...The mythological figure of Zeus/Jupiter has been given many different character traits, based mostly on the idealized views of certain human qualities. In Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound and Plautus’ Amphitryon the god assumes two very different roles. In both works he also shows the various way that he exercises his power, and treats those whom he views as inferior to himself. In tragedy Zeus is typically shown in a more harsh and serious manner, while in comedy he seems to be a less tyrannical leader and more of a foolish and self absorbed one. Not to say that Zeus is fundamentally different in these separate types of work, but he most certainly takes a different stance upon his throne. In Prometheus Bound, Zeus is “betrayed” by Prometheus and as a result of his actions Prometheus is punished. In this tragic work Zeus is shown to be a very harsh leader. For example when Hephaestus tells Prometheus, “You'll cry out often, in sorrow, pain, regret it will do you no good. Zeus is not to be won over. He is harsh, as all those new to power are harsh” (Aesch. Prom. 36-38). Here Hephaestus is trying to explain to Prometheus that the punishment that he is to endure will be terrible and no matter how much he suffers and begs he will not convince Zeus to free him. This whole exchange shows that Zeus is not interested in the welfare of his fellow gods, but he cares more about the fact that he be view as a ruler with an iron fist. This most certainly shows Zeus in a tyrannical and abusive...
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...self in the background.” Theseus’ purpose is not to necessarily entertain the audience, or add to the storyline as a prominent character. Instead, he exists only secondary to Heracles. For this reason, I would argue that Theseus, because he is Heracles’ second self, poses less as a character more as a prop in the Heracles of Euripides. Theseus is first introduced as an explanation as to why Heracles is absent from his family. Heracles’ family is in danger of being killed by Lycus, and have no protection because Heracles is journeying through the Underworld to bring back Theseus. Heracles was only to be gone a short amount of time, and his father, Amphitryon, questions this. “Amphitryon: Why were you under the earth for so long? Heracles: I spent time bringing back Theseus from Hades,” (Her. 618-619). Up until Heracles arrives, Amphitryon and Megera have assumed that he is dead because he has been gone so long. When Heracles finally does arrive, Theseus is the excuse for his lateness, an inconvenience to increase the strife and drama in the tragedy, moving along the plot. Theseus’ time in Hades is not discussed, though, because that is not what is important. It is not necessary to know why Theseus was stuck in the Underworld, only that Heracles rescued him from it. This sets up Theseus’ role to be background to Heracles, like a second self often is, and only have attention brought to himself when it will benefit Heracles. Once Theseus arrives, he makes it abundantly clear he has...
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...Hercules. He was the son of Zeus and lived on Earth with a mortal family. This is how his life started in many variations of the legend of Hercules. The three legends that will be discussed are Edith Hamilton's book Mythology, the History Channel's 2009 "Hercules" from the series Clash of the Gods, the 2014 movie Hercules directed by Brett Ratner and starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and the 1997 animated movie Hercules directed by John Musker and Ron Clements. Throughout every version there are similarities and differences. One way the legend of Hercules is explored is in the book Mythology by Edith Hamilton. It begins with Alcmene giving birth to Hercules and his brother Iphicles. It was believed that they were both the children of Amphitryon; however, later on we learn that Zeus was actually Hercules’s father. Hera had hated him since his birth and had made it a goal to kill him and make him suffer throughout his life. At one point, she sent two venomous snakes into his room at night. She was sure these snakes would kill him, but in the end it was Hercules who came out triumphant. He grew up to be an athletic, but rather unintelligent, hero. Throughout his life, Hera made everything for him difficult. She sent madness upon him, which resulted in him slaughtering his wife Megara and three sons. This is the reason he consulted the Oracle at Delphi and started his journey to receive the twelve labors from his cousin Eurystheus. He killed the Nemean lion, the hydra, brought back...
