In the ancient times, Greek world viewed those who were defined as mythical heroes and heroines as their historical icons. They also acknowledge that these heroic myths are sited in a well-known past which can be identified with the human world. It is also said to have no connection with the myth that focuses on the Greeks ancient gods which is the “age of the gods” (Tamas, Mircea, p 14).
An author such as G. S. Kirk draws a line between mythical gods and mythical heroes which was guided by past critics. He also went ahead and categorized the gods according to their power and responsibilities. Moreover, he categorizes myths of the heroes in to three distinct organizations; these are, myths dated before the Trojan war that comprises the older heroes in the Greek study, the second category is the myth
...s dated in the times of the Trojan war of which those are called the younger heroes and finally there is the much later inventions which rely on actual historical figures (Guides and Mythology).
Body
In another study done by Richard Buxton, he outlines the various characteristics that were portrayed by the geek gods and the main ideologies of different types of myths that existed. Greek gods had no defined way off appearance in terms of good or evil but powerful is their nature. A misunderstanding would occur between the mythical heroes and the gods in case of when mortals cross their boarders or even when there is an imbalance of power. The frequently studied ideologies of the gods and the heroes’ myths are deception, honor, negotiation, reciprocity as well as violence. It is also said that i
the analysis of the myths of cosmogonical, the Greek myths seem to be demonstrating what is found in the nature of mind that is the conscious and the unconscious states. The idea behind these myths is that the change from a non-conscious to a conscious state of mind triggers conflict between the gods and the mythical heroes. Hence, the only moment calmness and unity is realized is in the unconscious state of mind (Clay, Jenny, p 39-47).
In the analysis of heroes’ myths, famous Greek heroes such as Odysseus, Oedipus, Theseus and Perseus have been considered. Information of these myths has been added bit by bit on to the original mythical idea as time goes. The most narrated stories about the Greek heroes are like that for Odysseus who is a typical Greek hero. He was brave, very strong to triumph over adversity, strived to attain goals and observed the orders by the god’s. He well demonstrated the virtues of his society. His human nature allows him to consider people in his community, he was vulnerable to temptations, he was aware of his finite mortal strength and he relied much on his knowledge. He is a good example of a Greek ideal warrior who is intellectual and holds a delicate passion for friendship and love” (Tamas, Mircea, p 30-32).
Another prominent Greek hero that studies outline is Perseus. His heroism have been captured in incidences such as, escape from danger when he was a child, saving his mother by defending her against her admires of which that was a very dangerous undertaking, he came up with the magical items that were utilized during the attach, not forgetting
his act of rescuing the princess and more so he accidentally killed a relative. Scholars such as Kirk utilize several approaches in the attempt of assigning dates to certain occurrences in the Greek myths. He copes with the idea that myths about heroes contain bigger and deeper narrative complexity than the divine nature of myths. Meanwhile, in all his studies the prominent Greek heroic figures were men (Clay, Jenny, p 60-61).
What about the heroic female figures? Deborah Lyons, who is a Greek mythology scholar, argues that even the female heroes should be recognized. Some of those heroes are Semele, Helen, Iphigeneia and many others. They too have met the distinctive qualities that have been laid down by male heroes. Just as for the male heroes, there are sources to deduce information on the mythical heroines too.
Greek mythology also has information about the cause of ancient Greek goddess. Charlene Spretnak explains that before the introduction of the ancient patriarchal Olympic mythological custom, that was established after the invasion of Greece by the Achaeans, the Loans, and lastly the Dorians, who inhabited the place for around 1500 years. By then, there existed a deeply rooted oral tradition of goddess worship. The goddess is said to have been compassionate and compelling but any time they would be involved in the Olympian myths they would become jealous, sexual objects and disagreeable. Mythically, women were portrayed as reproduction goddess and creators who were later undermined by the mythical system into being creations of male gods with a reason of bringing distress and mortality to human. In a different line of thought, the role of the female goddess in Greek mythology
has been suppressed, as in the case of Persephone a Greek goddess rape, and the powerful bond shared by mothers and daughters. It has been clearly shown by Demeter’s descent with the mission of recovering her daughter Persephone” (Tamas, Mircea, p 56-63).
Conclusion
In conclusion, studies done on Greek mythology shows that scholars are in partial agreement with the ideology of the source and developments that have been done to the ancient myths. There also exists a bit of a similarity between the Greek myths and the existing Eastern myths. In the present times, nobody can truly give the exact meaning of given myth. Myth interpretation can be based on the available information at the moment of the study or the support that a scholar gives towards a `certain myth. Whichever the scholars approach should be, there is a continuous amazing discovery, inspirations, analysis to do and discussions to carry on.
Reference
- Clay, Jenny S. The Wrath of Athena: Gods and Men in the Odyssey. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 1997. Print.
- Guides, Study, and Greek Mythology. "Greek Mythology Essay - Critical Essays - Enotes.Com". eNotes. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.
- Tamas, Mircea A. The Wrath of Gods: Esoteric and Occult in the Modern World. Toronto: Rose-Cross Books, 2004. Print
- Creation Myth essays
- Creation Vs Evolution essays
- Achilles essays
- Apollo essays
- Gilgamesh essays
- Hercules essays
- Iliad essays
- Myths essays
- Odysseus essays
- Oedipus essays
- Trojan War essays
- Zeus essays
- Aeneid essays
- Beowulf essays
- Blackberry Picking essays
- Canterbury Tales essays
- Dulce Et Decorum Est essays
- My Last Duchess essays
- Odyssey essays
- Sir Gawain And The Green Knight essays
- The Road essays