I am an avid Elder Scrolls fan and a history student. Recently I noticed some similarities between the fictional gods in the story line and the depictions of ancient gods in historical texts. For example, Molag Bal in TES is based on the horned god of the ancient Canaanite people. The same god the Hebrews worshiped underneath Mt Sinai with the golden calf, and the same god Moses destroys when he descends the mountain. So when players kill Molag Bal in the video game, they are fighting the same battle Moses fought in the Old Testament! How cool is that?
I'm willing to bet little nuggets of historical information have been hidden in countless RPGs and I think it would be a really cool topic for an article.
This would take a lot of research but it sounds so cool! You could take a look at the mythological structure of some of the theologies in these games and see which mythologies they are based off of. – LaRose8 years ago
It wouldn't have to just be limited to theologies; most game lore can be read like a history book. I'm sure there are a lot of ties to actual historical events as well. – GameGoose8 years ago
I am positive that TES interpret true historical events just as other RPG games. For example, Assassin's Creed and Fallout 3 (about slavery). In addition to your example. you could go a bit further and discuss how Elder Scrolls reflects Norse mythology. For instance, the northern lights, the scenery is equivalent to that of Northern Europe (specifically Sweden and Norway), and they use Northern names in the game. So just some suggestions there, but I like where this is going! I hope this transpires into an article. I'd love to read it. – breeyabrown8 years ago
There has been a lot of debate over the newest installment in the Harry Potter series, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, particularly from the Native American community. This is shocking to a lot of people, mainly the hardcore Harry Potter fandom who eagerly await the movie. Most fans are unsure whether this dissent from the Native American community is valid. A well-written article should address both sides of the argument and clearly lay out the issue.
Rowling recently released the house mascots of her new American Wizarding school. These mascots are based off of mythological animals in Native American culture. They are: The Horned Serpent, The Thunderbird, The Wampus and the Pukwudgie. These 'fantastic beasts' are steeped in traditional Native oral histories and I think it could be fun to delve into their stories and examine what they mean to Native culture.
This seems like a very interesting topic. As an aid Harry Potter fan myself, I would absolutely love to take this article up. But, I think I'd hold off until I've actually watched the movie. In my opinion, this is much better written once the movie has entered the cinematic world and the official Harry Potter canon. If, by that time, this topic is still open, I'll be back. – Adnan Bey8 years ago
I agree with the above. When we've seen what place and role the 'beasts' have in the film, then there'll be much more to discuss and chew over. – J.P. Shiel8 years ago
Romanticism was an 18th century movement that espoused imagination over rationality and the individual over the masses, but it also an existential state (i.e. a way of being) that some people continue to live in. In this way, it exists both in time and outside of time. As we plunge further and further into the grips of technology, and become ever more distant from nature and the reality of aloneness, are we losing the romantic sensibility? Are we too distracted to feel the sublime and the beautiful?
I do a lot of work in the romantic period and this is a question I have definitely thought about. I think that if we look at something like the movie "Her" it definitely gives one something to think about. Not only is it romantic in the common sense (genre), there are elements of romanticism and the gothic. I think this would make an awesome article – DClarke9 years ago
Great topic. In some ways you can access virtual nature, yes? Who hasn't relaxed to the sounds of the bamboo flute and a babbling stream? In some ways do you think technology can help us get in touch with beautiful spaces around the world? – Munjeera8 years ago
Great topic. Just as DClarke mentioned the movie "Her" I too immediately thought of said motion picture . I often feel we are currently at the brink of a great change in just about everything we know and think about the world. I am excited to see what will happen in the next few decades. – TK1028 years ago
For starters, I think you need to add a little clarity to your concept of beauty (the different kinds of beauty) and explain how it correlates to romanticism. In addition, there needs to be an explanation for how seeing or ignoring nature coincides with loneliness. Another question you might want to look into answering is whether or not more technology and virtual connection makes people feel more alone due to the different reality and awareness of how vast this world actually is? Lastly, I agree with you that exploring what your ultimate conclusions say about human nature would an interesting venture. – lgonsiorek8 years ago
Romanticism also addresses the role of the artist. Let me take Wordsworth as an example. He writes, “My heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in the sky”, - the rainbow is a symbol of hope, new beginning, simple and true nature; the promise given by God to the people that He will never flood the Earth again; rainbow is also symbol of imagination, something that is transcended, something majestic that holds mystery. Further poet says that his heart leaps through all stages of life – he feels same way as he young or old. Such a sensitiveness, sincere, true, and real emotions are contradict with materialism, and with reason itself – Wordsworth says “The Child is father of the Man; And I could wish my days to be Bound each to each by natural piety”. The Great chain of beings is not just being challenged – it is being completely rejected: “Child is a father of the Man”. In addition, the Poet wants to feel the same way always, he is not being paralyzed by reason, his imagination goes in every direction – in past, in future, even in present, which is in the state of great joy, sincerity, and purity. All these themes are very romantic. Ultimately,the role of the poet focuses on the didactic nature. It is up to the individual to see the lesson and take it into the account or ignore it. Same approach may be used with any modern technologies, social media portals, and etc.: it is the individual choice either to notice "the sublime and the beautiful", or to ignore it. – kimletaon8 years ago
I am not sure whether Romanticism has necessarily to do with "the sublime and the beautiful." Nowadays artists have to deal with the modern and postmodern, which are more urgent matters. – T. Palomino2 years ago
Explore how Medieval English literature deals with the theme of death. For real life context, the article could examine the devastating impact of the bubonic plague on not just England, but the whole of Europe. The quick spread and constant recurrences of the Black Death (as well as the high casualties) spurred contemplations about death, mortality, and religion. Examples of works that capture the anxiety of impending death are “Gawain and the Green Knight” (and most tales involving King Arthur’s court), “The York Play of the Crucifixion,” and the morality play “Everyman.”