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...One reason Heracles should be the ruler is because is strong. “But Heracles…caught the snakes by their throats, one in each hand, and strangled them” (91). If war ever broke out, Mount Olympus would know that they have a strong leader for the battles. Another reason Heracles should be king is because he is very brave. Heracles’s stepfather was going to be banished but Heracles did not let that happen. “Heracles nobly offered to be his slave for ninety-nine months if Amphitryon might stay and keep his throne…but set Heracles the ten most dangerous Labours you can possibly choose” (91-92). This shows that Heracles is very brave and if anything happens to Mount Olympus he would be brave enough to save it. The last reason Heracles should be king is because he is very trustworthy. Zeus has to borrow Cerberus. “Be kind enough to lend me your watchdog for a few days, Your Majesty. He can run home again as soon as I have shown him to Eurystheus… He promises not to keep our dog Cerberus. Hades answered: Very Well” (100). Being trustworthy is important because the people of Mount Olympus should know that the ruler can be...
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...Greek gods and goddesses had elaborate and untamed personalities. They had imperfections and shortcomings along with merit and virtue just like humans. Besides their respected powers the Greeks added other things to the gods’ personalities such as: Zeus was known as a philanderer, his wife Hera a nagger, their daughter Aphrodite a loose woman, their son Ares a bully. While the Greeks honored and revered the gods to their faces at the same time making them the butts of countless stories. Many stories depicted them as spoiled, quarrelsome, stingy, jealous, and lacking concern for the human race (Farnell 47). This is pretty much the story for humans in general. If there was one God in Greek mythology it would be Zeus. He is considered the father of the gods and mortals by the Greeks. His roots and overall guidance have been traced back to ancient Indo-Vedic traditions. Zeus and the Vedic sky god, Dyaus, share many similar powers and stories (Smith 189). Zeus is loosely translated to “housemaster” and that is how the Greeks viewed him. The Greek creation stories of Zeus vary widely, but there is one that is generally accepted. Zeus was the youngest son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea and the brother of the deities Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, Demeter, and Hera (Cook v2 17). According to one of the ancient myths of the birth of Zeus, Cronus, fearing that he might be deposed by one of his children, swallowed them as they were born. When Zeus’ birth came to fruition, Rhea wrapped...
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...Hera to Zeus This letter is from Hera, wife and queen of Olympus, to Zeus, husband and King of Olympus and the Gods. The material for this letter can be found in Metamorphoses by Ovid Jupiter and Europa, Anthology of Classical Myth by Apollodorus K1 Heracles, and Zeus in Power in Anthology of Classical Myth by Hesiod. I chose to use myths that depict Zeus cheating on Hera and one where he goes out of his way to rape other women. I avoided using Zeus’ triumphant battles because without knowing mythology, Zeus’ role as a powerful warrior using his lightning bolts overshadows his moral failings as a husband. I want to know am I not good enough for you Zeus, king of Olympus? Looking other places to satisfy your needs, but then you come back to me? If I wasn’t queen of Olympus I wouldn’t be with your sorry self. What are my flaws? What is wrong with me that you won’t be faithful? I give you all my love and affection, but you keep looking elsewhere. Why do I deserve this? What did I do to you? I loved you and took care of your children, Hebe, Eileithyia, and Ares. You egotistical bastard! You ran around sleeping with other women. Zeus you dumb bastard, you slept with Metis who was prophesized to give birth to a child even more powerful than you! After you slept with her, you ate her, but you still gave birth to the baby , adding a child that is not mine to the list of things you have messed up on. Don’t expect me to take care of her like she is my own baby because I won’t, you stupid...
