy magic spells they disappeared with an arranged future gathering to meet Macbeth.  The depiction of how the three witches magically disappeared, ” Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.”, it gives you like a sense of visualization of how they disappeared smoky and obscure illustration.