Love is often misconstrued as an overwhelming force that characters have very little control over, but only because it is often mistaken for the sum of infatuation and greed. Love and greed tread a blurred line, with grey areas such as lust. In simplest terms, love is selfless and greed is selfish. From the agglomeration of mythological tales, people deduce that love overpowers characters, even that it drives them mad. However, they would be wrong as they would not have analyzed the instances in depth to discern whether or not the said instance revolves around true love. Alone, true love help characters to act with sound reasoning and logic, as shown by the tales of Zeus with his lovers Io and Europa in Edith Hamilton’s Mythology.
Zeus exemplifies the possession of sound mind with proper reasoning whilst in love with Europa. The story is that Zeus abducts Europa in
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the form of a white bull. He does not just force Europa to go with him because he was a god. Instead he eases her in, allowing her to grow more attune with the divine forces. He chooses to become a handsome, sleek bull because Europa feels more accustomed to it. The path through the waters was to stir the divine entities. He slowly shows her the world of awesome powers. Then he finally reveals himself once Europa is ready. Zeus does this because he does not want to scare Europa. He does not just want to coerce her into doing something she does not want to, nor does he want her to be afraid. He chooses to go through with a long and tedious plan solely for Europa’s sake. This selflessness is not a trait that Zeus is often associated with. Usually Zeus loses his cool, especially while around his siblings or when challenged. All he thinks about then is to how to come out on top, which is selfish. But when it comes to someone he loves, Zeus takes selfless actions, showing love makes him better. Zeus is also sincerely in love with Io.
According to Ovid, Zeus "acted, however, with very little wisdom for the Father of Gods and Men..." (80) when he wraps the earth in darkness. Though Ovid implies that Zeus makes an illogical decision, Ovid's statement is subjective. Sure, because of the strange occurrence, Hera takes notice; but Zeus also buys time. Time is essential to think properly, and Zeus uses his time to conjure the brilliant idea of transforming Io into a heifer. Hera should have been fixated, almost mesmerized when she saw Io, as the cow is sacred to her. Zeus’ thought process is legitimate and cohesive, after all, Hera’s doubt should have been assuaged. Nonetheless, Hera still suspects infidelity. Even so, Zeus does not lose his cool and kept calm. He let Hera have her way and gave the heifer willingly. Later he craftily has Hermes free Io. Zeus is known for his rashness, but betrays that stereotype again by waiting patiently and using a vessel so that he would not be found guilty. Zeus really thinks his plan through, for he accounts for the consequences of being caught and or
failing. Contrarily, Hera does not fully love Zeus. Hera easily grows jealous of Zeus’ mistresses, indicating that she may be greedy, trying to keep Zeus for herself. After all, Hera could directly confront him about Io as she sees through his lies. Instead she chooses to try and catch Zeus in the act of freeing Io. She creates the potentiality of complete failure because of her mighty hubris. Sure it would be amazing to expose Zeus cheating, scandalous even; however, if there is a chance of failure, Hera should attempt to do it and play it safe. But her pleonexia and conceit cloud her judgement to such a degree that she does in fact go forth and lose her gambit. Hence, love is complicated. It is easily confusable with other emotions, but it will never overtake a person. If people truly love their significant other, they would gladly sacrifice whatever so may benefit them but harms their significant other. Greed would make them want to have both, creating a paradox, the reason as to why greed always leads to self-destruction. Lust is scorned upon as society loves keeping everything in a black and white perspective. Lust is the actual desire, even if people would not care for their significant other, they would care about her, because he wants her, or some aspect of her. Love has no vices. One may only be overtaken by emotions other than love like greed.
In Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, love appears to be the common theme of several storylines being played out simultaneously. Although these stories intersect on occasion, their storylines are relatively independent of one another; however, they all revolve around the marriage of Theseus, the Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons. If love is a common theme among these stories, then it is apparent that love makes people act irrationally.
When we think about the force that holds the world together and what makes humans different from animals, one answer comes to our minds - that humans can love. Love is a state of mind that cannot be defined easily but can be experienced by everyone. Love is very complicated. In fact it is so complicated that a person in love may be misunderstood to be acting in an extremely foolish manner by other people. The complexity of love is displayed in Rostand’s masterpiece drama Cyrano de Bergerac. This is accomplished by two characters that love the same woman and in the course neither one achieves love in utter perfection.
There is no doubt in mythology that the king of gods, Zeus, is the most supreme and powerful, ruling the sky. He controls the thunderbolt, a symbol of power feared by both gods and mortals. The Greeks and Romans honored Zeus above all other gods. He is without mistake, the god of all gods. Their stories of Zeus are plenty; his designs have molded mythology from his birth. Zeus' victory in outwitting his intelligent wife, Metis, by swallowing her pregnant, was the gateway used by the Greeks and Romans to show Zeus as the greatest god to come since his father and grandfather. However, as the stories of the gods and goddesses unfold, the Greeks and Roman's interpretation of Zeus' characteristics are different. Zeus is always upheld as the king of gods, but his other personal attributes to his godly rein are conflicting. Zeus' characteristics of fearfulness of female deities, cunningness and use of trickery, and lust in Ovid's Metamorphoses compared to the Theogony are opposed due to Hesiod's true respect of Zeus versus Ovid's lack of respect of Jupiter in Roman mythology.
