|
|
Post by hualord on Mar 29, 2007 17:15:24 GMT -8
"Good. We'll be beginning Norse Mythology with Yggdrasil. It is essentially the World Tree. A gigantic ash tree whose limbs and roots spread into and connect the nine worlds. Three of these worlds rest on the branches of Yggdrasil."
Mr. King drew a nice cartoony tree on the board, with flowers, and a birds nest, along with a few apples. It was a pretty drawing, then he circled the branches about sixteen times and began writing the following words across the branches.
Ásgard Álfheim Vanaheim
"Three worlds, Asgard, Alfheim, and Vanaheim rest on the branches. The trunk goes through the middle world of Midgard. Around Midgard, Jötunheim is situated. And it's roots stretch down to the worlds of Hel, Niflheim, and Muspelheim."
Midgard Jötunheim Hel Niflheim Muspelheim
"Etymotically; Yggdrasil means Terrible Steed. Ygg; Terrible. Drasil; Steed. This is generally accepted as a reference that Yggdrasil is Odin's steed. Odin was the chief god, and was accepted as the god of wisdom, war, battle, death, magic, poetry, prophecy, victory and the hunt."
He drew a stick figured dude on the board, with a pretty big beard, and labled him; Odin. It was a nice picture, and a good representation, since Odin was usually depicted with a beard. He turned back to the class with a raised eyebrow.
"Questions, comments, complaints, issues?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Keith on Mar 30, 2007 0:39:52 GMT -8
"Good. We'll be beginning Norse Mythology with Yggdrasil. It is essentially the World Tree. A gigantic ash tree whose limbs and roots spread into and connect the nine worlds. Three of these worlds rest on the branches of Yggdrasil."
Keith was very familiar with Yggdrasil which was either the World Tree or the Tree of Life. There were a few RPGs that have reference to Norse Mythology. One example was Xenogears where the main crusing ship was known as the Yggdrasil.
A bunch of Final Fantasy games had references to Norse mythology as well such as Ragnarok. Keith wasn't sure if Ehgeiz was part of the Norse mythology. But he should probably ask a bit later.
The other reference to Norse mythology was from Wild Arms 3 where there was a replantation project called Yggdrasil. He paid very close attention to the drawing that Mr. King drew of the Yggdrasil. With Keith's eidetic memory coming into play, Keith decided to draw the exact same thing on a separate sheet of paper.
Perhaps he should give that drawing to Chi to score some brownie points with her.
"Three worlds, Asgard, Alfheim, and Vanaheim rest on the branches. The trunk goes through the middle world of Midgard. Around Midgard, Jötunheim is situated. And it's roots stretch down to the worlds of Hel, Niflheim, and Muspelheim."
Asgard was the equivalent to Heaven. But it seemed that Mr. King didn't put in Valhalla yet. He then paid attention to the drawing of Odin who's the king of the Norse Gods. He was the Norse equivalent to the Greek King of Gods, Zeus.
"Questions, comments, complaints, issues?"
Keith raised his hand.
"Ah yes a few questions. Odin was the Norse equivalent to the various King of Gods, is that correct? And how big a part does Valhalla take in Asgard since it's the Norse afterlife and Valhalla is the afterlife for warriors?"
|
|
|
|
Post by chihiro on Mar 30, 2007 11:17:34 GMT -8
When it came to learning, Chi often took the silent approach, not voicing any questions or comments unless she really didnt undertand something. Instead, she set to work drawing up the tree as well, placing the labels where Mr. King did, and making mental notes about all of them. Asgard, Alfheim, and Vanaheim. Midgard. Jötunheim, Hel, Niflheim, and Muspelheim. Got it.
Beneath the tree Chi wrote Yggdrasil, drawing a thin line between Ygg and drasil, and jotting down 'terrible steed' after it. Etymology was something that interesting Chi, it was cool to learn where words come from, what their meaning was. Next she wrote down Odin, placing the name in the belt of the man she drew, giving him a beard, hat, jacket and leggings, even sketching an axe in his hand, its blade resting against the ground. In the folds of his jacket, hat, beard, and sword she wrote each of the nine characteristics Mr. King affiliated with him. Simple, no?
