Interactions with the Gods
analytical Essay
2738 words
Interactions with the Gods Nothing can be more life changing than when a god chooses to interact with a mortal man. Much of Greek mythology describes the natures of these interactions. The Olympian Gods meddle with the mortals they rule over constantly, but what is the result for these interactions, and how do they impact the mortals? The question that this paper tries to address is what is the nature of these divine interaction, and how does each side truly perceive each other? The Gods and mortals interact in a variety of ways, but the true natures of these interactions truly describe how the ancient Greeks perceived their gods. Before one can understand the interactions between the Gods and mortals, one first has to understand the nature of the Gods. In Homer, the Olympian Gods are anthropomorphic; that is to say they have human characteristics. The Gods have both a human shape as well as human emotions and needs. It is very evident that the Gods behave much like the mortals they lord over. Another facet to the Olympians Gods is that they represent a facet of nature, such as fire, water, death, weather, love, anger, nature, and death. The duel nature of the Gods creates a paradox in which the Gods are both anthropomorphic, as well as abstract representations of nature. In Homer, the Gods alternate between each of these parts, and on occasion become one. It can be best said that while the Gods are anthropomorphic, they are also a personification of nature. There are numerous examples of this in both the Iliad and the Odyssey. In book 21 of the Iliad Achilles has to fight the river god Xanthus, but he is saved by the fire god Hephaestus. Hephaestus is portrayed both a fire God as well as the fire itself. Xanthus, who na... ... middle of paper ... ... are this middle class, respected by the Gods, but still not their equals. The gods prove this time and time and again, and with these interactions, they make the heroes what they are. Heroes are nothing more than men who strive to be as great as the gods. Sometimes they fail, but they are remembered for daring to dream of greatness. Bibliography: Bibliography Ian Ross Barnes, Hazel E. The Meddling Gods Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press 1974 Ferguson, John. Greek and Roman Religion Park Ridge, New Jersey: Noyes Press 1980 Nilsson, Martin P. A History of Greek Religion New York, NY : W.W. Norton & Company 1964 Guthrie, W.K.C. The Greeks and their Gods Boston, MA : Beacon Press 1950 Caldwell, Richard S. The origin of the gods : a psychoanalytic study of Greek theogonic myth New York : Oxford University Press, 1989
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how greek mythology describes the natures of gods and mortals' interactions. the olympian gods meddle with them constantly, but how does each side truly perceive each other?
- Explains that the olympian gods are both anthropomorphic and abstract representations of nature in both the iliad and the odyssey.
- Explains that gods are human in characteristics, therefore they have the same motives as mortal men. divine interactions and relationships with mortals can be compared to a mortal kingdom.
- Explains that when talking about divine interactions, it is best to group them into two groups, physical and psychological. the first type is the physical interactions between gods and mortals.
- Analyzes the role of the gods in heroic myth. they play both protagonist and antagonist, help or hinder the hero, and decide the fates of mortal men.
- Argues that to make a hero, one of the gods is needed. hector had apollo on his side, and patroclus had no divine assistance, so he could not lose.
- Argues that the gods can make heroes, or make true heroes even greater. odysseus and hector have a god acting as their champion.
- Analyzes how the gods interact with heroes in the form of protection. in the iliad, meneleaus and paris duel for helen.
- Analyzes how the god decides who wins and dies by deciding these factors in a battle, such as when achilles and hector fight to the death.
- Analyzes how poseidon, the god of the sea, plays the antagonist, and provides conflict for odysseus throughout the entire epic.
- Analyzes how the fury of diomedes is an interesting example of physical interaction in greek mythology, when a mortal attacks the gods themselves.
- Analyzes how diomedes did more than equal the gods, he was their greater in combat. this type of interaction is rare and tells much about the greeks view of the gods when they interfere.
- Analyzes how the example of diomedes fits in with the other divine interactions. odysseus fights against the gods, and is a hero because he survives and succeeds in his journey.
- Explains that the second form of physical interactions have nothing to do with battle, but with love and anger. gods constantly lust over the mortals they rule.
- Explains the rule to follow when looking at these types of relationships is that the children of sods and mortals are also mortal. dionysus is the result between zeus and the mortal woman semele.
- Analyzes how the role of divine parentage in greek myth is used to make a king or hero seem even greater. the children of gods are greater than mortals, but lesser than their own parents.
