Mythology Final
"First, with justice I salute my Argos and my gods, my accomplices who brought me home and won my rights from Priam's Troy—the just gods. No need to hear our pleas. Once for all they consigned their lots to the urn of blood, they pitched on death for men, annihilation for the city. Hope's hand, hovering over the urn of mercy, left it empty. Look for the smoke—it is the city's seamark, building even now. The storms of ruin live! Her last dying breath, rising up from the ashes sends us gales of incense rich in gold." [p. 133]
Aeschylus, Agamemnon: Agamemnon: About the destruction of Troy. Themes: Justice and Revenge Clytemnestra kills her husband Agamemnon in order to avenge her daughter Iphigeneia who was killed innocently by Agamemnon. As she kills her husband she tells him that their daughter Iphigeneia will be the next one he see's. After she kills him she is joined by her lover Aegisthus, Agamemnon's cousin. They take over the government, and the chorus declares that Orestes, their son will return from exile to avenge his fathers death.
"O what a brilliant day it is for vengeance! Now I can say once more there are gods in heaven avenging men, blazing down on all the crimes of earth. Now at last I see this man brought down in the Furies' tangling robes. It feasts my eyes— he pays for the plot his father's hand contrived." [p. 167]
Aeschylus, Agamemnon: AEGISTHUS says this after Clyemnestra kills Agamemnon and they take over the government. Themes: Justice and Revenge Clytemnestra kills her husband Agamemnon in order to avenge her daughter Iphigeneia who was killed innocently by Agamemnon. As she kills her husband she tells him that their daughter Iphigeneia will be the next one he see's. After she kills him she is joined by her lover Aegisthus, Agamemnon's cousin. They take over the government, and the chorus declares that Orestes, their son will return from exile to avenge his fathers death.
"And so the Trojans buried Hector breaker of horses. [Book 24]"
"and so the Trojans buried Hector, Breaker of Horses." This shows that Achilles, who started the story with rage, finished it with compassion.
Those words stirred within Achilles a deep desire to grieve for his own father. Taking the old man's hand he gently moved him back. And overpowered by memory both men gave way to grief. Priam wept freely for man-killing Hector, throbbing, crouching before Achilles' feet as Achilles wept himself, now for his father, now for Patroclus once again, and their sobbing rose and fell throughout the house
Achilles agrees to give Hectors body back after Priam show up and begs him.
"Atrides—well we know how far you excel us all: no one can match your strength at throwing spears, you are the best by far! Take first prize and return to your hollow ships while we award this spear to the fighter Meriones, if that would please your heart. That's what I propose." (BOOK23)
Achilles gives Agememnon 1st prize in the spear throwing contest during the funeral games for Petroclus.
And the matchless runner reassured him: "Courage! Out with it now, Calchas. Reveal the will of god, whatever you may know. And I swear by Apollo dear to Zeus, the power you pray to, Calchas, when you reveal god's will to the Argives—no one, not while I am alive and see the light on earth, no one will lay his heavy hands on you by the hollow ships. None among all the armies. Not even if you mean Agamemnon here who now claims to be, by far, the best of the Achaeans." [Book 1]
Achilles is talking and he is trying to reassure Calchas and protect him. Calchas is someone who is like a prophet and he knows why the plague was happening to the greeks. But, he was afraid to say the truth but Achilles wants to know why it happened.
"Oh for all the world a Helen! Hell at the prows, hell at the gates hell on the men-of-war, from her lair's sheer veils she drifted launched by the giant western wind, and the long tall waves of men in armour, huntsmen trailing the oar-blades' dying spoor slipped into her moorings, Simois' mouth that chokes with foliage, bayed for bloody strife, for Troy's Blood Wedding Day—she drives her word, her burning will to the birth, the Fury late but true to the cause, to the tables shamed and Zeus who guards the hearth— the Fury makes the Trojans pay!" [pp. 129-130]
Aeschylus, Agamemnon:
"Look, you see them nestling at the threshold? Young, young in the darkness like a dream, like children really, yes, and their loved ones brought them down ... their hands, they fill their hands with their own flesh, they are serving it like food, holding out their entrails ... now it's clear, I can see the armfuls of compassion, see the father reach to taste and— For so much suffering, I tell you, someone plots revenge." [p. 151]
Aeschylus, Agamemnon: CASSANDRA: is speaking to the chorus about how their is a curse on the house of Agamemnon and how they will see their King dead. She also tells the chorus that she will die along with him and that an avenger will come. The chorus is franticly trying to think of what to do, when they enter and see Clytemnestra hovering over Cassandra and Agamemnon, DEAD. Themes: Justice and Revenge Clytemnestra kills her husband Agamemnon in order to avenge her daughter Iphigeneia who was killed innocently by Agamemnon. As she kills her husband she tells him that their daughter Iphigeneia will be the next one he see's. After she kills him she is joined by her lover Aegisthus, Agamemnon's cousin. They take over the government, and the chorus declares that Orestes, their son will return from exile to avenge his fathers death.