As Mr. King went into the explanaition of what each of these names meant, Chi doodled her tree in even more, jotting down notes in a fine print whenever something caught her attention. When he asked if there were any questions, Keith spoke up once more, and Chi turned her head back to the teacher as they waited for the answer.
|
|
|
|
Post by hualord on Mar 31, 2007 7:13:47 GMT -8
"That's right, Odin would be the equal to the other mythos' king of the gods. Though your wrong. Asgard is the realm of the Gods. Not an afterlife. Valhalla is the home for warriors gloriously slain in battle. Valhalla, is within Asgard. The people that go to Valhalla, are taken there by valkyries. Daily they fight a mock battle on the plains of Asgard, to prepare for Ragnarok."
He sighed and shook his head. People really should do better research if they were going to butt heads with him.
"And next time, don't speak out of turn. Wait until I call on you."
Or else!
"Any more questions, comments, complaints, issues? If not we'll move on."
|
|
|
|
Post by Stu Pott on Apr 2, 2007 6:53:15 GMT -8
Justin said nothing, but doodled his very own Odin. This one had a huge war axe, and a helmet with two horns on it, viking style. Probably not very accurate, he also had a tankard of mead in his left hand, and bits and pieces of food in his beard. The moustache he wore was braided downwards, and his eyes were bulging from their sockets.
His mouth was in an uproariously large configuration of shouting or belligerence, and he seemed to be leaping from his horse.
A quite funny picture.
He then thought of Yggrdrasil...
A Starcraft character... and Overlord... a life giver, or direction giver. It fit aptly.
He said nothing of any questions.
|
|
Aureus
Veteran
Ghost[M:8240]
Here's to the memory, but if it's not killing me, it doesn't bother me
Posts: 937
|
Post by Aureus on Apr 2, 2007 13:16:14 GMT -8
Forgetting Chihiro for the time being, Aureus focused on what the teacher was saying and began scribbling numerous mental notes. Norse Mythology...Yaggdrasil...World tree....Ash...Nine worlds...three on branches...Asgard, Alfheim, Vanaheim...Trunk = Midgar Jotunheim...roots = Hel, Niflheim, and Muspelheim...Yggdrasil = terrible steed...Odin's horse...Odin = chief god...wisdom, war, battle, death, magic, poetry, prophecy, victory, and the hunt...doesn't leave much for the other gods He thought, not responding when Mr. King paused to clarify anything.
Personally, he thought Keith's question was stupid. Of course Odin was the Norse equivalent to the other king gods, that's what chief god means. Asgard realm of gods. Valhalla home for dead warriors. Taken there by Valkyries. Daily mock battle to prepare for Ragnarök. Again, he waited for the lecture to pick up. So far it had proven interesting.
|
|
|
|
Post by chihiro on Apr 2, 2007 15:45:01 GMT -8
Chihiro recognized many of the things Mr. King mentioned. Asgard, Valhalla, Valkyries...granted, she had seen some of this on a tv show once. Billy and Mandy, when Billy took the place of a viking warrior and was sent to Asgard and fought on the plains and ate and drank and stuff. Funny show, who knew it would be slightly informative? But wait, he had said that Valhalla was the place for the warriors and Asgard the palce of the gods. So maybe television wasn't all that accurate afterall.
Chi jotted down Valhalla on the left of her page and Asgard on the right, placing warriors, valkyries beneath Valhalla and gods beneath Asgard, and placed it in a circle. Something she shouldn't get mixed up.
|
|
|
|
Post by hualord on Apr 4, 2007 15:32:16 GMT -8
"No? Then we'll make things simple for everyone."
Mr. King went to the back of the classroom to retrieve a piece of paper and a bunch of numbered poker chips. Filtering out a few he brought it all up to the front and took off his hat. He dumped the chips into his hat and left it on his desk. What is he doing? Making it easy.
