Reading and Blogging: Popul Vuh

Reading and Blogging: Popul Vuh
March 4, 2019
Popul Vuh by Allen J. Christenson

One example of the cycle of life and death is on page 121, where One Hunahpu and Seven Hunahpu enter Xibalba or also known as the underworld. The two were playing on the ballcourt above the underworld and were called upon by One Death and Seven Death to come to Xibalba and left behind their mother and rubber ball. The concept of life and death is used in this scene by One Hunahpu and Seven Hunahpu being alive in the chapter until the end were they enter Xibalba where they are technically dead and later to come out and provide knowledge of the underworld. "We must go, but we will not die. Do not grieve," (Christenson 121).

Carving of Xibalba

One example of the struggle with nature is on page 92 when the Seven Macaw is introduced and claimed to be the sun and "desired only greatness and transcendence before the light of the sun and moon were reveled in their clarity." (Christenson 93). The concept of struggle with nature is used in this chapter by Seven Macaw sort of describing himself as sort of a god or sun god but is actually similar to a bird because of it's beak and feathery wings. "This, my beak, shines brightly far into the distance like a moon." (Christenson 92).

Drawing of Seven Macaw by Pernastudios

One example of present tense narration is on page 67 where the Primordial World is introduced and described as empty and sounds of the sea along with the sight of the sky are the main appearances in the chapter. The concept of present tense narration is used when Christenson himself  seems like he is speaking in the Primordial World and is describing the environment and things around him. "There is not yet one person, one animal, bird, fish, crab, tree, rock, hollow, canyon, meadow, or forest. All alone the sky exists." (Christenson 67).

Gods creation of earth from primordial sea

One example of humor is on page 97 where the Seven Macaw is ambushed by Hunahpu and Xbalanque that resulted in the Seven Macaw getting shot by a pellet into his jaw. The concept of humor is used when the Seven Macaw goes home to his wife and says then he had been shot by two demons but is in fact the demon himself. "What have you got there?" asked Chimalmat, the wife of Seven Macaw. "What is it?" "Two demons shot me. My jaw was dislocated by them, and now my teeth torment me with pain." (Christenson 97).

Hunahpu shooting Seven Macaw from a Classic Mayan vase