Animals in the Tain

I find it interesting that this whole war seems to be fought over a bull and from reading the course documents, powerpoints, and such that many of the gods and goddesses, especially the goddesses, are zoomorphic, yet unlike The Iliad or The Mahabharata the warriors are not described with animalistic qualities. The warriors in The Tain are described by their appearance and robes. I find it odd that in a myth that seems more naturalistic and animalistic, the warrior descriptions are much more human rather than fierce. Some of the acts that are committed are horrible and atrocious, but the warriors are not compared to animals, it is simply a fact of the matter. I guess that's not really a question so much as an observation, but I was wondering if anyone else noticed this or thought anything of it?

Mahabharata Miscellany

I don't really have one deep question about the text or the movie, but quite a few things that I noticed.

On page 83 in the text it reads, "He raised over his chariot the golden flag with the emblem of a monkey which was a celestial design created by Visvakarma." He being Arjuna. Do you guys think the monkey symbolizes something in Hinduism?

I know in Christianity the numbers 7 and 6 hold meaning. The Pandavas were exiled for 12 years (and there was another instance where 12 was used, but I can't remember at the moment). Do you think and/or know if 12, or any other numbers, hold a meaning in Hinduism?

Does anyone know why multiple vows are made to drink the enemies blood? I understand the vows to kill one another, but why was drinking the blood such a big deal? I am just totally disgusted by that, but maybe it was part of the culture then...

Did anyone else notice that Ganesha was depicted with only 2 arms in the movie? I read that he has been depicted with 4, 12, and even 32 arms, but never with only 2. Do you think that has any effect on the understanding of the myth?

Achilles

Achilles is the greatest warrior in the Achaian army. In addition to his great fighting abilities, he is excessively prideful. These two qualities do not exactly complement each other. His hubris is sometimes dangerous to not only him, but his friends and allies. Troy illuminates another quality that is easily overlooked in such a man. He does have a softer side. He rode off with Hektor’s body in tow behind his chariot due to pride, but was persuaded to return the body to King Priam. Achilles is obviously not as brutal as he is remembered. Why do you think he is remembered for only being a great warrior and prideful? Why is he not remembered for the compassion he showed to the Trojans? Do you think it has something to do with the importance of honor and glory in Greek society?