Attitudes towards Work: Sakuntala and the Ring of Recollection - Essay Example

Attitudes towards Work; Sakuntala and the Ring of Recollection Sakuntala and the Ring of Recollection The story is about a king by the name Dyshyanta who goes hunting in a forest. While he is chasing an antelope, the king is distracted by a patriot who tells him that his spear is meant protect his people rather than killing of innocent dear. The king listens to this advice and leaves his hunting mission and goes on through his kingdom. As Dyshyanta roams around, he comes across a beautiful young girl named Sakuntala and he is attracted by her beauty.

At first, the king hides his affection because the girl is young and probably does not know what love is. Later on, at a secret ceremony attended by a few of his friends, the king marries the girl and puts a ring on her. Afterwards, the king goes back to his palace to attend to duty calls. After some time has elapsed and no word from the king, Sakuntala is worried of her relationship with the king and at this time she cannot work. Sakuntala’s father curses the king for abandoning his daughter.

Sakuntala then sets on journey to meet the king but on her way the ring which is the only evidence for her marriage falls into a river. Sakuntala proceeds with her mission but on meeting the king, the response was negative. Sakuntala is frustrated by this move and goes away to settle to another place. Sakuntala gives birth to a son called Bharat. Fortunately, the ring is found by a fisherman who takes it to the king. Later the king reunites with Sakuntala and the king prepares a wedding ceremony for her.

As depicted in the story, there are different attitudes displayed by the characters. One major positive attitude in the drama is devotion to work. For instance, the king leaves his newly wed Sakuntala to go to attend to his official duty; this shows great dedication and the spirit of duty (Dorothy 21). Another attitude that is revealed in this story is the conservative attitude towards work. Sakuntala after being engaged to the king refuses to work; this is the reason leading to her father cursing the king.

The king displays a negative attitude towards work when he goes on a hunting mission which to a man of his statue is luxury (as a king there are a lot of things to work on).Iliad Iliad is an ancient poem about Greeks legends during the time of war of the Trojan. The story is based on two leaders who went into war due to their gods’ conviction, Achilles the king of the Achaeans and Agamemnon the leader of the Greeks (Alyssa n.p). Iliad soldiers had guiding principles that was a source of motivation during the war.

The attitude towards work in this poem is that of personal gratification. Aritei is one of the factors that encouraged the soldiers. It was a great achievement to a soldier and brought great honor and recognition. For instance, a Greek soldier would prefer to go to war with an opponent greater in power so that if he dies in the hands of that enemy he will not lose his Aritei (Alyssa n.p). According to the poem, the soldiers were very much dedicated to war. This being their work, the soldiers drew honor from winning a war.

According to Iliad, a soldier was driven by self motivation and great will that they could face any enemy. This shows an attitude of devotion.Work citedAlyssa, Torron.The Illiad.30 October 2013. Web. 28 March 2014Dorothy, Matilda. Translating the Orient: The Reception of Sakuntala in Nineteenth-Century. Europe. SUNY Press, 1991. print