"Let them howl—they're impotent. You and I have power now. We will set the house in order once for all." [p. 172]
Aeschylus, Agamemnon: CLYTEMNESTRA: is speaking to her lover Aegisthus, Agamemnon's cousin after she kills him and they take over the government. Themes: Justice and Revenge Clytemnestra kills her husband Agamemnon in order to avenge her daughter Iphigeneia who was killed innocently by Agamemnon. As she kills her husband she tells him that their daughter Iphigeneia will be the next one he see's. After she kills him she is joined by her lover Aegisthus, Agamemnon's cousin. They take over the government, and the chorus declares that Orestes, their son will return from exile to avenge his fathers death.
"Each charge meets counter-charge. None can judge between them. Justice. The plunderer plundered, the killer pays the price. The truth still holds while Zeus still holds the throne: the one who acts must suffer— that is law. Who can tear from the veins the bad seed, the curse? The race is welded to its ruin." [p. 167]
Aeschylus, Agamemnon: The CHORUS: This is talking a lot about revenge and blood for blood. Themes: Justice and Revenge Clytemnestra kills her husband Agamemnon in order to avenge her daughter Iphigeneia who was killed innocently by Agamemnon. As she kills her husband she tells him that their daughter Iphigeneia will be the next one he see's. After she kills him she is joined by her lover Aegisthus, Agamemnon's cousin. They take over the government, and the chorus declares that Orestes, their son will return from exile to avenge his fathers death.
"Let the new day shine—as the proverb says— glorious from the womb of Mother Night. You will hear a joy beyond your hopes. Priam's citadel—the Greeks have taken Troy!" [p. 111]
Aeschylus, Agamemnon: CLYTEMNESTRA: is telling the Chorus (made up of old men) that the beacon system has told her that the Greek have taken over Troy ! Themes: Justice and Revenge Clytemnestra kills her husband Agamemnon in order to avenge her daughter Iphigeneia who was killed innocently by Agamemnon. As she kills her husband she tells him that their daughter Iphigeneia will be the next one he see's. After she kills him she is joined by her lover Aegisthus, Agamemnon's cousin. They take over the government, and the chorus declares that Orestes, their son will return from exile to avenge his fathers death.
"...If you leave for an alien land and alien people, you will come to love this land, I promise you. As time flows on, the honours flow through all my citizens, and you, throned in honour before the house of Erechtheus, will harvest more from men and women moving in solemn file than you can win throughout the mortal world." [p. 269]
Aeschylus, Eumenides: THEMES: JUSTICE and JUDGEMENT REVENGE ATHENA: The Furies aren't too pleased about this outcome, but after a lot of persuasion, Athena convinces them to accept it. At the same time, she convinces them to stay in Athens as goddesses in charge of helping good people and punishing bad people (instead of just punishing). From now on, instead of just being "Furies," the goddesses will be known as "The Kindly Ones," a.k.a. the Eumenides.