In the Aeneid, love is depicted as an uncontrollable emotion. Venus and Juno promote the romance between Dido and Aeneas. Dido, the queen of Carthage, begins to fall in love with Aeneas, even though she has vowed to her late husband that she would set her “face against marriage” (Virgil 975). Aeneas falls in love with Dido and remains with her in Carthage, even though he knows that he must continue his travel to Rome. Love is a passion which consumes the soul in spite of its will. It is an “inward fire” (Virgil 976). Juno arranges it so that Dido and Aeneas consummate their love in a cave during a storm. Again, mortals have little or no control over their loves. The gods are the ones who cause people to fall in love.
The story of Europa, tells of how Zeus took the form of a majestic Bull in order to enchant Europa, a beautiful maiden so that he could possess what he desired, “He could hardly hope to tempt the girls innocent spirit if he came in his own form, the god contrived a ruse…he assumed the shape of a bull” (53). I feel this moment in the story shows that Zeus is willing to do anything to get what he wants even if it means taking advantage of the naivety and trusting nature of Europa. In his mind his needs and wants come first no matter the consequences of his actions showing how selfish he can be. Whereas instead of using illusions and tricks for lustful intentions, Dionysus uses deception and mind games for his murderous intentions using his charismatic nature to his advantage. “He promised Pentheus to bring back the Maenads, if the king would don woman’s raiment, lest seeing him⎯a man, and uninitiate⎯they tear him to pieces” (65). Dionysus tricks Pentheus with false promises that eventually lead to the Kings untimely and gruesome death. This shows that Dionysus is no stranger to deceit and willingly lulls the King into a false sense of security. To me this situation is a perfect representation of how easily mortals are tempted and deceived when given enough
Is love controlled by human beings who love one another or is love controlled by a higher power? There are many people who believe that a higher power has control over love. An example of a higher power would be a cupid, a flying angel-type creature who is supposed to shoot arrows at people to make them fall in love. There are other people who reject the idea that a higher power controls love and that the people who experience love can control it. In the novel, "A Midsummer Night's Dream", by William Shakespeare, several examples of love's association with a higher power are presented. With the use of examples from the above novel, this essay will discuss the evidence that love is associated with a higher power. Examples like: Thesius arranging a marriage between himself and Hippolyta, Egeus choosing who Hermia should marry and the fairies who have the ability to control love in the Enchanted Forest.
Can a simple emotion such as love be regarded as one of the greatest weapons to create or attain power? It’s a renowned fact that human beings are by nature designed to need, crave, and even require love as part of their survival mechanisms. It comes to no surprise that one of the first accounts of antique poetry maintains love and the craving for it as its main theme; thereby, reinforcing the deep importance that it upholds in the lives of many individuals. Sappho’s “Deathless Aphrodite” clearly epitomizes the suffering and bitterness that arises from an unrequited love. In Sappho’s case, which portrays the case of many, she constantly finds herself in loneliness and despair for though she tries repeatedly, she is only let down recurrently as no one reciprocates the love she gives. It is only the Greek goddess Aphrodite, who holds
wanted to look into the eyes of her lover. She asked Zeus to grant her a boon. He made
On the other hand, Zeus is a strong, albeit authoritarian leader for both the other gods and mortals. Zeus is required to rule, sometimes absolutely, and when someone under his rule commits an act of treason, he is required to address the issue. When Zeus the leader acts forcefully, the rest of those under his reign will get the message. Prometheus’s act of handing o...
Deceiving and irrational, love can be a challenging emotion to endure. It can be difficult to find happiness in love, and on the journey to find that happiness, love can influence one’s thought process. Shakespeare uses specific wording in his play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to poke fun while exploring the individual’s quest for love. The desire to find love and a happy ending with a lover is so strong in the foundation of mankind, that people will not accept a life without it. In fact, they would rather give up their attribute of rationality than their opportunity to find a significant other. The heart’s control of the mind can make a foolish man.
Love, in classical Greek literature, is commonly considered as a prominent theme. Love, in present days, always appears in the categories of books, movies or music, etc. Interpreted differently by different people, Love turns into a multi-faceted being.
Hunt, J.M. "Greek Mythology Zeus Lovers." SDSU College of Education: Home Page. Web. 19 June 2011.
Zeus, his name is synonymous with Greek mythology and religion. God of the weather and sky he used his powers of wind, lightning, and thunder to uphold the law and keep order. He ruled Mount Olympus as well as the pantheon of gods who lived there. Watching over mankind he would punish those who defied him and help those who were wronged. However, Zeus did have his flaws. His quick tempered nature combined with his lust for women made him relatable to the common man. From his coming to power until the beginning of Christianity, this complex god would have no equal.
Zeus and Hera’s love is all a power gain, and not about true feelings for one another. They are constantly tricking each other into getting what they want, and cheating the other person. Obviously, marriage for them is a power contract. Their marriage is not about valuing each other or being in love with the other person; it is strictly about getting more power than your spouse. Hera, “With every intention to deceive.” (139) tricks Zeus into sleeping with her, in order to get him to stop helping the Greeks, “… My awesome lord… Making love outdoors in broad daylight… Let’s go there and lie down since you are in a mood.” (139) Zeus and Hera are frequently going behind the other’s back trying to get what they want. Their marriage is a verbal power agreement. In the 21st century, marriage is about love and care, and loving your partner. Zeus and Hera’s love seems to differ from nowadays typical marriage ideals. To Zeus and
Zeus filled with the paranoia that one of his sons would overthrow him and not knowing that Metis was pregnant with Athena, a daughter, ate Metis. Zeus was unaware that Athena continued to grow until he had a splitting headache which could only be relieved by Hephaestus striking Zeus in the head with an axe. This