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9/10/21Did the Gods in Eumenides Underperform?
The Gods Greek methodology tend to be immortal meaning they never die. These gods such as Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, and Athena, just to name a few, seem to be the over keepers of the mortal world. Now one would think that since they have been tasked with watching over and guiding the mortal world, that they would have fewer flaws than the people they are overseeing. But in some instances, more specifically Athena and Apollo in this scenario, this does not seem to be the case. In the theological sense, people tend to think that someone who is a God is perfect and has all the answers. But often the gods of Greece seem to pass off their duties and responsibilities to each other because they themselves are not sure what to do at times. For example, Apollo passes off the decision of whether Orestes is correct to kill his mother or not to Athena. So, he sends Orestes to Athens to meet Athena, and the whole way there he is chased by the furies. Most would argue the expected outcome would be for Apollo to handle the situation since he is supposed to be a Greek God with all this knowledge and wisdom. Another example of the failures of the Greek gods to live up to their expectations occurs when Athena is directed to decide whether it was the right choice for Orestes to kill his mother to avenge his father’s death. Instead of making the decision because she is supposed to be the wisest sentient being in the world, she must enlist the help of 10 mortals as a grand jury. Orestes then says that his mother’s life was less valuable than his father and Athena surprisingly sides on the side of sexism claiming his statement to be true. Alayna Kennedy a fellow blogger from Penn State University, in a format like this one, discusses that the Gods knew they were imperfect, and they did not care. Gods and Monsters | A Kennedy in College (psu.edu) Throughout the whole play, the gods show a pattern of laziness and lack of moral responsibility. This poses the question “Why do the characters in the play pray, worship, and practically devote their lives to these gods when they are no more perfect than they themselves? 9/24/21Does Cassandra Regret Not Giving into Apollo
Early on in our journey with Cassandra, she meets the Greek God, Apollo. He gives her the ability to foretell prophecies but in return, he asks for her to sleep with him. She is faced with a choice of whether to please the Greek god and please the patriarchy or does she stay true to herself. Well as it turns out she refuses and in turn Apollo curses her so that no one will ever believe her prophecies. As it turns out Cassandra is a priestess, in fact, she is Apollo’s priestess. This means she has devoted herself to remain a virgin her whole life, but this is not the sole reason she turned him down. She knew if she were to be associated with him and all that he stood for it would go against everything that she represented for. Some would contend that her spurning of the god may be a decision she will end up regretting. Because it ends up aiding in the inability of the Trojans to properly prepare for battle. It also leads to her terrible rape at the hands of Ajax. And lastly, it ultimately ends in her death alongside Agamemnon. So, the posed question is “If Cassandra could go back in time and change her mind by sleeping with Apollo, would she?” Some would claim that she is such a strong-willed and independent being that she still would not give in to the patriarchy and refuse to be another casualty of the war. Women being a casualty of war seems to be Cassandra’s conscious calling card. It seems to be a common theme/stereotype throughout the Trojan War and all wars in general that she is desperately ready to get rid of. In closing, Cassandra's drive to challenge the system, resist the patriarchy, and refusal to be another female casualty; results in her author, readers, and own self, leaving feeling content. 10/15/2021Agamemnon’s Faithless Coverup
By many authors and critics’ accounts, Agamemnon’s faith is constantly put into question. No matter what story or play he is being depicted in his purpose and motives for his actions are being put into question. He strongly makes the case for many readers to believe that he does not have faith in the gods; he has faith in politics. The one major example of this that many of Agamemnon's critics cite is when he invites his family to Aulis with the understanding of attending Iphigenia’s wedding. With his wife Clytemnestra, his son Orestes, and his daughter Iphigenia in attendance his true plan is revealed; he is going to sacrifice Iphigenia to the gods. Or so this is what he wants this situation to be perceived as by the public eye. On the other hand, the political side of Agamemnon is doing this because his daughter's death would allow the Achaian army to pass through to Troy. At this moment Clytemnestra decides that she must exact revenge on him because she does not believe in gods so, in her eyes, she sees this murder as purely political. Her decision was easy for someone like her who could see through the façade and realize that religion is Agamemnon's political cover-up. Although, some of his fans would vouch that his acts, even if they are not so faithfully decent, were still in the nature of the Greek Gods. The Greek gods themselves, being obsessed with political life and all the nefarious things that come with it, are not too different from Agamemnon. The question that seems to be brought to light here is “Is his faith an excuse for his actions, or is he merely imitating the action and characteristics of his gods?” So, the same question seems to keep being asked by Agamemnon's critics; is he really doing this for religious manifestation or is it all for political gain? Blog 5 CirceGreek Mythology’s Most Misunderstood Character
Circe through many different retellings and novels can be either seen as an evil vengeful witch or a misunderstood goddess with feminist like intentions. She seems to want to break the narrative of only one woman being in power at the top throughout Madeline Miller’s “Circe”. Many writers just simply state that she would turn men into pigs without giving any context or any support to her reasoning. Due to the fact she is portrayed in a negative light, most readers do not see her for who she truly is. For example, when she turned and left Odysseus she did not do it for her own gain but because she could not stand to hear him tarnish nymphs and have no respect for the beings to which she is related. She often broke off many relationships and excluded herself from immortals who thought they were better than mortals. She proves her fascination with mortals by ultimately falling in love with Glaucus. She makes many efforts to turn him immortal by making him the god of the sea. Her interest is many times misunderstood because many readers do not realize the philosophy of Circe’s innocent prejudice. She does not prefer mortals over gods and immortals because of how long they’re expected to live. She prefers mortals because they seem to be more down to earth and humble, whereas the gods feel they are better because they have an unlimited life. Ultimately as it turns out towards the end of the story that Circe reveals she would rather be a mortal because she feels their life is valued better and they appreciate what life has to offer. She decides to drink a potion that would permanently turn her mortal proving once and for all that she understands the true values of life and, in her opinion, the correct philosophy to live by. She has overcome many obstacles whether it is proving that she is not who she seems to be through the telling of Homer's Odyssey or the out-of-context fables about Her turning men into pigs. Throughout her whole life she has been misrepresented and misinterpreted earning her the title of Greek mythology ‘s most misunderstood character. 11/21/2021The Penelopiad's Fact Checkers
Margaret Atwood Having the maids interject Penelope story is an interesting style that is often not approached in modern literature. Especially from a novel that’s supposed to be coming from one singular person about them self. It’s obvious that Penelope is wanting to tell her story to “correct” some of the false narratives that she feels had been spread about her. But as any reader who took her Words for more than face value realize that Penelope is not a very trustworthy narrator when it comes to telling her side of the story. This is where Atwood has the interesting style of having her personal maid interrupt and almost act as glorified fact checkers on her retelling of the tale. When the maids feel Penelope is speaking out of context or not telling the whole truth they correct her in a way. At first they surprised readers with their interjection but eventually many embraced their presence and enjoy an alternate point of view. It is often thought through a subjective lens that the maids narration is as enjoyable or more enjoyable than Penelope by herself. Atwood brings a refreshing and modernistic take by giving, as some would say, the minority group in this novel a voice. She revives a perspective of the maids that was lost, or maybe never there at all. Atwood gives them many chances to leave hint as to why they were hung by Odysseus. Her words are always deeper than just surface level one and anyone can see that these maids are slaves to the society they are helplessly thrown into. She gives them a leg up contrary to the way Penelope betrayed them but I’m not defending them from a Odysseus. She gives life to and personifies the spirits that otherwise, in other retelling of Penelope‘s story, would leave out the maids. |