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Examples Of Mortals In Greek Mythology

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Throughout Greek mythology almost every myth includes situations with mortals and the gods interacting. Often times the gods and goddesses of Olympus were forced to put mortals in their place, or in a way, make apparent that they are immortal while man is mortal. In these tales hubris often played a part, as some mortals displayed excessive pride often used in defiance of the gods. In most of those situations the consequences were swift and relentless; as opposed to killing transgressors, the gods preferred to make their criminals immortal, often setting them at impossible tasks or painful experiences for the rest of eternity. In an article written by Michael Van Duisen, he writes, “Many mortals tried to trick or challenge the gods, and all …show more content…

In today’s modern society, there are always tales to the wise, or myths that make us think of what terrible things could happen should we cross the boundaries of the unknown- but in Greek society, with many different gods, and many different ways to offend, it’s almost as if the Ancient Greeks must be always alert and wary of their reverence for otherwise tales of tragedies followed those who showed hubris or did not do as the gods commanded. The first example of godly revenge is the myth of Erysichthon, who was cursed by the goddess Demeter, goddess of food, harvest, and all things plentiful. As the story goes, while Demeter was out in search and mourning for her daughter Persephone, who had been taken by Hades to be his bride. At this time there was a ruler Erysichthon, who according to Ovid and Homer “spurned the majesty of all the Gods, and gave no honor at their altars.” He went to one of Demeter’s sacred groves and proceeded to cut down the trees …show more content…

Used still today as examples in philosophy and even psychology, the myth of Sisyphus represents the mindset of mortals and reactions to impossible tasks. He acted as a highwayman and as such had privy to godly secrets. He occasionally passed along these secrets, often about the underworld and often for a price. He used what he had learned to capture and confine Death himself, putting him in chains. With Death thus captured, no one in the mortal word could die and the underworld grew quiet and empty, which Hades lamented. Hades, god of the underworld, spoke with Ares, the god of war, who was also furious about the situation. Ares proceeded to the underworld and freed Death, also wounding Sisyphus. Before he passed however, he planned a way to once again escape his fate. Sisyphus ordered his wife to leave him unburied, and also, once he was in the underworld, requested Hades permission to go back to the world of the living and reprimand his wife. Hades granted his request, but instead of doing as he said he would, Sisyphus remained on Earth, living many more years and taking part in great pleasures; that is until the gods grew tired of his games and enacted his punishment. He was ripped back to the underworld, and although after he was received there is not much mention of him, we know that his punishment for all eternity is to push a giant boulder uphill relentlessly, until he nears the top, at which time the boulder rolls back downhill,

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