- Analyzes how the gods punish the mortals, not in the name of justice, but when they offend them in some way. the stories of artemis and actaeon are examples of punishment.
- Explains that the gods punish in anger, which can come from jealousy, refusal, insult, and when a mortal tries to be as great, or greater, he faces their wrath.
- Analyzes the psychological interaction between the gods and the mortal mind.
- Analyzes how the gods are used as an excuse for a sudden change in behavior or something so irrational that it is unthinkable.
- Compares ares, the god of war, and athena, who is the goddess of civilized, just battle. the gods are the driving force of the battle throughout the iliad.
- Explains that in greek myth, a sudden change of heart or mind was explained that the gods are responsible. this is not unlike someone today saying "the devil made me do it!"
- Analyzes how the gods offer psychological counseling to a hero or other mortal, such as athena, but they don't always help heroes in such interactions. zeus tells agamemnon it's time for the acheans to try and take troy.
- Illustrates how the gods are used to explain an action when the mortal wanted to avoid the blame for the action.
- Analyzes how the interaction between gods and mortals tells us a lot about both of them.
- Explains that the gods are the ruling class, and the mortals themselves are their servants and subjects. heroes and kings are a middle-class, respected by the gods, but not their equals.
- Describes caldwell's study of greek theogonic myth and the origin of the gods.
Related
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- opinionated
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- The Odysseyanalytical essayI have seen a lot of interaction, both indirect and direct contacts, between humans and the gods in literature such as the Hesiod, the Odyssey, and the Homeric Hymns, and I would be safe in assuming that petty feuding and revenge on humans acts as a past time for the Greek Gods. Yet, the humans are no better, which is why my essay will argue that the interaction between the gods is negative for humans and we see that demonstrated when humans interact with gods, how the gods interact with humans, and how the gods can act on their own personal motives.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the interaction between the greek gods and humans is negative for humans.
- Analyzes how humans can sway gods through sacrifice and create their own and even humanities fate, for better or for worse.
- Analyzes how humans see the negative side of the gods in the odyssey, the homeric hymns, and theogony.
- Analyzes how the gods in the homeric hymns and theogony act on personal motives, which can lead to major consequences for mortals.
- Analyzes how the greeks worshipped the gods to avoid harm and repercussions. they were so focused on appeasing them that they weren't following their own paths of life.
964 wordsRead More - Free Essays: A Comparison of Iliad and Odysseyopinionated essaythe Gods in the affairs of humanity is much greater in the Iliad then in the
In this essay, the author
- Opines that mortals throughout their all too brief lives are a lot.
- Opines that marriage, nor the ties of kinship can contain keep it under control.
- Opines that the treachery among the gods prevalent in the iliad is nowhere to be found.
- Analyzes how hera enters into a conspiracy with poseidon, aphrodite, and morpheus in iliad to aid the greeks by putting zeus to sleep.
- Opines that the gods in the affairs of humanity are much greater in iliad than in the odyssey.
- Analyzes how the iliad differed in its portrayal of the olympians in both works.
- Opines that cyclopes do not aid him when he is forced to deal with them.
- Opines that olympian by his side like hector or agamemnon did in the iliad.
- Opines that odysseus did not know this until after the fact.
- Opines that hera can turn nature against the greeks, slay one of their heroes, or send their loyal immortals down to turn the tide of battle.
- Opines that the war was perpetuated by the will of the gods alone. they never had any say in the matter.
- Analyzes how zeus wants to inspire achilles to enter the fight, so he kills his.
- Explains why life is so terrible and random and short for most people. deal with it.
1063 wordsRead More - Conception and Birth of Heroes in Greek Mythologyanalytical essayMorford, Mark P.O., Robert J. Lenardon and Michael Sham. Classical Mythology 9th Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the birth of a hero sets them apart from common mortals in greek mythology. a mundane birth is simply not an option.
- Narrates how aethra, daughter to pittheus king of troezen, and bellerophon did not consummate their wedding vows before his exile to caria in disgrace bore theseus.
- Analyzes how hercules, born of alcmena and zeus, was conceived by her husband and twins. hera was notorious for tormenting husbands’ illegitimate offspring.
- Analyzes how king acrisius of argos imprisoned his daughter dana after the delphic oracle informed him any son born to him would be destined to kill him.
- Explains morford, mark p.o., robert j. lenardon, and michael sham. classical mythology 9th edition.
