The Greek Gods And Gnymede's Relationship With Mortals

In many ways, Greek gods are very much like human. They exhibit different emotions and act according to their own desires. According to Mike Webster from the Grand Valley State University, Greek gods “act capriciously, frivolously, and even immorally, that they are not particularly heroic, and that they lack the religious seriousness we might expect from a god”. These qualities that the Greek gods possess enable them to develop a deeper connection to the mortal world that gods from other religions usually do not and for the Greeks to relate to their gods more personally. In many myths, gods mingle in the world of mortals and interact directly with them. Zeus has many affairs with mortals; Athena fights with the mortals. In other texts, gods

Zeus, like many others, often transforms himself in order to have a sexual relationship with mortals. This exploitative relationship can be seen in many instances. Ganymede, a beautiful boy that Zeus found, is abducted by Zeus and given immortality against his will in order for Zeus to keep him as his cupbearer. This kind of relationship between gods and mortals is often very one-sided with the gods clearly taking advantage of the mortals. In Lucian’s diologi deorum, the one-sidedness of the exploitative relationship is displayed in Ganymede’s conversation with Zeus. Ganymede, when Zeus is about to take him away, says, “Please don’t go on with it, for I miss [my father] already. If only you take me back, I promise you that you’ll get another ram from him, sacrifices as my ransom” (Lucian); however, Zeus, hysterically, replies “How simple the child is! […]You’re one of heaven’s company now” (Lucian). Despite the protest and plead from Ganymede, Zeus still goes on with his plan and makes Ganymede a cupbearer of his. The offering of sacrifice by Ganymede in exchange for his freedom hints that Greeks do not always worship their gods in order to pay respect, but out of fear. This event also demonstrates the immorality of Greek gods. In many other religions, gods do not kidnap worshipper against their will. Greek gods’ morality is often unpredictable, yet it does not prevent them from

They exhibit more humanly qualities. In an article written by Sujay Kulshrestha on the works of Sapphos, she describes Greek gods as “strict stewards” and “loving parents”. According to Webster, the difference between gods and mortals is that “[the gods] most distinctive quality is not goodness, but power”. The commonality between these two scholars is that neither sees Greek gods as omnipotent and savior figures. These gods form both beneficial and exploitative relationships with mortals and these relationships are more personal compare to the relationship between gods and mortals of other