Morality in War: A Comparison Between Bhīma from the Mahābhārata and Achilles from the Iliad

This thesis is an analysis of morality in war in the Mahābhārata and the Iliad by a comparison of the main warriors, Bhīma and Achilles, in their respective Indo-European epics. Specifically, this thesis shows how outside influences (mortal or immortal) placed upon each warrior ultimately determine the warriors' actions, especially those towards their enemies. As the treatment of these warriors in their respective epics remains unbalanced, this analysis will account for how Achilles is able to get away so much more than Bhīma, yet not be criticized similarly. Overall, the assessment of these two warriors provides an overarching understanding of the view of morality within war from the perspective of these epics.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Religious Studies

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Author dc:creator

• Minions, Genevieve

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Rohlman, Elizabeth

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Toohey, Peter
• Framarin, Christopher
• Bertolin Cerbrian, Reyes

• Literature--Classical
• Literature--Comparative
• Literature--Asian
• Religion

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/27005

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/4216