Mythology Questions
How does the author define or explain mythology?
Edith Hamilton defines Greek Mythology as the Greek's way of explaining the unexplainable. He shows this by stating, "According to the most modern idea, a real myth has nothing to do with religion. It is an explanation of something in nature; how, for instance, any and everything in the universe came into existence [...] all that is and all that happens" (Hamilton, Introduction). The Greeks had created these gods and goddesses because they had no logical reason for why certain acts of nature and of the universe happened.
Edith Hamilton speaks of "the miracle of Greek mythology". What does she mean by that?
Gods were not focused on fear and mercy, but rather the moral of reality. Thought the myths of unrealistic stories, there is an underlined realistic truth that displays certain factors of everyday living thus having "the miracle of Greek mythology".
For what purpose did the early Greeks tell these stories?
Some myths were told to explain what early science could not. They created myths to satisfy the Greeks curiosity for what they thought was the reason why things happened. They were often used as a form of entertainment.
What are some of the "dark spots" to which the author refers?
Some of the dark spots that the author refers to are the ancient mythology stories and gods. There were points when the gods are very unrealistic, ancient and barbaric.
Specifically, how did the gods of Greece differ from the gods of Egypt and Mesopotamia?
The gods of Greece mainly differed from the gods of Egypt and Mesopotamia in the way that they were modeled offer humans instead of the half human-half man gods that the Egyptians were familiar with. The gods in Greece were more relatable, where the Egyptians gods suggested harsh and intimidating factors such as the Sphinx suggesting inflexible, inhuman cruelty.
How does the author explain the different views of the same God?
The author explains the gradual change of Zeus in a way that we can relate to. He goes on to explain that men over time have an image of Zeus that can change and cope with the culture to which they live in. They may take the most desirable traits and apply them to their everyday lives.
What is the difference between primitive and Greek mythology?
The difference between primitive and Greek mythology is that the Greeks saw their gods in a more human matter. In the times before the Greeks, there were other, more primitive religions. The primitive people feared their gods. Most of their myths and tales are mostly explanations for the unknown. Those myths lacked in the depth structure that the Greeks gave their God.
What is the importance about the way that the Greeks saw there gods?
The importance of the gods were displayed through the minds of each individual during this time because they expressed the gods with their own image in there head. Humans developed a concept to humanize there gods . Even though the gods were immortal, they still had human connections, feelings, and emotions. So the Greeks were able to change there perception and image of the gods to the way that they saw fit.
What do myths show us about early Greeks?
The myths show us that the Greeks were very creative and had vivid imaginations. They used myths to show what the imagined through stories and art to express the flaws and powers of the gods and goddesses.
What is important to note about the setting and location of the Greek myths?
When studying Greek mythology, it is crucial to understand the importance of the setting of the myths. The ancient Greeks populated the earth in a time when science was scarce and regular activities were phenomenons. Therefore, they had no reason why things came from certain places. Mythology was created to put a reason to why things happened. So the location is very important in a myth to understand why things are happening the way they are.
