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3rd Six Weeks
English I
2012
Introduction to Greek Mythology
Greek Mythos=“discourse” or “speech”Dictionary: A traditional story dealing with
supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that informs or shapes the world view of a people, by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the customs or ideals of society. (Webster’s Dictionary)
Essentially, mythology is a way to explainWhere we came fromWhy things happenWhere we go when we die
What is mythology?
Interaction between gods and humansGods as hypertrophied humansGods as flawed beingsSupernatural beings and monstersLarger than life, godly “superheroes”
Elements of Greek Myth
Hercules fighting the Medusa
Myths explain natural occurrences.
Examples?Gaea and Uranus (creation of
the Earth, the Gods & Man)Thunder and lightning (Zeus)Earthquakes (Poseidon)Seasons (Persephone &
Demeter)The sun rising and setting
(Helios/Apollo’s chariot)
What is the purpose of myth?
These are questions that have echoed throughout history.
Fundamental questions:Who are we?Why are we here?How did we get here?What happens when we die?
To explain is to have controlControl is comfortingIt allows people to deal with the
fundamentals of life surrounding us each and every day.
Myths Explain Fundamental Philosophical Questions
Why womencouldn’t vote
To explain is to control
Athena and Poseidon both want to rule and protect Athens
Gift contest Poseidon=saltwater well (useless) Athena=olive tree (olives, wood, oil – all useful
items in Greece) Men vote for Poseidon, women for Athena Athena wins; Poseidon flood the Attic plain Athenians blame the women, take away vote
Myths Explain Culture and Institutions
Myths often relay a message or moralTeach cultural traditions, valuesIcarus
Stole his father’s wax wings and tried to touch the sun. He flew too high, against his father’s wishes, and the wings began to melt. Icarus tumbled to his death.
Moral of the story? Life has limits. Narcissus
A beautiful youth who was tempted to stare at his reflection in a lake. He was so drawn to his own reflection, he fell in and drowned.
Moral of the story? Excessive self-love and pride are dangerous
Myths as Means to Instruct
A biased version of history – “History is written by the winners”.
Reinforce Greek culture and power Trojan War – explains why the war
happened. Crete and King Minos – Minos was the
1st king of Crete. Founding of Rome
Founded by sons of Mars, Romulus & Remus.
Brother founded two competing cities. They fought, Remus was killed, and
Romulus founded the city of Rome. Gave tellers sense of identity, sense of
place
Myths to Explain History
Many Greeks could not read or write. Oral storytelling provided entertainment for
the masses. The Greeks loved their stories filled with blood,
shocking situations, and sex.The Heroes
Herakles (Hercules), Odysseus, Theseus, Jason Stronger, smarter, more handsome than mere mortals Nobility in humanity - Humans are better than gods
Myths to Entertain
Cultural supremacy Greek superiority over non-Greeks Other as “barbarians”
“barbarian” - The Greeks thought everyone who didn’t speak Greek sounded like “ba ba ba”.
Religion: Cult & Ritual Maintained order Gave people reason to be loyal to a city
Temples and sacrifices Feared retribution of the gods If you wanted the gods to bless you, your family, your
business, your campaign, etc., you made an offering to the Oracles and Gods.
Oracle (orare – “to speak”) an oracle was a person or agency considered to be a
source of wise counsel or prophecy of the future, inspired by the gods.
Most famous oracle – The Oracle at Delphi. Dedicated to the god Apollo.
Cultural Supremacy and Civil Order
Why study mythology?
Mythical allusions and references In order to understand many of the allusions in Western
literature, you need to know Greek mythology.Provides the foundation for Western literature.
ExamplesWilliam Shakespeare
Titania & Oberon (the fairy Queen & King – A Midsummer Night’s Dream”)
The Tempest – many allusions to mythology.Poetry
John Keats & The Romantic Poets Art
Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus”John William Waterhouse’s “Pandora”
To Understand Literature and Art
The Birth of Venus - Botticelli
Venus was born
from the foam of
the sea, perfectly
formed.
“Pandora” by John William Waterhouse (1896)
Pandora was
allegedly the first
woman, who was
made out of clay.
According to the
myth, Pandora
opened a jar,
releasing all the evils
of mankind —
although the
particular evils, aside
from plagues and
diseases, are not
specified in detail—
leaving only Hope
inside once she had
closed it again.
Archetype Characters, situations, and images that
are recognizable in many times and cultures.
Greek characters, places, themes have influenced (consciously or not) Western literature and art Journeys to the underworld Serpent figures Temptresses Sea monsters Buried treasure Suitors’ contests Loyal servant Epic Hero
Archetypes
Word origins – Where did these words originate?Volcano – Vulcan, god of fireHerculean – Hercules; a great taskaphrodisiac – Aphrodite; a love potionMusic – the Muses, goddesses of inspirationAtlas – a Titan forced to carry the world on his
back.Tantalize - Tantalos, punished by food held just
out of reach.Erotic – Eros, god of Love; desirable Narcissism – Narcissis. excessive self-love.
Myth and Language