"And now if you would hear my law, you men of Greece, you who will judge the first trial of bloodshed. Now and forever more, for Aegeus' people this will be the court where judges reign. This is the Crag of Ares, where the Amazons pitched their tents when they came marching down on Theseus, full tilt in their fury, erecting a new city to overarch his city, towers thrust against his towers—they sacrificed to Ares, name this rock from that day onward Ares' Crag." [p. 261]
Aeschylus, Eumenides: THEMES: JUSTICE and JUDGEMENT REVENGE Athena convinces the furies that Orestes should go to trial in order to decide his fate for killing his mother and avenging his father
"And the brutal strife, the civil war devouring men, I pray that it never rages through out city, no that the good Greek soil never drinks the blood of Greeks, shed in an orgy of reprisal life for life— that Fury like a beast will never rampage through the land. Give joy in return for joy, one common will for love, and hate with one strong heart: such union heals a thousand ills of man." [p. 274]
Aeschylus, Eumenides: THEMES: JUSTICE and JUDGEMENT REVENGE FURIES: The trial comes to an end when Athena is the "swing vote" and she decides to side with Orestes, and says that his actions were indeed justified. The furies pledge to stay in Athens where they were now only punish those who are bad and deserve it, rather than just punishing. The will be now known as the "kind" or the Eumenides.
"Their heavy, rasping breathing makes me cringe. And their eyes ooze a discharge, sickening, and what they wear—to flaunt that at the gods, the idols, sacrilege! even in the homes of men." [p. 233]
Aeschylus, Eumenides: THEMES: JUSTICE and JUDGEMENT REVENGE The Furies PITHEA
LEADER: "Then examine him yourself, judge him fairly. ATHENA: You would turn over responsibility to me, to reach the final verdict? LEADER: Certainly. We respect you. You show us respect." [p. 250-51]
Aeschylus, Eumenides: THEMES: JUSTICE and JUDGEMENT REVENGE Athena convinces the furies that Orestes should go to trial in order to decide his fate for killing his mother and avenging his father.
CLYTEMNESTRA: "Strangers, please, tell me what you would like and it is yours. We've all you might expect in a house like ours. We have warm baths and beds to charm away your pains and the eyes of Justice look on all we do. But if you come for higher things, affairs that touch the state, that is the men's concern and I will stir them on." [p. 206]
Aeschylus, Libation Bearers Orestes is disguised when he first sees his mother Clytemnestra, he tells her that he has been sent to tell her about her sons death.
"No, no! Women—look—like Gorgons, shrouded in black, their heads wreathed, swarming serpents! —Cannot stay, I must move on." [p. 224]
Aeschylus, Libation Bearers Orestes returns to the palace to avenge his father Agamemnon, he has been away for years in exile. It has also been years since Clytemnestra killed her husband Agamemnon. After Orestes finally kills his mother he is being harassed by the furies, who are there the ancient spirits of vengeance, the Furies ensure that no blood crime goes unpunished.
"The proud dead stir under earth, they rage against the ones who took their lives.' But the gifts, the empty gifts she hopes will ward them off— good Mother Earth!—that godless woman sends me here... I dread to say her prayer. What can redeem the blood that wets the soil? ... They are afraid. Success, they bow to success, more god than god himself. But Justice waits and turns the scales...." [p. 179]
Aeschylus, Libation Bearers The CHORUS is talking on how Clytemnestra cannot escape justice and how Agamemnon's death will be avenged by their son Orestes.
"She dreamed she bore a snake, said so herself and... ...she swaddled it like a baby, laid it to rest. ...She gave it her breast to suck—she was dreaming. ...Blood curdled with milk with each sharp tug... ...and she woke with a scream, appalled, and rows of torches, burning out of the blind dark, flared across the halls to soothe the queen, and then she sent the libations for the dead, an easy cure she hope will cut the pain." [p. 201]
Aeschylus, Libation Bearers The chorus then describes Clytamnestra's terrifying dream. They tell that she dreamed she bore a snake, and wrapped it like a baby. Then she tried to feed it from her breast, but the snake bit her, and blood curdled the milk. She awoke with a scream, and sent the libations in the hope that they would appease whoever sent the vision
"No, NO
Aphrodite
"You came third, and all you could do was finish off my life ... One more thing—take it to heart, I urge you— you too, you won't live long yourself, I swear. Already I see them looming up beside you—death and the strong force of fate, to bring you down at the hands of Aeacus' great royal son ... Achilles!"
As Petrocholos is killed by Hector he tell him that Achilles is going to find out what happened and kill him. Trying to scare Hector. Petrocholos had stolen Achilles armor and pretended be him. After killing many powerful Trojans, he is finally stunned by a God and then Killed by Hector.
