The Underdogs Kings in Ancient literature
An "Underdog" as defined by dictionary.com is,(1). A person who is expected to lose in a contest or conflict.
(2). A victim of social or political injustice.
Based on the above definition, the earliest literature that depicts an underdog for me is,
(1). Ramayana of Valmiki in the war between King Rama & king Rava.
(2). The second ancient literature that comes to mind is Iliad of Homerus & the battle of Troy, a 10year war won through the Trojan horse.
King Rava steals the wife of prince Ramayana, a victim of already political and/or social injustice.
Prince Paris steals the wife of king Agamemnon.
The similarities in both of this ancient literature are very striking first and foremost on the above.
(3). A third underdog that comes to mind is Odysseus, expected to lose the throne & kingdom by the suitors claiming both his throne & kingdom through placing under pressure his wife to break his loyalty to him & choose one of them as the new King through marriage to her.
(4). The fourth case of underdog that comes to mind is King David in the battle with Goliath.
In all of these cases, the victims of social injustice never expected to win the battle or conflict, have risen up & taken up a battle that was considered lost & won this.
In all of these cases, most may have given up just in the face of adversity & inequality of strength in battle or war taken up.
(1). What lessons can be learned & applied in everyday life and society from the above Kings underdogs(based on the definition of an underdog earlier provided)?.
(2). Have you ever been an underdog, a victim of social or political injustice, in a conflict or contest , expected to lose and in the end, WON?.
(3). What do you think differentiated these kings underdogs from the rest crowd that enabled victory in a war or battle, expected at any point or in general to be lost?.
Looking forwarding to reading answers to any of the above questions.
Note: An underdog can also be a group of people despite the fact that dictionary.com makes reference specifically to a person.
Thank you.
Comments (13)
Unlike the brash, arrogant opponent, they just do the job they are supposed to do, without making a big song and dance about it.
"Arrogance" is indeed demonstrated in the behaviour of their opponents.
Quiet self confidence(underdog) Vs. Arrogance(opponent).
The first that comes to my mind in regards to self confidence that is included in it, is self belief.
Thanks Molly, that's a really good answer to the 3rd question.
"The race is not always won by the swift, nor the battle by the strong"
Or, whoever is considered as "the strong" (obviously by the majority or opponents or supporters of opponents of the underdog), that's really the case, isn't?.
Coupled up with "arrogance" mentioned by Molly earlier.
To me the Whistle blower is against political injustice. Underdog can bring a picture to my mind of
somebody beaten down, but the Whisteblower is none of these things. His fate is not yet finished until
the injustice, the thing in question, to which the whistleblower wishes to call a halt to, and draw attention to is
taken seriously. If it is then he is the Victor, a brave man who could have lost his job, if he is taken seriously
then the Whistleblower is no underdog..
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Hope you got the jist of it, I think the woman who set out to name and shame those nuns was a hero but originally an underdog. She could have easily given up. Have a good day
Some flowers for you
There are winning cases of underdogs though from ancient times found in ancient texts and literature.
It's not always a lost battle for an underdog expected to lose a battle, contest or conflict but, that's the overall mindset and/or general overall thinking in regards to an underdog that the battle, war, conflict , contest will be lost.
This general perception or overall thinking about a person/victim of social or political injustice that this person will lose the battle or conflict or war can be absolutely detrimental I think in the psychology of a person/victim who finds themselves into this negative situation.
An underdog to rise up all this negativity of their environment or surroundings or overall negative expectation of others that they will lose & stand up & go beyond all these, is a victory itself and this person is already a winner.
That's exactly why someone is or is called or considered an underdog , due to the overall expectation to lose a battle or conflict or contest or fight.
Either way, Underdogs become hero s and I have noticed, it does not change them. In the main they stay grounded, people who don't have big Egos. Thanks for flowers.