- Explains that heroes are a "virgin" birth conceived through magic or divine influence marking them as different from everyone else. they represent our wishes and urge us to be better as individuals.
1164 wordsRead More - How the Greek Revered Their Godsexplanatory essayHow the Greek revered their gods In ancient times, the Greeks had absolute and undeniable respect for their gods. They demonstrated their admiration by putting in place many rituals and celebrations to reverence the gods that they loved and feared in order to ensure harmony with them. In particular, the focus will be on the religious beliefs of the Greeks, including prayer and sacrifice, as well as on festivals and the arts, such as the ancient Olympic games and theatre. These aspects of their culture made a significant contribution to their quality of life.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that at the temple entrance stood an altar, which was required to have a place for the sacred fire, and once it had been used, the altar was not to be moved.
- Explains that sacrifice was a communal event through which the greeks believed that they were bound together with the gods.
- Explains that the greeks went to the oracles because communication through a deity was possible there to seek advice or guidance.
- Explains that a greek wedding ceremony was performed in succession of places. it included the preparation of the bride, removal from her father's house, reception, and presents.
- Explains that the bride sacrificed her childhood toys to artemis, the virgin goddess, on the day before the wedding. the marital journey from one house to the other happened at night by torchlight.
- Explains that prayers and rituals united the greeks in a common goal and gave their life meaning.
- Explains that the greeks held festivals, athletic games, and the arts in honour of the gods. the pythian games were held at delphi, nemea and isthmian games.
- Explains that the first olympic games started in 776 bc, and included only one competition, the footrace.
- Explains that olympia became a principal site for the worship of zeus. individuals donated buildings, statues, altars and other dedications to the god.
- Explains that competition in the olympic games was restricted to greeks only; people who were not greek could not compete. the emphasis on individual athletic accomplishment through public competition was connected to the greek ideal of excellence.
- Explains that not all athletes lived up to the code of excellence. those who were discovered cheating were fined, and the money was used to make bronze statues of zeus.
- Explains that the olympic festivals were so revered that a truce was announced to allow visitors and athletes to travel safely to olympia. wars were suspended, armies were prohibited from entering elis or threatening the games.
- Explains that there were several non-athletic festivals throughout the year associated with different gods, such as anthesteria, mounukhia, and maia.
- Explains that during the summer solstice, there was a festival called plunteria, which was the festival for washing the ancient statue of athena.
- Explains that during autumn, there was a minor thanksgiving festival for apollo called boedromia, and puanepsia, which sought divine blessings for the autumn sowing.
- Explains that agricultural festivals were more concerned with raising human spirits and reviving the crops than with the return of the sun.
- Explains that religious festivals and rituals were accompanied by hymns to the specific god, and seasonal festivals included singing and dancing. greek tragedy honored the wine god dionysos.
- Explains how the greeks reverenced their gods in order to maintain a harmonious relationship with them. interaction and worship of them was part of life.
- Explains walters, h.b., a guide to the exhibition illustrating greek and roman life.
- Explains that the greeks had absolute and undeniable respect for their gods. they put in place many rituals and celebrations to reverently revere their gods in order to ensure harmony with them.
- Explains that the ancient greeks practiced a religion that revolved around their reverence to the gods, making their religion polytheistic.
- Explains that the olympian religion lacked sentimentality, and the greek gods were portrayed as humans, which meant that they were not perfect.
- Explains that the greeks used the gods as a means to justify anything that they could not understand or scientifically explain.
- Explains that the major form of worship occurred through prayer and sacrifice at temples, at the oracles or in the homes of the greeks.
- Explains that the greeks would also think about the gods during their daily routine, but if they had a specific request, the worshipper would take an offering directly to god's temple.
- Explains that the greeks went to these places of worship to make offerings or present sacrifices to maintain protection from the gods and keep order.
- Explains that the temples were built with a high regard for nature, as the greeks' was an earth-based culture and never drastically changed the environment in which they were constructed.
3757 wordsRead More - The Archaic and Classical Greek Periodsexplanatory essayGreek society is different from our won. The concepts that assist us to describe contemporary religious situations are quite unsuitable to use toward the analysis of what the Greeks regarded as divine. With this in mind, we can then be able to look at the outline of the practice of hero cult in both the Archaic and Classical Greek periods.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that in one hand, it is used for denoting a divine being, who lived mortal life.