"Splendid—you are my friend, my guest from the days of our grandfathers long ago! Noble Oeneus hosted your brave Bellerophon once, he held him there in his halls, twenty whole days, and they gave each other handsome gifts of friendship. My kinsman offered a gleaming sword-belt, rich red, Bellerophon gave a cup, two-handled, solid gold— I left it at home when I set out for Troy. (book 6)
Dimomedes and Glaucus extend arms towards each other after they realized that their ancestors were friends. They vow never to harm each other Hospitality: Xenia (describes the relationship between guests and hosts) Ancient Greeks were supposed to provide shelter and food to travelers. and in return they were supposed to tell what they'd seen or fill in on whats been happening.
"Zeus, all you immortals! Grant this boy, my son, may be like me, first in glory among the Trojans, strong and brave like me, and rule all Troy in power and one day let them say, 'He is a better man than his father!'— when he comes home from battle bearing the bloody gear of the mortal enemy he has killed in war— a joy to his mother's heart. (book 6)
Hector visits his wife Andromache after he tries to get Paris to join him in battle. Andromache pleads for Hector to stay and not fight for she fears that he may die in battle. Hector explains that he has to fight because he would rather die in battle a glorious death, than to stay home a coward. The family shares a nice moment while he is tossing his baby around playfully.
"But the woman unstopped the jar and let it all out, and brought grim cares upon mankind. Only Hope remained there inside in her secure dwelling, under the lip of the jar, and did not fly out, because the woman put the lid back in time by the providence of Zeus the cloud-gatherer who bears the aegis." [P. 39-40]
Hesiod - Work and Days Pandora and the box This passage is from Hesiod's Work and Days and it is focused around the story of Pandora and the box. Pandora was the first human created by the gods and was sent as a punishment after Prometheus stole fire and gave it to the humans so that they could use it. Pandora is described as very beautiful. Talks about the
"I see there is not only one Strife-brood on earth, there are two. One would be commended when perceived, the other reprehensible, and their tempers distinct. The one promotes ugly fighting and conflict, the brute: no mortal is fond of her, but they are forced by the gods' designs to do homage to Strife the burdensome. But the other was elder born of gloomy Night, and the son of Kronos, the high- seated one who dwells in heaven, set her in the earth's roots, much the better for men. [P. 37]"
Hesiod - Works and Days This passage is out of "Works and Days" written by the great Hesiod. This passage is focusing on how there is two different types of strifes in the world. One of these strifes is bad and the other is of struggle or opposition. The bad strife deals with violence, greed, or war , while the other deals with the notion of every day life that encourage us to work, that makes us WORK to better our lives and survive. Very early on in the works and days poem.
"I intend to build a most beautiful temple right here as a place of prophecy for mortals, who will always offer me perfect bulls by the hundred. People living in the rocky Peloponnesus, in Europe, and in islands encircled by sea will make offerings when seeking an oracle. To all of them, I will prophesy unerring counsel, declaring oracles in my rich temple." [pp. 44-45]1
Homeric Hymn to Apollo: Talking about building telphussa. This hymn describes the birth and origins of the sun god Apollo, born to the minor goddess Leto after being impregnated by Zeus. The hymn narrates her search for a place to give birth, naming and describing each region of Greece that refused her out of fear of her unborn son's power. The rocky, barren island of Delos is the only place that will accept her, saying it's hated by all the Greeks and pleading for Apollo to glorify it with a temple
"Leto searched, while in labor with the skillful Archer, all these lands to find one willing to house her son. But each place quaked with fear and not one dared to accept Phoibos, for all their fertile soil, not until Queen Leto set foot on Delos." [p. 36]
Homeric Hymn to Apollo: This hymn describes the birth and origins of the sun god Apollo, born to the minor goddess Leto after being impregnated by Zeus. The hymn narrates her search for a place to give birth, naming and describing each region of Greece that refused her out of fear of her unborn son's power. The rocky, barren island of Delos is the only place that will accept her, saying it's hated by all the Greeks and pleading for Apollo to glorify it with a temple
"She sat, wasting with longing for her daughter, until wise, careful Iambe jested with her. With a slew of jokes, Iambe made the divine lady smile, laugh, and keep a gracious mood— Iambe who in later times also pleased her spirit. Metaneira gave her a cup of honey-sweet wine, but she shook her head, saying it was not right for her to drink red wine; [goddess's name] bid her offer a drink of barley and water mixed with tender mint. She gave the kukeōn drink to the goddess as ordered: Queen Deo received it for the sake of her rite." [p. 24]
