20-24 septembrie 2009 - Biblioteca Metropolitana Bucuresti

Comparison of characters and motives in Mongol and Greek myths 511Greek myth of PolyphemusMongol myths of Merz and Lalar1a. After long journeyOdysseus and his men hascome to the country of theCyclopes who does not followany laws.1a. Once Tuntger Khar Ovgon or darkfaced old man was herding his sheepand has encountered single-eyed giantLalar.1b. Three boys were waiting for theowner of the sheep and then they haveencountered single-eyed giant Lalar.1c. One man was looking for his lostanimals and hunting on his way. He losthis path in the wilderness…2a. They entered into alarge cave and found noone within examined itscontents.… Then the masterof the cave, Polyphemus hasarrived bearing an immensebundle of firewood, whichhe threw down before thecavern’s mouth. … Odysseuswas tempted to seize theopportunity and plunge hissword into him as he slept, butrecollected that it would onlyexpose them all to certaindestruction, as the rock withwhich the giant had closedup the door was far beyondtheir power to remove, andthey would therefore be inhopeless imprisonment.2a. Then the giant compelled him intothe cave with his sheep with iron rodand enclosed its entrance with a bigboulder.2b. The giant compelled three boys intothe cave with seven sheep and enclosedits opening with big boulder.2c. And in the evening found a shelter ina cave. Then the man has encountered aman-like giant who has a single red eyeon its forehead and two dogteeth, andthe giant was captured him.