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...Zeus is the god of the sky and ruler of all gods. Zeus is the father of Heracles, who was borne from Alcmene after Zeus disguised himself as her husband, Amphitryon. The goddess Hera is Zeus’ wife. Heracles’ name is derived from ‘Glory of Hera’, however, Hera was portrayed in myths related to Heracles as a constant tormentor and enemy, probably due to her jealousy of Zeus’ constant affairs. She is the one that caused Heracles to go mad and murder his family, setting off the events of his twelve labors. For this, she was later punished by Zeus, who suspended her from Olympus and bounded her wrist with a golden chain and feet with anvils. Despite all of this, Hera and Heracles were able to reconcile after he was brought up to Olympus, he is then able to marry her daughter, Hebe. Athena is the goddess of war, wisdom, and the arts and crafts. She is depicted here with her typical war helmet and...
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...Hercules is thought to be one of the world’s greatest hero. There are children’s movies about him, but they all have a happy ending. Hercules, originally born “Heracles” lived a short cruel, yet heroic life. “The 12 Herculean tasks he performed over a period of 12 years have been immortalized in everything from classical poetry to Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion.” (French 1). Hercules, in Greek mythology, was a hero known for his strength and courage and for his legendary adventures. Hercules is the Roman name for the Greek hero Heracles. He was the son of the god Zeus and a human mother Alcmene, wife of the Theban general Amphitryon. Hera, Zeus' jealous wife, was determined to kill Hercules, and after Hercules was born, she sent two great serpents to kill him. Hercules, while he was still a baby, strangled the snakes. Hercules conquered a tribe that had been demanding money from Thebes. As a reward, he was given the hand in marriage of the Theben princess Megara and they had three children. Hera, still filled hatred of Hercules, sent him into madness, which made him kill his wife and children. In horror and remorse at what he did, Hercules was about to kill himself, but he was told by the oracle at Delphi that he should purge himself by becoming the servant of his cousin Eurystheus, king of Mycenae. Eurystheus, urged by Hera, planned as a punishment the 12 impossible tasks, the "Labors of Hercules." Eurystheus first ordered Hercules to kill the Nemean lion...
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...there would be a penalty for losing the challenge, but she is not afraid of it because she is not afraid of losing. Not only is she challenging Minerva to a test of skill, but she is also publicly taunting her. She insinuates that the goddess is afraid to accept the challenge because she knows that Arachne is more skilled. Through her hubris, Arachne claims superiority to Minerva while publicly mocking her. Furthermore, Arachne continues to mock Minerva and disrespects many of the other gods through the scenes of the tapestry she weaves. The tapestry Arachne weaves in their competition depicts the gods in a number of compromising and unflattering scenes. In her tapestry, Arachne shows “[how] Jupiter filled Antiope with twins; how, as Amphitryon, he hoodwinked you, Alcmena; and how Danaë was deceived…[she showed] convincing evidence of celestial misconduct…” Arachne further taunts Minerva through the scenes she depicts in her tapestry. She is so prideful that she does not consider the consequences of disrespecting the gods. By illustrating the gods in such compromising positions, she is implying that, more powerful or not, they are no better than the mere mortals. She depicts them as weak, fallible, and driven purely by passion. At this point, Arachne is not trying to simply win, she is taunting Minerva with her self-assured belief that she will not lose and thereby be punished. Arachne pridefully insults Minerva and the other gods without consideration to the possible consequences...
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...Hippolyte Jean GiraudouxN 1 est un écrivain1 et un diplomate français, né le29 octobre 1882 à Bellac en Haute-Vienne et mort le 31 janvier 1944 à Paris. Brillant étudiant et soldat décoré pendant la Première Guerre mondiale, il occupe des fonctions diplomatiques et administratives tout en écrivant des romans(Suzanne et le Pacifique en 1921, Siegfried et le Limousin en 1922) avant de se diriger vers le théâtre après sa rencontre avec le comédien Louis Jouvet qui mettra en scène et interprétera ses œuvres principales. Il est aujourd'hui surtout connu pour son théâtre qui compte des pièces célèbres comme Amphitryon 38 (1929), La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu (1935), Électre(1937) ou Ondine (1939) ou La Folle de Chaillot jouée en 1945 après sa mort. Jean Giraudoux a participé comme d'autres dramaturges des années 1930-1940(Cocteau, Anouilh, Sartre, Camus par exemple) à la réécriture des mythesantiques éclairés par les mentalités modernes. Il a su allier fantaisie poétique et goût pour les images insolites et également associer le tragique et le léger dans une langue élégante et fine, parfois même poétique Jean Giraudoux meurt à Paris le 31 janvier 1944, à l'âge de soixante et un ans, à la suite d'un empoisonnement alimentaire ou d'une inflammation du pancréas. la guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu Hector et Ulysse restent en tête-à-tête. Ni l'un ni l'autre ne veut la guerre. Mais ils sentent que le destin semble en décider autrement. Ulysse accepte de partir le plus rapidement...