- Explains that the hero stands for great and brave warrior who is ready to give his life.
- Explains antonaccio, carla m., the archaeology of ancestors, lanham, md, and london: rowman and littlefield publishers, inc.
- Explains that greek society is different from our won, and that the greeks regarded their religious situations as divine. this essay will look at political life as the most prominent significance for heroic cults.
- Explains that ancient greeks would regard with respect the spirits of dead men, women, and children through cult activities focused around the location of the presumed gravesites.
- Explains that the greek archaic period is preceded by greek dark age, followed by the classical period. the persian war is considered one of the most influential events in this period.
- Explains the development and expansion of the archaic era followed by the period of maturity known as classical greece.
- Explains how heroes and saints interact with political power because they provide mediation between humans and gods.
- Explains nagy, gregory, and stevanovi, l. human or superhuman: the concept of hero in ancient greek religion and/in politics institute of etnography.
1295 wordsRead More - Ancient Greek Religion Essayanalytical essayReligion in the Greek world has had an interesting history. Like many other ancient religions, the ancient Greek mythology began as a simple animistic faith. The elemental gods were soon perverted into anthropomorphized powers that controlled the mortal world on their own terms. Swayed by their very human whims, the Greek gods ruled over a world of chaos and war, peppered with extravagant arts and luxurious periods of peace. Such was the age of the poets. But soon came the age of the philosophers. Thales predicted the eclipse of 585 BCE and with that came the creation of the philosophic tradition. This new breed of thinkers cast away the old religion, challenging its arbitrary nature and lack of rationality. Philosophers like Xenophanes critiqued the humanness of the gods and others, like Socrates, doubted their irrationality. As the Hellenistic Age dawned before the tragic fall of Greece, these philosophical critiques blended with social and political upheaval to generate new religions. These new religions emerged to meet the new needs of a more diverse, less unified
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the greek mythology began as a simple animistic faith. the elemental gods perverted into anthropomorphized powers that controlled the mortal world on their own terms.
- Analyzes how emigration from the far reaches of the world flooded the greek world with new peoples. the political union of city state brought together neighboring populations, forcing a mixture of cultures.
- Analyzes how the secrecy of the new religions in hellenistic greece allowed the people to develop a system of both physical and metaphysical support.
- Analyzes how the encroaching of hellenistic, pagan ideas into the jewish orthodoxy caused significant conflicts within the church. the establishment of a jewish state in 142 bce raised further issues of how religion and politics should mix.
- Explains that in the politically dynamic world of hellas, the population of the center of western life found itself in need of a new faith.
1102 wordsRead More - The Ancient Greeks and their Strong Belief in their Godsanalytical essayReligion was deeply intertwined in the culture of the Ancient Greeks. They prayed to their gods, hoping the gods would satisfy their needs and offer assistance in their endeavors. Occasionally the gods would appear to select mortals to give them counsel or assistance. However, if the desires or endeavours of a mortal displeased one or more of the gods, they would also interfere in their success. The Ancient Greeks are a very religious people who strongly believe in their gods to the extent that they believed that the gods would interfere in their day-to-day living. Due to their strong belief in their gods, the Ancient Greeks had a relationship with the gods that gave them utmost respect and reverence. Homer illustrates these ideals in his epic poem, The Odyssey.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that religion was deeply intertwined in the culture of the ancient greeks. they prayed to their gods, hoping they would satisfy their needs and offer assistance.
- Analyzes how the gods interfere with the mortals, establishing the conditions under which the story begins.
- Analyzes poseidon's grudge against odysseus for blinding poyphemus and how the gods use their authority to put their interests above the interests of the mortals.
- Concludes that having a good and faithful relationship with the gods can lead to benefits for the mortals.
- Analyzes how the mortals show respect and reverence to the gods through sacrifices, offerings, prayer, and disrespect resulting in disaster in the odyssey.
- Concludes that homer elucidates the significance of the gods coming into contact with the mortals and the importance of a strong relationship of respect and reverence.