Homeric Hymn to Demeter: Demeter has found out the truth about Persephone and how she is gone to the underworld to be with Hades. She dressing like a human and comes to the home of Celeus and Metaneira. There she is delighted by a servant named Iambe and laughs. Metaneira offers Demeter red wine, but Demeter refuses and has her make a drink or barley and water with mint. It is a form of communion. Theme: concentrating on female experience in ancient Greek society and the ways in which that experience was symbolically expressed, and mitigated, in cult and ritual
"Amazed, she stretched out both hands to pick the charming bloom—and a chasm opened in the Nysian plain. Out sprang Lord of the Dead, god of many names, on his immortal horses. Snatching the unwilling girl, he carried her off in his golden chariot, as she cried and screamed aloud calling to her father, son of Kronos, highest and best." [p. 17]
Homeric Hymn to Demeter: Zeus and Demeters daughter, Persephone is picking flowers up from the earth. Persephone reaches down to pluck one last flower and the earth is opened up. Hades (god of the underworld) rides up on his golden chariot and carries her away in tears. Persephone cries out to Zeus in hopes that he will save her, but he did not hear her for it was by his will that HADES [hay'deez] (PLUTO), his brother and her uncle, carried her off to be his wife and queen of the Underworld. Demeter roams Olympus for 9 days looking for Persephone, she doesn't eat ambrosia or drink nectar for the 9 days. Or shower. Theme: concentrating on female experience in ancient Greek society and the ways in which that experience was symbolically expressed, and mitigated, in cult and ritual
"Maia bore a wily child with a seductive mind— a robber, cattle rustler, guide of dreams, who stands watch by night, guardian at the gate, who would soon reveal glorious deeds among immortal gods. Born at dawn, at midday he played the lyre, at dusk he stole the cattle of Apollo the skillful Archer, on that fourth day of the month Queen Maia bore him." [p. 55]11
Homeric Hymn to Hermes: Zeus sleeps with Maia in the dark of the night. If a child is conceived through cheating, in the middle of the night, in a cave unseen by gods or men, then surely it will be destined to become a great thief. This passage is talking about MAIA who has Zeus' child Hermes, who will be a great thief. Hermes steals a bunch of cows and Zeus is impressed, but makes him tell Apollo where he hid it.
"I beg you, beg you by your life, your parents— don't let the dogs devour me by the Argive ships! Wait, take the princely ransom of bronze and gold, the gifts my father and noble mother will give you— but give my body to friends to carry home again, so Trojan men and Trojan women can do me honor with fitting rites of fire once I am dead." (BOOK 22)
In book 22 of the Iliad, Hector is slain by Achilles after Hector kills Petroclus. As Hector dies he begs Achilles to leave his body with his people, so that they can perform proper burial rights and homage. Achilles soon after denies Hector.
"No, what lasting thanks in the long run for warring with our enemies, on and on, no end? One and the same lot for the man who hangs back and the man who battles hard. The same honor waits for the coward and the brave. They both go down to Death, the fighter who shirks, the one who works to exhaustion" Book 9
Odysseus appeals to achilles to help his fellow Acheans. Achilles refuses the treasure and threatens to sail home. Phoenix asks Achilles to forgive. He tells the story of the angry prince who lost the honor of great gifts because he waited to long to relent. Achilles doesn't want honor that way.
"We do have Prayers, you know, Prayers for forgiveness, daughters of mighty Zeus . . . and they limp and halt, they're all wrinkled, drawn, they squint to the side, can't look you in the eyes, and always bent on duty, trudging after Ruin, maddening, blinding Ruin. But Ruin is strong and swift— She outstrips them all by far, stealing a march, leaping over the whole wide earth to bring mankind to grief. And the Prayers trail after, trying to heal the wounds. And then, if a man reveres these daughters of Zeus as they draw near him, they will help him greatly and listen to his appeals. But if one denies them, turns them away, stiff-necked and harsh—off they go to the son of Cronus, Zeus, and pray that Ruin will strike the man down, crazed and blinded until he's paid the price" BOOK 9
Odysseus appeals to achilles to help his fellow Acheans. Achilles refuses the treasure and threatens to sail home. Phoenix asks Achilles to forgive. He tells the story of the angry prince who lost the honor of great gifts because he waited to long to relent. Achilles doesn't want honor that way.
