Western Civilization
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When Poets Ruled the World from Hesiod, Archilochus, Pindar, and Solon
1. Is Hesiod’s view of the gods different or similar to Homer’s?
There are big differences between two ancient representatives of the Greek literature. If Homer is a legendary figure from the beginning to the end, Hesiod is real. Respect for the gods, love and respect for parents, homeland defense are the commandments of the Greeks, as reproduced in the Homeric poems. The appearance of the gods is portrayed contradictory. Homeric gods are completely humanoid (anthropomorphic), although some of them may become different animals. They are corporeal, and can even be hurt,
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Hesiod’s gods lost their carelessness and gaiety of the Homeric gods, became the moral forces, severe guardians of order and justice, born of Zeus. The role of gods according to Hesiod belongs not only the Olympian gods with human form, like Zeus or Apollo, but the Earth, Sky, Star, Wind, Fight, Lies, Victory, Wisdom, violence, etc. Zeus as for Hesiod is not just carrier of the power, as Uranus and Kronus, but also the embodiment of a long-awaited order, keeper and guardian of ethics. The desire to have a better life and a constant feeling of dissatisfaction are natural for people, and the gods tend, on the contrary, to complicate people’s lives and create new difficulties. Thus, the Hesiod’s style of poetry is close to Homer’s one, but because of the general didactic orientation Hesiod’s poetry is almost out of bright Homeric metaphors, similes and epithets.
2. What are some of the essential features of Hesiod’s view of the appropriate way to live and how does it differ from Homer’s depiction of the heroic life?
Hesiod after the slave system, on the one hand, is poor, on the other – his ideals related to enrichment in the old and new sense. His assessment of life is full of pessimism, but at the same time of labor optimism and hope that a happy life comes through constant activity. First of all, the nature for him is a source of benefits, but Hesiod is a big fan of its beauty.
The Odyssey written by Homer highlights the character development of Odysseus, the epic hero, in his journey of self-discovery. Odysseus is accredited with many strong traits including his nobility, smarts, and bravery. Having one tragic flaw, being his arrogance, was put to the test throughout his heroic journey. Homer stripped the protagonist of his arrogance as the story goes on, by giving him many challenges, giving dire consequences for his mistakes, and allowing him to continue to overcome obstacles. The main purpose of Odysseus’ journey was to reach his home as a humbled man. The hero’s journey can be used as a way to look at life’s morals. The reader is able to see the protagonist continue to make mistakes, because of his arrogance and continue to be punished by the gods. Once he overcame this, he is greatly awarded with the security of his home. This essay will analyze the arrogance of Odysseus along with his extraordinary traits, the molding of his identity, and his new found lesson of humility.
The Ancient Greek religion is a collection of beliefs and rituals practiced in ancient Greece in the form of both popular public religion and cult practices. Ancient Greece is the civilization belonging to the period of Greek history lasting from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to 146 BC and the Roman conquest of Greece after the Battle of Corinth. Main Beliefs: The Ancient Greeks believed in many Gods and Goddesses and believed that they controlled everything in their lives and the environment. There was a God for every aspect of their lives. It was important to please the Gods; happy Gods helped you, but unhappy Gods punished you.
In Hesiod’s “Works and Days” Elpis is a very controversial and crucial point of the story. Elpis is meant to represent hope for humanity, and it is delivered via the Pithos that also carried all the miseries of man. “But the woman took off the great lid of the jar with her hands, and scattered, all these and her thought caused sorrow and mischief to men” Hesiod, Works and Days, 94-95. These including, challenging work, disease, and old age. The question being how must one regard this secret and unexpected piece of the sacred “gift” from Pandora. I believe Elpis should be regarded as a blessing for humanity, as it drives human persistence, the love for others, and the idea that human want to better shape the world around them.
Many have deemed Homer and Hesiod the “founding fathers” of Greek epic poetry and philosophical writings. Both writers’ careers flourished around 8th century B.C, and were immense influences in the world of Greek philosophy. Hesiod focuses on more traditional origins of life for his stories and ensures that the creation of the world and its rulers are embodied in his works. Homer has been considered one of the most influential philosophical writers for centuries by recognized philosophers. He wrote about principles in battle, governance, counsel, sports, the home and life in general that the Greeks looked to in praise. While both of the authors were similar in writing style, they differ vastly in the messages of their poems.
In ancient Greek Myths, the description of Zeus’ character can range from a heroic leader to that of a vile dictator, depending on the author’s intention. This contrast is especially noteworthy when comparing Hesiod’s Theogony with Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound, as Zeus is presented as the world’s protector in the former, while he is portrayed as selfish and ruthless in Aeschylus’ tale.
In the poem Zeus is shown in a very positive light, as he is one of the key characters in the story. The author continually praises Zeus throughout his poem, making the text not only a story of the creation of the universe but also showing characteristics of a hymn to
As Hephaestus is notified of Thetis’ arrival, he explores what their relationship has meant to him. Hephaestus recalls that “Thetis saved my life when the mortal pain came on me after my great fall…” (P. 480) After Hephaestus falls out of Zeus’ good graces, Thetis is able to lend her helping hand, displaying the hierarchical dynamic between the gods. The gods are indebted to each other, the likely reason that Hephaestus felt as though he needed to make Thetis the ornate shield. The duty and obligation to each other fuels the mutualistic relationships between the gods. Thetis’ motivation to help Hephaestus was not solely out of kindness; rather Thetis saw the opportunity to make a strategic move and put Hephaestus in her debt, knowing that she very well could use his services in her future. Hephaestus describes the pain that he felt as “mortal pain” signifying a distinction between the discomforts and vulnerability of mortals and gods.
