Popol Vuh

In the Popol Vuh, the creation of the world manifests with Heart of Sky, Sovereign, and Quetzal Serpent’s collective utterance of the word, “Earth” (61). Language is not only significant to the creation of earth, but becomes an important facet of development on earth. Describe the role that language plays on earth with the eventual creation of people and their proliferation.

Creation and destruction play equally-important roles in the earth’s early beginnings. One cannot exist without the other to balance it. Discuss examples where creation follows destruction and vice versa. How does one process necessitate the other in the Popol Vuh? What balance do these forces achieve?

The creator deities have a powerful sense of justice and a strict moral system pertaining to their earthly creations. Discuss their values, how others violate them, and their responses to these transgressions. What informs their responses? In what ways are their responses justified or excessive?

The narrative of the Popol Vuh does not appear chronologically, but rather moves between folklore and historical account. How does this narrative unfold and how would you characterize it? What is the relationship between folklore and historical narrative within the Popol Vuh? 

In his footnotes, Christenson frequently refers to Hunahpu and Xbalanque as “twin heroes” (81) for their successes in many trials on earth and in the underworld. Discuss the ways in which their heroic traits make them central protagonists in the Popol Vuh.

When One Hunahpu’s skull offers his saliva to Lady Blood, he speaks of himself in the third person to explain that his spittle has impregnated her: “In like manner, his son is like his saliva, his spittle. He is his essence” (116). In this passage, One Hunahpu explains the importance of continuing his legacy through his progeny, that his life will go on through the passing of his essence to his children. Throughout the Popol Vuh, this emphasis on legacy, inheritance, and passing of essence, is crucial to the continuation and longevity of the Quiché people. How does this emphasis translate across myth and history in the Popol Vuh?

The Xibalban lords put Hunahpu and Xbalanque through the same trials as their predecessors, One Hunahpu and Seven Hunahpu. Discuss the parallels between each pair on their respective journeys. How do Hunahpu and Xbalanque triumph over death in the end? What do Hunahpu and Xbalanque do differently that ensures their success where One Hunahpu and Seven Hunahpu failed?

After several attempts, the creator deities finally create four men—Balam Quitze, Balam Acab, Mahucutah, and Iqui Balam—who will grow to become the forefathers of the Quiché people. How do these four men become the gods’ chosen people? In what ways do they win over the gods?