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Homer's use of symbolism in the odyssey
Homer's use of symbolism in the odyssey
Homer's use of symbolism in the odyssey
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Greek mythology provides insight into ancient Greek culture and their values; throughout these myths, many important morals are implied. The values are the basis of ancient Greek society. In regard to Greek myths, it is clear that the ancient Greeks valued creativity and bravery in their innovative culture and valiant society. The emphasis of creativity in Greek culture is symbolized in the myths of Daedalus and Hephaestus. In order to fulfill King Minos’s goal to hide the Minotaur, Daedalus fabricates the Labyrinth, a jail that “[is] so complex that no one who [enters] it could ever find a way out” (“Daedalus”). Due to his creativity, Daedalus is able to construct a sturdy and inescapable creation for the Minotaur; the jail exhibits Daedalus’s …show more content…
Prometheus creates humans out of clay, with the help of Athena; he teaches them numerous skills and arts. In an attempt to ensure the success of humans, Prometheus “promptly [goes] to Olympus, [steals] a spark of fire from Hephaestus, and [carries] it back to humans” even after Zeus had taken away fire from the humans (“Prometheus”). Due to his brave mindset, Prometheus successfully supplied humans with fire. In fact, he had to give fire to them twice- once after their creation and another time after Zeus took away fire; thus, Prometheus had courage to travel to Olympus and defy Zeus by giving humans fire again. Also, the use of the word “steals” shows that Prometheus wasn’t afraid of the consequences following his actions since he allowed the humans to survive. Moreover, Apollo was a very brave Greek God. From the island of Delos, Apollo embarks on a journey for the oracle of Gaia by turning into a dolphin to travel to the location. To obtain the oracle, “Apollo [kills] Pytho, [“a monstrous serpent \ [that] [guards] the place and [speaks] the oracle’s prophecies”], and [takes] the oracle for himself.” (“Apollo”). Apollo is shown to be fearless since fighting Pytho was perilous. Therefore, his bravery enabled him to successfully defeat the serpent and obtain the oracle. Henceforth, the use of the word ‘monstrous” to describe Pytho implies that the serpent was very
Allusions to the Greek Myth of Prometheus allow insightful readers to withhold a better understanding of the story of Prometheus. First, from the poem “Prometheus” by Marin Sorescu we were given a piece that has far more meaning to the text then is depicted. “Whoever said I was chained” (Sorescu 1). Said the mighty Prometheus, which I believe portrays how free Prometheus feels due to the eagle’s presence and how itself has the freedom to soar in the sky and be free with itself. Next, from D'aulaires’ Book Of Greek Myths we read through a number of passages that gave us more understanding as to how Prometheus cares for his creations, the humans. “Prometheus could not bear to see his people suffer and he decided to steal fire, though he knew
Throughout its history, strong values have stood at the core of Greek culture. Ancient Greeks placed a focus on a balance of mind and body. Citizens were expected to adhere to three main Greek virtues; these being respect for the body, respect for the gods, and hospitality. At times, these virtues were not upheld, usually resulting in what they believed to be punishment from the gods. Examples of this can be seen in the epic, The Odyssey, authored by Homer. Throughout the poem, a repeated disregard for the ancient Greek values teaches readers a fundamental principle of life--consequences follow poor decisions.
Mythology is critical to Greek people’s everyday life, just like how religion is in our modern day age. Everyday events, such as a thunderstorm, can be linked to a god or goddess. For example, when an earthquake would happen, it would be Poseidon crashing his tritan on the ground. People’s lives revolved around the whole ideology and it served as a way to explain the unexplained and to help them in times of need. All of the stories of these great gods and goddesses were passed down generation through generation, each time becoming more extreme and distorted.
The culture of ancient Greece reflects the importance of the individual in society in many different ways. The Greeks used art, philosophy, and even their system of government to convey their beliefs in the importance of one single man in a society.
Homer’s The Odyssey chronicles Odysseus’s return home from the Trojan War to reunite with his wife, kingdom, and son. However, Odysseus has been encountering serious difficulties that have prevented him from reaching home for nearly twenty years. These difficulties include various different types of monsters, each of which seems to embody undesirable traits such as laziness or savagery. The Greeks portray creatures with these traits as monsters as an example of the Greeks’ “better” traits and subsequent superiority. Each species of monster within The Odyssey represents one or more qualities that the Greeks have demonized in comparison to themselves.
