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Dramatic irony in the Odyssey
Dramatic irony in the Odyssey
Dramatic irony in the Odyssey
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This paper is about how the character Zeus in the novel "Prometheus Bound" by Aeschlyus is being represented as an authority figure. This paper will also show how outside circumstances placed Prometheus on the opposition to authority. The word authority can mean different things, but in the context of the paper; it is being used to mean "the power or right to direct or control someone or something." However, we will see how Zeus responds to the challenges that he faces in his role as an authority leader. First, we will see how Zeus is being represented in the text as the main authority figure. The character that represents the main authority in the text is Zeus because he is being portrayed as an authority figure. Zeus is being portrayed as an authority figure because, according to the Sparknotes Prometheus is one of the supporting characters which proves why Zeus is being portrayed as an authority figure. According to the Sparknotes website, Prometheus begins to talk about Zeus's downfall before himself, "...he seems to imply that this will happen...the prophesy from the first part, if not fully contradicting it." Also, Prometheus provides a brief description of Zeus's destroyer, "He openly mocks Zeus and Hermes...what will most anger his enemies." The Chorus is another character that proves why Zeus is portrayed as an authority figure. According to the Sparknotes website, the Chorus brings up another character by the name Oceanids because, "...there is enough reason to fear Zeus to make one bow to him instead of defying his orders." Yet, "Zeus does not trust his friends or hints that he doesn't really understand the concept." Overall, Prometheus is not the type of character who seems to really care about Zeus, whereas, the Chorus who brings up the fact that Oceanids suggest that there is clearly enough reason to fear
Some evaluations claim that the Dionysus appearing in The Bacchae is fairly true embodiment of the ideals of ancient Athens. He demands only worship and proper reverence for his name, two matters of honor that pervaded both the Greek tragedies and the pious society that viewed them. In other plays, Oedipus' consultations with Apollo and the many Choral appeals to Zeus reveal the Athenian respect for their gods, while Electra's need for revenge and Antigone's obligation to bury Polyneices both epitomize the themes of respect and dignity. Yet although Dionysus personifies these two motifs, his clashes with the rest of Athenian tradition seem to make him its true adversary. Dionysius distinctly opposes the usual views on gender, age, rationality and divinity, leaving the reader to wonder whether these contrasts were Euripidean attempts to illuminate specific facets of the culture itself.
Prometheus Bound is quite different from other tragedies in that it is peopled entirely by gods. The play focuses on the story of Prometheus, and we have versions of this myth in Hesiod's famous works. There is reason to think that the author of Prometheus Bound was not only acquainted with Hesiod's version but actually drew on Hesiod directly in this play. This essay therefore aims to establish in what ways the author of Prometheus Bound seems to have drawn from Hesiod's version of myth, in what ways he has diverged from it, and what reasons he might have had for making these changes and innovations. This might therefore highlight any particular emphasis or purpose of Prometheus Bound and what its author might have been trying to get across. Though there is not space in this essay to discuss the problems of attributing this play, it must be recognised that this ambiguity of authorship and dating makes it even more difficult than usual to look at views and purposes behind the play.
"Could I forget that kingly man, Odysseus? There is no mortal half so wise; no mortal gave so much to the lords of the open sky." proclaims Zeus, the king of all gods in Homer's The Odyssey. He, among countless others, harbors high regards for Odysseus, the mastermind of the Trojan War turned lost sailor. However, the epic poem is sprinkled with the actions of gods and goddesses pushing Odysseus towards his path home to Ithaka, giving the mortal war hero little exposure to the limelight. So when does all the high and mighty talk of Odysseus' power prove true? Only in the absence of godly intervention can the title character live up to his name. In Homer's The Odyssey, excessive reliance on the gods' assistance weakens the overall effect of Odysseus as the hero; while, as a break from the norm, Odysseus' single-handed defeat of the Kyklops Polyphêmos adds true suspense to the story as well as merit to Odysseus' character.
...the god based upon conflicting traits of fear, deceit, and lust. Zeus' main characteristic is power in both Greek and Roman mythology. However, when Ovid's Metamorphoses is compared to Hesiod's Theogony, Juno's power is limited. Ovid's lack of respect and belief about Jupiter is apparent in his writings, which portray Jupiter as fearful, cunning, deceitful, and lustful. In opposition, Hesiod views Zeus as fearless, intelligent, and certainly not lustful. Zeus' characteristics in the Theogony are reflected from Hesiod's belief about the god to be much more than a worthless myth to the Greeks. Instead of mocking and disrespecting the all-powerful god of Greek and Roman mythology, Hesiod respects Zeus as the most powerful god.
