Death Motif Of Death

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In modern society, death is the end of all things. Death brings nothingness to some and a second chance at life to others; a new and better life than what can be lead on Earth. This idea of the life beyond death was celebrated and anticipated by the ancient Greeks. Death brought with it a reunion of loved ones, an existence with eternal youth, and an abundance of happiness. The most important aspect of this experience, however, was the continuation of love and marriage after death. Several ancient myths delve into this “til’ eternity do us part” motif, exhibiting distinguishing characteristics such as sexually suggestive imagery, the strong influence of Eros, and the reestablishment of oikos in the afterlife. The first is that of Orpheus and …show more content…

This imagery of the veil alludes to the everlasting love existing between the two lovers, as well as their shared hopes of marriage. Once bloodied and torn to shreds by the lioness, however, the veil signifies the destruction of this desire to marry, a realization felt by Pyramus upon finding the veil’s remains and then felt by Thisbe after witnessing Pyramus perish: Pyramus “...took the sword which hung from his waist, and thrust it into his side...” (Ovid, Meta., 97). The depiction of the bloodied sword, especially after Thisbe thrusts it into her own body, represents the consummation of marriage; more specifically, it communicates the process of rupturing the female hymen during intercourse. Death is the force that separates these lovers, and Thisbe took it into her own hands to insure that they would be together again. The imagery laced throughout this myth, as discussed, also shows the theme of marriage. Interpretation of the “marriage and death” motif is made easier in the following myth, Admetus and Alcestis, due to the oikos persisting after

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