Mother, I would undertake this task and accomplish it—I am not afraid of our unspeakable father. After all, he began it by his ugly behaviour. So he spoke, and mighty Earth was delighted. [P. 8]
This is Zeus talking about how he will overthrow Kronus in the Theogony. He is telling Rhea , his mother. focusing on creation and masculinity and coming to order.
And the people massed, streaming into the marketplace where a quarrel had broken out and two men struggled over the blood-price for a kinsman just murdered. One declaimed in public, vowing payment in full— the other spurned him, he would not take a thing— so both men pressed for a judge to cut the knot. The crowd cheered on both, they took both sides, but heralds held them back as the city elders sat on polished stone benches, forming the sacred circle, grasping in hand the staffs of clear-voiced heralds, and each leapt to his feet to plead the case in turn. Two bars of solid gold shone on the ground before them, a prize for the judge who'd speak the straightest verdict BOOK 18
This is about Hepeastus making the new golden shield for Achilles. His mother told him to wait for her to return with new armor.
"Would that I were not then among the fifth men, but either dead earlier or born later! For now is the race of _____; and they will never cease from toil and misery by day or night, in constant distress, and the gods will give them harsh troubles. [P. 42]"
This passage is from Hesiod's Work and Days it is focused around the ages of man and the theme of decline and suffering. Hesiod goes on to explain how all of the different ages of man are punished by the gods because of the ways that they act. First theres the golden age, everyone lived in somewhat of a paradise and there was no women, only man. In the golden age they lived a care free life of peace and abundance. They all died. We aren't sure why. Second, theres the silver age. They life their entire life as children and are careless and because of this the gods kill them. Next the bronze age, followed by the Heroic age. The IRON age is the current age that we are in and that Hesiod is in, the iron age is the age of the working man.
"Goodness, why are you screaming? You are in the power of one much superior, and you will go whichever way I take you, singer though you are. I will make you my dinner if I like, or let you go. He is a fool who seeks to compete against the stronger: he both loses the struggle and suffers injury on top of insult. [P. 43]"
This passage is from Hesiod's Work and Days and it is focused around the fable of the hawk and the nightingale. This is a story about JUSTICE. He addresses it to Kings and to his brother Perses. He describes Justice as DEVINE. Hesiod wanted to prove to his brother that no one was as powerful as the gods, and he used this fable to illustrate that point. The hawk captures the nightingale
"From the Muses of Helicon let us begin our singing, that haunt Helicon's great holy mountain, and dance on their soft feet round the violet-dark spring and the altar of the mighty son of Kronos. [P. 3]"
This passage is from Hesiod's theogony and it is at the very beginning of the theogony. The theogony of course is a story of how the gods came to be. Hesiod starts off this poem and Works and Days with an Ode to the gods. He calls out to the muses.
"Instead, without more trouble, let us settle our dispute with straight judgments, the best that Zeus sends. For we divided our estate before, and you kept grabbing and taking much more, paying great tribute to the lords, those bribe-swallowers, who see fit to make this their judgment. [P. 38]"
This passage is out of "Works and Days" written by the great Hesiod. This passage is focusing on Hesiod and his brother Perses and their troubled relationship due to the creed of Perses. He attempted to take more then the fair share of the inherence from their father , dealing with the land and he tried to take steal basically what was partially rightfully Hesiod. The whole story of the works and days is an outline of basically how to be, or right from wrong.
When he had overcome him by belaboring him with his blows, Typhoeus collapsed crippled, and the huge earth groaned. [P. 28]
When Zeus had accumulated his strength...and taken his weapons, the thunder, lightening, and smoking bolt, he leapt from Olympus and struck, and he scorched all the strange heads of the dreadful monster on every side... When he had overcome him by belaboring him with his blows, Typhoeus collapsed crippled, and the huge earth groaned - Zeus defeats Typhoeus with his might by burying him beneath Mount Etna, Europe's largest and most active volcano