In The Odyssey, Homer contrasts Odysseus and his native island of Ithaka with other characters and places that are perceived to be superhuman and subhuman as well as with the less than fully human. Throughout the course of this paper, you will be introduced to a vast number of characters and several circumstances will be examined in order to answer the question of what it is to be human and fully human. Up until the time Telemakhos leaves to find news of his father, he is viewed as nave and child-like by the suitors and his own mother, even though he is in his late teens. This lack of recognition can be attributed to Telemakhos’s poor choices, or lack of choices early in the epic. While Telemakhos remained loyal to a father he has never known, without Athena’s assistance, he would have done absolutely nothing about the suitors.
Prometheus takes the human side in the negotiation because he sympathizes with their ongoing struggle for survival and also intends to make the world a better place. Prometheus realized that it was his duty to aid the humans when he “found them living in caves, and in holes of the Earth, shivering with cold because there was no fire…” (Baldwin et al. 1). Prometheus empathizes with the humans’ struggle for survival as they do not have fire or any of the techniques needed to survive. This follows the theme of someone of a higher status wanting to give the same opportunities that he/she had to someone of a lower
The lack of freedom in this society causes Prometheus to do what he does. It gives Prometheus problems, for example, throughout his life he was treated differently b/c he was tall. In this society being tall was a transgression b/c it was different and they didn’t like that. The consequences of being different were great. He is punished for working on his invention, not b/c it was a bad idea, but b/c the members of the Council of Scholars thought that he had “dared … to think that his mind held greater wisdom than the minds of his brothers.
Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound portrays a greek god detained by a superior for disobedience against the latter’s rule. On the other hand in Euripides’ Hippolytus portrays lust and vengeance of the gods and the extent that they can go to to avenge it.
Hesiod’s Theogony has transcended generations, delivering to vast audiences the traditional stories of the Greek gods as well as ancient Greek conceptions of the world. One particularly well known aspect of the Theogony, the section that tells the tale of Prometheus, is unique in that it has little intrinsic worth; its value is in its ability to enhance other stories and conceptions. Across the globe, people know well the story of the one who deceived Zeus and stole fire for man, but few recognize its role in Hesiod’s work as a whole. The story of Prometheus serves two primary purposes for Hesiod and his audience. First, it solidifies Zeus’s position as king of the gods, providing one of the first characterizations of his temperament, and second, it serves as a mode of explanation for those evils in the world which plague mankind.
Hunt, J.M. "Greek Mythology Zeus Lovers." SDSU College of Education: Home Page. Web. 19 June 2011.
An interesting and important aspect of this Greek notion of fate is the utter helplessness of the human players. No matter the choice made by the people involved in this tragedy, the gods have determined it and it is going to come to pass. T...
Prometheus’s mentality evolved from a rational compliant god of compromise to an agitator. In the beginning, Prometheus is rational and believes that Zeus will, “come to meet my haste, to join in amity and union with me-one day he shall come” (Prometheus Bound, 193-195). Prometheus is convinced that Zeus will come around and ask for him join together as they once did. Though he understands that he is punished, he is rational in that he is open for compromise and unity. Early in his character development, Prometheus shows fear and laments his fate, something that does not recur later. As Prometheus tells his story he becomes angrier and more defiant. He removes emphasis from reconciliation with Zeus and focuses on his own self importance as a force of progress. He boasts of the gifts he bestowed upon humanity and insists he is responsible for all human art. He accentuates himself as central to he growth of human civilization and its survival. As time progresses, Prometheus becomes irrational and fearless. He does not account for his actions and ceases to use his guile for his decision making. He no longer seems to experience sadness or fear, rather he urges Hermes to further punish him. Furthermore, earlier in text he attempts to reveal the prophecy in segments, yet now he shouts the entirety without fear. He openly mocks Zeus and Hermes
Prometheus, the Titan of Greek mythology, was considered to be the most important Titan ever in all the myths. He helped the human race tremendously in his efforts to sustain an easier lifestyle. Mankind had great respect for him because of his advantages and gifts or abilities he gave them. Also, his battle against Zeus as a result of his love for man was very much appreciated. Prometheus was one of the most interesting Greek mythology figures in his time. He was a very kind, loving, generous, and courteous god to mankind. This can be seen through many events in his life including a particular myth that the reader will acknowledge in this research paper.
One of the best summarizes of Greeks’ gods attitude toward human is the claim of Aphrodite in Euripides’ Hippolytus that she will treat well the people who revere her power, but will “trip up” those who are proud towards her, and this pri...
Zeus is the god of law, justice, morals, thunder, lightning, and rain. It was his job to oversee and make sure laws were being kept. He was worshipped originally as a weather god. He was depicted as a middle-aged man with a youthful appearance; he was regale and was almost always shown ready to throw a lightning bolt (pantheon/zeus).