What do these stories say about how one should spend their time before death? Why is there an emphasis on urgency? In stories where death is personified, what is its true nature?
I'm not sure if you would like to investigate the apocalyptic fervor that arose in the wake of the plague in Europe, but if you are interested in investigating the history of how the plague contributed to anxieties evident in Medieval literature some good background information may be found in Norman Cohn's Pursuit of the Millenium. It may be a bit later than the period you're looking at but it is a good read. I also think that apocalyptic thought is behind the texts you cite, so some investigation in this area may prove helpful. Such a fascinating topic with so many possibilities. – margo8 years ago
There are whole books dedicated to this topic. – T. Palomino2 years ago
Play's such as Sarah Kane's "Cleansed" are not horror plays, or thriller plays, but nevertheless they contain, almost to the point of excluding everything else, a number of scenes of torture, pain and mutilation. Perhaps with reference to the Ancient greek theory of catharsis, examine what makes plays and media such as this so compelling, and why theatre companies keep staging them.
I would like to add a note that "Theatre of Cruelty" does not necessarily just refer to watching pain onstage. Theatre of Cruelty is a dramaturgical technique which is according to Artaud, an assault of the senses. I would hope that an article on this would first explain how Sarah Kane's "Cleansed" falls into this category before explaining why audiences respond to it. That being said, this play is not all that well known. Is it a good idea to explore the popularity of Theatre of Cruelty in a play that is not that popular? Finally avoid words like "we" as the writer cannot speak on behalf of the reader and "we" is a generalization. Not everyone likes to watch pain onstage so please be specific. Thanks. – Christen Mandracchia8 years ago
I've been seeing a lot of comments like Christen's, on how the topic are too broad or include all instead of the specific group. I have mixed feelings about this, so I suppose the decision lies in you. Looking forward to reading this article. – Alstroemeria8 years ago
If you must explore Sarah Kane, there is plenty to explore in both Blasted and 4.48 Psychosis, but both are probably more well known, as Christen says that Cleansed is not. (Maybe exploring the works of Sarah Kane is an option, given that her work is rather limited). And yes, the Theatre of Cruelty note is very important. It seems unclear to me if the topic is meant to explore Artaud, or just the portrayal of pain. – chandlerwp8 years ago
A deeper analysis of the comprehensive mythology that underscores Stephen King's works. What does King have to say (implicitly or otherwise) about good/evil, God, the nature of the universe, etc
This sounds really interesting. Are there specific example that can be given? – LaRose8 years ago
Pet Cemetery, Carrie, The Langoliers all deal with good/evil and humanity interacting with uncertainties of the universe. PC and Carrie have more divine implications, while The Langoliers deals with the science fiction side of the idea. I am missing a few which could be argued with both sides, but those are some ideas. – C N Williamson8 years ago
The Gunslinger, the first book in the dark tower series, definitely deals with these themes as well, and King considers these books his best work – Thomas Sutton8 years ago
In the 400th anniversary of his death, how has Shakespeare's works influenced literature and why is it still held in high regard today.
This is a very broad topic. I would recommend you slave off adaptations, even loose, in order to see purer influences. Are you looking more at themes (e.g. star-crossed, separated lovers) or traditions (e.g. cross-dressing confusion)? – IndiLeigh8 years ago
I agree with IndiLeigh. I'd narrow it down or you'll be writing for another 400 years! – J.P. Shiel8 years ago
Unoriginal and predictive. – T. Palomino2 years ago
There are a lot of books that focus on India that are written by english speaking writers, why is this and what are some of the best examples of novels that truly portray this country?
For possible examples, Tagore is a great place to start. His novel The Home and the World goes into not only the effects of British imperialism, but the thoughts on trying to keep the peace and the rise of Indian nationalism. (Tagore was extremely critical of both British colonialism and Indian nationalism.) While he wrote in Bengali, he also translated his own works into English. Rudyard Kipling is also intriguing (though at times unsettling) as someone born in Bombay but educated in England. – Emily Deibler8 years ago
Many of the famous stories are also rooted in religions: Buddhism and Hinduism. Sikhs also have amazing stories. Some stories have been appropriated by the West though. Slumdog Millionaire is one example. The book represents India better since the writer is Indian but the screen play is written by a someone from England. Poetry is very important in Indian culture. Urdu is like the Italian of Sanskrit languages. Also there are links to Persian culture in terms of some of the more famous stories. Tagore was Bengali and they are known to be gifted in the arts as well. India is a very complex country with over 10 official languages and many regional differences. One of my favorite sayings in Indian culture is "Always remember you are the heroine of your own story.". A suitable quote for any drama queen. A good way to write this article may be to focus on one region or a few of the most famous authors, especially ones who have won Nobel prizes for literature. – Munjeera8 years ago
Another couple of examples are Salman Rushdie's Midnights Children, and Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things. Both of which have massive critical acclaim and popularity, and are written with a history of indian colonialism in mind. – Thomas Sutton8 years ago
Rohinton Misty is another writer who depicts India with beautiful perfection. Such A Long Journey is an old novel made into a movie (1990s). Old but good. To expand Michael Ondaatje, Sri Lankan, with English Patient novel to movie. Also old but good. – Munjeera8 years ago
Another interesting example is Gregory David Robert's Shantaram based on his own life story. He's an Australian who escapes from prison, ends up in India and becomes immersed in the culture there. He doesn't dismiss its imperfections or see it as simply exotic. India becomes his home, his family. – SarahPhilip7 years ago
Huge topic. Not specific. Unware of E. Said's contributions to the discussion. – T. Palomino2 years ago