"Since you don't seem to want to know too much about this stuff, I'm going to make you each pick a topic. Asgard, Alfheim, Vanaheim, Midgard, Jotunheim, Hel, Niflheim, Muspelheim, and Odin. Depending on the number you pick, depends on which you do a three page paper on. The paper is due next class which is in two days. Savvy?"
These kids need to learn to show an active interest in the subject THEY chose. I'm not going to stand up here and lecture, and not know if they got it or not. That's uncompassionate teaching.
"If you show more interest in the class than taking mental notes and asking questions out of turn. We'll do something, more artsy and fun. Kay? Look, this can be either your easy A, or I can make this class the one that destroys your GPA. It's your choice, right here, today."
|
|
|
|
Post by Keith on Apr 4, 2007 16:25:25 GMT -8
"Since you don't seem to want to know too much about this stuff, I'm going to make you each pick a topic. Asgard, Alfheim, Vanaheim, Midgard, Jotunheim, Hel, Niflheim, Muspelheim, and Odin. Depending on the number you pick, depends on which you do a three page paper on. The paper is due next class which is in two days. Savvy?"
I guess I'll be picking Asgard then. If I get the right number.
Keith wrote down on a piece of paper that he would be writing his three page paper on Asgard. Asgard was the realm of the Gods. But the part of Asgard that appealed to Keith the most was Valhalla, the afterlife for warriors. Kind of like a realm for honored dead.
But if Keith doesn't get that number, he'll do the paper on whatever topic he'll be given. Either way, Keith had an interesting in mythology.
"If you show more interest in the class than taking mental notes and asking questions out of turn. We'll do something, more artsy and fun. Kay? Look, this can be either your easy A, or I can make this class the one that destroys your GPA. It's your choice, right here, today."
Keith was definitely taking a bunch of notes. Basically Keith didn't know what else to do except to take notes and to ask questions at this moment. But Keith was in fact still interested. The teacher was giving the lecture on Norse mythology. Before they could do anything else, they had to learn more on it.
Which was why Keith was quiet most of the time, he wanted to absorb more information in as possible. Only thing he could do at this moment. But the essay would be a good start of getting into Norse mythology. So, he would do the essay on Asgard.
|
|
Aureus
Veteran
Ghost[M:8240]
Here's to the memory, but if it's not killing me, it doesn't bother me
Posts: 937
|
Post by Aureus on Apr 5, 2007 13:31:04 GMT -8
OOC: Keith, I think he meant which number we get decides which topic we do.
IC: Aureus could already tell this guy had a bad attitude, and that became even more obvious when he stormed to the back of the room, muttering something about making it easier for everyone. Once he was finished his little self righteously angry rant, the Pillar decided to speak up. He wasn't gonna let this amateur teacher get all pissy because the whole room wasn't jumping up and down with excitement. The fact of the matter was, he was just being a dick.
"Listen up, teach. I'm guessing this is your first class, eh? Straight outta college or somethin'. Lemme explain something to you. The reason most of us are here is because we are interested in the subject. We have two main sources of information, you and the text book. Personally, I don't really need you yapping up here to understand things, maybe some people do, but for me I'm here because if I have to listen to someone yap, I'd prefer it be about this.
This isn't about being artsy or fun. You can take your easy A and shove it. I'm sorry we're not doing the wave as you speak, but you need to relax. Not to mention, if you're gonna sit up here and withhold information, how are we supposed to write said paper? Or maybe you planned on having the text book teach the class while you sat on your ass and doled out petty assignments that are an insult to our intelligence. So, you can either carry on with your class like a respectable educator, or I can continue making you look like an idiot. 'S your choice, right here, today," the Pillar said, his voice rock solid and his eyes locked on Mr. King. He preferred looking those he spoke to in the eye, as it was slightly intimidating and just made things more personal. There was no need to be subtle or nervous.
He had said his peace, and was anxiously awaiting the result. If the teacher decided to pick a fight, the teen had an uncapped pen inches away from his hand. Chances were he was just as fast as the man, and it would be no problem for him to reach said office supply and jam it straight into his stomach.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stu Pott on Apr 5, 2007 13:35:35 GMT -8
Are you kidding me?