1012 wordsRead More - Social Paradoxes In Ancient Greek Tragediesanalytical essayAncient Greek tragedies, have placed the gods a scenes, hostile to each other or have them human emotions exhibited through them. Changing social structures, economic wealth and intellectual environment enriched expression in the first row were tragedies. With the human body, the feeling was on display. Gods descending from heaven to earth, was adding sovereignty conscious to the people. We see then that the next instance of the 1600-1700 year hiatus. Precisely as a comedy, as Marx said. Dante and Boccaccio's lyrical line was marked as a comedy. Human who can become a divine presence can easily come out god justifications _ could now easily pass through waves with it. Not only divine, an era of literary criticism, including social paradoxes
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how ancient greek tragedies, have placed the gods a scenes, hostile to each other or have them human emotions exhibited through them.
146 wordsRead More - Greek and Roman Godsexplanatory essay“Mythology is a body of stories told to explain the world and its mysteries,” Doctor Scott A. Leonard explains in his article, “Mythology”. Before the knowledge to provide scientific reasoning towards the world’s events, people told myths about heroes, gods and goddesses to explain natural events. (Leonard, “Mythology”). In mythology, most stories are connected and explain another myth, (Stapleton 42). According to the article “Roman Gods”, the twelve greatest gods and goddess of Rome were parallel to the twelve Olympian gods in Greek Mythology. Many of the Roman gods were believed to have been involved in founding Rome (“Roman gods”).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that mythology is a body of stories told to explain the world and its mysteries.
- Explains that the greek god, zeus, was the father of all the gods and the sky.
- Explains that hera, the greek goddess of women and marriage, was the patroness of marriage and the guardian of children.
- Explains that the greek god apollo was associated with archery, healing, and poetry. the romans worshipped apollo as the god of healing and prophecy.
- Explains that poseidon was the greek god of the sea, earthquakes and horses. he controlled the mediterranean sea as he watched over fishermen.
- Explains that hades was the greek god who ruled the underworld. he was a son of cronus and rhea and the youngest brother of zeus
- Explains that ares, the greek god of war, was known for his love of wrecking havoc on the battlefield and his delight in the death of soldiers.
- Explains that athena represented the strategic planning of war rather than raw violence. she was a state goddess, concerned with fertility in all respects.
- Opines that berens, e. m., a handbook of mythology: the mys and legends of ancient greece and rome.
- Explains that felson, nancy, ph.d., "athena, poseidon." world book student.
- Explains genovese, e. n., ph.d. "juno, jupiter, mars, minerva." world book student.
- Explains harmon, daniel p., ph.d. "pluto." world book student.
- Explains littleton, c. scott, ph.d., "hades." world book.
- Explains that phillips, f. carter, ph.d., "apollo, ares and hera, zeus." world book student.
- Explains stapleton's illustrated dictionary of greek and roman mythology.
1361 wordsRead More - The Contradictory Nature of Greek Gods and Godessesanalytical essayMany Greek gods were seen as both benefactors and tormentors, typically it depends on which god or goddess you are researching about. The seemingly contradictory behavior of the gods, acting as both benefactors and tormentors of man, can readily be explained when viewed in light of the prime directive for man, to worship the gods and not “overstep,” and the ensuing “Deus ex Mahina” which served to coerce man to fulfill his destiny as evidenced by the myths: “Pandora,” “Arachne, and “Odysseus.” Humankind and it’s range of vision over the gods beauty and power portrayed them to be benefactors but unseemingly it depicted their affliction towards humans.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the greek gods were seen as both benefactors and tormentors of man, based on the prime directive for man to worship them and the ensuing "deus ex mahina"
- Explains that a benefactor is someone who benefits or helps someone in real life. prometheus stole fire from the great gods and gave it to mankind.
- Explains that tormentors are foreseen to be evil and not bring any good to mankind. apollo brought music, prophecy, and enlightenment to the humans.
- Explains that the prime directive of man in greek mythology is to flat out worship the gods.
- Explains that deus ex machina is a plot device where an unsolvable problem is resolved by the manipulative and unexpected interruption of some new event, character, ability or object.
- Explains that in greek mythology, greek gods are benefactors or tormentors of mankind. the titan prometheus had originally been assigned with the task of creating man.
- Narrates how arachne challenged athena, the goddess of war, handicraft, and practical reason. she boasted that she was better than her.
- Analyzes how odysseus tricked the enemy into bringing a wooden horse within the walls of troy. the greeks had been laying siege to troy for nine long years, but suddenly it looked like their entire army had departed.
- Analyzes the myths which prove the contradictory behavior of the gods, acting as both benefactors and tormentors of man.
1265 wordsRead More