Most people think of a hero as a strong, superior, good-looking person that could never make a mistake. However, in a story called The Odyssey, a connection to real life reveals imperfections to be common in heroes. Each person has their low points and highlights, regardless of their “rank”. The author and epic poet, Homer, exemplifies our main character, Odysseus, to take on this idea of a hero throughout his writing. The time period took place in Ancient Greece, allowing Greek culture to relate to the poem. Different aspects of such culture and history may have influenced the works and creativity of Homer as well. A major point includes The Trojan War because it focuses in on Odysseus’ journey to bring Helen back home by devising a plan to destroy warriors in the city. Acknowledge this factor when reading The Odyssey, for not only evidence of heroism, but also other major points of archetypes, in which the device reflects the insights of readers in modern time and what is seen from Ancient Greek culture.
Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus experiences many ups and downs throughout his journey home. He is throw into peril and there often seems to be no hope for his return home. While he remains victorious in the end, returning to his wife, son, and father, the poem itself is filled with many darker moments filled with doubt and sadness. Odysseus is the hero of the Odyssey, and in order to exist as a hero he must be relatable. His story cannot be one entirely of triumph, it must include a more human perspective. Triumph cannot come without strife, and heroism cannot come without tribulation. Athena and Odysseus’ experiences as divine and human, respectively, and define whether or not they are heroes. By comparing Odysseus to Athena, it is apparent that what makes Odysseus a hero before anything else is his humanity.
Hejduk’s article “Jupiter’s Aeneid: Fama and Imperium” challenges readers of the Roman epic to rethink how they interpreted the god Jupiter and his motivation, through the poem. She claims that while Jupiter is regarded by both readers and characters within the epic as an optimistic benign god, his intentions tell us otherwise. He is only interested in power and honor. Hejduk breaks her article into three sections to present this argument. The first section being the longest and most detailed, while the third being the most concise. She first analyzes Jupiter’s words directly from The Aeneid. In this section, she uses direct quotes from the god in the original Latin, and then walks the reader step by step through her analysis and translation of his speech. In the second part, she goes away from the literal translation of Jupiter’s words, and goes to the meaning of them. She looks at the motivation behind his words. In this section, she relies
“Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns ... start from where you will—sing for our time too” (I, 1, 12). From the very beginning, Homer shows his intention for themes of The Odyssey to be applicable in the modern age and essentially “sing for our time” (I, 12). Homer’s epic provides the ideal reflection upon the very definition of heroism because it details the strenuous journey of Odysseus, a crafty hero whose key priority is to return home to his family. As one of the most prominent themes, The Odyssey carries forth the idea of heroism through the portrayal of Odysseus, and establishes a connection with the real world through the expression of life lessons. Consequently, Odysseus is characterized to serve as a role model for the successful hero because, after all, the poem is essentially centered on his very name. However, The Odyssey simultaneously conveys that an entirely perfect hero may be impossible, but a means for improvement is always present. The attributes for success that are revealed in The Odyssey can be examined under interconnected ideas of passion, perseverance, and prowess. Thus, heroism is the most compelling theme of The Odyssey because it exemplifies the attributes for success while also demonstrating that heroes are not without mortal flaws.
The Greeks used Hesiod’s Theogony and various hero myths to explain and conceptualise the world around them, both internally, and externally. If we explore the ways in which the Greeks understood themselves, and how they play a part in the world socially, the internal importance of these texts become quite obvious. It instructs the Greeks how to live their lives, in doing so, the texts construct a guideline for them to follow; establishing rules and highlighting characteristics which are to be assumed by the Greeks to fit in with their presupposed role. However, a dichotomy occurs in the way these texts are used, in that, while it explained the world internally, it coincides with the external explanations of the fundamental nature, and metaphysical reality of the world in which they live. By analysing fragments from the pre-Socratics, we can see how important the Theogony was in fuelling this new mode of thinking, which would later result in an aspect completely distinctive of the Greek mind.
Hesiod also makes the powers of the females focused primarily on the natural deaths and births in order to look bad to the general public. Based on his description in the poem, it is not very easy for Zeus to be deceived in any manner. The firm stand of Zeus is demonstrated in the poem when the author claims, “Thus to
One of the issues in Homers The Odyssey is understanding the role and function of the goddess Athena. The problem is most pronounced when examining Athena’s duality. She provides Odysseus both her counsel and assistance throughout the story yet she’s also the entity that keeps him exiled from his home. Athena’s role, similar to the other gods, is to correct apparent injustices. “Oh father Zeus and gods and bliss forever let no man holding scepter as a king think to be mild the fatherhood and mercy through his reign. Meanwhile he lives and grieves upon the island of the nymph…” Book 5 lines 9-21. These lines show that Athena is concerned about the injustice that surrounds Odysseus and his son. This suggests that gods can become active in the role of mortals and may aid them to correct inequity through their fate. This paper will explore the obligations Athena had to ensure Odysseus’ voyage home safely as well as the thematic importance of fate in The Odyssey and the intervention and the power of the gods and goddesses. Fate is one of the occurring themes throughout the Odyssey, where the intervention of the gods and goddesses is common due to the triumphs of men and women.
Hesiod was an ancient Greek Poet who is often compared to the poet Homer. It was believed that Hesiod was a farmer in Boeotia (centre of Greece). He was alive in 700 BC and it is believed that he composed the Theogony in that time. Theogony is often described as the report done on the origins of the gods. The Theogony is one of the major records on Greek mythology. His Theogony is composed of accounts on the origins of the gods as well as the origins of the world.