Norse mythology was boring, and he had said nothing to sway our interests. No epic battles, no valkyries screeching through the air on steeds that could pound a man into dust, no war axe's slicing men's arms and legs clean from their bodies.
Justin raised his hand.
|
|
|
|
Post by hualord on Apr 5, 2007 14:24:31 GMT -8
"Finally, someone with an amount of emotion. Mr. Hayes, I congratulate you. And you've yet to prove me an idiot, I just wanted to see if you were all boring individuals that didn't care. Save for Mr. I'm-not-very-good-at-making-connections. Though I'll give you that it was clever, the bit where you figured out that you can't write the paper without me telling you what you need to know."
I like this kid, he's got guts, and he's smart.
"What we're actually going to do is discuss this thing called Ragnarok. Pretty much it's you're end of the world, everything explodes, some fuck with a big flaming sword and as fiery an attitude as some gangster kid whose father never hugged him, sets everything on fire, a huge battle ensues between Gods and monsters, and everyone dies. Alrighty kiddies? There was a seperate heaven for the people that died in battle. Why do you think that is... and what do you want Justin?"
No paper, no nothing. All he wanted was to test to see how lifeless they were. Now Mr. King knew that Mr. Hayes had some life, and he respected his gall. Yet Justin's hand went up, and he didn't talk out of line. Unlike Keith. Sure, King had an attitude, but he was at least passionate about his subject.
If he asks a stupid question, I'm going to hit him in the forehead with pikachu.
|
|
|
|
Post by Keith on Apr 5, 2007 14:39:46 GMT -8
"Finally, someone with an amount of emotion. Mr. Hayes, I congratulate you. And you've yet to prove me an idiot, I just wanted to see if you were all boring individuals that didn't care. Save for Mr. I'm-not-very-good-at-making-connections. Though I'll give you that it was clever, the bit where you figured out that you can't write the paper without me telling you what you need to know."
Keith couldn't show any emotion yet. But was impressed that the student spoke out towards the teacher. For now Keith would be in obscure student for the moment. The main purpose for being a student at 259 was that he wanted to maintain his "cover." Keith had put a lot of hardwork into this cover and didn't want this cover to be blown.
"What we're actually going to do is discuss this thing called Ragnarok. Pretty much it's you're end of the world, everything explodes, some fuck with a big flaming sword and as fiery an attitude as some gangster kid whose father never hugged him, sets everything on fire, a huge battle ensues between Gods and monsters, and everyone dies. Alrighty kiddies? There was a seperate heaven for the people that died in battle. Why do you think that is... and what do you want Justin?"
Keith was going to keep quiet. The separate heaven for the people who died in battle happened to be Valhalla. He was indeed passionate about stuff. But it didn't go with this persona Keith was assuming. Hell, Keith wasn't even his real name. It was just a name he took on.
Ragnarok was indeed the end of the world in Norse mythology. But he wasn't familiar with Ragnarok that much. The separate heaven was the heaven for those of getting the highest honor which is dying in battle. Versus dying in bed where you would get sent to Hel. Dying in bed is like the same as people committing dishonorable acts such as breaking oaths.
Keith was indeed a warrior at heart. He had the heart, mind, and soul of a warrior. Which was why he was made a gang officer back at 552. To die in battle to honorable to die by other means is less than honorable according to Viking society. So Hel was pretty similar to Hades.
And Hel isn't that much of a pleasant state to be.
|
|
Aureus
Veteran
Ghost[M:8240]
Here's to the memory, but if it's not killing me, it doesn't bother me
Posts: 937
|
Post by Aureus on Apr 10, 2007 18:26:08 GMT -8
Aureus was truly surprised at the man's response. It was nothing like he had imagined. In all honesty he was a tad annoyed that he had been deceived. It was a blow to his ego, even if the man did commend him for his "emotion". The fact of the matter was he had been baited successfully. To regain his mentality of superiority he would have to think up another way to best the instructor, but that could wait. The lesson had started up again.
Ragnarök...End of the world battle...flaming sword...gods and monsters...separate heaven. He thought before raising his hand to answer the question. Maybe Justin would beat him to it, maybe not...
|
|
