1.
Discuss the importance and actions of the magico-religious function as it is
seen within the context of general Indo-European culture. (minimum 100 words)
The
magico-religious function reflects the first class in Dumezil’s tripartite
theory. As outlined by J.P. Mallory, “The first function embraces sovereignty
and is marked by a priestly stratum of society that maintains both
magico-religious and legal order” (Mallory 130).
Sacrifice is the
primary theme in Indo-European mythologies. Through the first sacrifice came
all of creation. So it was seen that the first class of Dumezil’s tripartite
was responsible for recreating that sacrifice in ritual to uphold the Order of
the Cosmos. The magico-religious function was responsible for making sure that
all sacrifices were performed properly so they would be accepted by the gods of
the people. Because of their close relationship with the supernatural world, it
is easy to see how this function would be held in such high regard by the other
two functions within the IE societies.
Since the sovereigns or
kings were a part of the first function it might very well explain why in many
IE cultures the King was seen as an extension of the land. In times of need the
Kind was expected to give his life in sacrifice so that the fertility and
prosperity of the land/people would continue.
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