Reference no: EM133790288

Homework: Literature

Write an essay on all three of the following prompts - one covers Animism, one Greek Philosophy/Neoplatonism, and one Northern European Magick.

Length: 5 to 7 pages.

List any resources outside the lectures you relied on at the end.

It's less about regurgitation of facts and more about showing understanding of the concepts. All of the essays may be written in either first person or third person, as instruction or a piece of short fiction. You may even dovetail all three answers into one another as part of a grander narrative.

I. Someone on the campus (a friend, a professor, etc.) has passed from this earthly realm a year ago. They were an expert in their field. As an animist, and someone at least slightly trained in spirit work, you have become aware of their presence on the campus (perhaps in a good way, or perhaps in a bad way). You have the sense that, however their spirit is manifesting, that they would probably like to be of help to the living. In an essay, or very short story, where you explain your worldview, the different kinds of spirits, and how they interact with this world, explain how you handle this situation.

II. Societal collapse is happening - an unstable, unsustainable economy, combined with environmental disasters, pandemics, and increasing foreign conflicts arising over resources means the world has become a very dangerous place. That's the bad news. The good news: You are well armed with an understanding of Greco-Roman philosophy, especially theurgic Neoplatonism. Describe to me what you're going to do (or attempt to do) to ameliorate the horrors the world is facing and, perhaps, to fix the situation in the long term.

III. Society stumbles on, but with a much-reduced population. Cities are fewer and smaller and society is mostly agrarian. You are the head of a small, autonomous collective of like-minded individuals, but as resources are thin, you find it harder and harder for yourselves and the communities around you to get by. More and more people are turning to you for guidance and you are at wits end on how to help them. Until one day he shows up. A former teacher, who has gone rather blind in one eye, offers to teach you the forgotten arts of galdr and seidhcraft. At least, you think it's him; he seems a little different than how you last remembered him. All the same, you accept his offer. Within the year he vanishes, leaving you with a host of esoteric wisdom to handle what the world throws at you. Choose one of the following problems to tackle and explain in detail how you handle it using the skills you have just been taught.

A. A group of bandit-warriors has been attacking and looting the communities around where you live. Several people have been injured and a few have been killed already. You fear things will only get worse. Get rid of them, somehow

B. Two local powerful political figures, who used to be best friends (rumor is they may have been more), are now out of law with one another. It will not benefit anyone if this continues. Fix it.

C. There may be evil magicians in the land at work to spread discord and destroy the crops. They must be stopped.

D. The harvests and hunting have been none too good of late. People are talking about leaving the area - but where will they go? What can you do to address their concerns? Additionally, because there isn't enough food to eat, many people are unwell and weak and some are falling prey to illness. How can you fix this?