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...For other meanings, see Perseus (disambiguation). Perseus | | Abode | Argos | Symbol | Medusa's head | Consort | Andromeda | Parents | Zeus and Danae | Children | Perses, Heleus | Mount | Pegasus | Topics in Greek mythology | Gods * Primordial gods and Titans * Zeus and the Olympians * Pan and the nymphs * Apollo and Dionysus * Sea-gods and Earth-gods | Heroes * Heracles and his Labors * Achilles and the Trojan War * Odysseus and the Odyssey * Jason and the Argonauts * Perseus and Medusa/Gorgon * Pirithous and the Centauromachy * Oedipus and Thebes * Orpheus and the Orphic Mysteries * Theseus and the Minotaur * Triptolemus and the Eleusinian Mysteries | Related * Satyrs, centaurs and dragons * Religion in Ancient Greece | Greek mythology portal | Perseus (Greek: Περσεύς), the legendary founder of Mycenae and of the Perseid dynastyof Danaans there, was the first of the heroes of Greek mythology whose exploits in defeating various archaic monsters provided the founding myths of the Twelve Olympians. Perseus was the Greek hero who killed the Gorgon Medusa, and claimed Andromeda, having rescued her from a sea monster sent by Poseidon in retribution for QueenCassiopeia declaring that her daughter, Andromeda, was more beautiful than the Nereids. Contents [hide] * 1 Etymology * 2 Origin at Argos * 3 Overcoming the Gorgon * 4 Marriage to Andromeda * 5 The oracle fulfilled * 6 King of Mycenae * 7 Descendants...
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...8/2/2016 Twelve Olympians Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Twelve Olympians From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In the ancient Greek religion and Greek mythology, the Twelve Olympians are the major deities of the Greek pantheon, commonly considered to be Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes, and either Hestia or Dionysus.[1] Hades and Persephone were sometimes included as part of the twelve Olympians (primarily due to the influence of the Eleusinian Mysteries), although in general Hades was excluded, because he resided permanently in the underworld and never visited Olympus. Contents 1 Concept 2 Membership 3 List 3.1 The major Olympians 3.2 Other Olympians 3.3 Minor residents of Mount Olympus 4 Genealogy 5 See also 6 Notes 7 References Concept The Twelve Olympians, also known as the Dodekatheon (Greek: Δωδεκάθεον from δώδεκα,[3][4] dōdeka, "twelve" and θεοί, theoi, "gods"), were the principal deities of the Greek pantheon, said to reside atop Mount Olympus. The Olympians gained their supremacy in a war of gods in which Zeus led his siblings to victory over the Titans. Fragment of a Hellenistic relief (1st century BC – 1st century AD) The concept of the "Twelve Gods" is older than depicting the Twelve Olympians carrying their attributes in any extant Greek or Roman sources.[5] The procession; from left to right, Hestia (scepter), Hermes (winged cap gods meet in council in the Homeric epics...
