Archetypal Literary Analysis on Biag ni Lam-ang

Archetypal Literary Analysis on Biag ni Lam-ang

Biag ni Lam-ang – this epic is epic. Filled with exciting adventures, fun-teemed experiences, heroic encounters, and a cornucopia of unpredictable occurrences, the story is absolutely worth all the reads. What adds more delight is a mighty, optimistic and – say – divine protagonist always triumphant in overcoming all the test of his grand journey, like he is an Achilles without an Achilles’ heel.

Lam-ang was born with a body too physically big and tall for a newborn. He was brought forth to the world literally great, so that means he’ll grow up greater than the excess (Saying this, I ain’t trying to be hyperbolic).  He could defeat anyone anytime wherever. He was born to be an unsurpassable, say, warrior, so no one can put him underneath the soles.

But this doesn’t mean he can be all alone in his adventure. No man is an island, right? Thus, our hero tags along two marvelous treasures – a dog and a rooster – rallying round for his every survival. Lam-ang’s having these two beings on his battles is an emblem of the need of companions in weaving the loose cannon streets of life.

Together with his also brave pets, Lam-ang faced his first [im)mortal combat as he looked for his dad pitilessly slain by Igorots. Hungry for vengeance, he made countless combats and content thereafter, paved his way homeward. On the way home, he passed through a river where some ladies were waiting to bathe him from head to toe.  All the filth was washed off but poisoned all the water-living animals there. This scene in the epic symbolizes a new start, leaving behind all the violence and past malfeasance, also moving forward and preparation for future encounters.

Lam-ang courted the gorgeous Ines as he reached home. Winning the heart of Ines has become his new challenge. With the helping hands of his comrades, he has pleased not only Ines but also her parents. There and then, they wed and Lam-ang’s adventure continued.

Lam-ang was tested to prove that his precious love for Ines after a splendid wedding banquet. Full of vigor and enthusiasm, he braved the abyss of a sea to capture the colossal shell but ended up being grumbled by a large voracious shark as projected in his hunch. But of course, the story won’t end with the lead character dead. In short he was revived.

With all his bravery, heroism, and headship, Lam-ang, with his precious pets, finished every game on their favor. Epic indeed.