Introduction to Mythology Purposes of Mythology and Background to The Odyssey.
-
Upload
dwight-anthony -
Category
Documents
-
view
226 -
download
1
Transcript of Introduction to Mythology Purposes of Mythology and Background to The Odyssey.
Myth defined Greek Mythos = “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, customs or ideals of society.
Purposes of myths
1. Myths explain natural occurrences:
Zeus – thunder and lighting
Poseidon – earthquakes
Purposes of myths
2. Myths explain basic philosophical questions:
Where we came from? Who created the universe? Is there life after death?
** To explain is to control – attempt to control the unknown **
Purposes of myths
3. Myths explain culture & institutions: Example: Why women couldn’t vote?- Athena & Poseidon both wanted to rule & protect Athens
- Held a gift contest: Poseidon gave saltwater well (useless)
Athena gave an olive tree (olive, wood, oil)
- Men voted for Poseidon and women voted for Athena
- Athena won the contest as a result Poseidon flooded the Attic plain
- Athenians blame the women and therefore their right to vote was taken away.
Purposes of myths
4. Myths are means to instruct or teach Often share a moral or a message to
teach cultural traditions Example: Icarus flew to close to sun –
life has limits, listen to elders
Purposes of Myths
5. Myths explain history Often a biases version to reinforce
Greek culture and power Example: Rome was believed to
founded by the sons of the war god Mars, Romulus and Remus
Gave citizens pride if their city was founded by god or sun of god
Purposes of Myths6. Myths to entertain
People were illiterate in Greece so they found entertainment in an oral culture
Enjoyed following the Epic Heroes
Example: Hercules, Odysseus and Theseus
Epic Hero Tales Possess human characteristics: has both
strengths and weaknesses
These Heroes often appear to be “larger than life” Great leader who is identified as strong within society
Setting is broad and often includes supernatural realms
Does great deeds in battles or goes on an extraordinary journey
Gods or other supernatural beings take part in action
MOUNT OLYMPUSHome of the Gods
Originally Thought to be a
Real MountainFinally Came to be
Thought ofas a Floating Mountain
in the Sky
ZEUS (Roman Name:
Jupiter)Supreme Ruler of the Gods
His weapon was the mighty THUNDERBOLT©
He falls in love frequently and often acts on it
(even though he is married)
HERA (Roman Name: Juno)
Zeus’ Wife and Sister
Protector of Marriage and
Married WomenVery Jealous of Zeus’ Numerous
Lovers
ATHENA(Roman Name: Minerva)
Battle Maiden and Goddess of Wisdom
While Adopted by Hera,She is the Daughter
of Zeus Only(Sprang from his Head)
HEPHAESTUS(Roman Name: Vulcan)
God of Fire and the Forge
He is the Only Ugly God
Husband of Aphrodite
APOLLO(Roman Name: Apollo)
Twin Brother of Artemis
God of Music and Poetry
God of Light and Truth
No False Words(Never Told a Lie)
His Oracle at Delphiwas the Most Popular
ARTEMIS(Roman Name: Diana)
Twin Sister of Apollo
Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt
Lady of the Wild Things
PERSEPHONE(Roman Name: Proserpine)
Goddess of Spring
She was Kidnappedby Hades
Later Made theQueen of the UnderworldSpends Half the Year
in Hades, Half on Earth
HERMES(Roman Name: Mercury)
Messenger of the Gods
Has Wings on Sandalsand Cap
Appears the Most Oftenof All the Gods
Zeus King of the Gods – most powerful god
Athena Daughter of Zeus & Goddess of wisdom, skills and warfare; assists Odysseus on his journey home
Gods/Goddesses
Morgan Freeman =
actor, appears in
god-like roles
Oprah Winfrey =, talk show
host, actress,
producer, and
philanthropist
Poseidon God of the sea and Earthquakes
Calypso nymph goddess who is immortal and beautiful; 1st feminist in history; holds Odysseus captive for 7 years
Michael Phelps = USA
Olympic swimme
r
Malala Yousafza
i = Pakistan
i educatio
n activist for girls; shot by
the Taliban
Hermes messenger of the gods; guide for the dead; sent by Zeus to tell Calypso to let Odysseus off the island
Helios the sun god, he can see everything; Odysseus’ men eat the god’s cattle
Usain Bolt =
Jamaican
sprinter “fastest
man ever”
Jay-Z = rapper,
producer, entreprene
ur; rumored to be in the Illuminati (can see
all)