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...Early European Theater • The writings of this period were primarily hymns, sermons and similar theologically oriented works. • Latin became a literary medium. • Major preserves of learning are the monasteries. • 8th century Europe returned to greater stability under the Carolingian kings. ➢ Charles Martel – defeated the Moslems at Tours in 732 AD, through his innovative use of armored horsemen as the principal military force, initiating the development of knighthood. ➢ Charlemagne – extended his realm into the Slavic territories and converting non- Christians on the way. Charlemagne was crowned by the Pope and pronounced him as the successor to Constantine. The scenario was the first attempt to establish the Holy Roman Empire. • Charlemagne’s death caused Europe to break into small units isolated from each other and from the world. • Moslem controlled the Mediterranean and the Vikings, still pagans, conquered the northern seas. Early Middle Ages • Life was relatively simple. • Feudalistic patterns were fully established. ➢ Manor (large estate)- headed by a noble man, assumed absolute authority over the peasants who worked his land collectively. ➢ Vassals – supplies the lords a specified number of knights upon demand and the lords in return were bound to protect their vassals. The Theater (500- 900 AD) • The theater revived during the early Middle Ages. • After the Western Roman...
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...Aphrodite (Ἀφροδίτη, Aphroditē) Goddess of love, beauty and desire. She was married to Hephaestus, but she had many lovers, including Ares, Adonis and Anchises. She was depicted as a beautiful woman and often naked. Her symbols include roses and other flowers, the scallop shell, and myrtlewreath. Her sacred animals are doves and sparrows. The Roman version of Aphrodite was Venus. Apollo (Ἀπόλλων, Apóllōn) God of light, healing, music, poetry, plague, prophecy, and more. He is the son of Zeus and Leto, and the twin brother of Artemis. Apollo was associated with the Sun; while Artemis was the Moon. Both use a bow and arrow. In the earliest myths, Apollo fights with his half-brother Hermes. In sculpture, Apollo was depicted as a handsome young man with long hair and a perfect physique. His attributes include the laurel wreath and lyre. He often appears in the company of the Muses. Animals sacred to Apollo include roe deer, swans, cicadas, hawks, ravens, crows, foxes, mice and snakes. Ares (Ἄρης, Árēs) God of war and bloodshed. He was the son of Zeus and Hera. He was depicted as a young man, either naked with a helmet and spear or sword, or as an armed warrior. Ares generally represents the chaos of war in contrast to Athena, who represented strategy and skill. Ares' sacred animals are the vulture, venomous snakes, dogs and boars. The Roman version of Ares is Mars. Artemis (Ἄρτεμις, Ártemis) Goddess of hunting, wilderness, animals and childbirth. In later times she became...
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...Mythological and Biblical Characters The Titans According to Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of primordial, powerful deities that ruled during the legendary Golden Age. The Titans were created by Gaea and her surrounding Uranus (Heaven), who embraced her strongly with his starry mantle and they became the first divine couple of the World. The Titans were first dwelling in Mount Olympus in Ancient Greece, but were overthrown expelled to the lower basement of Hades, the Tartarus, after their defeat in a huge battle with the Olympian Gods. The Superior Titans are Gaea, Mother Earth, and Uranus, Ruler of the Heaven and the Sky. The Main Titans are Atlas, the Titan of Astronomy, and Prometheus, the Titan of Wisdom and Forethought. There are also several Titan Couples. These include Cronus and Rhea, the mother and father of the Olympian Gods, Coeus and Phoebe, the Titan of Intelligence and the Titaness of Brilliance and the Moon, Hyperion and Theia, Titan of Life and Sun and Titaness of Sight, and Oceanus and Tethys, Ruler of the Waters and the Seas, and Titaness of the Wet Element and the Oceans. Other Titans of Ancient Greece include Crius, Titan of Leadership and Domestic Animals, Iapetus, Titan of Morality, Mnemosyne, Titaness of Memory, and Themis, Titaness of Law, Justice and Order. The Twelve Olympians The Olympian gods were the main deities in Ancient Greece. All gods were associated with birth myths, but they were unaging. After overthrowing their ancestors...
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