Around the time where Greece was known to be the greatest civilization on earth, many people used myths and stories as an extension of their belief because they were culturally significant and important. Ancient Greece was a male-dominated civilization that created laws which would benefit only those with power, which let to the suffering of those without power. The relationship of the sexes was very important, because it showed how men were more superior and woman were frowned upon because they were treated more like minorities. Aeschylus’ “Agamemnon” is about a Greek king who would do anything, including sacrificing his daughter, because he feels as a man and a king whatever decisions he makes are always just. Sophocles’ “Antigone” is about a girl who goes against the religious values of the society, and get persecuted because state laws restrict her
Prometheus was instructed by the other Gods to craft humanity out of clay. Once he did so, he became attached to his creations. Against the wishes of the other Gods, Prometheus taught mankind all of the arts, such as the use of fire, acquaintance with architecture, astronomy, mathematics, the art of writing, the treatment of domestic animals, navigation, medicine, the art of prophecy, working in metal, and all the other arts. Zeus, the leader of the Gods, tried to punish Prometheus for his teachings by taking fire away from man. Prometheus again defied Zeus by stealing back the fire and returning it to man. In another instance of Prometheus defiance, mankind was angry that they were forced to give all of the good cuts of meat to the Gods as offerings. In order to please his creation, Prometheus tricked Zeus by misleading him into choosing the least desirable parts of a cow as his offering and thus leaving the most desirable cuts to mankind for consumption. Prometheus was pleased with his deception, but it enraged Zeus. In order to punish him, Zeus ordered that Prometheus be chained to a rock in the pit of Tartarus and for an eagle to eat out his liver daily and allow Prometheus's liver to regenerate each night.
Mythology was very important to the men and women of ancient Greece. They worshipped the gods and goddesses, wrote poems about them, and based a great deal of art work off of them. The people of Greece looked to the gods and goddesses for help in all aspects of their lives; including health, agriculture, and war. Reading about Greek mythology can inform people about the society of Greece because the Greek gods were created by the people of Greece. Three main goddesses who were worshipped by the Greeks were Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite.
The Role of Women in Greek Mythology In learning about the feminist movement, we studied the three articles, discussed and reviewed the different authors perspectives on the topic, and learned how important the role of woman in Greek mythology is. In presenting the feminist theory to the class, we analyzed the three articles, Women in Ancient Greece; Women in Antiquity: New Assessments; and Women in Greek Myth, and discussed how although the three articles provided different views on Feminism in mythology, they all essentially are aiming to teach the same basic concept. In order to understand the feminist theory, we have to understand the notion that although myths are invented and that they involve fantasy, the concept of mythology does not necessarily imply that there is no truth of history in them. Some of the humans may have lived while some of the events may have taken place. Most importantly, the social customs and the way of life depicted in the myths are a valuable representation of Greek society.
The text supports a means of judging character and extends it to cultural elements such as the gods who define the faith and belief of the people. Iliad upholds warlike deities, including Athena, for admiration among the modern civilization. In the ideal epic world, the comic is vital in creating relief as seen with the timidity of Artemis and Aphrodite. Moreover, fighting seems as a way of proving honor and integrity, while avoiding warfare is a demonstration for laziness and misaligned
Apollo recalled a moment after receiving a quest from a lesser goddess of nets, the way the lesser god treated them jogged his memory. Even though Apollo was one of the twelve olympians, the little help she offered and how she brushed off the dangers proved how little she held dear their lives, she only cared for her griffins. “I remember Hemitheo and her sister Parthenos launching themselves over a cliff, in a time where women's lives were more expendable than jars of wine.” (Riordan 90) This contrast between the goddess and Apollo’s new perspective was a great portrayal of how far Apollo has come from his narcissistic godly ways.
Imagine living in a world where there is constant death and turmoil. Husbands and sons are being killed in an act of bravery; women as well as daughters are taken to fulfill the winners’ sexual desires. At a young age myths were told to us for entertainment. Now as the same myths are read today a deeper meaning can be found in the stories once believed to be a bedtime story. Myths that are told often represent the culture at the time; Greece is constantly changing and involved with wars.
Mythology is an essential part of all cultures. Through myth, ancient cultures attempted to explain the world and make sense of their daily lives. Myth helps us to live in the minds and time period of people who lived many centuries ago with no technology, no running water, and a basic education. Greek myth is possibly the most commonly recognized myth simply because it is likely the most developed and best recorded. Modern Greek myth originated around 1000 B.C. in the writings of the famous Greek poet Homer in the Odyssey and the Illiad. Although early Greek myths are often vague and contain many primitive elements regarding their understanding of death, sacrifice, and fate, later myths show Greek culture developed and changed over time.
Mythology was a device utilised by ancient societies to explain the surrounding world, embedding the beliefs into the civilisation’s culture. It is commonly accepted that Greek mythology is an independent medium. However, foreign elements derived from the east are evident throughout Greek myth. Foreign influence is consequential to the foreign relations between Greece and other Mediterranean powers. Greek mythology possesses distinct Egyptian elements within its structure, themes and personalities validating the significant influence of Egyptian mythology on Greek mythology.
In conclusion, myths reflect show us the Greeks view on the world, religion, and nature. Their understanding of the world is both similar and different compared to modern society. Myths also reflect the importance of gods in the Greek society and how each god represented something different. In addition, we can see the role of monsters in myths, what they represent and how were they important. Myths also show us the role of women in society and whether they were as important as men or not.